Major Case Squad

One Police Plaza

Friday, November 18

Captains Deakins and Cragen, ADAs Carver and Novak, with Stabler and Goren are waiting behind the glass. They watch Malachi, who is napping, and discuss a plan of action.

"So, how did the DA plan that you two settle this little pissing match," Deakins asks with mild curiosity.

"We were told to spilt the duties," Carver responds.

"Which means Major Case gets the spotlight and Special Victims gets a supporting role," Novak says, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Casey...come now."

"Ron, please. Arthur loves your work. He wants you to do all the talking and me to sit there at second chair and look pretty. Besides, we'll need Adriana to testify."

"Sounds easy enough."

"Ever seen a rape victim face her rapist, Counselor," Cragen asks.

Carver nods, "Well, Captain Cragen...I know you mean it won't be easy for her...but I'm sure we can help her. Casey, I'm not out to make this a turf war between these two offices. Let's just agree to delegate things fairly."

Stabler and Goren haven't spoken one word, to each other or the rest of the room. They have been staring intently at Malachi. Each thinking of how to twist his arm. How to avoid a trial. How to make him confess. And most importantly, how to work together.

Deakins tries to gain their attention, "Gentlemen, what are we waiting for?"

"Him to get comfortable," Bobby says.

"Let him sleep," Elliot remarks, "Just shows us that he feels no guilt."

"He feels no guilt because he's already confessed his crimes. His. Sins. And to the one person that can forgive him."

Elliot nods, "I guess we'd better start praying for some divine intervention because he'll never give it up. Well, at least, not if he's uncomfortable."

"Oh, so nap time, that's you're big plan Detective Goren," Casey snorts in disdain, "I had hoped to get more of a show from what I've heard about you."

Bobby looks at her out of the corner of his eye, "Miss Novak, you certainly can't tell me you believe everything you hear. Especially about me. I mean, where would I be if I believed everything I've ever heard about you..."

Casey glares at him, "Point taken Detective."

Elliot looks at Bobby, "I know the one way we can make him comfortable."

"Well, making him comfortable. That's all you. I don't think even I can pull that off. Not convincingly anyway. I make a better push anyhow."

"We good?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

Elliot leaves and enters the interrogation room.

"The show. Is about to begin," Bobby says, with a small smile.

Elliot quietly shuts the door. He picks up a chair and drops it.

Malachi jolts awake, "Holy Mother of...oh, Detective Stabler..."

"Sorry, I just...Well, always works for me," Elliot says, as he takes a seat beside Malachi.

Malachi starts to inch away from him.

"About. My behavior this evening. It was undercover. Just acting. I assure you..."

"That you're not a homosexual."

"Believe me. I'll be brushing my teeth ten times a day to get it out of my mouth."

"What about Detective Goren?"

"Possibly the straightest man alive. But I guess we did our jobs. We fooled you. But you understand that the deception was necessary."

"Of course. Just doing your job."

Elliot rolls up his sleeves, "Malachi...I need to be honest here, as a favor to a brother...the DA wants to offer you a deal, if you confess to these things..."

"But I..."

"I know. You confessed. Right before we got to you. And that it doesn't matter what we think. You will be absolved of it. Because of the the forgiveness of God."

Malachi nods.

"I understand that. But you see Goren, not so forgiving. I believe that once you make right with Him, then who are we...people to pass judgment on you. Only God and your priest know for sure. And that. Is none of our business."

"Thank you. For understanding."

"Hey, if it were up to me...I would let you walk out of here. You know what you have to do to get whatever you've done off of your soul. Prison won't do that for ya. Guys like you aren't made for prison."

Bobby opens the door, "Got that right."

Malachi watches him sit, directly across from him.

Bobby lays out crime scene photos across the table, saying nothing. He rests his head on his right hand and stares at Malachi. Hoping to gain something from his reaction.

Instead of looking away, he holds his gaze.

"You want us to know that you're in charge. Wonderful. But. Let's just. Cut the crap, it's been quite a day. You bashing my partner's knee...You stabbed his partner. Nearly killed her. For what? Some. Quest."

"Yes. I'm on a mission from God," Malachi.

Bobby laughs and rolls his eyes, "Sounds like you've watched to many movies."

"But I'm doing this for Him."

"Him. Let me tell you something about Him..."

"Goren...don't," Elliot pleads.

"Easy there alter boy, I kept my mouth shut long enough. God. He's just as guilty of pride as the rest of us. He thinks He can do whatever He wants to us, because we're his. He's so proud of his children...until He thinks we screwed up He can forgive us...but who forgives God for all the pain he's caused?"

Malachi listens in stunned silence.

"Goren. He takes care of us. He's our Father..."

Bobby never takes his eyes off of Malachi, "Father? I've never had a father of any kind my whole life. My real dad...who God only knows why he was even allowed to be a father...beat the crap out of my mom every night. And probably would have killed her if I hadn't taken some of it myself...Where was God then?"

"We aren't given anything we can't endure Bobby," Elliot adds.

"Really? That's an interesting thought Elliot. We're enlightened. By your. Your opinion...I was just a small child. A mild...meek...little boy. What did He want me to do? Suffer...if that was what I was supposed to do. I succeeded. What did I earn from that...from being afraid?"

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth," Malachi adds.

"That's so comforting. Hey, your a meek kinda guy Malachi...tell me...," Bobby gestures to the pictures, "is this how you planned to inherit the earth?"

"I don't have to tell you anything."

"Come on Malachi. How does that go...Confession is good for the soul?"

"He already confessed to his priest. He doesn't owe it to us," Elliot says.

"Please. How about something that matters," Bobby gets up from his chair and sits on the other side of Malachi, "The people. You owe that confession to. Adriana Fitzpatrick, for taking her innocence..."

Elliot whispers to Malachi, "The chances of her ever having a normal relationship after what was done to her...slim. She'll more than likely never be able to connect. She's been damned to a life of anonymous partners and pain."

"Sophia McDowell. You took her life. Her. Life. You need to tell her family how sorry you are that she'll never get married. They'll never get the joy of grandchildren in their own lives. That she'll never have experiance life. Because of you."

Elliot continues in his ear, "Murder is a mortal sin."

Bobby bends to meet Malachi's eyes, "Mortal sin. You think that Act of Contrition will save you. You murdered someone."

"I didn't..."

"And you almost killed Detective Benson...and why? Because she had a terrible childhood?"

"She didn't respect her parents. Children are supposed to love and respect their parents."

Elliot stands and leans against the one way, "What about your parents Malachi? Is this respecting your parents..."

Bobby leans agains the wall, "I'm sure your father would be proud."

"My father was always proud of me. He died from a heart attack when I was a teenager."

"What about your mother...is she proud of you," Bobby continues.

"She was."

"Was...when did she pass," Elliot asks.

"About four years ago. I took care of her. She never really was the same after my father died. It's like she just...lost her mind. She would be fine for a few days and then just. I don't know. It was like she was someone else for months. And I was the only person in her life left. I had to take care of her. I can't remember what it was called. But she lived in her own world."

Bobby shifts uncomfortably against the wall, "Must have been frustrating. Trying to make something out of your life. Trying to find the right girl and settle down. Get a job. Be the son your parents always wanted...but you were so busy caring for your sick mother. You just didn't have time for your life. She. Was forever going to be the only woman in your life. She was your life."

"You resented her for being sick, didn't you," Elliot asks, as he sits in front of Malachi.

"No. It wasn't her fault. Her mind collapsed. She couldn't handle it. She broke down. I prayed that she would get better. I prayed that God would heal my mother..."

"But He didn't," Bobby leans in, " did He?"

"She just kept getting worse. Near the end, she would get so upset they would drug her up. She would be unconscious for days. I don't think she even knew me, when she was awake. That's no way to live."

Elliot nods, "It's hardly living."

"She...slipped into a coma. Probably because her body couldn't take it anymore. I told them that I didn't want machines keeping a shell of what once was my mother alive. I remember the day she passed like yesterday...every last detail."

"You showed us that," Bobby says, "You gave the Last Rites to your victims..."

"No."

Elliot opens a file and shows a paper to Malachi, "Our lab analyzed their skin...we found traces of oil. Oil from your church, Malachi."

"You're lying."

"No. It's all right there...see," Bobby points it out to him.

"But you respected them. I'm sure that means something," Elliot says.

"You're guilt is. Certain. And in addition to the needle in your arm for killing Sophia and trying to kill Detective Benson...you'll spend an eternity in hell. Where your soul will be raped and beaten by demons..."

"A suiting punishment," Elliot crosses his arms.

"Come on. Game's over. Just tell us. You'll feel better. Don't put your victims through any more pain. Please."

Malachi pushes himself away from the table. He stands and begins to pace back and forth, muttering to himself. He stops for a second and turns to face the detectives.

"I want a lawyer."