Chapter Three

Special Victims Unit

9:47

Today Olivia was not early. She had arrived late and was still very tired because of a lack of sleep. She had finished all the tea before her visit to the Stewart household and she had none left when she returned home. She tossed restlessly through the night and even attempted to make herself tea which did little to help her sleep. When she finally did close her eyes it seemed as though her alarm went off seconds later.

The first thing she asked was if the results of the rape kit had come in. Stabler told her that he did not know and that he had not seen Cragen that morning because he had been in his office with the new detective since he had entered.

Munch and Fin had not seen Cragen as well and neither of the three saw the new detective. They all waited outside the office at their desks. Olivia cared the least about the new detective although she was anxious to meet him. She just wanted to see if the lab results came in.

About five minutes later, Cragen exited his office followed by a young man. He was about the same height as Cragen maybe a bit taller. His hair was brown and barely combed and his bangs dangled above his green eyes. He was dressed in a suit but looked scruffy because of his stubble. He approached Olivia, Stabler, Fin, and Munch alongside Captain Cragen.

"Detectives," said Cragen. "This is our newest member to our squad. His name is Eric Armstrong."

Munch was the first to get up and shake hands with the new detective.

"John Munch," he introduced himself.

"Odafin Tutuola," greeted Fin shaking Armstrong's hand next.

"I'm Olivia Benson." He gently shook Olivia's hand and grinned at her. Stabler got up and approached the new detective. He stared at him for a while and extended his hand.

"Elliot Stabler," he said.

"Nice to meet you," said Armstrong who shook Elliot's hand firmly.

"Munch, I would like you to share with Detective Armstrong our current case," said Cragen. The phone rang from the Captain's office. Cragen walked to his office and answered it. He hung up after a few seconds and came back to the other detectives.

"The rape kit's done," informed Cragen.

Medical Examination Lab for Sex Crimes

10:15 am

Olivia stood anxiously with her partner, Elliot Stabler in the laboratory, waiting for M.E. Melinda Warner to come back with the rape kit results along with Alexa's clothing. Olivia had come as fast as possible, rushing Stabler with her. He said several times to her that the results were not going to disappear no matter what time they arrived.

In walked M.E. Warner. Olivia turned as she entered the room.

"The rape kit came back positive. There was bruises on her thighs and I found pieces of skin underneath her nails which matches to her claim that she clawed her attacker. There was semen on her clothes and I found some male pubic hair. CSU sent me over the results of their examination. They found the same pubic hair and semen."

Olivia turned to her partner who managed to make eye contact with her before she left the room. Stabler had worked with her enough to notice that she was angry.

"Thanks, doc," he said before exiting and he caught up with Olivia. Even the way she walked showed how much she had been aggravated.. "Liv, slow down. He's not going anywhere."

"We should have arrested him the minute she said his name," said Olivia.

"Liv, you know we had to make sure..."

"I don't care. I knew she was raped. She couldn't fake something like that. Her parents have probably already wondered why we haven't arrested him and are probably displeased with us. We should have gone and got the guy. Instead, he's still out there and he probably already has an alibi."

Special Victims Unit

10:47 am

"I didn't rape her. I don't even know her," said Kurt Steele in an attempt to reassure Olivia and Stabler as he stared at a photo of Alexa Stewart. "The only thing I did at the party was to make more of my cousin's friends come. She was afraid nobody was going to come." He was a young man, possibly in his early twenties. He was incredibly handsome and fit. He had a stubble around his face that was a light brown which was the same color as his short hair. His eyes were large and bright blue but they did not appear innocent at all to Olivia and Stabler. He was known for his bright eyes.

"So you didn't do this," said Stabler as he placed down pictures of Alexa's bruised body in an attempt to make Kurt feel terrible for what he had done.

"No," he answered after briefly glancing at the pictures and turning away from both detectives' glares. "She's obviously a little girl who is deprived of attention and this is how she wants to get it, by lying and saying that an actor raped her. I had no reason and still have no reason to rape her or anyone. He crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair, making himself look more comfortable as he glanced at the two detectives.

"Fine," said Olivia. "Then let us have a DNA sample."

"No," he said defiantly. "You'll sell it off eBay or something."

"I have much better things to do with my life," assured Olivia with a agitated and unnatural smirk. "Now if your as innocent as you claim, then let us have a DNA sample."

"I want my lawyer and a phone call."

Olivia and Stabler left the room and met outside with Cragen and Armstrong who were watching through the one-sided window.Stabler shut the door behind them.

"This guy bothers me," informed Stabler. "A lot."

"Well then, don't let him," said Armstrong. "He'll use that to his advantage."

"He doesn't and won't have any advantage over me," snapped Stabler.

"I'm going to speak to Alexa and her parents," announced Olivia before Cragen could put in his thoughts. "Don't let this guy leave."

The Stewart Residence

108 Todd Drive

11:15 am

"Come in," said Mrs. Stewart who answered the door. She was dressed in a flowery shirt along with blue pants. By her outfit, Olivia could tell she was a nurse. She stepped aside and let Olivia in and she then shut the door. "Is everything okay?"

"The rape kit came back positive," informed Olivia. "There was semen on Alexa's clothes and on the bed sheets."

Mrs. Stewart swallowed hard and attempted to hold back a few tears.

"Is you husband home?" asked Olivia.

"No, he's in a meeting," explained Mrs. Stewart. "I probably won't be able to get a hold of him."

"What about Alexa?" asked Olivia.

"She's home. I picked her up from school."

"Is she alright."

"She hasn't told me anything. She went straight to her room."

"May I speak with her?"

"Of course." Mrs. Stewart lead Olivia to Alexa's bedroom door. She knocked. "Alexa, Detective Benson is here." In a few moments Alexa opened her bedroom door. Her eyes were watery and red. They were slightly swollen and it was clear how miserable she was feeling.

"Hi," she managed to mumble.

"Are you okay, Alexa?" asked Olivia.

"No," she answered. She headed back into her room and onto her bed. Olivia followed. Mrs. Stewart walked off deciding that it was better for them two just to talk.

"What happened?" asked Olivia who sat herself next to Alexa.

"I walked into school and everybody was staring at me and whispering. I tried to ignore it and I was doing pretty good until I got to my locker. Tina was there. She insulted me and told me that I was ugly. She walked away and when I opened my locker...tampons fell out and birth control pills and a flier for alcoholics anonymous. Everyone saw and started laughing. A teacher came by and helped me pick it all up and throw it away. I made it through my first two classes but then I got to lunch... Tina passed around a soup bowl and had people throw things in it. Some people spit in it and sneezed. And then she walked by me with her tray and tried to make it look like she accidentally spilled it on me. And it smelled terrible." Alexa fell down onto her pillow and began crying. "I smelt so bad and when I went to the nurse she had to cover her nose. She had to give me clothes to change into. I called my mom and she came to pick me up. I hate Tina. I hate my school. I don't want to go back." She began wailing into her pillow.

Olivia placed a hand on Alexa's back and began moving it up and down to comfort her. "We arrested Kurt," Olivia told her. "And we're going to make sure her gets punished for this. It will all go away but it isn't going to be easy. You understand that, right?"

Alexa nodded and then faced Olivia.

"We're going to get a DNA sample from him and if it matches the semen we found on your clothes and on the bed, he'll be put in jail. I promise."

Special Victims Unit

11:36 am

Olivia entered the precinct. Cragen looked up from where he stood and spotted her. He walked over to her.

"Is he still here?" asked Olivia.

"Yeah," answered Cragen. "His lawyer's in there with him."

Stabler joined the two in their conversation.

"I can't stand him," said Stabler.

"Who? Him or his lawyer?" asked Cragen.

"Both," said Stabler. "And his father."

"His father's here?" asked Olivia.

"His father's his manager or something," explained Stabler. "Daddy got him the best and most obnoxious defense attorney this side of the state." He retired to his desk.

"So he hasn't given up his DNA?" Olivia asked.

"Nope. Hasn't even contemplated it," informed Stabler.

"Maybe I can change his mind," said Olivia who began walking to the interrogation room.

"Better hurry up," called Stabler. "His lawyer is trying to get him to leave."

"I called Casey," said Cragen. Casey was the district attorney for SVU. "She'll be here soon."

Olivia entered the room and saw Kurt sitting smoking a cigarette. Sitting next to him was an older man dressed expensively with his hands crossed. He was a bit podgy and he looked very cross. Standing was another man, probably about forty or so. He wore a suit and was clean cut and tall. His face was rugged and his eyes seemed tired.

"Where's Casey Novak?" asked the standing man.

"She'll be here soon," said Olivia. She turned to Kurt. "There's no smoking in here."

"And who might you be?" asked the old man sitting.

"I'm detective Olivia Benson," she introduced herself as Kurt put out his cigarette.

The old man's deposition changed dramatically but not obviously. He unfolded his arms and stared at Olivia. His mouth opened slightly as he sat up straight.

"Well then in that case," said the standing man who obviously was Kurt Steele's lawyer. "I don't want any detectives speaking to my client unless a district attorney is present. Is that clear?"

Olivia stared at the lawyer and recognized him. His name was Gregory Hallworth. He was a well known defense lawyer and one of the best in New York. Olivia had never saw him defend one of their suspects before.

"Alright, fine," said Olivia. She left the room and saw that the old man was still staring at her the same way he was before Hallworth spoke. Olivia ignored his gaze and left the room. Outside, Armstrong was standing there, arms folded.

"Tough lawyer," he said.

"Yeah," agreed Olivia.

"You know who his father is, don't you?" asked Armstrong.

"No," answered Olivia.

"Joseph Steele, owner of Steele airlines. The business I guess ran in the family for generations. Kurt's brother is next in line."

"How do you know that?" asked Olivia.

"Munch told me," answered Armstrong. "He did a little background check on the family."

Olivia stared at the three men in the room. Hallworth was taking to Kurt and he seemed a bit flustered. Kurt acted careless and he went for another cigarette. Hallworth snatched it away from him and threw it. Joseph Steele sat in his chair still deep in his own thoughts.

11:45 am

Casey entered the precinct with a suitcase that she placed on Olivia's desk. Olivia stood up as well as Stabler. Armstrong approached at the sight of someone he did not know.

"Is he still here?" asked Casey.

"Yup," answered Olivia. "His lawyer won't let anyone speak to him without you present."

"Who's his lawyer?" Casey asked.

"Gregory Hallworth," answered Olivia.

"Damn," muttered Casey. She then saw Armstrong and look inquisitively at him.

"Oh, this is our new detective, Eric Armstrong," introduced Olivia.

He extended a hand to Casey. "Please to meet you," said Armstrong.

"Likewise," said Casey. "Alright, let me talk to him." Olivia lead Casey to the interrogation room. Armstrong and Stabler followed. Olivia entered the room with Casey and she shut the door behind them.

"Good morning, Casey," greeted Hallworth.

"Morning," said Casey. "So Greg, what's the big problem here? All we're asking is for your client's DNA. If he's as innocent as he claims then why not do this to prove it?"

"My client strongly opposes your request," said Hallworth, "because he believes you'll use his DNA for your own necessities."

"Why? Because he's famous? That's absurd."

"But not against the law. If he wants to protect his DNA then he's allowed to do that."

"Fine," said Casey defiantly. "I'll get an order for him to surrender his DNA and you know that any judge will allow it. So, Greg, why don't you just save us and yourself the trouble and let us have his DNA?"

Hallworth turned to his client and then whispered something in his ear. Kurt look enraged but he kept himself under control.

"Fine," said Kurt. "You can have it."

"Good," said Casey with a false smile. "We'll have a medical examiner here in no time."

12:31 am

"Please open you mouth," said M.E. Warner to Kurt Steele a second time as she held a swab in her hand. Kurt Steele turned to his lawyer who stood near his father. Not far from them was Olivia with his arms crossed.

"Just do it," said Hallworth annoyed.

Kurt Steele begrudgingly obeyed and opened his mouth. With the utensil, M.E. Warner got saliva from Kurt Steele.

"Now that part wasn't so bad," said M.E. Warner who put the sample in a safe container which would later be examined. She then took out a pair of tweezers from a plastic container which had not been opened. "Now if you could please drop your pants and underwear."

"What?" said Kurt Steele, a bit outraged. He turned to his lawyer.

"They need a pubic hair," explained his lawyer.

"Hell no," Kurt said.

"Kurt just do it," commanded his lawyer who clearly was losing patience for his incompetent client. "You creating more trouble than there needs to be."

Kurt stood up from his seat and obeyed M.E. Warner.

12:43 am

Kurt Steele began exiting the precinct in a fury, followed by his lawyer and his father. Olivia watched Kurt exit before sitting down at her desk in a content mood. Hallworth followed Kurt out of the precinct. Joseph Steele came to the door and then stopped and turned around. He then headed back and over to Olivia.

"Excuse me," he said quite politely which was not expected of him.

Olivia turned around. "Yeah?"

"You said your name was Olivia Benson?" asked Joseph Steele.

"Yes," answered Olivia not understanding where his question was going.

"Was your mother's name Serena?"

Olivia paused and became confused. "Yes."

"Olivia, I know this is going to be hard for you to believe and I want you to let me explain. Olivia, I'm your father."