Chapter 5: One Step Closer

Elliot and fin leaned over one of the techs.

"Please tell me you have something," said Elliot.

"Would I have called if I didn't?" The tech returned to the screen which contained different audio feeds. "I was able to clean up the tape you gave me, getting past the balloon voice was pretty easy." The tech then played the voice without the hidden technique.

'It's all your fault.'

"We're gonna need a copy of this," said Elliot. The tech handed Elliot a disk that he had ready for him and Elliot held it. "Now hopefully one of our victims can ID him."

""That's a pretty big stretch," said Fin.

"It's the only chance we've got."

Munch motioned to some seats in one of the squad rooms. "We appreciate you coming in Mrs. Cruz."

Emily and her husband took a seat and Armando Cruz held his wife's hand. "You said this had something to do with my case," said Emily.

"Yes. We know the person that attacked you used a voice changer. One of our techs was able to figure out his real voice so we were hoping you could help identify him for us."

"What makes you think I can help?" Munch said nothing but it didn't take long for Emily to figure it out. "I'm not the only one he's attacked has he? You think there's some kind of connection?"

"It's possible. He's repeated the words to other victims verbatim. I'm going to play the tape now. You ready?"

Emily looked at her husband and then back at Munch and nodded.

'It's all your fault.'

Emily concentrated for a little while. Munch played it again.

"Take your time," he said to her.

Munch played it a third time.

"It can't be," Emily said shaking her head.

"Do you know who the man on the tape is Mrs. Cruz?" Emily nodded. "How do you know him?"

"His name is Dave Mercer. I went to school with him. We dated for eleven months in college but I called it off."

"Why didn't it work out?"

"He could be demanding. We trusted each other, I even trusted him with something I have never told anyone except my husband," she said squeezing Armando's hand.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Cruz but I have to ask…"

"I'm the daughter of a rape detective. Dave Mercer knew that. He could be sweet and charming. I was stupid enough to trust him with it but he never let me forget. I don't understand, why come after me now?"

"That's what we're trying to find out, Mrs. Cruz."

Elliot had his head placed on his desk for a quick second before sitting upright.

"That's all of them," he said to no one in particular. "All four victims have said that the voice was that of Dave Mercer all of which were former girlfriends of his

"Not quite," said Casey Novak. "You still need one more identification if you want to pick him up."

The room got silent. No one had heard from Olivia Benson in several days. They had called and had even gone to her apartment but she had gone into a seclusion that was starting to make everyone nervous.

Elliot stood up and starting gathering his things. "I'll go."

"What if she won't answer the door," asked Munch having tried before as well.

"I've got nothing better to do tonight, I'll wait."