Chapter 2

Fin and Munch were busy handling notifying Susan Johnson's parents. They lived in Ohio and since they couldn't give the bad news in person, Munch had called the local precinct who promised to handle it and see if the parents would allow them to look at Susan's medical records. Melinda confirmed that the medication in Susan's bathroom was in fact treatment for a clotting disorder but it treated multiple disorders and if she knew which one she was dealing with then she might be able to pinpoint time of death better. The liver temperature had been odd and doing the math meant that somehow Susan had died before her roommate's boyfriend had swung by the apartment. While the boyfriend could have done it, the fact that both people seemed very distressed at the scene made it less likely. Kenny had headed out to the club to get any surveillance footage they had and interview the workers.

"Karen, how long have you known Mark?" Olivia asked the roommate. The younger woman had finally come around from her sedative and was able to answer questions, even though the hospital wanted to keep her for at least twenty four hours. So Olivia was questioning her while Elliot was questioning the boyfriend out in the hallway.

"We've been dating for six months," the brunette answered.

"Did he ever make advances toward Susan or inappropriate comments?" The detective wondered.

"No, he was always nice to her. You think he did this to her?" Karen's eyes grew large.

"We have to ask, that's all. Did Susan have a boyfriend?" Olivia tried to redirect the conversation, not wanting to excite her.

"Part of the reason Susan moved to New York was because she was different. Her family and her small town in Ohio didn't understand," the younger woman said.

"Different? Different, how?" The detective wanted to know. This piqued her interest and she wondered just what Susan was into. Karen heaved a sigh like she wasn't sure how to explain.

"It's ok to tell me. I know it might seem like you're giving up something that maybe Susan didn't want everyone to know but it might help us find who did this to her," Olivia tried to reassure her. That's when there was a knock on the door and her boyfriend, Mark, poked his head in the door. Karen started to cry and he went over to her, concerned that this was all too much for her. Elliot slipped in behind him and closed the door. Mark moved to stand next to the bed and he pulled her into his side, kissing the top of her head. Olivia didn't want to push her but something seemed off, like Karen was very attached to her roommate, rather than just a friend.

"I'm sorry," the woman sobbed.

"For what sweetie?" Mark was confused and he was obviously more concerned.

"We have to tell them," Karen said.

"I know. There's nothing to worry about. I already told Detective Stabler. We have to do this for Susan," he tried to reassure her. Nudging her over in the bed, he sat down on the edge so he could hold his girlfriend even closer. That's when a nurse came into the room and shooed the detectives out; obviously, her patient was still not calmed down and needed to be looked at.

"What did Mark tell you that Karen couldn't?" Olivia asked as they headed down the hall and toward the elevator. Elliot looked around, not wanting to say in front of a crowd of people.

"It's a bit of a love triangle but in the way you'd think," he said as the elevator doors opened and they got on. Olivia raised an eyebrow and waited for him to continue, once the elevator doors closed.

"Seems that Karen was in love with Susan but she also loves Mark and Susan was in love with Karen," he said.

"Ah ha and Mark was ok with his girlfriend having another girlfriend?" She asked.

"Apparently, the three of them were getting along just fine and getting satisfied on a regular basis. To be honest, given how new the relationship was, I'm not sure that anyone thought ahead. They were getting sex and enjoying each other's company so it was all sunshine and roses," Elliot said.

"Yeah until it wasn't. Not sure I believe that we can cross the boyfriend off just yet," Olivia told him.

"We need to see if Kenny got lucky with those tapes and if we can tie Mark to Christina. Though I have to admit, Mark would have known about Susan' clotting disorder so I'm not sure that killing her in the apartment would be the smartest thing to do. He doesn't strike me as an idiot or a big risk taker," her partner pointed out. Olivia was about to agree when her phone rang,

"Benson." Elliot waited patiently for her to get off the phone as they exited the elevator and headed for their car.

"What's up?" He asked once they got in the car and she hung up.

"Munch said a letter was just delivered to the Captain and it said, "Me – Two, Cops – Zero." They're putting a protective detail on Christina in case this guy gets any ideas and having the letter analyzed by forensics," she told him. Elliot turned on the siren and pulled out into traffic, heading for the precinct.

To Be Continued…