1Chapter Eight

Interrogation Room 3 of Special Victims Unit

9:50 am

It felt strange being in the interrogation room all alone. It seemed colder and darker than all the other times when she was in it, questioning a suspect of a murder or a rape. And now, she was the suspect. An innocent suspect.

But she and Stabler were the only ones who knew that.

Olivia had her head in her hands, blaming this murder on her self, although deep down, she knew she shouldn't. But wasn't she the one who told Jake to stay? Didn't she decide his fate by luring him to her.

Fate... She didn't believe in fate anymore.

Olivia stood up from her seat in frustration. She kicked over the chair and walked to the barred window. This couldn't be happening. This day had to be a nightmare that she couldn't get out of.

Then, the door of the interrogation room opened. Olivia turned around and saw Casey Novak standing in the doorway. She walked up to Olivia, without shutting the door behind her, and hugged her. Olivia began to cry as she put her arms around Casey.

"I know you didn't do this Olivia," said Casey, getting a bit choked up. She let go of Olivia and took a step back.

Olivia wiped away a tear.

"So far, I haven't received news of anyone who is going against you in court but if anyone does, I'll be there as you defense," said Casey.

"You can do that?" asked Olivia.

"Of course I can," said Casey, "I'm a lawyer. If you're going down, I'm going down with you. You will be proven innocent."

Olivia gave Casey another hug.

"Do you mind staying with me?" asked Olivia. "It's a bit lonely in here."

Cragen stood outside the interrogation room. He had quietly shut the door that Casey left open and neither of them seemed to notice. He watched Olivia from the window. Forensics had finished with the crime scene and Cragen was told unfortunate news. Everything was pointing to Olivia. Her prints were found on the murder weapon, his blood on hers, the 'O' shaped mark on the man's back, there was just too much proof. If she didn't do it then why wasn't she awoken by Jake being killed. Was he murdered that silently? So silently that Olivia didn't hear anything?

It just wasn't possible. Although Cragen didn't want to believe it, he was beginning to think that his own detective, Olivia Benson actually murdered a man.

Cragen was knocked out of his deep thoughts when he heard Munch's footsteps approaching.

"Do you know what's up with Elliot?" asked Munch.

Cragen turned to Munch. "He's trying to prove Olivia is innocent."

"Well what would Cassidy have to do with that?" asked Munch.

"What do you mean?" questioned Cragen.

"Elliot came up to me asking where Cassidy was," explained Munch. "I told him that he was home and when I asked him if something was wrong he said no and left in quite a hurry."

"I think he was with Mr. Le before he left," said Cragen. "Go talk to him."

Munch walked a few steps down the hall to Mr. Le's office. He was sitting at his desk, typing something on the computer. Right when Munch entered he looked up and greeted him friendly.

"What may I help you with, John?" asked Mr. Le.

"Elliot Stabler was in here a few moments ago," said Munch. "Why?"

"He brought a security camera tape to me," explained Mr. Le, "He wanted me to look it over and find out who entered a phone booth across the street at six twenty."

"Did he say why?"

"I normally don't ask many questions, it's quite rude but I happened to make idle talk with him. He said the police got a call at 6:20. The caller claimed that he witnessed a murder at Olivia Benson's apartment."

"He thinks the person who called at 6:20 is the real murderer, not Olivia."

"Most likely."

"Who was the person who entered the phone booth?"

"I don't know, the tape ran out of room to record. We only have a glimpse of two men."

"Who are they?"

"Well one of them, at the moment is unidentified and the other is Brian Cassidy."

13 Washington Street

9:50 am

Stabler knocked loudly on the door of apartment 3C. He waited a moment but nobody came to the door. He knocked a second time and called : "Cassidy! It's Stabler, open up!" But there was no response. Stabler put his hand on the door knob, expecting it to be locked but found out that it was open. He pushed open the door and entered the apartment.

It was sparsely furnished. There was two couches and a small television. The walls were blank and had nothing hung on them except one mirror.

"Cassidy?" called Stabler.

Just then Cassidy came out from a room down the hall. It was clear he was surprised to see Stabler just by the look on his face. He was in a white t-shirt and baggy jeans. He didn't look very sick.

"Elliot," said Cassidy. "What are you doing here?" He walked into the living room.

"I know what you did, Cassidy," said Stabler.

"What are you talking about?" asked Cassidy.

Stabler approached Cassidy and brought his face close to his. He was completely filled with anger. There was no doubt in his mind that Brian Cassidy had framed Olivia. He had a perfect reason to.

"I know you killed Jake," began Stabler. "I know you killed him and you thought you could get away with it. You thought if you framed Olivia then could get away with it. Well guess what buddy, you didn't."

"Elliot what the hell are you talking about?" asked Cassidy.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't play dumb," said Stabler. "You killed Jake McMorrow because you were jealous of him and Olivia. You were probably heading to Olivia's house and then you saw her with Jake. You got so angry that you couldn't take it, so you waited for the right time, and when he was sleeping with Olivia you killed him and let him bleed on her bed. You then ran out of the apartment and straight for the nearest phone booth. You made the call to the police, claiming you saw a murder at Olivia's apartment."

"Why would I be jealous that Olivia was sleeping with a man?"

"Oh please, right from day one you had a thing for Olivia."

"I was with Casey last night! Even ask her!"

"That doesn't mean you didn't have the time to kill him."

"From the looks of it Elliot, you sound more jealous that Olivia was sleeping with a man than I do. I think the Precinct needs to consider you a suspect more than me–"

Cassidy barely got his last word out for Elliot punched him right across the face and sent blood out of his mouth. Cassidy backed off, wiping the blood off his lips and chin as he glared at Stabler.

"You son of a bitch," said Cassidy as he lunged himself at Stabler. Cassidy's right shoulder collided with Stabler's abdomen, knocking the wind out of him. Cassidy's tackle knocked Stabler into the wall behind him.

Cassidy took a step back and then threw his right fist at Stabler's head. The force knocked Stabler to the ground. Cassidy knelt beside him and continued to throw shots at his head. Stabler attempted to block his punches by putting his arms in front of his face for protection but it didn't seem to be working.

As Cassidy was drawing his fist backward for another punch, Stabler grabbed his shoulders and threw him on the floor. Stabler now began taking his turn, throwing punches at Cassidy's head. But this didn't last long. Cassidy threw a punch at Stabler's left rib, causing him pain. Stabler back off, clutching his rib Cassidy move away from Stabler and stood up. He wiped the blood away from his nose.

Stabler knelt on the ground, still clutching his left rib, trying to somehow stop the pain.

"You have an attitude problem, don't you?" asked Cassidy. "Wait until Cragen hears about what you did."

At this moment, Stabler stood up and approached Cassidy. Cassidy threw his right fist, carelessly at Stabler's jaw. Stabler easily stepped aside, dodging the fist. Stabler then quickly grabbed Cassidy's wrist and twisted it, causing Cassidy to contort. Stabler forced Cassidy's chest up against the wall behind him. His left cheek pressed against the wall. Stabler twisted the wrist and pulled it towards Cassidy's upper back. Cassidy winced in pain.

"You know Elliot," Cassidy managed to say, "By breaking my arm it's not going to stop me from telling Cragen." Keeping his left hand holding Cassidy's wrist, Stabler wrapped his right arm around Cassidy's neck, shortening his breath. Stabler, by Cassidy's neck, lifted high in the air, and tossed him on the ground, with his arm still around Cassidy's neck. Cassidy was now gasping for more air as he lay on the apartment floor.

"What about now?" asked Elliot. "Still going to tell Cragen?"

Cassidy didn't answer, he only tried to fill his lungs with air as Stabler's arm sat, locked around his windpipe.

"Elliot," said a voice.

Stabler turned to the front door. Standing there was Munch and Fin.

"Let go of him!" commanded Munch. Fin ran over to Elliot and pried him off Cassidy which took a couple of seconds. Fin held Stabler back by the arms as he tried to go after Cassidy again. Munch helped Cassidy up. Cassidy put his hand on his right shoulder and glared at Stabler.

"C'mon," said Fin as he lead Stabler out of the apartment. In the hallway Fin let go of Stabler's arms and the two began to walk down the hall.

"Listen Elliot," said Fin. "The Precinct is taking the information you found about the phone booth. They're going to use it for the case but Cragen told me to tell you to lay off of it. He thinks you're not going to handle this right."

Elliot just shook his head and grinned. "I'm not getting off this case," he said. "That son of a bitch did this to Olivia and he's going to pay." Although Fin did have a feeling that Cassidy might have committed the murder, he didn't say.

The two entered an elevator. Fin pressed number one on the panel which was attached to the elevator wall.

"Munch is bringing Cassidy to the Precinct for questioning," said Fin. "They're still trying to get a positive ID for the other man at the phone booth."

The elevator doors opened and the two walked out and headed for the exit. Stabler opened the door, held it for Fin and then followed him down the steps. Stabler walked to his car and Fin to his.

"Munch and I won't say anything to Cragen but I can't promise you anything about Cassidy," said Fin. "Where are you heading?"

"To my apartment," he answered. "I have to put these clothes in the wash and get something else on."

Elliot got in his car and drove off.

Back in Cassidy's apartment, Munch was just finishing up cleaning the room while Cassidy put his bloody t-shirt in the wash. He grabbed another shirt and met Munch back in the living room.

"That man has got some problems he needs to work out," stated Cassidy. "I definitely did not kill that man."

"I know," said Munch. "I believe you." Munch did believe Cassidy, they had been partners in the past and Munch came to know the man. Cassidy couldn't of possibly done it. And yet, he also believed Olivia didn't murder that man. "Listen, we need you down at the Precinct."

"For what?" asked Cassidy.

"You're a suspect," said Munch. "We have you on tape, walking to the same phone booth where the anonymous call to the police was made."

"I didn't call the police!" yelled Cassidy. "I spent the god damn night at Casey's. Early this morning I woke up, not feeling well so I left her a note and began to head home. I was feeling light-headed so I went to a phone booth, which just happens to be on Olivia's street. It's the only phone booth for about a block. This man was also approaching the same phone booth and we arrived at it about the same time. I offered to let the man go first but he said I could go. I insisted and so he went in, made a quick call and left."

"Well then," said Munch, "if that's you're story and that's the truth then it will clear your name. Just come down to the Precinct."

Special Victims Unit

10:30 am

Stabler hadn't even made it to his desk before Casey Novak approached him in a huff. She was clearly not too happy with him and had a bone to pick.

"This is ludicrous," said Casey. "Brian Cassidy was at my apartment last night and into this morning. There is no way he could of done this. I know he didn't kill that man."

"What time did he leave?" asked Stabler.

"Excuse me?" asked Casey.

"What time in the morning did he leave?" asked Stabler a seconded time.

Casey paused briefly. "I don't know."

"Well then, you don't know if he killed that man either."

Fin approached the two. "We have a positive idea for the bald guy in the video. His name's Kurt Armstrong. Munch and I are going to pick him up." Munch grabbed his sun glasses and walked out with Fin.

Stabler walked away from Casey.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"To go see Olivia," answered Stabler.

Stabler walked to the interrogation room and opened the door. Olivia was staring out the window at the city. She turned as Stabler opened the door.

"Hey," she greeted.

"I'm sure you've heard the news," said Stabler as he shut the door.

"Yeah," answered Olivia. "I really don't know what to believe."

"Neither do I," confessed Stabler as he sat down at the desk in the middle of the room. "I have a bad feeling Cassidy did this though."

"I don't know," said Olivia. "There's just so much confusion, it's hard to think." She joined Stabler at the table.

He wanted to ask her why she didn't tell him about Jake. Why did she keep it a secret? She hated it when he kept his personal life aside and now she was doing the same thing. But he remembered how invaded he felt when she asked him about it so he decided not to confront her.

Their meeting didn't last long. Cragen opened the door and poked his head in.

"Elliot, I want you out here," he said.

Elliot got up. "I'll be back," he said to Olivia. He walked out of the room and Cragen shut the door behind him.

Outside, Casey stood with her arms crossed.

"When Armstrong comes," said Cragen, "neither of you will interview him or Cassidy. Both of you are going to stay off this case, you understand."

"But..." interjected Casey.

"No buts Ms. Novak," said Cragen. "You have a good relationship with Cassidy and Stabler has a close relationship with Olivia. You both are going to take this case unprofessionally. Therefore, Ms. Novak, you will not represent Olivia in court and you will not represent Cassidy in court, either. Elliot you will not interrogate any suspect and you will not look any further into this case. Is that clear for both of you?"

"Crystal clear," said Stabler.

"I'm sorry Captain Cragen," said Casey. "But you're not my boss and you do not have the authority to take me off this case."

"Well I'm sure you're boss is going to let you handle this case when I tell her your reactions to it."

Casey didn't say anything. Cragen did indeed have the power to take her off the case.

"Do you have anymore problems?" asked Cragen to both of them.

The two both shook their head no.

"Good," said Cragen "Because I don't want to hear it.

Interrogation Room 1

10:47 am

Mr. Armstrong, who quite willingly came down to the Precinct, was now in the interrogation room with Odafin Tutuola. Mr. Armstrong sat at the small table while Fin stood. The questioning was just beginning.

"Mr. Armstrong why were you on Jefferson Road early this morning?" asked Fin.

"My flight had departed late last night," explained Mr. Armstrong. "After I got off the flight I went to call my wife at home but my cell phone was dead. So I walked to the nearest phone booth. As I was walking there, so was another man."

"Was this him?" asked Fin, holding a picture of Cassidy to Mr. Armstrong.

"Yes it was," answered Mr. Armstrong.

"What flight were you on?" asked Fin.

"United Airlines," said Mr. Armstrong. "Flight 523."

"Alright," said Fin writing it down on a pad of paper. "Continue with your story."

"I decided to let that man go in the phone booth first since I wasn't in a hurry. He insisted on me going in but I told him I was in no rush. He walked into the phone booth, I waited outside. In a matter of seconds he was done. He walked out quite quickly and turned the corner."

"Did you see that man get into a taxi cab?" asked Fin.

"I wasn't really paying attention to him but I don't think he got in one," answered Mr. Armstrong. "After that I called my house not expecting my wife to pick. The answering machine came on and I left a message."

"Alright, thank you for coming down," said Fin.

"Can I go now?" asked Mr. Armstrong.

"We need to keep you here a while."

"Alright," said Mr. Armstrong.

Fin walked out of the interrogation room and shut the door. Outside Stabler was waiting. Cragen allowed Casey and Stabler to watch the interrogations.

"Sounds like a good alibi," said Stabler.

"Yeah," agreed Fin, "But I'm going to check up on his story, just to make sure he's telling the truth. I'll probably head to the airport and then possibly his house."

"So you won't be watching Cassidy's interrogation?" asked Stabler.

"Unfortunately, no," answered Fin as he walked away.

Stabler walked to the window of the interrogation room where Cassidy was being held. Cassidy couldn't see him, all Cassidy saw was a mirror. All interrogation rooms were like that. But Stabler could see and hear everything. Casey was already waiting outside the room looking through the window.

"Why are you here?" asked Casey to Elliot. "For a few laughs?"

"Actually no," answered Stabler. Cragen had said nothing to Stabler about his brawl with Cassidy. Cassidy must have either been convinced not to tell or just decided not to.

Munch was the one who was going to ask the questions to Cassidy. Stabler didn't feel it was the right choice to have Cassidy's friend interrogate him but it was Cragen's decision.

Munch sat himself across from Cassidy.

"Why were you on Jefferson Road this morning?" asked Munch. The questions that were asked to Mr. Armstrong were going to be somewhat similar to the questions Cassidy would be receiving. The only difference was one of the men were telling the truth while the other was simply lying.

"I had spent the at Ms. Novak's house. I woke up early, not feeling well, so I left her note..."

"He did leave that note," said Casey. "I have it right here in my briefcase..." She began to reach her hand in her briefcase when Stabler stopped her.

"I really don't care Ms. Novak," he said, still watching the interrogation through the window. She took her hand out from her briefcase, disgusted at Stabler and continued to watch the interrogation.

"I was beginning to feel really light headed as I was walking and I decided that I should call a cab instead of walk," Cassidy continued. " It just so happens that the nearest phone booth at the time was on Ms. Benson's street."

"That's true too," Casey put in.

Stabler ignored her and continued to listen to the questioning.

"I was approaching the phone booth at about the same rate as another man," continued Cassidy.

"Is this the man?" asked Munch, showing a picture of Kurt Armstrong to Cassidy.

"Yes it was," said Cassidy. "I told him that he could go in first, he seemed in a hurry but he tried to get me to go in first. I told him I insisted and finally the man went in. I sat myself on the bench near the phone booth, waited for him to get done, which wasn't a long wait, and then I made my call for a cab."

"And what cab service did you call?" asked Munch.

"The Manhattan Mercury Cabs," said Cassidy. "They're the fastest in New York."

Stabler sat at his desk waiting for Munch and Fin to come back with the information that would prove who was lying and who wasn't. Stabler made a quick visit to Olivia before hand, explaining to her what the two men said. It was a short conversation that was interrupted by Casey, who wanted to talk to Olivia. Although Casey wanted Stabler to leave, he didn't and the two began to argue. The argument was broken up by Cragen, who took the two out of the room.

Munch was the first to return.

"It's official," he said as he walked in. Casey stood up from a seat she took at Munch's desk. "Brian Cassidy did in fact call Manhattan Mercury Cabs at 6:22. He isn't lying."

"But that doesn't prove anything," argued Stabler.

"What are you talking about Detective Stabler?" asked Casey. "It proves a whole lot."

"Just because he called a cab does not mean that he didn't call the police before hand."

"Oh please," said Casey. "You just want Brian Cassidy guilty because you're jealous."

"Oh yeah, I'm really jealous that he slept with a fine woman like you," Stabler fired back.

"Enough!" yelled Cragen. The group hadn't noticed him standing behind them. "I want the two of you to stop bickering like little thirteen year old kids. We have a murder case in our hands and you two are taking it way too personally."

"Well Captain," said Casey, "how else are we suppose to take it? Both of our close friends are involved in this case. How can we not take it personal?"

"Well the least you both could do is take it somewhat professionally," said Cragen. "This is exactly why I took you two off this case."

"Well technically speaking," Casey began to counter, "you didn't take me off this case you..."

"Would you just shut up?" asked Stabler.

Casey glared at him and would of said something if she didn't spot Fin walking in.

"What do you got?" asked Stabler to Fin.

"Well," Fin took a deep breath.