"We went downstairs like you asked. We were waiting then a car pulled up and that guy jumped out. He grabbed then I screamed. Angelica kept hitting him and latching on to him so that he would let me go." Eliza said with tears on her face.
"Okay calm down I got you, your safe now." I said as her head fell in my lap as she sobbed. Her sisters looked at her with looks of shock and confusion, Sonny stood behind us as I got Eliza to calm down.
"Girls why don't you go eat something I have in the fridge. Eliza sweetie let's go get you in something warm." I said as she got up and followed me to my room.
"Are you going to tell you going to tell Liv or should I?" Sonny asked quietly as he grabbed my arm.
"You should... I need to talk to Eliza." I said as he nodded and pulled out his phone. I walked into my room and sat next to Eliza as she cried into my lap.
"Eliza did you recognized the man trying to take you?" I asked as she shook her head no.
"Okay, come on let's get you warm." I said as I walked over to my closet and pulled out a long sleeve thermal shirt. I handed to her as she sniffed.
"Thank you…" She said softly as I smiled at her.
"Anytime mija. Get dress and then come eat alright?" I said as she nodded and I tossed on an old t-shirt and walked out leaving her alone.
"How is the girl?" Sonny asked as I looked back at the close door.
"She will be okay. She is just really spooked." I said as I grabbed a bottle of water.
"Hey why don't we go out for lunch tomorrow." Sonny said as I nodded.
"You running out on me Sunshine?" I asked laughing as he rubbed the back of his head. "I think it is best for your girls not to have me around right now. I'll talk to you later." Sonny said as I nodded.
"Okay, call me when you get home." I said as he smiled at me and headed out. I locked the door and headed to the kitchen as Eliza walked out slowly.
"If you girls want I have the cot still in storage, I am going to go grab it. Alright?" I asked as Angelic nodded along with Peggy.
"Yeah, thank you." She said as I smiled at her.
"I'll be right back." I said as I grabbed my keys. I walked out the door and started head down to the basement to my storage unit. I unlocked it and pulled out an old cot and a sleeping bag. I carried the things as I used my foot to close the unit. I put the stuff down to grab my key. I walked upstairs and saw the door slightly ajar. I put the stuff on the ground and went for my draw gun I had strapped to my ankle. I held in front of me aimed and ready. I nudged the door opened and saw Eliza gagged, with her shirt ripped off and her bra straps broken off. She was laying in fear as someone was yelling at Peggy and Angelica to sit still. Peggy was crying as a gun was pointed at her.
"Shut up! Or I will kill you!" The man yelled pressing the gun against her forehead, she froze in fear and started to hyperventilate as Angelica kept trying to calm her down. I kept my gun on him as he turned to me with his gun on Peggy's forehead. Tears were running down her face as Angelica grab her hand to calm her down.
"Put the gun down and the bitch won't die." The man said as I held my hands up with my gun in my left hand.
"Okay, just put the gun down and we can talk. Just don't hurt the girl." I said as he turned his gun on me.
"Put your gun on the ground. Now Detective!" He said as I lowered my gun and put it on the floor, he had his gun on me the entire time. I jerked up in time and shot him in the shin as he shot into the ceiling. Lucky enough I live on the top floor of my building. "Shit!" He yelled as fell to the ground. I grabbed my handcuffs from my jacket and put the man's wrists. I grabbed my phone and called Liv.
"Liv I need back up now!" I said franticly as Liv told me to slow down. "Someone broke into my house. I need back up now." I said as I looked at the man moan in pain.
"Okay, is anyone hurt?" She asked as I took a worried breath.
"I shoot the perp in the shin." I said as I felt panic grow in my stomach.
"Okay call for a bus and I will be there." Liv said as I nodded. I called for the bus and untied the girls.
Girls go wait in the guest room okay." I said as they collected themselves and hurry into the back bedroom. I grabbed the first aid kit and started to clean up the perp's wound.
"You will pay." He said as he tried to spit on my face.
"Do me a favor and shut it." I said as I stopped the bleeding as EMTs and Liv came running in.
"Catalina? What happened?" She asked as I watched EMTs came in.
"I was only gone for a second… I went down to my storage unit in the basement. I walk back up and I saw the door ajar. I pulled out my draw gun and he had the girls tied up and Eliza gagged on the couch. The son of a bitch was going to rape her." I said as I felt my chest hurt from holding back tears.
"Okay, where are the girls?" Liv asked as I pointed to the back room.
"Wait for your Union rep okay?" Liv said as she walked to the back room. I heard a tussle as I heard a gunshot go off. Liv ran out from the back room as I fell to the ground, holding my side as blood stained my side. "Get a bus now! Officer down!" Liv screamed as she ran over to me and helped put pressure on my gunshot.
"You earned it bitch!" The man said as he was taken out of the room.
"Get him out of here and to the 16th prescient." Liv commanded as they took him out. "Miss. Lina?!" The girls exclaimed as they tried to hurry around me.
"Girls, I'm fine, Sargent please get them out of here." I said as I tried to get up.
"No lay down okay." Liv said as she held pressure on my wound.
"IAB is going to hear about this aren't they?" I asked softly as Liv nodded.
"They will but it was a good shooting." Liv said as EMTs came running in and started to stop my bleeding.
"Liv, the girls?" I asked feebly as Liv look back as the Paramedics checking on the girls.
"I'm going to call Rollins and the rest of the squad. You know Nick is going to have a heart attack right?" Liv said as I nodded.
"Liv, the girls' father… He is a drunk. Please don't send the girls back to him." I said as the EMTs and Paramedics got me on a gurney.
"Philip Schuyler was picked up on a DUI a few hours ago. The girls will stay and talk to us then we will figure out what to do okay." Liv said as I got rolled out and put into the ambulance. I started to drift off to sleep as they got me to the hospital.
"Patient is a thirty- year- old Hispanic female. Minor blood lost and was shoot on left side." Paramedics said as they rushed me into the ER. I closed my eyes and fell asleep as I felt them hook me to machines and everything. I finally woke up to Nick sitting in a chair waiting.
"Oh damn they called you?" I said as Nick looked up.
"Why won't they?" Nick asked as I sat up.
"I need someone to get the girls… Are they okay?" I asked worried as I felt my side sting. "Lina, mi amour. They are fine, Liv had Amanda bring Eliza in for a rape kit." Nick said as I cringed at the last two words. "Who is talking to her sisters?" I asked as I started to lay down. "Liv and Fin are talking to the other girls." Nick said as I shook my head. "Which one does Fin have?" I asked with a small smile. "Fin has the youngest." Nick said as I chuckled.
"Fin has his work cut out for him with Peggy. She is practically him but smaller. What about the son of a bitch the broke into my apartment?" I asked as Nick nodded.
"It's Mr. James Reynolds." Nick said as my jaw dropped.
"You are kidding me?" I said shocked as he nodded.
"We have him okay. Hey the girls are going to stay with me okay? You are too, got it?" Nick said as I nodded.
"Sí hermano mayor." I said softly as the doctor came in.
"Well. You are up and I am taking it you want to go home." The Doctor said as I nodded.
"Yes please. Let me go home." I said as the doctor nodded.
"Well, you can go home with your brother. You are very lucky. It was only a flesh wound. It went through and through." The doctor said as I smiled.
"Thank you." I said excited as I got out of the bed and the doctor took off my IV. I walked out with Nick and followed him to his car. I got in as we started to drive, I started to fiddle with my fingers. "Can we please go to the station?" I asked as he nodded.
"Okay, if you want to." Nick said as I nodded. "I want to see how the girls are doing." I said as Nick pulled up to the station. He parked and I ran inside. I walked in and saw Carisi at his computer.
"Oh my god what are you doing here? How are you doing?" Sonny asked as he stood up and hugged me. "I'm fine." I said as he kissed my forehead as I realized what just happened.
"What the hell was that?" Nick asked as I froze.
"Nick, different time." I said as I stepped away from Sonny. I watched Nick as he glared at Sonny. I felt someone run up to me and hug me.
"Oh Miss. Lina you okay!" Peggy exclaimed as I looked down and smiled at her.
"Yeah I'm fine Pegs. How is Eliza?" I asked as she took a step back.
"She had to go to the hospital. One of co-workers took her with them." She said as I looked up and saw Angelica walking out with Liv behind her.
"Miss. Lina oh my gosh are you okay?" Angelica asked as she ran over to Peggy and I. "I'm fine. It just stings." I said as I hugged the girls.
"Lina my office." Liv said as I nodded and left the girls with Nick. I followed her in as she closed the door.
"Rollins just called back. Eliza only suffered from some bruising, the SANE found some semen on her chest." Liv said as I covered my mouth and looked past her into the window of "The Box". Reynolds was sitting handcuffed as I clenched my fist. "Carisi called me earlier saying that someone tried to abduct this girl earlier? What was that about?" Liv asked as I put my hand on my uninjured hip.
"I invited Carisi over for dinner. I asked Angelica and Eliza to go help him out and wait for Carisi. I heard screams from outside and I ran downstairs. Someone was trying to abduct Eliza. I fought him off, Carisi came running and scared him off but he got away." I said as she nodded.
"Catalina are you and Carisi involved with each other personally?" Liv asked seriously as I bit my lip and looked back out to the squad room. I turned back to her as I took a deep breath and nodded.
"Yes Sargent I am involved with him." I said as she shook her head. "You understand you can't do that Catalina." Liv said as I nodded.
"Yes Sargent I understand." I said as she nodded. "I won't say anything else but if it crosses a line I will have one of you put in a transfer. Am I understood?" Liv said as I nodded.
"Yes Sargent." I said as she dismissed me. I walked out in time as Rollins walked back in with Eliza in front of her.
"Eliza!" Angelica shrieked in excitement as she ran towards her sister and hugged her tightly as Peggy joined in the hug.
"Angelica. I'm fine." Eliza said as Angelica started to fuss over her.
"Is Miss. Lina okay?" Eliza asked Nick as he turned to face me.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Nick said as Eliza turned to me and ran into my arms.
"I'm so sorry. It's my fault you got shot…" Eliza said as I stroke the back of her head.
"Eliza sweetheart, I am glad to take a bullet for you." I said as she hugged me as I hissed silently in pain.
"I'm sorry." She said pulling away as I shook my head.
"It's okay." I said as I rubbed her shoulder.
"Nick why don't you taken Cat and the girls home." Liv said as Nick nodded.
"Come on let's get going." Nick said as we started to walk out.
"We are going to talk later." Nick said low enough for me to hear but not for the girls.
"Okay…" I said guilty as we walked to his car and got in. Nick started to drive as the girls started to fall asleep. I looked at the time as the numbers eleven ten were blurred in my vison as I was fighting sleep.
"¿Cuándo y Carisi empezar a ver unos a otros?" Nick asked blankly as I fiddled the ring on my finger.
"Nick no podemos en este momento?" I asked as he shook his head.
"Involucrarse con los compañeros de trabajo que está mal." Nick said as I faced him and glared at him.
"Really that's the game you want to play?" I asked as we arrived at his place.
"The girls can sleep in Zara's room. She's with Maria in LA." Nick said as he parked.
"She is still trying to make you come to LA?" I asked as we got out.
"Yeah but I don't to leave you or Gil." Nick said as I opened the back seat door.
"Hey girls time to wake up, we are here." I said as Angelica woke up and couldn't move with Eliza and Peggy's heads laying in her lap fast asleep.
"Nick think you can carry Peggy?" I asked as he nodded and he unbuckled Peggy and I unbuckled Eliza. I picked her up and got her out of the car. Angelica followed behind us as I carried Eliza in and laid her on the couch. Peggy was put on the lounge chair as I held my side in pain.
"You okay?" Nick asked as I nodded.
"Yeah, I'll take the couch." I said as Nick shook his head no.
"You can sleep in my bed. I will take the couch." Nick said.
"Nick I promise once my apartment is no longer a crime scene. I'll will get the girls out of here." I said as Nick nodded.
"I got sleeping bags in my closet, I'll go grab them while you move the girls into Zara's room?" Nick said as I nodded and started to gently nudge sleeping Peggy and Eliza awake.
"Come on sleepy girls, let's get you settled in for the night." I said as I helped Peggy up and they followed me to Zara's room.
"Eliza, you can have the bed. Peggy and I will sleep on the floor." Angelica said as Nick walked in with two sleeping bags.
"Thank you." Angelica said as Peggy and Eliza were already fast asleep. Nick smiled at them wearily and walked out as I lowered the light, while I shut the door softly.
"Liv told me that the girls are staying with you till their Daddy dearest deals with his drinking." Nick said as I walked towards him room.
"Nick… I'm sorry for not telling you about Carisi. It's just…" I said as he looked at me.
"You were worried about my reaction? Lina mi amour, you are my sister. I will always be happy for you. But being involved with Carisi… Lina is can turn messy." Nick said as I nodded.
"I know but we have done it for months now and no one guess till now." I said as Nick looked at me and shook his head.
"Go get some rest." Nick said as I walked into his room. I closed the door and took off my t-shirt and slipped on one of Nick's baggy t-shirts and out of my slacks. I climbed into his bed and covered up and started to sleep. I woke up sitting straight up to bloody screaming as I shot out the bed and straight to the bedroom where the girls were. I through the door open and saw Eliza sitting up with tears running down her face. Angelica and Peggy were trying to hug and calm her down as Eliza was thrashing.
"Eliza. It's okay!" I said as I looked at her. Her eyes were still closed as she was still thrashing around. "Eliza, mija look at me." I said softly as she finally stopped fighting and opened her eyes. She took a struggling breath as I tried to calm her down. "Look at me Eliza. Sweetie look at me." I said as she finally opened her eyes. She blinked shocked about us surrounding her.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry." Eliza cried into my shoulder as I rubbed her back soothing her to calm down. I saw Nick in the doorframe rubbing his eyes.
"What happened?" Nick mouthed to me as watched Peggy fall back asleep with Angelica rubbing Peggy's arm soothingly.
"Night terrors." I mouthed back as he nodded and walked away leaving me with Eliza finally calming down. "What happened mija?" I asked as Angelica started to lay down next to Peggy.
"I just saw the man that tried to hurt Angelica, Peggy and I. He had the gun and he shot you. Then he shot Angelica and Peggy… Then he hurt me…" Eliza said between sobs as I rubbed her back. "Eliza hon. It was just a nightmare, that man is never going to get out after what he did." I said as she took a struggling breath.
"Hey why don't you come lay down in my room okay?" I asked as she got up and followed me back to my room. She climbed into one side of the bed and was fast asleep. I grabbed my phone and texted Sonny. "Think I can stay with you till my apartment is no longer under criminal investigation?" I asked as I climbed next to her.
"What about the sisters?" Sonny asked as I looked up and saw Eliza starting to fidget. I rubbed her side as she settled.
"They are going to stay at their house, so that they are at work till their dad works on his drinking." I texted back as I started to drift off to sleep. I woke earlier and got up without waking up Eliza. I slipped out of bed and pulled out one of Nick's button down and slipped back into my jeans. I slipped on my oxfords as Eliza sat up.
"What time is it?" Eliza asked as I looked at my phone.
"It's almost six thirty." I said as I fixed my hair.
"Go back to sleep Eliza." I said softly as she nodded and laid back down. I walked out of the room and saw Nick sitting up. "Morning." I said as I walked to his kitchen.
"How did she sleep?" Nick asked as he sat up.
"Alright, hey do you think you can tell Liv I'm coming a bit late today. I'm going to get the girls settled at their house. I think it would be better for them to be in a place they know." I said as Nick nodded and got up. "I'll go wake up Eliza and the other girls." I said as I gave him a mug of coffee and he smiled at me. I walked over to Nick's room and saw Eliza still fast asleep. "Eliza hon time to get up." I said she started to stir.
"What's going on?" She asked sleepily as I smiled at her. "I'm going to take you and your sisters to your house." I said as she nodded and started to get up. I walked to Zara's room and opened the door softly as I paused and listen to Angelica and Peggy to talk.
"Peggy you know Miss. Lina won't let anything happen to us." Angelica said reassuring as I heard Peggy sigh.
"I know that Angie but what about what the man said. He said that if we told anyone what happened then he would send people to hurt us. I'm scared Angie." Peggy said panicked as I bit my lip to stop me from talking.
"I know Peggy but Miss. Lina will protect us like she always had." Angelica said half-hopeful.
"Are you sure?" Peggy said as I watched Angelica hug Peggy and nodded.
"I am." Angelica said as she saw me and realized I listened to everything they said. I opened the door and walked in.
"Glad to see you girls are up. I'm going to take you guys back to your house and help you all settle in before work." I said pretending not to know about what they just talked about.
"Okay. Thank you." Angelica said as I nodded and closed the door behind me. I smiled as I walked away and saw Nick standing in the kitchen on the phone angry.
"No Maria, I'm not moving out to LA just because of that. I have my family here; I have my work. I'm not saying yours is not important just I need to be here and I know Zara is my daughter but..." Nick argued as I stood and listened.
"Maria you are being too controlling of this. I don't want to fight over our daughter, Zara is important to me. Alright… I'll see if I can get time off but I highly doubt it. We just got slammed with huge case." Nick said as he hung up his phone.
"Glad to see you and her playing nice." I said bitterly as Nick rolled his eyes.
"I know you don't like her but she is my wife." Nick said as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Estranged." I said as he put his hands on my shoulders.
"Lina come on. She and I are reconciling our differences." Nick said as I felt the girls behind us. "We will talk later." I said as I turned and faced them. "Ready to go?" I asked as they nodded. I took Nick's keys as he smiled and shook his head. "Come on bebitas." I said as Peggy laughed and they followed me outside. I got in as they got into the back. I started to drive to their house as I sighed at the contently as peaceful silence filled the air. I pulled up to their house as I parked. I turned off the car and got out as I looked at them as they unbuckled and got out. "Let's get going okay." I said as we got out. We walked inside as I noticed the door was unlocked. I walked in first as they stood behind me.
"Girls is that you?!" Their father exclaimed as I froze.
"Daddy?" Angelica asked surprised as he stumbled out of the parlor room.
"Where you three?" He asked bitterly as he took a swig from a flask.
"We stayed with Miss. Lina, it was storming too bad for us to get a cab and we were visiting Eliza." Angelica said cautiously as I watched him.
"She finally decided to stop being so damn stubborn?" He asked pointing at Eliza as I stood in front of her.
"Philip do you think I could have a word with you." I asked as he glared at me.
"Get out of my house and stay away from my daughters!" He screamed as I was taken back.
"Wait just a second. Let's just talk alright?" I asked put my hands up to calm him down.
"Alright fine. Girls go to your rooms." He said as the girls hesitated and then scurried up the stairs.
"You think you can take my daughters from me." Philip said angered as I looked at him shocked.
"You didn't know where they were. Hell Philip you got arrested for DUI. Why are you ROR?" I asked as he shook his head.
"You and your cop friends stay away from my girls." Philip said getting into my face.
"Hey take it easy." I said as I put my hands up creating a barrier between us.
"Get out of my house. Now!" He yelled as whiskey hit my face. I took a step back and walked out slowly as I stopped when I walked out of the house. I looked up and saw Angelica standing at her window. I bit my lip and walked away from the house and to my car.
"Hey Sargent. Sorry I had personal things to take care of it." I said as I answered my phone.
"Do you think you can go talk to the victim?" Liv asked as I nodded.
"Yeah, I'll head over there." I said as I turned on the car and started to drive away.
"Okay, I'll see you soon Sargent." I said as I drove towards the address that Liv sent. I drove towards a small Victorian house and parked in the front. I turned off the car and got out, I walked towards the front door and knocked on the door. The door opened and revealed Mr. Washington.
"Detective Amaro, what is it?" Mr. Washington asked as he allowed me inside.
"I need to take the rest of your son's statement. How is he doing?" I asked as he walked in into a kitchen.
"It was a rough first night, He woke up screaming and would cringe when we tried to comfort him." Mr. Washington said as I nodded.
"Is he up to talking to me?" I asked as he nodded.
"I'll lead you up to his room." Mr. Washington said as we walked upstairs. Mr. Washington knocked on the door and opened it softly as John looked up fearfully as he softened as he saw me.
"Hey John, remember me?" I asked as he nodded.
"Do you think we can talk for a second?" I asked as he looked at Mr. Washington for an answer.
"It's okay John." Mr. Washington said comforting as John nodded.
"Mr. Washington do you mind if I talk to him alone?" I asked as he nodded and left me and John alone.
"I thought I was done…" John asked as I nodded.
"I just need to tie up some lost ends." I said as he nodded worried.
"John how long were you in the room with the camera?" I asked as I stiffened.
"I don't really remember… all I remember that it was still dark outside. Please don't let them hurt me." John said as his eyes grew wide.
"I won't let anyone else hurt you okay John could you identify the man that hurt you in the room?" I asked as he nodded quickly. I pulled out my phone with the lineup that Liv sent me.
"Take your time." I said as he took my phone and started to look through the pictures till he froze then through my phone.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry." John said over and over again as I picked it up and saw that it was Reynolds picture. "That's the man that hurt me…" John said as tears filled his eyes.
"Are you sure?" I asked as he nodded quickly and pointed at my phone.
"He was the man that hurt me. He hurt me and the lady in red." He said as I looked at him confused.
"The lady in red?" I asked as he looked down.
"She tried to help us. But when she did, he would get angry and hit her." John said franticly as I nodded.
"Okay, did he ever say his name?" I asked as he looked at me and shook his head no.
"He would only call her bitch. Everyone had to call him Sir." John said as I nodded.
"Okay. John is there anything else I need to know?" I asked as he looked down.
"Please don't tell Alex about what happened…" He said as I got up.
"Honey, he will probably have testify in the trail." I said as he froze.
"Wait… T-testify? I have to tell other people what that monster did to me?" John said as I nodded.
"Yeah you will. But me, my Sargent and your family will be there every step of the way." I said as I knelt down to be at eye level with him.
"Detective Amaro, what happened when your arrived back to your squad room at ten thirty pm January fifteenth?" Rafael asked as I brushed my blazer off.
"I arrived back from my dinner break and I was told by my Sargent, Sargent Oliva Benson, that I needed to speak to the medical examiner because they were missing a body." I said as Rafael started to pace around the room.
"Why was a missing body the responsibility of Special Victims?" Rafael asked as I took a deep breath. "I was told that the boy was thought to be deceased in a car accident. One of the defendants, the cabbie Jorge Diaz, was found to be a member of Chess and Checkers Club and my commanding officer Sargent Benson wanted me to investigate." I said as Rafael nodded.
"Can you tell the jury what is Chess and Checkers Club." Barba said as I turned to face the jury. "The Chess and Checkers Club is a child pornography ring. After speaking with the ME we learned the boy was not deceased and that he might be in the ring." I said as Mr. Buchanan stood up.
"Objection." He said as the judge said overruled and Rafael continued to asked me questions.
"What did you see when you entered the defendant James Reynold's home?" Rafael asked as I straighten up.
"We entered the house and saw Mr. Reynold's wife. I asked to know where her husband was while ESU and the rest of my team searched the house. I then hurried to my partner, Nick Amaro, yelling saying he had something. I ran down the stairs and saw him trying to break down the door. After ESU broke down the door, SVU entered the basement and saw four other children chained to the floor. My fellow detectives Tutuola and Carisi checked the vitals of the children while Detective Nick Amaro and I pursued after the screaming in the other room. We broke down the door and saw Mr. Reynolds on the bed with the victim. We yelled police and the defendant ran. I went to the boy and took his vitals. It was sickening to see the condition of this boy." I said as Rafael nodded.
"Did the victim disclose to you?" Rafi asked as I nodded.
"When I approached the boy, he started to fight against me. When I told him that I was police. He said his name was John Laurens, and asked me to help him. He started to lose consciousness as I helped him out of the bed. He lost his footing and fell to the ground." I said as I watched Reynolds whisper to his lawyer. "Did this boy suffer from sexual assault and torture." Rafael asked as I nodded. "From the rape kit, he suffered anal penetration and oral trauma. He had 2 ounces of semen in his stomach." I said as Mr. Buchanan stood up.
"Objection. Detective Amaro is not a medical professional." He said as Rafi turned to the judge. "Detective Amaro is a Detective of the Special Victims Unit who has been trained in reading reports of sexual assault." Rafi said as the judge nodded.
"I'm going to overrule." She said as Rafi nodded.
"Detective Amaro, did the victim, John Laurens, identify the defendant in a photo lineup?" Rafi asked as Buchanan stood up.
"Let me rephrase, did the victim identify who raped and tortured him?" Rafael asked as I nodded.
"After I took the rest of his statement, I showed him a lineup that my Sargent had sent me to show the boy. He through my phone and when I picked it up it was on the picture of the defendant." I said, "Nothing further." Rafi said as he sat down.
"Detective Amaro. It is your testimony that the boy that you found in my client's home was there forcible?" Mr. Buchanan asked as I nodded.
"Yes it is." I said as he chuckled.
"How do you know that?" He asked as I looked him.
"The boy and the other children were found chained up and beaten. I'm sure they did not want to be there." I said as I crossed my arms.
"Detective do you have a vendetta against my client." Mr. Buchanan asked standing in my face.
"No I don't." I said as he shook his head.
"So explain why you shot my client?" Mr. Buchanan asked as I clenched my fist.
"He broke into my apartment, and held a gun on one of the young ladies I had staying in my apartment. He threated to kill the youngest, Margarita Schuyler, and he also was going to sexual assault the middle daughter Elizabeth. He had his gun on me and I took my shot." I said as he shook his head.
"How did you know that Elizabeth was going to be raped?" I was asked as I glared at him.
"He had ripped off her shirt, she had bruising." I said as Buchanan fixed his jacket.
"Detective Amaro, did you want to shot my client?" Mr. Buchanan asked.
"I didn't till he threaten my life. I was defending my life and the girls' life." I said defensively.
"Or did you want to get back at him for what happened earlier that day? After Elizabeth asked my client to pretend to kidnap her." Mr. Buchanan asked as I clenched my jaw.
"Detective Amaro, answer my question." Buchanan asked getting in my face. "Answer my question Detective! Did you want revenge after one of the girls wanted to get hurt?" Buchanan screamed in my face. "No. It was not revenge! Eliza would never ask that man to pretend to kidnap her. She never knew him!" I yelled back as Rafi stood.
"Objection! Badgering the witness. And move to strike from the record, the defense has nothing to back up these allegations." He said as Judge looked at Mr. Buchanan.
"Sustained. The jury will disregard the defense and witness's last statement." The judge said as Mr. Buchanan glared at me.
"No further questions." He said as he sat down.
"Redirect your honor." Barba said standing up. "Detective Amaro, were you defending the lived of Angelica, Elizabeth, and Margarita Schuyler during the night of January fifteenth. Whether it was when he tried to kidnap Elizabeth, or when he threated to kill Margarita." Rafael asked as I nodded.
"Yes, I was protecting the lives of those girls. I practically raise those girls when Angelica was five years old. I took them in when their father was in rehab when Angelica was twelve, Eliza was eleven, and Peggy was ten. I raised them and was there for Angelica's writing stories, Eliza's piano recitals, Peggy's stubbornness and her antics. I care about those girls more than anyone knows. I would consider them my own daughters after their mother passed away when Angelica was nine." I said as Rafael nodded. "Thank you Detective Amaro. Nothing further." Rafi said as the judge said I could step down. "We called John Laurens to the stand after a brief recess your honor?" Rafael said as the judge nodded.
"Alright. After a brief recess we will continue." The judge said as she banged her gavel. I walked out with Rafi to meet with Liv.
"The boy goes on next. He is ready to testify correct?" Barba asked as Mr. Washington walked towards us with John in front of him.
"Am I going to testify next?" John asked as Barba nodded.
"I'm scared…" John said as I looked at him and back to Rafael. "We will be there okay." I said as he nodded.
"I will be asking you the questions we practiced, and I'll make sure that the defense does not cross the line." Barba said to Mr. Washington and John.
"Can Alex please be there?" John asked as I shook my head no.
"Not till after he testifies honey." I said as he nodded. I felt my phone buzz.
"I'll be right back." I said as I answered my phone.
"Amaro." I said as I heard Carisi on the other line.
"How is the trail so far?" Sonny asked as I nodded.
"The kid is about to testify. Are the girls okay?" I asked as I heard Sonny sigh.
"Yeah, Fin had to hold the father back as the girls practically ran to the car." Sonny said as I bit my lip.
"Okay, well hey I have to go. We are about to reconvene. I'll talk to you later?" I said as Sonny said bye. I hurried back to the court room with Liv and Mr. Washington as Barba talked to John and John went to the stand.
"Alright court in now reconvened. Mr. Barba you may start your questioning of Mr. John Laurens." The judge said as Rafael stood up from his table and walked over to Laurens.
"Mr. Laurens, I am so sorry of the events that had led you up to having to be here." Rafi said as John nodded.
"John, can you tell the jury what happened the early evening of January fifteenth?" Rafi asked as John took a deep breath.
"I got a call from my boyfriend Alexander… He got into a fight with his foster dad and needed someone to talk to. I told my foster dad that I was going to a coffee shop near the Richard Rogers Theatre. We got a cup of coffee and talked." John said as Rafael nodded.
"What happened while you talked to your boyfriend?" Barba asked as Buchanan stood up. "
Objection. Leading the witness." Buchanan said as the judge nodded.
"Sustained, Mr. Barba watch yourself." The judge said as he nodded.
"Did anything unusually happen while you and Alex talked?" Barba asked as John looked straight at me. "A man approached us. He gave me a cup of coffee saying it was from his daughter. He followed me and Alex out of the coffee shop. He kept making comments and taking pictures of me. I felt sick after drinking the coffee he gave me. Alex said we should leave. He even hailed a cab for me before walking off." John said as Rafael nodded.
"Do you see that man today?" Rafael asked as John nodded and pointed to Benny.
"Let the record reflect that the witness has identified Benjamin Gomez as the man from the coffee shop. Now John what happened when you got cab?" Rafi asked as John took a deep breath.
"I kissed Alex good bye and got into the cab. It was late and my foster father said I needed to take a cab because I lived on the other side of town. I got in and when we drove to an intersection and my cab got in and the car was hit. I got slammed into the dividing glass and I felt something in my arm when I fell to the floor board… I couldn't move and I couldn't speak. I felt my heart slowing down and I could do nothing to tell my family what happened when I got hurt. I saw the same man in my hospital room doing something to my heart monitor. After my mom and dad came in. They were told that there was nothing that the doctors could do to save me. I had to listen to my heart monitor and my boyfriend and my loved ones cry about me being gone." John said as he was close to tears.
"Okay John, do you have any memory of what happened after they said you were dead?" Rafi asked as he nodded and wipe his tear away.
"I was taken to a different room with a metal table. I remember a lady screaming and then I felt someone pick me up and put me in a car. I was driven and then I remember hearing two guys talk. I felt someone else pick me up and through me into the back of a car. I finally woke up in a room with chains on my wrists. I couldn't move and then Sir took me into the room with the camera…" John said starting to panic as Reynolds watched him with a steely glare.
"John who is Sir, is he in the courtroom?" Rafael asked as John pointed at Reynolds.
"Let the record reflect that the witness identifies James Reynolds. John can you tell the jury what happened in the room with the camera and up to the point that the police came and saved you?" Rafael asked gently as John froze.
"Sir grabbed my hair and dragged me to the room. Sir said that I was going to be broken in and if I was good that I would be gone in a few days… Sir would talk to the computer and then would tell me to take off my clothes… I kept asking him to let me go… He would hit me and ripped off my clothes and put himself in me…" John said breaking down into sobs as Mr. Washington clenched his fists and I watched him to make sure he didn't bolt to the defense table. "He hit me with chains and would chain me down and touch me. I would keep screaming for help but he hit my head again and again till I finally stopped and gave up. I woke up to him on top of me and I heard people upstairs. I heard the door break open and I saw two people with guns run in. The man ran after Sir and the lady came over to me." John said as he started look at me and calm down.
"Do you remember who the lady was that came to you?" Rafael asked as John nodded. "She said she was police and that she was there to help. I asked her help me. She got me out of the bed and I felt sick. She helped me lay on the ground. She told me to squeeze her and while she counted to nine. I got so woozy that I told her to tell Alexander I loved him. She said her name was Detective Cat Amaro. She is really nice." John said as Rafael nodded.
"Thank you, no further questions." Rafael said as Mr. Buchanan stood up.
"I'm sorry you had to suffer Mr. Laurens." Buchanan said as John nodded.
"Did you ever fight with your foster parents?" Buchanan asked.
"At times I would fight with my dad but… all families fight." John said as he started to fidget.
"Did you ever want to run away." Buchanan said as John scrunched his nose and thought.
"Maybe when they first adopted me but now they are my family." John said as Mr. Buchanan leaned against the witness stand. John squirmed away from him as Rafael stood up.
"Objection, Mr. Buchanan is making the witness uncomfortable and given what has happened to this poor boy." Rafael said getting fired up.
"Sustained. Mr. Buchanan please step away from the boy." The judge said as Buchanan apologized and took a step back.
"Mr. Laurens have you ever had sex?" Mr. Buchanan asked as Rafael stood up. "
Objection!" Rafael said as the judge overruled.
"No… I have never had sex." John said as Mr. Buchanan shook head.
"You know perjury is a felon correct Mr. Laurens?" Buchanan said as John shook his head no.
"I am not lying Mr. Buchanan. I have never had sex before, I-" John said as Buchanan cut him off.
"What Mr. Laurens? You were what? Because my client said you wanted to have fun right. You like his comments you listened to what he said." Buchanan said as John covered his head and started to sob as Barba stood up enraged as John took ragged breaths.
"Objection, the defense is attacking the witness! Your honor may we request a recess." Rafael said as the judge nodded.
"I listened to that man because I wanted to live to see Alexander!" John screamed as the judge banged her gavel.
"So ordered. Mr. Laurens step down." The judge said as she dismissed us and Rafael ran over to the witness stand.
"I'm sorry Mr. Barba… I'm so sorry." John sobbed as the courtroom cleared.
"What is taking so long?" Mr. Washington asked as he paced the waiting room.
"They asked to have Detective Amaro's statement read back." Liv said as John sat with Alexander as the talked in low whispers as they held onto each other's hand. The door opened as revealing Barba.
"They are back." He said cutting the tension. We all hurried out and into the court room as jurors walked back to their seats. Their foreman stood up as we all settled.
"Has the jury come to a decision." The judge asked the foreman nodded.
"Yes your honor. One the count of kidnapping in the first degree of John Laurens. We find the defendants Jorge Diaz, Benjamin Gomez and James Reynolds guilty. In the count of rape in the first degree of John Laurens. We find the defendant James Reynolds guilty. In the accessory to commit rape, we find the defendants Jorge Diaz and Benjamin Gomez not guilty. In the charges of the creation of child pornography with the intent to sell, and of the possession of child pornography we find the defendants guilty on all counts. One the charge of attempted kidnapping and rape of Elizabeth Schuyler we find James Reynolds not guilty. And on the finally charge of aggravated assault on a police officer find the defendant James Reynolds guilty." The foreman read as we all celebrate.
"The defendants are remanded to Riker's pending sentencing." The judge said as she thanked the jury for their time and banged her gavel. John hugged Alexander tightly as Mr. Washington hugged me.
"Thank you so much for everything you have done." Mr. Washington said as him and his wife embraced me.
"What comes next?" John asked me as he looked at him.
"They are going to rot in prison." I said as he hugged me.
"Thank you Miss. Amaro." He said as I nodded and hugged him back.
"Anytime kiddo." I said as he pulled away from me.
"We are going to through a dinner later this week. We want to invite you and your squad along with DA Barba to come." Mrs. Washington said as I nodded.
"That would be nice." Liv said as we walked out of the courtroom.
