The Secret Life of the ADA Novak
By: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters
Ch. 5: Her Word
Casey thanked her quietly as they left, arriving at the precinct a short while later. Casey didn't make eye contact with anyone as Olivia led her to be interviewed.
Olivia lead her into the room closing the door and sitting across from her. "Do you need a glass of water or anything?"
"No, I'm ok."
Olivia nodded. "Take your time."
"As soon as you turned your back, he grabbed me. I couldn't warn you because he placed his hands over my mouth. He took me to the basement. Told me not to scream or I wouldn't have my precious boy anymore, then he threw me on the bed..."
Olivia nodded. "He threw you on the bed and cuffed you?"
Casey nodded. "Then he padlocked the door. I tried to fight him off, but he just called me a bitch and slapped me across the face. He said something about did I think I could get away that easily, that I was always his little money-earner and how he helped me out after I fell pregnant, or the 'accident' as he called it. He was annoyed I'd left. Then..."
Olivia offered her hand for support if Casey wanted it. "Then? It's ok, go slow..."
Casey's voice began to shake as she continued. "He removed his pants and his boxers and ripped my clothes off. That's when he... he... forced himself inside me..."
Olivia got up, sitting beside her, but not touching her. "Did he say anything?"
Casey shook her head. "I started crying and then started to choke on the rag he'd shoved in my mouth. He just grinned and squeezed my breasts and... and..."
Olivia's hand hovered over Casey's. "..And?" she asked gently.
"And I want to stop now. I want to go home."
Olivia nodded. "I understand Case, but you know the sooner we get what happened, the more we can use it against him. I like the fact that I can try to help you, but we need everything. If you really want to stop, we will and I'll take you home, but we'll just be back here tomorrow."
"Can I have some water?"
Olivia nodded. "Of course. I'll be right back," she said, walking out to grab Casey some water.
Casey let out a shaky breath, feeling tears course down her cheeks.
"How's she doing?" Cragen asked Olivia as she emerged.
Olivia sighed. "As well as you'd expect. Have you listened?" she asked, getting Casey some water and tissues.
"You know I have to," he replied. "You were right in there. If we don't get a statement today, it'll just be tomorrow. Push her."
Olivia nodded. "I'll try, but let me do it my way. There's no way she'll talk to a man, even if it's you." Before she went in, she turned around. "Captain?"
"Yes?"
"It's not important to this case, but I...I slept with her while we were undercover. Just so you know. In case it comes out."
He looked a little shocked at first, but simply nodded. "I appreciate your honesty. You'd better get back to Casey."
Olivia nodded. "Thank you. And I'd appreciate it if no one else knew," she said, walking back into the room, closing the door and sitting beside Casey, offering her tissues and water. "Here."
"Thanks," she said softly, wiping her cheeks and nose before sipping some of the water.
Olivia nodded. "You're welcome. Let me when you want to continue."
Casey sat quietly for a long time before nodding at Olivia.
Olivia nodded again. "Go slow if you need to. Take deep breaths. Remember whatever happened, it won't happen again."
"That's what they said last time. They promised," Casey replied, bringing her knees to her chest on the small chair.
Olivia turned to face her. "But they're not me, are they?" she asked, holding her hands out.
Casey slowly took Olivia's hands, swallowing hard. "He... he tried to..."
Olivia held her hands tightly, nodding. "Let me help you. Give me the burden to let you sleep. I promise I won't let him get to you again. He tried to what?"
Casey's eyes diverted from Olivia's. "He stopped. I thought he was finished. Then he penetrated me again... anally..." she managed, now unable to stop the tears falling down her face, "I tried to make him stop. I screamed. I kicked. But he cut my face, then my stomach. He wouldn't stop. He just wouldn't stop."
Olivia nodded, pulling toward her, but not pulling Casey unless she wanted to. "It's over."
Casey moved herself into Olivia's embrace as she cried heavily. "Please, can I just go home now?"
Olivia held on tight. "Shh, it's ok now," she said, rubbing her back, looking directly at Cragen, pointing to the notepad and mouthing, "Now?"
He gave a nod, watching their exchange.
Olivia sighed, hugging her tighter. "Shh, you're safe. I just need one more thing and then I can take you home ok? Can you do one more thing for me? Please?"
"What?" Casey asked, wiping her cheeks on the sleeve of her jacket.
Olivia handed her a pen, sliding the notepad in front of her, holding her other hand. "I need you to write down exactly what you told me, ok? I'll be right here. I promise."
"But I'm tired now. I just want to sleep."
Olivia nodded. "I know. I know, but if you do this now, you won't have to do it tomorrow. Then I can take you home, ok?"
Casey swallowed hard, picking up the pen to write her statement, finishing half an hour later.
Olivia took the pen, setting it on the table. "All right," she said, squeezing her hand. "That's all I need," she said, standing and tucking the notepad under her arm. "Home?" she asked, offering her hand.
Casey wiped the remainder of the tears from her cheeks before taking Olivia's hand, walking from the interview room slowly.
Olivia opened the door, handing the notepad to Cragen. "She's free to leave, right?"
He nodded. "I've sorted you a few days leave so you can keep an eye on her. I'll let you know if there's anything else we need."
Olivia nodded. "Thank you. Come on, Casey. Let's go home," she said as they walked into the bullpen.
Casey followed her slowly, not speaking.
Olivia led her out and to her car, opening the door.
Casey got in slowly, after being sick of the pavement, narrowly missing Olivia's feet.
Olivia sat Casey in the car, giving her a trash bag and a bottle of water as she cleaned up the mess. Minutes later, Olivia threw it away, getting in beside Casey. "It's ok. Let's go." she said as they left.
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