Sandy's Cafe

Brooklyn, New York

March 18

Olivia watched Elliot over the rim of her coffee mug in concern, the same feeling in her stomach that she normally reserved for vicitms. His

marriage and state of mind were falling apart, that much was apparant. She didn't fully understand why he stayed with Kathy after she

cheated on him the first time. It was ironic how he was so distrustful and abrasive when it came to dealing with perps, but when it came to

his family, he wore his heart on his sleeve. Maybe she's telling the truth, Olivia thought. Maybe she's done with cheating. If that's the case,

then their family will go on as it always had, and perhaps some state of peace of mind will return to Elliot.

Elliot set down the menu he was reading and leaned back in his chair, eyes closed. "I have a feeling this will be a tough case," he said.

"Why do you say that?"

He opened his eyes, brows raised. "We have to protect this woman, but we don't even know who or what we're protecting her from, or even if she

does, in fact, need protecting."

"You don't think she's involved in the murder, do you?" Olivia asked.

Elliot folded his arms across his chest. "Maybe not, but I think she knows something, and we don't have any way of proving that she's withholding

information."

"Which means we should try this from a different angle."

"What time does Leeah Szlasky get off of work again?"

Apartment of

Leeah Szlasky and Brian Caldwell

#4C 678 27th Street

"One of your detectives already told me about what happened," Leeah Szlasky said. Her eyes were red from crying.

"We know that you know about Brian," Olivia said gently. "But we don't know if you're safe here."

"Thanks, but I already figures that one out," Leeah said as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm moving in with my mom, in Westchester."

Elliot saw a suitcase next to her. She was terrified, and it was no wonder that she wanted to leave town. "Would you mind if we asked you a

few questions?" he asked.

Leeah shrugged. "Go ahead."

"Do you know of anyone that would want to hurt Brian?"

"No, actually. He didn't owe anyone money, he didn't do drugs, and he wasn't in gang."

"What about Isis Black? Would anyone want to hurt her that you know of?"

"I can think of quite a few people," Leeah said sadly. "Which is sad. I mean, I know that she's not really the best person, and I've heard that she

would sell her own Grandma if she thought she'd make a profit, but she's had a hard life."

"What do you mean?" asked Olivia.

"I haven't heard anywhere near the whole story, but from what I've heard, things would have been very different for her if there'd been someone like you

around."

"Uh, don't take this the wrong way, but what kind of relationship did Brian and Isis have?"

"They've been friends- I mean, they had been friends- since college. She's the one that introduced us. They might have done business together."

"What did Brian do for a living?"

"He owned a graphic design business."

"Did he start it himself?"

"No; he 'acquired it' somehow. It's called Avenue Graphics, if that helps you any." Her eyes grew wide. "Isis hasn't been attacked too, has she?"

"No," Olivia reassured her.

Elliot gave Leeah his business card. "If you have any questions or information, just call."

"Thank you." She handed him her cell phone number. "Call me if you find something out."

The detectives left. "Where to now?" asked Olivia.

"Avenue Graphics, anyone?"

Kinda boring, I know, but the next chapter will have more action in it (and no, by action I do not mean a stock market crash, in case you were wondering!)