A/N: We're nearing the end of our story here so thank you all so much for reading.
Chapter 27
"Roberto Alvarez, the jury having found you guilty of the murder of Michelle Han and the theft of her car and the chemicals from DeWitt Chemical, they will now decide on your sentence. Do you have any witnesses to offer to plead for leniency or do you have anything you'd like to say?" Judge Simes asked. The trial had gone like many figured. The jury had no problem convicting the murderer given the evidence. Since ADA O'Hair was able to go for capital punishment, he did, as he promised. New Jersey was literally on the cusp of abolishing the death penalty; in fact the decision would be made by December a mere eight months away, so the likelihood that Alvarez would be executed was slim to none but life without the possibility of parole would work just as well.
"I am innocent," the defendant said.
"And De-Nile is a big river," Casey muttered under her breath from her spot in the gallery. Doctor Huang was sitting next to her and he smirked.
"Right," Simes shook his head and then turned his attention to the jury for their instructions.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, you are now tasked with making the difficult decision of whether the defendant shall spend the rest of his life in prison or he should die by lethal injection. I urge you to take your time and make a unanimous decision. You are now excused to deliberate," the judge explained. The jury filed out and Casey stood up from her seat. ADA O'Hair turned to her and asked,
"Well now we wait. Do you have New York's statement prepared for transferring Alvarez to your custody?"
"I do but New York has no reason to try him since he was convicted here and will basically never get out of jail. All we are requiring, in order to drop the charges in New York, is that he confess to the crimes which he committed back home, namely, the deaths of the four women, and the attempted murder of Detective Benson. If he refuses, I'll go at him with both barrels," Casey explained.
"You have him nailed for Elizabeth Stevenson and Gwen Drysdale and of course the attempt on Detective Benson," O'Hair nodded.
"We do. So you want to get some lunch?" Casey asked.
"With my star helpers? You bet," O'Hair smiled and the three headed to a diner not far from the courthouse. They were just finishing up when the New Jersey ADA's phone rang. He quickly answered it. The call lasted all of thirty seconds and he turned to his cohorts.
"The jury is back," he smirked.
"Well that didn't take long," Huang commented.
"All they probably did was think about their daughters or nieces and how they would feel. Plus Alvarez never once showed remorse," O'Hair said.
"Sociopaths never do," Huang pointed out. They settled their check and quickly headed back to the courthouse.
Meanwhile, back at the one-six, Olivia was staring at the same e-mail she'd been staring at for the last twenty minutes. Struggling to read with comprehension, she got up from her desk and poured another cup of swill from the coffee machine.
"I wouldn't touch that stuff with a ten foot pole," Munch called out to her.
"Why?" She gave him a look.
"I think that pot was made last night," the elder detective said. Practically gagging, she grabbed the pot and headed for the break room to wash it out. On her way, she bumped into Elliot who was late getting in.
"Everything ok?" She asked.
"I'll explain later. Is the Captain in?" He wanted to know.
"Yeah he's in his office," Olivia gave him a concerned look. He hadn't explained what his plans had been last night when they had separated. He was heading over to meet up with Kathy and the kids but that was as much as she knew. They had just gone on an official date two weeks ago even though it had been almost two months since they'd admitted their feelings for one another. Admittedly, Olivia hadn't been pushing and taking care of the kids and Kathy had been foremost on Elliot's docket besides work.
"Ok great," Elliot smiled and was off. Olivia shook her head and went about fixing the coffee pot. When she got back and was filling up the machine to make more, she noticed that Elliot was still in the Captain's office and Munch and Fin were putting on their coats.
"We got a case. Desk Sergeant gave us the heads up," Munch said.
"You need me?" Olivia asked.
"Always baby girl," Fin winked. She smirked.
"How long is your partner going to be talking to Captain? Everything ok?" Munch wanted to know.
"Things have been tough but he was all smiles in the hallway," Olivia shrugged.
"Stabler? Smiling? We sure you're talking about your partner?" Fin chuckled.
"Come on. Let's go and he'll catch up," she shook her head and smiled.
To Be Continued…