Anonymous
Chapter 1
Gretchen Wexler looked down at her watch in the dim light of the bar. They only had two hour hours until Maximum closed and Jilly still wasn't back from the ladies' room. If she didn't get back soon the two new guys who just walked in would be snatched up. Jilly had been gone for twenty minutes already. It wouldn't take her that long to pee. As she looked up, she saw the guys were walking off with two women she recognized from the accounting department on the third floor.
She slid off her stool and headed down the hall towards the back of the bar where the rest rooms were. Jilly had better have a damned good reason for not coming back. Gretchen pushed the outer door open, but there was no sign of Jilly. And there were no legs visible under the stall doors. Her anger vaporised and was replaced by concern for her friend. No matter how drunk Jilly was, she wouldn't have run off without saying goodbye.
Gretchen stepped back into the hallway and knocked on the men's room door. It was possible that girl was drunk enough to go in the wrong bathroom. When there was no answer, she struck her head in. But Jilly wasn't visible there either.
“Excuse me, I think you're headed in the wrong direction,” a voice stated from behind Gretchen. She promptly pulled her head out of the men's room.
“I'm just looking for my friend. She came back here to use the john but she's gone.”Gretchen told the man standing in the hallway. She recognized him from the Human Resources department, but couldn't remember his name.
“Does your friend smoke? She could have gone out the back door. They leave it unlocked now that the smoking ban is in effect.”
“Jilly doesn't smoke but she may have followed somebody else. She's had a bit to drink.” Gretchen followed the man towards the door at the end of the hallway. The smell of tobacco permeated the air even before they reached the door. There was a creak of light along the edge of the door where it had been wedged open. The man pushed the crash bar and opened the door the rest of the way.
There wasn't much light in the alley. Even if the bulb on the outside light hadn't burned out, it would still have been shrouded by the haze of tobacco smoke. Gretchen's eyes burned and she started to feel nauseous. But it was nothing compared to the kick in her gut when she saw a pair of legs wearing Jilly's shoes over by the dumpster.
“Jilly,” she cried as she ran over her friend. “Quick call 911. She's hurt. Bleeding. Get help!”
Mark, whose name Gretchen still hadn't remembered, forgot all about the cigarette he had planned to smoke. He reached in to his jacket packet and got his cell phone.
Finn was just finishing up his DD5 on the Thompson case when the call came in about a rape behind a bar near the financial district. The victim was already on route to Mercy General, unconscious and bleeding. He looked around the squad room and came up empty. Everyone had left. Lake had left for Brooklyn earlier in the afternoon, Elliot had gone home to Queens for his daughter's piano recital and Munch had mentioned something about having a date. That left Olivia, whose coat was still on the rack. He found her out by the snack machine.
“That'll be a real healthy dinner. What happened to that healthy food kick you were on?”
“It's a lot harder to do here.” There was a distinct lack of enthusiasm in Olivia's voice. “You want to split a takeout order from Jasmina Rose?”
“ I just caught a rape case. Victim is already on her way to Mercy and CSU is on its way to the crime scene. I thought you could work this one with me. Assuming you are available.”
“I have no plans so I guess I'm all yours. What's the victim's name?
Fin looked at his notepad. “She's Jillian Watson. They picked her up behind Maximum about twenty minutes ago. It may be awhile before she's in any condition to tell us anything.”
“Maximum?”
“Some trendy new bar on Chambers Street that appeals to suits from the financial district. The unies are holding some people there who were there with the victim.”
“Okay. Let's head over to the scene now.”
“Thanks Liv. Hey, I owe you a dinner.”
“I'll check what the cafeteria special is at Mercy.”
“That may be Elliot's style, but it's not mine.” Fin said as they went over to the elevator.
When they arrived at the alley behind the bar, the yellow crime scene tape was up and the CSU team was all over the alley. Fin spotted O'Halleran and walked over.
“What'd you have for me?” Fin asked as he came up to the dumpster where the tech was working.
“Not enough and too much. This alley sees a lot of action and there's no way to easily tell what's from this crime. Lucky for us, the trash was picked up early this morning. Otherwise we'd be in testing for years. We'll bag everything and take it to the lab.”
“Give it your best shot. Do you know where the witnesses are being kept?”
“The uniforms took them inside to the bar manager's office. Both of them had been drinking so they were going to get them some coffee.”
“Thanks. Let me know if you get anything off this stuff.” Fin suppressed a look of disgust over the box of items all safely bagged as evidence. He appreciated what CSU did but he was glad it wasn't his job. He carefully picked his way back to Olivia. She was talking with the officer who was checking the other doors in the alley. They were all locked.
“Are any of the other businesses that use the alley open?” Olivia asked.
“My partner went around front to check, but it looks like just the bar and the coffee shop on the corner. They're open all the time for those guys dealing in worldwide stock markets.”
“Make sure we get a list so we can check them out tomorrow.” she told the uniform and then turned to Fin. “You find out where the witnesses are?”
But neither of the witnesses was much use beyond some basic information on the victim. Gretchen Wexler told Olivia she had come to the bar with her friend. They were drinking and checking out the guys because Jillian had broken up with her boyfriend two weeks ago. The breakup was because he got a job offer in San Francisco and wasn't interested in a long distance relationship. Gretchen was trying to get Jillian back into circulation. But nobody in the bar had made any advances tonight. And nobody at work either because of the office policy against intraoffice dating.
Mark Truman had come out for a drink with his buddies and just showed up in time to find the body. He may have seen Jillian in the building at work but he wasn't sure. With all the blood from her head wound, that wasn't surprising. Fin took his statement and information. Then he had the uniforms take them both home.
By the time they got to the hospital, the rape kit was done, bagged and boxed for transport. Angie Turner, a night shift nurse, was watching for them.
“Your victim is this way.” They followed her down the hall. “She's still out but should be waking up in a couple of hours. Between her blood alcohol level and the head trauma, she may not have much to tell you. Bruises on her face and body. Definite vaginal trauma but no semen. Doc Warner can probably tell you his brand of condom from the swabs.”
The parts of Gillian that was visible were covered with purpling bruises. Her blonde hair still had streaks of drying blood. The perp had really let his anger out, Olivia thought. She turned to Fin.
“Why don't I sit with her until she wakes? If you take the kit down to the lab now, we'll get the results back that much sooner. And if the paperwork is typed up before Cragen gets in, we're one step ahead of the game.”
“If you want to put your name on my typing, that's your choice. Give me a call when she wakes up. And let's hope she remembers what happened. Cause if she doesn't, we're going nowhere fast.”
Full Version: Anonymous
USA Network Forums > More USA Network Programming > Law & Order: Special Victims Unit > SVU Fan Fiction
Wow, I really like it.
Seeing Olivia and Fin work together is always interesting.
--Det.
Seeing Olivia and Fin work together is always interesting.
--Det.
Hi Bubba here, I thought it was pretty good.
I like the start of it.
Chapter 2
Don Cragen sat in the basement of Christ Church. This was usually a pretty small meeting and tonight was no exception. There were many familiar faces and a handful of new ones. That too was no exception. More than twenty years later, Cragen still remembered his first meeting. He had pulled his gun on a taxi driver because he didn't like the way he honked at him. He just stood in Lexington Avenue and realized his life was out of control. He just turned and started waking down 50th Street towards the river. As he got the church, people were going in the basement entrance. His curiosity kicked in and stopped someone. The man invited him in, probably because of the smell of alcohol on his breath. And he had been coming down the same steps ever since.
He pulled out of his reverie as a unfamiliar person stood up to speak. She was clearly nervous, holding her hands tightly together in front of her to keep them from betraying her fear.
“Hello. My name is Nancy and I'm an alcoholic.” She had a very soft voice that did not ring through the room.
“Hello Nancy.” the group responded. Cragen smiled as he spoke. Apparently others did as well. He could see the woman relaxing her guard, not completely, but enough to help her deal with her fear.
“I've been in the program for 62 days and I'm still sober. I'm following the Steps to help me deal with my drinking and the reasons I let it take over my life. I thank you all for your help and support.
“But I need your help now on a step I'm trying to take but can't get anywhere with. Step 9 tells us to make amends to the people we've harmed. I have a son. When he was growing up I was not a good mother to him. Because I put my needs ahead of his needs. Often I wasn't there at home and he had to look after himself. Even when I was there, I was too drunk to listen to him or I just passed out on the sofa. He ended up taking care of me instead of my taking care of him.
“He left home as soon as he could and I hadn't seen or heard from him for six years. When I started here, I knew I had to find him to tell him how sorry I am for everything I did to him and everything I didn't. I still don't know how to make amends to him.
“I did find him. He turned out well and has a good job here in the city. I went to his home and tried to talk to him. But he doesn't want to see me or listen to what I have to say. He was so angry when he saw my face. I could see he hasn't forgiven me. And that's the worst part, that I'm still hurting him. So I need your guidance on what I should do.”
Nancy sat back down, tears running down her face. Then Jonah, who generally shepherded the meeting, stood up and looked around.
“It is true that we want to make amends to the people we have harmed by our addiction. But doing that with your son has to be his decision as well. You can't force it on him any more than he could have forced you to stop drinking. That change has to come from within for both of you. It sounds as if he is not ready to make that change.
“You aren't the first person to have this situation happen. If there are others here who been through something similar, I invite to share that with the group now.”
Several people stood and told their stories about dealing with someone who was resistant to the member trying to make amends. Then Cragen stood up and began his tale.
“I once arrested a man who committed a terrible crime while he was a drug addict. He was sent to jail. Years later, when a similar crime occurred and his name came up in connect with it, I assumed he was the man responsible. I was so sure because I remembered him as that drug addict from before. I went looking for the evidence that would prove I was right. I found enough to have him arrested and he went to jail to await trial. While there he went back to drugs. And it turned out he didn't do it.
My pride was what caused this to happen. I was a drunk when I arrested him and I was proud I wasn't anymore. I wanted to see myself as the one who had conquered his problems. It was easier to think of him as someone who hadn't. But he remembered that drunk and reminded me that I wasn't the only one who could change. And he was right.
“You should be proud of your sobriety. Everyone in this room understands just how hard it is to achieve it. But how much of your wanting to see your son comes from your wanting him to take pride in you?”
Nancy's face had a shocked expression. This wasn't what she had expected.
“I can't answer that question for you,” Cragen continued. “Part of the program is continue to take stock of ourselves. So you need to ask yourself why you are trying to see your son. Is if for him or for you?”
Cragen sat back down. Even after all these years, he was never comfortable reminding people to examine themselves for the reasons they did things. It required such a delicate touch to get them to be honest without having them feel their feet had just been kicked out from under them. Jonah was much better at it and Cragen was relieved to see him get back up.
“Nancy, as you've heard, people take time to accept the changes we've made. It is good to make amends when we can. But the important thing is that you are willing to do so. How far did you get with talking to your son?”
“I knocked on his door. When he opened it, he didn't recognize my at first. I said I was his mother and I wanted to talk to him. He told me to go to hell and slammed the door in my face. So I guess that's not too far.”
“That sounds like he's not ready to deal with any of this. And from what people have told you, that's not uncommon. And you need to be honest with yourself about how you talking to him is going to make amends for what you did to him. I think the easiest way to do that is for you to write him a letter telling him what you want to say. There's no worry about his reactions. You can be honest about what you want to say. You can take all the time you need to say just what you want to say. What do you think?”
“I'll try it. I'm not the best writer but it might be easier to figure out what I want to say when I'm by myself.”
“I think you'll find it much easier than you think. Now unless somebody has something they want to talk about, I think we're about done here. Let us join in prayer.”
Don Cragen sat in the basement of Christ Church. This was usually a pretty small meeting and tonight was no exception. There were many familiar faces and a handful of new ones. That too was no exception. More than twenty years later, Cragen still remembered his first meeting. He had pulled his gun on a taxi driver because he didn't like the way he honked at him. He just stood in Lexington Avenue and realized his life was out of control. He just turned and started waking down 50th Street towards the river. As he got the church, people were going in the basement entrance. His curiosity kicked in and stopped someone. The man invited him in, probably because of the smell of alcohol on his breath. And he had been coming down the same steps ever since.
He pulled out of his reverie as a unfamiliar person stood up to speak. She was clearly nervous, holding her hands tightly together in front of her to keep them from betraying her fear.
“Hello. My name is Nancy and I'm an alcoholic.” She had a very soft voice that did not ring through the room.
“Hello Nancy.” the group responded. Cragen smiled as he spoke. Apparently others did as well. He could see the woman relaxing her guard, not completely, but enough to help her deal with her fear.
“I've been in the program for 62 days and I'm still sober. I'm following the Steps to help me deal with my drinking and the reasons I let it take over my life. I thank you all for your help and support.
“But I need your help now on a step I'm trying to take but can't get anywhere with. Step 9 tells us to make amends to the people we've harmed. I have a son. When he was growing up I was not a good mother to him. Because I put my needs ahead of his needs. Often I wasn't there at home and he had to look after himself. Even when I was there, I was too drunk to listen to him or I just passed out on the sofa. He ended up taking care of me instead of my taking care of him.
“He left home as soon as he could and I hadn't seen or heard from him for six years. When I started here, I knew I had to find him to tell him how sorry I am for everything I did to him and everything I didn't. I still don't know how to make amends to him.
“I did find him. He turned out well and has a good job here in the city. I went to his home and tried to talk to him. But he doesn't want to see me or listen to what I have to say. He was so angry when he saw my face. I could see he hasn't forgiven me. And that's the worst part, that I'm still hurting him. So I need your guidance on what I should do.”
Nancy sat back down, tears running down her face. Then Jonah, who generally shepherded the meeting, stood up and looked around.
“It is true that we want to make amends to the people we have harmed by our addiction. But doing that with your son has to be his decision as well. You can't force it on him any more than he could have forced you to stop drinking. That change has to come from within for both of you. It sounds as if he is not ready to make that change.
“You aren't the first person to have this situation happen. If there are others here who been through something similar, I invite to share that with the group now.”
Several people stood and told their stories about dealing with someone who was resistant to the member trying to make amends. Then Cragen stood up and began his tale.
“I once arrested a man who committed a terrible crime while he was a drug addict. He was sent to jail. Years later, when a similar crime occurred and his name came up in connect with it, I assumed he was the man responsible. I was so sure because I remembered him as that drug addict from before. I went looking for the evidence that would prove I was right. I found enough to have him arrested and he went to jail to await trial. While there he went back to drugs. And it turned out he didn't do it.
My pride was what caused this to happen. I was a drunk when I arrested him and I was proud I wasn't anymore. I wanted to see myself as the one who had conquered his problems. It was easier to think of him as someone who hadn't. But he remembered that drunk and reminded me that I wasn't the only one who could change. And he was right.
“You should be proud of your sobriety. Everyone in this room understands just how hard it is to achieve it. But how much of your wanting to see your son comes from your wanting him to take pride in you?”
Nancy's face had a shocked expression. This wasn't what she had expected.
“I can't answer that question for you,” Cragen continued. “Part of the program is continue to take stock of ourselves. So you need to ask yourself why you are trying to see your son. Is if for him or for you?”
Cragen sat back down. Even after all these years, he was never comfortable reminding people to examine themselves for the reasons they did things. It required such a delicate touch to get them to be honest without having them feel their feet had just been kicked out from under them. Jonah was much better at it and Cragen was relieved to see him get back up.
“Nancy, as you've heard, people take time to accept the changes we've made. It is good to make amends when we can. But the important thing is that you are willing to do so. How far did you get with talking to your son?”
“I knocked on his door. When he opened it, he didn't recognize my at first. I said I was his mother and I wanted to talk to him. He told me to go to hell and slammed the door in my face. So I guess that's not too far.”
“That sounds like he's not ready to deal with any of this. And from what people have told you, that's not uncommon. And you need to be honest with yourself about how you talking to him is going to make amends for what you did to him. I think the easiest way to do that is for you to write him a letter telling him what you want to say. There's no worry about his reactions. You can be honest about what you want to say. You can take all the time you need to say just what you want to say. What do you think?”
“I'll try it. I'm not the best writer but it might be easier to figure out what I want to say when I'm by myself.”
“I think you'll find it much easier than you think. Now unless somebody has something they want to talk about, I think we're about done here. Let us join in prayer.”
heeeeyy you never told me you write fics, lol. update soon
update soon
I like this. I always wondered what would going to an AA meeting would be like. This sounds great. Please continue soon.
Very well writtten and I really like how you tied in events from the episode "Criminal". I love it when people tie in events from the show! so great job
Chapter 3
Fin looked into the window in Jillian Watson's hospital room early the next morning. Jillian was still sleeping in her bed. Olivia was curled up in the chair next to her covered in a blanket. Angie Turner came up behind him.
“Your victim woke up a couple of hours ago. But her blood alcohol level was still so high she wasn't making much sense. Olivia couldn't get cohesive answers out of her. We decided to let her sleep it off a bit more and try again this morning.” Angie sniffed to the carton Fin was holding. “What smells so good? And don't try to pass it off as something from the cafeteria downstairs.”
“These are from the all night diner around the corner from the house. Two eggs over easy, hashed browns, toast and coffee. I figured I better bring my partner some breakfast since she sat here all night.”
“When it's my turn, I prefer my eggs scrambled.” Angie smiled at Fin. “You better get it to her soon. We'll have to come in soon to check the patient's vitals.”
Fin watched for a moment as Angie walked down the hall and filed her egg choice away. Then he pushed the door in. Whether from the noise or the smell of coffee, Olivia stirred and opened her eyes.
Fin handed her the container of food and one of the cups of coffee.
“You done with the paperwork already?” she asked before taking a deep gulp.
“Everything's all ready to be files. And I checked in with CSU. They haven't found anything that definitely links to this crime. But they'll keep checking everything they brought back from the alley. O'Halleron said he'd call if they found anything useful.”
“Thanks for the breakfast. I never got around to eating anything last night.” Olivia dipped her toast in the broken egg yolk and took another bite. “Our victim woke up early this morning but she was too out of it to give me anything.”
“Yeah, Angie told me. Hopefully a couple more hours of sleep let a little more alcohol work its way out of her system. They'll be in in a few to check her out. Maybe she can talk then.”
Fin settled in the other chair while Olivia finished wolfing down her breakfast. No sooner was she done when Angie came in.
“Time for to check her. Fin, you might want to wait in the hall until she's fully awake.” Angie put on her nurse's smile. “Jillian, I need you to wake up now. I have to take your temperature and your blood pressure. Come on honey, wake up.”
Jillian responded slowly to the gentle shaking. It was clear the alcohol hadn't completely worked its way out of her system. But she cooperated with Angie to allow the pressure cuff and thermometer. But after that was done, she noticed Olivia sitting off to the side.
“Who are you?” she asked in a groggy voice.
“I'm Detective Benson from the Manhattan Special Victims Unit. I'm here to talk to you about what last night?”
Jillian looked at Olivia with confusion in her eyes. “What do you mean what happened last night?”
“She doesn't remember anything besides going to the bar with her friend. They had a couple of drinks and everything is fuzzy after that. There's no sign of GHB in the blood they tested.” Olivia told Fin and Cragen while they sat in Cragen's office later that day.
“Did CSU get anything off the stuff they picked up in the alley?” Cragen asked.
“Lots of prints and DNA sample. But there is nothing to link to our perp. We can check for any hits on the database but that'll take a while. And it may not lead anywhere.”
“So it sounds like this is a cold case unless something else breaks.”
Six days later, it did.
This time they were called to the alley behind Match Point, another trendy bar near the Financial District. Like Maximum, the rest rooms were in the back of the bar with a door nearby opening onto the alley. The victim was still waiting in the alley for the ambulance when Olivia and Fin arrived. Uniformed officers were keeping people out of the alley but let the detectives in when they flashed their ID.
“What do we know about what happened here?” Olivia asked one of the officers.
“We answered the call about an assault about twenty minutes ago. When we got here, I called for the bus. When I saw she had no panties, I had dispatch call for you. The manager brought their first aid kit to try and stop the bleeding from the head wound. The boyfriend she came to the bar with is still with her. They're pretty pretty drunk but she's incoherent.”
“Is CSU on route?”
“They were called when you were. Hopefully they should here soon.”
“Okay. Keep the sightseers out and sent the bus in as soon as it arrives.”
Olivia and Fin walked over to the people clustered near the open door of what must have been the bar. There was a girl sitting on the step with a blanket around her shoulders as well as a young man's arm.
“I'm Detective Tutuola and this is Detective Benson. We're from the Manhattan Special Victims Unit.”
There was little reaction from either of the two. Then a man who must have been the manager came through the door carrying two steaming mugs.
“Are you the detectives? I thought I'd get some coffee into these two. Help them sober up a bit. Can I get you some?”
“No, thank you. We'll want to talk to you after we get some information from them.” Fin said. “Are the patrons still in the bar? We're going to need to talk to them as well.”
“I told everybody that was still in the bar when we realized what had happened that they had to wait. But that was twenty minutes ago and some of them want to leave. You might want to go up front and talk to them. Maybe get some more officers. There's about a hundred people in there.”
“Fin, why don't you go with him.” Olivia suggested. “I'll stay here and see what I can find out from these two.”
“Okay. I'll see what I can do up front. Let's go.” Fin followed the manager into the bar.
Olivia turned her attention to the couple seated on the step.
“Hi. I'm Olivia. What are your names?”
The girl didn't react.The young man answered in an unsteady voice. “I'm Ken Faber and this is Becky Rubens. She's my girlfriend. I came down to the city for a job interview. When they called me and said I was on the short list for a second interview, we came here to celebrate.”
“What happened after you got here?”
“We were having a good time. And then Nancy went to the ladies room. But she didn't come back. I went to make sure she was alright. Another girl told me nobody else was in the bathroom. Then I saw the back door was ajar . When I opened it, I heard her moaning. I sent the other girl for the manager.”
He stopped as the lights from the ambulance hit his face. It pulled up and the EMTs got out.
“We got a call to pick up an assault victim.”
“This girl here. It looks like she's been hit on the head. And she was drinking. There hasn't been any response from her yet.” Olivia went over to the EMT and lowered her voice. “We think she may have been raped, so do a rape kit as well.”
The EMTs starting checking out the victim. Olivia pulled Ken away to give them room and to divert his attention back to her.
“Ken, was anybody paying attention to Nancy in the bar?”
“No, we were sitting by ourselves having a good time. Some friends of hers came over to say hello. But that was it.”
“Did you notice anybody go towards the rest rooms when Nancy did?”
“No, but I wasn't really looking.”
“Detective, we're ready to go. Are you riding with her?” One of the EMTs asked. “She's out of it so I don't know if you need to come.”
“Then I might as well stay here. Which hospital are you taking her to?”
'Mercy.”
“Have Angie Turner take care of her if she's on duty. We had another victim like this a couple of days ago. She handled that one. And I'll be over as soon as I can.”
“Can't I go with her?” Ken asked.
“They're taking good care of her. And you can come with us when we go to the hospital in a little bit.”
The ambulance had no sooner cleared the alley when the CSU team arrived. O'Halleran go out and saw Olivia by the door.
“The guy hit again?”
“Looks that way. Maybe we'll get a DNA match and know for sure.”
Becky didn't remember any more about her rapist than Jillian did. But the DNA from both rape kits matched. There was no doubt they had a serial rapist on the loose.
Fin looked into the window in Jillian Watson's hospital room early the next morning. Jillian was still sleeping in her bed. Olivia was curled up in the chair next to her covered in a blanket. Angie Turner came up behind him.
“Your victim woke up a couple of hours ago. But her blood alcohol level was still so high she wasn't making much sense. Olivia couldn't get cohesive answers out of her. We decided to let her sleep it off a bit more and try again this morning.” Angie sniffed to the carton Fin was holding. “What smells so good? And don't try to pass it off as something from the cafeteria downstairs.”
“These are from the all night diner around the corner from the house. Two eggs over easy, hashed browns, toast and coffee. I figured I better bring my partner some breakfast since she sat here all night.”
“When it's my turn, I prefer my eggs scrambled.” Angie smiled at Fin. “You better get it to her soon. We'll have to come in soon to check the patient's vitals.”
Fin watched for a moment as Angie walked down the hall and filed her egg choice away. Then he pushed the door in. Whether from the noise or the smell of coffee, Olivia stirred and opened her eyes.
Fin handed her the container of food and one of the cups of coffee.
“You done with the paperwork already?” she asked before taking a deep gulp.
“Everything's all ready to be files. And I checked in with CSU. They haven't found anything that definitely links to this crime. But they'll keep checking everything they brought back from the alley. O'Halleron said he'd call if they found anything useful.”
“Thanks for the breakfast. I never got around to eating anything last night.” Olivia dipped her toast in the broken egg yolk and took another bite. “Our victim woke up early this morning but she was too out of it to give me anything.”
“Yeah, Angie told me. Hopefully a couple more hours of sleep let a little more alcohol work its way out of her system. They'll be in in a few to check her out. Maybe she can talk then.”
Fin settled in the other chair while Olivia finished wolfing down her breakfast. No sooner was she done when Angie came in.
“Time for to check her. Fin, you might want to wait in the hall until she's fully awake.” Angie put on her nurse's smile. “Jillian, I need you to wake up now. I have to take your temperature and your blood pressure. Come on honey, wake up.”
Jillian responded slowly to the gentle shaking. It was clear the alcohol hadn't completely worked its way out of her system. But she cooperated with Angie to allow the pressure cuff and thermometer. But after that was done, she noticed Olivia sitting off to the side.
“Who are you?” she asked in a groggy voice.
“I'm Detective Benson from the Manhattan Special Victims Unit. I'm here to talk to you about what last night?”
Jillian looked at Olivia with confusion in her eyes. “What do you mean what happened last night?”
“She doesn't remember anything besides going to the bar with her friend. They had a couple of drinks and everything is fuzzy after that. There's no sign of GHB in the blood they tested.” Olivia told Fin and Cragen while they sat in Cragen's office later that day.
“Did CSU get anything off the stuff they picked up in the alley?” Cragen asked.
“Lots of prints and DNA sample. But there is nothing to link to our perp. We can check for any hits on the database but that'll take a while. And it may not lead anywhere.”
“So it sounds like this is a cold case unless something else breaks.”
Six days later, it did.
This time they were called to the alley behind Match Point, another trendy bar near the Financial District. Like Maximum, the rest rooms were in the back of the bar with a door nearby opening onto the alley. The victim was still waiting in the alley for the ambulance when Olivia and Fin arrived. Uniformed officers were keeping people out of the alley but let the detectives in when they flashed their ID.
“What do we know about what happened here?” Olivia asked one of the officers.
“We answered the call about an assault about twenty minutes ago. When we got here, I called for the bus. When I saw she had no panties, I had dispatch call for you. The manager brought their first aid kit to try and stop the bleeding from the head wound. The boyfriend she came to the bar with is still with her. They're pretty pretty drunk but she's incoherent.”
“Is CSU on route?”
“They were called when you were. Hopefully they should here soon.”
“Okay. Keep the sightseers out and sent the bus in as soon as it arrives.”
Olivia and Fin walked over to the people clustered near the open door of what must have been the bar. There was a girl sitting on the step with a blanket around her shoulders as well as a young man's arm.
“I'm Detective Tutuola and this is Detective Benson. We're from the Manhattan Special Victims Unit.”
There was little reaction from either of the two. Then a man who must have been the manager came through the door carrying two steaming mugs.
“Are you the detectives? I thought I'd get some coffee into these two. Help them sober up a bit. Can I get you some?”
“No, thank you. We'll want to talk to you after we get some information from them.” Fin said. “Are the patrons still in the bar? We're going to need to talk to them as well.”
“I told everybody that was still in the bar when we realized what had happened that they had to wait. But that was twenty minutes ago and some of them want to leave. You might want to go up front and talk to them. Maybe get some more officers. There's about a hundred people in there.”
“Fin, why don't you go with him.” Olivia suggested. “I'll stay here and see what I can find out from these two.”
“Okay. I'll see what I can do up front. Let's go.” Fin followed the manager into the bar.
Olivia turned her attention to the couple seated on the step.
“Hi. I'm Olivia. What are your names?”
The girl didn't react.The young man answered in an unsteady voice. “I'm Ken Faber and this is Becky Rubens. She's my girlfriend. I came down to the city for a job interview. When they called me and said I was on the short list for a second interview, we came here to celebrate.”
“What happened after you got here?”
“We were having a good time. And then Nancy went to the ladies room. But she didn't come back. I went to make sure she was alright. Another girl told me nobody else was in the bathroom. Then I saw the back door was ajar . When I opened it, I heard her moaning. I sent the other girl for the manager.”
He stopped as the lights from the ambulance hit his face. It pulled up and the EMTs got out.
“We got a call to pick up an assault victim.”
“This girl here. It looks like she's been hit on the head. And she was drinking. There hasn't been any response from her yet.” Olivia went over to the EMT and lowered her voice. “We think she may have been raped, so do a rape kit as well.”
The EMTs starting checking out the victim. Olivia pulled Ken away to give them room and to divert his attention back to her.
“Ken, was anybody paying attention to Nancy in the bar?”
“No, we were sitting by ourselves having a good time. Some friends of hers came over to say hello. But that was it.”
“Did you notice anybody go towards the rest rooms when Nancy did?”
“No, but I wasn't really looking.”
“Detective, we're ready to go. Are you riding with her?” One of the EMTs asked. “She's out of it so I don't know if you need to come.”
“Then I might as well stay here. Which hospital are you taking her to?”
'Mercy.”
“Have Angie Turner take care of her if she's on duty. We had another victim like this a couple of days ago. She handled that one. And I'll be over as soon as I can.”
“Can't I go with her?” Ken asked.
“They're taking good care of her. And you can come with us when we go to the hospital in a little bit.”
The ambulance had no sooner cleared the alley when the CSU team arrived. O'Halleran go out and saw Olivia by the door.
“The guy hit again?”
“Looks that way. Maybe we'll get a DNA match and know for sure.”
Becky didn't remember any more about her rapist than Jillian did. But the DNA from both rape kits matched. There was no doubt they had a serial rapist on the loose.
Chapter 4
It was a horrible meeting with the brass. The bar owners in the area of the two rapes were worried about losing their customers with the bad publicity. Nor did they want to beef up their security. And they had issues with locking the back doors so that people couldn't go into the alleys to smoke. They just expected the police to catch the guy.
At least he'd been able to prevent them from offering a reward, Cragen thought. There would be enough crazies calling in with false leads without giving them encouragement. He'd rather not send his people out on a wild goose chase. He wanted at least one piece of evidence to turn up from all the evidence CSU was testing.
But mostly he wanted a drink. More than anything he wanted a drink. More than one in fact.
There was an afternoon AA meeting in one of the basement rooms in the Saint James Medical Center that he had been to before. Cragen looked at his watch. He had enough time to get there. But he called to let Munch know he wouldn't be there right away.
“John, the meeting is over. But I have another stop to make before I'm back.” Cragen said when Munch answered the phone. “I want you to find out who is available for overtime tonight. I'll want a list in about two hours. And everybody not otherwise occupied in the squad room for a briefing. See if you can get a hold of Huang and have him there too. I'll see you then.”
And Cragen set off down Madison at a brisk clip.
Two hours later Cragen walked into the SVU squad room to find it filled with people. He felt proud of the people who had answered the call for help even when it meant giving up their own plans.
“I'd like to thank anyone who was able to come in to help on this case. I have been authorized to approve some overtime, so when you go on stakeout, clock in. Any other time here will have be on a volunteer basis at this time.
“As you know, we have a serial rapist out there. He's hit twice in the last six days in the same area. So far he has a distinct MO. He only hits victims in bars near the Financial District that have rest rooms near the back with doors nearby leading to an alley. John, I want you and whoever you need to check the records for all bars in that area that match that floorplan. If our guy doesn't have an escape route, he may pass on those establishments. I want to know where we don't need to spend our time.
“What else do we have that is going to help us nail this guy?”
Fin went first. “CSU was able to match prints from both scenes. And the ME was able to match the DNA from the first victim to that found in the second. We know we're dealing with the same guy. But neither the prints not the DNA have been found in the system. So our boy is probably new to this game.”
“There may be other reasons he's not on file.” Lake suggested.
“Fin shook his head. “If he knew enough to wear a condom before, why not not wear one now? Most guys get smarter about not leaving evidence. Not the other way around.”
Olivia was next. “Neither of the victims have been able to give us a description of the perp. They were both pretty intoxicated when they were attacked. But the staff at both bars was able to give us a general feel for their customers. Most of them work in the nearby buildings. The guys are mostly corporate wannabes. Mid twenties to early thirties, clean cut, looking to cut loose a little after a long day at work. The women tend to be support staff in the same companies. One bartender described them as “looking for a star to hitch their wagon to”.
“If our perp is one of these wannabes, he might see these women as lesser beings. They're supposed to give him what he needs. He feels entitled to take it from them.” Elliot added.
“That's a theory. John, did you get a hold of Huang? His input would be helpful with this.”
“I did talk to him. But the FBI has a use for one of their own agents right now. I sent him what we had so he'll be up to speed when he gets back.”
“Then we'll go with Elliot's idea that this guy feels entitled to use his female co-workers to get what he needs. Once we establish what bars are likely hunting grounds, we'll set up a team in each. One person in the back alley and one or two up in front.”
There were five bars in the target area that met the requirements. Three detectives were assigned to each. The managers at each one had no problems accommodating the undercover officers. They were quite happy to see that something was being done.
But the rapist didn't strike that night. Or the next.
It was a horrible meeting with the brass. The bar owners in the area of the two rapes were worried about losing their customers with the bad publicity. Nor did they want to beef up their security. And they had issues with locking the back doors so that people couldn't go into the alleys to smoke. They just expected the police to catch the guy.
At least he'd been able to prevent them from offering a reward, Cragen thought. There would be enough crazies calling in with false leads without giving them encouragement. He'd rather not send his people out on a wild goose chase. He wanted at least one piece of evidence to turn up from all the evidence CSU was testing.
But mostly he wanted a drink. More than anything he wanted a drink. More than one in fact.
There was an afternoon AA meeting in one of the basement rooms in the Saint James Medical Center that he had been to before. Cragen looked at his watch. He had enough time to get there. But he called to let Munch know he wouldn't be there right away.
“John, the meeting is over. But I have another stop to make before I'm back.” Cragen said when Munch answered the phone. “I want you to find out who is available for overtime tonight. I'll want a list in about two hours. And everybody not otherwise occupied in the squad room for a briefing. See if you can get a hold of Huang and have him there too. I'll see you then.”
And Cragen set off down Madison at a brisk clip.
Two hours later Cragen walked into the SVU squad room to find it filled with people. He felt proud of the people who had answered the call for help even when it meant giving up their own plans.
“I'd like to thank anyone who was able to come in to help on this case. I have been authorized to approve some overtime, so when you go on stakeout, clock in. Any other time here will have be on a volunteer basis at this time.
“As you know, we have a serial rapist out there. He's hit twice in the last six days in the same area. So far he has a distinct MO. He only hits victims in bars near the Financial District that have rest rooms near the back with doors nearby leading to an alley. John, I want you and whoever you need to check the records for all bars in that area that match that floorplan. If our guy doesn't have an escape route, he may pass on those establishments. I want to know where we don't need to spend our time.
“What else do we have that is going to help us nail this guy?”
Fin went first. “CSU was able to match prints from both scenes. And the ME was able to match the DNA from the first victim to that found in the second. We know we're dealing with the same guy. But neither the prints not the DNA have been found in the system. So our boy is probably new to this game.”
“There may be other reasons he's not on file.” Lake suggested.
“Fin shook his head. “If he knew enough to wear a condom before, why not not wear one now? Most guys get smarter about not leaving evidence. Not the other way around.”
Olivia was next. “Neither of the victims have been able to give us a description of the perp. They were both pretty intoxicated when they were attacked. But the staff at both bars was able to give us a general feel for their customers. Most of them work in the nearby buildings. The guys are mostly corporate wannabes. Mid twenties to early thirties, clean cut, looking to cut loose a little after a long day at work. The women tend to be support staff in the same companies. One bartender described them as “looking for a star to hitch their wagon to”.
“If our perp is one of these wannabes, he might see these women as lesser beings. They're supposed to give him what he needs. He feels entitled to take it from them.” Elliot added.
“That's a theory. John, did you get a hold of Huang? His input would be helpful with this.”
“I did talk to him. But the FBI has a use for one of their own agents right now. I sent him what we had so he'll be up to speed when he gets back.”
“Then we'll go with Elliot's idea that this guy feels entitled to use his female co-workers to get what he needs. Once we establish what bars are likely hunting grounds, we'll set up a team in each. One person in the back alley and one or two up in front.”
There were five bars in the target area that met the requirements. Three detectives were assigned to each. The managers at each one had no problems accommodating the undercover officers. They were quite happy to see that something was being done.
But the rapist didn't strike that night. Or the next.
the plot thickens lol. once again great chapter!
Wow that's so great! I want to read more, please 
Chapter Five
Even though he had teams out on stakeout that second night, Cragen felt the need to attend his usual meeting. The pressure on him to quickly solve this case was taking its toll. The idea of oblivion was all too attractive. So he called Munch into his office.
“I'm going out for awhile. Can you handle things here yourself?” Cragen asked.
“Everybody is set up and just waiting to see of this guy shows up tonight.” Munch had a very good idea of Cragen was heading. “You need to take care of yourself. That's job one, right?”
“I'm no good to anybody else if I don't take care of myself.” Cragen answered. “I'll put my cell on vibrate, though. If there's any news ...”
“I'll call.” Munch interrupted, “I can handle this. Go.”
Fifteen minutes later, Cragen was in the basement of Christ Church sliding into a the seat of a folding chair. The meeting had already started. Jonah was welcoming the new faces in the group. He commended them for taking the first step by admitting the power alcohol had over their lives. As he listened to Jonah, Cragen looked around the room and saw that Nancy had come back. That thought alone brightened his mood.
“I would like to tell to read one of the AA thoughts for the Day.” Jonah opened his copy of Twenty-Four Days A Day and began to read. “ 'When we came to our first A.A. Meeting, we looked up at the wall and saw the sign: “But for the Grace of God.” We knew right then and there we would have to call on the Grace of God in order to get sober and get over our soul-sickness. We heard speakers tell how they had come to depend on a Power greater than themselves. That made sense to us and we made up our minds to try it. Am I depending on the Grace of God to help me stay Sober?'”
Jonah sat down and there were several moments of silence. Then someone stood up and began to talk about about depending on God. When he finished, others stood to take the floor. As he listened to them, Cragen reflected on his own situation. He decided to speak as well.
“Every day I go to work and see the damage some human beings inflict on each other. It would be easy to think there is no God. How could he allow this to happen to these people? But it isn't God that allows it to happen. We do it to ourselves.” Cragen paused for a moment. “God offers us His Grace to give us the strength we lack to go it alone. By accepting that gift and opening ourselves to accept God's Will instead of our own, we let ourselves be guided back to the path God has set us on.”
Cragen sat down. No one else rose to speak. Then Jonah stood up again.
“We thank all of you who spoke. Talking about our experiences helps not only us but also each other. Let us join in prayer. And then share in the coffee and snacks on the table at the side of the room.”
Since he hadn't heard from Munch, Cragen decided to stay for a cup of coffee. He had poured his and was considering a chocolate cupcake when there was a voice behind him.
“Could you pass me two packets of sugar please?”
“No problem. Would you like a cupcake?” He responded.
“Sure, why not.”
With his hands full, Cragen turned around and faced Nancy. “We can go have a seat over there. Out of the way of traffic.”
They settled themselves and their refreshments and were about to start talking when Jonah came over.
“Hello Don. And as I remember from last week, you're Nancy. I was hoping to find out how your letter writing went.”
Cragen started to get up but Nancy stopped him.
“Please don't go. You already heard about my son.” Then she looked at Jonah. “I wrote the letter. In fact I wrote it several times. There was a certain amount of my need for him to acknowledge what I had done in the first letter. So I simplified it. I asked for his forgiveness when he was ready to give it and I told him where he could find me. I mailed it four days ago. He should have gotten it by now. But I am trying to accept that he may never forgive me.”
“His being able to forgive you is a matter between him and God. You have to trust that when he is ready, he will come to you. And in the meantime, enjoy your coffee and cupcakes. A little sweetness in life can be a blessing in itself.”
And Jonah left them to begin their conversation.
Even though he had teams out on stakeout that second night, Cragen felt the need to attend his usual meeting. The pressure on him to quickly solve this case was taking its toll. The idea of oblivion was all too attractive. So he called Munch into his office.
“I'm going out for awhile. Can you handle things here yourself?” Cragen asked.
“Everybody is set up and just waiting to see of this guy shows up tonight.” Munch had a very good idea of Cragen was heading. “You need to take care of yourself. That's job one, right?”
“I'm no good to anybody else if I don't take care of myself.” Cragen answered. “I'll put my cell on vibrate, though. If there's any news ...”
“I'll call.” Munch interrupted, “I can handle this. Go.”
Fifteen minutes later, Cragen was in the basement of Christ Church sliding into a the seat of a folding chair. The meeting had already started. Jonah was welcoming the new faces in the group. He commended them for taking the first step by admitting the power alcohol had over their lives. As he listened to Jonah, Cragen looked around the room and saw that Nancy had come back. That thought alone brightened his mood.
“I would like to tell to read one of the AA thoughts for the Day.” Jonah opened his copy of Twenty-Four Days A Day and began to read. “ 'When we came to our first A.A. Meeting, we looked up at the wall and saw the sign: “But for the Grace of God.” We knew right then and there we would have to call on the Grace of God in order to get sober and get over our soul-sickness. We heard speakers tell how they had come to depend on a Power greater than themselves. That made sense to us and we made up our minds to try it. Am I depending on the Grace of God to help me stay Sober?'”
Jonah sat down and there were several moments of silence. Then someone stood up and began to talk about about depending on God. When he finished, others stood to take the floor. As he listened to them, Cragen reflected on his own situation. He decided to speak as well.
“Every day I go to work and see the damage some human beings inflict on each other. It would be easy to think there is no God. How could he allow this to happen to these people? But it isn't God that allows it to happen. We do it to ourselves.” Cragen paused for a moment. “God offers us His Grace to give us the strength we lack to go it alone. By accepting that gift and opening ourselves to accept God's Will instead of our own, we let ourselves be guided back to the path God has set us on.”
Cragen sat down. No one else rose to speak. Then Jonah stood up again.
“We thank all of you who spoke. Talking about our experiences helps not only us but also each other. Let us join in prayer. And then share in the coffee and snacks on the table at the side of the room.”
Since he hadn't heard from Munch, Cragen decided to stay for a cup of coffee. He had poured his and was considering a chocolate cupcake when there was a voice behind him.
“Could you pass me two packets of sugar please?”
“No problem. Would you like a cupcake?” He responded.
“Sure, why not.”
With his hands full, Cragen turned around and faced Nancy. “We can go have a seat over there. Out of the way of traffic.”
They settled themselves and their refreshments and were about to start talking when Jonah came over.
“Hello Don. And as I remember from last week, you're Nancy. I was hoping to find out how your letter writing went.”
Cragen started to get up but Nancy stopped him.
“Please don't go. You already heard about my son.” Then she looked at Jonah. “I wrote the letter. In fact I wrote it several times. There was a certain amount of my need for him to acknowledge what I had done in the first letter. So I simplified it. I asked for his forgiveness when he was ready to give it and I told him where he could find me. I mailed it four days ago. He should have gotten it by now. But I am trying to accept that he may never forgive me.”
“His being able to forgive you is a matter between him and God. You have to trust that when he is ready, he will come to you. And in the meantime, enjoy your coffee and cupcakes. A little sweetness in life can be a blessing in itself.”
And Jonah left them to begin their conversation.
Chapter 6
The rapist struck again on the fifth night of the stakeouts. But they missed him because he changed his MO. This victim was still intoxicated but she hadn't been to a bar. She worked for Spencer and Webb, a company that managed private trust. One of her co-workers had gotten engaged and they thrown her a party after work. There had been quite a few bottles of wine consumed. Cheryl Kennedy was the last one to leave the office. She had been trying to wash a wine stain out of her skirt.
She didn't want to spend the money for a cab just for herself. So she started down the street towards the corner bus stop. But as she passed an alley opening, she was grabbed and dragged in. She was struck on the head, raped and then beaten. After her attacker left, she dragged herself back to the street. A passerby heard her moaning and called 911.
But this victim remembered things about her attack. She wasn't as drunk as the other two had been and the blow to her head had not knocked her out. She described him as Caucasian, medium height, fairly slight build, dark haired and wearing a reasonably nice dark suit. She didn't recognize him as anyone who worked in her building. But the most important thing she remembered was his anger at her being drunk.
“You stupid, disgusting drunk.” He had said while he was hitting her after the rape. “You should be ashamed of yourself. You deserve this and more.”
There were no fingerprints at this scene but the DNA was a match to that in the other two victims.
“I guess we have to rethink our theory about how our rapist chooses his victims.” Fin said at the meeting in the squad room the next morning.
“New evidence always makes you reconsider your theories.” Huang said as he walked into the squad room. “I looked at the information you had before this, and part of the first theory may still hold true.”
“Welcome back doc. We'll be really glad of your help on this one.” Cragen was relieved the shrink was back. They needed to get a handle on this guy as soon as possible.
“The rapist probably does work in one of the nearby buildings. The last victim's description shows that. But he's pretty low on his company's ladder. If he were someone more important, his victims might have recognized him. If the bartender's description of them is correct, they would know how the rising stars are in the local companies.
“But I don't think he knows any of the victims personally. He does consider these women as beneath him. It's one way he can make himself feel more important than he really is. And so what he's doing to them doesn't really matter to him.
“But the fact that he is angry at them for being drunk indicates he's been hurt by a woman who was a drunk as well. Maybe an old girlfriend.”
“Or someone who wouldn't give him the time of day.” Olivia suggested.
“Maybe his mother.” Lake added.
Elliot saw Olivia flinch at Lake's statement. So did Cragen. They both knew Olivia's relationship with her own alcoholic mother was still a source of pain for her. Cragen looked at Elliot and motioned with his head to Olivia. Elliot nodded to indicate he understand and would talk to Olivia after the meeting.
“That tells us more about him, doc. But how's going to help us catch him?” Fin wanted to know. “We can hardly question every dark haired guy in the Financial District and ask him if he had a problem with a woman who drinks.”
Huang shook his head. “You aren't going to get anywhere with that approach. But you might want to check about sexual harassment complaints against lower level management men in the companies in the target area. It's quite possible the rapist has a history of taking his anger out of his coworkers.”
“We can check into that. Anybody else have anything to offer?”
“Actually I do.” Elliot said. “Last night I was watching the cashier at the bar and I noticed most of the payments were made by running debit or credit cards through the little machine.”
“We did think to run the credit cards reports to see how many people both bars the nights of the rapes.” Munch was a bit indignant that it sounded like he wouldn't have thought of that. “There were over two dozen cards that had their owners at both places. None of the owners went missing at the right time and most of them have volunteered their DNA for testing.”
“Munch, I knew you were on that. But this is something else. I only saw about ten people the whole night who used cash. I checked with the cashier and he said they rarely get cash anymore. Everybody's using their cards. So if we can get a sketch from the last victim, maybe the staff at the bars will remember our guy if he's one of the few who still pays without plastic.”
“It's a possibility. Elliot, Olivia, get Cheryl Kennedy together with a sketch artist. Then get down and see if it jogs any memories. John, go online and check the court records for harassment suits. Then send Fin and Lake to check them out. It's not much but it's all we have right now. George, can I see you for a minute in my office?”
Huang followed Cragen into his office and shut the door behind him.
“How can I help you, Captain?” Huang asked.
“A question I didn't want to ask in front of everybody. It may not relate to our case. Suppose our perp is in fact angry with his mother because she was a drunk and neglected him as a kid. Could her trying to come back into his life and asking his forgiveness have set him off?”
“Yes, it could have happened that way. Until I hear what he has to say about though, that's just a guess.”
“And if his mother does manage to have her conversation with him, what are the chances he'll hurt her?”
“Huang thought for a moment. “From the anger Cheryl Kennedy described, I'd say it's likely she would be in danger from him.”
That was the answer Cragen was afraid he'd hear.
The rapist struck again on the fifth night of the stakeouts. But they missed him because he changed his MO. This victim was still intoxicated but she hadn't been to a bar. She worked for Spencer and Webb, a company that managed private trust. One of her co-workers had gotten engaged and they thrown her a party after work. There had been quite a few bottles of wine consumed. Cheryl Kennedy was the last one to leave the office. She had been trying to wash a wine stain out of her skirt.
She didn't want to spend the money for a cab just for herself. So she started down the street towards the corner bus stop. But as she passed an alley opening, she was grabbed and dragged in. She was struck on the head, raped and then beaten. After her attacker left, she dragged herself back to the street. A passerby heard her moaning and called 911.
But this victim remembered things about her attack. She wasn't as drunk as the other two had been and the blow to her head had not knocked her out. She described him as Caucasian, medium height, fairly slight build, dark haired and wearing a reasonably nice dark suit. She didn't recognize him as anyone who worked in her building. But the most important thing she remembered was his anger at her being drunk.
“You stupid, disgusting drunk.” He had said while he was hitting her after the rape. “You should be ashamed of yourself. You deserve this and more.”
There were no fingerprints at this scene but the DNA was a match to that in the other two victims.
“I guess we have to rethink our theory about how our rapist chooses his victims.” Fin said at the meeting in the squad room the next morning.
“New evidence always makes you reconsider your theories.” Huang said as he walked into the squad room. “I looked at the information you had before this, and part of the first theory may still hold true.”
“Welcome back doc. We'll be really glad of your help on this one.” Cragen was relieved the shrink was back. They needed to get a handle on this guy as soon as possible.
“The rapist probably does work in one of the nearby buildings. The last victim's description shows that. But he's pretty low on his company's ladder. If he were someone more important, his victims might have recognized him. If the bartender's description of them is correct, they would know how the rising stars are in the local companies.
“But I don't think he knows any of the victims personally. He does consider these women as beneath him. It's one way he can make himself feel more important than he really is. And so what he's doing to them doesn't really matter to him.
“But the fact that he is angry at them for being drunk indicates he's been hurt by a woman who was a drunk as well. Maybe an old girlfriend.”
“Or someone who wouldn't give him the time of day.” Olivia suggested.
“Maybe his mother.” Lake added.
Elliot saw Olivia flinch at Lake's statement. So did Cragen. They both knew Olivia's relationship with her own alcoholic mother was still a source of pain for her. Cragen looked at Elliot and motioned with his head to Olivia. Elliot nodded to indicate he understand and would talk to Olivia after the meeting.
“That tells us more about him, doc. But how's going to help us catch him?” Fin wanted to know. “We can hardly question every dark haired guy in the Financial District and ask him if he had a problem with a woman who drinks.”
Huang shook his head. “You aren't going to get anywhere with that approach. But you might want to check about sexual harassment complaints against lower level management men in the companies in the target area. It's quite possible the rapist has a history of taking his anger out of his coworkers.”
“We can check into that. Anybody else have anything to offer?”
“Actually I do.” Elliot said. “Last night I was watching the cashier at the bar and I noticed most of the payments were made by running debit or credit cards through the little machine.”
“We did think to run the credit cards reports to see how many people both bars the nights of the rapes.” Munch was a bit indignant that it sounded like he wouldn't have thought of that. “There were over two dozen cards that had their owners at both places. None of the owners went missing at the right time and most of them have volunteered their DNA for testing.”
“Munch, I knew you were on that. But this is something else. I only saw about ten people the whole night who used cash. I checked with the cashier and he said they rarely get cash anymore. Everybody's using their cards. So if we can get a sketch from the last victim, maybe the staff at the bars will remember our guy if he's one of the few who still pays without plastic.”
“It's a possibility. Elliot, Olivia, get Cheryl Kennedy together with a sketch artist. Then get down and see if it jogs any memories. John, go online and check the court records for harassment suits. Then send Fin and Lake to check them out. It's not much but it's all we have right now. George, can I see you for a minute in my office?”
Huang followed Cragen into his office and shut the door behind him.
“How can I help you, Captain?” Huang asked.
“A question I didn't want to ask in front of everybody. It may not relate to our case. Suppose our perp is in fact angry with his mother because she was a drunk and neglected him as a kid. Could her trying to come back into his life and asking his forgiveness have set him off?”
“Yes, it could have happened that way. Until I hear what he has to say about though, that's just a guess.”
“And if his mother does manage to have her conversation with him, what are the chances he'll hurt her?”
“Huang thought for a moment. “From the anger Cheryl Kennedy described, I'd say it's likely she would be in danger from him.”
That was the answer Cragen was afraid he'd hear.
That's so exciting :-) More please. I hope they will catch the rapsit soon
Chapter 7
He had nothing to go on except thirty years of experience. But Cragen's instincts were telling him he needed to find out more about Nancy's son. The problem was he had almost no information about or Nancy. Even though he and Nancy had talked for nearly twenty minutes after the meeting the night before, he had been careful not to ask about anything that could help him identify her and not to give her the same type of information about himself. The principle of anonymity was very clearly spelled out as part of the foundation of AA.
Cragen pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed Jonah's number. He got his voice mail and left a message asking Jonah to call him back when he got a chance. Then he called Casey's office and left a message for her to come see him at the squad room. He didn't want to take any action until he had spoken with both of them.
Casey arrived at his office door forty minutes late.
“Munch is the only one here. Did you guys get a lead?”
“Come in and close the door please. There are two new theories that we're working on but that's not why I wanted to see you.” Cragen wasn't certain quite how to start. “I may have a possible lead.”
“That's great.” Casey said, then noticed there was no joy in Cragen's voice.“Isn't it?”
“The information I'm basing my theory on came out in an AA meeting.”
Casey sat down heavily in the chair in front of Cragen's desk. “Have you done anything with this information?”
“No. The problem is I don't know how to get in touch with the person who has the information. I only have a first name.”
“And you want to know if we can use what this person might tell you. I take it that it's not a confession.”
“No, it's not a confession to the crimes. It's not a statement about a confession either.”
Casey thought for a moment. “This is a really sticky situation. It's all going to turn on what was said and why. The Second Circuit rules that a confession that wasn't for spiritual guidance wasn't privileged. But I don't know what would happen with this. I have to talk to the DA about it.”
“He's the right man to ask, Casey. It was his case.” Casey looked startled. She hadn't realized McCoy had been the prosecutor.
Jonah called ten minutes after Casey left. Cragen invited him for coffee at the cafe they often met at.
“Hey there, Don.” Jonah said as he took a seat at the table. “What's up?”
“I have a dilemma I need your help with. You've heard about the guy who's been raping women at the bars in the Financial District.”
“Yeah. It's been in all the papers. But what does that have to do with me?”
“We think it may be because he has a grudge against women who drink. In fact, maybe against one woman who drank.” Cragen looked up from his coffee cup and looked Jonah in the eyes. “His mother. Does that sound familiar?”
Jonah put his cup down. “Maybe Nancy and her son?”
“That's what I'm thinking. It might not be, but it would fit with what we know of the guy.” Cragen took a sip of his coffee, delaying the next question. “My question is what can I do if I think it is him. I'm afraid he could hurt Nancy if he does get in touch with her. Or he could hurt more innocent women because he's angry at her.
“I know what goes on in the meetings is supposed to stay between the members. I've told people there things I don't want repeated to the outside world. But I can't sit by and do nothing to protect the women this guy is going to if he's not stopped.”
“Have you told anybody at your office about this?”
“I asked our resident shrink if he thought the mother could be in any danger. And I asked our ADA if the DA's office thought we could use the information if what I heard is the source. I haven't heard back from them yet. If they say no, then we'll have to get this guy without it. But Nancy should at least be warned of the possibility.”
“I'll see that her sponsor calls her and tells her of your concerns.” Cragen looked shocked. “Without your name being used of course. But I am concerned with the idea of using information that you learned about in a meeting. I know you didn't come to the meeting as a police officer and you weren't looking for the information. But people have to believe their confidences will be kept.
“I don't want to put you off but I want to check to see if there's a policy about this. I'll let you know as soon as I find anything out.”
“Thank you. I'm sorry to put this on you.”
“No. Sharing the burden is what we're here for. I'll be running a meeting tonight at the church if you need to come.”
“Good to know. I have to get back to work now. Maybe this won't need to go any further.”
He had nothing to go on except thirty years of experience. But Cragen's instincts were telling him he needed to find out more about Nancy's son. The problem was he had almost no information about or Nancy. Even though he and Nancy had talked for nearly twenty minutes after the meeting the night before, he had been careful not to ask about anything that could help him identify her and not to give her the same type of information about himself. The principle of anonymity was very clearly spelled out as part of the foundation of AA.
Cragen pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed Jonah's number. He got his voice mail and left a message asking Jonah to call him back when he got a chance. Then he called Casey's office and left a message for her to come see him at the squad room. He didn't want to take any action until he had spoken with both of them.
Casey arrived at his office door forty minutes late.
“Munch is the only one here. Did you guys get a lead?”
“Come in and close the door please. There are two new theories that we're working on but that's not why I wanted to see you.” Cragen wasn't certain quite how to start. “I may have a possible lead.”
“That's great.” Casey said, then noticed there was no joy in Cragen's voice.“Isn't it?”
“The information I'm basing my theory on came out in an AA meeting.”
Casey sat down heavily in the chair in front of Cragen's desk. “Have you done anything with this information?”
“No. The problem is I don't know how to get in touch with the person who has the information. I only have a first name.”
“And you want to know if we can use what this person might tell you. I take it that it's not a confession.”
“No, it's not a confession to the crimes. It's not a statement about a confession either.”
Casey thought for a moment. “This is a really sticky situation. It's all going to turn on what was said and why. The Second Circuit rules that a confession that wasn't for spiritual guidance wasn't privileged. But I don't know what would happen with this. I have to talk to the DA about it.”
“He's the right man to ask, Casey. It was his case.” Casey looked startled. She hadn't realized McCoy had been the prosecutor.
Jonah called ten minutes after Casey left. Cragen invited him for coffee at the cafe they often met at.
“Hey there, Don.” Jonah said as he took a seat at the table. “What's up?”
“I have a dilemma I need your help with. You've heard about the guy who's been raping women at the bars in the Financial District.”
“Yeah. It's been in all the papers. But what does that have to do with me?”
“We think it may be because he has a grudge against women who drink. In fact, maybe against one woman who drank.” Cragen looked up from his coffee cup and looked Jonah in the eyes. “His mother. Does that sound familiar?”
Jonah put his cup down. “Maybe Nancy and her son?”
“That's what I'm thinking. It might not be, but it would fit with what we know of the guy.” Cragen took a sip of his coffee, delaying the next question. “My question is what can I do if I think it is him. I'm afraid he could hurt Nancy if he does get in touch with her. Or he could hurt more innocent women because he's angry at her.
“I know what goes on in the meetings is supposed to stay between the members. I've told people there things I don't want repeated to the outside world. But I can't sit by and do nothing to protect the women this guy is going to if he's not stopped.”
“Have you told anybody at your office about this?”
“I asked our resident shrink if he thought the mother could be in any danger. And I asked our ADA if the DA's office thought we could use the information if what I heard is the source. I haven't heard back from them yet. If they say no, then we'll have to get this guy without it. But Nancy should at least be warned of the possibility.”
“I'll see that her sponsor calls her and tells her of your concerns.” Cragen looked shocked. “Without your name being used of course. But I am concerned with the idea of using information that you learned about in a meeting. I know you didn't come to the meeting as a police officer and you weren't looking for the information. But people have to believe their confidences will be kept.
“I don't want to put you off but I want to check to see if there's a policy about this. I'll let you know as soon as I find anything out.”
“Thank you. I'm sorry to put this on you.”
“No. Sharing the burden is what we're here for. I'll be running a meeting tonight at the church if you need to come.”
“Good to know. I have to get back to work now. Maybe this won't need to go any further.”
that was the best Chapter yet I love that you know they have lead but can't use it cause of AA...damn good writing
Chapter 8
Cheryl Kennedy did her best to remember as much as she could for the sketch artist. It wasn't the best sketch ever but at least it was something to go on.
Elliot and Olivia left a copy of the sketch at every bar in the target area. They asked the bartenders if it ran any bells for guys paying with cash. No memories were jogged. But they all promised to keep an eye out for those customers paying with cash. Frustrated, they got in the car and headed back to the station.
“It was a good idea, Elliot. It may work out yet.” Olivia said.
“And maybe it won't. Either way we don't have anything to go on.” Elliot sounded so down that his idea hadn't panned out.
“Do you want to go grab some dinner before we go back?" Olivia suggested. "We're not far from Wu's House of Noodles.”
“Not for me. I didn't draw stakeout duty tonight. Kathy's fixing dinner and Maureen is coming over.”
“Maureen coming out to Queens for dinner?”
“I'm supposed to call her and let her know what time I'll pick her up. Kathy thought it would be a good idea for the two of us to have time alone.” Elliot paused to let Olivia ask why.
“Why do you need time alone with Maureen?” Right on schedule.
“I suggested she shouldn't go with her until we catch this guy. She said I was being overprotective. 'You're such a cop'” Elliot did a pretty good imitation of his eldest daughter. “I know she's an adult now but she's still Daddy's little girl. And I know too much not to worry.”
“She's lucky that you care enough to worry about her like that. Not every parent does.”
“I'll tell her you said so.” Elliot figured it was a good time to bring up the subject he had been avoiding. “Look, you know if this investigation starts hitting too close to home, you can ask to take a back seat.”
“What are you talking about, Elliot?”
“I saw you flinch when Huang was talking about why the perp might be attacking drunken women.”
“Because of my mother.”
“Because of your issues with your mother. You may not be as objective as you could be.”
“Because we may both have had abusive, alcoholic mothers, you think I'm going to be sympathetic to this guy .” Olivia's voice was getting shriller as her angry mounted. “You think I can't handle this case.”
“That's not what I said.” Elliot tried a calm, soothing voice. “Remember that case a couple of years ago with the priest molesting boys. Cragen offered me the same deal if my being Catholic was going to be a problem.”
“You talked to Cragen about this!”Now Olivia was boiling.
“No, I didn't talk to Cragen about it. But he saw the same thing I saw when Huang was talking.”
“So you both think you know what I can and can not handle. Pull the car over, Elliot.”
Elliot looked for a spot to stop the car. He figured he be trying to drive while Olivia yelled at him. But when he found a spot, she opened the door instead.
“I've a decision on my own to go get myself some dinner. Tell Cragen I'll be back in time to go on stakeout duty.” And she slammed the door shut on her way out.
Elliot was stunned. He wasn't sure where the conversation had taken a turn for the worst. But he hoped he was going to make the same mistake, whatever it was, with Maureen.
Cheryl Kennedy did her best to remember as much as she could for the sketch artist. It wasn't the best sketch ever but at least it was something to go on.
Elliot and Olivia left a copy of the sketch at every bar in the target area. They asked the bartenders if it ran any bells for guys paying with cash. No memories were jogged. But they all promised to keep an eye out for those customers paying with cash. Frustrated, they got in the car and headed back to the station.
“It was a good idea, Elliot. It may work out yet.” Olivia said.
“And maybe it won't. Either way we don't have anything to go on.” Elliot sounded so down that his idea hadn't panned out.
“Do you want to go grab some dinner before we go back?" Olivia suggested. "We're not far from Wu's House of Noodles.”
“Not for me. I didn't draw stakeout duty tonight. Kathy's fixing dinner and Maureen is coming over.”
“Maureen coming out to Queens for dinner?”
“I'm supposed to call her and let her know what time I'll pick her up. Kathy thought it would be a good idea for the two of us to have time alone.” Elliot paused to let Olivia ask why.
“Why do you need time alone with Maureen?” Right on schedule.
“I suggested she shouldn't go with her until we catch this guy. She said I was being overprotective. 'You're such a cop'” Elliot did a pretty good imitation of his eldest daughter. “I know she's an adult now but she's still Daddy's little girl. And I know too much not to worry.”
“She's lucky that you care enough to worry about her like that. Not every parent does.”
“I'll tell her you said so.” Elliot figured it was a good time to bring up the subject he had been avoiding. “Look, you know if this investigation starts hitting too close to home, you can ask to take a back seat.”
“What are you talking about, Elliot?”
“I saw you flinch when Huang was talking about why the perp might be attacking drunken women.”
“Because of my mother.”
“Because of your issues with your mother. You may not be as objective as you could be.”
“Because we may both have had abusive, alcoholic mothers, you think I'm going to be sympathetic to this guy .” Olivia's voice was getting shriller as her angry mounted. “You think I can't handle this case.”
“That's not what I said.” Elliot tried a calm, soothing voice. “Remember that case a couple of years ago with the priest molesting boys. Cragen offered me the same deal if my being Catholic was going to be a problem.”
“You talked to Cragen about this!”Now Olivia was boiling.
“No, I didn't talk to Cragen about it. But he saw the same thing I saw when Huang was talking.”
“So you both think you know what I can and can not handle. Pull the car over, Elliot.”
Elliot looked for a spot to stop the car. He figured he be trying to drive while Olivia yelled at him. But when he found a spot, she opened the door instead.
“I've a decision on my own to go get myself some dinner. Tell Cragen I'll be back in time to go on stakeout duty.” And she slammed the door shut on her way out.
Elliot was stunned. He wasn't sure where the conversation had taken a turn for the worst. But he hoped he was going to make the same mistake, whatever it was, with Maureen.
Chapter 9
Of course McCoy remembered the case. He had put many people in jail for life for committing murders. But the fact the man didn't remember what he had done until months later when he had stopped drinking did make this stand out from the usual cases.
“When he finally did remember killing his victims, he told people. And they said nothing. I can't imagine sitting in a room with a man I know to be a murderer and doing nothing about it.
“I gather from what you said that someone in AA knows something about this rapist. But it's not the rapist himself confusing.”
“That's my take on it. He didn't want to get into specifics. If we can't use it, he didn't want there to be any chance of contaminating anything we get on our own.”
“The clerical privilege doctrine is meant to cover confessions as a cry for spiritual help. If what Cragen heard wasn't a confession, I say we go for it.”
“I'll go and tell him now.”
The elevator door was starting as close as Casey approached. “Hold the elevator for me, please.”
A hand reached out and stopped the door form continuing to close.
“Thanks.” Casey said as she reached the elevator, only to realize it was Olivia who had stopped it for her. Olivia who was standing with a bag from Wu's that smelled absolutely heavenly. Casey remembered she hadn't lunch when she heard her stomach start growling.
“What's the 'From Wu to You' special tonight?”
“Chicken, broccoli and mushroom. For you, there's plenty to share.”
They got off and headed into the squad room. Elliot was nowhere in sight. But the room was full of men getting ready for their stakeout assignments. The women noticed the door to the interview was open. It seemed the best place to eat their dinner in peace.
Olivia pulled out the container and opened it up. Using two forks, she lifted a large portion of the noodle dish into the well of the lid. Then she cut along the hinge and pushed the former lid towards Casey. Then they both drove into the piles of food.
“You sounded like there's not enough for someone else.” Casey observed, taking a break from chewing. “Want to talk about it?”
Olivia stopped her fork half way to her mouth. “Elliot's worried I can't handle this case. It might remind me too much of my own problems with my mother.”
“But you don't think so.” Casey thought for a moment. “Or are you angry at Elliot because you're worried he might be right?”
“That's nice. Eat my food and then side with him.”
“Olivia, Elliot is one of the most overprotective people I have ever meet. He goes out of his way to take care of the people he knows. He's done it for me. He's done it for you before. I think you're overreacting. Besides, it's not his decision to make.”
“No, it would be the Captain's. But it seems Cragen agrees with him.” Olivia set her fork down. “Put the rest of this away in the frig when you're finished. I've lost my appetite.”
Casey couldn't do much except watch her walk out of the room.
While Casey was putting the rest of the noodles into the refrigerator, Cragen came back from his meeting with Jonah.
“Casey, how did your meeting go?” Cragen asked as they walked to his office.
“McCoy remembered the case. As long as there was no confession and the information didn't come from something that was part of a spiritual nature, you should see where the information leads you.”
Cragen wasn't sure how to explain that what happened in AA meetings was spiritual in nature. Seven of the twelve steps specifically mentioned God. Without having experienced it, people had trouble understanding.
“I'm not sure if we'll meet his test. But I talked to someone in my group who is going to check into seeing if there's an AA policy about this. After that case broke, the question have to be raised.”
Before Casey could respond, Cragen's cell phone rang. He looked at the number calling and recognized it as Jonah's.
“I may be getting an answer from him now.”
Casey waited while Cragen listened to the caller. His face grew suddenly concerned, and then he hung up.
“Bad news?” Casey asked gently.
“I didn't ask about that. But it may not matter much now. The person I would have needed to talk to is in St Catherine's Hospital. She was attacked and beaten earlier tonight. And I'm on my way to see her now.”
Of course McCoy remembered the case. He had put many people in jail for life for committing murders. But the fact the man didn't remember what he had done until months later when he had stopped drinking did make this stand out from the usual cases.
“When he finally did remember killing his victims, he told people. And they said nothing. I can't imagine sitting in a room with a man I know to be a murderer and doing nothing about it.
“I gather from what you said that someone in AA knows something about this rapist. But it's not the rapist himself confusing.”
“That's my take on it. He didn't want to get into specifics. If we can't use it, he didn't want there to be any chance of contaminating anything we get on our own.”
“The clerical privilege doctrine is meant to cover confessions as a cry for spiritual help. If what Cragen heard wasn't a confession, I say we go for it.”
“I'll go and tell him now.”
The elevator door was starting as close as Casey approached. “Hold the elevator for me, please.”
A hand reached out and stopped the door form continuing to close.
“Thanks.” Casey said as she reached the elevator, only to realize it was Olivia who had stopped it for her. Olivia who was standing with a bag from Wu's that smelled absolutely heavenly. Casey remembered she hadn't lunch when she heard her stomach start growling.
“What's the 'From Wu to You' special tonight?”
“Chicken, broccoli and mushroom. For you, there's plenty to share.”
They got off and headed into the squad room. Elliot was nowhere in sight. But the room was full of men getting ready for their stakeout assignments. The women noticed the door to the interview was open. It seemed the best place to eat their dinner in peace.
Olivia pulled out the container and opened it up. Using two forks, she lifted a large portion of the noodle dish into the well of the lid. Then she cut along the hinge and pushed the former lid towards Casey. Then they both drove into the piles of food.
“You sounded like there's not enough for someone else.” Casey observed, taking a break from chewing. “Want to talk about it?”
Olivia stopped her fork half way to her mouth. “Elliot's worried I can't handle this case. It might remind me too much of my own problems with my mother.”
“But you don't think so.” Casey thought for a moment. “Or are you angry at Elliot because you're worried he might be right?”
“That's nice. Eat my food and then side with him.”
“Olivia, Elliot is one of the most overprotective people I have ever meet. He goes out of his way to take care of the people he knows. He's done it for me. He's done it for you before. I think you're overreacting. Besides, it's not his decision to make.”
“No, it would be the Captain's. But it seems Cragen agrees with him.” Olivia set her fork down. “Put the rest of this away in the frig when you're finished. I've lost my appetite.”
Casey couldn't do much except watch her walk out of the room.
While Casey was putting the rest of the noodles into the refrigerator, Cragen came back from his meeting with Jonah.
“Casey, how did your meeting go?” Cragen asked as they walked to his office.
“McCoy remembered the case. As long as there was no confession and the information didn't come from something that was part of a spiritual nature, you should see where the information leads you.”
Cragen wasn't sure how to explain that what happened in AA meetings was spiritual in nature. Seven of the twelve steps specifically mentioned God. Without having experienced it, people had trouble understanding.
“I'm not sure if we'll meet his test. But I talked to someone in my group who is going to check into seeing if there's an AA policy about this. After that case broke, the question have to be raised.”
Before Casey could respond, Cragen's cell phone rang. He looked at the number calling and recognized it as Jonah's.
“I may be getting an answer from him now.”
Casey waited while Cragen listened to the caller. His face grew suddenly concerned, and then he hung up.
“Bad news?” Casey asked gently.
“I didn't ask about that. But it may not matter much now. The person I would have needed to talk to is in St Catherine's Hospital. She was attacked and beaten earlier tonight. And I'm on my way to see her now.”
That's so good. Good job! I want to read more :-) That's so exciting. Please update soon :-)
Chapter 10
Jonah and another man Cragen recognized from various meetings were in the Emergency Room waiting area when Cragen arrived at St. Catherine's.
“Do you know what happened?” he asked.
“After we talked, I got on the phone to Jerry here. He tried to call Nancy but they said her phone was out of service.”
“So I went over to her apartment and the front door was open.” Jerry continued. “I went in and found her bloody on the floor. I called 911 and the ambulance brought her here.”
“And there were police processing the apartment when you left?”
“Yeah. I had to tell them everything I knew before they would let me leave.”
“Did she says anything?” Cragen asked. “Tell you who did this?”
Jerry shook his head. “All she kept mumbling was 'No, please no'. And crying from the pain.”
Dr. Beresford came into the waiting area. He seemed surprised to find Cragen there.
“Captain Cragen, we don't have anybody here that would be a Special Victims case.”
“I'm not here for one. I know the beating victim who was just brought in. How is she doing?”
“Laceration on the scalp. A mild concussion from the blows to the head. Bruising all over the torso. And a broken humerus bone in the right arm. We'll be sending her up for X-rays as soon as there's a opening available.”
“Has she said anything about her attacker?” Cragen wanted to know.
“She hasn't said much about the attack. She's still pretty fuzzy from the concussion.” Beresford answered. “Does she have any family we should notify?”
There was an awkward moment of silence while all three men tried to decide what was the best way to answer that question. Cragen spoke up first.
“She has a son, but it may be better if he doesn't know where she is right now.”
Dr. Beresford read between the lines. He noted on his patient's chart to have the police called if the son showed up.
“Would it be alright if I went in and sat with her?” Jerry asked. “A familiar face might be comforting.”
“I don't see any reason why you can't as long as you let her rest. I'll be back later when there's more to report.” Then Beresford went back to work.
Jonah and Cragen sat down in the formed plastic chairs to wait.
Jonah finally spoke. “You think her son did this, don't you?”
“We don't know much about him other than what Nancy said in the meetings. But it would fit. Hopefully there will be some evidence in the apartment that will tell us for sure.”
“And if there isn't?”
“Then Nancy will be able to tell us who attacked her.”
“And if she doesn't want to cooperate, what then?” Jonah asked quietly.
“Do you think she'll try to protect him?”
“Don, we both know that parents will try to protect their children, especially if they feel guilty about how they have treated them in the past. She wants to make amends to him for how her drinking hurt him in the past. So I can see her refusing to name him if he's her attacker.”
Jerry came back into the waiting area. “A nurse came to take her up to X-ray her arm. Once they get the exact location of the break, they take her in to set the arm. But she won't be released until tomorrow.”
“Was she awake enough to say anything about the attack?” Cragen asked.
Jerry looked uncomfortable about answering Cragen's question. “She was awake and talking. But she said she didn't want to talk to the police. Given that you're police, I don't think I should be telling you what she said. I'm sorry because I know you're worried about her.”
“We knew it was going to come down to this, Don. What gets told as part of AA is meant to stay in AA. Even if you could use it to put criminals away, it just can't be done that way. If people thought what they said could be used against them or the people they know, they'll stop talking or coming to meetings. That's why we have Anonymous in the name.”
“I know. There are things I've said in meetings I wouldn't want repeated to anyone. My problem is that I'm also committed to stopping people from hurting each other. It doesn't sit well that someone knows something that I can use to stop attacks against women and I can't get at the information.”
“You need to decide which hat you are wearing. AA member or police officer.”
“My problem, “ Cragen said, “Is that I'm both. And I don't think I can stop being one at the expense of not being the other.”
Jonah and another man Cragen recognized from various meetings were in the Emergency Room waiting area when Cragen arrived at St. Catherine's.
“Do you know what happened?” he asked.
“After we talked, I got on the phone to Jerry here. He tried to call Nancy but they said her phone was out of service.”
“So I went over to her apartment and the front door was open.” Jerry continued. “I went in and found her bloody on the floor. I called 911 and the ambulance brought her here.”
“And there were police processing the apartment when you left?”
“Yeah. I had to tell them everything I knew before they would let me leave.”
“Did she says anything?” Cragen asked. “Tell you who did this?”
Jerry shook his head. “All she kept mumbling was 'No, please no'. And crying from the pain.”
Dr. Beresford came into the waiting area. He seemed surprised to find Cragen there.
“Captain Cragen, we don't have anybody here that would be a Special Victims case.”
“I'm not here for one. I know the beating victim who was just brought in. How is she doing?”
“Laceration on the scalp. A mild concussion from the blows to the head. Bruising all over the torso. And a broken humerus bone in the right arm. We'll be sending her up for X-rays as soon as there's a opening available.”
“Has she said anything about her attacker?” Cragen wanted to know.
“She hasn't said much about the attack. She's still pretty fuzzy from the concussion.” Beresford answered. “Does she have any family we should notify?”
There was an awkward moment of silence while all three men tried to decide what was the best way to answer that question. Cragen spoke up first.
“She has a son, but it may be better if he doesn't know where she is right now.”
Dr. Beresford read between the lines. He noted on his patient's chart to have the police called if the son showed up.
“Would it be alright if I went in and sat with her?” Jerry asked. “A familiar face might be comforting.”
“I don't see any reason why you can't as long as you let her rest. I'll be back later when there's more to report.” Then Beresford went back to work.
Jonah and Cragen sat down in the formed plastic chairs to wait.
Jonah finally spoke. “You think her son did this, don't you?”
“We don't know much about him other than what Nancy said in the meetings. But it would fit. Hopefully there will be some evidence in the apartment that will tell us for sure.”
“And if there isn't?”
“Then Nancy will be able to tell us who attacked her.”
“And if she doesn't want to cooperate, what then?” Jonah asked quietly.
“Do you think she'll try to protect him?”
“Don, we both know that parents will try to protect their children, especially if they feel guilty about how they have treated them in the past. She wants to make amends to him for how her drinking hurt him in the past. So I can see her refusing to name him if he's her attacker.”
Jerry came back into the waiting area. “A nurse came to take her up to X-ray her arm. Once they get the exact location of the break, they take her in to set the arm. But she won't be released until tomorrow.”
“Was she awake enough to say anything about the attack?” Cragen asked.
Jerry looked uncomfortable about answering Cragen's question. “She was awake and talking. But she said she didn't want to talk to the police. Given that you're police, I don't think I should be telling you what she said. I'm sorry because I know you're worried about her.”
“We knew it was going to come down to this, Don. What gets told as part of AA is meant to stay in AA. Even if you could use it to put criminals away, it just can't be done that way. If people thought what they said could be used against them or the people they know, they'll stop talking or coming to meetings. That's why we have Anonymous in the name.”
“I know. There are things I've said in meetings I wouldn't want repeated to anyone. My problem is that I'm also committed to stopping people from hurting each other. It doesn't sit well that someone knows something that I can use to stop attacks against women and I can't get at the information.”
“You need to decide which hat you are wearing. AA member or police officer.”
“My problem, “ Cragen said, “Is that I'm both. And I don't think I can stop being one at the expense of not being the other.”
Pleaseeeee more It's really good.
It's really good.
Chapter 11
After he left the hospital, Cragen went to the apartment of Nancy Fuller. CSU techs were still gathering evidence. Captain Judy Siper was directing the operation.
“Don, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“There's a good chance the rapist who has been hitting the bars is the same guy who did this. I want to make sure anything you find here gets compared to those samples as soon as possible.”
“Are you sure? This doesn't look like his work.”
“I have reason to believe it's him. But I'll need some thing to match before we can prove it.”
Siper nodded her head. “I'll have my people start going through the samples as soon as we're done here. Then I'll check the prints myself.”
“Thanks, Judy. I appreciate it.”
The next morning when Cragen walked into the squad room, Munch was sitting with a series of reports spread all over his desk.
“Good morning John, What's all this?” Cragen asked.
“Fingerprint analysis from the rape scenes which match the prints found at the Fuller apartment last night. According to CSU, someone who was there was also at our crime scenes.”
“Did they find anything we can use to match the DNA?”
“It looks like the assault took place in the living room, That's the only place these fingerprints were found. Another set, probably the victim's, were found all over the apartment. The blood samples and the hairs they found are at Warner's lab being tested. They are using some hairs from the victim's brush to eliminate hers. That will take awhile yet.”
Okay. We'll have to wait for that. But I have another job for you and your magic fingers.” Munch looked up at Cragen with a question in his eyes. “I want you to check the birth records to find the name of the child or children of Nancy Fuller. I'm going to go call over to get us excess to all the reports filed on this last night.”
“Any idea what time frame I'm looking at?”
“At this point anywhere from twenty to thirty years ago. If I get something more exact, you'll be the first to know.” Cragen went into his office to make a phone call.
“This should be a piece of cake.” Munch muttered. “With only the current name of the mother, I only have ten years of entries to shift through. I should be done by lunch. Sometime in 2020.”
Inside his office, Cragen dialed the number for an old friend over at the 31 Precinct.
“Mike, it's Don Cragen...I'm doing okay. But I heard you caught the Fuller assault from last night...Good. I need you to send me all the reports on the case. I think it connects to that series of rapes my people are working on in the Financial District...The victim isn't cooperating. That's not surprising. I had met her before this. I'll see if I can change her mind...No problem. Just send someone over with what you have as soon as possible. Thanks.”
Twenty minutes later, a rather thin folder was handed to Cragen. There wasn't much there but at least there was something to would help narrow Munch's search.
“John, Nancy Fuller's DOB is 5/17/59. That should help you.”
“I'll put it in now. But there's still going to be a lot of possibles if her name wasn't Fuller at the time.”
“Just do the best you can, John.” Cragen said as he continued to peruse the reports. Something caught his eye.
“Elliot, are you in the middle of something right now?”
“Nothing that can't wait. Why?”
“One of Nancy Fuller's neighbors heard a commotion in her apartment last night before the police came. I want you to go over and talk to him. See if you can get anything more.”
“Investigating crime sure beats doing paperwork.” Elliot took the report and headed out the door.
Munch called to Cragen. “I have a list of the women named Nancy with the DOB who had birth certificates recorded for male babies between 1977 and 1990. That should cover the possibilities. But I don't have any Fuller as a last name.”
“Then check with DMV and see if there are changes to her driver's license. If she came from out of state, they should be able to tell us that too. Any idea where Fin and Olivia are?”
“Olivia called to say she was going over to talk to Cheryl Kennedy. And Fin went to talk to one of the servers from Match Point.”
“More leads. Good. Let's pin this guy down.”
Two hours later, all the detectives were back in the squad room. There was an buzz of excitement in the group.
“Cheryl Kennedy remembered one of the girls at the party got the dates mixed up. She had to call a guy to cancel plans to get together. She met him at Maximum. She just had his first name and a phone number. But she throw them away after he yelled at her for breaking the date. I put in a request for a phone down.”
“I talked to a server who thinks he recognized a regular customer from the sketch. The guy stood out because he always pays with cash. And he always drinks ginger ale.”
“Mr. Sommers is Nancy Fuller's next door neighbor. They share a wall that is pretty thin. He was trying not to listen to the fight next door. But he finally admitted he kept hearing the word “Mother” repeatedly.”
“After several calls to DMV and assorted state agencies, I found Nancy Fuller had been Nancy Kaplan for a number of years while she was married to George Kaplan. While they were still married, they had a son named David. Born October 6, 1984. I ran him through the system. No record but I have his address.”
“Good work. Fin, Olivia, go pick him up.”
After he left the hospital, Cragen went to the apartment of Nancy Fuller. CSU techs were still gathering evidence. Captain Judy Siper was directing the operation.
“Don, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“There's a good chance the rapist who has been hitting the bars is the same guy who did this. I want to make sure anything you find here gets compared to those samples as soon as possible.”
“Are you sure? This doesn't look like his work.”
“I have reason to believe it's him. But I'll need some thing to match before we can prove it.”
Siper nodded her head. “I'll have my people start going through the samples as soon as we're done here. Then I'll check the prints myself.”
“Thanks, Judy. I appreciate it.”
The next morning when Cragen walked into the squad room, Munch was sitting with a series of reports spread all over his desk.
“Good morning John, What's all this?” Cragen asked.
“Fingerprint analysis from the rape scenes which match the prints found at the Fuller apartment last night. According to CSU, someone who was there was also at our crime scenes.”
“Did they find anything we can use to match the DNA?”
“It looks like the assault took place in the living room, That's the only place these fingerprints were found. Another set, probably the victim's, were found all over the apartment. The blood samples and the hairs they found are at Warner's lab being tested. They are using some hairs from the victim's brush to eliminate hers. That will take awhile yet.”
Okay. We'll have to wait for that. But I have another job for you and your magic fingers.” Munch looked up at Cragen with a question in his eyes. “I want you to check the birth records to find the name of the child or children of Nancy Fuller. I'm going to go call over to get us excess to all the reports filed on this last night.”
“Any idea what time frame I'm looking at?”
“At this point anywhere from twenty to thirty years ago. If I get something more exact, you'll be the first to know.” Cragen went into his office to make a phone call.
“This should be a piece of cake.” Munch muttered. “With only the current name of the mother, I only have ten years of entries to shift through. I should be done by lunch. Sometime in 2020.”
Inside his office, Cragen dialed the number for an old friend over at the 31 Precinct.
“Mike, it's Don Cragen...I'm doing okay. But I heard you caught the Fuller assault from last night...Good. I need you to send me all the reports on the case. I think it connects to that series of rapes my people are working on in the Financial District...The victim isn't cooperating. That's not surprising. I had met her before this. I'll see if I can change her mind...No problem. Just send someone over with what you have as soon as possible. Thanks.”
Twenty minutes later, a rather thin folder was handed to Cragen. There wasn't much there but at least there was something to would help narrow Munch's search.
“John, Nancy Fuller's DOB is 5/17/59. That should help you.”
“I'll put it in now. But there's still going to be a lot of possibles if her name wasn't Fuller at the time.”
“Just do the best you can, John.” Cragen said as he continued to peruse the reports. Something caught his eye.
“Elliot, are you in the middle of something right now?”
“Nothing that can't wait. Why?”
“One of Nancy Fuller's neighbors heard a commotion in her apartment last night before the police came. I want you to go over and talk to him. See if you can get anything more.”
“Investigating crime sure beats doing paperwork.” Elliot took the report and headed out the door.
Munch called to Cragen. “I have a list of the women named Nancy with the DOB who had birth certificates recorded for male babies between 1977 and 1990. That should cover the possibilities. But I don't have any Fuller as a last name.”
“Then check with DMV and see if there are changes to her driver's license. If she came from out of state, they should be able to tell us that too. Any idea where Fin and Olivia are?”
“Olivia called to say she was going over to talk to Cheryl Kennedy. And Fin went to talk to one of the servers from Match Point.”
“More leads. Good. Let's pin this guy down.”
Two hours later, all the detectives were back in the squad room. There was an buzz of excitement in the group.
“Cheryl Kennedy remembered one of the girls at the party got the dates mixed up. She had to call a guy to cancel plans to get together. She met him at Maximum. She just had his first name and a phone number. But she throw them away after he yelled at her for breaking the date. I put in a request for a phone down.”
“I talked to a server who thinks he recognized a regular customer from the sketch. The guy stood out because he always pays with cash. And he always drinks ginger ale.”
“Mr. Sommers is Nancy Fuller's next door neighbor. They share a wall that is pretty thin. He was trying not to listen to the fight next door. But he finally admitted he kept hearing the word “Mother” repeatedly.”
“After several calls to DMV and assorted state agencies, I found Nancy Fuller had been Nancy Kaplan for a number of years while she was married to George Kaplan. While they were still married, they had a son named David. Born October 6, 1984. I ran him through the system. No record but I have his address.”
“Good work. Fin, Olivia, go pick him up.”
Continueeeee please! I like it
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