I let Albert back in and walked into my bedroom. I went to my closet and pulled out a long sleeve button down blouse and a pair of jeans, I grabbed a knitted scarf to hid my bruises on my neck. I slipped them on and brushed my hair out as I started to braid it. I went for my favorite pair of earrings and realized that they were evidence. I furrowed my eyebrows and pulled out a long gold chain that Nick got me. I finished getting dressed and did my hair and make-up. I went to the kitchen and made me a cup of coffee. I took the mug and let Albert in as I took a sip. I slipped on my oxfords and grabbed my coat. I walked out and closed the door and started to walk to Rafael's office. I knocked on his door and walked in.
"You needed to talk?" I asked quietly as Rafael looked up from his desk.
"Yes, come in." Rafael said as I walked in and closed the door.
"I want to get your testimony now." He said as I nodded. "Remember I want everything." Rafael said as I nodded. "Sit down." He said motioned me to sit down at the table next to us. "Start from the beginning. What happened?" Rafael asked as I clenched my fist.
"I finished a phone call with Nick and he came up behind me. He said Hello Detective then there was a struggle. He kicked me in the head and knocked me out. I woke up in his vehicle. I said as he nodded.
"Were you instructed by your Sargent not to leave." He said as I nodded. "I was told that I was at risk because I matched the description of his other victims." I said as I looked down guilty.
"Okay, what happened in the car." He said as I looked at him.
"He had the radio up and was singing. I was bonded with duck-tape and managed to break the window open causing it to shatter. He saw me and pointed the gun at me again. He said that wasn't smart kitten. He pistol-whipped me knocking me out again. I…I woke up in the trunk of his car to the smell of tequila and him grabbing at me." I said trying to not to have the emotion crack through my voice.
"Did William Yates sexual assault you?" Rafael asked trying to contain his anger.
"Yes he did. I was unconscious when he assaulted me. He covered me in tequila and forced me to drink." I said cringing as Rafael watched me.
"Detective Amaro when was the last time you have had alcohol before that night." Rafael asked as I shook my head no.
"I haven't had a drop of alcohol in seven years." I said as Rafael nodded.
"What happened after he gave you the alcohol." Rafael asked as I fiddled with a loss thread.
"He slammed the trunk after he pistol whipped me for biting him. We drove and then I heard sirens as I started to regain consciousness. I started scream for help but he stopped the car and opened the trunk with the gun pointed at me and told me to get out. He led me into the woods just as the sun was starting to set. I looked down and saw my nails were painted green. I tripped over a rock and fell as he kept yelling at me to get up and kept digging the gun into the back of my skull. I managed to pick up a rock and swung it at him and hit him in the head. He fell and I escaped, I went back to the car to find my clothes and only found my pants. I slipped them back on and started to move as fast as I could with my ankle till a car pulled up and I just collapsed. A woman stopped and asked if I needed help. She called 911 and then I ended up in the hospital." I said as I avoided eye contact with Rafael.
"Lina look at me." Rafael said softly as I shook my head no and wipe away my tears. "Lina, Por favor mírame?" Rafael asked again as I stayed still. I finally regained my composure and looked at him.
"I'm sorry." I said as I brushed a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
"I want you to show your emotion during the trail. I know you have a vulnerable side that you hate showing but Lina mi amigo you need to show it during the trail." Rafael said as I went rigid.
"I am not doing that." I said quickly as Rafi looked at me and shook his head.
"Por favor Lina you need to. It will help is win against Yates." Rafael said as I bit my lip.
"I'll think about it. Is there anything else you need me to talk about?" I said as he got up and shook his head no.
"No, you may leave." He said as I nodded and got up. I walked out and walked back to my apartment. I walked into my apartment and locked the door as I was greeted by Albert. I sat on the couch as Albert jumped onto the couch as I pet him. I heard my phone ring as I jump slightly and grabbed it.
"Hello?" I asked softly as I felt my anxiety soothe as I heard Sonny on the other side.
"How are you doing?" Sonny asked as I sat down on the couch.
"I just got back from talking to Barba…" I said as I heard him sigh.
"What happened?" He asked as I bit my lip.
"He wants me to show my vulnerable side and I told him that I won't do it." I said as I started to pet Albert.
"Lina…" Sonny started to say as I sighed.
"I don't want to show my vulnerability. I hate it." I said as he sighed.
"Los querido. I know that but you need to." Sonny said as I shook my head no.
"I can't Sonny. I don't want to show Yates that side of me. If I do as Rafael said then he wins!" I said starting to panic.
"Lina take a deep breath okay. I'm about to take my lunch break. Why don't we meet up for some food?" Sonny said as I nodded.
"I'll meet you by the station?" I asked. "Yeah, I have to go. Okay." He said as I nodded. "Okay, I'll see you soon." I said as I put the phone on its charger and got up. I felt a wave of dizziness as I shook my head.
"Detective Amaro, what happened the night you were attacked?" Rafael asked facing the jury as I looked at Rafael. "I finished a phone call with my brother Detective Nick Amaro. I called to let him know that I was on my way back from getting dinner for me and the rest of the squad." I answered avoid Yates stare. "Peoples Evidence 4A and 4B. Detective Catalina Amaro's telephone and credit card records. What happened when you approached your vehicle?" Rafael asked as I looked at Rafi.
"The defendant William Yates apporched me from behind and said Hello Detective. There was a struggle. He kicked me in the head and knocked me out. I woke up in his vehicle." I said as I wringing my hands together nervously as I kept looking at Liv for reassurance.
"What happened in the car." He said as I looked at him.
"He had the radio up and was singing. I was bonded with duck-tape and managed to break the window open causing it to shatter. He saw me and pointed the gun at me again. He said that wasn't smart kitten. He pistol-whipped me knocking me out again. I…I woke up in the trunk of his car to the smell of tequila and him grabbing at me." I said trying to not to have the emotion crack through my voice.
"Did the defendant William Yates sexual assault you?" Rafael asked trying to contain his anger.
"Yes he did. I was unconscious when he assaulted me. I felt him grabbing at me and touching me, but I couldn't say no, When I woke up he covered me in tequila and forced me to drink." I said cringing as Rafael watched me and I looked into the gallery at Liv as she gave me an encouraging nod.
"Detective Amaro can you tell the jury, when was the last time you have had alcohol before that night." Rafael asked as I shook my head no.
"I haven't had a drop of alcohol in seven years. I sobered myself up so that I could join the NYPD and put my life back into order." I said looking at the jury as Rafael nodded.
"What happened after he gave you the alcohol." Rafael asked as I fiddled with my ring on my finger.
"He slammed the trunk after he pistol whipped me for biting him. We drove and then I heard sirens as I started to regain consciousness. I started scream for help but he stopped the car and opened the trunk with the gun pointed at me and told me to get out. He led me into the woods just as the sun was starting to set. I looked down and saw my nails were painted green. I tripped over a rock and fell as he kept yelling at me to get up and kept digging the gun into the back of my skull. I managed to pick up a rock and swung it at him and hit him in the head. He fell and I escaped, I went back to the car to find my clothes and only found my pants. I slipped them back on and started to move as fast as I could with my ankle till a car pulled up and I just collapsed. A woman stopped and asked if I needed help. She called 911 and then I ended up in the hospital." I said as I avoided eye contact with Rafael as Rafael nodded.
"Detective Amaro, I am very sorry for what happened. Nothing further." Rafael said as Yates stood up and I felt my stomach turn over, I felt sick as Yates walked up to me.
"How are you feeling today Detective? Or should I call you Kitty, you and I were quite close on our trip to the beach." Yates said as I took a struggling breath.
"Can the defendant move on with his question?" Rafael asked as the judge nodded.
"Please move along Mr. Yates." The judge said as Yates nodded.
"Of course, Detective were you told by your Sargent not to leave your squad room?" Yates asked loftily as I nodded.
"Detective you have to give a verbal answer." The judge said as I nodded.
"I was instructed not to leave because I matched your nine other victims' description whom you have murdered and raped." I said bitterly as Yates straighten up and walked to his attorney sitting bored. They whispered at I felt more sickness wash over me.
"More to strike your honor, I was never charged with those crimes." Yates said as the judge nodded.
"The jury will disregard." The judge said as Yates stood close in front of me. I felt my heart beat out of my chest as I felt dizziness. I couldn't focus on anything as I shook my head.
"Why did you disobey that order then Detective?" Yates asked as I felt sick. I closed my eyes and couldn't talk.
"I..." I started to say quietly as I stopped
"Answer the question Detective." Yates said as I started to look around disoriented and clutch the witness stand to keep my self from falling
"Your honor, I ask for a short recess." Rafael said standing up as the judge looked at me asked me if I needed to take a break. I nodded and she ordered a recess. I stood up but then fell to the ground as people surrounded me. I woke up a hospital room with Nick and Carisi in chairs next to me.
"Hi…" I said quietly as Nick perked up.
"How are you feeling?" Nick asked as I nodded.
"I feel sick. What happened?" I asked as Liv walked in.
"Carisi, Nick. I need a minute with Lina." She said as they nodded.
"Liv what is going on?" I asked as she sat next to me and looked at me worried.
"Well, the doctor said that you are twenty weeks pregnant with a little girl." She said as I gasped and covered my mouth.
