A/N: A shout out to love for your review! So glad you liked it. Sorry I couldn't get more up sooner. :)
Chapter 13
The shock of what she said slowly sunk into not only the jury but the gallery. Barba swallowed hard. He hadn't known either and that had been something Olivia had failed to mention in their last meeting a few days ago.
"When did you find out?" He asked, partially out of his own curiosity.
"Last night the Captain called and explained that the Chief of Detectives thanked me for my service but he was afraid that desk duty was not an option for the detectives in the Special Victims Unit," Olivia was very close to breaking down but Barba had to continue.
"Why not? Surely there are other units that do similar work to yours and they have desk duty detectives," the ADA questioned.
"As part of my job, I have to be able to have a clear head and sound body. I cannot run after suspects, I cannot tackle anyone brandishing a weapon, and I cannot fire my weapon if both hands are on my crutches. This alone would force me to desk duty for the rest of my career but due to the fact that I have to take large doses of pain medication every four hours as part of my treatment, the department fears that anything I touch could be called into question. I would need to be able to be off the pain medication and go through rigorous psych evals before being able to return to the job. Also apparently the Chief of Detectives seems to worry that if I were to be at hospitals with the victims that I may be inclined to steal medication to aid me in doing my job," that last part she practically spat out and her sadness quickly turned to anger.
"What in your decorated career would make them think you would do that?" Barba wanted to know.
"Nothing but just as the department fears drug addiction by undercover narcotics officers; they fear prescription drug use becoming an addiction. They fear that severely injured officers coming back to the job before they are ready. According to my doctors, I would need at least a year of intensive therapy for the use of the pain medication to go down, or to even have me stop taking them, and for the possibility that I could return to full active duty. Without any physical capabilities I could return to desk duty once the pain medication has been dealt with and my doctors say that it is ok for me to spend my entire day sitting but a year is too long to wait. My position at SVU would need to be filled. So as of last night, I am officially forced into retirement," Olivia heaved a sigh. Elliot could see that this was killing her and he wished there was something he could do but he knew that he couldn't. It frustrated him and the feeling of helplessness was something he was never good at handling.
"I am sorry to hear that as you have always been one of the best detectives I have ever worked with," it was a personal comment directed at Olivia and she gave a slight smile as the defense attorney's objection was heard clearly.
"Sustained. Keep the personal comments until after we adjourn," the judge said.
"Of course, your Honor," Barba smiled and returned to his seat.
"Your Honor, I fail to see how Detective Benson's testimony shows that my client was indeed the murderer of Alice Parker. Anything related to the murder should be stricken from the record," Miss Hardgrove said.
"I had one more question for the witness, your Honor," Barba stood.
"Go ahead," the judge told him.
"Detective, during the ordeal did the defendant ever do or say anything that would make you believe beyond a hypothetical confession that he did in fact kill and torture poor Alice Parker?" The ADA asked.
"He told me that if I thought what Alice went through was terrible, just wait until he was done with me. Although I have no proof he said that and it is just my word, I believe that my injuries speak for themselves. Lewis had multiple opportunities to kill me and instead he chose to try to make every breath more painful than the last. If given the opportunity I would not be surprised if after everything he killed me and my family," Olivia responded.
"Objection, your Honor, not facts just conjecture," Miss Hardgrove said.
"In my opinion, your Honor as an NYPD detective for the last fourteen years, I have seen many defendants who are twisted individuals. I have little doubt that after everything the team and I learned about the defendant he would have done as he promised," Olivia spoke up before Barba could.
"Your Honor at this time, I would like to introduce Alice Parker's autopsy report into evidence," the ADA quickly followed up her comment hoping that it would be enough to sway the judge. Hardgrove was right. There was not any real evidence to suggest that Lewis had caused the death of Alice Parker but he certainly intended to kill or at the very least maim Olivia. That could not be ignored, especially since the attempt to try and convict Lewis was on record.
"All right counselors. In my chambers, now," the judge gave them a look. Olivia was dismissed and she made her way back to Elliot who quickly helped her onto the seat next to him.
"Do you think it worked?" Olivia asked in hushed tones.
"Well I think the judge is fairly pissed off. It is kind of a back door and the evidence isn't exactly strong for poor Alice but there is no way they can deny what happened to you and our family," Elliot replied.
"Alice is my last case. I have to have justice for her," Olivia said.
"I know you do. I know you do," Elliot said, pulling her close and kissing her temple.
To Be Continued…