Special Victims Unit

16th Precinct

September 1st

Munch and Fin are deeply immersed in conversation, with Munch seemingly having an upper hand.

"Come on Fin. Surely you have to see it."

"Man, you kiddin' yourself. He wouldn't even consider that…..especially since it's her."

"No, that's exactly it. Torrid love affair….forbidden fruit always tastes sweeter, my friend."

"So does stolen fruit."

"Yeah, well, I'm telling you it's just a matter of time."

Stabler and Benson have since slipped back into the squad room. Elliot plops down at his desk and smiles, "Workin' hard I see?"

Munch, never looking up from the paperwork in front of him, "Well, we were just waiting for you two."

Olivia strides back to her desk, bringing Elliot his coffee, along with a cup for herself. A wordless thanks is exchanged. Munch shoots a glance at Fin. Olivia asks, "Munch? Something we should know?"

Fin blows it off, "Nothin.' My partner here just wishes I would bring him his coffee."

Munch says in a mock hurt, "Come on baby. It always the little things that matter….I sent those flowers…."

"Please…..like you're so helpless…." Fin shoots back.

Cragen comes out of his office, "Children. I'm not above putting you in corners….Benson, Stabler get us up to speed on this new case."

Elliot, being the lead detective on this case, stands up and starts hanging pictures, some from the crime scene, some picture Ids.

"Victim's name, Carrie Bowersock, twenty-seven. No siblings, both parents dead….aunt is the only living relative. She's been notified…but we're meeting with her later today. ME says COD is blunt force trauma to the head. Weapon was recovered by CSU, baseball bat, wooden. ME also confirms the victims was raped pre-mortem with the bat."

Fin shakes his head, Much just blankly glances over the photos, Cragen just looks down from time to time as Stabler continues, "The Brown Home is for adults for varying degrees of mental handicaps. Body was discovered by Ryland Somerset, twenty four, volunteers at the home. First year law student at NYU."

Benson slides in front of Ryland's picture. Stabler rolls his eyes, "She states Carrie and all the other residents where all accounted for by eleven pm…and she discovered the body at approximately seven am. Warner puts time of death from two to four am. Personnel states only three nurses and two janitors working last night….but it's not a real secure building, if you knew what doors to open."

Cragen ponders the statement, "Meaning, someone that knew all the in's and out's of that building could do this…any leads?"

Stabler hangs one last picture, "Neil O'Riley, one of the janitors, was recently fired. Confirmed that with the personnel office."

"What'd they can him for," Fin asks.

Stabler explains, "Well, on paper it says inappropriate and unauthorized behavior with a resident. But it was common knowledge among the staff that Neil liked to steal from Carrie….plus, he was caught in Carrie's room while she was asleep…"

"Watching?"

Stabler laughs, "More like winding HIS watch."

Munch retorts, "That'll do it."

Cragen chimes in again, "Alright people. Let's get this Neil O'Riley down here, hear his side. Munch, Fin, you bring him in…..Benson, Stabler…."

Stabler sighs, "Interview the aunt…we're on it."

Benson waits until Cragen closes his office door, "Want me to get you a copy of Ryland's picture so you can, uh, wind your watch?"

Stabler grabs both their coats and tosses her's at her, "Not funny Liv. I've got enough things about my relationships to confess….and plus, NOT interested."