A/N:Sorry it's been so long...Finals...but at last...

Riker's Island

Tuesday, November 22

Carver, Novak, Goren and Stabler are waiting for Malachi to arrive.

"You really think you can convince him to take a plea," Novak asks Goren.

"I can give it my best, but. Yes. I do."

"And humility is one of his better qualities," Elliot says.

Malachi walks in, behind him is his attorney.

"I'm Richard Summers, I'll be representing Mr. Platt."

Malachi sits quietly beside him; his eyes never leaving the table.

"We're here to discuss a plea," Casey says.

"In exchange for Mr. Platt's confession," Carver starts, "the district attorney will take the death penalty off the table."

Malachi looks up, eyes filled with terror, "Death penalty?"

"You committed a felony murder," Elliot says, as he leans on the table.

"Felony murder...I don't..."

Bobby starts, "Here's the thing. You killed Sophia while you were raping her...In other words the murder. Occurred in the commission of a felony."

"Because you took her life, the state will get to return the favor," Elliot says with a smile.

Mr. Summers whispers to Malachi and they have a quiet, but heated discussion.

"My client won't be saying anything. He's exercising his right to remain silent."

Bobby sits down in front of Malachi, "That's okay. He still can hear. So, he'll listen."

Malachi keeps his eyes down.

"Look. I know why. You did, all of this. It's very simple."

"Is it," Malachi asks, still never looking up.

Elliot adds, "See, Detective Goren here is very good about seeing into the criminal mind, cracking the code of it.. And you, he said was one of the easiest to crack."

"Was it?"

"Actually. Yes. I mean, I did a little research. But one thing I've found with you religious nuts is. It's almost always. About the mother."

Malachi shifts uncomfortably at the mention of the word mother.

"See. That shifting. In your chair. That's a tell, try to watch those. Not really professional."

"First timer, man. What did we expect," Elliot comments as he leans against a wall.

"Well, Detective," Malachi says, "Why don't you tell me what you know about me?"

"I really didn't need the invitation. But since you insist."

"I don't think this is a good idea," Mr. Summers says.

"Easy there Dick," Elliot says, "This is just take a second."

Bobby continues, "You could see those women were suffering. In pain, somehow. Some way. And you know what pain does to them. You've seen it. With your mother. She was in suffering. At least mentally. And you wished to a God that you weren't always sure existed that he could end it..."

"No...It' s nothing like that..."

"You see. Whenever you would go to the church to pray. You weren't entirely sure anyone could hear you. And then you saw that statue. Of Mary. The Blessed Mother..."

"Stop it."

"And you thought about her. How she felt. Watching a mob murder her innocent son. And the pain and suffering she had. Even after he was gone, she was left to go on. How thought less of her son. I mean, never-mind being the son of some God...He was her son...He should never have done. Anything to cause her pain. What kind of son does that to his mother?"

"Not me."

"Me either."

Malachi finally looks up.

"You have seen what years of suffering at the hands of men can do to them. They just. They aren't strong enough. It's like the only escape for them is just. Get away. Let it all go. Become someone other than who they are until they are beyond the point of recognition."

"Exactly."

"Instead of letting them transform and become trapped. Prisoners to the pain in their own minds. You saved them. And you want to save every last one..."

Mr. Summers steps in, "Nice try. But he'll be going back to his cell..."

Malachi gets up. The guard escorts him away.

"I would guess that's a no the deal then," Casey asks.

Mr. Summers laughs and leaves the room.

"A big, fat hell no," Elliot remarks.

"I had him," Bobby yells, "Just a few more seconds..."

"Don't worry Detective," Carver says, "You've softened him up...Now it's time to make him face what he's done. A stronger, colder criminal would never be swayed by his victims...but this one..."

"You know what they say about taking the heat," Elliot says.

"Stay out of the courtroom," Casey says with a smile.