Get Ripped Fitness Center
September 2
Stabler and Benson are directed to where Ryland is working out. She stops to greet them.
"Detective Benson….Elliot, glad you could come."
"Told ya…pay up," Olivia whispers to Elliot.
"Not now," Elliot says.
"Excuse me Detectives…something I'm missing?"
"No, nothing at all," Olivia says, complete with a sarcastic smirk.
Ryland shrugs, "Hope you don't mind me working out while we chat, gotta keep this figure. Surely you understand Detective Benson."
"Actually. I don't work out that much."
"Really? I'm jealous….you have such a great figure."
"Jealous…you gonna kill me for that?"
Ryland puts down the weight in her hand. She walk over to Olivia and stands nose to nose with her, "I don't appreciate your tone. Detective."
Elliot steps in between them, "Ryland…would you excuse us?"
"Gladly."
He pulls Olivia over to the side, "What the hell are you doing?"
"Just questioning a suspect. I wanted to make sure she knew she was one. Plus, I just don't like her attitude."
"Alright. I know coming from me this could sound….hypocritical….but…control yourself."
"I don't think I can….tell ya what. The squad's only a few blocks away. I'll walk. And I'll expect my ten bucks when you're done here."
"Liv…," He tries to stop her, but she's already out the door. He walks back over to Ryland.
"Don't worry about explaining her to me, Elliot. I get that way sometimes…usually a Midol takes care of it."
"You'd better start being nice to her…"
"Why? Planning on seeing more of me?"
"Depends…on what you tell me."
"Oh, cause I'm a suspect. Don't look so shocked…..I am a law student, remember. I know how the police department works."
"Okay, so you're a suspect. We just did speak to your parents."
"Bet that was entertaining."
"And we met your sister."
Ryland stops dead in her tracks, "How is she doing…today?"
"She seems happy. Except for that beating you gave her….that transformed her."
Ryland whips around to face him, "Look….I was really messed up then. Just wanted to get back at her. I did my time alright. So, that's not what's important. How about my alibi….I'm sure it checked…"
He flips through some notes, "Well, your roommate wasn't exactly helpful…..and the doorman said he saw you come in…but security cameras caught him sleeping….and you're father said…"
"All easily explained. Hey, would you mind spotting me." She asks as she lays back on a weight bench.
"Sure," Elliot lifts the bar down to her, "Weight and bar total…a little over a hundred pounds? Impressive for a girl of your size."
"Always been strong," Ryland says, with a bit of struggle.
"I can tell. It's hard to always been in the shadow. I've got three brothers and two sisters…preaching to the choir. And I wasn't exactly a stand out…"
Ryland puts the bar down, "Elliot, you have to understand. All I've wanted my whole life is just for people to realize that I'm a great person too. And with Reese….I took it too far. And I'm sorry for that."
"Ryland…I have to tell you….you look real good for this….and I don't know what to think?"
"Elliot…do you honestly think I'm capable of murder?"
"We all have our limits."
"Ah, an answer that isn't really one. You don't know do you? Ha, well, I'm not. And even if I was, why would I risk jeopardizing my career over some retard?"
"What…isn't that word a bit harsh?"
"Oh, sorry. I just guess I got a little worked up…but you know, I would appreciate an honest answer…do you think I could beat anyone to death …let alone rape them?"
He thinks for only a moment, "No, you wouldn't. And you're right….you're alibi is all plausible. Thanks for taking the time to clear this up, Ryland."
"Anytime."
He leaves. Before he gets in the car, he makes a call, "Liv….it's me. Ryland, she's did it…..she knew that Carrie was beaten to death…..no, stay with me. And raped…she said it to me. Tell the Captain to call in Huang….I have a feeling we'll need him."