Special Victims Unit

Squad Room

November 17

Captains Cragen and Deakins, Dr. Huang, along with Olivia, Alex and Bobby are sitting close to the board. Elliot hangs up a picture of Malachi.

"Ladies didn't get anything right," Cragen asks.

"Nothing but a headache," Olivia says.

"And a sore toes," Alex whines.

"Then this, is our guy. Malachi Platt, thirty seven, lives alone. Works for an accounting firm in Mid-town; work record states he's an average employee...never missed a day until the this week; first was the day after Adriana's rape...then the day after Sophia's murder. One prior for stalking in the 4th, misdemenor...did some counseling and probation. Other than that, he's been a good boy."

Bobby stands, "No family, both parents are dead..no siblings. Seemed just a little off. Also, it was obvious he was a religious man...we caught him as he was leaving for a morning service, before work. And, there was also this," he hangs the sketch of the rosary up, "He had this and showed it to Elliot after some. Convincing."

"And not my usual convincing. I swear. And I'm telling you...it's Adriana's. Plus, he was very careful to watch was I was doing with it."

"Do you believe that Malachi Platt is your perp," Deakins asks.

Elliot and Bobby both answer, "Yes. I do."

Cragen turns to Huang, "Doc?"

"I agree. He fits the profile."

"Great," Deakins says, "So, tell me Detective Stabler, why didn't you two drag him in here for a hard interview?"

"We didn't want to tip him off," Bobby says.

"With all due respect, Captain Deakins...possession of stolen property isnt' really a high bail situation. He'd cop to it and be out of our hands," Elliot adds.

"Plus, I don't think he would have confessed; not unless you caught him in the act. I think the detectives made the right call," Dr. Huang says.

"Right. Still, in this guys mind, he's done nothing wrong. He's their savior," Bobby says.

"Sounds like all we need to do now is nail down his routine over the last week," says Cragen.

"Alex and I are on it," Olivia responds, as she picks up her phone.

Deakins laughs, "Looks like our children are getting along."

"For the most part, but I don't think you have to worry about losing them to Special Victims."

Bobby nods, "Exploring the darkest parts of the human soul. Eventually, it'll get to you."

Elliot gives him a dirty look, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Olivia hangs up her phone and stops the potential tiff, "All I could get from the theater is he purchased tickets for the same show we're going to be at...a wealth of information. That we already knew."

"Well, if nothing else. We know we got him this time," Deakins remarks.

"Let's nail down a plan...Stabler, Goren...my office. James, you're welcome to stay."

"I would love to."

Olivia and Alex stand and get their coats.

"Were are they headed," Elliot asks.

"Can't expect two ladies to plan a night at the theater in mixed company," Alex says with a smile.

Later that afternoon

...Olivia and Alex are searching through racks of dresses, hoping for a perfect find.

"I can never find anything," Alex says, "Most of it's because I'm short. Not my fault of course."

"Well...what I gotta know is why is ever other dress in here either a...slit up to my ass or b...a plunging neckline?"

"Because men design them."

Olivia laughs.

"At least you don't have to worry about color. I'm practically translucent. Very few things look good on me."

"I used to be that way...I just got tired of it...you know, I want something different. Maybe orange, yellow...pastel. Something like that."

"Not to change the subject, but uh...who do you think has the fun job of getting close to our friend Malachi?"

"Probably me. I've got "mommy" issues."

Alex nods, "It's not my business to ask..."

"I don't care...if you want to know."

"Unlike my partner, I don't feel like I have to know everything. Unless it's a perp."

"And unlike my partner, I won't rip your head off if you ask."

They both laugh.

Alex finds a beaded green dress, "Wonder if this will drag the ground?"

Olivia pulls a remarkably understated powder blue dress, "Hmm...maybe. I don't know about the cut of it..."

"You should try it on...besides, that one would just go perfectly with Stabler's eyes."

Olivia shakes her head as they go to try on their dresses. They step out and stand in front of the mirror one at a time.

"With the shoes I've got...I won't need to hem up this dress, for once," Alex says as she admires herself.

"The color is great," Olivia turns a few times, " I love this...but uh, double sided tape will be my friend. No big deal."

"If we're not careful, people will thing we are trying to date our partners."

Olivia's eyes light up, "Malachi...he's already seen our boys together...so he already knows they're cops...right?"

"Uh huh."

"Want to really watch Elliot's blood boil?"

"I'm game...and I'm sure Bobby would go along with it."

"What if we tell Malachi that we're just good friends of theirs...and um, they're cough together?"

Alex smirks, "Do you think he'd buy it?"

"If Bobby can play it up."

"I'll give him a call when...say, are we done?"

"I think so."

"Good. And...let the games begin."