Disclaimer: Law and Order SVU and its characters are owned by Dick Wolf and Wolf Entertainment.
When Partners Collide
Chapter 5
Arriving back at the squad room Olivia clocked that there was an unease among some of her team around her. She guessed news of their kiss for Turpin was doing the rounds. She wondered that if she was back as a detective if anyone would have been so uneasy, Munch would have wound her up, she summarized and Cragen would have made sure it did not bring any tension in their partnership. Deciding that everyone can just get over it, Olivia started the briefing.
"Carisi, do we have anything?" "Nothing, Turpin was very careful to put everything in the hypothetical, so asking questions, 'if you had a child?' A lawyer would have him out before he's even gone through booking. I can't even get him for inciting a sexual act as you both entered into it freely…if you get my drift" Carisi said looking at the floor awkwardly. "Let's hope Kat and Oki get something" Johnson said. Just as he said that Kat and Oki walked back into the squad room. "We lost him" Kat said. "This guy is beyond careful, He changed cabs three times and I lost him on foot as he crossed Times Square and got into an unmarked town car." Oki continued. "Well, I guess we just have to hope he contacts Elliot again" Olivia said, frustrated that this man appeared to be slipping out of their grip.
As they were reviewing every piece of information and evidence on the case Elliot's 'Bill Mathers' cell phone rang with instructions from Dick Turpin to meet him in Battery Kessler in Queens at 6am tomorrow morning. "This dude has a liking for abandoned buildings" Fin growled knowing it was going to impossible for back up to be close by. "Rick, do you think you and your team can see the best way of getting eyes and ears on that spot?" Olivia asked Johnson. "It will be difficult, but I think we can do it. But we can't be near, you two are going to have to make the arrest." Elliott and Olivia nodded, and everyone got to work preparing for perhaps their one and only chance to catch Turpin.
Olivia walked into her apartment well past midnight and, after thanking Lucy who had agreed to stay overnight and apologizing for being so late, she went and took off her make-up, showered, changed into some comfortable clothes then taking a coffee she went and sat in Noah's room knowing it was pointless sleeping as she needed to be out again in a few hours. Watching Noah sleep, Olivia began to process everything that happened that day, pleased that Elliott and her managed to convince Turpin, and surprised at how comfortable it had been, even when they had been asked to kiss it had felt normal. Olivia thought back to the moment when she caught the look in Elliot's eyes before they kissed, that look of desire, it wasn't a look Olivia was expecting, an apology yes but not a look of tender care and almost wanting to make her happy. She always knew under the cocky bravado was a tender man, but she rarely glimpsed it. Suddenly jolting up in her chair she quickly looked at her cell phone and, realizing she must have dozed offed, got up to prepared for the arrival of Elliott.
Making their way to Battery Kessler, Olivia and Elliott were silent, partly due to the lack of sleep, but also because they both knew there was a lot riding on them. Back up was at least 5 minutes away if something did go wrong. As they approached Elliott turned to Olivia "You ok?" he asked. "I'm fine" Olivia responded giving her stock answer that Elliott knew normally meant she wasn't. He smiled to himself pleased that to see her stock answer hadn't changed in the decade they hadn't seen each other. Olivia looked at him and he could see in her face the same emotions he knew were mirrored in his - anxiety, pressure and adrenalin. He pulled up at the wire mesh gates on the beach on 193rd Street and waited, it was a wide-open space with no place to hide, Elliott could see why Turpin picked it as he put on the blacked rimmed glasses again and they waited.
Soon they could see a black SUV approaching with blacked out windows. Olivia and Elliott got out of their car. Turpin got out of the driver's seat and ordered them to stay where they were. He walked over to Elliott and told him to put his hands on the car bonnet and after checking he did not have a gun, he ordered Elliott to take his shirt and belt off.
"Why?" Elliott asked "Because I want to make sure you're not wired." Elliott complied and took off his shirt and belt giving them to Turpin, "See no wire, we're just a normal couple - we don't know even how to get the stuff your talking about." he said. Turpin examined them and nodded to Elliott telling him he could get dressed again. Olivia could not help but look whilst Elliott had his shirt off, his muscles though softer than she was used to seeing them, were still defined, and his chest hair was now flecked with grey. There's no doubt about it she thought he does still look good. But then Olivia internally shuddered as she knew what was coming next. Turpin had turned to her and was ordering her away from the car. He moved over to her saying "You really want a little girl don't you." Olivia nodded putting on a look that she was terrified. He began to undo the buttons on the blouse she was wearing, and Olivia wanted at that moment to punch Turpin's light's out. But knew she had to continue acting the scared housewife. Olivia allowed tears to fall as Turpin opened her shirt revealing her bra underneath. Elliott seeing what he was doing was desperate to try and give Olivia privacy from the fellow officers watching on the screens. But at the same time knowing he needed to look, so it could be documented. Elliott called out, "Please, leave my wife alone, she's not concealing anything from you." But Turpin ordered Elliott to stay by the car. Turning again to Olivia who was sobbing silent tears he pulled her open blouse off her shoulders and down her arms. He then looked at her chest and that's when Elliott saw Olivia's chest was covered in scars from what looked like burns. He couldn't quite believe what he was seeing, who had done this to her? Taking a deep breath, he knew he had to hold it together, for the case and for Olivia.
On seeing the scars Turpin asked, "Who did this?" Olivia, embarrassed that Elliott was having to see them and knowing he was likely to lose his temper if she was not careful, shot him a warning look and then answered Turpin through her tears bitterly "An ex-boyfriend, a long time ago, but I got rid of his sorry ass." Turpin nodded "That's good." He said taking hold of Olivia's bra straps and asked" Would you do anything for this child?" Olivia, trying to keep her own anger under control but also panic as she knew where this was leading, she looked Turpin straight in the eyes and responded "Anything, but please…don't" she asked pleadingly feeling Turpin begin to lower her straps. "But you said you'd do anything," Turpin goaded
Olivia nodded her head in consent and closed her eyes talking herself through one of her calming techniques as Turpin uncovered her breasts. Elliott felt rage burning up inside him as he pleaded with Turpin to leave her alone. After taking a good look at her breasts he commented "very nice" then ordered Olivia to redress. Turning to Elliott he asked "Do you have the money?". Elliott went to the car trying to calm himself down by taking deep breaths and counting each breath as he inhaled. He reached into the rear seat where he removed the bag and at the same time slipped his Glock down the back of his pants. Walking over to Turpin he placed the bag down. Turpin opened the bag, checked the contents, walked over to his car and, opening the door, ordered a little girl about 4 years old out. Her hands were tied in front of her. He told the girl to walk over to Olivia and Elliott. Olivia ran straight to the girl to shield her while Elliott made his move.
Elliott walked up to Turpin and held his Glock to his head, ordering Turpin to place his hands on his head. Turpin automatically complied and Elliott checked him for a weapon removing a 9mm handgun from his pocket. He then ordered Turpin to lay on the floor and put his hands behind his back. Using three cable ties he tied Turpin's hands behind his back. Elliott was still pointing the Glock at Turpin's head as his hands began to shake with rage running through his whole body at what he just did to Olivia. He took some deep breaths and tried to calm himself down. Olivia spotted Elliott was struggling, walked over and slowly removed the Glock from Elliott and began to give Turpin his rights. Back-up soon arrived and took Turpin and the girl away, leaving Olivia, Elliott, Fin, Amanda and Rick.
Rick Johnson walked up to Olivia, "You did good, Fin's going to take you to the medical examiner - I know it's a long shot, but we need every bit of evidence we can possibly get including your clothes." Olivia nodded and asked if she could have a minute.
Moving away from the main group, Olivia suddenly felt all the emotions of the entire case came crashing in on her, knowing she had to hold it together still, she focused on her breathing keeping it deep and even. When she felt calmer, she walked back over to the group and addressed Fin "Come on, let's get going to Warner."
When they arrived at the Medical Examiner's office Melinda Warner was expecting them and had cleared the lab ready to give Olivia as much privacy as she could. Fin waited outside for Olivia. Melinda apologized for what she had to do. "Let's just get this over and done with," Olivia said stepping onto the paper that Melinda had laid out and removing her shoes. Gradually Olivia removed each piece of clothing and Melinda bagged it. Seeing the scars on Olivia's chest, Melinda paused. Remembering what they looked like when she had to photograph them seven years ago, she still felt the same emotion she did then. "I'm so sorry he did that to you" smiling a sad smile Olivia responded, "so am I". After Melinda had finished Olivia, dressed in scrubs, was driven home by Fin. When they entered Olivia's apartment it was empty as Noah was at school. Olivia walked to the couch and Fin set about making her a cup of coffee "Chief Garland will come to take your statement after he's finished with Elliott." Olivia nodded her head and gratefully received the coffee. "Do you want me to stay?" "It's ok Fin, I just need to be by myself if that's ok?" Fin nodded and made Olivia promise to call him if she needed anything and he'd be straight over.
Olivia laid on the sofa replaying the entire morning, the more she replayed it the dirtier she felt, so eventually she went to take a long shower to try and wash Turpin off of her.
Not knowing how long she stood in the shower she suddenly became conscious that Chief Garland was coming so, turning off the shower, Olivia changed into a pair of leggings, tank top and a zip through NYPD hoody and put her hair up preparing for the chief's arrival.
An hour later while Olivia was on the sofa trying to focus unsuccessfully on the TV program on, there was a knock at the door. Olivia opened it and found Chief Garland accompanied with Elliott. Olivia let them in and made drinks for her visitors while Garland set up a camera then, with Elliott off screen nodding encouragingly, she gave her statement to Garland. At the end of the statement, Garland stood to leave. "You're not to come back into the station today, you understand". Olivia nodded but insisted she would be back at work tomorrow." Garland accepted this and then left. Elliott turned to Olivia leading her back to the sofa, sat down next to her. Taking her hands and looking at her he asked "I know this is going to be difficult for you, but please can you tell me who hurt you? At the moment Liv, I'm thinking the worse and it's screwing me up". Olivia nodded knowing he had the right to know. She stood up and began the painful retelling of her encounter with William Lewis while pacing up and down.
"Seven years ago, I got a call to come in because Amanda had collard a man flashing in central park. It's sounds simple enough, but she had an uncomfortable feeling about him. She was right, we all got that same feeling and he turned out to be a sadistic psychopath who raped and tortured women. No matter how hard we tried he always found a loophole to slip through. Cragen had me take the lead on the interview and I must have pressed his buttons because that night when I came home, he was in my apartment waiting for me. Even now I ask why I didn't pull my gun. I had that feeling something wasn't right. But it was my home, I thought I was safe." Olivia said the last sentence angrily. Elliott sitting on the sofa said, "Olivia you know you can't blame yourself." Olivia stopped and looked at Elliott "I know, El I've told hundreds of victims that, but it doesn't get easier when it's you."
Carrying on from where she left off, Oliva continued "He knocked me out and tied me to a chair, where he forced fed me vodka and Vicodin to keep me woozy. He then burnt me with keys, coat hangers and cigarettes – those are the scars you can see. For three days he held me, making me witness things I still struggle with. In the end I managed to escape, and over-power him - that was the first time we met."
Elliott rubbed his hands down his face, like he always did when he felt powerless to help those he cared for. "Olivia, did he rape you?" Elliott asked not sure he wanted to know the answer. Olivia immediately stopped pacing and went straight over to Elliott kneeling in front of him. "Elliott look at me", Olivia instructed "He never raped me. He touched me, and physically hurt me, but didn't rape me. The worse thing wasn't the physical pain but the psychological torture he put me through. He knew how to push my buttons and goad me. Even now I still hear his voice in my head." Elliott nodded, stroking the side of her face "You said first time, you met him again?"
Olivia stood up and began pacing again "Lewis managed to escape from prison and kidnapped a little girl, using her as bait for me. I agreed to go to him, and he took me to Red Hook Granary". Elliott, realizing the significance of what Olivia said about Red Hook, asked "The other day was the first time you returned since he took you there?" Olivia nodded and resumed pacing, continuing the account "He refused to release the girl and said that he was going to rape one of us and it was up to me to choose - I told him to rape me." Olivia stopped pacing and looked at Elliott whose head had shot up and looked at her. Resuming her pacing Olivia began again "He tied me to the table with my hands and legs spread. He undid my trousers and began to touch me all over. But by now I knew Lewis didn't get off on the rape but the struggle. So, I stood stock still and did not put up any resistance. Sure enough he couldn't perform, so to speak. But he came up with a new game to torture me with and forced me to play Russian roulette. When we got to the last chamber, and the gun was aimed at me, I was convinced I was dead. He grabbed my chin and twisted my head to look at him in the eyes…but then he shot himself so close that most of his brain landed on me."
There was a moment of silence between them. When Elliott finally realized Olivia was waiting for him to say something, in a voice filled with emotion no louder than a whisper, he said "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you." Olivia walked straight over to Elliott and sat down next to him, "Elliott there would have been nothing you could do, so don't blame yourself - you won't achieve anything, it's one thing I learnt from my shrink." Elliott looked up at Olivia who smiled "You're not the only one whose needed a shrink Stabler!" Elliott laughed at Olivia attempt to lighten the mood. He took Olivia's hands and looked into her eyes "Can I?" Olivia, realizing what he was asking, unzipped her hoody allowing Elliott to see the scars that were visible. Pulling Olivia into a hug Elliott said in a throaty whisper "Liv, you're still beautiful no matter what that psycho did to you, I hope you know that." Olivia with tears pricking her eyes, smiled sadly at Elliott, "Thank you El, that means a lot".
Elliott and Olivia sat on the sofa, Elliott protectively holding Olivia with her head resting on his shoulder, emotionally and physically exhausted from the case and their conversation. It had not escaped either of them that sine Elliott's return they had had more physical contact between them than in all their years spent as partners. Olivia felt free for the first time to be expressive and not having to worry about Elliott's marriage. But also, at the same time, admitting that Elliott having his arm around her felt the most natural thing in the world. Elliott, sensing Olivia's brain was whirring, simply said "Olivia, stop thinking." Olivia smiled and snuggled closer into Elliott. As she did her cell went, looking at the screen she could see it was Rick Johnson calling.
Johnson explained that Turpin, seeing the evidence against him, had agreed to a plea deal giving the location of the girls and the name of a corrupt officer, but would only tell Olivia. Sighing, Olivia agreed to come in. Johnson, as a parting shot, also said "Tell Stabler to get his ass in too!" and then disconnected with a slight chuckle.
Dun Dun
An hour later Olivia and Elliott walked into the squad room, where Johnson and Carisi were waiting for them "Sorry to drag you in Liv" said Carisi with a small smile. "Where are we up to?" Olivia asked "Turpin, aka John Smith, has agreed to plead guilty to kidnap, trafficking and selling of children, and will serve a life sentence in a federal prison without parole. I'm sorry I can't get him for murder of our Jane Doe or for sexually assaulting you" Carisi said guiltily. Olivia nodded and said, "I thought that would be a push. Have we really not got a name for the Jane Doe who sent me the letters?"
Kat came over with the drawing that the sketch artist did using the description from the crossing patrol lady and said. "From the sketch we can confirm our Jane Doe is the same person. Warner, after looking at Jane Doe's hair, confirmed she is originally from England and suspects London. We're in contact with the Met to see if they can help." Olivia nodded then turning to Carisi, "Ready." He nodded and they both walked into the pen where John Smith sat with his lawyer.
Olivia clocked he looked very much like a lot of guilty people who sat in this room, small, scared and powerless - a nobody. Sitting behind the desk addressing Turpin she said "I understand you want to make a deal Mr Smith, but you will only elocute to me". Turpin nodded "firstly what is your name?" "My name is Captain Benson - I'm not here to play games, where are the girls?" Turpin informed them they were in the Old Hudson River State Hospital and there was currently six girls, including Amelia Kowalski, Catherine Walker and Mirabella Pallanza. Rick Johnson, who was watching behind the glass, ordered Elliott and Oki along Fin, Kat, and Amanda to go to the hospital. Olivia then asked Turpin about the corrupt officer, but Turpin wanted Olivia to answer a question first "How did you get those scars?" Carisi interrupted for Olivia, turning to Turpin's Lawyer, "Mr Salone, would you please remind your client of our deal?" Mr Salone whispered to Turpin, who sighed and answered "His name is Connor Walsh, he's an ATF agent" Olivia looked towards the glass where Rick Johnson was standing, he immediately tried to get hold of Walsh, whose calls were going to voice mail. He contacted Elliott and ordered him to be aware that Walsh could be present.
Olivia asked Turpin one more question, showing him the photo of the Jane Doe "Under the terms of your plea deal you can't be charged, but can you give me a name just so we can give her family closure?" Turpin smiled at Olivia "Depends if you're going to tell me where you got the scars". Olivia smiled back "Name first" Turpin lookied at the photo, then looked back at Olivia, "Sarah McDonald." Olivia took the photo, smiled at Turpin and said "Thank you Mr Smith" and exited the room, leaving Turpin to Johnson and Carisi.
Arriving at Old Hudson River State Hospital everyone was wearing their body armor and was on high alert for Walsh. Splitting up Amanda and Kat went to check the outbuildings, while Elliott and Oki went into the main hospital. Fin stayed outside on point and another group of ATF officers and uniforms all began to search the hospital.
Elliott and Oki heard a cry coming from above them and raced up the stairs to find Connor Walsh holding his service gun to a little girl's head and Jose Garcia trying to talk his partner down. Stabler and Oki entered Walsh's sight line but stayed back. "Don't come any closer or I'll shoot" Walsh shouted as he clocked Elliott and Oki. Elliott spoke back "You can do that Connor, but you know you'll be a dead man." Connor, taking the girl with him, backed up to the empty window frame. "But I'm a dead man already" he shouted, pushing the gun harder to the girl's face. Suddenly a shot rang out and Walsh crumpled to the floor with the girl falling on top of him. Elliott looked up and saw Amanda standing in the window of the building opposite, Glock out. Oki ran over to the girl and lifted her off of Walsh. "Is she ok?" Elliott asked. The girl looked up at Oki and sobbed"She's fine" Oki called to Elliott. Garcia went to his partner, and found the bullet went into the base of his skull. Standing up Garcia shook his head "I'm sorry, I never saw it" Elliott went over to Garcia and putting his hand on his shoulder said, "It's not your fault - none of us saw it."
They smashed open a locked door off to one side and entered to find the windows boarded up with no light entering. Raising their torches, they found five other girls, handcuffed to the walls laying on mattresses. Oki could not believe what he was seeing and called out "we need a bus and some bolt cutters in here". Elliott walked in and started talking to the girls, showing his badge and explaining what was going to happen. Sensing Oki's unease having never dealt with a crime like this before, he stood next to his partner "Oki relax - talk to the girls, tell them your name, show them your badge, tell them they're safe and what will happen next." Oki, nodding, went and followed Elliott's lead. The bolt-cutters arrived and soon after all the girls were released and on a bus heading to Mercy Hospital.
Back outside, whilst Amanda was waiting to hand her gun over to forensics, Elliott came up to her and said "That was a heck of a shot - you took a risk with that." Amanda looked Elliott straight in eye and said "No, I knew I could do it, sorry I took out one of your own though." Elliott responded "He wasn't one of us - we seek out criminal gangs that exploit our laws together daily. He may have stood alongside us us in that fight, but behind our back he was participating in the worst crimes exploiting innocent children for money."
Olivia, after hearing what happened, phoned Amanda and checked she was ok and then headed home, hoping to catch Noah before he went to sleep. They sat on the bed reading a story book together, something they didn't do often now Noah was getting older. After they finished Olivia tucked Noah in and said good night. After quietly exiting the room, as she settled in front of the TV with a bottle of wine Olivia began to feel herself relax - the case was far from finished, but the girls had been rescued and were now safe in hospital. Hopefully they would be able to talk to the girls and begin to identify other people within the ring that brought them into the US. Olivia suddenly jumped as there was a knock at the door. Looking through the keyhole she smiled when she saw Elliott standing there.
Olivia opened the door and invited Elliott in, going to the kitchen to pick up another glass, she put it down on the coffee table in front of the sofa and poured Elliott a drink. "You ok?" she asked as Elliott took a sip and nodded "Yeah, I'm still annoyed I didn't spot it, we should have after Red Hook was a dead end - he must have let slip we were coming. But I'm happy we got the girls out safely." Elliott took a sip and Olivia could see there was clearly something else on Elliott's mind. Taking a sip of wine she asked. "El what is it?"
"Chief Garland had an interesting job offer for me; he wants me to head up a new division that specifically looks at organized crime." Olivia, putting down her glass, exclaimed "El, that's a brilliant opportunity, what did you say?" Elliott putting down his glass looked at Olivia "I said I needed to speak to you." Olivia just looked confused. Elliott took the glass out of Olivia's hand, put it on the table, then taking her hands into his, explained "My secondment to New York Field Office is nearly finished, then I return back to Oklahoma. I'll only take the job if you tell me to, and if you think we have a future as a couple. I don't think I can be around you otherwise. There hasn't been a day over the last decade I haven't thought about you. I have really missed you and I know I love you Olivia. What do you say?"
Olivia, listening to everything Elliott said, was slightly surprised but knew she felt the same way. She looked into Elliott eyes and said "Take the job". Elliott smiled and leaned into Olivia who was smiling and gently kissed her on the lips.