Chapter Four
It was a depressingly familiar scene. The slight body of a woman lay on its back, its dark eyes staring at the sky. Alex shivered; the cold, raw air was only partially responsible for her body's reaction. As terrible as the wounds to the first five victims, the jagged marks of torture on this body were much worse.
"He's accelerating…raising the bar," George Huang said to Alex and Olivia Benson. "It looks like he tortured her for several days…"
Bobby knelt, engaged in his usual meticulous examination of the body. Elliott Stabler glared down at him.
"You got your wish, Goren," he said. "Another body."
Bobby's head shot up, and in the glare of the crime scene lights, Alex saw a flame in his eyes.
"Not my wish, Stabler. I wouldn't wish this…" He swept his arm over the body. "On anyone…"
He returned to his careful study of the battered woman; he started as he looked closely at her face. The movement would have escaped anyone less familiar with Bobby, but Alex noticed it. She stepped closer to Bobby.
"What is it?" she asked.
He glanced at her. "I…there's something…I think…I may have seen her somewhere…" He sadly shook his head. "Maybe I've seen too many of these…"
Alex returned to stand by Olivia and Huang. The psychiatrist watched Bobby closely. "He's very…involved," he said. Several of the crime scene techs were also fascinated by Bobby's methods, while others, more experienced in dealing with him, stood ready to respond to any of his requests.
"I heard about his methods at a scene," Huang continued. "But…it's…it's compelling. He treats the body with…with such respect…even while he's looking for clues…"
"It usually takes people a while to get that," Alex said. "Even me…"
Olivia, equally fascinated by Bobby's techniques, spoke. "There's a reason for everything he does…"
Alex nodded. "People just need to give him a chance…He's so used to people not giving him a chance that he's given up trying to explain…"
His investigation of the body complete, Bobby stood up, spoke with several of the CSU techs, and walked towards Alex.
"It's worse?" Huang asked.
Bobby grimly nodded. "Yea…It looks like he might have had her for several days…" He looked almost apologetically at Alex and Olivia.
"And he's demonstrating his contempt for the police more openly," Huang said.
"He believes he's smarter than us," Bobby said, frustration edging into his voice. "And, so far, he is."
"We have any ID on the victim?" Alex asked.
Olivia shook her head. "He's decided to make us work for this one," she said. "We've got the uniforms canvassing for it…We'll find it…"
Finn emerged from the glare of the lights. "We may have a witness…someone who saw him dump the body…" He tried, not entirely successfully, to control his excitement. "Homeless woman who lives in the little park over there…We're bringing her in to see if she can give us a description…"
A uniform handed Olivia a small plastic bag. She held it up to the light.
"The victim's ID," she said. "Sarah Ramana…thirty five…employed by the Hudson University Library…"
Bobby's hand jerked to his mouth. "That's where I know her," he said sadly. "I've talked to her…seen here…when I've done research…
"So." Elliott Stabler popped up just behind Bobby. "It's a little more personal now…not just some intellectual exercise…"
Alex fought the urge to pull her gun and jam it in Stabler's throat. She saw the flame again rise in Bobby's eyes, but it disappeared. He barely turned towards Stabler.
"It never was…or is…an intellectual exercise," Bobby said quietly.
Alex wasn't certain if it was Bobby's comment or Olivia's glare, but Stabler shut up and remained quiet as they detectives left the scene. Bobby was terribly silent as they rode in the SUV to the SVU.
"You ok?" Alex asked, trying not to let too much worry creep into her voice.
He sat, a silent lump in the passenger seat, for several minutes. "Yea," Bobby finally said. "It's just…she was…I didn't really know her…but…but she was nice…" He stared out the window. "Eames…" She could barely hear his voice. "If…you don't think this case…Do you think I'm OK?"
Alex grip tightened on the steering wheel; she was conscious of the enormous leap of faith Bobby had just taken.
"Yes," she answered, and her voice's strength surprised her. "I won't deny that I'm concerned…There's a lot of things about this case that cut awfully close to you…But I think you're fine…" She chanced a smile. "The fact you haven't tried to kill Stabler shows me that."
Bobby smiled weakly. "I think I'd have to get in line behind you…and Fin…and even Benson…" The smile faded. "You will tell me…if I need to back away…"
"Have you ever known me to be shy about sharing my opinion…especially about you?"
Bobby studied her. "No…but…we've been a…a little off lately…"
Alex took a deep breath. "Well," she said. "There's a lot of reasons for that…"
"That's an understatement," Bobby said gently. "But I…I think…I feel like…like we're getting past it…or at least dealing with it better…" He swallowed. "I…I trust you, Eames."
Alex felt her heart flutter; Bobby had never been so open with her.
"I know," he continued. "That I'm not as open…I try…but I can't tell you everything…especially about my Mom…but it's not you…It's never been you…It's just hard…Please believe me…" He looked at her with dark, desperate eyes.
Alex was glad that the task of driving occupied her. "I…I know you're trying," she said. "And I can only imagine how hard it is for you…That you can trust me…It means so much to me…"
They reached the SVU Squad's building; Alex pulled into the parking garage. She glanced at Bobby. "Ready?"
He gave a faint smile. "As much as I'll ever be."
The SVU squad room was charged with tension and frustration. Finn stared furiously at a board with photos and information about the victims; Munch, his mood darker than usual, glared at his computer screen; Olivia Benson focused on the file in front of her. All three detectives seemed to be trying to will information to appear in front of them. Elliot Stabler strode angrily from an interview room, followed by a chastened George Huang.
"Can't even begin to talk with her," Stabler muttered.
Alex and Bobby hung up their coats. "The witness?" Alex asked.
"Yea." Fin looked away from the board. "She's not the easiest person to talk to…"
"She doesn't have a high opinion of cops or doctors," Huang sighed.
Bobby stood quietly studying the woman in the interview room. "Could I try?" His voice was soft and he seemed to be apologizing for the request.
"You got some sort of psychic link with crazy people, Goren?" Stabler sneered. "As well as with psycho-killers?"
Before Alex could shoot across the room and strangle Stabler, Fin spun and growled. "Back off, Stabler. You're way off base." Fin turned to Bobby, who ignored everyone in favor of the woman in the interview room. "Go ahead, Goren. If anyone can reach her, it's you."
Bobby barely acknowledged Fin's words. He paused at the interview room's door, and removed his jacket and gun. He knocked on the door; in the room the disheveled woman lifted her head and looked warily at the sound.
"I'm sorry to disturb you," Bobby said almost tenderly. The woman watched him with frightened but curious eyes.
"You're not in trouble." Bobby's voice was gentle and soothing; Alex was aware that the SVU squad room was eerily quiet.
"We're not going to send you anywhere," Bobby continued in his hypnotic voice. The fear began to leave the woman's clouded eyes.
"But I'm not being a very good host," Bobby said. "It was cold out there…Would you like some coffee? Something to eat?"
"Tea," the woman said. Alex heard Huang's slight gasp of surprise. "With lots of sugar…and…and…"
Bobby cocked his head; his eyes were full of patience and understanding.
"Do you have a cinnamon roll?" the woman asked eagerly.
Benson was already rushing to get the tea and roll when Bobby stuck his head out of the interview room to request them.
He waited patiently as the woman devoured the roll and gulped down the tea. Only after a second cup ("Please," she asked. "Could this one have more sugar?") and another roll arrived did Bobby begin his questions, and even then he allowed the woman to ramble on and off several topics. All of the detectives—even, after a few minutes, Stabler—were fascinated by the extraordinarily patient and gentle tact Bobby took with the witness.
"Wow." George Huang's soft voice was just behind Alex. "He's really good at this. I know psychiatrists with years of experience who couldn't get someone like this to open up so quickly."
"He's had a lot of experience," Fin said and shared a look with Alex.
Huang nodded. "He's mentioned his mother…but not much…"
"His mom?" For the first time in anything regarding Bobby, Stabler sounded vaguely sympathetic.
Alex felt the need to at least partially explain Bobby. "His mom is schizophrenic…She's at a facility near Carmel Ridge…He's taken care of her since he was thirteen…"
Stabler winced and looked away; Alex wasn't proud of the small sense of satisfaction that rose in her.
"It's remarkable," Munch said. "The way he treats her…"
"You mean, like a human being?" Alex said.
Munch looked at her. "Yea…yea…I guess that's what I mean…"
Bobby, his binder open on the table before him, sat next to the woman. He occasionally wrote something down as she watched. At one point she pointed at something he'd written, and Bobby quickly corrected the offending passage. At another she pointed at Bobby and waved her hands in the air; Bobby frowned. Finally, Bobby thanked her, gently touched her shoulder, and picked up his binder.
He emerged from the interview room to find an eager audience. "She saw someone," Bobby said, trying not to raise expectations. "Carrying a large bundle…Big guy…about my size…" As Bobby checked his notes, Alex saw Stabler start slightly. "She only got a glimpse of him…but she's willing to try to work with a sketch artist…" A smile crossed Bobby's face. "If we let her take a shower and give her a hot meal."
"Sounds like a fair exchange," Benson said.
Bobby nodded. "Yea…even if she can't give the artist much to work with…It's something…" He looked sadly into the interview room. "And it'll give her a little break from the street…"
Bobby worked the phone while the witness enjoyed her shower and the call went out for the sketch artist. He managed to find the woman's social worker and a change of clothes. As Bobby predicted, the sketch the woman directed the artist to produce was vague; it showed a dark haired and eyed man.
"Could be you, Goren," Munch observed.
Bobby smiled wanly. "And a million other guys," he sighed.
Bobby insisted that they wait for the woman's social worker before letting her return to her park. When she arrived, the harried young woman thanked the detectives and told them that the woman's name was Lydia Czechowski; that Mrs. Czechowski's family had been searching for her for several months with equal amounts of fear that she wouldn't or would be found; and that to say Mrs. Czechowski was a difficult client was an understatement. A worried Bobby stressed to the social worker the importance of keeping track of Mrs. Czechowski and maintaining her safety.
"Can we keep her in protective custody?" a newly cooperative Stabler asked as the social worker prepared to take Mrs. Czechowski away.
Bobby sighed. "No…unfortunately she didn't really see anything…But the killer doesn't know that…If he knows she's around…"
"You think he'll feel threatened," Huang said.
"Yes," Bobby said softly.
"Well, as long as no one knows about her," Much said. "She'll be fine."
Fin appeared; he caught the last sentences of the conversation. "Someone will probably know about her after tomorrow…I just got a call from a reporter I know…Someone…probably from the state or one of the small towns…told someone about a possible break and witness…"
A collective groan went up, and Bobby rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'll warn the Captain," Benson said.
"And I'll talk to ours," Alex said wearily. "C'mon, partner…Let's deliver the bad news…"
As they drove away from the SVU office, Bobby left a message for Mrs. Czechowski's social worker.
"You really think she might be in danger?" Alex asked.
"Yea," Bobby answered. "She's a loose end…This guy doesn't like loose ends."
"But if he doesn't know who she is." Alex deftly avoided a taxi.
"He may not…But he might…He might have been part of the crowd hanging around this morning and saw her taken in…" Bobby stared out the side window. "And he seems to have some inside information…It's frustrating…and frightening…"
Alex struggled to stifle a yawn.
"You ok, Eames?"
"Yea…just a little trouble sleeping," she admitted.
"I…I'm sorry I…I haven't been around every time you've needed me lately…"
"It's ok," Alex said firmly. "You're there when you can be…and when I really need you…" She glanced at him. "But maybe dinner tonight?"
"Ok," Bobby said. "Even if it's only delivered egg rolls."
"All right," Alex thought. "Major Goren guilt trip avoided…I should warn him…"
She took a deep breath. "Bobby…you should know…While you interviewed Mrs. Czechowski…Fin and I…were trying to defend you…"
"You mentioned my Mom…that she was schizophrenic…" Bobby's voice was flat. "It…it's ok…I think everyone knows by now…"
They reached Major Case, and Alex maneuvered the SUV into the parking garage. "You ok?"
Bobby sighed. "I don't have a lot of choice, do I? I'm sorry," he said in response to Alex's pained look. "People have been really good…but…so many people…in the past…hurt her…It's…hard."
"Well," Alex said gently. "I've never been one of those."
Bobby studied her for a moment. "No," he finally said. "You haven't…"
Their captain met them as they entered the Major Case Squad room.
"Cragen called me," Ross said as he ushered them into his office. "He told me about the leak…"
"We were coming to tell you," Alex said.
"I know…Cragen told me that as well. I guess we've been lucky so far that the press hasn't descended on this story like a pack of wolves…and we can hope for that to continue…"
"I think that's overly optimistic," Bobby said softly.
"I agree," Ross said with a bitter smile. "Cragen and I will try to deal with the press and the Brass as much as we can…"
"Bobby's worried about the witness," Alex said.
Ross looked at Bobby. "Cragen said she didn't give you much…"
"Yea." Bobby paced in front of Ross' desk. "But if this guy finds out about her…that might not matter…"
Ross quietly digested the information. "I'll let the Brass know that…and when we talk to the press we'll try to stress she didn't see anything…"
"We've tried to warn her social worker," Bobby said as he stared out the window. "But she might slip through the cracks…"
"Do what you can," Ross said. "And I'll back you up."
"Thanks, Captain," Alex said. Bobby nodded.
"And thanks for working so well with SVU," Ross said. "Cragen was grateful…and apologized that one of his detectives was giving you a rough time…"
"Most of them," Alex said diplomatically. "Are great."
"It's a tough case," Bobby said. "There's pressure on everyone."
"Bobby is being charitable…at least as far as Elliott Stabler is concerned." Alex was ill inclined to give Stabler a break.
A smile tugged at Ross' mouth. "Well, I'm sure Stabler will regret it if he keeps crossing you, Eames." He sat at his desk. "I appreciate your work…thank you."
Bobby shrugged off Ross' comments, but Alex caught the gratitude in his eyes. The spent the rest of the day following leads on the latest victim. Alex confessed to Bobby that she was grateful Benson and Stabler had the task of informing the victim's partner and family; Bobby, his dark eyes full of sympathy, nodded. Bobby occasionally called Fin and Munch as the three detectives sorted and cross referenced the records of failed candidates for the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies in the area against those of individuals with a history of violence against women. Both lists were appallingly long, and Bobby knew he was in for a long night. A call from his acquaintance who was a reporter for the LEDGER briefly broke up the painstaking work. Bobby managed to convince him that the supposed break in the case wasn't a break and that the supposed witness hadn't witnessed much of anything. Bobby directed the reporter to Ross, warned his captain about the reporter (who called Ross just as Bobby departed the captain's office), and tried not to worry about Mrs. Czechowski.
The lines on his computer screen were beginning to melt together in front of his weary eyes when Alex's voice broke in on his thoughts.
"Hey," she said. "I need those egg rolls."
Bobby looked up from the screen to the windows; the darkening winter sky loomed through the glass.
"Yea," he said wearily. "I could use a break."
She reached for one of the menus on her desk. "According to the schedule," Alex asked cautiously. "How long until the next one?"
Bobby rubbed his eyes. "A week…maybe more…but…he probably gets the victims…keeps them…and then kills them…"
Alex looked at him with pain filled eyes. "So…he's…he's probably looking for…or…or already has…"
"Another victim," Bobby said grimly.
End Chapter Four