Disclaimer: Law and Order SVU and its characters are owned by Dick Wolf and Wolf Entertainment.
When Partners Continue To Collide
Captain Olivia Benson was driving home, mentally preparing what to cook her son Noah and herself for dinner, when her phone rang. She answered it on the car's hands free - "Benson". The voice of Ayanna Bell the sergeant in charge of the Organized Crime unit came over the speaker "Hi Captain it's Bell. Sorry to disturb you, do you think you could pop by the OC." Olivia's heart sank and at the same time she recalculated that dinner tonight would be pizza and Noah would be pleased. "Is Elliot OK?" Olivia asked Bell, mentally preparing to hear about Elliot's latest escapade. "Elliot's fine, I need to show you a video we've found." Olivia breathed a sigh of relief, maybe a little too loudly, that she wasn't having to bail out her former partner again. "I'm on my way" Olivia said as she turned on her lights to make the U-turn she was about to do slightly easier.
Arriving at the OC Olivia was immediately greeted by Bell "Captain, thank you for coming so quickly, I want to show you this video, Jet uncovered on the dark net – it's related to an Organized Crime case we've been looking at – Jet, would you?" Jet looked at Bell, nodded, and played the video – sitting back unsure what Olivia's reaction was going to be.
The video showed a lady with long brown hair, tied to a chair in an empty room, the woman was semi-conscious and whimpering in pain. A man in a trilby hat came into shot and, taking a cigar, held it to the woman's chest as she let out a long scream. The man then faced the camera and said "Captain Benson, you know what I want - find this lovely lady and she will lead you to me." As the man held the cigar again to the lady's chest, her screaming stopped only when the screen went black.
Olivia swallowed, feeling her throat tighten and her chest constrict. "Has Elliot seen this yet?" Olivia asked Bell. "No" Bell responded, "but I need to show it to him."
"Show me what?" At that moment Elliot appeared. A senior detective in the Organized Crime Unit, and Oliva's former partner for over 12 years, had led to a complex relationship between the two. For Bell her relationship with Stabler had become one of trust and honesty – whilst also having to try to understand the intensity of the relationship between Benson and Stabler – sometimes she just wished they'd sort out their feelings for each other and expel whatever sexual tension they'd built up over the last two decades.
Olivia immediately moved to try to protect and prepare Elliot for what he was about to see. Knowing Olivia's play Elliot cut across her and turned to Jet – who'd been watching on with a look of puzzlement and confusion – "Jet, play the video".
When the video finished Elliot spun away and stalked out of the room. Olivia and Bell looked at each other, each knowing where Elliot was headed. Eventually Olivia broke the silence "you said this video came up as part of a case you're working on, what can you tell me?"
"We've been focusing on a group who are on the up and up, trafficking drugs and weapons into New York…" Bell began, just as Elliot reappeared nursing his right hand, "…we've nicked named them the Five Points as the pseudonyms we've been hearing on the chatter are all famous names from the original Five Points Gang back in the 1900's".
Olivia took Elliott's hand whilst reaching into her purse, pulled out a wet wipe, and started cleaning the blood from his knuckles. Elliot winced and Olivia shot him a 'stop being a baby' look. Bell, observing the exchange, shot a glance with a raised eyebrow to Jet, before continuing. "We had recently been hearing of a lot of money coming into the gang and a new person connected to the group. An Irishman going by the name Patrick Flemming, the only identifying feature of him…" Olivia cut in "Is the fact he wears a trilby hat." Bell nodded "Exactly – now how do you know Patrick Flemming?".
Elliot looked at Olivia who nodded "Jet can you bring up the case of John Smith and Conor Walsh, around three years ago?" he asked. Jet turned to her workstation and began to search the NYPD case history. "Got it" she said, before putting it on the big screen for them to look at. Olivia inwardly shuddered as the face of John Smith came on to the screen. Jet placed a side-to-side comparison of the man in the video, and everyone agreed it was a match.
Olivia began the tale "Three years ago, SVU worked a joint case with ATF, who Elliot was with at the time. We were tracking down some trafficked girls from Europe as well as a number of weapons, hence ATF. As part of the case Elliot and I had to go undercover, posing as a newly married older couple, trying to buy a child from John Smith - whose alias at the time was Dick Turpin. As part of the case, he umm…" Olivia trailed off, swallowed, and turned to Jet – "are there videos in there of the undercover operations?"
Jet quickly looked through the files, "yes there is, which one?" "The last one" Olivia replied. Elliot placed a hand on Olivia's shoulder "Liv you don't have to do this!" "Yes, we do" Olivia said defiantly, before walking to the other end of the room, to avoid looking at the screen. Jet looked at Bell who simply nodded. Jet played the video and Elliot began to explain what happening. "I was wearing a pair of glasses that had a camera in, John Smith is incredibly cautious but could not spot the ATF gear. He made me take off my shirt and undo my pants looking for a wire. Then he went over to Olivia. He unbuttoned her blouse pulled it off her shoulders and then lowered her bra straps, for no other reason than to have a good view of her breasts, along with everyone else on the team. Ultimately, we got him, and he took a plea deal for trafficking before going to prison for life. I didn't know he was out and active again."
"So, what does he want to know?" asked Jet, becoming interested in the case. Olivia walked back over to the group. "He wants me to tell him where I got the scars on my chest from, he became obsessed with them in the interview. Though going by the video, he already knows." "What scars?" Bell questioned Olivia. "Elliot, can you? I don't think I can stay" Olivia asked, then addressing Bell "How about we join up? You said this group, the Five Points, is suddenly becoming flush, and if John Smith is involved, I guess he may be up to his old tricks and trafficking girls. You fancy coming to SVU for 8pm to brief the squads and try to track down the poor woman from the video? I need to arrange a babysitter for Noah." Olivia headed down to the door as she heard Elliot begin to explain about William Lewis and asking Jet to send him the full file. Olivia sighed knowing Elliot reading the file was only going to raise questions and further stoke his already raised temper.
Olivia arrived back at the SVU squad room around 7pm, she called the squad together and sent them to get a coffee and a bite to eat in order to be ready for OC to join them at 8pm on a case. "Expect it to be an all nighter" Olivia warned, as she turned into her office for time to think.
So much had happened since her last encounter with John Smith, Amanda Rollins had taken retirement and was now happily teaching forensic psychology at Fordham University. Things were going well with ADA Dominick Carisi and they were now married. Though Amanda was no longer in the squad room, Olivia and Amanda still saw a lot of each other in their spare time and it was she who Noah was going to be spending the night with. Carisi, leaving his much-loved spaghetti dinner, was already on his way to the DA's office to find out why John Smith had been released.
Katrina Tamin had also retired after almost being fatally shot and was now finishing up her training as a trauma therapist, specially focused on victims of sexual assault.
Finn had nearly remarried, but he and Sgt Phoebe Baker of the Vice Squad decided they were happy not marrying - much to Carisi's frustration as he'd spent hours writing the service for them after they asked him to officiate their wedding. But Olivia knew Finn was still at her side, like a big brother. She also knew like Elliot he was going to be in overprotective mode when he finished going through the case history.
Then there were the two newest members of the squad - Joe Velasco, a former undercover officer who posed as an influencer but was turning out to be a compassionate hard working and dedicated officer. And Grace Muncy, a transfer from the Bronx gangs' unit, who had great potential but, as Olivia was well aware, needed some rough edges knocking off.
At 7:50pm Finn knocked on the door and handed Olivia a salad and a coffee. "Figured you won't have thought of fueling yourself for the night." Olivia smiled and gratefully received the offering. "You going to tell me what's going on?" Finn asked, standing by her desk.
Olivia sipped her coffee and told Finn to close the door and take a seat "Remember John Smith?" Olivia said as she opened her salad. "Yea, the wannabe nobody with the trilby" Finn replied "Well, he's back and has sent me a video." Olivia responded, scooping up a mouthful of salad. "But isn't the dude upstate in a federal prison serving life?" Finn asked still slightly shocked from what he was hearing. "Well, he's out - Carisi is on his way to find out why!" Olivia said standing up and heading to the door as Bell approached.
After acknowledging each other with their first names, Bell looked to Finn and raised a questioning eye to Olivia. "Can I talk freely?" "Yes, Finn has been present for everything." Olivia responded, indicating Bell should take a seat next to Finn.
"Elliot updated us on William Lewis, and…I am so sorry for what he did to you." Bell awkwardly began. "Lewis!? What has that sick freak go to do with this?" Finn demanded, looking between Olivia and Bell. Olivia addressed Bell "You got a copy of the video?" Bell nodded, getting out her phone to show Finn. "Man, that dude is even more twisted than he was a couple of years ago". Finn then paused, and a look of dread passed over his face in realization, before addressing Olivia quietly "Liv, he's done his research - look at the woman, her clothes, and the way she is tied up. Doesn't she look similar to the way you did back then? And isn't that exactly the way Lewis held you?"
Olivia felt the pit of her stomach drop at what Finn had said - how had she missed the similarities between her own torture and what the lady in the video was enduring. "Play the video again" Olivia ordered Bell. Forcing herself to watch the footage more critically, Olivia realized that Finn was right and exploded "Son of a bitch, he's got the file, it's the only way he could have that much information."
"You're sure?" Bell asked Olivia, a sense of urgency in her voice, "Yes, the placement of the cigar marks - the only way he could have known that is from the photos and my interview…although the cigar is new, Lewis used cigarettes and keys."
"Captain," Bell said looking directly into Olivia's eyes "you know what this means? We have a guy out there deliberately trying to get your attention - at the very least he's maimed this woman. And to have had access to an NYPD case file? He's got to have help on the inside!"
Olivia placed her elbows on the desk and began to rub her temples as the enormity of what Bell said began to sink in. One of her deepest fears was being realized. The only person in her squad now who knew anything about William Lewis, and what she endured, was Finn. For years around the Police house, she had endured looks, whispers, nudges, and even an enquiry into whether she was a fit mother, all because of what she'd been through at the hands of William Lewis. Though the nightmares were now less these days, she had never truly been able to shake him off. And now she was going to have to relive every little detail with her squad and the OC, re-reading everything she went through, looking at the photo's and watching video footage of her at her most revealing and vulnerable.
At last Olivia spoke "Finn, can you find out when the Lewis file was last accessed? Elliot brought it up today, but beforehand" "Got it" Finn said and left the room. "After the briefing I'm going to need to speak to Chief McGrath and let him know what's happening" Olivia said as she and Bell stood and exited Olivia's office into the squad room.
Looking around the squad room Olivia saw the team from the OC had arrived. Jet and Velasco were catching up with what each other had been up to, Muncy was introducing herself to Whelan, Finn was on the phone, obviously tracking down who had accessed the Lewis file. But no Elliot. Then
Olivia saw him through the window, sitting in the interview room reading a file, his eyes glassy as he was struggling to keep his emotions under control. Bell went to call Elliott, but Olivia put a hand on her shoulder "Leave him be, I'll have a word with him afterwards". Bell nodded and they moved to address the combined squads.
"Everyone, gather round please" Olivia said, standing next to a large screen. "Three years ago, John Smith was arrested for trafficking weapons, drugs, and young girls. He took a plea deal that saw him imprisoned for life in a federal prison upstate. John Smith used various aliases, all connected to British serial killers. However, Smith appears to be out of jail and has returned to his old ways."
Olivia looked to Bell, who continued the briefing, "Organized Crime have been tracking an upcoming criminal group we have called the Five Point Gang. They have mainly been trafficking drugs and weapons; however, they have recently been joined by a man who wears a trilby hat and goes by the name Patrick Fleming. Since his arrival the gang have been flushed with cash. We now believe this man is John Smith, and today our Trilby wearing man has sent us a video, Jet please."
Jet played the video, and afterwards you could have heard a pin drop. Olivia felt all eyes in the squad room focus on her as she began her explanation - "John Smith wants to know where I got a number of scars across my chest, which he saw when Detective Stabler and I went under cover."
Bell, seeing Olivia was beginning to struggle, took up the rest of the briefing "In 2015 Captain Benson then a Detective, was kidnapped and tortured by a man, now deceased, named William Lewis. This is how Captain Benson came to have the scars. It appears John Smith has access to the William Lewis file and is recreating the torture that Captain Benson endured at the hands of Lewis".
Finn cut in "Other than today, when Jet used her talents to access the classified file for the OC, the file has not been viewed - authorized or unauthorized - since 2016. In other words, it isn't an NYPD officer. Unless Jet you know another way?". Jet shrugged "There's always another way."
Olivia had regrouped by now and summarized the priorities "Ok people, firstly - we need to urgently find this woman. Secondly - we need to find out who John Smith is having help from, and how he got hold of the Lewis file".
Bell gave the final instructions "Jet is sending you all copies of both the John Smith and William Lewis files. We need you to look through the files, as we believe somewhere in these files is a clue as to where this lady is being held. As you can see, we urgently need to find this lady. Let Sergeant Tutuola, Captain Benson or myself know as soon as you find something." she then quickly added "Can I please ask for the utmost discretion, especially as you're going to read details and see photos connected to Captain Benson".
Bell looked toward Olivia, who gave her a nod of appreciation before heading to the interview room to see Elliot. As soon as Olivia opened the door Elliot stood up, walked quickly to her, and threw his arms around her enveloping her. With a choked-up voice, he began "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you - I didn't realize all the bastard put you through."
"Elliot, look at me," Olivia said taking his head in her hands and bringing it to meet her own, their eyes locked on each other "this is not your fault. Your being here would not have made a difference. I survived and Lewis is dead. Yes, it does still affect me, but it has also made me stronger as a person. My life has changed so much since then, I adopted Noah, I'm now a captain, I've learnt there is more to life than work, and you're here now. My life has gone from just surviving to thriving. All that Lewis tried to take away from me – tried but failed."
They separated and Olivia sat down opposite Elliot, picking up the file "But we need to find this lady, and I need you on your a-game. We can talk more later, but for now – you've read the file and you were there over the John Smith case - is anything jumping out at you?"
Elliot took the file from Olivia, and began flicking through it, "There is only thing that strikes me - a place that Lewis and Smith have in common". Olivia looked thoughtful as realization dawned "Red Hook Granary". In one swift motion they got up and exited the room.
"Jet, can you bring up the footage of John Smith from today and run a reverse image search with the photos of Red Hook Granary from the Lewis case file." Elliot asked hurriedly. Bell and Finn came and stood next to Elliot and Olivia. Jet, using her computer to project on to the big screen, quickly ran a comparison programme.
"Got something" Jet said in a voice that, for Jet, was as exited as it got. She displayed a still from the video with a photo of a dark metal table looking towards a brick wall. "Look at the pattern in the brickwork, and the paint chips. I would say it's definitely the same room."
"Red Hook Granary Brooklyn, we should have worked it out sooner" Finn said looking at the screen.
"What's the significance of Red Hook Granary?" asked Bell.
"It is where Lewis took me when he escaped prison, and it's where we first became aware of John Smith." Olivia replied, still in some shock that this was really happening, before snapping back to the task at hand. "Finn, call Brooklyn SVU - they can get there quicker than us. Then go with Stabler, Muncy, and Whelan out to Red Hook - I want every little thing documented, we may need it later."
Turning to Jet and Velasco Olivia asked "Can you please read, watch, scan and memorize every little bit of evidence of the two cases. We're going to need unemotional and fresh eyes.". "Captain?" Velasco asked, slightly unsure. "Velasco, you're going to read and see images and video that I can't look at as it's still too personal and painful. Finn was there and will struggle too. I need your and Jet's fresh, and detached, eyes on both cases - and I trust you and know you will be discreet with what you read and see." "Got it" Velasco said, turning to Jet who nodded agreement. Olivia watched them set themselves up on desks next to each other and begin to go through the files.
"I better go and see McGrath, he's going to love this. At least we can give him some good news that we have a potential location for the victim." Olivia said turning to Bell. "I'll come with you" Bell responded. Olivia nodded and gave a small smile, as they headed for the elevator to 1PP.
McGrath was shouting at Olivia and Bell "Are you telling me that a guy you put away a few years ago - for life! - is out and recreating crime scenes from some psycho who tortured you way back in the day, just to try and get your attention?"
Feeling her hackles rise Olivia took a deep breath before responding "Yes, but the worst is we think that Smith has inside help, someone who got him the William Lewis file. John Smith has a history of finding bent officers like Agent Connor Walsh from ATF. What's the betting he's managed to find another officer?
"My night is getting even better, not only do I have a guy fascinated with a Police Captain - for goodness knows what reason – but he may have help from a cop to feed his fascination. What do you have to say to yourself sergeant?" McGrath said turning his attention to Bell.
"The OC have been tracking the Five Points gang for a while, but since they made contact with Smith they've become a priority and joining forces with SVU, and using their experience, is essential to the case." Bell answered calmly.
McGrath nodded gruffly to Bell. "Tell me Captain" McGrath said, turning to address Olivia, "Why should I keep you on the case?" Olivia was about to respond, but Bell interjected "Excuse me Chief, if I may - ever since Captain Benson has found out about this case, she has acted with the utmost professionalism, even though it has meant people viewing and reading highly embarrassing and confidential reports of experiences that she would rather keep in the past. If I thought Captain Benson was going to be liability, especially to the OC case, I would be the first to ask for her removal. But I believe we need her leadership, experience, and steady hand in guiding these cases".
Olivia was touched at Bell's defense, and McGrath looked thoughtfully between the two officers. Finally, he responded "Fine, but if I hear so much as a peep of trouble, Captain you're off the case, do I make myself clear?" "Perfectly" Olivia responded, and together she and Bell walked out of McGrath's office.
In the corridor Olivia turned to Bell, slightly emotional, "Thank you for what you said back there, it means a lot" Bell nodded and squeezed Olivia's arm. "I had a feeling he would try to remove you, which is why I wanted to come. Now let's go catch the bastard!"
Walking back into the squad room Olivia headed straight to her office. Bell approached Velasco and Jet to find out their thoughts on the two cases.
Velasco spoke first "This Lewis guy sure did a number on the captain, although it appears the captain did a number on him too - breaking his arm, and then bludgeoning him with a bed post, causing partial blindness and loss of hearing". "Good on her" Bell said nodding, "What I said too" Jet agreed. Velasco continued "Lewis then escaped from prison with help from one of the jurors. He broke into a house belonging to the Cole family, killed the mum, raped the oldest daughter Lauren, and kidnapped the youngest daughter, Amelia. Using Amelia, he lured the captain to him and then kidnapped her, forcing her to play Russian Roulette, before killing himself in front of her. Looking at the photos most of Lewis ended up over Benson". "Captain Benson's been through hell" said Jet, "I'm surprised she's still sane" she added, walking off to the coffee machine.
Returning with two coffees Jet picked up with the John Smith case. "Smith is like super careful, to the point he's OCD about it. On their first meeting he asked Benson and Stabler to kiss, supposedly to prove they were a real couple – which is just yuk, and those two seriously have some pent-up sexual tension." "Jet!" Bell reproached the young officer. "Sorry, but if we look at the video, look where Smith is focused, it's entirely on Benson, he almost salivating watching her kiss Stabler - which is just super creepy and gross". "Ok, so Smith had a thing for Benson from the moment they met, and that has obviously grown over the last three years".
Carisi walked into the squad room wearing a hoody and jeans, noticing OC squad in the SVU squad room a look of confusion passed over his face. He went straight to Olivia's office, knocked on the door, and walked in "You ok? This all seems to be raking up the past." he said, sitting opposite her, as Olivia looked up from the files she'd been reading. "I've been better, I'm not enjoying the fact people are looking at two cases I definitely would like to forget. What have you found out?"
"You're not going to believe this," began Carisi, whilst placing a file in front of her "it appears John Smith has been released due to an administrative error by the Federal Court System… six months ago." Olivia shook her head in disbelief, then got up and headed to the door "Bell, when did you first become aware of Smith?"
Bell headed over to Olivia's office "About five months ago – why?" she asked looking between Carisi and Olivia. "John Smith was released from federal custody six months ago, due to an administrative error" Carisi replied.
"Well, that's just great" Bell said "trust the feds to muck it all up" Olivia and Carisi agreed. "When Stabler gets back, I'll get him to contact his old boss and see if he can shed some light on the situation" Olivia said as her phone started to ring.
"Benson" Olivia answered the phone, followed by a series of 'ok's and 'hmm-umm's. Bell and Carisi looked at each other, wondering what was being said. Olivia eventually finished off the conversation "Ok we're on our way – and please photograph everything, I want to see the photos afterwards."
Olivia turned and addressed Bell and Carisi, "Brooklyn SVU arrived and found the woman, they're taking her to Mercy Hospital. Bell, I told Elliot that we'll meet Muncy there to speak to the vic." Elliot and Finn are making sure the crime scene is secure and all the evidence is bagged".
They all stood to make a move and Carisi addressed Olivia "Liv, if there's anything I can do let me know, and please be careful, I have a bad feeling about this case." "I will", Olivia replied then paused and added "Tell Noah I love him lots, and I will call tomorrow." "Will do, and you know with Aunty Amanda and Uncle Sunny he's going to be spoilt." Olivia chuckled "That's what I fear". Carisi left for home as Bell and Olivia headed for Mercy Hospital.
When Olivia and Bell arrived at Mercy they were greeted by Muncy and began to walk to the hospital room of the victim. "The victim's name is Lauren Coleman; she is 45 and has multiple burns and sexual trauma. She was pushed into a van outside her gym and found tied to a table on the top floor of the granary." Olivia stopped dead in her tracks. "What did I say?" Muncy asked. Olivia turned to face Muncy "Did she have both legs duct-taped to the table, left hand cuffed, and right hand tied with rope?" "Yes," Muncy replied, slightly shocked "how did you know?" Olivia resumed walking and replied, "Because that is exactly how Lewis tied me – probably to the same table." Bell sighed, further evidence that Smith had seen the William Lewis file. Bell looked puzzled between them "But she suffered sexual trauma. Lewis never raped you, did he?"
"No, he undid my trousers and touched me all over, but Lewis got off on the fight – so I didn't fight and…he couldn't get it up." Olivia replied in a matter-of-fact tone. "Well, it appears Smith could" Muncy said as they arrived outside Lauren Coleman's room.
Olivia knocked and walked in with Bell and Muncy. "Hi Lauren, my name is Captain Olivia Benson…" Before Olivia could get another word out, Lauren Coleman got incredibly agitated and began shouting, "You….you - it's all your fault, get out of here!". She picked up her water jug and threw it at Olivia, who managed to catch the jug, but not without getting a face-full of water. "Get out" Lauren screamed "it's your fault, all your fault" before breaking down with deep heartfelt tears.
Olivia stood stock-still, shocked at Lauren's reaction but, passing Muncy the jug, she signalled to Bell that she would wait outside while Bell went and calmed Lauren down. Rubbing her temples, feeling a headache coming on, Olivia headed for the ladies' room to clean herself up and have a moment of quiet to gather her thoughts. What exactly had Smith done to that poor woman she wondered, whilst already thinking the worst.
When Bell and Muncy left Lauren's room, Olivia was sitting in the corridor waiting. "We have a problem" Bell said, "Lauren has a 10-year-old daughter called Amelia." "Where is she?" Olivia asked, feeling herself begin to panic and seeing flashbacks to the other Amelia she'd fought to protect from William Lewis. Bell continued "Amelia was at school – but at the moment…we're not sure". "Muncy, find Amelia's teacher, get her address, and wake her up and find out who collected Amelia today. I will put out an amber alert when we get back to the squad room."
In the car on the way back to the squad room, Bell updated Olivia on Lauren "Lauren has suffered a majority of first- and second-degree burns, thankfully nothing that is going to require a skin graft. After he tied her to the table, he pulled down her trousers and raped her. But here is the disturbing thing, she says throughout the ordeal he kept apologizing to her that he was having to do this, and it was all your fault that this was happening to her. And when he was raping her, he referred to her as if she was you." Olivia nodded, glad it was Bell driving. "Was there any mention of drugs and alcohol in her system?" Olivia asked. Bell nodded knowing what this meant "Yes, vodka and Vicodin, plus vodka covered her hair and skin. She told us he poured a bottle over her head. Lewis do that to you?" Olivia nodded, feeling the need for a shower as she remembered the feel of the cold vodka, dripping down from her hair onto her skin, how it stung when it reached her burns. Then the taste of the vodka with the Vicodin, and the dry-mouth it left her with.
Olivia was so deep in thought that she was unaware that Bell was continuing to talk to her
"Captain, Captain…Olivia" Bell said "You with me?". Olivia jumped "Yes, sorry". "You ok?" Bell asked "I'm fine" Olivia replied, a little too quickly. "Yeah, right" Bell shook her head as she pulled into the Police House Garage. Bell and Olivia silently went up to the squad room, each deep in their own thoughts.
Bell was worried that this was all getting emotionally too much for Olivia, and would she have to insist that Olivia stepped back. Olivia was aware what Bell was thinking and was mentally preparing herself for a fight, as well as getting justice for Lauren, and finding Amelia.
Elliot, Finn, and Whelan where in the squad room when Olivia and Bell arrived. They crowded around the screen as Whelan led the briefing "When we got to the granary, Brooklyn SVU had found Lauren and sent her to Mercy, they walked us around the crime scene and then happily handed it over to us, wishing us luck. The captain over there said if they can help you in any way to let him know." Benson nodded.
Whelan continued putting photos on the screen for all to see "At the crime scene, we found half-finished cigars, bottles of vodka and packets of Vicodin. This was all near to a chair. At the table where he left Lauren tied, we found duct tape on the legs, rope, and a pair of handcuffs that Brooklyn SVU had to cut off. But we also saw this – rope attached to one of the beams. Did Lauren mention being tied to a beam?" Whelan asked Olivia and Bell. "No, never" Bell answered. Olivia was staring at the screen "Finn, was that rope hanging where Amelia Cole was found? When you arrived when Lewis was holding Amelia Cole and myself." Finn thought before answering - "I'm not sure - Amanda got Amelia out, I was more interested in you and Lewis' brains all over your face. But if I was having a guess, then yeah, I think you're right, it could be left there in the same place."
Elliot asked, "Lauren definitely did not mention her daughter Amelia being in the room?" Bell shook her head, "The last thing Lauren knew, Amelia was at school". Olivia said "We need to speak to Lauren again in the morning and get her to confirm the details. Elliot," Olivia continued "first thing in the morning, will you contact your old boss Rick Johnson and find out what happened with John Smith? Carisi found out he was released after a federal administration error – whatever that means. If Smith's inside man is someone from the alphabets, that would certainly explain the access to the William Lewis file." Looking at the clock, and knowing she was feeling tired, she addressed everyone. "Ok, until Muncy gets back or we get any new leads, there is not much to do. Everyone try and get a couple of hours kip. Tomorrow will be another long day".
Olivia headed to her office, followed by Elliot. Everyone in the two squads knew that the two of them needed some privacy to talk. Olivia sat down on her couch and began to cry. Elliot closed the blinds, so no-one could see, and then went and sat next to Olivia, enveloping her in a hug. She leant into him and allowed herself to let out all the emotions built up throughout the day. Shattered and emotionally drained, Elliot made Olivia lie on the couch - she rested her head on a cushion on his lap and he gently stroked her face as they both tried to get a couple of hours sleep.
Elliot watched as Olivia's breathing changed pattern as she went deeper into sleep. He looked at the woman he loved with all his being as she slept and began to reflect why their relationship - which had looked like it was going to go somewhere - had not. He knew it was his fault. After Chief Garland asked him to run the OC, Garland was overruled by 1PP, who wanted to bring 'a safe pair of hands' in to run the unit instead. 1PP was afraid of his maverick streak, that it would cause more harm to the unit than good. Stabler took the rejection personally and took his frustration unfairly out on Olivia, who he told in no uncertain terms he did not want to see again. This led to a break in their relationship till they needed to work on a joint OC and SVU case. Since then, they'd remained friends, but nothing more.
Elliot suddenly woke with a jolt. He became aware Olivia was restless as she slept and was starting to cry and talk. He realized she was having a flashback nightmare, so gently woke her up.
"Liv, Liv, wake up for me – you're safe, I am here…" Olivia woke up with a start, cold sweat glistened across her face. Looking around Olivia realized she was in her office and gave a sigh of relief. Elliot put his arm around her, but she shrugged it off, annoyed and embarrassed about what she might have said in front of Elliot. "Want to talk about it?" Elliot asked. Olivia, getting a wet wipe out of her purse, wiped her face and began correcting yesterday's mascara "No, I'm fine". Knowing he was not going to get any more out of Olivia, Elliot got up and began to put the cushions on the couch back in place and lifted the blinds.
Olivia finished putting her hair into a ponytail and walked to the door "We better see what's going on."
Finn was talking to Whelen, Muncy, Jet, and Velasco, and they all looked up when Olivia and Elliot came out of the office. "What's going on?" Olivia asked. Finn began "Muncy has spoken to the teacher and headteacher, who kindly met at the school and looked at the CCTV. Amelia walks home from school on her own, and we know Lauren was taken by Smith before Amelia left the school. But he had help to take Amelia, look at this – Jet please." Jet put up the CCTV for them to see.
In the CCTV they could make out a girl with long brown hair tied in a ponytail walking down a street. Suddenly a man walked up beside her and put his arm around her as he escorted her to a waiting black SUV. He helped her in, before climbing in next to her, and the car drove off.
"Ok, so we know Smith had help, is this guy one of your Five Points gang?" Olivia asked, looking towards Elliot," "Yes, his name is Vinny Keating, he also goes by the name Bugsy Siegel. He's one of the lower members of the gang, so does a lot of the running. Perfect for this type of job." Turning to Jet, Stabler continued "Have you managed to identify the driver?"
We have, Jet said flicking an image to the big screen "Meet Lucky Luciano, aka Mickey O'Sullivan, his position in the group is rising thanks to his win recently in an illegal street fight." "Street Fighting?" Velasco asked, "What exactly are these Five Point guys into?"
"You name it really" Whelan said, accessing the Five Points file on his computer, and putting photos up on the screen. Racketeering, extortion, street fighting, drug and weapons trafficking, pimping, money laundering, and if the price is right, they'll even murder someone for you. But up to now there has never been any sign of children. These are all family men, Irish-American heritage and strict Catholics. Even for them trafficking children doesn't feel right".
"Well, clearly Whelan, they are diversifying" Olivia said, looking at the face of Amelia on the screen. "Where's Bell?" Olivia asked, suddenly realizing that she was not there. "We had a phone call from the hospital, Lauren is ready to be discharged, so Bell has gone to collect her and to bring her here to re-interview." Finn said.
"Did none of you stop for any sleep last night?" Olivia asked looking around the squad room. "What can I say Liv," Finn said smiling at Olivia, "couldn't sleep". "Finn, I know that is bull - you're the one person I know who can sleep anywhere and at any time. So have none of you slept?" at which point everyone in the squad room suddenly found themselves really busy, except Muncy "Hey, I was asked to track down the teacher." Olivia, realizing Muncy had not had the opportunity to get any rest, said "So you were Muncy, go to the crib and grab a couple of hours." "Nah, I'm good." Muncy said with a smile and still looking like she had the energy for another 24 hours. Olivia suddenly felt tired and, for the first time, questioned whether she had the energy to continue.
Elliot, reading Olivia's thoughts, put a hand on her shoulder and speaking quietly so no one else would hear, "Liv, no one here is going through the emotional roller coaster you are. Don't underestimate the toll that takes on your energy." Olivia nodded and gave Elliot a small smile. Elliot continued "Now if you excuse me, I have a call to make to my old ATF team." Elliot left and headed for the corner of the squad room, where he could have some relative privacy to make the call. Olivia had Jet print a still of Amelia and Vinnie Keating aka Bugsy Siegel, and Lucky Luciano aka Mickey O'Sullivan.
At that moment Bell walked in with Lauren Coleman. Olivia kept her distance from Lauren indicated to Bell that she should put Lauren in the interview room. Bell made sure Lauren was comfortable and then exited the room and made her way to Olivia. "On the way here, she kept asking if Amelia is safe, I was honest and told her that, at the moment, we don't know where she is. Have we found out anything?". Olivia nodded, "Yes, but I think Lauren is somehow connected to the Five Points gang." Bell looked shocked "She's not come up on any of our surveillance, why do you think this?"
Olivia showed Bell the image of Amelia and Vinnie "Look - Amelia doesn't look scared or worried – she knows Vinnie, so…How?". Bell nodded, understanding what Olivia was saying. "How do you want to play it?" Bell asks. "I want to interview her" Olivia said. Bell was skeptical, "I'm not sure that's a good idea, last time you got a face full of water." "I have an idea, trust me" Olivia said. "Ok" Bell responded doubtfully as they headed to the interview room.
Olivia, carrying two files, and Bell entered the interview room. Lauren was immediately agitated and defensive, she got up and began to walk toward Olivia but addressed Bell "What's she doing here? It's her fault that Amelia is missing, and what he did to me. I don't want her here, get her out."
Olivia firmly addressed Lauren. "Lauren, I am going to show you something, if afterwards, you want me to go I will, and you won't have to speak to me again, ok?". Lauren stopped moving toward Olivia and instead looked at her with curiosity.
Turning to Bell, Olivia quietly asked her to drop the blind – which Bell did, despite being unsure of what Olivia was going to do. Olivia, taking a deep breath, grabbed the bottom of her top and pulled it up over her head – Lauren looked on with a mixture of shocked and realization as to what Olivia was doing and why. Then, moving her hands to her back, Olivia unclasped her bra, revealing to Lauren the full extent of the scars across her chest.
Seeing that Olivia had been through the same experience as her, Lauren began to sob uncontrollably. Olivia, without even thinking of her state of undress, went over and held Lauren as she sobbed into her shoulder. Olivia looked to Bell, who nodded and gave a small smile, knowing that this was hard for Olivia to do, but recognizing she'd been able to connect with Lauren on a level that Bell herself would not have been able to.
Once Lauren stopped crying and regained some composure, she began to focus on the burns across Olivia's chest. "Is that what I am now going to look like from now on?". Olivia put her bra and top back on. "The man who did this to me used keys on a stove, as well as cigarettes. You will have scars, but they shouldn't be as large or as deep as mine. Use bio-oil twice a day on them - it helps."
Lauren nodded, "But why was I and Amelia targeted? And what are you doing to find Amelia?" Lauren was beginning to get agitated again. Olivia took Lauren's hands and, speaking quietly to her, said "Lauren, we know Amelia went with a man and got into an SUV, and we have identified the man and driver. But we are a bit puzzled why Amelia didn't look worried or scared of this man."
Lauren looking shocked said "But Amelia knows not to go with strangers - she wouldn't just get into a car with a man." Olivia, taking the photo out of the file and putting it on the table said, "That's exactly what I thought, so Amelia must know this man – who is he?" Lauren picked up the photo and gasped. "That's Bugsy - he's a friend of Paul. Paul Kelly, the man I'm kind of seeing on and off. Amelia and Bugsy got on straight away because he is named after her favorite film, you know 'Bugsy Malone'".
"Ok Lauren, when did you and Paul meet?" Olivia asked jotting down on a yellow A4 Pad all that Lauren was telling her. "At the gym I work at, I'm a personal fitness trainer. Paul is one of our clients, and we sort of hit it off. I'm not meant to date, you know - a client, please don't tell my boss!"
Olivia smiled and said "I won't. Is this the gym where you were taken from". Lauren nodded.
"So, who is Bugsy?" Olivia asked. Lauren replied "Bugsy helps Paul with his business - he runs a gentleman's club in Upper Manhattan. It's not really my thing, but who am I to judge. What I don't understand, is what all of this has got to do with you."
Olivia, knowing Lauren needed answers said "I'll explain in a second – just a couple more questions please" Lauren nodded. "Thank you. What's the name of the club?" Olivia asked. "Morello's". Olivia nodded, "Finally, do you know this man?", Olivia showed a picture of Mickey O'Sullivan. Lauren shook her head and said she'd never seen him before. "Who is he?" Suddenly Bell interjected "Can I see that picture?" Olivia handed the picture to Bell, who looked at it. Looking back at Olivia, Bell asked "Captain, can I have word outside?" Olivia nodded to Bell and told Lauren she will be back in a second. Stepping outside Bell asked, "This is the driver of the car that took Amelia?". "Yes" Olivia replied, "You know him?". Bell nodded "He's a UC detective, did Stabler not tell you?" Olivia shook her head, "How under the radar is it? We were in front of the squad". "Ahh, only the OC squad would have known that Mickey O'Sullivan is Detective Bobby Reyes. They were probably waiting for my permission to reveal his identity."
"Well can we bring him in please?" Olivia asked, annoyed that Elliot did not tell her who O'Sullivan was. "Onto it, but we can't blow his cover." Bell warned. "Fine" Olivia responded, "if it's ok with you I'll only share it with Finn, and please, find some CCTV footage of Lauren being forced into the van". Bell nodded and went off to arrange for Detective Reyes to come in for a chat, whilst setting Muncy and Whelan on a CCTV hunt. Olivia took a deep breath and headed back into the interview room with Lauren, knowing she was going to have to go through both the Lewis and Smith files with her.
Just over an hour later, Olivia said goodbye to Lauren and made sure an officer was escorting her to a hotel for her safety. She arranged for a uniformed officer to stay with her and promised she would update her at the slightest news. She then turned and walked to her office and closed the door, thinking over everything Lauren had said.
Elliot, seeing Olivia walk into her office, came, and knocked on the door and walked in without waiting for Olivia's response. "Olivia, I have arranged to…what's up?" He asked realizing from the look on her face something was definitely not right. "Elliot, close the door and sit down," Olivia said. Elliot did as Olivia asked, sitting on the couch. She walked over and sat next to him. Without looking at Elliot Olivia continued "You know in my police report regarding Lewis, I said he only allowed me to go to use the bathroom once in three days". "Yes, why?" Elliot asked, a look of puzzlement on his face. Olivia continued "I was amazed that no-one ever questioned me on how I went to the loo – it's a standard question I would ask. Lewis would not untie my hands, so he did everything for me and, while my trousers were down, he…" Olivia had to pause to finally say the words out loud that she had kept to herself since Lewis held her "…he put his fingers inside of me".
"Olivia!" Elliot said running his hands down the side of his face as he grasped the enormity of what Olivia was saying "You have always said you were not raped". "It wasn't intercourse" Olivia said.
"Liv, now you're just getting technical, and you know it." Elliot countered "Why did you not tell anyone?". Olivia shrugged her shoulders and, looking at the ground, in a quiet voice said "Because I was embarrassed. I didn't want everyone to think I was the sex cop who got herself raped." When she looked up Elliot, he could see silent tears rolling down her face. He put his arm around Olivia, and she lent into him.
"Is this what Smith wants to know?" Elliot asked after a few minutes of silence between them.
"Smith wants me to give him verbatim all the details of what Lewis did to me." It was only when I went over the Lewis file with Lauren, she asked why there was nothing in the file about how Lewis allowed me to go to the bathroom, that I realized this is what Smith wants to know. But I have no idea how Smith knows something happened. Telling you right now is the first time I have ever said it out loud."
Elliot thought for a minute and then said "You know he might just be stabbing in the dark? I'm guessing he has obsessed over the Lewis file, realized there was one large discrepancy in the police questioning, and is putting two and two together. Unfortunately, he's actually made four, not five."
"What do you think I should do?" Olivia asked. "At the moment, nothing. Let's see if we can catch Smith and bring down the Five Points, without having to give Smith what he truly wants.". "The truth?" Olivia said. "No," said Elliot quietly, "Liv, he wants you."