Disclaimer: Law and Order SVU and its characters are owned by Dick Wolf and Wolf Entertainment.
Chapter 4
Where are we people Olivia asked as she addressed her squad. "Oki and I have arranged to meet Leroy Paul at the Golden Lion at 4pm this afternoon. I have already arranged an undercover surveillance vehicle to be in the vicinity under the pretense of gas works. Some ATF agents are already there setting everything up. Carisi going to come and make sure we have enough evidence to make something stick." Fin said.
Olivia felt slightly guilty as she realized that her late arrival this morning though it helped Elliott meant Fin needed to have arranged everything himself. As if reading her mind "Don't worry about its Liv, I knew you had something important to do, now excuse me I need to get changed." Fin said, while leaving the squad room and heading for the changing rooms.
Fin and Oki entered the restaurant and looked around. Fin was dressed in a Faux Tiger Skin coat, over a black suit accessorized with a black trilby hat, large chain and sunglasses. He carried with him a cane with a silver Lion head. Oki was dressed in a long black leather jacket and sunglasses.
Outside in the van Olivia, Elliott and Carisi sat watching on the screen with Amanda and Kat in an unmarked sedan around the corner. "It's good to see Fin still enjoys a bit of fancy-dress" Elliott remarked, smiling at what Fin was wearing. "Some things don't change" Olivia said next to him "The scary thing is he actually owns these clothes" she added. They suddenly went quiet when Leroy Paul entered the restaurant, accompanied by two men, and walked over to the table that Fin was sitting at. Oki got up and stood in front of Fin, opening his jacket to reveal his gun. The two men who had accompanied Leroy, also flashed their guns. Fin waved Oki away and Leroy ordered his men to stay back while he sat down opposite Fin who signaled to a bar man to bring over a drink.
"How did you find me?" Leroy asked Fin. "You were recommended to me by a friend, if you get my drift." Fin responded. "Which friend?" Leroy asked. "Let's just say that he's a fan of the trilby hat." Fin said while tipping his hat. "Now do you think you can help me?" Fin continued. "Depends we only deal with big orders" Leroy boasted. "That's good because I only place big orders - now let's do business." Fin shot back. Leroy took Fin and Oki around the back of the warehouse where an Iveco short wheelbase lorry was. Leroy opened it and Fin and Oki saw that the lorry was full of weapons. "How much do you want?" Leroy asked, "How much for half your load?" Fin responded. "Half a mill" Leroy responded. Fin scoffed "You are kidding me? I'll give you 250". After some haggling, they settled on $350,000. As they shook on the deal, the back of the warehouse was surrounded by ATF agents each with their weapons drawn. Leroy Paul and his accomplices knew they were on the losing side and went quietly with the agents, along with Fin and Oki to keep up the pretense.
Arriving back at the station, while Leroy was being booked, Olivia went to check on Lizzie and how she was getting on with her application. Elliott was following but Olivia stopped him "Go phone Kathy" Elliott scoffed "She doesn't want to hear from me" Olivia smiled at him and said "El, she's expecting your call" with that she returned to her office where Lizzie was finishing her application. After quickly reading it through, Olivia took Lizzie over to the Candidate Assessment Centre, and after quick introductions, Olivia wished Lizzie, luck made sure she was able to get home, and left.
Back at the station Olivia was met by a smiling Elliott who informed her that he was going to see Eli at the weekend. But it was soon down to business as Olivia and Elliott prepared to team up and interview Leroy. Olivia warned Elliott that she doesn't hold to threatening or intimidating perps anymore. "It doesn't work, and they are much more likely to close down." As they began the interview, Carisi, Amanda, Kat, Oki and Fin were watching through the mirrored glass, listening to what Leroy had to say, but also interested in watching the dynamic between Benson and Stabler - a partnership that around the 16th precinct was legendry. As the interview progressed Elliott and Olivia began the dance they had done hundreds of times before. Amanda, after watching for a while, said "They're good" Fin smiled "They were the best - Munch and I were very much the support act with these two around."
"I can see why" Amanda added not taking her eyes away from the glass. "How do they know what each other is going to say or move to?" Carisi added "it's almost unnatural."
"They've always had the ability to read each other - it made them invincible in the field and in the box. But it meant they also could call each other out if the one was bull-shitting the other." Fin concluded. Kat, shaking her head asked "You sure they never slept together?" Fin looking at Kat directly "Never! The fact they didn't sleep together is what made their relationship work". As Fin said this the door open and Olivia was surprised to see everyone at the glass. "Councillor Carisi, Mr Paul and his lawyer would like to make a deal."
Part of the deal Leroy Paul made involved him giving up the name of the man in the Trilby Hat and arranging a way for the detectives to contact him. "Dick Turpin?" Fin said "He's got to be trying to pull one over on us."
"Why, who's Dick Turpin?" Kat asked. "He's a famous English highway man" Oki answered "Until he was hanged, which is what I'll do to Leroy if he's pulling our chain" Fin responded as he came and perched on the end of the his desk ready for Olivia to brief them. As she began Rick Johnson walked in and stood towards the side listening.
"Dick Turpin, as he goes by which we can assume is a pseudonym, is apparently contacted on the dark web through a website imaginatively called 'snap up a whipper '. From here you are interviewed by Mr Turpin, who by all accounts is very paranoid and due to that is cautious and thorough in his checks to make sure the couple are genuine. Counsellor" Carisi began to brief.
"We need to catch Mr Turpin accepting money and passing over a child, it's the only way we are going to get something that's indisputable and will stand up in court. But you don't need me to tell you this has to be by the book. No heroics, and I don't want to see one mark on the man."
"Thank you, Counsellor. So we will play by the rules people. Agent Stabler and I will go under cover as a newly married older couple looking to adopt a child. Rick Johnson from ATF is going to be in charge when I am under. We will also be accessing the resources of the ATF, making sure we have eyes and ears in the apartment and also helping us create a genuine family home. Oki and Kat can I get you to find all you can on this Dick Turpin…and his real name would be helpful." Olivia paused and then turned to Amanda "will you do me the honor of being my Maid of Honor?"
"I thought you'd never ask" Amanda said smiling. Elliott and Olivia then turned to look at Fin, "Hey, don't think I am making no speech." Fin said smiling. Olivia and Amanda went off to a bridal hire shop and found suitable dresses and matching ties for Elliott and Fin. That evening at home, while Noah was asleep, Olivia sat down with a glass of wine and went through all her old photos finding suitable ones of her and Elliott to use within their 'marital home'. She was thinking back to those days when the squad was one happy family under Cragen. Now it was her job to head up the family, she just hoped she was doing a good job, sometimes it was hard to know. Looking at the clock and knowing she needed to look her best she decided to turn in.
The next day with hair and make-up done and everyone dressed up in their wedding attire, they all stood in front of a back drop of a country resort with studio lights adding the right lighting posing for photos. The reality was the New York ATF field office and Olivia felt dressed completely over the top. Rick Johnson who had been roped in was acting as the marriage officiant. Then came the embarrassing moment when Elliott and Olivia had to kiss one another. Afterwards Olivia and Elliott immediately looked away awkwardly, both knowing this was more contact than they had ever had in their time as partners. After the photos Elliott whispered to Olivia, "you look stunning, you know that". Olivia smiled and thanked Elliot. When back in their work clothes Amanda and Olivia dropped their dresses back and headed back to the precinct. "You nervous?" Amanda asked. Olivia thought for a moment "A little, I have been under cover with Elliott countless times, including as his wife. But this feels different, I'm not quite sure why."
Arriving back at the squad room, Oki and Kat had laid out what they knew so far. Kat began "Our Mr Turpin has quite a few aliases" putting down photos of the same man but dressed differently, "meet Fred West, Ian Brady and Ronnie Kray. All the same man, all different names and all infamous British serial killers." Oki continued "But we think we have the guy, thanks to the London Metropolitan Police, meet petty thief John Smith. From talking to a cop who remembers him, a nobody who wanted to be a somebody."
"Looks like he's arrived" Elliott commented
Elliott and Olivia pulled up to their 'marital' home in a brand-new Porsche Cayenne, knowing they had to act like a newlywed couple. As they brought in grocery bags Elliott touched Olivia's shoulder and took a couple of bags off of her. He smiled and she put her arm around his waist as they walked to their front door. In their house hidden around were cameras and microphones, but as much as Olivia looked, she could not see them. Elliott also wore a pair of black rimmed glasses with a camara and microphone hidden within them. She was impressed with the ATF gear, it was in a different league to the NYPD. Now it was a waiting game as to whether Dick Turpin would show up.
A few hours later there was a knock at the door Elliott opened the door and standing in front of him was standing a man 6ft, brown hair, brown eyes, slim built, completely unremarkable except that he was wearing a Trilby hat. "Mr Turpin, please come on in", Elliott said standing aside to let the man in. "I'm Bill Mathers and this is my wife Isabel." Olivia got up from the couch and shook hands with Dick Turpin.
Watching in the neighboring house at a wall of monitors each showing a different camera angle, was Johnson, Carisi, Fin and Amanda. When Turpin entered, they held their breath hoping Olivia and Elliott could be convincing.
"First things first Mr Mathers, can I please look at your spectacles" Turpin asked in a clipped British accent. Elliott took off his glasses pleased that they had put his actual prescription lenses in. Turpin looked closely and then handed back, "how did you get the black eye?" Turpin asked. "A boot in the eye during a tackle while playing soccer" Elliot responded. "Ahh the beautiful game of football - a game that was meant to be played by gentleman. Which team do you support?" Turpin continued to ask whilst looking around the house. "I support local New York City Football Club, none of these mega clubs." Elliott responded. Turpin nodded and smiled "I understand you have only just married but judging from these photos you have known each other a long time. What took you so long?" "We were close friends but lost contact" Olivia said. "About some ten years ago my work took me to Oklahoma, and absorbed most of my life and I lost contact with most of my friends" Elliott continued. "But you met again?" Turpin prompted. "About half a year ago" Olivia picking up the story, "We literally bumped into each other up at Red Hook, and six weeks later we were married". "What were you doing in Red Hook?" "Work," said Elliott "I use to be in development, but took early retirement when I married this one." Elliott said smiling at Olivia and squeezing her hand.
"You look very happy together" Turpin said, Olivia and Elliott both internally relaxed, they were convincing Turpin. Suddenly Turpin said, "but this can all be faked", pointing to the pictures "before we talk business, I want you to both kiss, the sort of kiss you would give each other when no one's looking." Olivia suddenly went red, she had not expected that, and by the look on Elliot's face nor had he.
"Did I hear that right?" Fin said next door, "He wants them to kiss? What kind of freak is he."
Elliott asked Turpin, "Why do you need to see us kiss?" Turpin smiled and continued "You can tell a lot from the way two people kiss, do they really love each other, is this natural, have they done it before. Think of this as your examination of whether you're a genuine couple." "How European" Elliott responded and looked at Olivia who gave an imperceptible nod.
Amanda, watching the screen, agreed "What he's saying makes sense - when I was doing my degree I did a module on behavioral psychology and how the body can't lie." Carisi shifted in his seat and felt himself getting warmer at what Amanda had just said. Taking off his jacket he replied, "They better make it look good." They all watched the monitor.
Elliott moved closer to Olivia and put his arms around her waist, Olivia putting her arms around Elliott's neck looked into his eyes and, expecting to see anxiety, was surprised to see a calmness and a look of loving desire. Olivia smiled and when Elliott drew his lips to Olivia's she opened her mouth up to him and they began to explore each other's mouths. Elliott at that moment felt like an explosion had happened within his body as every nerve came alive tingling, he definitely did not want to look down in his pant region at the moment. Olivia, despite years of secret fantasies of what it was like to kiss her partner had not prepared her for this moment, and she knew now that no other man ever could compare to Elliott Stabler. As they parted, Elliott turned to Turpin who was smirking at them "Is that European enough for you?"
"I can see you two are making up for lost time" Turpin said
"Hey, you should see what we get up to in the bedroom" Elliott said with a smile, earning him a warning look from Olivia.
"Why do you want a child?" Turpin asked. Olivia looked down as though embarrassed began speaking "The one thing in life I always wanted was to have a baby, but I didn't think it was right for me to bring up a child on my own. Now Bill and I are married we're too old for me to get pregnant, and have been turned down for adoption for the same reason."
"If I were able to get the child you so desire, what age would you like?" Turpin asked hypothetically. "Around 4, we both need our sleep. I don't think we could deal with night feeds." Olivia said looking at Turpin. "A boy or girl?" Turpin continued. "I have always wanted a little girl" Olivia said putting her hands crossed over her heart and letting her eyes begin to tear." Elliott cut in "Mr Turpin if you can help my wife fulfil her life's desire to be a mom, I can guarantee you money won't be an obstacle". Turpin turned to leave "I'll see what I can do, keep your mobile phone on." With that Turpin disappeared out of the house, into a waiting cab. Kat and Oki, in an unmarked SUV, followed the cab at a distance.
After he left Olivia and Elliott looked at each other and sighed - they had done all they could, they just needed to hope it was enough to convince Dick Turpin. "You ok?" Elliott asked Olivia. Answering straight back Olivia enquired, "Why wouldn't I be?". "I just wanted to make sure I didn't hurt you" Elliot answered. Olivia smiled "I'm not made of glass Elliott; I won't break because you snogged me." Elliott also smiled and said, "never thought you would. I thought as kisses went, I was quite good." This earnt laugh and a gentle slap from Olivia, and an urgent text from Fin reminding them they were still being filmed.