A/N: Sorry it's been so long. School, work...the usual excuses. But here you go kiddies...getting close to the end here.

Trial Part 65

Tuesday December 6, 2005

ADA Novak calls Detective Benson to testify. Detective Benson recounts the details of the undercover operation. Then explains the particulars.

"Detective Benson. How did you end up alone with the defendant?"

"It was decided that I would be the one to get close with Mr. Platt. He said something to me about needing air, so we stepped out. Detectives Eames, Goren, and Stabler were all close behind."

"What happened while you were speaking with the defendant?"

"He started to tell me that I was in need of being saved. That I wasn't honoring my parents."

"Were in you worried about being in danger at this point?"

"No. But I turned to see if the other detectives were behind us and I think he struck me."

"Think?"

"I suffered a concussion, so I'm not to for sure with what, but the defendant definitely struck me."

"Then, to the best of your knowledge, what occurred next?"

"He grabbed me from behind, around my throat. And I remember seeing the other detectives standing in front of me. They identified themselves. Then, he put a knife to my throat and they drew their weapons. I'm not sure who said what to him. The only thing that I can remember for sure is this feeling of pain in my leg...and the next thing I know. I'm lying in a hospital bed."

Novak nods and takes her seat.

"Where you," Mr. Summers asks as he stands.

"Was I what, Counselor?"

"Not honoring your mother and father."

"Objection, relevance," Caver says.

"Goes to the state of mind, Your Honor."

"I'll allow it, but tread lightly Mr. Summers."

Olivia sighs, "Depends on your point of view, I suppose."

"Let's assume from my client's point of view."

"Well, since he stabbed me in the leg. I guess not."

"Didn't you just say you weren't sure what happened?"

"I know for sure that something happened to my leg."

"How do you know you weren't accidentally shot by, say, your partner Detective Stabler?"

Olivia makes eye contact with Elliot, who is obviously enraged by the insinuation.

"I wasn't shot."

"Have you ever been shot Detective Benson?"

"No."

"Then how do you know you weren't?"

"Because I can tell a gun shot wound from a stab wound. I could show the scar if need be."

Mr. Summers turns to sit, "I'm done with this witness."

Olivia is dismissed and Eames is then called. She starts to hobble forward, but Goren makes her use her crutches. She sighs, knowing better than to argue with her partner.

He finally makes her way to the witness box and takes her seat.

"Detective Eames," Carver begins, "describe your injury to the court."

"Basically, I suffered a blow to my knee cap. Luckily for me, I sustained severe bruising to the muscle over my knee and only a small chip out of the knee cap itself."

"It doesn't sound very lucky."

"The doctors said usually when someone gets this type of blow, the knee cap shatters completely."

Caver smiles, "I stand corrected. So, how did you get this injury?"

"As Detective Benson testified, Detectives Goren, Stabler, she and I were in the process of an undercover operation. While the four of us were still inside the theater, Detectives Goren and Stabler created a way to place themselves outside the theater."

"Outside..."

"In order to apprehend the defendant, Mr. Platt, we thought it best to have as many civilians out of the way as possible."

"Please, continue."

"They wanted to be outside first. The plan was for Detective Benson to draw him out and they needed to be in place to keep an eye on her. I was going to be bringing up the rear, as it were. Once they were outside, it was my turn to make an exit. So, I excused myself and watched them from a safe distance."

"What were you doing while watching?"

"Changing my shoes. I made sure to have an extra pair."

Carver smiles, "Then what?"

"I saw Detective Benson and Mr. Platt begin to exit the building. I didn't want to make Mr. Platt suspicious, so I waited until I saw them pass Detectives Goren and Stabler. I then made my way out the door and joined up with them. That's when we heard Mr. Platt yelling from the nearby alleyway."

"What did the three of you do?"

"We quickly went to the alleyway and saw Mr. Platt strike Detective Benson with a two by four. We then made our badges visible and identified ourselves to Mr. Platt. He then put a knife to Detective Benson's throat."

"That's when you drew your weapons."

"Yes."

"What next?"

"Detective Stabler tried to convince Mr. Platt to release Detective Benson before the situation got out of hand. Apparently, Mr. Platt was so enraged that he had be discovered that no amount of talking would have stopped him. Then, he stabbed her."

"What happened after Detective Benson was stabbed?"

"Mr. Platt grabbed his weapons and took off running. Detective Stabler stayed behind to tend to his partner. Detective Goren and myself took off in pursuit of Mr. Platt."

"Then what?"

"I was running slightly ahead of Detective Goren. I was closing in on Mr. Platt. I shouted for him to stop. He didn't and he rounded the next corner. As I rounding the same corner, I felt a sharp pain in my knee and immediately fell. Detective Goren soon rounded the corner and stayed in pursuit of Mr. Platt."

"Why didn't he apprehend him?"

Alex sighs and drops her chin, "Because he stopped to check on me."

"Thank you."

Carver sits and Mr. Summers gets up, then paces in front of the witness box.

"You changed your shoes?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because four inch heels are surprisingly not as comfortable as they look, Counselor."

Novak stifles a laugh.

"Don't you think it odd to carry a change of shoes with you?"

"Not really. I've always carried an extra change of clothes just about everywhere. Having my nephew has taught me the value of that. Plus, in case Mr. Platt tried to run. I wanted to be ready."

"Like being a boy scout. Gee, how thoughtful."

Mr. Summers being to pace again.

"You testified that Detective Goren would have apprehended my client had he not stopped to check on you correct?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure? You said you were running faster..."

"Actually, what I said was. Running ahead."

"Why was that?"

"Well, he's almost six foot five and I'm just a little over five foot. Less wind resistance and less body to move."

"Even in an evening gown?"

"Even in that."

"Why did he stop to check on you?"

"Because your client whacked my knee with a two by four."

"Allegedly whacked. But what were his reasons?"

"Because he's my partner."

"That's it. Because you work together? Detective, it's my experiance that a man only shows that kind of concern for two types of women. His family and his significant other...Are you in a relationship with Detective Goren?"

"Objection!" Both Novak and Carver shout it.

"If it's alright with you, Your Honor, I'd like to answer."

"You don't have to, Detective Eames...But if you must."

Alex nods in appreciation, "Detective Goren and I have been partners for almost six years We've seen terrible acts of humanity day in and day out. We've seen each other through a few personal crisis. He's like an older brother and I consider him a close personal friend. So, if you're asking if we're engaged in something proper, than no. But are we in a relationship, then yes. And if you feel like the only thing you can do to save your client is try to dirty up two cops...I would say your case is lacking."

The three detective smile and Mr. Summers stands dumbfounded.

"Anything else, Mr. Summers?"

He sits down.

Detective Eames is dismissed and Judge Donally recesses court until the next morning.