New fic: Questions and Answers - Part 1
Title: Questions and Answers
Fandom: Law & Order: SVU (with a guest appearance by a character from the original Law & Order)
Pairing: A/O
Rating: R
Disclaimer: The characters from the Law & Order Universe do not belong to me. No infringement intended and no profit will be made from their use.
Spoilers: None - set some time during Season 3 (because that's the ulitmate Olivia!)
Summary: An unusual case prompts detectives to ask some interesting questions...
Author's Note: I'm not a lawyer. I did some research on NY law, but I may have taken some creative liberties for the sake of the story.
Detectives Benson and Stabler entered the bedroom to see the medical examiner snapping on a fresh pair of gloves. The nude body of the victim was lying on the bed partially covered with a sheet. Dr. Melinda Warner glanced up and nodded to the two detectives.
“What have we got?” Elliot asked.
“Victim is Christina Grado, thirty-five year old white female. No obvious cause of death. Super found her when he came in to do a routine plumbing inspection this morning. I estimate TOD at around ten o’clock last night.”
“Rape?” Olivia stepped closer to the bed.
“Possibly. Fluids are present on her thigh. The sex could have been consensual though. Take a look.” The doctor leaned forward and removed the sheet from the victim’s upper body.”
Elliot looked confused. “What the…?”
“Nipple clamps,” Olivia answered. Two sets of eyes focused on the detective. Melinda looked almost amused and Elliot looked puzzled. If either look had an effect on Olivia, she exhibited no signs of it.
“Nipple clamps,” the medical examiner confirmed with a nod. Elliot still stared at his partner. Not sure if his expression was due to his lack of knowledge about the clamps or the fact that his partner knew exactly what they were, the doctor offered an explanation. “They enhance sensation.” Elliot turned his face back toward Warner. She continued, “Most rapists aren’t too concerned with the victim’s pleasure, so that leads me to believe that we may not be dealing with a rape. Or at least, not with a traditional rapist.”
“Detectives?” the CSU tech called as he came into the room. He handed Elliot a plastic bag containing a very lifelike replica of a penis and scrotum attached to a leather harness. “Found this in the trash bin out front.” Elliot looked down at the bag and back at his partner.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know what that is,” she said with a smirk.
He gave her a sarcastic smile in return as he turned the bag over in his hands, visually examining the contents. “Pretty realistic. Think it’s connected to our vic?”
“Whoa!” The exclamation came from another tech as he opened the box he had just pulled from beneath the bed.
“What is it?” Olivia asked moving to the other side of the bed for a better look.
“It looks like her toy box.” He moved back to give the detective a better view. The box was full of dildos, vibrators and various other sex toys in all colors, shapes and sizes.
***
“I finished the post on your vic,” Warner said as the two detectives walked into the lab. “She died from a heart attack.”
“Heart attack?” Elliot questioned.
“I found a congenital heart defect that she probably didn’t even know she had. She was basically a ticking time bomb.”
“So we may not even have a crime?” Elliot asked.
“It’s possible, but her tox screen showed evidence of MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy, in her blood. That probably contributed to the MI.”
Olivia nodded. “CSU found a plastic bag with some pills in it in the nightstand.”
Melinda nodded and continued. “And the fluids on her leg were not hers.”
“So you’re thinking the guy could have slipped her a mickey and then raped her?” Elliot gave the medical examiner a questioning look.
“I found no evidence of semen. Only vaginal fluids.”
Elliot looked blank and Melinda waited for the detectives to process that information.
Olivia finally spoke. “We’re looking for a woman.” It was a statement more than a question.
Melinda nodded. “I swabbed the… apparatus… found in the trash outside. It was positive for fluids matching both the victim and the unknown.”
Elliot still looked confused. “You’re telling me she was raped by another woman?”
“I can’t say it was rape, Detective, but there was definitely another woman present.”
“If this was consensual and an accident, then why not report it?” Stabler couldn’t seem to let go of the rape angle.
“Find the other woman and maybe you’ll find your answer,” the medical examiner stated succinctly.
***
“We printed the strap-on, but only found a few partials on the harness,” the crime lab tech stated to the two detectives. “Nothing we would be able to get a match on.”
“So why did you call us down here?” Elliot asked.
The tech smiled. “We also printed everything from the box. Got several good prints and ran them all through AFIS. We got one match.”
“They have a record?” Olivia asked.
“Not the kind you’re talking about.”
“What does that mean?” Olivia was getting exasperated with the cryptic game the tech seemed to be enjoying.
“The print came from the American Bar Association database.” Olivia waited. “More specifically, from someone associated with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.” Brown eyes widened. The tech waited for a moment as if he needed to let the information he had just disclosed settle in. Olivia was beginning to wonder if she was going to have the beat the name out of him.
“So who is it?!” Elliot snapped before Olivia could make a move.
The tech smirked. “Former ADA Serena Southerlyn.”
Olivia expelled the breath she was holding. For the briefest of moments she let herself wonder if she had really been worried that it might have been Alex Cabot’s print that was discovered at a crime scene. The next thought almost made her head spin. Had she also allowed her subconscious to view that as evidence that Alex was a lesbian?
Elliot frowned. “Southerlyn?” He looked at his partner. “You know her?”
Olivia shook her head. “I’ve heard the name. I think she used to be in homicide.” Olivia flipped open her cell phone and began to dial. “Let’s see if Cabot’s free for lunch.”
***
As the two detectives entered the lobby of One Hogan Place, Elliot’s cell phone rang. He unclipped it from his belt and flipped it open as they approached the elevator. “Stabler.”
It took Olivia a second to realize that Elliot had stopped in his tracks. She stopped and turned around to see him listening intently, his brow furrowed. “Slow down, slow down. What happened?” He listened for a minute more. “OK. Calm down. Where are they taking him?” He nodded as if the person he was speaking to could see him. “OK. I’ll meet you there. Just calm down. I’m sure he’s gonna be fine.” He nodded again and glanced up at Olivia. “Just go with them in the ambulance and I’ll meet you there.” He snapped the phone shut.
“What’s wrong?” Olivia asked, concern evident on her face.
“Dickie collided with another kid playing soccer. Knocked him cold. They think he’s got a concussion and probably a broken arm. Kath’s a basket case. I gotta go meet them at the ER.” He said the last sentence almost apologetically.
“Go, Elliot. I’ll go talk to Alex.” She put her hand on his elbow and urged him back toward the entrance. “Call me later and let me know how he’s doing, OK?”
He nodded and turned to leave. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Take care of your family, El. I got this.”
He nodded again and headed back out the front door. Olivia took the elevator and walked down the hallway to Alex’s office. She stopped and knocked. Hearing Alex’s voice say, “Come in,” she opened the door and entered the ADA’s office.
Alex was seated at her desk writing on a legal pad. She glanced up as the detective entered and held up one finger on her left hand as she quickly finished what she was writing. She put down the pen and looked up with a smile. “Sorry, I’ve been trying to finish this closing for two days and inspiration just struck this morning. If I didn’t finish that thought, who knows when it will strike again.” She smiled and gestured for Olivia to sit in one of the chairs facing her desk.
“No problem. Wouldn’t want to interrupt justice in the making.”
“So, what’s this ‘potentially delicate situation’ you wanted to talk to me about?” Glancing around as if she had just noticed Elliot’s absence, she added, “Does it involve your partner?”
“No, he got called away just as we got here. His son is on his way to the ER.” Alex raised her eyebrows in alarm. “Soccer injury. Sounded like Kathy may be in worse shape than Dickie.” Alex nodded and the eyebrows returned to their normal place. “We have a possible lead on the new case we just picked up that may involve someone with connections to the DA’s office.” The eyebrows shot up again. “Do you know Serena Southerlyn?”
Alex gave the slightest hesitation before answering. “Yes. She used to prosecute homicide cases along side Jack McCoy. I think she’s in private practice now.”
“How well do you know her?”
“Why? Olivia, what is this leading up to?”
“We found her print at our crime scene.” Alex’s eyes widened. “It’s not just that, Alex. The print was found on a sex toy apparently belonging to the victim.”
“OK, back up and tell me the whole story.”
Olivia gave Alex a rundown on the details of the case. Alex listened intently without adding any commentary. At the end of her briefing, Olivia looked squarely at the ADA and said, “So, I’ll ask again. How well do you know Serena Southerlyn? Do you think she could be involved in this?”
“I wouldn’t exactly say we were the best of friends, but we are more than mere acquaintances. I can’t imagine that she would be involved in a rape/homicide. And if it were accidental, I can’t imagine that she, as an officer of the court, not to mention a decent human being, would just leave the victim there without calling emergency services or the police or someone.” Olivia nodded and waited for Alex to continue. “And, yes, I knew she was a lesbian. She believed, but had no proof, that had something to do with the reason for Branch asking her to leave the DA’s office. I honestly don’t believe that it did.”
“Have you kept in touch since she left?”
“She called me once to have a drink shortly after she left. We talked about her dismissal and her plans to go into private practice.” Alex omitted the fact that Serena had propositioned her that evening, even though Alex had politely declined the invitation.
“Was she seeing anyone?”
“Not that she mentioned. She was more into the short-term. Liked to have fun and then move on.”
“One-night stands?”
“You really should be asking her this, Olivia.”
“I’m not sure when Elliot’s going to be back. I don’t suppose you want to go talk to her with me? If you really don’t think she’s involved, it might make her a little more comfortable to have a friend there.”
“I have an arraignment at one, but I can go with you after that.”
***
“Ms. Southerlyn will see you now,” the secretary said as she ushered the detective and the ADA into the attorney’s office.
Serena met them in front of her desk and smiled warmly at Alex as she extended her hand. “Alex, good to see you again. What on earth brings you and your detective here on official business?”
Alex shook the offered hand. “Good to see you too, Serena. Detective Benson asked me to come along as a courtesy.”
Olivia offered her hand and said, “Olivia Benson from Special Victims, Ms. Southerlyn. I remember you from your time in the DA’s office.”
Serena smiled and shook Olivia’s hand. “That could be good or bad. Please, call me Serena.” She gestured to the client chairs in front of her desk and moved back around to sit at her desk. Once everyone was seated, Serena looked at Olivia and said, “So what can I do for you, Detective?”
Olivia reached in her pocket and retrieved a picture of the victim. “Do you recognize this woman?”
Serena took the picture and said, “I met her a few months ago. Her name is Tina. I believe her last name is Grayden or Grayson or something like that.”
“Grado,” Olivia stated.
Serena nodded. “Grado. Tina Grado, that’s it. Is she in some sort of trouble?” She handed the picture back across the desk to Olivia.
“She was found dead in her apartment Wednesday morning.” Olivia watched her expression and was a little surprised at the lack of reaction from the attorney.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Serena stated matter-of-factly. “I’m still not sure how this involves me.”
“I’ll cut right to the chase, Ms. Southerlyn. We found your fingerprint in her apartment. I’m not suggesting that you had anything to do with her death, but I do need to rule you out as a suspect, and see if you have any information about Ms. Grado that might help in our investigation.”
Serena glanced at Alex and nodded. “I met her at a bar about three months ago. I accompanied her to her apartment that evening and that’s the last time I saw her. Actually, that’s not true. I have seen her since, in the same bar, but we haven’t had a conversation or shared anything else for that matter.”
Olivia nodded. “I have to ask this-”
Before she could finish the question, Serena interrupted her. “I’ll save you the trouble, Detective. My lone encounter with Ms. Grado was sexual in nature, one between two consenting adults. And to answer the other question you have to ask, I was at a Legal Ethics seminar in New Hampshire from Sunday until yesterday. I have receipts and meeting materials if you need to see them.” She reached over and held up a meeting program for Olivia to see.
“Thank you. That won’t be necessary. But I do need you to tell me the name of the bar where you met Ms. Grado.”
Another glance at Alex. “It’s a place called Gertrude and Alice. Over on West 54th.” Olivia pulled out a small notebook and scribbled down the name and address while Serena talked. “It’s a very discreet lesbian bar. Only advertised by word of mouth. There’s not even a sign out front. A lot of professional women go there to meet and socialize with others like themselves. Discretion is a pretty high priority among the patrons there.”
“And Christina Grado is a regular there?”
“I’ve seen her there on multiple occasions, so I would say she is.”
“Have you ever seen her use drugs?
Serena’s eyes widened slightly. “Drugs? No. I’ve only seen her have a few drinks and she never seemed to be under the influence of anything stronger.”
“What else can you tell me about her?”
“Not much. She likes upper class, professional women. It seemed she took an interest in a different one each time I saw her. Some would call her a player, I guess.”
“Discretion high on her priority list too?”
“I assume so. No one has mentioned her to me until today. Do you mind if I ask you a question?” Olivia nodded a go ahead. “You’re Special Victims, so I assume her death was sexual in nature. And if so, why would you think I had anything to do with it?”
“We’re trying to rule out the possibility that she may have been raped. We also found evidence of another woman present. A print found on a sex toy in a box beneath her bed was matched to you. I’m sorry for the invasion of your privacy, but given the circumstances, I’m sure you understand why I had to speak with you.” Serena nodded. “My partner and I will have to check out the bar, but I will try as much as possible to keep your name out of it.”
“Thank you, Detective. I’m not really in the closet, but I don’t feel it necessary to advertise either.” Then she added, “Is your partner male?”
“Yes.”
“You may get a warmer reception at the bar, if you go without him. Men are not usually on the guest list there.”
Olivia nodded. “How do I find this place if there’s no sign? Do you have an exact address?”
Serena glanced again at Alex. “I don’t know the number, but it’s in the vicinity of-”
The ADA interrupted her. “I know where it is, Olivia.” A very surprised look crossed the detective’s face as she quickly turned to look at Alex. “I went there with Serena once,” Alex offered in explanation.
“OK...” Olivia turned back to Serena. “Well, then… Thank you for your time, Ms. Southerlyn.” She stood up and handed Serena a business card. “If you think of anything else, please let me know.”
***
They got in the car and Alex waited for Olivia to ask the inevitable question. She didn’t have to wait long.
“So, you and Southerlyn…?”
“No. Remember when I told you we got together for a drink? Well, that’s where we went. I’d never been there before and I haven’t been back. And I left alone that night.”
Olivia suppressed a smile and glanced over at Alex who was staring straight ahead. “For a prosecutor, you just got awfully defensive.”
“I’m not being defensive. I just don’t want you to think I lied to you.”
“You know, Alex, whatever you do in your personal life is your business. I don’t plan on opening any closet doors that I don’t have to.” She waited for Alex’s reaction as she allowed herself to once again contemplate the possibility that Alex was a lesbian. Alex, however, remained silent. No confirmation, but no denial either.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, Olivia glanced over at Alex again. “So, Gertrude and Alice?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s a reference to Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas.”
Olivia nodded. “OK. So where is it?”
“I don’t remember the exact address either. I can probably show you easier than tell you.” Alex looked down at her watch. “It’s probably not open now, though. Why don’t you drop me back at my office and then meet me after work. We’ll go then. If you don’t have other plans, that is.”
Another sideways glance, but Alex seemed to be studying the light at the intersection. “Nope. No plans. It makes more sense to go when the after work crowd is there anyway.”
They spent the rest of the ride to One Hogan Place with Olivia muttering about the traffic and Alex checking her voicemail via cell phone. When they arrived, Olivia dropped Alex at the curb and said, “See you back here around six?”
Alex agreed and watched the dark brown Crown Vic ease back into traffic. As she made the trek up to her office, it began to sink in that she had just made a “date” to go to a lesbian bar with Olivia Benson. She nearly ran head-on into Liz Donnelly as she exited the elevator.
“A little distracted today, Alex?” Donnelly asked as she side-stepped to avoid a collision.
“Hi. Sorry, Liz. My mind was elsewhere, I guess.”
“Arraignment go OK?” Liz looked at her watch and frowned. “Are you just getting done?”
“No. I mean, yes, the arraignment went fine. I just went with Detective Benson to interview a witness.”
Liz smirked. “Your detectives have you doing their job again?”
“We work as a team, Liz,” Alex said as she walked away. She really wasn’t in the mood for Liz’s sarcasm at the moment.
Liz stared after Alex as she walked toward her office, wondering what had the ADA so distracted.
TO BE CONTINUED...