Law and Order: Special Victims Unit Gangster

12. The Three Musketeers: Politics

(more was added to the last chapter, sorry.)

  "You got anything on Lindsay?" Benson asked as they headed into the squad room, in front of a bulletin board.
  "So far, four men have filed orders of protection against her for harassment and extortion," Tutuola announced, pinning pictures and names up on the board.
  "Plus, two more OOP's," Rollins chimed in,"one from an ex-mother-in-law, and the others from an ex-shrink, who kept getting texts demanding that he come back and 'murder her vagina', whatever that means."
  "It means that she's a freak," Fin pointed out bluntly.
  "Agreed," Juliana nodded.
  "Okay, so she lied to us, she's changed her story, she's gone back and forth about pressing charges.... maybe Barba's right; Eddie deserves the benefit of the doubt," Benson realized.
  "Unless, we're asking the wrong questions," Amaro pointed out.
  "Here they both go," Fin Tutuola announced.
  "Her other marks were worth the risk, the head of a foundation, a wealthy shoe designer, a sports TV exec...." Juliana pointed out.
  "Eddie, works at Rikers," Amaro agreed.
  "So.... maybe she's hitting bottom," Rollins suggested. 
  "Or.... maybe...." Amaro began.
  "Maybe Eddie's not the one she was shaking down," Juliana finished, pointing to a newspaper article about Alex Muñoz, hanging it up on the board as everyone else looked around in shock.

****

  "Good news, Counselor. Lindsay wasn't in a relationship with Eddie and he wasn't trying to rape her," Amaro told Rafael Barba as they met at the courthouse.
  He turned to face all three of them, Amaro, Benson, and Juliana. "Get to the bad part."
  "Well, we think she may have been in a relationship with Alex Muñoz, and when she tried to shake him down, Alex sent Eddie over to tune her up," Juliana added professionally.
  "Interesting theory," ADA Barba replied.
  "Counselor," someone called.
  Rafael smiled at the man who had said it. "Is that all it is?" he asked, turning his attention back to the SVU detectives and sergeant.
  "Well, Lindsay's MO is to get her hooks into powerful, married men," Benson nodded.
  "Look, she's a heat-seeking missile, and Eddie has no heat," Amaro pointed out. "Your friend Alex, does."
  "If you knew Yelina, you'd know he'd never step out on her," Rafael denied it.
  "With all due respect, Counselor, you may not be totally objective," Amaro began.
  "Nick...." Sergeant Benson and Juliana both warned him.
  "Look, if Eddie was sent to assault her, or scare her—"
  "I understand what you're saying, and you're wrong," Barba interrupted.
  "Just listen to him for a second, please, Rafael," Juliana interjected calmly.

Rafael Barba was extremely overwhelmed that very second. He was a bit of a verbal hothead when he was upset, and could hardly control himself in the moment. Being a lawyer and an ADA has done that to him. He regretted it as soon as he said it. He said it coldly and sharply.
  "That's Counselor to you."

Everyone was now extremely tense at his harsh words. Juliana could only stare at him, her face calm, but a recognizable fierce and angry fire in her eyes. But she only felt hurt.
  "Of course," she nodded. "My apologies. I ought to mind my manners. I should leave you professionals be.... Counselor," she spat, exiting the courtroom, heading outside for a smoke.

No one said a thing as they all watched her leave, hurt and upset, rushing out. Rafael Barba then sighed slowly, ashamed of himself.
  "Just.... take the steps you would with any other investigation. No one's interfering."

He then hurried out of the room, to follow Juliana as Amaro and Benson watched.
  "God. What's wrong with them?" Amaro asked.
  Benson sighed inwardly. "Well.... just the usual complications of workplace romances. But I think that a part of this was my fault."
  Amaro raises an eyebrow. "Did you see the way he looked at her? The way he made her feel? I wouldn't exactly call that romantic, Benson."
  Her expression tightened, no longer wanting to talk about the two of them. "What's the matter, Amaro, got a crush on her?"