Law & Order Special Victims Unit s27e01 Episode Script
In the Wind
1
In the criminal justice system,
sexually based offenses
are considered especially heinous.
In New York City, the
dedicated detectives
who investigate these vicious felonies
are members of an elite squad
known as the Special Victims Unit.
These are their stories.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Olivia.
Hey.
It's good to see you.
How are you?
I'm okay.
You know, I'm just
- It's a lot.
- Yeah.
- Well, if you need to talk
- Yeah.
Thanks.
Oh. [LAUGHS]
Oh, don't worry.
- I'm bouncing.
- I'm not worried.
Oh, come here.
Hey.
He was a, uh
- He was a great guy.
- Yeah.
I'm sorry, Liv.
It's good to see you.
- Same.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
Here you go.
It's been a long road.
It hasn't always
been pleasant
Hey.
I'm good. Thanks.
I lived for my job.
I I don't think that
surprises anybody.
And I can't imagine
my life any other way.
He was the best
boss I ever had.
Everything that I know
about being a captain
I learned from him.
It has been a privilege
to have been able
to serve with you.
Fin.
Can't believe
you're still at it.
You, too, Captain.
You both got your
full pensions.
Take them and live a little
while you still can.
- I thought about it, Mikey.
- You should.
It's the best decision
I've made in a while.
You-you thought
about retiring?
Since when?
I mean, not, like, tomorrow.
I mean, it's crossed my mind.
I I don't want to
do this forever.
Do you?
Captain Benson.
New chief of detectives.
- Oh. Hi.
- Kathryn Tynan.
Um, it's good to meet you.
I don't want to
monopolize your time.
Just wanted to say
I've heard great things.
Your clearance rate
is unbelievable.
I'm very excited
to work with you.
I'm glad to hear it.
When you got a moment,
let's talk big picture.
You're the standard I'd like
everyone else to meet.
I really want us
to work closely,
learn how you do what you do.
I'll reach out.
And, um,
I'm sorry about your loss.
I knew Don in my early years.
No wonder you're so good.
How was that?
I mean, she seems great.
I mean, she's full of
compliments, if nothing else.
But, where the hell
did she come from?
She started in NYPD,
but she's been in Philly
for the last ten years.
And I'm hearing things.
Like
Like what?
Like, she's very hands-on.
Values loyalty.
She's bringing in some people
from Philadelphia
to fill in the ranks.
- [PHONE BUZZING]
- She's good,
politically connected.
I think changes are coming.
Just be careful.
Hey, Curry.
What's up?
I'll meet you.
I'll meet you.
Hey, look, um, tell Fin
to take the night off
'cause he seems like
he needs it.
Got it.
Hey.
What you doing?
Saw Lou Fornelli roll in there.
Cragen hated that guy.
You all right?
I don't like funerals.
Me neither.
You all right?
I just feel like we're
entering into our
"all our friends are dying" era.
It's the worst era.
Absolutely.
Not that you can go back
and not that I'd want to,
but you know.
We had a pretty good
run there for a minute.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
We still do.
It's just different.
♪
[SIGHS]
Now get off my car.
Hey.
Go in there and say hello.
Love you.
Night.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
[SHOUTING]
Come here!
Get up!
- Please, just leave me alone!
- Shut up!
[GRUNTS]
Hey!
Police!
- I said come here!
- Police!
Let her go.
Let her go.
Put your hands up.
Put your hands
where I can see 'em.
Get 'em up!
[PANTING]
[GRUNTS]
[GRUNTING]
♪
- Let's go!
- [YELLS]
Come on!
Come on, let's go!
Get his gun.
♪
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
- How was the service?
- It was nice, you know?
It was just
Just sad.
This one
This one hit hard.
- I'm sorry.
- Yeah.
What have we got?
Tell me.
Victim is Ella Parsons, 29.
- Okay.
- We think the guy got in
through the window
at the fire escape.
She's pretty sure
he used a condom.
Well, what's the time frame?
A couple of hours.
She was afraid he was still in
the apartment, so she waited.
- Okay.
- We're canvassing the neighbors,
- checking street cameras.
- Anything?
Nothing.
How's that looking?
It's not too deep.
I don't even think it'll scar.
Oh, good.
Thank you.
So, um, yeah, um,
so I was lying in bed.
Mm-hmm.
And I I was just
scrolling through TikTok.
I I didn't even
hear anybody break in.
Oh.
And, um, then all
the lights went out,
and I thought it was just a
regular power outage,
- you know?
- Yeah.
But then I looked
across the street,
and I could see that
all the lights were on.
Yeah, so we think that
he turned off the power,
right at the
At the breaker.
And then I could feel
him in the room with me.
Mm-hmm.
I froze.
And, then, he got on top of me.
And he put a knife
to my throat,
and he said that if I screamed,
he would kill me.
Did you see his face?
No, it was too dark.
And how long have
you lived here?
This is a MetroBnB.
I know they're illegal.
I know I shouldn't have done it,
but I had a job interview
out here.
I know I shouldn't
have done it.
So listen to me.
I'm not the housing authority.
And the only thing
that I care about,
is finding the man who
did this to you, okay?
Now, what is the job?
It's cybersecurity.
Okay.
I just changed careers.
I just totally changed my whole life.
- How'd it go?
- Good. Yeah.
Really good.
I don't know, though.
It's really competitive.
A lot of these places,
it's just a bunch of dudes,
you know?
So it can feel like nobody's
in your corner but you.
Oh, I get that.
So how about
you consider me another
person that's in your corner.
All right?
And we're gonna get through this.
And then we're gonna get you
back to your new life, okay?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Mr. Ruíz?
NYPD.
Can you answer some questions?
We're gonna get you
checked out at the hospital.
Great.
Thank you.
[PHONE BUZZES]
Benson.
Okay, I'm on my way.
♪
Hey.
Oh, you guys came all the
way down here empty-handed?
We can order in a pizza.
Get me a PlayStation.
So we got the initial report
back from the Brooklyn cops.
Is there any
possibility that this
is a beef from an old case?
Man, I wish it was.
I got played.
It's a rope-a-dope,
and I'm the dope.
It could happen to anybody.
We're gonna find them.
They got my gun.
We're on it.
Hey.
[SIGHS]
So quick question,
who the hell gets jumped,
on the way home from a cop funeral?
Brutal.
Yeah.
Okay.
I just sat next to the
board chair of this hospital
at a fundraiser, and she's
getting you a private room.
And I accept any and all
preferential treatment.
Find out who caught this
at the 7-4
and make sure they're
handling it right.
You got it.
[SIGHS]
[SIGHS]
Liv, you don't
have to stay here.
- I'm fine.
- I know.
I'm just staying until
you get your new room.
So where are we?
Rape kit was negative for fluids,
positive for spermicide.
So Ella Parsons was
right about the condom.
CSU is still gathering prints.
There are hundreds, hairs
from at least 30 individuals.
They're focusing on the ones
found in the bed
and on her, four distinct
hairs on her alone.
So a rental that
doesn't change the sheets.
- How lovely.
- The apartment is owned
by Eric Burnett.
Now, he says he's been
upstate since Wednesday.
Driving back now.
Should be at the precinct
any second.
Okay, and how long has
he been renting the place out?
He says he's been
renting it for 18 months.
Did you hear from the super?
Nothing.
All right, so go pay him a visit,
- and apply the pressure.
- [KNOCK AT DOOR]
Captain Benson,
this is Eric Burnett.
Hey.
You guys wanted to see me?
So these are all in
reverse chronological order.
I figured you guys would want
to know who stayed there.
- Uh-huh.
- I keep very meticulous records.
Oh, I can see that.
I just can't believe
that this happened there.
So you were upstate.
Yeah, in Utica, since Wednesday,
dog sitting for my brother.
I got the call this morning,
- and I jumped right in my car.
- Okay.
- I'm gonna have you sit down
- Sure.
And write down your movements
in the last 24 hours, okay?
Absolutely.
Jorge Ruíz.
I've been looking for you.
Uh, yeah.
Uh, sorry.
I just have been busy.
Well, clear your calendar
and come down here.
Can you remove your
tool belt, Mr. Ruíz?
Yeah.
Yeah, of course.
Do you know why I'm here?
It's, uh, that girl in 3E.
But you didn't think you
needed to call me back?
Uh, I did, but, uh,
I had a lot of stuff going on.
You have keys to 3E?
It's just the one set
that I gave to her.
Were you here last night?
I was asleep.
What time did you go to bed?
Eh, I don't know.
Like 8:00?
Wow.
That's really early.
Yeah.
Maybe you went to bed
even earlier than that.
Maybe.
And maybe you
sleep really hard.
So you didn't hear me knock.
And you didn't hear anybody
do anything all night.
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Yes, that's what happened.
Okay, so some advice,
Mr. Ruíz,
giving the worst alibi
in the history of alibis
- is not the way to play this.
- I'm not lying.
Because here's what I see.
You're out here
the day after the attack,
installing security lights.
And that tells me that
you care about the people
in this building.
I don't care about
where you're from
or what your
immigration status is.
I'm looking for a rapist.
Okay?
So why don't you help me out?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
Uh, right there.
Uh, that's the third floor.
Any of the other stairwell
cameras pick them up?
Yeah.
Yeah, they all did.
He knows where the cameras are.
You never see his face.
But I did.
You're absolutely positive
you got a good look?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, clear as day.
Mr. Burnett, I am so sorry.
It's just taking a
little bit longer
to process this police report.
Okay.
So what kind of dog?
I'm sorry?
Your brother?
You were dog sitting?
Oh, right.
I don't know,
just some kind of mutt.
Yeah.
Name?
- Jake.
- Jake, that's cute.
Hey, will you do me a favor and just
write down your brother's
contact information
so I can verify that?
He's traveling out of the country.
- Oh.
- You know, so I don't
I don't really have
a contact for him.
- You know what? I'm gonna go.
- Sit down, Mr. Burnett.
Sit down.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Do you know what the problem is
with meticulous guys like you?
They think they're smarter
than everybody else,
so they get careless.
And then you know what they do?
They make mistakes.
You said that you were in Utica.
Or was that a mistake?
Now, before you answer me,
keep in mind,
that I already know the answer.
I think I need a lawyer.
I think you're right.
Detectives, I don't
have to emphasize
that this is
a 30-plus-year veteran
who was attacked on your turf.
We absolutely get it.
This is a top priority for us.
Bottom line, we're all over this.
Just tell your man Fin to sit tight.
Order up, Detective.
Come on, has there been
anybody you've been looking at?
- There's, uh
- [SNAPPING FINGERS]
What's his name?
Who's the guy who's always yammering?
- Cricket.
- Cricket.
Hangs out in Owl's Head,
talk your ear off.
Thank you.
Got it wrong again.
Khalil!
Come on!
Oh!
They're not like us.
There were no eyewitnesses.
Their victim is unable to
identify the perpetrator.
And if Carisi
is gonna argue DNA,
Your Honor needs to know that
my client owns the apartment
where the assault took place.
Of course, his DNA is present.
But it has nothing to do
with the crime charged.
What Your Honor needs to know
is that when first confronted,
the defendant gave the
investigating detectives
an elaborate,
very detailed story
about his whereabouts
at the time of the crime,
a story that we've since
been able to prove
was an outright lie,
demonstrating consciousness of guilt.
They've demonstrated
no such thing.
And if that's all they've got
Well, we also have a witness
that can place the defendant
leaving the scene
at the time of the crime.
That's news to me, I
I haven't been
notified about a lineup.
Because the lineup
wasn't necessary.
The witness has a prior
relationship with the defendant.
All right, gentlemen, save
your rhetoric for the trial.
Bail is set at 20,000.
Next case.
Yo, Cricket.
We're looking for a stolen gun.
I I don't know
anything about it.
Not what we're hearing, man.
You got any weapons
or needles on you?
- No way!
- All right, turn around.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Now, listen.
You know how bad you
screwed up attacking a cop?
I didn't! I swear, I didn't.
Do I look like
I'm beating up anybody?
Look, I bought that off some girl.
I don't even know who she is.
Where's the gun?
♪
Ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Dominick Carisi.
I will be presenting
a case to you
entitled "The People
of the State of New York
versus Eric Burnett."
You'll be hearing
from three witnesses:
the victim, Ella Parsons;
Captain Olivia Benson,
with the Manhattan
Special Victims Unit;
and first, you'll hear
from Jorge Ruíz,
who will be giving you
an eyewitness testimony.
Now, at the conclusion
of my presentation,
I will be asking you
to consider a charge of rape
in the first degree.
Okay, let's get started.
[SIGHS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
Your guy's not here.
So his phone is disconnected
or he's not picking up?
- I don't know.
- Did he seem shaky before?
Curry said there may be
an immigration issue.
There may be an immigration issue?
Sorry, so you're saying
this isn't gonna happen?
[SIGHS]
Can you get the indictment
without him?
Yeah, I can get a jury to indict.
But without a witness,
I cannot go to trial.
So get the indictment,
and I will get the witness.
Okay.
I'm gonna get him, Ella.
♪
What's this?
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
♪
Captain!
You got to be kidding me.
Hi.
Who, who's in charge here?
All right. Thank you.
Excuse me.
I'm Captain Olivia Benson with
Manhattan Special Victims Unit,
and I have a key witness
who lives in this building,
who may have gotten
caught up in your operation.
- Name?
- Jorge Ruíz.
He's on the list,
but we don't have him, he wasn't home.
So he's our only witness
testifying against a rapist.
And he is coming in and
testifying on his own volition.
So I would very much appreciate
a little bit of discretion here.
Captain, I'd love to help
you, but my hands are tied.
Your witness is a convicted felon.
Let us know if you
find him before we do.
Close it.
Let's go.
[SIGHS]
So ICE rolls up on
my witness's residence,
and we're all just gonna pretend
that this is a coincidence.
Come on.
He dropped a dime so he could
get his client off the hook.
Prove it.
Or how about I take you to
the DDC and we let them decide?
- How about that?
- Well, do it.
It won't fix the fact
that your case is based
on the word of an
illegal, convicted felon.
Oh, that's a bogus charge.
Your Honor, Ruíz got
caught up in a drug sweep.
He had $100 in his pocket.
If you had a real lawyer,
that charge would have been
dropped, and you know it.
And if he were
in this country legally,
none of this would matter.
There's no
citizenship requirement
to testify in a felony case.
Even if everything you
say is true, Mr. Carisi,
there's no remedy
that this court can offer.
And we're about to go to trial.
So, I suggest that
you locate your witness,
because I'm not adjourning this case.
So, Camila, I just want to
assure you that your cousin
is not in any trouble.
We just want to talk to him.
Well, I don't
know where he is.
Well, has he
called you or made
- any attempt to contact you?
- No.
It's understandable
if Jorge is afraid.
But we can offer
him some protection.
Yeah, so instead of
testifying in open court,
he can do a conditional
examination with the judge
on video, one and done.
Where?
It would have to
be at the courthouse.
No.
He could get arrested there.
If If it comes to that,
then we can help him
retain an immigration lawyer.
And then what?
He gets sent
to El Salvador or Sudan?
You're right.
It is definitely a risk.
But all I can say to you is,
without Jorge's testimony,
then a rapist is gonna go free.
And that is not Jorge's fault.
But if that sounds even
a little bit wrong,
maybe it's worth the risk.
I would like to leave this with you.
It has my personal number on the back.
And if you or Jorge
want to talk to me,
I'm available 24/7.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
You Fat Jimmy?
It depends on who's asking.
We got a call for you.
Hey, yo, what's up, Fat Jimmy?
[LAUGHS]
Detective Tutuola.
I thought you was dead, man.
Yeah, they keep trying.
[CHUCKLES]
I'm sergeant now.
Sergeant?
Okay.
What, is this a Zoom
arrest or something?
I'm out of the game, Sergeant.
That's what I heard.
But I figured you still
know everything
that goes on
in that neighborhood.
I'm hoping you can help me
find something I lost.
Hey.
How's it over in Brooklyn?
Couple of hairbag
detectives working it.
Seems like it was random,
junkies looking to score.
Anything else?
No.
What do you got for us?
Well, we hit a wall
on the Parsons case.
Either we need more evidence
or another witness.
How about another rape?
He's done it before, a rape in
a Bronx sublet five years ago.
Same MO, and Burnett
owned the apartment.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
The perpetrator held a knife
to the victim's throat,
and raped her in the bed.
There was no sign
of forced entry,
and the case remains
unsolved to this day.
Your Honor, at best,
the People have
two rapes five years apart
that occurred in residences
my client owns.
He's owned numerous
apartments in the city.
Two nearly identical rapes.
Your Honor,
this is the definition
of a common scheme or plan.
- It's prejudicial, Judge.
- I agree.
Mr. Carisi, I'm going to
deny your application.
In my view, the prejudicial
effect of this evidence
far outweighs
its probative value.
The prior case is inadmissible.
Gentlemen, tomorrow morning.
I'll draft my motion
to dismiss tonight.
Ella, I know
this is not ideal.
And even if we can't find
new evidence tonight,
the fact is, that ADA Carisi
can make a motion to dismiss
with a leave to re-present,
which means we can
bring it back to court.
Okay?
Now, it may take a little longer,
but I'm not giving up on this.
So
Yeah.
I'm gonna go home.
So, Ella,
you can't give up on this.
I really
I appreciate
all of the
things that you guys have done.
It's amazing.
I can't believe it.
But it's just
I just [SIGHS]
What is the
best-case scenario here?
Just getting some guy
deported for testifying?
That sucks.
I don't want to do that.
But that is not our only option.
I don't have anybody out here with me.
And I just
I want to get on with my life.
And I am tired.
I'm so tired.
How do you not get so tired
doing this every day?
I couldn't do it.
Did you get the job?
Yeah.
What?
You're not taking it?
I don't think so.
Well, are you good, at what you do?
Yeah, but you have this voice inside
that tells you that
you're not good enough?
That you're not worthy?
I get that.
Because I have that same voice inside.
But, I had this really great boss,
who believed in me,
and who told me that I was worthy.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
And then eventually,
I started to believe it.
[SIGHS] He worked a lot longer
than he needed to,
because, he was so good at his job,
and because it gave
his life meaning.
He and I were a lot alike,
and I don't think that
I fully realized it
until after he was gone.
I'm sorry.
You are correct, Ella.
These cases are hard.
They're brutal.
You're not wrong about that.
But I am here with you.
It is okay that you are tired,
because I'm not.
And it's okay,
if you don't want to fight,
because I'm still gonna fight for you.
[SOBBING]
And guess what.
I'm not the only one.
♪
I've been in this
country for 22 years.
I got a job.
I-I'm really good at it.
Paid my taxes.
I send money back to my family.
And I was arrested,
15 years ago.
But but it was for something
that I didn't do.
And we are going to do
everything that we can
to protect you.
So my choices are to
To run and hide and hope
that they never find me or to
to just leave my whole
life and just go back.
And now
You're asking me to do
something nice for my government?
- Why would I do that?
- You're right.
You're absolutely right.
And if you got up and walked
out of here right now,
nobody would blame you.
But the fact of the matter is,
Mr. Ruíz,
you came in here tonight,
which tells me
That you want to do what's right,
whether or not you get
something back in return.
Captain,
ICE is on the way up.
- What?
- How do they know?
Come.
There's a back stairway.
No, wait.
Don't try that.
- Can they do this?
- They don't have a warrant.
Doesn't matter.
They're Feds.
So they take our witness, and
we can't do anything about it?
Hold on a second.
I need you to trust me.
Can you do that?
[TENSE MUSIC]
Velasco, arrest him.
- What?
- Now.
Arrest him now.
Mr. Ruíz, you're under arrest.
Captain Vincent,
you're interfering
with a federal operation.
Oh, no, she's not.
Jorge Ruíz is
a material witness,
and he's in the custody
of the NYPD.
Do you really want to
help a rapist go free?
He's ours, okay?
Take him to holding.
Once he provides
his testimony no, no.
We'll release him.
♪
This you?
You have been obstructing this
operation from the beginning.
That is a federal charge.
Put your hands behind your back.
Oh, no.
- Captain.
- It's okay.
Stand down, Curry.
Stand down.
[SIGHS]
[HANDCUFFS CLICKING]
♪
[SIGHS]
[DOOR CLICKS OPEN]
The field office director
sends his regards,
and, uh, apologizes for
the misunderstanding.
Well, these things happen.
Well, your arrest
is voided, so
Let's get the hell out of here, huh?
You're out of your mind.
[SIGHS] I'll take that
as a compliment.
And she's a genius,
but she's a lucky one.
Judge Fitzsimmons owes me a favor.
He agreed to sign off on
the material witness order,
but I gotta get it to him now
to ink so that we're covered.
- But, uh, I'll see you later?
- Okay.
All right, buy the
jailbird a drink, will you?
Mm.
Really, congratulations.
That was an incredible save.
Well, it'd probably be better
if I didn't get arrested
before every case, but, um,
your husband is very good at his job.
I got something sensitive
- I need to talk to you about.
- Okay.
I haven't even talked
to Sonny about it.
What?
What's going on?
Uh, look, in a normal
circumstance, I would
I would directly go
to Fin with this.
But, I don't know
what else to do here.
What about Fin?
[SIGHS]
So Bruno and Velasco,
they walked into this bar
that Intel has
under surveillance
for drug dealing.
Yeah, they're probably
looking into Fin's assault.
And we have somebody inside.
Did you
Did you know that Fin lost his gun?
[TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Uh, no, I did not.
Look, if we hadn't had
somebody in this bar,
this probably would
have all gone away.
Listen, this is a confidential report.
No one else is going to see this.
I just figured enough people
were keeping you in the dark.
[SIGHS]
Do you swear or affirm
that the testimony
you're about to give will be
the truth, the whole truth,
- and nothing but the truth?
- Yes.
Have a seat.
[CLEARS THROAT]
No, not in my courtroom.
Jimmy, tell them
they can wait outside,
but they are not welcome here.
♪
Mr. Ruíz,
you did a great job.
Couldn't have asked
for a better witness.
Mr. Ruíz, put your hands
behind your back.
You're under arrest.
Okay, listen,
they're gonna take you
to the detention center.
I already spoke to legal aid.
Your immigration attorney's
name is Maria Cox.
She'll be there.
She'll be waiting for you.
Listen to me, do everything
that they tell you to do,
and try not to worry.
♪
Hey.
Wow.
This is, uh,
best vacation ever?
My depth perception
is still messed up,
but I'm starting
to enjoy the challenge.
Very good.
What's up?
Fin, how long have we
worked together now?
Liv.
'Cause I thought that I
Put in the time,
and the work to
To earn your trust.
Look, they were following my orders.
Any heat that comes
from this I'm willing to take.
This was not about trust.
This was about protecting you.
I don't need to be protected, Fin.
We look out for each other.
We always have looked out
for each other.
I know.
I'm sorry.
Look, I know that we're closer
to the end than the beginning.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I feel that I still have more to do.
And we all need to decide
how we want to go out.
But if you are willing
to throw away all the years
that we have worked together,
all the trust
that we have built,
then maybe you should retire
And just save us all the heartache.
You know, I thought this
might have been a message
for me to get out while I still can.
But I'm not throwing
anything away, Liv.
And I'm not ready to retire
Until I earn your trust back.
- Oh.
- [PHONE BUZZES]
Oh.
Well, this night
keeps getting better.
I'm being called to 1PP.
♪
[SIGHS]
- Captain, thanks for coming in.
- Thanks.
Chief, so, if I may,
I would like to offer you some context,
to explain my interactions with ICE.
Not necessary.
Look, it's not my
favorite thing that my captain
got taken into federal custody,
but, it was a smart play.
And luckily, it worked out.
Maybe next time loop me in?
Yes.
If I can, I will.
Yes.
You're kind of running your own
police department
over there, aren't you?
Which, hey,
is clearly working for you.
The results speak for themselves, huh?
But
I really value communication.
- I understand.
- Great.
And in the good news department,
I got your witness an S visa.
A snitch visa.
Mm-hmm.
How?
I spent a career gathering favors,
and, just made a couple of calls.
Honestly, it wasn't even that hard.
The guy's cooperating in a rape trial.
- Mm-hmm.
- Nobody's upset about this.
And Mr. Ruíz has been released
and in the process of becoming
a legal immigrant.
- Oh.
- How's that for a happy ending?
I I
[SIGHS]
This is incredible news.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
I did want to talk
to you about one thing.
- Okay.
- Get your read on an idea
I've been kicking around.
Please, sit.
I'm thinking about consolidating
Special Victims
across all five boroughs,
and creating a deputy chief position,
which would be here in 1PP.
Every unit reporting to one chief.
And, I'd like you to
consider taking that job.
Oh.
Chief Tynan, I, um
I, uh, actually don't
Don't know how to respond to that.
I know it's crazy.
But
Maybe it's not crazy.
Think about it
Way more authority,
the opportunity to get
everyone on the same page,
take what you do in your own squad,
and do it all over the city.
I don't know kind of a great way
to think about ending your career.
I'm not I'm not
thinking about ending
my career any time soon.
Oh, God.
No, definitely not now.
I wouldn't accept that.
Just, down the line.
Anyway, think about it.
I'm
I'm, um
I'm not looking to
To make any changes, anytime soon.
Yeah, I get that.
Change is hard.
[SOFT TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Oh, last thing.
I know that you're down a man
with Sergeant Tutuola
being out of commission.
I have the perfect detective for you.
Known him since he was a kid.
He'll be a great addition
to your squad.
You know, I actually
think that we will
manage without an extra body.
Seriously, I have to insist.
You won't be sorry.
He'll start right away.
Well, then we will give him
the welcome that he deserves.
And I could not be
more excited for him
to learn from the best.
Thank you, Chief.
Captain.
Yes.
I'm glad Fin
got his gun back.
♪
Detective Velasco.
Get in.
♪
In the criminal justice system,
sexually based offenses
are considered especially heinous.
In New York City, the
dedicated detectives
who investigate these vicious felonies
are members of an elite squad
known as the Special Victims Unit.
These are their stories.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Olivia.
Hey.
It's good to see you.
How are you?
I'm okay.
You know, I'm just
- It's a lot.
- Yeah.
- Well, if you need to talk
- Yeah.
Thanks.
Oh. [LAUGHS]
Oh, don't worry.
- I'm bouncing.
- I'm not worried.
Oh, come here.
Hey.
He was a, uh
- He was a great guy.
- Yeah.
I'm sorry, Liv.
It's good to see you.
- Same.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
Here you go.
It's been a long road.
It hasn't always
been pleasant
Hey.
I'm good. Thanks.
I lived for my job.
I I don't think that
surprises anybody.
And I can't imagine
my life any other way.
He was the best
boss I ever had.
Everything that I know
about being a captain
I learned from him.
It has been a privilege
to have been able
to serve with you.
Fin.
Can't believe
you're still at it.
You, too, Captain.
You both got your
full pensions.
Take them and live a little
while you still can.
- I thought about it, Mikey.
- You should.
It's the best decision
I've made in a while.
You-you thought
about retiring?
Since when?
I mean, not, like, tomorrow.
I mean, it's crossed my mind.
I I don't want to
do this forever.
Do you?
Captain Benson.
New chief of detectives.
- Oh. Hi.
- Kathryn Tynan.
Um, it's good to meet you.
I don't want to
monopolize your time.
Just wanted to say
I've heard great things.
Your clearance rate
is unbelievable.
I'm very excited
to work with you.
I'm glad to hear it.
When you got a moment,
let's talk big picture.
You're the standard I'd like
everyone else to meet.
I really want us
to work closely,
learn how you do what you do.
I'll reach out.
And, um,
I'm sorry about your loss.
I knew Don in my early years.
No wonder you're so good.
How was that?
I mean, she seems great.
I mean, she's full of
compliments, if nothing else.
But, where the hell
did she come from?
She started in NYPD,
but she's been in Philly
for the last ten years.
And I'm hearing things.
Like
Like what?
Like, she's very hands-on.
Values loyalty.
She's bringing in some people
from Philadelphia
to fill in the ranks.
- [PHONE BUZZING]
- She's good,
politically connected.
I think changes are coming.
Just be careful.
Hey, Curry.
What's up?
I'll meet you.
I'll meet you.
Hey, look, um, tell Fin
to take the night off
'cause he seems like
he needs it.
Got it.
Hey.
What you doing?
Saw Lou Fornelli roll in there.
Cragen hated that guy.
You all right?
I don't like funerals.
Me neither.
You all right?
I just feel like we're
entering into our
"all our friends are dying" era.
It's the worst era.
Absolutely.
Not that you can go back
and not that I'd want to,
but you know.
We had a pretty good
run there for a minute.
[PENSIVE MUSIC]
We still do.
It's just different.
♪
[SIGHS]
Now get off my car.
Hey.
Go in there and say hello.
Love you.
Night.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
[SHOUTING]
Come here!
Get up!
- Please, just leave me alone!
- Shut up!
[GRUNTS]
Hey!
Police!
- I said come here!
- Police!
Let her go.
Let her go.
Put your hands up.
Put your hands
where I can see 'em.
Get 'em up!
[PANTING]
[GRUNTS]
[GRUNTING]
♪
- Let's go!
- [YELLS]
Come on!
Come on, let's go!
Get his gun.
♪
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
- How was the service?
- It was nice, you know?
It was just
Just sad.
This one
This one hit hard.
- I'm sorry.
- Yeah.
What have we got?
Tell me.
Victim is Ella Parsons, 29.
- Okay.
- We think the guy got in
through the window
at the fire escape.
She's pretty sure
he used a condom.
Well, what's the time frame?
A couple of hours.
She was afraid he was still in
the apartment, so she waited.
- Okay.
- We're canvassing the neighbors,
- checking street cameras.
- Anything?
Nothing.
How's that looking?
It's not too deep.
I don't even think it'll scar.
Oh, good.
Thank you.
So, um, yeah, um,
so I was lying in bed.
Mm-hmm.
And I I was just
scrolling through TikTok.
I I didn't even
hear anybody break in.
Oh.
And, um, then all
the lights went out,
and I thought it was just a
regular power outage,
- you know?
- Yeah.
But then I looked
across the street,
and I could see that
all the lights were on.
Yeah, so we think that
he turned off the power,
right at the
At the breaker.
And then I could feel
him in the room with me.
Mm-hmm.
I froze.
And, then, he got on top of me.
And he put a knife
to my throat,
and he said that if I screamed,
he would kill me.
Did you see his face?
No, it was too dark.
And how long have
you lived here?
This is a MetroBnB.
I know they're illegal.
I know I shouldn't have done it,
but I had a job interview
out here.
I know I shouldn't
have done it.
So listen to me.
I'm not the housing authority.
And the only thing
that I care about,
is finding the man who
did this to you, okay?
Now, what is the job?
It's cybersecurity.
Okay.
I just changed careers.
I just totally changed my whole life.
- How'd it go?
- Good. Yeah.
Really good.
I don't know, though.
It's really competitive.
A lot of these places,
it's just a bunch of dudes,
you know?
So it can feel like nobody's
in your corner but you.
Oh, I get that.
So how about
you consider me another
person that's in your corner.
All right?
And we're gonna get through this.
And then we're gonna get you
back to your new life, okay?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Mr. Ruíz?
NYPD.
Can you answer some questions?
We're gonna get you
checked out at the hospital.
Great.
Thank you.
[PHONE BUZZES]
Benson.
Okay, I'm on my way.
♪
Hey.
Oh, you guys came all the
way down here empty-handed?
We can order in a pizza.
Get me a PlayStation.
So we got the initial report
back from the Brooklyn cops.
Is there any
possibility that this
is a beef from an old case?
Man, I wish it was.
I got played.
It's a rope-a-dope,
and I'm the dope.
It could happen to anybody.
We're gonna find them.
They got my gun.
We're on it.
Hey.
[SIGHS]
So quick question,
who the hell gets jumped,
on the way home from a cop funeral?
Brutal.
Yeah.
Okay.
I just sat next to the
board chair of this hospital
at a fundraiser, and she's
getting you a private room.
And I accept any and all
preferential treatment.
Find out who caught this
at the 7-4
and make sure they're
handling it right.
You got it.
[SIGHS]
[SIGHS]
Liv, you don't
have to stay here.
- I'm fine.
- I know.
I'm just staying until
you get your new room.
So where are we?
Rape kit was negative for fluids,
positive for spermicide.
So Ella Parsons was
right about the condom.
CSU is still gathering prints.
There are hundreds, hairs
from at least 30 individuals.
They're focusing on the ones
found in the bed
and on her, four distinct
hairs on her alone.
So a rental that
doesn't change the sheets.
- How lovely.
- The apartment is owned
by Eric Burnett.
Now, he says he's been
upstate since Wednesday.
Driving back now.
Should be at the precinct
any second.
Okay, and how long has
he been renting the place out?
He says he's been
renting it for 18 months.
Did you hear from the super?
Nothing.
All right, so go pay him a visit,
- and apply the pressure.
- [KNOCK AT DOOR]
Captain Benson,
this is Eric Burnett.
Hey.
You guys wanted to see me?
So these are all in
reverse chronological order.
I figured you guys would want
to know who stayed there.
- Uh-huh.
- I keep very meticulous records.
Oh, I can see that.
I just can't believe
that this happened there.
So you were upstate.
Yeah, in Utica, since Wednesday,
dog sitting for my brother.
I got the call this morning,
- and I jumped right in my car.
- Okay.
- I'm gonna have you sit down
- Sure.
And write down your movements
in the last 24 hours, okay?
Absolutely.
Jorge Ruíz.
I've been looking for you.
Uh, yeah.
Uh, sorry.
I just have been busy.
Well, clear your calendar
and come down here.
Can you remove your
tool belt, Mr. Ruíz?
Yeah.
Yeah, of course.
Do you know why I'm here?
It's, uh, that girl in 3E.
But you didn't think you
needed to call me back?
Uh, I did, but, uh,
I had a lot of stuff going on.
You have keys to 3E?
It's just the one set
that I gave to her.
Were you here last night?
I was asleep.
What time did you go to bed?
Eh, I don't know.
Like 8:00?
Wow.
That's really early.
Yeah.
Maybe you went to bed
even earlier than that.
Maybe.
And maybe you
sleep really hard.
So you didn't hear me knock.
And you didn't hear anybody
do anything all night.
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Yes, that's what happened.
Okay, so some advice,
Mr. Ruíz,
giving the worst alibi
in the history of alibis
- is not the way to play this.
- I'm not lying.
Because here's what I see.
You're out here
the day after the attack,
installing security lights.
And that tells me that
you care about the people
in this building.
I don't care about
where you're from
or what your
immigration status is.
I'm looking for a rapist.
Okay?
So why don't you help me out?
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
Uh, right there.
Uh, that's the third floor.
Any of the other stairwell
cameras pick them up?
Yeah.
Yeah, they all did.
He knows where the cameras are.
You never see his face.
But I did.
You're absolutely positive
you got a good look?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, clear as day.
Mr. Burnett, I am so sorry.
It's just taking a
little bit longer
to process this police report.
Okay.
So what kind of dog?
I'm sorry?
Your brother?
You were dog sitting?
Oh, right.
I don't know,
just some kind of mutt.
Yeah.
Name?
- Jake.
- Jake, that's cute.
Hey, will you do me a favor and just
write down your brother's
contact information
so I can verify that?
He's traveling out of the country.
- Oh.
- You know, so I don't
I don't really have
a contact for him.
- You know what? I'm gonna go.
- Sit down, Mr. Burnett.
Sit down.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Do you know what the problem is
with meticulous guys like you?
They think they're smarter
than everybody else,
so they get careless.
And then you know what they do?
They make mistakes.
You said that you were in Utica.
Or was that a mistake?
Now, before you answer me,
keep in mind,
that I already know the answer.
I think I need a lawyer.
I think you're right.
Detectives, I don't
have to emphasize
that this is
a 30-plus-year veteran
who was attacked on your turf.
We absolutely get it.
This is a top priority for us.
Bottom line, we're all over this.
Just tell your man Fin to sit tight.
Order up, Detective.
Come on, has there been
anybody you've been looking at?
- There's, uh
- [SNAPPING FINGERS]
What's his name?
Who's the guy who's always yammering?
- Cricket.
- Cricket.
Hangs out in Owl's Head,
talk your ear off.
Thank you.
Got it wrong again.
Khalil!
Come on!
Oh!
They're not like us.
There were no eyewitnesses.
Their victim is unable to
identify the perpetrator.
And if Carisi
is gonna argue DNA,
Your Honor needs to know that
my client owns the apartment
where the assault took place.
Of course, his DNA is present.
But it has nothing to do
with the crime charged.
What Your Honor needs to know
is that when first confronted,
the defendant gave the
investigating detectives
an elaborate,
very detailed story
about his whereabouts
at the time of the crime,
a story that we've since
been able to prove
was an outright lie,
demonstrating consciousness of guilt.
They've demonstrated
no such thing.
And if that's all they've got
Well, we also have a witness
that can place the defendant
leaving the scene
at the time of the crime.
That's news to me, I
I haven't been
notified about a lineup.
Because the lineup
wasn't necessary.
The witness has a prior
relationship with the defendant.
All right, gentlemen, save
your rhetoric for the trial.
Bail is set at 20,000.
Next case.
Yo, Cricket.
We're looking for a stolen gun.
I I don't know
anything about it.
Not what we're hearing, man.
You got any weapons
or needles on you?
- No way!
- All right, turn around.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
[TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Now, listen.
You know how bad you
screwed up attacking a cop?
I didn't! I swear, I didn't.
Do I look like
I'm beating up anybody?
Look, I bought that off some girl.
I don't even know who she is.
Where's the gun?
♪
Ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Dominick Carisi.
I will be presenting
a case to you
entitled "The People
of the State of New York
versus Eric Burnett."
You'll be hearing
from three witnesses:
the victim, Ella Parsons;
Captain Olivia Benson,
with the Manhattan
Special Victims Unit;
and first, you'll hear
from Jorge Ruíz,
who will be giving you
an eyewitness testimony.
Now, at the conclusion
of my presentation,
I will be asking you
to consider a charge of rape
in the first degree.
Okay, let's get started.
[SIGHS]
[TENSE MUSIC]
Your guy's not here.
So his phone is disconnected
or he's not picking up?
- I don't know.
- Did he seem shaky before?
Curry said there may be
an immigration issue.
There may be an immigration issue?
Sorry, so you're saying
this isn't gonna happen?
[SIGHS]
Can you get the indictment
without him?
Yeah, I can get a jury to indict.
But without a witness,
I cannot go to trial.
So get the indictment,
and I will get the witness.
Okay.
I'm gonna get him, Ella.
♪
What's this?
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
♪
Captain!
You got to be kidding me.
Hi.
Who, who's in charge here?
All right. Thank you.
Excuse me.
I'm Captain Olivia Benson with
Manhattan Special Victims Unit,
and I have a key witness
who lives in this building,
who may have gotten
caught up in your operation.
- Name?
- Jorge Ruíz.
He's on the list,
but we don't have him, he wasn't home.
So he's our only witness
testifying against a rapist.
And he is coming in and
testifying on his own volition.
So I would very much appreciate
a little bit of discretion here.
Captain, I'd love to help
you, but my hands are tied.
Your witness is a convicted felon.
Let us know if you
find him before we do.
Close it.
Let's go.
[SIGHS]
So ICE rolls up on
my witness's residence,
and we're all just gonna pretend
that this is a coincidence.
Come on.
He dropped a dime so he could
get his client off the hook.
Prove it.
Or how about I take you to
the DDC and we let them decide?
- How about that?
- Well, do it.
It won't fix the fact
that your case is based
on the word of an
illegal, convicted felon.
Oh, that's a bogus charge.
Your Honor, Ruíz got
caught up in a drug sweep.
He had $100 in his pocket.
If you had a real lawyer,
that charge would have been
dropped, and you know it.
And if he were
in this country legally,
none of this would matter.
There's no
citizenship requirement
to testify in a felony case.
Even if everything you
say is true, Mr. Carisi,
there's no remedy
that this court can offer.
And we're about to go to trial.
So, I suggest that
you locate your witness,
because I'm not adjourning this case.
So, Camila, I just want to
assure you that your cousin
is not in any trouble.
We just want to talk to him.
Well, I don't
know where he is.
Well, has he
called you or made
- any attempt to contact you?
- No.
It's understandable
if Jorge is afraid.
But we can offer
him some protection.
Yeah, so instead of
testifying in open court,
he can do a conditional
examination with the judge
on video, one and done.
Where?
It would have to
be at the courthouse.
No.
He could get arrested there.
If If it comes to that,
then we can help him
retain an immigration lawyer.
And then what?
He gets sent
to El Salvador or Sudan?
You're right.
It is definitely a risk.
But all I can say to you is,
without Jorge's testimony,
then a rapist is gonna go free.
And that is not Jorge's fault.
But if that sounds even
a little bit wrong,
maybe it's worth the risk.
I would like to leave this with you.
It has my personal number on the back.
And if you or Jorge
want to talk to me,
I'm available 24/7.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
You Fat Jimmy?
It depends on who's asking.
We got a call for you.
Hey, yo, what's up, Fat Jimmy?
[LAUGHS]
Detective Tutuola.
I thought you was dead, man.
Yeah, they keep trying.
[CHUCKLES]
I'm sergeant now.
Sergeant?
Okay.
What, is this a Zoom
arrest or something?
I'm out of the game, Sergeant.
That's what I heard.
But I figured you still
know everything
that goes on
in that neighborhood.
I'm hoping you can help me
find something I lost.
Hey.
How's it over in Brooklyn?
Couple of hairbag
detectives working it.
Seems like it was random,
junkies looking to score.
Anything else?
No.
What do you got for us?
Well, we hit a wall
on the Parsons case.
Either we need more evidence
or another witness.
How about another rape?
He's done it before, a rape in
a Bronx sublet five years ago.
Same MO, and Burnett
owned the apartment.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
The perpetrator held a knife
to the victim's throat,
and raped her in the bed.
There was no sign
of forced entry,
and the case remains
unsolved to this day.
Your Honor, at best,
the People have
two rapes five years apart
that occurred in residences
my client owns.
He's owned numerous
apartments in the city.
Two nearly identical rapes.
Your Honor,
this is the definition
of a common scheme or plan.
- It's prejudicial, Judge.
- I agree.
Mr. Carisi, I'm going to
deny your application.
In my view, the prejudicial
effect of this evidence
far outweighs
its probative value.
The prior case is inadmissible.
Gentlemen, tomorrow morning.
I'll draft my motion
to dismiss tonight.
Ella, I know
this is not ideal.
And even if we can't find
new evidence tonight,
the fact is, that ADA Carisi
can make a motion to dismiss
with a leave to re-present,
which means we can
bring it back to court.
Okay?
Now, it may take a little longer,
but I'm not giving up on this.
So
Yeah.
I'm gonna go home.
So, Ella,
you can't give up on this.
I really
I appreciate
all of the
things that you guys have done.
It's amazing.
I can't believe it.
But it's just
I just [SIGHS]
What is the
best-case scenario here?
Just getting some guy
deported for testifying?
That sucks.
I don't want to do that.
But that is not our only option.
I don't have anybody out here with me.
And I just
I want to get on with my life.
And I am tired.
I'm so tired.
How do you not get so tired
doing this every day?
I couldn't do it.
Did you get the job?
Yeah.
What?
You're not taking it?
I don't think so.
Well, are you good, at what you do?
Yeah, but you have this voice inside
that tells you that
you're not good enough?
That you're not worthy?
I get that.
Because I have that same voice inside.
But, I had this really great boss,
who believed in me,
and who told me that I was worthy.
[GENTLE MUSIC]
And then eventually,
I started to believe it.
[SIGHS] He worked a lot longer
than he needed to,
because, he was so good at his job,
and because it gave
his life meaning.
He and I were a lot alike,
and I don't think that
I fully realized it
until after he was gone.
I'm sorry.
You are correct, Ella.
These cases are hard.
They're brutal.
You're not wrong about that.
But I am here with you.
It is okay that you are tired,
because I'm not.
And it's okay,
if you don't want to fight,
because I'm still gonna fight for you.
[SOBBING]
And guess what.
I'm not the only one.
♪
I've been in this
country for 22 years.
I got a job.
I-I'm really good at it.
Paid my taxes.
I send money back to my family.
And I was arrested,
15 years ago.
But but it was for something
that I didn't do.
And we are going to do
everything that we can
to protect you.
So my choices are to
To run and hide and hope
that they never find me or to
to just leave my whole
life and just go back.
And now
You're asking me to do
something nice for my government?
- Why would I do that?
- You're right.
You're absolutely right.
And if you got up and walked
out of here right now,
nobody would blame you.
But the fact of the matter is,
Mr. Ruíz,
you came in here tonight,
which tells me
That you want to do what's right,
whether or not you get
something back in return.
Captain,
ICE is on the way up.
- What?
- How do they know?
Come.
There's a back stairway.
No, wait.
Don't try that.
- Can they do this?
- They don't have a warrant.
Doesn't matter.
They're Feds.
So they take our witness, and
we can't do anything about it?
Hold on a second.
I need you to trust me.
Can you do that?
[TENSE MUSIC]
Velasco, arrest him.
- What?
- Now.
Arrest him now.
Mr. Ruíz, you're under arrest.
Captain Vincent,
you're interfering
with a federal operation.
Oh, no, she's not.
Jorge Ruíz is
a material witness,
and he's in the custody
of the NYPD.
Do you really want to
help a rapist go free?
He's ours, okay?
Take him to holding.
Once he provides
his testimony no, no.
We'll release him.
♪
This you?
You have been obstructing this
operation from the beginning.
That is a federal charge.
Put your hands behind your back.
Oh, no.
- Captain.
- It's okay.
Stand down, Curry.
Stand down.
[SIGHS]
[HANDCUFFS CLICKING]
♪
[SIGHS]
[DOOR CLICKS OPEN]
The field office director
sends his regards,
and, uh, apologizes for
the misunderstanding.
Well, these things happen.
Well, your arrest
is voided, so
Let's get the hell out of here, huh?
You're out of your mind.
[SIGHS] I'll take that
as a compliment.
And she's a genius,
but she's a lucky one.
Judge Fitzsimmons owes me a favor.
He agreed to sign off on
the material witness order,
but I gotta get it to him now
to ink so that we're covered.
- But, uh, I'll see you later?
- Okay.
All right, buy the
jailbird a drink, will you?
Mm.
Really, congratulations.
That was an incredible save.
Well, it'd probably be better
if I didn't get arrested
before every case, but, um,
your husband is very good at his job.
I got something sensitive
- I need to talk to you about.
- Okay.
I haven't even talked
to Sonny about it.
What?
What's going on?
Uh, look, in a normal
circumstance, I would
I would directly go
to Fin with this.
But, I don't know
what else to do here.
What about Fin?
[SIGHS]
So Bruno and Velasco,
they walked into this bar
that Intel has
under surveillance
for drug dealing.
Yeah, they're probably
looking into Fin's assault.
And we have somebody inside.
Did you
Did you know that Fin lost his gun?
[TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Uh, no, I did not.
Look, if we hadn't had
somebody in this bar,
this probably would
have all gone away.
Listen, this is a confidential report.
No one else is going to see this.
I just figured enough people
were keeping you in the dark.
[SIGHS]
Do you swear or affirm
that the testimony
you're about to give will be
the truth, the whole truth,
- and nothing but the truth?
- Yes.
Have a seat.
[CLEARS THROAT]
No, not in my courtroom.
Jimmy, tell them
they can wait outside,
but they are not welcome here.
♪
Mr. Ruíz,
you did a great job.
Couldn't have asked
for a better witness.
Mr. Ruíz, put your hands
behind your back.
You're under arrest.
Okay, listen,
they're gonna take you
to the detention center.
I already spoke to legal aid.
Your immigration attorney's
name is Maria Cox.
She'll be there.
She'll be waiting for you.
Listen to me, do everything
that they tell you to do,
and try not to worry.
♪
Hey.
Wow.
This is, uh,
best vacation ever?
My depth perception
is still messed up,
but I'm starting
to enjoy the challenge.
Very good.
What's up?
Fin, how long have we
worked together now?
Liv.
'Cause I thought that I
Put in the time,
and the work to
To earn your trust.
Look, they were following my orders.
Any heat that comes
from this I'm willing to take.
This was not about trust.
This was about protecting you.
I don't need to be protected, Fin.
We look out for each other.
We always have looked out
for each other.
I know.
I'm sorry.
Look, I know that we're closer
to the end than the beginning.
[SOMBER MUSIC]
I feel that I still have more to do.
And we all need to decide
how we want to go out.
But if you are willing
to throw away all the years
that we have worked together,
all the trust
that we have built,
then maybe you should retire
And just save us all the heartache.
You know, I thought this
might have been a message
for me to get out while I still can.
But I'm not throwing
anything away, Liv.
And I'm not ready to retire
Until I earn your trust back.
- Oh.
- [PHONE BUZZES]
Oh.
Well, this night
keeps getting better.
I'm being called to 1PP.
♪
[SIGHS]
- Captain, thanks for coming in.
- Thanks.
Chief, so, if I may,
I would like to offer you some context,
to explain my interactions with ICE.
Not necessary.
Look, it's not my
favorite thing that my captain
got taken into federal custody,
but, it was a smart play.
And luckily, it worked out.
Maybe next time loop me in?
Yes.
If I can, I will.
Yes.
You're kind of running your own
police department
over there, aren't you?
Which, hey,
is clearly working for you.
The results speak for themselves, huh?
But
I really value communication.
- I understand.
- Great.
And in the good news department,
I got your witness an S visa.
A snitch visa.
Mm-hmm.
How?
I spent a career gathering favors,
and, just made a couple of calls.
Honestly, it wasn't even that hard.
The guy's cooperating in a rape trial.
- Mm-hmm.
- Nobody's upset about this.
And Mr. Ruíz has been released
and in the process of becoming
a legal immigrant.
- Oh.
- How's that for a happy ending?
I I
[SIGHS]
This is incredible news.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
I did want to talk
to you about one thing.
- Okay.
- Get your read on an idea
I've been kicking around.
Please, sit.
I'm thinking about consolidating
Special Victims
across all five boroughs,
and creating a deputy chief position,
which would be here in 1PP.
Every unit reporting to one chief.
And, I'd like you to
consider taking that job.
Oh.
Chief Tynan, I, um
I, uh, actually don't
Don't know how to respond to that.
I know it's crazy.
But
Maybe it's not crazy.
Think about it
Way more authority,
the opportunity to get
everyone on the same page,
take what you do in your own squad,
and do it all over the city.
I don't know kind of a great way
to think about ending your career.
I'm not I'm not
thinking about ending
my career any time soon.
Oh, God.
No, definitely not now.
I wouldn't accept that.
Just, down the line.
Anyway, think about it.
I'm
I'm, um
I'm not looking to
To make any changes, anytime soon.
Yeah, I get that.
Change is hard.
[SOFT TENSE MUSIC]
♪
Oh, last thing.
I know that you're down a man
with Sergeant Tutuola
being out of commission.
I have the perfect detective for you.
Known him since he was a kid.
He'll be a great addition
to your squad.
You know, I actually
think that we will
manage without an extra body.
Seriously, I have to insist.
You won't be sorry.
He'll start right away.
Well, then we will give him
the welcome that he deserves.
And I could not be
more excited for him
to learn from the best.
Thank you, Chief.
Captain.
Yes.
I'm glad Fin
got his gun back.
♪
Detective Velasco.
Get in.
♪