I appreciate all the reviews. I again apoligize for the delay. I'm working all the time and I don't have a lot of time to write, but I am still working on the story, so don't worry!!
Elliot and Olivia were sitting in the office working on more paperwork.
"Benson, Stabler, Warner called and said she had something you should see," Cragen said as he walked out of the office.
Elliot and Olivia gave each other confused looks, but grabbed their jackets and headed to the ME's office.
ME's Office
"You wanted to see us?" Olivia said as she and Elliot walked into Warner's office.
"You're rape suspect was murdered."
"Excuse me? We found a suicide note," Olivia said.
"It's virtually impossible to inject yourself on the back of your shoulder."
"He was poisoned?"
"His tox screen showed elevated levels of potassium and I found the needle mark during the autopsy."
"Ok thanks," Olivia said.
Elliot and Olivia walked out of the office and headed back to the car.
"Guess we should start with his apartment," Elliot said.
James Holterman's Apartment
"I found a phone book," Elliot called from a room that appeared to be an office.
"Found some documents from Jackson and Yeager attorneys at law," Olivia replied.
"He a lawyer?"
"Looks like a client."
"What for?"
"I don't know, it only mentions court dates."
"Guess we know where we're going now."
Law Office of Jackson and Yeager
"We found letters from your office in Mr. Holterman's apartment," Elliot explained.
"We were representing Mr. Holterman in a lawsuit filed by Steven Laytham."
"Who is Steven Laytham?"
"He was an ex-employee of Mr. Holterman's and was suing for wrongful termination."
"What was his complaint?"
"He stated that he was fired just because Holterman didn't like him."
"What was your take on it?"
"Sounds like Holterman and Laytham had words about Laytham's girlfriend."
"Girlfriend have a name?"
"Renee something, I don't remember the last name."
"Renee?"
"Yeah why?"
"You ever meet Mr. Laytham?"
"I've seen him at several court appearances, but I've never met him personally."
Elliot reached into the file he had, "is this him?" he asked as he pulled a picture from the file.
"Yeah, that's him."
Elliot turned the picture and let Olivia see that the picture was of Renee's boyfriend.
"When was your last court date?"
"We were supposed to meet yesterday, but Mr. Holterman never showed."
"Was Laytham there?"
"Yeah, he didn't say much though."
"Thank you for your help."
Elliot and Olivia walked out of the lawyers office and back to their car.
"You think the attack on Renee is related?"
"Holterman went after Renee as payback?"
"But why would he do it so everyone could ID him that doesn't make sense."
"He would have to know who Renee is if that's the why Laytham is suing."
"Then Laytham went after Holterman because he knew he attacked Renee."
"Everything happened so quickly, Laytham would have to have gone after Holterman right after he found out about Renee."
"Something's just no adding up here."
"We have to talk to Laytham again."
Steven Laytham's Apartment
"We wanted to talk to you about what happened to Renee again," Elliot said.
"Did you find out who attacked her?"
"We did."
"Who was it? Did you arrest him yet?"
"We won't be able to arrest him."
"Why not? He raped Renee!"
"He's dead."
"What?"
"He was murdered."
"How?"
"He was poisoned."
"By who?"
"We don't know that yet."
"He had a bunch of enemies."
"Like who?"
"He fired a couple people lately who were upset about being fired."
"And what was his name again?"
"You said James Holterman."
"We never said who attacked Renee."
Laytham got up and ran for the door. Elliot grabbed him just as he got to the door and slammed him up against the door.
"Steven Laytham you are under arrest for the murder of James Holterman. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you can not afford one, one will be appointed to you."
"That bastard raped Renee and she killed herself because of it."
"How did you know it was him?"
"He threatened Renee the day before."
"And why didn't you mention this?"
"I wanted to handle it myself."
"Let's go," Elliot said as he yanked Laytham back from the door and opened it so they could get out.
Elliot and Olivia brought Laytham back to the precinct and booked him. He confessed to the murder and signed the confession.
"Go home and get some rest you guys," Cragen said to Elliot and Olivia after Laytham was taken to jail.
They grabbed their coats and heeded Cragen's advice.
"Your place or mine?" Olivia asked as the doors to the elevator closed.
"Yours is closer."
"My place it is then."
They stopped and grabbed Chinese and their way to Olivia's apartment.
"What's up?" Elliot asked once they had settled down on the couch with their Chinese.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been thinking about something ever since we left the station."
Olivia let out a small laugh.
"What?"
"Sometimes I'm amazed at how well you can read me."
"We've been partners for 8 years, you'd think I'd pick up a thing or two along the way."
"I know."
"So what's on your mind?"
"I'm just thinking about Renee."
"You can't blame yourself Liv, she didn't show any signs."
"I'm not blaming myself, she's the innocent victim in all of this."
"She got mixed up with the wrong people."
"She got raped as revenge to her boyfriend because he's an ass and then she killed herself because she was too ashamed to tell anyone about what happened to her and Laytham knew Holterman would be after her."
"And he has to live with that for the rest of his life and he's going to be punished for Holterman's murder. He's not getting away scott free."
"I know, but she had no idea."
Elliot was silent and Olivia moved closer to him and placed her head on his shoulder.
"I don't know what else to say to you Liv," Elliot said as he put his arm around her shoulders.
"I don't know what else I want to hear. I'm just glad I have someone who respects me."
"You know I do."
"That's why I said it."
"I would never hurt you or let someone hurt you."
"And I love you for that."
"I love you too," Elliot said as he leaned down and brushed his lips against Olivia's.
Olivia shifted herself a bit and continued to kiss Elliot.
"The Chinese is getting cold," Elliot said in between kisses.
"I have a microwave."
They continued exploring each others mouths and Elliot began unbuttoning Olivia's shirt. Olivia stood up from the couch and held out her hand for Elliot to take. He stood up, never breaking eye contact, and took her hand. She turned and led him to her bedroom down the hall.
As they entered the room, Elliot pulled back on Olivia's arm and she turned to face him.
"Are you sure about this?" Elliot asked.
"I've never been more sure in my life about something."
Elliot leaned down and kissed Olivia again. She broke the kiss and continued to lead him to her bed.