Chapter 6

Alex

I woke up earlier to a phone call from Cragen saying a suspect was in custody and everybody was safe. I wandered around my apartment debating on going to the station and decided to since I was already awake. I did change out of my pajamas since tank tops and sleep pants would probably draw the wrong attention. Seriously, I almost forgot. I've been so stressed with this case and the worry added to Greylek's cases. I've been playing catch up since I started. And then add personal stuff into the equation. It feels like too much some days.

I drive to the precinct because I have a morbid curiosity about the man who may be committing all of the murders. It's just after 3 am and it doesn't take long to get there. I call inside and Fin comes out to my car. He gives me a tired smile and we walk in together. The only words spoken were greetings until we hit the threshold.

"Cabot, it isn't him. I'm sure of it. This guy is a hot mess but not a murderer. He drugged that girl in his office, he admitted that a few minutes ago. He planned on raping her but was too worried about getting caught by coworkers. He was going to take her home. He says he was just taking her home. His car was a block from where he was caught. Liv said there weren't any knives around. No rope and CSU didn't find any traces of blood."

"Who is interviewing him?"

"Stabler and Munch. Liv went back to the hospital to check on the vic. She was hit with a little too much Rohypnol. I think she will be back here soon but the vic will probably be out for a little bit."

He leads me to the interrogation room. Cragen is watching through the two way glass. He sees me and just shakes his head. I begin watching in silence as Stabler and Munch are asking about the roofies. The suspect has tears coming down his face. Munch takes the lead and Stabler steps back for a moment. Whatever he says to the suspect causes him to lower his head and cry harder.

Cragen taps on the glass and both men join us in the hall. They look so frustrated. I feel sad for them because if this isn't the perp, the long days will continue.

"Stabler give me a quick run down," I say quickly.

"Counselor, Ben Andrews is admitting to the roofies. He drugged that woman with the intention of raping her. He had a loaded pistol but no permit for it. There was no type of rape kit in the car, only more rohypnol. He freely admits to everything tonight but when I asked for whereabouts for the past few nights, he has an alibi for two of those nights. A work conference in Texas."

I feel so frustrated for them. I nod and walk toward the door of the interrogation room. Captain Cragen follows me inside. Andrews is holding his head in his shackled hands. I hear him sobbing quietly and I think he's a pathetic pile of crap. He's already openly spoken about his crimes so I'm going to offer him a deal for a signed confession.

"Mr. Andrews, I'm ADA Cabot. I've been speaking to Detectives Stabler and Munch. The DA's office is willing to offer you a deal at this time in exchange for a signed confession. Does this sound like something you would be interested in at this time?"

He sniffs and says, "Do I need a lawyer? I don't know if I should speak to you."

"Sir, you have a right to counsel. That's your option. I can offer you a deal for your confession that the detectives already recorded. I just need it in writing. "

"Ok, but what's the deal?"

"You're looking at several felonies: facilitating a sex offense, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful imprisonment and criminal use of a firearm. I'm willing to drop the unlawful imprisonment and run all sentences concurrent. I'm offering 9 years with 5 years probation. You will be eligible for parole after 5 years. I want full allocution and you will attend therapy upon release."

"Okay. I just need a pen." Cragen hands him a pen and I leave the room. They didn't get the guy they wanted most but managed to catch another one instead. The night isn't a waste and a full confession is always easier to deal with.

Stabler and I walk out to his desk together. He gives me a half-hearted smile and says, "We caught the bad guy, just not the right one. I'm not sorry for catching this one but I wish I had the other one."

"Detective Stabler, you and Detective Benson prevented a woman from being raped tonight. There may be another body found but there will be one less woman waking up tomorrow and realizing she has been violated. Tomorrow when she wakes in that hospital room, she will be told several things about what happened. She may not realize it right away but you are a hero. You and Detective Benson saved that woman."

Stabler is cute when he's sheepish, which he is right now. He just nods and gives me an embarrassed smile. Olivia walks in the precinct at that moment. She looks at us and sadly asks, "So, it wasn't our guy?"

"Liv," I say, "I was just telling your partner that he may not be the one you were looking for but he is the one you found. Don't focus on what didn't happen because there is one woman who is going to be so grateful to the both of you for finding Andrews."

"Thanks Alex."

Olivia

I was so excited to think we had found the rapist but when Fin called me at the hospital, I nearly fell apart. Why can't we get a lead on this guy. The doctors couldn't perform a rape kit without a consenting victim but they will try when she wakes. There weren't any visible signs of trauma when she was undressed and placed in a hospital gown. Stacy Lawrence is one lucky lady today.

When I get back to the precinct, Alex is talking to El. She seems to be one a roll and gives me a little motivational speech. It's kind of out of character for her but I'm not complaining. It's a lot nicer than being ordered to go catch the right perp. I do believe Alex is going soft.

Cragen approaches us and announces, "Detectives you are off until tomorrow morning. I want you to go home and be back tomorrow. You will be rested and showered when you return. You will not do any work or even check in during the next 24 hours. If there is a break in the case you will be notified. Fin and Munch will receive the same treatment tomorrow."

I respond to the order by saying, "Captain, I can stay. Let Munch or Fin go home tonight."

"Olivia, we're doing this in teams. Munch and Fin will be getting as much rest as possible during the day today and will get their day off tomorrow. This was their idea and they volunteered to work today."

I walk to my desk and grabs my house keys out of a drawer. Stabler is throwing his suit jacket on and putting his files in a drawer. Cragen walks to the coffee machine and starts a new pot. Elliot is accepting this order pretty well, he's already walking toward the exit before I have my desk cleared.

Alex seems to be waiting for something and doesn't really move until I walk toward the door. She follows me out and I look at her out of the corner of my eye. Once outside she asks me, "Detective would you like a ride home?"

I accept. I don't like cabs when it's really late or when I'm really tired. The cabbies always seem to either stare at me or want to talk. I'm not in the mood for small talk with a stranger or for trying to stay awake while some strange man stares at me.

We walk to the garage in silence. She unlocks the car when we are about 5 feet away and I climb inside of her car. She backs up and I think I'm dozing before we're on the street. I'm drifting from sleep to barely conscious as she drives. I'm very aware of her but I can't even hold my eyes open.

"Liv, wake up." Alex is releasing my seatbelt for me when I open my eyes again. We are stopped and I feel so disoriented. I open the door and then realize I'm about to get tangled in the seatbelt. I extricate myself from it slowly and pat her knee. She gives me a smile and says, "You're welcome, Liv. See you tomorrow."

I just nod and walk to my apartment building. I don't stop to take a shower or eat. I go straight to my room and strip off my clothes. I climb into my bed. For a brief moment my mind wakes up and I debate the shower. Before I can even stand, my eyes begin to slam shut again. This bed has never felt better.

Thanks again for the reviews, follows and favorites. I still haven't figured out how to wrap the case. I'm not wanting to offer up any Liv/Alex romance until after he's caught. I just think everybody is too busy at the moment.