December 20, 1979: 10:54 a.m.

"You're gonna wear a hole in the floor, if you keep pacing like that," the detective observed.

Donnelly stopped in her tracks, frowning in spite of Anita Van Buren's wary smile.

"It's almost eleven o'clock. The I.D. was supposed to be at ten. Where is she?"

"My partner radioed in. He checked the house and the victim's brother said she's on her way. She probably got caught in traffic. She'll be here, counselor."

Donnelly sat down on one of the cheap plastic stools in the interrogation room of the newly formed Special Victims Unit. She had spoken briefly with the new squad member. The striking African American woman sat across from her and sighed.

"What happened to Petrovsky?"

"Same thing that happened to Detective Meyer - promotion. Judgeship. Supreme Court."

Van Buren's eyes widened. "It's about time. Maybe with Lena on the bench we'll see some serious sentences handed down for sex crimes in this town."

Donnelly nodded. "How are you adjusting to SVU, detective?"

Van Buren looked at the attorney thoughtfully. "Honestly? I'm biding my time until my rotation's up or there's an opening in narcotics. I can do the job, but do I want to spend my career dealing with sex crimes? I don't think so. I thought I'd seen it all in vice, but guys like Wendell-"

Van Buren paused hearing the door behind her open.

"Ladies, defense counsel and the purp are in interrogation two, vic is waiting in the Captain's office."

Thirty minutes later, Van Buren and Donnelly sat across from Arthur Gold and the orange jumpsuit clad suspect, in what the papers had dubbed the Eastside Rapist case.

"The bitch is lying. Just like the others. All lairs."

"Jasper, let me handle this," Gold said sharply.

"I see, Mr. Wendell," Donnelly said dispassionately cutting off the defense attorney. "The witnesses lied. The police lied, and the lab results were planted. Everybody's lying except you."

Wendell licked his lips, slowly eyeing the attorney. Donnelly silently cursed. She knew better. Address defense counsel, don't make yourself a target, she reminded herself. Don't let this pig know he's getting to you.

"Your lab results can be explained away as consensual sex," Gold interjected. "Two of your witnesses failed to identify Jasper, and let's be honest Liz, it wouldn't be the first time the cops rushed to judgment to make a quick arrest. Especially with the nephew of a city councilman. I'd say it's time to talk about a deal."

Donnelly and Van Buren exchanged glances.

"Try selling that crap to a jury after they see the pictures of the victims. Here's the deal: He pleads to all counts of aggravated rape, all counts of false imprisonment and kidnapping . I let the torture and attempted murder charges go and he does the maximum time."

"Time to run concurrently?"

Donnelly let out a joyless laugh. "How nice to see you haven't lost your sense of humor, Arthur."

Donnelly turned her attention to Wendell who continued to stare at her chest, rubbing his hands over his lap.

"Tell your client to get his hands on the table and make a decision. This offer is good for the next thirty seconds," she said impatiently.

Wendell wiped the drool from the side of his lip. "I've made my decision…Liz." he leered. "As for your, offer, why don't you screw…the plea."

Donnelly stood up glaring at defense counsel. "We're done, Arthur."

" Jasper, we need-."

"NO! I'm looking forward to seeing all those lying bitches. I'm especially looking forward to seeing you again, Liz."

Van Buren jerked Wendell up. "That's it, let's go."

As the door closed Donnelly turned on Gold.

"Nice, Arthur. Excuse me while I vomit."

"I know it got a little rough-"

"Don't patronize me, Arthur," she spat. "That animal doesn't intimidate me. We'll see how much fun he has when I squash him like a cockroach on cross."

Gold shook his head. "Don't let it go to trial, Liz. I'm not looking forward to it, but I'll rip your victims apart on the stand."

"Your client won't deal. He wants his day in court to victimize those women again. God Arthur, how you can defend-"

"I'm not going to apologize for providing constitutionally guaranteed counsel-"

"Save it Arthur. I know the connections that piece of scum has. I'm sure your firm is being well compensated. I don't know how you're gonna sleep when I whip your ass and he turns that vengeance on you. You saw what he did to those women. I'd stay near the court officer when the verdict comes down, if I were you."

Gold looked at her awkwardly. "Aw, I know this probably isn't the best time to bring it up. My secretary is new and she forgot...I know it's late notice…"

Donnelly waited.

"I wanted to RSVP. That is, if I'm still welcome at the wedding?"