I knew this one would be difficult to write in some places. I don't think I realized just how difficult it could be, hence the lateness of this chapter. You'll probably be able to tell which places I struggled, and there was one place where it was easy to skip ahead in the episode (you'll really be able to tell where that is). With Nolan at the helm, there were several ways to take this episode. Overall, I'm satisfied with my work, and I'm anxious to get the ball rolling from here.
Oh . . . and happy (it's within 24 hours, it counts) Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, Law & Order, and Law & Order: SVU renewal day! Fingers crossed for Organized Crime to get the same treatment!
So, what everyone has likely been waiting for since they figured out it was happening . . . Nolan Price takes on Rafael Barba in the case of People v. Richard Wheatley! I love adding music to the chapters - this one came to mind instantly when thinking of Nolan in the courtroom.
***
"Elliot is going to kill Nolan for not saying a word about this," Olivia warned as she led the way into the cemetery, cradling a bouquet of flowers in the crook of her arm.
"He'd have to kill Cosgrove, too," Owen chuckled. "He knew we were coming, too."
"Not just because he'd be the first to stand in front of Elliot's way," TK added.
Olivia shook her head fondly. "It means a lot that you're here. Thank you."
Owen's green eyes hardened. "We wouldn't miss this for anything."
Carlos nodded in agreement, and the four sets of footsteps approaching made Elliot look up from his wife's tombstone. His eyes widened in shock, and he stepped away from his three children to approach. "Owen?" he asked in surprise. "TK? Carlos? What are you doing here?"
"You thought we wouldn't come to see Wheatley get his reckoning?" Owen snorted. "Please." He pulled Elliot in for a hug. "There's nowhere else we'd rather be right now."
"Thanks for coming," Kathleen smiled and hugged TK.
"Family shows up for each other," TK hugged her in return.
"That really may as well be the extended family's motto," Elliot muttered.
"No complaints from me," Owen shrugged, looking around the gathered Stablers. "How's everyone doing?"
"We're OK," Dickie answered.
"And I'm really getting through things," Eli added.
"Good," Olivia smiled.
TK stepped forward and crouched in front of Kathy's tombstone, a sad smile on his face. "Sorry it took so long to visit you," he said, carefully placing his bouquet among the rest. "I miss you, Kathy."
Carlos squeezed TK's shoulder supportively and placed his bouquet next to the firefighter's. "I didn't even get to talk to her," he remarked.
"She would've loved you," Kathleen smiled.
Owen and Olivia silently placed their bouquets down, and Elliot cleared his throat. "Italian for lunch?" he suggested. "Kathy's favorite."
"Sounds perfect," Olivia agreed.
"Actually, Dad, I was gonna go meet Sara," Eli looked at him. "Is that OK?"
Elliot raised an eyebrow. "You got a date now?"
"She's not a date," Eli shook his head. "She's my study partner."
Elliot hummed then nodded. "Alright. Well, check in, text."
"OK," Eli nodded in agreement, walking away and pulling out his phone.
"Good," Olivia smiled approvingly. "Show him you trust him."
"Trust, but verify," Elliot held up his own phone. "I got a tracking app on his cell."
Kathleen abruptly turned on her heel. "I can't hear this."
TK laughed, and Elliot smirked. "And security cameras at home!"
Dickie rolled his eyes in amusement. "We'll meet you guys."
Owen watched the three Stabler children leave the cemetery. "God, Eli's growing up fast," he said.
"We kids tend to do that," TK reminded him.
Owen snorted. "Don't I know it."
Carlos glanced at Elliot's faraway expression. "You OK?" he asked in concern.
Elliot sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. "The last year has been a blur," he confessed. "Until Wheatley goes to trial, there's no closure."
"Nolan said that Wheatley's out of postponements," Olivia told him. "The clock is ticking."
Elliot shook his head. "Make it tick faster."
***
"Mr. Baptiste, Mr. Price, I'm denying People's motion for this evidence to be admitted at trial," Judge Ellery declared.
"Your Honor," Phillip Baptiste scowled from his position next to Nolan, the Homicide Bureau Chief sitting second to the Executive ADA instead of Sam. "Izak Bekher was Richard Wheatley's right-hand man, his bodyguard, his head of security, the architect of the bomb that killed Kathy Stabler. His taped confession is crucial to the state's case."
"And inadmissible as hearsay, as my predecessor admonished you three months ago since Mr. Bekher isn't available for cross-examination," Ellery countered.
Nolan smothered a snort. "Mr. Bekher can't make himself available because he's presumed dead, most likely at the hand of Richard Wheatley."
"The larger point remains, the state has not proved that my client, by 'violence, threats, or chicanery,' caused Bekher to be unavailable," Lisa Turner said from her place by a smirking Wheatley.
"I'm agreeing with you, Counselor," Ellery told her. "Take yes for an answer. Motion denied."
"In that case," Nolan folded his hands in front of him, "we move to set an immediate trial date."
"Actually, that won't be possible," Wheatley shook his head.
Ellery frowned. "Excuse me?"
"I need time to find new representation," Wheatley smiled pleasantly. "I'm firing my lawyer."
Lisa balked. "What?"
"Sorry, Lisa," Wheatley told her, not sounding very apologetic at all. "You're fine for motions, but you're not cut out for trial." He looked at Ellery expectantly. "My right as a defendant, if I understand that correctly?"
"Yes, that of course is your right, Mr. Wheatley," Ellery agreed. "You have one week."
***
"Just when I thought my case's webs were more tangled than normal," Nolan groused as he and Baptiste headed down the steps of the courthouse.
"Welcome to what Stone and I had to face before he was kicked off the case," Baptiste said dryly. "Wheatley's face when he saw you walk into the room was something, though."
Nolan snorted. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Olivia, Fin, and Peter were waiting on the sidewalk for them, and Peter grimaced knowingly at the look on Nolan's face. "Went well, I assume?" he asked sarcastically.
"Change of lawyers," Nolan huffed. "Again."
"We should've seen that coming," Baptiste admitted.
"And how did they get Judge Ellery on the bench after all you had on him?" Nolan frowned.
Fin snorted. "You have to ask?"
Nolan shook his head in silent frustration. "Paranoia won't help us," Baptiste said, glancing at the commanding officers of SVU. "We'll need your help prepping witnesses. Wheatley's not going down easy."
Olivia nodded in agreement. "This guy doesn't want to spend one more minute of his life in jail."
***
The three teenagers were chatting over each other yet seeming to respond to everything being said, and Frank shook his head. "I will never understand teenagers," he decided.
"Herrmann said something very similar as his kids grew up," Matt chuckled as he found the last bags on the carousel. "Hey, at least they're happy to see each other."
"I'm not sure who's happy to see who more right now," Nolan grinned at Sylvie. "Us, or them."
"Probably them," Sylvie giggled. "This is only their second time seeing each other in person."
Frank made a face. "It doesn't seem that way with the amount of times they're talking with each other."
"How did you even manage to convince the school to let them come out here?" Nolan asked.
"With the promise of virtual attendance," Kelly answered as they headed for the doors, Lily and the Dardens hurrying to catch up to them. "Besides, they've done well enough in school that they can afford to come out with us."
"It just might not happen very often in the future," Matt warned the boys.
"We know," Griffin nodded.
"But how often are we gonna get to watch a trial like this?" Ben bounced on his feet in excitement. "Or, well . . . parts of it, at least."
"With the enormity of the trial, it'll likely be a full room," Nolan warned. "The teams are allowed inside, and Olivia and I can get the Strands, Carlos, and Sylvie into the room. Fortunately, Jack can observe everything from his office, and he's agreed that you can watch from in there if you'd like."
"And it gets the boys out of Wheatley's sight," Sylvie deduced. "And Lily, if she's there, too."
Lily immediately turned to Frank, who held up his hands. "I won't even try to argue," he said. "But after we stayed in Austin and you connected virtually, you'll be going in-person. You can be at the courthouse if there are parts of the trial once you're released."
"Thanks, Dad!" Lily grinned in relief.
"I'm glad we at least didn't miss much," Sylvie said as they stepped out of the airport; Nolan's phone beeped, and he pulled it out to check the incoming message. "How many times can this guy fire his lawyer?"
Nolan stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide as he read the message. "Something tells me he's going to be keeping this one."
"Oh, yeah?" Frank frowned. "Who did he get?"
Nolan swallowed hard. "Rafael Barba."
"Barba?" Kelly repeated. "How do I know that name?"
Sylvie's face drained of color. "He's Peter's predecessor," she answered, and Matt's eyes widened. "He used to be SVU's lead prosecutor."
"And now he's defending the man they helped investigate?" Frank asked incredulously. "What the hell?"
Nolan sighed heavily. "Just when I thought this case couldn't get any messier."
***
"Rafael Barba," Elliot scowled as he and Owen followed Olivia into the precinct. "You know him, right?"
"We both do," Owen confirmed.
"He's representing Wheatley," Elliot told them. "He good?"
Olivia clenched her jaw. "Very."
"Hey, Liv," Fin glanced up from his desk. "Barba's here. You want me to tell him to wait?"
Olivia glanced to where Rafael was checking in, but it was Elliot who answered. "No," he said tightly and raised his voice. "Counselor!"
Olivia had to give credit to the attorney, who didn't back down from walking towards them. "Rafael Barba," she began.
"Elliot Stabler," Elliot interrupted.
Rafael nodded. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said.
"Are you?" Elliot bit out. "Then why are you defending the man who killed my wife?"
Many would flinch in the face of Elliot's anger, but Rafael was not one of those people. He held Elliot's gaze for seconds before looking towards Olivia, perhaps seeking help. Olivia's expression didn't change, however, then Rafael seemed to finally notice the third person eyeing him coldly. "Captain Strand," he greeted, a note of surprise in his tone.
"Counselor Barba," Owen returned, no inflection in his voice. "Elliot, why don't we get some air? I think TK wanted to show Carlos some of our family's favorite haunts."
Elliot smirked. "We'll see you later, Liv."
Olivia nodded in agreement, and Rafael watched the pair of men leave in unison, several uniformed officers parting to let them pass. Olivia turned and headed into her office, not waiting for Rafael to catch up to her. "Why are you doing this?" she asked.
"Because it's wrong," Rafael answered. "If the DA's office can bring a case like this against someone as wealthy as Wheatley, then that gives them license to railroad any defendant at any time."
"Richard Wheatley is guilty," Olivia snapped, walking past him to close the office door.
"Then let the state prove it!" Rafael insisted. "That's how this works! 30 RICO charges that they let slide, 30, but they cherry-picked this one? Why? Because 1PP pressured them?"
"I get that that's how you're justifying this to yourself," Olivia turned to him, "but I am asking you not to take this case."
"Be careful what you wish for," Rafael told her gravely. "I step aside, whatever shark Wheatley hires will put not just the NYPD and Stabler on the stand, but you. You! Not just your partnership with Stabler, but your relationship."
"No," Olivia shook her head firmly, walking towards her desk.
"He should never have been allowed anywhere near this investigation, Liv," Rafael plowed on. "They'll eviscerate you on the stand, maybe end your career."
"So which is it?" Olivia snapped. "Are you protecting me? Or is this your defense attorney outrage?" She narrowed her eyes when another thought occurred to her. "Or is this about Stabler?"
"I don't know Stabler," Rafael answered instantly. Too instantly came to Olivia's mind, and she sighed as she sat at her desk. "Maybe it's the first two out of three," Rafael muttered. "I know you're sure that Wheatley is guilty."
"I am!" Olivia huffed.
"That does not give the NYPD the right to frame him!"
Olivia swallowed hard. "Rafa," she begged quietly.
Rafael's expression softened ever so slightly, but a knock on the door made both tense. When Olivia sighed and gestured for the door to open, Amanda poked her head inside. "ADA Price for you, Captain," she reported, not giving Rafael another look.
"Thank you, Rollins," Olivia nodded. "Send him in."
Amanda nodded and gestured, and Nolan stepped into the office looking as cool as a cucumber. There was a small part of Olivia that smiled in glee when Rafael's spine stiffened in the presence of Jack's hand-picked Executive ADA. "Captain," Nolan nodded respectfully, and he considered Rafael. "Counselor Barba."
"ADA Price," Rafael returned. "Never thought I would ever say that."
"Never thought I'd be facing you from this side," Nolan riposted. "I guess we're both full of surprises."
Rafael nodded slowly. "Best of luck to you, Price."
"Likewise," Nolan nodded in return.
Rafael glanced once more at Olivia before taking his leave, and Olivia turned to Nolan with a sigh. "Perfect timing," she told him gratefully. "I had no idea you were on your way."
"Sylvie knew how big a deal it is that Barba is defending Wheatley the moment I said who he hired," Nolan told her, bypassing Olivia's desk and sitting on the couch against the wall. "I had a feeling he would come here shortly after."
"And you were correct," Olivia nodded, moving from sitting behind her desk to sitting next to Nolan. "I can't believe he's taking this case."
"I could hear some of what he was saying," Nolan admitted. "He made a valid point. In my defense days, I would without hesitation go after the fact that a high-ranking member of the NYPD allowed a member of the victim's family to be involved in the case in any form. Any defender worth their salt would crucify you for that."
Olivia swallowed. "You really think he's protecting me?" she asked bitterly.
Nolan shrugged halfheartedly. "From all I heard about when he was your team's prosecutor, he looked out for you however he could," he said. "This might be his way of doing it."
Olivia said nothing as she buried her face in her palm. "Did you hear what else he said?" she asked quietly. Nolan didn't answer, but she knew what it would be. "Nolan . . . "
Nolan held up his hand, stopping her words. "I'm prosecuting this case, Olivia," he said firmly. "It's messy and it's tangled and I don't know how it will end, but I made a promise to you and Stabler. I'm seeing this through."
Olivia let out a small sound that sounded similar to a sob. "Thank God for you, Nolan."
Nolan shook his head, pulling her in for a hug. "Thank me when this case is done, not before."
***
TK sighed and shuffled closer to Amanda as the SVU crew met up with him, Owen, and Carlos across the street from the courthouse, various news crews swarming the area to report on the beginning of the trial. "This is what I don't miss about being in New York," he told Carlos, Amanda automatically linking her arm with the firefighter's once they reached each other's sides. "Getting cameras in my face if I ever wanted to attend a trial like this."
"Yeah," Carlos looked around with wide eyes, he and Sonny closing in to keep their partners between them. "I can understand that."
"Nolan has one hell of an uphill battle for him today, doesn't he?" Owen asked quietly.
"Wheatley by himself is a snake," Olivia shook her head bitterly. "Now that he has Barba representing him?"
"Talk about clash of the titans," Fin nodded in agreement.
Peter's hard expression said it all, then he raised his hand and gave a short wave. Olivia and Owen craned their necks to see where he was looking, then Nolan and Sylvie ducked through the reporters to make their way towards them. "You look awful," he remarked to Nolan.
"Thanks, Stone," Nolan huffed as Matt, Kelly, and the Dardens followed behind them. "I was up all night. You guys?"
"Same," Olivia admitted.
"I slept like a baby," Fin shrugged.
"Lucky you," Sonny snorted.
Nolan stepped closer to Olivia as they headed for the crosswalk. "Heads up," he told her. "Baptiste will take charge of your direct. We'll both protect on Barba's crossing."
Olivia nodded determinedly. "I'm ready."
"Good," Nolan smiled. "I'll see you inside."
Olivia headed for the crosswalk, her team following. Owen, TK, and Carlos followed, but a sharp voice stopped Nolan and the rest from crossing as well. "Price!" Nolan took a deep breath then plastered an aloof expression on his face as he turned smartly to face his opponent. Rafael eyed him before giving him a thin smile. "You look tired," he remarked.
Nolan raised an eyebrow in return. "I'm not one to show my cards, Barba."
"Smart man," Rafael nodded approvingly. "You'll need all of them."
"Counselor!" That voice was much more welcoming, and both attorneys turned to see Kate stop at the crosswalk, Kevin and Frank flanking her. Kevin's expression was neutral as he eyed Rafael, but Frank had no such qualms about hiding his suspicious face. "Are we doing this or what?" Kate gestured expectantly.
Rafael turned to Nolan with a frown, but Nolan smiled and gestured him ahead. "After you."
Rafael took the cue with grace, not backing down from any of the 2-7's iron gazes as he headed for the courthouse. "I don't like him," Frank decided once the man was out of earshot.
Nolan snorted as he walked on, Sylvie matching his stride on one side, Frank effortlessly doing the same on his other side. "Because he's an attorney, or because he's defending Wheatley?"
"Take your pick."
"I'm still trying to figure out why he decided to defend Wheatley," Matt admitted. "He was one of SVU's longest-running prosecutors, right?"
"He was," Nolan confirmed. "The way I heard, he was one of the toughest losses Jack's office has seen."
"And yet he's defending someone SVU helped investigate?" Ben frowned.
Nolan sighed. "It's complicated," he finally said as he started up the courthouse steps. "He partly thinks he's helping to protect Benson from any other defenders who might try and make this into a bigger spectacle than it already is."
Griffin pointedly looked over his shoulder at the news crews. "It could get bigger?" he asked.
"Nicole Bell," Frank shrugged.
Nolan grimaced. "That would be a spectacle," he agreed. "Right now, I just need to treat this as another high-profile case and tread the appropriate lines without blowing myself – or this case – to pieces."
Sam was waiting for them at the doors, and she tilted her head and frowned, having caught the tail end of Nolan's words. "You won't do that, Nolan," she said with confidence. "Lighten up a little."
"Bit hard to do that right now, Sam," Nolan sighed. "But I'll try." He turned to Sylvie apologetically. "I need to go meet up with Baptiste. Stay with Frank?"
"I will," Sylvie nodded.
"Good luck!" Griffin added with a smile.
Nolan smiled in return and swiftly headed into the courthouse. "We'll meet you back out here when there's a recess?" Frank asked Matt and Kelly.
"Copy that," Kelly agreed.
Sam stepped aside to allow Frank, Sylvie, Kate, and Kevin to head deeper into the courthouse, and Ben folded his arms with a huff. "I get the safety reason why we can't be in the courtroom," he muttered. "I still wish I could see it happen in person."
"You'll get the next best thing," Sam assured him. "But I get it. You definitely can't watch the courtroom from out here." She smirked and beckoned them down another hallway. "And I definitely didn't walk all this way so you could follow me back to my boss's office where it's possible to see the entire thing."
Matt laughed and followed Sam. "We leave ourselves in your capable hands!"
***
"I arrived shortly after the bomb went off," Olivia said as she sat on the witness stand, Baptiste standing in front of her. "Kathy Stabler was badly injured and being loaded into the ambulance."
"Captain Benson, you're the head of SVU," Baptiste tilted his head. "Why were you called to the scene of a car bomb?"
"Kathy was the wife of my former partner, Detective Elliot Stabler, so he requested me," Olivia answered.
"So you knew the victim?"
"I did," Olivia confirmed. "But I hadn't seen her or Detective Stabler in over a decade."
Baptiste nodded. "What happened next, Captain?"
"Detective Stabler rode with Kathy to the hospital," Olivia recounted. "I met them there."
"And as the jury has heard," Baptiste eyed the box, "she died from a ruptured spleen a few days later."
Nolan glanced behind him at the row of Stablers, all of them wincing at the words. "A direct result of the injuries that she sustained," Olivia agreed quietly.
"And SVU was part of the initial investigation," Baptiste stopped in front of her. "Why?"
"There was a lot happening that night," Olivia grimaced. "Protests in the neighborhood, two other police vehicles were hit with Molotov cocktails." She glanced at Carlos, who sat by TK, with a slight smile of gratitude. "It was an all hands on deck situation."
Carlos returned her smile and nodded. "Was this car bombing in any way related to those other incidents?" Baptiste questioned.
"No," Olivia shook her head. "We apprehended a suspect for those other attacks but ruled him out for the car bomb that killed Kathy Stabler."
"Thank you," Baptiste nodded and returned to his seat.
Once Baptiste had taken his seat, Rafael stood with a perfect smile on his face. "Captain Benson, good to see you."
Olivia's expression shuttered, and Frank clicked his tongue quietly. "She's pissed at him."
"Wouldn't you be at Nolan if he up and defended someone who severely hurt or killed someone close to you?" Sylvie whispered in return.
Frank's eyes darkened at the very idea. "He wouldn't do that."
"I know," Sylvie said simply. "But Barba did."
"As you testified, the night of the bombing, you apprehended another suspect," Rafael said, skimming through a folder he held. "Not my client, but a Mr. Jacob Peters."
Olivia nodded. "Peters was arrested and charged with the fire-bombings of two police vans three blocks away."
"And didn't Mr. Peters also take credit for bombing the Stabler vehicle?" Rafael asked.
"He did," Olivia nodded. "But we found the claims were not credible."
Rafael raised an eyebrow. "By 'we,' you mean you and Detective Stabler, the victim's husband?"
Nolan looked up from writing notes in surprise at the line of questioning, and Olivia did her best to conceal the same surprise. "No," she answered, seeing Owen and TK look at each other in confusion. "The only other officer in the room during the interrogation was Sergeant Nick Amaro from the United States Park Police, who was in town from across the country at the time."
The jury looked to Rafael with frowns, and Rafael leaned on the witness box, narrowing his eyes. "Yet Detective Stabler was consulted multiple times during the course of this investigation," he said. "Does that not contradict protocol? Shouldn't he have been recused from this investigation?"
"It was with Detective Stabler's help that we were able to arrest Richard Wheatley," Olivia answered, her voice hard. "In the course of SVU's investigation, Detective Stabler was never actively in the field. We consulted him for information, anything that could help us track down who was responsible. That is all. SVU followed protocol because his only participation in our investigation was to supply us with information we would get from any victim's family."
Nolan turned slightly in his seat to raise an eyebrow at Elliot, who nodded in agreement with Olivia's words. "Strike one to Barba," Sonny murmured quietly.
"He won't let that happen again if he can help it," Amanda nodded.
***
"Sergeant Bell," Nolan stepped up to the witness box, where Ayanna sat awaiting his line of questioning. "How long was your task force monitoring the actions of Mr. Wheatley's criminal organization?"
"For over a year," Ayanna responded. "We gathered surveillance footage, audio recordings."
"So what in your investigation led you to suspect that Richard Wheatley was involved in Kathy Stabler's murder?" Nolan asked.
"After we arrested Mr. Wheatley's head of security, Izak Bekher, a subpoena for his financials turned up a credit card purchase of a 4-inch swivel vise."
"Did you ever find that device?"
"Yes," Ayanna nodded. "In his storage space. The Arson and Explosion Squad linked it to the bomb that killed Kathy Stabler."
Nolan nodded. "Thank you, Sergeant."
The prosecutor returned to his seat, and Rafael glanced at his notes before looking at Ayanna. "Sergeant Bell, Izak Bekher was an ex-Mossad agent, correct?"
"Yes," Ayanna nodded.
Rafael stood and walked towards her. "Does it strain credulity that an ex-Mossad agent with a multiple encryption security system would purchase a bombmaking device with his own credit card and then, after making the bomb, keep the incriminating device in his own storage unit?"
Ayanna set her jaw. "That's what we found."
"Who exactly found the credit card purchase?" Rafael asked. "Was it a detective in your unit? Jet Slootmaekers?"
"Yes," Ayanna nodded, glancing to where Jet sat on the other side of Kate. "She's a highly skilled cybersecurity expert."
"Did your cybersecurity expert find any connection between my client and Izak Bekher's alleged bombmaking?" Rafael asked.
Ayanna stiffened. "Mr. Wheatley is a sophisticated criminal who knows how to evade detection."
"Just like his head of security," Rafael quipped; Wheatley actually smiled at the words and took a sip of his water. "Let me ask you this . . . which is more likely: that an ex-Mossad agent sloppily left a trail of evidence for the police to find, or that the credit card purchase, and the device, were planted by someone in the NYPD with a vendetta against Richard Wheatley?"
"That's not what happened," Ayanna shook her head.
"Sergeant Bell, you were with Detective Stabler when he arrested Izak Bekher," Rafael continued. "Considering that Mr. Bekher's face was smashed into a fence and his shoulders dislocated, would you say that Detective Stabler used excessive force?"
"We had reason to believe Mr. Bekher was armed," Ayanna responded. "So I would say no."
"But he was not armed, was he?" Rafael raised an eyebrow. "Oh, by the way . . . isn't your wife's family currently suing the NYPD for use of excessive force against her nephew?"
"Objection," Nolan swiftly rose to his feet. "Relevance?"
Ellery looked expectantly at Rafael. "Mr. Barba?" he prompted.
"Uh, I'm not sure there is any, Your Honor," Rafael shook his head with a wry look at Ayanna. "I just appreciate the irony."
He returned to his seat by Wheatley, and TK shook his head in frustration. "He's as good on this side of the law as he was on the other," he muttered.
Carlos's eyes darted back and forth between the defense and the prosecution tables, then he looked at TK. "Who has the advantage here?" he asked quietly.
TK silently shook his head, unable to find an answer.
***
Wheatley sipped his water as the door to the conference room opened, and he smirked as Olivia stepped through the door. "Captain," he greeted. "Thank you for meeting with me." The smirk dropped from his face when Nolan walked in behind Olivia, followed by Rafael. "Do you two have to be here?" he asked.
"Technically, you shouldn't be meeting with someone who's testified against you," Rafael said, shutting the door. "Yeah, I have to be here."
"You're meeting with one of my witnesses," Nolan folded his arms. "Same answer."
"And I don't know why I'm here," Olivia gestured impatiently. "And I'm not gonna be here long, so cut to the chase."
Wheatley nodded. "I heard about your crash," Wheatley told her. "And I wanted to tell you in person, I can't imagine how frightening that must have been. And to give you my word I had absolutely nothing to do with your car being run off the road."
"Your word?" Olivia repeated dubiously. "Like your word that you had nothing to do with Kathy Stabler's death?"
"The jury's not even out yet," Wheatley shook his head. "I do somehow wish we had met under different circumstances."
"I don't," Olivia snorted. "But, if you have something that you want to confess to me . . . ?"
She raised an eyebrow at him, but Wheatley smirked, not rising to her bait. Olivia shrugged and looked at Nolan. "I'm done here."
"Then we'll see you in court," Nolan informed Wheatley and Rafael, walking to the door.
"By the way," Wheatley spoke up. "Before you go . . . the love of my life, Angela, takes the stand tomorrow. You might want to make sure Stabler's children aren't there. They probably don't want to hear what she has to say." He smirked. "And I guess neither do you." Olivia raised an eyebrow at him, then she gave Rafael a disgusted look and walked to the door. Nolan opened it for her and let her out ahead of him, not giving Wheatley the satisfaction of a reaction as he followed the captain.
Elliot was waiting in the shadows of the courthouse pillars when they walked out the doors, and he walked to meet them when he saw them. "Hey," he said, a scowl on his face. "Barba was tough on you."
"I'll live," Olivia shook her head.
"Wheatley did have something to say, though," Nolan told him. "Angela Wheatley's testimony is up next. Olivia was warned not to be there. Why would Wheatley tell her that?"
"Whatever happened between you and Angela, Wheatley knows," Olivia warned Elliot. "Which means Barba knows, and they're gonna use it."
Elliot scoffed derisively. "Wheatley doesn't know anything. He's just stirring up Barba, and Barba's stirring you up."
"Clearly, Wheatley thinks he does know something," Nolan sighed. "And if Barba can bring it up in court and use it against us, then he thinks it's the business of the jury. Elliot . . . is there anything I need to know before tomorrow?"
"No," Elliot said firmly. "Whatever Barba thinks he has, he doesn't."
Nolan eyed Elliot, then he nodded. "For our sakes, I hope you're right," he said. "Because the Wheatleys will make or break this case."
***
"We're down a few detectives," Frank noted as he took his seat next to Sylvie.
"Nolan's idea," Peter explained. "He's not taking any chances with Wheatley's reach."
Sylvie frowned thoughtfully. "His son is testifying virtually, isn't he?"
"Exactly," Peter nodded. "So Rollins and Carisi are at the prison to make sure there's no interference from that end."
Frank hummed. "So all Nolan has to worry about is keeping Wheatley from intimidating his son from here."
Peter huffed. "No one said this would be an easy trial."
"No kidding," Frank muttered, sitting back when Kate gave him a warning look as Angela was sworn in.
"Last summer, I was poisoned with a nerve agent that still affects my cognitive skills and neurological functioning," Angela told Baptiste.
"Have you been able to return to your job as a math professor at Columbia?" Baptiste asked her.
"Not yet," Angela shook her head. "But my memory is clear, and I am ready to testify today."
Baptiste nodded. "In your statement to the police, you said the defendant told you that Detective Stabler 'gunned down' your son."
"Yes," Angela confirmed. "I now know that Richard was gaslighting me. My husband . . . ex-husband killed my son."
"Objection," Rafael said, not moving from his chair.
"Sustained," Ellery nodded. "Jury must disregard. Mr. Wheatley is not charged in that crime."
Baptiste didn't look too chagrined at the rebuke. "After the defendant gaslit you, what did he say next?"
"He asked if I wanted the detective to die," Angela responded. "I said no. I wanted him to suffer, like I was suffering. When I heard about the car bombing, I . . . I felt sick."
Baptiste nodded. "Thank you."
He returned to his seat, and Rafael stood. "How are you doing, Ms. Wheatley?" he asked. "I know this is difficult. You need a break, some water?"
"I'm fine," Angela shook her head. "Thank you."
Rafael nodded and continued. "Remember when you first met Detective Stabler?" Angela nodded. "At that time, did you believe that he'd killed your son?"
"Yes," Angela nodded.
"You must have been angry at him."
"I was."
Rafael nodded thoughtfully as he rocked slightly on his heels. "But at some point, those feeling changed to . . . you felt sympathy for him?"
"Well, we . . . " Angela cleared her throat. "We shared a loss."
"The loss you engineered?" Rafael raised an eyebrow. Nolan's chair creaked as he started to rise, and Rafael held up a hand. "Forgive me, I'll rephrase. At what point did you come to the conclusion that Detective Stabler had not killed your son?"
Satisfied with the rephrase, Nolan returned to his seat, and Angela bit her lip. "We grew close," she answered. "I realized he wasn't capable."
"Close," Rafael repeated. "How close?"
"We were . . . " Angela shifted in her seat. "I've heard it called 'grief partners.'"
"So there was nothing between you two romantically?"
"We both had feelings for each other."
"Those feelings become physical?" Rafael questioned. "You kissed Detective Stabler, correct?"
"Objection," Baptiste stood. "Relevance?"
"Getting there, Your Honor," Rafael glanced at the judge.
"I'll allow," Ellery nodded. "Witness may answer."
Angela nervously looked towards Elliot's kids and swallowed. "We kissed once," she admitted. "But he left before anything could go further."
"Weren't you hoping that things would go further?" Rafael asked. "Hadn't you agreed to a romantic dinner with him that same night?"
"We wanted to get to know each other better," Angela attempted to explain.
"Yes, but that dinner never happened because Bekher told Stabler that you had ordered the hit on his wife?"
"But I didn't!"
"But Stabler believed him and arrested you?"
"Yes," Angela stammered. "But – "
"Who interrogated you after your arrest?"
"I – " Angela glanced helplessly at the jury then the prosecution table. Nolan's expression gave nothing away, but the sharp way he gestured for her to answer spoke volumes about how he felt about the line of questioning. "I asked for Elliot 'cause I wanted to tell him the truth."
"The truth?" Rafael echoed. "Or you wanted to blame Kathy Stabler's murder on your ex-husband so that the man that you were having romantic feelings for wouldn't know that you had helped arrange his wife's murder?"
"That's not how it happened!" Angela insisted. "That's . . . I . . . " She winced and reached for her forehead. "I can't think . . . "
Sylvie leaned forward in her seat, eyes narrowed as she assessed Angela. "You didn't have feelings for him?" Rafael asked. "You weren't in love with him? You are under oath, Professor Wheatley."
Angela swallowed hard. "Yes," she whispered. "I was in love with him."
"Are you still in love with him?"
"Objection!" Baptiste barked tensely.
"Sustained," Ellery allowed.
"I wish I wasn't," Angela gulped. "I . . . didn't ask for any of that to happen."
"No," Rafael stepped back. "All you asked for was for Elliot Stabler to suffer." Baptiste opened his mouth, and as Nolan made to stand, Rafael held up his hands. "Withdrawn," he said, and he walked back to his seat.
***
"So, let me get this right," Owen rubbed his forehead as he paced the conference room Nolan had gathered them in. "Wheatley warned Olivia because he's running on the old misconception that she and Elliot are in love with each other?"
Olivia made a face. "Once upon a time, maybe," she allowed. "Way back when we started being partners, maybe. But now? That's like me being Sylvie and Wheatley is warning me about something Angela did with Nolan."
Frank snorted loudly from where he stood in the doorway. "Wow, Benson."
"Ugh," Sylvie stuck her tongue out as she gave her opinion.
Nolan grimaced. "Thanks for that mental image, Olivia."
"I'm just saying what the comparison is," Olivia shrugged.
"Besides," Nolan looked through his files. "Angela isn't my type."
"Profession?" TK asked curiously from where he sat at the table. "Age? Gender?"
"TK!" Carlos smacked him on the shoulder.
"What?" TK asked defensively. "He started it!"
Nolan smirked. "The profession."
"See?" TK grinned at Carlos. "Curiosity solved."
Carlos sighed in exasperation. "Sorry, Nolan."
"Technically, Olivia started it with the image," Nolan shrugged. "It's fine. But that mental image is the least of our concerns right now."
"Richie," Frank nodded.
"Rollins and Carisi are there in the prison to monitor on Richie's end," Olivia told Nolan. "Nothing is going to get past them there."
"It's not the prison I'm concerned about now," Nolan said, closing his folder with a loud snap. "I'm more concerned about the man Richie's testimony is going to damn."
***
"Richie," Nolan stood in front of the television monitor displaying Richie to the court. "You're currently awaiting trial on murder charges. Did the state offer you any consideration for your testimony?"
"No," Richie denied. "They did not."
"Can you tell the jury why you're testifying against your own father?"
"Because he lied to me, our family," Richie answered, his eyes burning with anger. "Look, he caused the deaths of my grandfather, my half-brother, and Gina."
"Objection," Rafael called.
"Sustained," Ellery nodded.
"You've always blamed everyone else, Richie," Wheatley scoffed loudly. "Isn't it time you grow up?"
"This is not your witness, Mr. Wheatley," Nolan said coldly, swiftly stepping in front of the camera. From his seat in the benches, Owen noted how not only did Nolan block Wheatley from looking at his son; he also blocked the camera feed from showing Wheatley to Richie. "Do not address him." Whatever Wheatley tried to say in response, Nolan's voice rose above his. "Your Honor, if the defendant continues, I will ask to hold him in contempt."
Rafael's hand clamped down on Wheatley's arms when the man's nostrils flared, and Ellery narrowed his eyes. "Mr. Barba, control your client," he ordered. "Or I will allow Mr. Price's request." Rafael nodded, and Ellery looked at Nolan. "Mr. Price, the objection is sustained."
"Of course, Your Honor," Nolan nodded in agreement. "I'll get right to the point. Richie?" Richie's eyes were sharp as he looked at Nolan, the prosecutor still standing so he was the only one who could be seen from the courtroom. "Tell the jury what you overheard your father say to Izak Bekher."
Richie glanced off camera once, then he took a deep breath. "I overheard my father order Izak Bekher to arrange the murder of Kathy Stabler," he answered with confidence.
Wheatley's face twisted with rage as the court erupted in whispers, and the gavel and Ellery's call for order were barely heard. Nolan looked far too content to wait for the court to settle, and Frank leaned down to whisper in Sylvie's ear. "That alone was worth the admission."
Sylvie giggled in agreement. "Beat that, Barba."
Frank folded his arms and grinned smugly in Rafael's direction. "I'd like to see him try."
***
Amanda and Sonny walked into the courthouse and walked right into Nolan and Elliot, who were conversing between themselves. "How's Barba?" Amanda asked. "Frothing at the mouth yet?"
"He's too refined for that, I think," Nolan shook his head. "How did it go at the facility?"
"The facility swears they didn't have a breach," Sonny answered as he folded his arms. "But Richie was eyeing someone before we got in his viewpoint."
"I did the same here," Nolan nodded. "Wheatley tried to double team him. Someone in the facility, and he tried the same in the courtroom."
"Tough on him," Elliot said roughly. "That got him nowhere."
"Barba just has one bullet left in the barrel," Nolan looked at Elliot. "His whole defense is centered on the idea that you are out of control." Sonny snorted inelegantly, and Elliot's lips quirked up in the beginning of a smirk. "So you need to be calm and collected up there."
"OK," Elliot agreed. "No problem."
"We'll see you inside," Amanda smiled at them.
Sonny patted Elliot's shoulder and joined Amanda in walking to the courtroom. Elliot was prepared to follow them, then he noticed Nolan's pensive expression. "Counselor?" he asked with a frown. "There something on your mind?"
Nolan clicked his tongue absently, then he gestured Elliot closer to the corner. Now thoroughly curious, Elliot joined him and inclined his head toward Nolan's. "Right now, Richard Wheatley isn't scheduled to take the stand," the prosecutor said quietly. "There's no reason for him to take the stand. He's tried to get into everyone's heads so far. Don't let him get into yours. You know this guy. Find a way to get into his."
Elliot nodded slowly as he thought. "Remember what you said about staying calm and collected?"
Nolan tilted his head. "What are you thinking?"
***
As Elliot was sworn in on the witness stand, Sylvie gently elbowed Frank. The detective turned his head toward her, and she tilted her phone screen towards him to show a picture from Matt of three smiling teens with a beaming Sam and an amused Jack in the background. "I guess Lily's done for the day?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, yeah," Frank smirked. "She wasn't missing this."
"Detective," Nolan stepped in front of Elliot, folding his hands in front of him. "This is painful . . . but can you tell the jury what happened the night your rental car was bombed?"
"We were late to an event," Elliot responded. "I took a call, which I later found out was spoofed. I gave Kathy the keys. She went to get the car. There was an explosion."
"But she survived the blast?"
"She did," Elliot confirmed. "I rode with her to Mercy Hospital. She regained consciousness. I told her I loved her. But she died from her injuries on the operating table."
"Who was in charge of the investigation into her death?"
"NYPD Intelligence Unit."
"And how did you become involved?"
"I'd been investigating Manfredi Sinatra, Richard Wheatley's father, through my work with the NYPD liaison office in Rome," Elliot answered. "I subsequently raided one of his Brooklyn warehouses that Richard Wheatley operated."
"What did you find there?"
"A copy of my international police ID. I realized right then I was being tracked."
Nolan turned to look at the defense table. "And what led you to suspect that Richard Wheatley was involved?"
"Richard Wheatley was the boss," Elliot answered simply. "And in my experience, the order to greenlight a hit on a police officer, let alone his wife, always comes from the top."
"Did you confront Wheatley?"
"He confronted me," Elliot corrected. "He told me to leave his ex-wife alone, that neither of our women should be collateral damage. To which I said, 'like my wife?'"
Nolan nodded. "And how did he respond?"
"He claimed he was sorry for my loss," Elliot answered. "He did not deny responsibility for that loss."
Nolan nodded and stepped away. "Thank you, Detective."
The prosecutor retook his seat, and Olivia glanced worriedly at Rafael. "This is gonna be a bloodbath," Fin muttered under his breath.
"Whose blood?" Owen countered quietly. "The witness's, the defender's, or the prosecutor's?"
"Detective," Rafael finally said. "Let me say sincerely how sorry I am for your loss." Elliot clenched his jaw, and Rafael's gaze darted to where Olivia and Owen sat. Neither captain showed any response to his words, and Rafael exhaled as he stood. "My task here today is to prove to this jury that there is no proof that my client was in any way responsible for that loss."
"I know Wheatley killed my wife," Elliot said firmly.
"I know that you believe that today," Rafael allowed. "But didn't you initially believe that Izak Bekher was responsible?"
"As I said earlier," Elliot narrowed his eyes, "the order comes from the top. Izak Bekher was only acting on his orders."
"Didn't Bekher tell you that he was acting on Angela Wheatley's orders?"
"He did try to blame her," Elliot reluctantly nodded. "Yes."
"You subsequently arrested her, so you must've believed that, too?"
"I believed she had some involvement, but I quickly realized that Wheatley had manipulated her."
"Yeah, she's testified to that," Rafael said, casually leaning against the railing of the jury box. "But what's not clear is whether she turned on her ex-husband to get herself a better deal, or to keep herself in your good graces, or both."
"Objection," Nolan called. "Is there a question here?"
"Sustained," Ellery nodded. "Move it along, Mr. Barba. And Detective Stabler, only answer the questions you're asked."
Both men nodded in agreement. "Detective Stabler, it seems to me like you're lurching from one suspect to another in a frantic attempt to find someone to accuse," Rafael told Elliot.
"I am neither lurching nor frantic," Elliot denied.
"How often do you think about this case? Every week? Every month?"
"Every minute of every day."
"You're being treated for PTSD?"
"I was," Elliot corrected. "I am no longer."
"But you are familiar with the acronym HALT?" Rafael asked. "Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired?"
"I am," Elliot nodded.
"What about your family?" Rafael looked towards the benches. "I'm sure this has been stressful for them."
Elliot's eyes narrowed to slits. "Leave my family out of this."
"Just like you did for the last several months going undercover?" Rafael tilted his head.
"Objection!" Nolan barked.
"Sustained," Ellery nodded. "Mr. Barba?"
"I'm trying to ask the detective if his PTSD, his trauma, family problems, his work issues, including watching a member of his unit get shot by his sergeant," Rafael began.
"If you're speaking about Detective Morales, his dying confession was that he was paid two hundred thousand dollars by Richard Wheatley to kill Angela Wheatley," Elliot snapped.
Rafael turned to Ellery. "Your Honor?"
"Detective Stabler, you've been warned," Ellery told Elliot. "Just answer the questions you're asked." He turned to the jury box. "Jury will disregard."
There was a smirk on Rafael's face as he leaned towards Elliot. "Since you opened the door, is there anything you don't blame my client for?"
"He is to blame," Elliot retorted. "He had Izak Bekher killed. He killed his own father. He had my wife killed."
"Move to strike, Your Honor!" Rafael requested.
"Jury will disregard," Ellery agreed, his eyes narrowing. "Watch yourself – "
"He had someone run my former partner off the road," Elliot continued.
"Your Honor, will you stop him, or shall we wait for him to accuse my client of kidnapping the Lindbergh baby?" Rafael huffed.
"Detective Stabler, one more word, I'm holding you in contempt," Ellery warned.
Elliot raised an eyebrow coldly. "How much is Wheatley paying you, Judge?"
Olivia's jaw dropped, and Ellery growled under his breath. "That's it," he declared. "Detective Stabler, I'm holding you in contempt. Officers!"
"What the hell was he thinking?" Carlos asked incredulously as the court officers gestured for Elliot to leave the stand.
"Better question," TK folded his arms. "Why doesn't he look more pissed off?"
Frank frowned. "Better question." The pair turned to him, and Frank pointed in Nolan's direction. "Why doesn't Nolan look pissed off?"
Several heads swiveled to look at the Executive ADA, who was twirling his pen between his fingers as he watched Elliot get led out of the courtroom. That meant everyone saw when Elliot microscopically raised an eyebrow, and they caught Nolan's infinitesimal nod in return. "What just happened?" Kate asked in bewilderment.
"Nolan is making moves we don't know about," Sylvie deduced.
"But what game is he playing?" Owen wondered.
Kevin sighed. "This is why I'm a detective and not an attorney."
"I'm both," Sonny chimed in. "And I don't know what game he's playing."
"Whatever game it is," Frank watched Nolan stand as Ellery called for a recess, "we're about to find out why Jack named him Executive ADA."
***
"Mr. Barba?" Ellery asked after the recess.
Rafael cleared his throat as he stood. "Since the state has failed to make their case, the defense at this time rests, Your Honor."
"Actually," Wheatley swiftly stood, making Fin, Amanda, and Sonny look at him sharply, "I'd like to say a few words."
"No, you wouldn't," Rafael shook his head. "Your Honor – "
"If Mr. Wheatley is inclined to take the stand, we have no objection, Your Honor," Nolan said as he, too, stood.
"I appreciate that, Counselor," Rafael gritted his teeth. "Your Honor, I need a moment with my client."
"I don't need a moment," Wheatley countered. "I'd like to testify. That's my constitutional right. If my lawyer won't go along with that, I'd like to request a change in representation."
The door to the back of the courtroom opened, and Rafael turned and watched Olivia gently usher Angela into the back row. "Mr. Barba?" Ellery prompted.
Rafael turned accusing eyes to Nolan, who merely raised an eyebrow in challenge. Rafael sighed and turned back. "Mr. Wheatley is the boss," he said. "His call."
That was how Wheatley ended up on the stand and sworn in as a witness, and as the man's eyes swept over the benches behind Nolan, Sylvie instinctively shuffled closer to the nearest source of protection. Frank put a hand on her knee and squeezed comfortingly, confidently meeting Wheatley's gaze when it settled on him. "Mr. Wheatley," Rafael began, and Wheatley turned to his attorney. "Can you tell the jury why we ended up here?"
"I ask myself that question every day," Wheatley answered. "My sense is: Detective Stabler experienced a terrible tragedy, and the NYPD, where the blue line is still quite thick, allowed him to run his own rogue investigation during which he somehow fixated on implicating me for a crime I did not commit."
"Why you?" Rafael questioned.
"My guess," Wheatley tilted his head, "he was in New York to testify against some gentleman from Puglia. He conflated that investigation with the death of his wife. As the jury has seen, once that man gets something in his head, he's like a . . . he's like a junkyard dog with a bone. It's probably served him well as a detective. He'll grind his teeth to the nubs, chewing through that bone, and then swallow the shards."
Owen grimaced. "There's an image," he muttered.
"Go on," Rafael gestured.
"I say that emphatically," Wheatley said. "I, too, have suffered tremendous loss. My father, my adopted son. My ex-wife, poisoned. My son, rotting in a jail cell." His voice started to break, and Jet scoffed under her breath. "My whole family, torn apart. Elliot and I have that in common."
"Thank you, Mr. Wheatley," Rafael nodded.
"To be fair to Detective Stabler, I am an obvious target," Wheatley added. "My father, may he rest in peace, was a career criminal. But I'm a business man, not a murderer."
"To be clear," Rafael held up his hand, "you had nothing to do with the murder of Kathy Stabler."
"Not at all," Wheatley nodded. "Nor did my ex-wife."
"Your ex-wife?" Rafael asked for clarification.
"Angela Wheatley," Wheatley supplied, nodding to the back of the courtroom. "It has been suggested that she conspired with Izak Bekher to have Kathy Stabler killed. Nothing could be further from the truth."
"So what is the truth?" Rafael questioned.
"Despite the prosecution having pressured her into testifying against me, by no stretch of the imagination does that mean that either of us set in motion a contract killing," Wheatley said. "That's ridiculous."
"So then who did?"
"Izak Bekher, of his own accord," Wheatley answered strongly. "When I found out about it, I confronted him. I threatened to report him. As a man with multiple passports to multiple countries, he just . . . slipped into the wind."
Rafael nodded as he returned to his seat. Nolan went from twirling his pen between his fingers to tapping it against his notepad. Next to Sylvie, Frank made a quiet sound of realization that made her frown at him. "What?" she asked quietly.
"I know his play," was all Frank said in response, a grin slowly forming on his face.
"That seems convenient," Nolan finally said, dropping his pen onto his paper. "Implicating the one person who can't be called to testify."
"Occam's razor," Wheatley replied. "Simple truths often seem convenient."
"You're the boss, though," Nolan said as he stood. "So how could an employee unilaterally murder Kathy Stabler without your knowledge?"
"It was his job to provide security for me," Wheatley said. "Not my job to monitor his every waking moment. In hindsight, I am guilty . . . of trusting the wrong man."
"And making sure that guy's never seen or heard from again, which seems to be the fate of Mr. Bekher," Nolan deadpanned.
"Objection," Rafael called.
"Withdrawn," Nolan said before the judge could intervene. "Just to recap . . . all the witnesses to the crimes that you may have ordered are now either dead or incapacitated, and yet you are not responsible for any of those attacks?" He barked in sarcastic laughter. "Oh, Mr. Wheatley . . . you gotta be the unluckiest guy in the world. Or maybe you're the luckiest. Withdrawn," he tossed over his shoulder when Rafael began to open his mouth again, causing TK, Amanda, and Sonny to snicker at the face the defense attorney made. "Let's start over," Nolan decided, slipping his hands into his pockets. "At the time of Rafiq's death, wasn't he working as a drug dealer?"
Wheatley nodded. "I know it's convenient to depict all young, black men as drug dealers, but Rafiq was also a poet."
"Yeah, he was a poet," Nolan huffed. "Making his living selling a bootlegged version of the street drug that you manufactured. A few months later, you found out that a rival gang was doing the same thing. What happened to them?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Wheatley shook his head.
"I'll refresh your memory," Nolan said coldly. "They were all gunned down, just like Rafiq."
"Objection," Rafael finally stood as Wheatley scoffed and looked incredulously at Ellery. "Your Honor, how is any of this relevant to the charges my client is standing trial for today?"
"It speaks directly to motive, Your Honor," Nolan answered, speaking directly to Rafael. "It's a question that we've been circling for days . . . why Kathy Stabler?" He turned on his heel back to Wheatley, who looked exasperated with him. "Wasn't Kathy Stabler murdered because you couldn't risk Angela finding out that it was you who had executed her son because he was ripping you off?"
"Your Honor, objection!" Rafael insisted.
"Sustained!" Ellery barked.
But he was barely heard as Wheatley narrowed his eyes at Nolan. "Do you really think that repeating that canard over and over and over will make it come true?" he spat. "For the last time, I didn't have anyone murdered! If I wanted someone dead, they would be dead . . . including you, Mr. Price!"
Sylvie's face abruptly turned a sickening shade of white, Frank's supportive on her knee turned white-knuckled as his eyes darkened with fury, and as the crowd erupted into suspicious whispers, Carlos's jaw dropped. "Oh, my God," TK whispered hoarsely, looking a mixture of scared and impressed.
"Whoa," Kate whistled lowly.
If Nolan was shaken, he didn't show it at all. "If you wanted someone dead, they would be dead," he repeated verbatim to Wheatley, whose jaw clenched so hard Owen swore he could hear his bones creak. "Well done, Mr. Wheatley. You just threatened a prosecuting attorney in open court."
He didn't give Wheatley a chance to open his mouth again as he turned and walked back to his chair. He paused for a moment to find Sylvie where she sat next to Frank, and he gave her a small smile before he sat down. "What did he just do?" Sylvie's voice was just as broken as it was quiet.
"He did what he did with Nina Ellis," Frank answered, carefully easing his grip as Ellery called for a recess. "He took someone who liked to talk too much, goaded them onto the stand, and let him talk until he talked too much." He quickly stood and held out his hand for Sylvie to take as Nolan swept out from behind the table. "This time, he just did it to a crime boss who has a violent streak that the entire department knows about."
Sylvie flinched. "You're not helping right now, Frank."
"Yeah," Frank sighed, shuffling to block her from Wheatley's view as they headed out of the courtroom. "I'm not helping myself right now, either."
***
"That was awesome!" Ben shouted when Nolan stepped into Jack's office, holding open the door so Frank and Sylvie could follow him. "How did you do that?"
"Well," Nolan smirked at Frank. "A wise man once told me people can get too confident and speak too much."
"That was about a narcissistic woman who cared only about herself," Frank reminded him as he shut the door. "Not a crime boss on Wheatley's scale."
"But he fell for it!" Lily grinned, bouncing up and down in her seat. "And that contradicted most of what he said, right?"
"That's what I tried to do," Nolan confirmed as he set his briefcase down. "But that's all we can do now. It'll be in the jury's hands next."
"And try as we might to understand the minds of those picked to serve in that box," Jack's voice was gravely as he leaned his forearms on his desk, "we can't read their minds and learn what they will decide."
Nolan nodded heavily. "We knew going into this case that it would be a hard one to win."
"I don't know what more you could have done," Kelly shook his head. "Granted, I'm a firefighter and not a detective or a prosecutor . . . but it looked like every card got played."
"They did," Nolan confirmed with a snort. "Barba didn't even know he had the Wheatley one."
"You did, though," Sam said.
Nolan laughed. "You can thank Stabler for that. Barba spent so much time getting Wheatley into everyone's heads that he didn't think how Stabler could get into Wheatley's."
"How the mighty fall," Jack mused.
"Did he mean it?" Griffin asked quietly, looking at Nolan when the prosecutor turned to him. "When he made that threat against you. Did he mean it?"
Frank tensed, his eyes flashing dangerously, and as Sylvie ducked her head, Nolan leaned across the table to put a hand on top of Griffin's. "I don't know," he admitted. "That's the problem with people like Wheatley. You saw from in here how he likes to play mind games. I knew going into this I was putting myself in the line of fire. Whether he meant it or not, I'm safe, Griffin. Wheatley may have his organization and influence, or what's left of it, but I've got the NYPD behind me."
"And I'm not too keen on the idea of my best friend getting killed while I have his back," Frank added.
"You better," Lily told her father solemnly. "Nolan's the best."
Nolan coughed in embarrassment at her words, but Frank did nothing to contradict his daughter. "I know he is," he agreed with a smirk and a wink at the prosecutor. "He just showed us why."
***
Rafael stilled by the bar when he felt eyes on him, and when he slowly turned around, he saw Olivia sitting in the corner at a table, her eyes boring into him. He made his way to the table, and Olivia set down her phone expectantly. "Jury's still out," he told her. "Judge sent them back three times."
"It's deadlocked," Olivia translated with a frown. "So you did your job."
"I would've had an acquittal if your partner hadn't feigned losing it," Rafael said as he sat across from her, "goading Wheatley into testifying."
"You wanted Stabler to lose it," Olivia pointed out.
"Yeah, and Stabler knew that," Rafael scoffed. "Drove into the skid, even had you bring Angela in."
"So we both did our jobs," Olivia smiled thinly.
"We did," Rafael acknowledged. "Stabler coming back has made things more complicated – "
"So now we're gonna have small talk?" Olivia interrupted with a scowl.
Rafael sighed. "You know the problem with being an empath?" he asked. "It's too easy to lose yourself when other people need you."
"You know the problem with you coming in when you did, Rafael?" Olivia tilted her head. "You never saw what it was like before. You never saw when it was Owen and Elliot. You never saw when it was me and Elliot. You never saw when it was Owen and Elliot and me. You only ever saw me and Owen. When you left, you never saw what happened when Elliot came back. You never saw what it took for us to get back to where we are now." Her eyes hardened. "And you sure as hell never saw what happened in Los Angeles despite all the news covering it. They say you know who your true friends are when they would walk into fire for you and not shove you into it. Elliot followed me into fire for our brother. That's the Elliot that came back."
Rafael remained silent, and Olivia took a deep breath, working to keep her temper calm. "Nolan explained his thought process after you left my office," she told him. "I can see your point of view. That doesn't mean I agree with it. No matter how much you thought you were protecting me . . . you were willing to shove one of the men who mean the world to me into the fire. I feel betrayed by that, Rafael . . . and I don't know how I'll ever get over it."
Rafel's expression shuttered, and Olivia quickly stood to avoid letting him get a word in. As she headed for the door, however, the vibrating of a phone stopped her. She checked her pockets for her phone, then Rafael spoke. "Liv."
"What?" Olivia turned to him.
Rafael braced himself and looked at her. "Jury's back."
***
When Olivia stepped into the courtroom, she found everyone reassembling in their places. The Stabler children had taken the back bench, but Olivia frowned when she found one missing. "Where's Eli?" she asked Owen and Elliot when she reached them.
"Studying," Elliot answered, showing her the camera footage on his phone. "He's doing his homework, but he's not answering his phone. My mom's checking on him." The video changed to an incoming call alert, and Elliot nodded. "There she is." He answered the phone, eyes darting to watch Ellery take his seat. "Mama, what's up?" His expression abruptly changed, making Owen look at him worriedly. "What do you mean, he's not there? I'm staring right at him! Hold on a sec." Kathleen stood from her seat worriedly, and Elliot shook his head as he switched back to the video. "Mama, I'm on my way." He seethed as he ended the call. "Son of a bitch. He must be looping a video on the cam, and he emptied out her medicine cabinet."
Owen closed his eyes and shook his head sadly. "I'm so sorry, Elliot," Olivia whispered.
Elliot headed for the door, Kathleen and Dickie moving to follow him. "Has the jury reached a verdict?" Ellery asked.
The foreman stood and nodded. "We have, Your Honor."
"Will the defendant please rise?" Ellery requested, and Elliot froze in the doorway, and Olivia reached for Owen's hand as Nolan, Baptiste, Rafael, and Wheatley stood from their seats. "What say you?" Ellery asked.
The foreman looked down at the paper he held. "On the count of murder in the first degree, we find the defendant guilty."
Wheatley's expression froze, and the courtroom erupted into sound. Kathleen burst into relieved tears and sobbed into Dickie's shoulder, her brother clutching her tightly while looking seconds away from collapsing himself. Up front, Nolan gave his first smile of the case, and he barely made it around the table in time before Sylvie flew towards him and hugged him tightly. "Yes!" TK whooped, bouncing around Carlos like a kangaroo as Amanda and Sonny gave Jet delighted grins.
"How the hell did you do that?" Fin demanded, a wide grin on his face as he looked at Nolan.
"He's the best," Sylvie gloated happily.
"Damn right, he is," Frank agreed with a grin. "Nice work, Nolan."
"Thanks," Nolan smiled, accepting Frank's hug at once. "I thought we were coming in with another deadlock."
"So did I," Elliot admitted as he walked down the aisle. "Nolan . . . " No further words escaped him, and he shook his head before crossing the rest of the difference. "Thank you."
Nolan smiled and firmly shook Elliot's hand in return. "My genuine pleasure, Elliot."
Elliot released his hand and was instantly bombarded by TK, Kathleen, and Dickie, and Olivia quickly swerved to avoid them as she came up to Nolan. "You did it," she breathed, her brown eyes bright.
"I told you I would, didn't I?" Nolan told her with a wry grin.
"You did," Olivia nodded, and before he could stop her, she engulfed him in a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear. "You have no idea what this means to us."
Nolan smiled into her shoulder. "I have some idea."
"Alright!" Fin's voice rose above the clamor. "Are we getting out of here or what?"
"Yes," Jet nodded fervently. "I don't want to be here any longer than I need to be."
Nolan chuckled and released Olivia. "So, what do you do now?" he asked.
"Now?" Olivia glanced at Elliot, who was speaking to Kathleen and Dickie as TK and Carlos surrounded Owen. "Now . . . there's something we need to handle within the family."
Nolan frowned in concern. "Anything I can do to help right now?"
"Not right now," Olivia shook her head with a light laugh. "You've done more than enough for the time being."
Nolan acquiesced with a nod. "Let me know if that changes."
"You'll be the first call," Olivia promised, turning and walking to Elliot.
Nolan gave a grateful nod to Kate and Kevin as they followed Jet out of the courtroom, then he blew out his breath slowly and turned to the two who remained. "So," he made his voice light. "I take it I don't get to bow out early, do I?"
"Hell, no!" Sylvie shook her head and wound her arm through Nolan's, tugging him to her side. "What's the best place open late that's also kid friendly?"
"Oh," Frank held out the word, closing in on Nolan's other side. "I can think of a few places."
Nolan shook his head in defeat, letting himself be boxed in by two of his favorite people. "I guess I leave myself in your capable hands."
"You better," Sylvie leaned her head against his arm. "After giving me a damn heart attack."
Frank snorted. "I wasn't much better!"
Nolan shook his head, letting them bicker as the trio headed out of the courtroom. As soon as they passed the doors, three teenagers rocketed towards them, and Sylvie and Frank scrambled out of the way to let them hug Nolan at the same time. Nolan burst out laughing and did his best to hug all three at the same time. As they tried speaking over each other in an attempt to ask questions, he lifted his gaze towards the staircase to the next level. Sam grinned happily down at him, and Jack smiled and nodded approvingly. There was a clear message in his gaze, however, and Nolan nodded in return before turning his attention back to the children.
He knew, sooner rather than later, that they would have to address Wheatley's words in court and determine whether or not it was a legitimate threat to his life. Still, he shouldered the weight of Rafael's gaze on him as Matt and Kelly joined the huddle around him and decided that could wait a little bit longer. He had just scored one of the biggest wins of his career on both sides of the law, and he would enjoy it to the fullest with his family around him.
Richard Wheatley could wait another day.
***
It's storylines like this that make me glad I only briefly touch on SVU and OC episodes because I have no idea how the hell I would rewrite OC after this plot change. I really wanted Nolan to best Barba, and the other reason for Wheatley getting that verdict? Well . . . plot reasons. *smiles innocently*
The no longer odd cop out is next!
***
Carlos
Spanish, "free man"
Choleric
strength, passion, productivity
The Artisan
creative, inventive, decorative
Type 6, The Loyalist
engaging, responsible
INFJ
The Counselor
Gryffindor
bravery, courage, chivalry
Taurus
the dominant, generous, romantic, reliable, patient, responsible, stable
Water
understanding, devoted, forgiving
The Upright Hanged Man
feeling trapped, confined, uncertainty, lack of direction, letting go
Archetypes
Fair Cop, Family Honor, Mr. Fanservice, Real Men Cook
Lawful Good
The Crusader
Status
alive
***
Now, while I still have the Three Musketeers in New York and I have a Peacock subscription, I have no reason not to do the episode afterwards. And since people have voted overwhelmingly in favor of having Carlos tag along with everyone's favorite homicide squad . . . looks like we'll be getting a double-header!
"The Christmas Episode" and "Fault Lines" are next in line!
graphic by marvelity