A/N: Please excuse my ignorance of the legal system. I did my best but I'm just a wanna-be writer. All my knowledge about law comes from TV so sorry. Also, thanks for the reviews.
Detectives Munch and Tutuola make the short trip to the car in silence. Not a sound uttered between them. Neither knew if it was appropriate to speak about it, and if it was, what were they suppose to say? Had enough time passed? It was barely ten minutes ago when the Captain informed them that the case they were currently working would now be expended to include the rape of their friend and colleague. What's the appropriate amount of time to allow for the shock and emotion to settle in? Was it even okay to talk about it at all? Of course something had to be said. She was a part of the case now. They had things to discuss, important New York City police detective things. Now the only question was who would have the balls to start the conversation.
The doors to the black four door sedan slam shut simultaneously, Fin and Munch safely inside the car. The pair exchange heavy glances. Sitting in the eerily silent privacy of their car both detectives feel compelled to say something. Looking at his partner Munch opens his mouth but makes no sound. Deciding to just let it be for now he turns back with a sigh and puts the keys in the ignition. He starts the car and pulls away.
"Liv," Fin finally mutters shaking his head in disbelief. Munch turns and looks at him eagerly. He's glad one of them had the courage to start this conversation. "Oh man," he adds under his breath.
"I know," Munch concedes. "I don't even know what to say."
"You're speechless?" Fin replies. "That's a first." Usually he can't get the guy to shut up. Munch was always going off on some long winded tirade about government conspiracies and cover-ups.
Munch decides to ignore his partner's less than ambiguous remark. "I mean, it's Olivia," he says sincerely.
"I know," Fin returns in a similar tone. There's a brief pause, allowing a deafening silence to reenter. "Do you think we should call her, or something? I mean I don't know what to do?" Fin asks meekly. "I've never been on this side of it."
Munch shrugs. "Me either. It's ironic, isn't it? How many rape cases to we deal with in a given year? How many suspects do we question? How many victims do we talk to? And now when its someone we know, someone we care about, we don't know what to do with ourselves."
"Cause its her. Its personal. Like you said, we care about her," Fin answers looking straight ahead. "This doesn't go away when we lock this bastard up."
"If," Munch corrects, his voice low and regretful.
"What?"
"If we lock this guy up."
Fin sits up straight. "Oh, we'll get him," he says with confidence.
"Don't be so sure." Munch's voice goes unchanged.
"Why the hell not?" Fin demands angrily. "You think Liv's lying."
Munch glares at his partner for a moment before turning his attention back to the road. "No. Of course not. How could you even say that?"
"Well, then what the hell is your problem?"
"Just cause someone did something wrong doesn't mean they'll be punished for it. I've been doing this a long time. I've seen too many perps get away and too many victims get screwed by the system."
"And you think Olivia's gonna be one of those victims?"
"That's what I'm afraid of," Munch admits.
The two settle back into silence, but its not uncomfortable or awkward silence. They have said what was on their minds. They know how each other feel. While Fin is hell bent on finding this guy and making him pay, Munch is just hoping they won't let Olivia down. He knew the facts. There was no real evidence of rape, just intercourse. All they had was her word. But that had to count for something, right? There wasn't much supporting physical evidence but maybe the word of a decorated police detective was enough. Maybe. Hopefully.
The car came to a screeching stop in front of Mike's Tavern. The detectives step out of the car and slam their doors shut. Munch watches as his partner tears through the Tavern doors, charges to the bar, and demands to speak to Dan. He too was once that eager. Once upon a time, John Munch believed that what he did mattered, that the bad guy would be punished, and that good would ultimately triumph over evil. Not any more. All those years on the job had beat that belief out of him. He has become a victim of his own cynicism. He has come to expect the worse, because he got tired of the disappointment that came with hoping for the best. However, he didn't think he could handle it if Olivia's case turned out like he feared it would. There had to be some balance in the world. Something had to go right. Good had to win eventually.
As he comes up behind Fin, Munch spots a man that matches the description of their guy. He nudges Fin towards him. The fire in Fin's eyes only makes him more aware of the lack in his.
"Are you Dan?" Munch asks approaching the tall bartender.
The man finishes wiping down the bar top before looking up. "Who's asking?"
"NYPD!" Fin spits as he flashes his badge.
Munch puts his hand on his partner's shoulder to calm him down. "We just want to ask you a few questions," he tells the man kindly. "You're not in any trouble." As much as he hated this man he didn't want to intimidate him. If Dan thought he was in trouble he would refuse to talk, possibly get a lawyer. They had to be calm, nice even, no matter how revolting the guy was.
"What's this about?" Dan asks nervously clenching the edge of the bar. It couldn't be, he thought. They would storm in here, drag me out in cuffs, not ask me nicely to go with them. This couldn't have anything to do with those women. No, it has to be something else. Probably that little underage prick who was in the bar the other night. He had served him three drinks before realizing he was only seventeen. Little punk probably got busted by his parents and ratted him out. That had to be it. Just stay calm. They don't know anything.
"Listen," Fin says deliberately looking around the room, "do you really wanna do this here?"
"All these curious ears," Munch adds.
Dan looks around at the wondering eyes of co-workers and patrons. "No, I guess not," he agrees licking his lips.
"Alright, then why don't you come down to the station with us. Clear your name. It won't take long," Munch smiles.
"You'll be back here pouring drinks for these good people in no time," Fin says drily.
Dan unties his apron and tosses it under the bar. "Yo Tony," he calls over his shoulder, "cover for me. I gotta do something."
"No problem Dan," Tony calls back from the other end of the bar.
----------------------------------------------------------------
"So what's going on?" Dan asks once seated inside an interrogation room of the sixteenth precinct. Munch sits directly opposite him, calm and composed.
"You got a last name, Dan?" Fin asks from the far corner of the room. He thought it would be wise to stay as far away as possible from the son of bitch so he wouldn't be tempted to choke the life out of him.
Dan runs a hand through his hair, exhales sharply and taps his foot against the table nervously. "Fletcher. Daniel Fletcher."
"ID?" Munch requests. Dan reaches to his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. He throws it on the table for Munch to see. The detective takes the wallet in his hand and studies the driver's license. Quickly he jots down the name and address before pushing the wallet back towards Dan.
"Is someone gonna tell me what this is all about?" Dan asks clasping his hands together under the table.
Munch smiles. "Oh yeah, sorry. Do you know a woman named Dawn Hawkins?"
Dan leans forward. "Wh-what?"
"Look, if you don't know her then we're sorry for dragging you down here," Munch interjects. He sees an opportunity and jumps at it.
"Ugh, no," Dan answers after a brief pause. "Never heard of her."
Munch looks over his shoulder at his partner and flashes a sly smile. He produces a picture of the victim. "You sure you never seen this woman?" he asks casually.
Dan takes a long look at the photograph of Dawn Hawkins. "Never seen her," he insists.
Slowly Munch pulls the photo back and puts it in a yellow folder. "Alright," he says nodding. "How about Olivia Benson? You know her?"
Dan bites his lower lip and shakes his head. "Nope. Can't say I do." Again Munch pulls out a picture and shows it to him. Dan takes it in his hands and scrutinizes it. "Sorry," he says handing the photo of Olivia back to John.
"Thanks," Munch says simply.
"So, am I done here?" Dan wonders. He leans back in his seat confident he's going to walk out of here a free man.
"Just a sec," Fin finally speaks from the corner.
Munch pushes his chair back and rises. "Yeah, sit tight. We'll be back." He follows Fin out of the room.
"Why so quiet in there?" Munch asks his partner once outside.
Fin shrugs. "I didn't wanna scare the guy. You had the moron thinking he was just here for a little chat. Did you see how he looked at those photos-studying them. I wanted to smack the teeth out of his mouth right there."
Munch nods. "I know. So what do you think?" he inquires seriously. "The denial's enough?"
"I don't know. You can't have consentual sex with someone you don't know," Fin answers. "If his DNA matches the rape kit then we're good."
"Yeah. Now the only problem is getting his DNA," Munch returns with a raise of his eyebrows.
"You don't think we have enough for an arrest warrant?"
Munch nods thoughtfully. "Possibly. Let's call Casey, see if she goes for it.."
John paces the floor of the squad room anxiously. "Where the hell is she?" he demands, annoyed.
"Relax man," Fin replies, "it's only been a few minutes."
"Maybe we should call her again," Munch suggests urgently.
"John," Cragen starts calmly, "Casey's on her way."
Munch rolls his eyes. "We can't keep him in there forever Captain. Eventually, he'll get suspicious. We have no reason to hold him, if we piss him off he's gonna bolt."
"She'll be here any minute," Cragen tells him.
"Well, does she know how important this is? Did you explain what's going on?"
"No. I didn't mention Olivia. She sounded rushed and I didn't wanna do it over the phone," Cragen answers.
The sound of high heals rapidly beating down on the floor bring their attention to the door. Casey flies into the squad room in a fury.
"Where's the fire Casey?" Fin asks noticing her flustered state.
She stops in front of them and throws her brief case on the desk. "I just got a call from Elliot asking if I issued an arrest warrant for Olivia's attacker. Then I get your call asking me to come down here as soon as possible." She takes a deep breath. "Wanna tell me what the hell is going on?"
The detectives explain the situation as best and as quickly as possible. Casey looks at them directly. "Arrest him," she says simply.
"Just like that?" Fin asks incredulously.
"Yes," she answers. "I call my boss, get the paper work started." Casey breaks off from the group to make the call.
Cragen gives Munch and Fin an authoritative nod and they head towards the interrogation room. "Allow me," Fin whispers slipping past his partner into the tiny room with a devilish grin.
"Finally," Dan sasses upon their entrance. "I've been sitting here all Goddamn day."
"Our apologies Danny-boy," Fin responds with a smirk.
Dan rolls his eyes and stands up. "Can I go now?"
"One more thing," Munch says.
"What?"
"Daniel Fletcher, you are under arrest for the rapes of Dawn Hawkins and Olivia Benson. You have the right to-" Fin grabs him as Munch reads him his rights.
"What? No! Get off of me," he cries jerking his arm away from Fin's.
Fin tightens his hold on the suspect. "Detective Munch, looks like our friend here is resisting arrest."
"Then I guess you should use necessary force," Munch responds with a smile.