Special Victims Unit

16th Precinct

September 2

Everyone is sitting at their desks, discussing what direction to go in. Opinions seem scattered, but Elliot speaks first.

"The only decent leads we have are Ryland and anyone else that works at the home."

Olivia then speaks, "Well, everyone else at the home checks out, I say we start looking at her."

Cragen walks out of his office, "What exactly are we thinking here?"

Olivia offers her theory, " Ryland killed Carrie Bowersock, for whatever sick pleasure she gets out of it. Maybe Carrie just looked at her the wrong way, but she could have done it." Elliot rolls his eyes.

Munch adds in, "Well, with all due respect Elliot, everyone we've talked to say this Ryland….a little off, you know, a few French fries short of a happy meal."

Fin passes around her rap sheet, "Only one assault charge to speak of, got a years probation. A list of dropped charges. Sounds like a real loose cannon."

Elliot stands up and slams the folder down on his desk, "COME ON….guys…."

Cragen decides to use his authority, "Well, Elliot. How about you and Olivia check out Ryland then? Munch, Fin…you two talk to everyone that works daily with her."

Fin looks over at the doorway, "Well, at least you two don't have to leave the office for her," He gestures toward Ryland, who is standing in the doorway.

She looks around, almost disappointed until her eyes lock with Elliot's, "Detective Stabler!"

He walks over to her, "Ryland….is everything okay?"

"It is now…..yeah….I just wanted to see how it was going."

"Well, Neil O'Riley's been cleared. That's really all I can tell you."

"I was sure it was him….it had….this is all my fault. If I just would have paid more attention…if I…."She begins to cry.

She throws her arms around Elliot and he puts his arms around her, "Ryland. I promise you. We will find the person who did this. But my partner and I really need to speak with you, and soon."

She pulls away from the embrace, "Sorry….don't know what came over me. Umm, I've got class right now, but…I'm fine tomorrow morning. I'll be here…..Bye Elliot."

Ryland exits and nearly runs over Maureen, who is lugging a box. She puts it down on Munch's desk, "God these are heavy…..Hey Da….I mean, excuse me Detective Stabler, but was that Ryland Somerset?"

Elliot is taken by his daughter's formality, "Yeah it was….you know her Miss Stabler?"

"Funny Dad….but as far as Ryland goes…yeah, we've "met." Crazy, real crazy."

Olivia sits down, "Crazy….how so?"

"Well…see…she was kinda seeing this really cute guy in my psyc class…great abs, even better eyes, obviously well built…."

Elliot sits down, "Maureen…"

"Sorry, got carried away. But by kinda seeing…I mean, friends with sprinkles…whipped cream and anything else if you asked. I bet the only reason they were involved was because they were having sex…I mean, she's not that pretty, a lot's fake about her….she even wears colored contacts…."

Elliot tries to dismiss it, "And this has to do with what?"

"And I know that she has like a hundred different wigs and all."

Munch opens the box on his desk, "You know this how exactly?"

Fin leans back in his chair, "Munch, please. If one girl has something against another…they make it their business to know everything about her."

Maureen says in almost a whisper, "I hate being interrogated."

" 'Scuse me?" Elliot questions.

"Nothing…but back to my story. She only came to class once…with glasses on, brown eyes…..pretty though."

"So, this guy…."Olivia adds, prying for more information.

"Right, sorry. Anyway, I thought he was nice, and cute. So, I asked him out….which might I add he accepted.

Elliot smirks, "The Stabler charm apparently isn't limited to the males."

"Oh yeah. But…I guess she saw and she came by my dorm room after…..threw me against a wall, told me that if I ever touched him again…she'd cut my eyes out. And then she showed me the knife. I swore I'd never so much as look in his general direction again."

Elliot mocks her story, "And how can you be so sure that she would have done that…."

"You know how you just can look at a psycho and know they are one. She had that stare and I knew what that was."

Munch reads over the papers from the box on his desk, "I'd buy that. You do just know….even the innocents can see it."

Olivia asks the question that is still hanging in the air, "Did you keep your promise?"

Maureen looks down, shame mostly, "I tried. But let's just say he was very…addictive."

"Addictive?" The room waits for the answer.

Maureen locks eyes with her father, "He was a dealer…and sold the ecstasy to my room mate and then in turn…sold it to me. My testimony put him in jail so I could skate with a slap on the wrist….he'll probably be out in three. But that's neither here nor there…and I've got papers for the Captain…so if you Detectives will excuse me….."

Maureen goes into the Captain's office. The four sit in stunned silence.