Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–…): Season 5, Episode 4 - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - full transcript

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NARRATOR:
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.

When we get home,

Mommy's going to fix you
a nice piece of toast.

Would you like that?

Yes, you would.



Oh, good doggie.

I think I'll just
leave that right there.

No one's even going to notice.

Come on,
we're going home now.

( barking )
Tootsie,
come back here.

Where are you go--...
Tootsie!

Oh, you bad doggie.

You know you're not
supposed to dig

in other
people's garbage.
( barks )

Is that a fur coat?

Oh, yes it is.

Why would anyone

throw away...?

Oh, no...



Tootsie, get away.

Get away from her right now!

( siren blaring )

Victim's Livia Tellez,
23, from Queens.

Found her naked,
pocketbook in the trash,

money and cards
still in it.

Find her clothes?

Just wearing
the fur.

Old bat wants it
when you're done.

BENSON:
What's the story?

Hasn't been dead more
than 12 hours.

No stab or gunshot wounds.

You can see the trauma

to the left side of her face
and torso.

Beat her to death.

Rape kit?

Positive for fluids.

She was moved
postmortem, too.

Lividity looks like
she died on her back,

but she was on her side

when they found her.

Sounds like a dump job.

Question: why here?

She's got a boyfriend
in the neighborhood.

He starts
smacking her around.

She grabs the coat
and tries to leave.

STABLER:
Or she's
a high-priced call girl.

John's got some fantasy
of her

showing up wearing
nothing but the coat.

Only this time,
the john's a psycho.

I'm guessing
whatever she was,

she said something
she shouldn't have.

How do you
figure that?

Guy cut out her tongue.

I don't see it around here.

You might want to check out
that dog.

Tootsie was such a big help.
Weren't you?

Dug up the tenant application.

I didn't know her,
but she seemed nice.

Pretty... pretty girl.

How long Ms. Tellez
live here?

Little more than two years.

No problems,
paid on time.

I don't see
any references

or previous addresses.

Same with half the people
in this building.

I figured she was illegal,

but then I say, "Hey, this whole
country was founded by illegals

so who am I to judge?"

Where is she from?

Puerto Rico maybe,
or Mexico.

I can't tell.

You say
she lived here two years?

This place doesn't look
very homey.

MAN:
Wasn't home much.

Probably had
a boyfriend,

but I never saw anybody.

Look, I got
a leaky pipe to look at.

We'll let ourselves out.

Okay, you live
like a monk.

How come somebody

wouldn't have any pictures

or knickknacks around?

Some of us
appreciate simplicity.

Others of us lost
the knickknacks

in the divorce
settlement.

Look at this.

An airplane ticket stub
from Miami,

dated the day she died...

This is where
she spent all her money.

Dolce & Gabbana, Versace...

Gotta be 50 grand
worth of ho gear here.

The hooker pays taxes:
social security card.

She's not illegal.

STABLER:
TRW and Equifax
both show no activity

on that social
prior June 2001.

No bank accounts,
no student loans, no jobs.

All of her credit cards

were issued around
the same time also.

DMV says that Livia Tellez

was issued a New York State
driver's license

same month, same year.

No prior driving record
in any other state.

And nobody knew anything
about this girl?

Neighbors were
just passing acquaintances.

Vital statistics doesn't have
anything on her

or any living relatives.

We can rule out
identity theft.

Can't steal an identity

that didn't exist till
a couple of years ago.

BENSON:
Everything that we've found

says that Livia Tellez
just appeared out of nowhere.

What about
witness protection?

We checked.
She's not one of theirs.

Feel free to express
your derision and ridicule,

but I'm gonna say it:
spook.

I'm not ridiculing.

We probably got spies
from every country

all over this city.

Before we call in the CIA,

let's see if the body can shed
some light

on who this girl
really was.

WARNER:
Tox screen came back positive
for cocaine.

She have any tattoos,

anything that could help us
identify her?

No prominent scarring
or birthmarks.

But I did find this
tangled in her hair.

The chain was broken,
I imagine during the attack.

No prints on it
other than her own.

Madonna and child,
but I don't recognize
the image.

STABLER:
That's a woman

with a halo
holding a baby.

My mother
had ten of them.

So she's
a Catholic Latina.

That'll narrow it down.

Other than the face
and torso wound,

there's a scrape on her leg.

I found slivers
of fiberglass in it.

Well, that doesn't
match anything CSU

found at the dump site.

Maybe it happened
where she was attacked.

WARNER:
Maybe this will help you
with the location.

Lab said they found
a powdery substance

embedded in the fur.

I asked them to send it over--

I wanted to test
my theory.

Cobalt thiocyanate.

Cocaine?

She was covered in it.

That much coke,
could be a dealer.

Maybe in a room
wearing that fur

when they were
cutting the base.

Well, she wasn't living
the life of a dealer.

No drugs, no money,
no assets were found
in her apartment.

Call girl still works

if she was helping
the dealer distribute.

Explains the trip
down to Miami.

Let's keep walking.

What is it?

Gray Chevy Caprice
across the street,

two white males inside.

Sitting on us?

They were here before
we went to go see Warner.

Who?

I don't know.
Let's go ask them.

( tires squealing )

BENSON:
What the hell
is this,

Internal Affairs?

Let the rat squad
spin their wheels.

Let me take a look at
that necklace again, huh?

So Livia Tellez is
a hooker with a soul, huh?

Sounds like someone
Sister Peg would want
to save, doesn't it?

SISTER PEG:
Sorry, Detectives.
I've never seen her.

But I'll say a prayer.

She went by Livia Tellez,
from Queens.

Can you show this
to some of the girls

and see if they knew her?

Of course.

"Dental dams,
1,000 count."

Business must be booming.

Can't keep them
on the shelves.

Sister Peg, ever see
this image before?

Looks like the Blessed Virgin
of the Rosary.

Our Lady of Chiquinquira.

Never heard
of her.

The image is based
on a miraculous painting.

See how she's standing
on the crescent moon?

Our victim was wearing this.

Does it mean anything
significant?

Our Lady of Chiquinquira
is the patroness of Colombia.

I'd guess that's where
your victim was from.

Father Castrillon is the pastor
of St. Augustine's

in Queens.

A lot of his congregation
is Colombian.

If she practiced her faith,
maybe he knew her.

MAN:
Last time I saw Livia,
she seemed so troubled,

but she wouldn't let me help.

When was that,
Father?

Two or three months ago.

She stopped coming to mass
around then.

I bet she was
a member

of the parish
for, like,
two years?

That's right.

She tell you
where she was before that?

No, she was very secretive.

I think she wanted
to tell me.

That's why I asked her
to come to confession,

that God would forgive all.

She promised as soon
as she finished
her work.

She say what kind
of work?

No, but it must
have paid well.

When she first came
to this parish,

she donated all her furniture
for our charity drive

and wouldn't
take a cent for it.

Just asked us
to pick it up from storage.

Do you happen
to remember

where the storage
facility was?

We hired a moving van
to go get it,

but I believe
we have the invoice

from the moving company,
so perhaps it has the address.

BENSON:
Okay, here we go:
Livia Tellez's unit.

Paid for in cash,
three years in advance.

Everything we want
to know about her,
all in one room.

Ah, 1999 taxes.

Filed under Livia Sandoval.

It's a different social
altogether.

But she didn't change
her first name.

There's something here
from 2001.

That's the year she changed
to her new identity.

Liv.

She was a cop.

MAN:
Detectives?

I didn't know
there were rats in here.

It's the gray Chevy
Caprice boys.

BENSON:
Why are you tailing us?

Agents Jack Hammond,
Tim Donovan,

Drug Enforcement
Administration.

I think it's time
we all had a sit-down.

Don't you?

Why is the DEA
following my detectives?

We needed to make sure
that they weren't

working for the people
we were investigating.

STABLER:
You sure now?

If I weren't,
you'd already be

in federal lockup,
Detective Stabler.

Officer Sandoval's
prints were

red-flagged
in the system.

When you ran them,
it tipped us off.

BENSON:
And it never

occurred to you
that we ran them

because we were
investigating her murder?

At the time,

I didn't know
she was dead.

Officer Sandoval
checked in

every two weeks
with Agent Donovan

to minimize exposure.

A week ago, she
was alive and did not

indicate
any problems.

She got burned?

DONOVAN:
We have two other
operatives inside.

They say her cover
was intact.

We're not sure
why she was killed.

They cut her tongue out.

That seems like a message.

HAMMOND:
We can't comment
on that.

Well, then, maybe
you can comment

on what Livia Sandoval
was doing for the DEA.

She was part
of an intel case

that intersected
with our own investigation.

NYPD loaned her to us.

What case?

We can't say.

Well, let's see,
a Colombian undercover

with a key of cocaine
on her fur coat

working
for the DEA?

I wonder who could she possibly
have been investigating?

Let's cut the crap.

An NYPD officer was raped

and murdered on your watch.

If you think
we're gonna let this slide,

you're dreaming.

Hey, nobody wants
this guy to skate,

but this is two years of work,

hundreds of thousands
of dollars invested...

DONOVAN:
Our operatives

were introduced into the
organization by Livia.

If word gets out
she was a cop, they're dead.

BENSON:
And if we do nothing
on a case that's been

all over the papers,
it's just as conspicuous.

Okay, we can play ball here.

We investigate the murder
of Livia Tellez,

a hooker who was
dating a drug dealer.

Nobody has to hear about
the DEA or the undercover job.

Nothing written
regarding DEA involvement

or Livia's true identity.

It'd be subject
to subpoena by the defense.

And not a word to your ADA.

Fine. You want to give us
a place to start?

HAMMOND:
No, we don't.

You wanted this case,
Captain. You got it.

Good luck.

From now on, this room
is command central.

Everything pertinent
to this case stays in here.

The fewer people who know the
particulars, the better.

We got plenty reasons
to be paranoid.

Colombian
drug organizations

got a lot of people
on the payroll.

What do we know about the
victim's true identity?

Livia Sandoval.

Entered this country in 1993
from Medellin, Colombia

at the age of 13.

At 18 she
became a citizen.

She attended Hudson
University two years,

and then in 2000 she took the
police exam and nailed it.

MUNCH:
We're thinking Intel

snapped her up
out of the applicant pool

to the Police Academy.

So we can assume
at some point

she made friends
with a member

of a Colombian
organization.

We have any idea
who she was looking at?

FIN:
It could be
anyone, anywhere.

In Narcotics
we found

Colombian stash houses

in Yonkers, Queens,
Jersey, Manhattan...

CRAGEN:
You got an old pal
in Narcotics

you can trust?

I got one guy I came up
through the ranks with.

He's as straight
as they come.

You gotta be kidding me
with this deep throat crap.

You got any
better ideas?

Yeah. Stay the hell
away from this case.

These are bad guys.

That can't be helped.

They dropped a rape
victim in my lap.

What'd you find?

Two-year DEA investigation.

Dead girl living in Jackson
Heights from Medellin.

Sounds like they're
looking to extradite.

Who?

Cesar Velez.

Oh, I remember
that name.

He whacked a judge
and a CIA informant

in Bogota a couple
of years back.

He's a major player.

Supplies 10% of the coke
coming into the U.S.

Who handles his
business on this side?

Well, he has some cousins

running the wholesale
side in Queens,

cutting and distributing
to the Dominican dealers.

We popped a few of them
on small possession beefs,

but we can't get
a handle on the big stuff.

Collar anybody
that'll cooperate?

You looking to steal
a snitch from me?

I just want
to talk to him.

Your name
never comes up.

Dominican dealer.

Felix Santos.

He sells up in Washington
Heights by the bus terminal.

He's a punk, but
if you bust him

for possession, he'll talk.

You know I owe you.

Hey, be careful, man.

These guys blow up
commercial airliners

just to kill one person.

There's no rules.

There you go, Felix.

Papa, that's regular.

I said diet.

You're gonna want
the sugar, so drink it.

Okay. You people wanna treat me
like that, that's fine.

I'll just make my phone call to
some very influential peoples.

They tell you
what my rate is.

Rate for what?

My assistance,
and let me tell you,

the price is going
up by the second.

Say we don't
pop you for possession

with intent
to distribute?

Whatever.

You know her?

Yeah. That Livia.

Biscocha.

Why you call her a cream puff?

Rafael made it up.

Yeah, well,
she's dead.

Who's Rafael?

Rafael Zapata.

Lieutenant for
Cesar Velez.

FIN:
How did Rafael
and Livia know each other?

She was banging him. I mean,
one of the girls banging him.

Look, I only met her

a couple of times.

She was hot
and everything,

but when she got high,
she got mouthy.

Rafael doesn't like that.

Define "mouthy."

I saw them a
couple of weeks ago.

She's going on
about how Rafael

couldn't get it up
in the bedroom.

I mean, come on.

What kind of stupid girl

is going to say that
about a man?

In front of his friends?

And what would a man like Rafael

do in this situation?

That time,
he smacked her up good.

STABLER:
Rafael Zapata Gaviria, 34,

the number one guy
in Cesar Velez's organization.

Zapata's a Colombian national

in this country
on a legitimate work visa.

Purchased for ten Gs

in Bogota most likely.

Zapata was arrested
twice in Queens

for murder and conspiracy to
commit murder, never indicted.

It seems somebody always
conveniently came forward

and confessed to the crimes.

Yeah, somebody
with family

back in Colombia.

Velez holds them
as collateral.

He could slaughter
them at will.

It's a big incentive
to do what you're told.

I ran Zapata's financials.

He's quite the businessman.

He owns several
cellular phone and pager stores,

real estate
both here and in Miami,

and recently spent $1.5 million
on oil-drilling equipment.

Money laundering.

You pay 30 times
more than it's worth.

It looks like
a legitimate transaction.

The Feds have gotta have
all of this stuff already.

So what we need to do
is corroborate

Santos's statement
and tie Zapata to Livia.

BENSON:
Well, we've got
his credit card charges

on the day of Livia's murder.

He flew back from Miami
on the same flight that she did,

spent four grand shopping,

going to dinner
and seeing a show.

Well, that's
a lot of cash

to spend in one day.

If she was with him,
somebody's gotta remember.

MAN:
Two for lunch?

I'd like to speak with
the manager, please.

That's me. What about?

A customer of yours.

He was here the other
night-- Rafael Zapata?

I'm sorry,
I don't know that person.

We'll keep your name
out of this.

Now... was he here
with this woman?

No, he wasn't.

Look, we can charge you
with obstruction.

We don't want to do that.

Then charge me.

I have a wife and three children
and I can't help you.

( phone ringing )

Either Zapata paid
him real well,

or scared the
piss out of him.

Or both.

Benson.

Agent Donovan.

I didn't expect
to hear from you.

What's he want?

A meeting. Now.

Where?

Apparently, on the
roof across the street.

You talked to my informant.

Yeah. We were
investigating

our rape case,
as instructed.

Who gave him to you?

Oh, so now we're supposed
to share information

with you because
you've been

so forthcoming
with us? Screw you.

He's working with DEA.

You guys are putting

everything in jeopardy.

Well, then he must
be moonlighting

with NYPD Narcotics,

'cause that's how
we found him.

You're off him.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah.

Yeah. Nobody
from your squad

contacts Santos again.

Felix has been apprised
of the situation.

We warned you to use caution.

And we have.

Santos doesn't know
that Livia was a cop.

Nobody said a word about DEA.

Keep it that way. We're done.

Hey, did you
tell Livia to do coke

and screw Zapata
to make your case,

or was that her idea?

You don't know
anything about her.

I know you
were supposed

to protect her
and you let her die!

And I know you
feel so guilty,

that you'd rather
let her killer get away with it

than think about what you
didn't do to help her.

I didn't tell her
to do drugs.

I didn't tell her
to do any of that.

She wanted to
nail those guys

and she did what she
thought she had to do.

And you didn't you see
how bad it was getting?

She was getting
the job done.

I didn't think she
was in over her head.

I should've pulled her.

I didn't.

That's my responsibility.
My... my mistake.

Hey!

We have no intention

of tanking your case,

and we realize that
other lives are at stake,

but we're flying blind here.

And you don't
tell us something

to implicate Zapata,

then we are never
gonna make this right.

Your ME found bits
of fiberglass on her body.

Then I know where he killed her.

BENSON:
Zapata's love boat.

Keeps it in Battery Park.

He must be compensating
for something

to need a yacht that big.

What's the connection?

Well, ME found
slivers of fiberglass

in the victim's leg.

The hull of that yacht
is made of the same material.

Now, we just found out
that Zapata owned it.

We didn't know
because all his assets

are held under
shell companies.

How'd you find out?

Confidential informant.

Now, is that
enough for a warrant?

As long as
the informant's reliable.

Beyond reproach.

Has he provided
accurate information

for you in the past?

No. But the nature of his job
puts him in a position

to receive
sensitive information,

and, Alex,
we believe him.

Well, that's very comforting.

Now tell me something
that will actually

help me get the warrant.

Alex, you've gotta trust us.

Police! Put your hands up
where I can see them!

Hands! Now!

( salsa music playing )

Move.

Rafael Zapata Gaviria!

( music stops )

Zapata!

I am Rafael Zapata.

You may put your weapons away.

We are all peaceful here.

Mr. Zapata, we
have a warrant

to search this vessel.

Everybody out, now!

Line 'em up on the docks.
That means you.

Let's go. Out.

May I ask what's
this regarding?

I have nothing to hide.

You sure about that?

Law enforcement is always
searching my private property.

They never find anything.

Well, this time,
you don't know

what we're looking for.

Smell that?

Bleach.

Yeah.

Flip it.

Okay.

It's damp here.

Bleach worked
on the surface.

It just didn't go deep enough.

Hey! Rafael Zapata,
you're under arrest

for the murder
of Livia Tellez.

Get up.

Put your hands
behind your back.

You're under arrest.

You're making a very
big mistake, Detective.

You don't even know

how many mistakes
you've made. Let's go.

Docket ending 644: People v.
Rafael Zapata Gaviria.

One count each,
murder in the second degree,

rape in
the first degree.

Lionel Granger for the defense,
Your Honor.

How does
the defendant plead?

Not guilty.

Ms. Cabot?

The defendant is
a Colombian national

with known ties
to major drug organizations.

He has unlimited resources
at his disposal,

and we consider him
a flight risk.

We request remand,
Your Honor.

My client
has never been

charged with
anything related
to drug trafficking,

and I consider
the People's
baseless accusation

slanderous and bigoted.

Noted, Mr. Granger.

But I'd really like to hear your
thoughts on the matter of bail.

Mr. Zapata is

a respected business
and family man.

He has no intention
of fleeing this jurisdiction

and is willing
to turn over his passport

for the pendency of the case.

The defendant has
among his assets

a Gulfstream jet,
Your Honor,

as well as
personal airstrips

in the Caribbean
and South America.

Turning over his
passport is a
meaningless gesture.

He's blessed with wealth,
so he must be guilty?

He has a clean
record, Your Honor.

And his passport won't be
the only thing he turns over.

Bail is set at $5 million.
Next case.

Docket ending 872: People...

Arnold, Zapata still
has you on retainer, I see.

That explains
the $3,000 suit.

How did you
get the blood out?

My wife bought
me this suit.

Everybody deserves
a defense, Alex.

I would
believe your idealism

if you weren't enjoying
yourself so much.

I'm just
a naturally

happy person.

What is this?

Motion to controvert
the search warrant.

And I will enjoy this.

The warrant to search my
client's private property

was executed
based on information

received from
a confidential informant.

Which is a
common occurrence.

It was a warrant

you signed yourself,
Your Honor.

Based upon
your detectives' affidavit

that the informant met the test

for reliability.

Look, there's
no reason
to belabor this.

Produce the guy,

show me he knows
what he's talking about,

and I'll be satisfied.

Your Honor, this defeats
the entire purpose

of the use of C.I.s.

People v. Goggins:
the identity of an informant

may be kept confidential

to protect both the
flow of information

and the safety
of the informant.

How do we even know
this person exists?

Let's start with
the fact that

the information was accurate.

That doesn't
prove the
informant's

legal veracity,
and you know that, Ms. Cabot.

The forensic
evidence

supported the C.I.'s statement.

A couple pieces
of fiberglass?

Do you know
how many things

are made out
of fiberglass?

She could have been killed
in a Corvette.

The fibers matched
the hull of
Mr. Zapata's yacht.

I can show you ten yachts
in that marina

made of the same material.

But you can't show me
the mattress

soaked in the victim's blood.

That possession is unique

to your client.

This person knew
the location

of a homicide.
That's it.

For all we know,
the so-called informant

could have committed
the murder himself.

Your Honor, I hope you can
see this for what it is--

a scare tactic
to intimidate an informant.

I'm ordering
a Darden hearing.

Ms. Cabot, you are
to produce the informant,

and I will interview him
in camera.

If I find
that he meets

the test
for reliability,

the evidence
from the search stays.

Your informant
would only have

to talk to the judge
in chambers.

No one else
would be present.

No good, Alex.

Elliot, it's
going to have to be.

I put my neck
on the line

for you two people.

I would like it back.

He could lose his job.

Worst case,
he could get killed.

Well, he should
have thought
about that

before he talked
to you.

Who is he?

Alex Cabot, with
the D.A.'s office.

Were you followed?

I beg your pardon?

Did anyone follow you

from your office
to the DEA?

I don't believe so,

but I can't be sure.

And now you're going to tell me

how you know all about my job,

and how you know
this is dangerous

but you can protect me.

Is that about right?

I freely admit
I know very little

about the dangers
of your job.

But that doesn't change the fact

that you gave information
as a confidential informant,

and now that information
has to be verified.

You won't have
to testify in open court.

The answer's no.

Let me tell you a little bit
about my job, Agent Donovan.

After I tell the judge

that I cannot
produce the informant,

she is going to issue
John Doe material
witness order.

If I don't
give her your name,

I will be found in contempt.

That's your call.
Your conscience.

I can tell
you right now,

I'm not
going to jail

for you or
for my conscience.

Then drop the case.

I can't.

Look, you do what you
gotta do, Ms. Cabot.

But when things go down,

the blood's
gonna be on your hands.

There has to be
a way to work this out

so that everyone
is protected.

You really don't know anything
about this, do you?

Your SVU detectives got you
in a real mess, Alexandra.

They were trying to cooperate
with a Federal investigation.

They didn't have much
of a choice.

I'm not asking you
to defend them.

I'm just trying to figure how
you're going to get out of it.

There's nothing
to get out of.

Petrovsky will subpoena
the DEA agent,

the warrant will stand,

and Zapata will go away
for 25 to life.

That easy, huh?

Everyone understands

the sensitive nature
of the DEA investigation.

Petrovsky has no reason
to jeopardize that.

All efforts will be made

to maintain
the witness's confidentiality.

So you're operating
under the theory that

if we don't see
the immediate threat,

then it must not be real.

I know it's real.

An NYPD officer is dead
because of it.

Yes. That's true.

And how many people would you
guess know that information now?

I'm not sure.

A dozen, maybe more.

Yeah, that

sounds about right.

Now, you know as well as I do

that "confidential"
is a relative term,

directly proportionate
to how interesting

said confidential
information is.

And this is too
interesting, Alexandra.

Cut Zapata a deal.

Manslaughter:
eight to ten.

Pass.

Maybe you should ask
your client what he thinks.

I also pass.

What are you even
bargaining with, Alex?

You don't have a case.

You certainly
don't have your
alleged informant.

I will have the informant once
the judge issues her subpoena.

You are assuming that
the informant will comply

with the judge's request.

And why wouldn't
he, Mr. Zapata?

Who can say why people do
what they do?

It's a mystery.

You don't know
who the informant is,

so how can you possibly know
what he might do?

So you say.

I'll tell
you what.

You get your informant
lined up,

I promise we'll take the deal.

Take it now
or it's gone.

And, for future reference,

if your client intimidates
the informant in any way,

I will have his bail revoked

and his ass thrown in Rikers
for the duration of the trial.

You can't threaten me, bitch.

I just did.

We're going.

You allow this?

A woman says
these things,

and you do nothing?

Yes, Mr. Zapata.

You will also find
that a woman can say

whatever she wants to about your
performance in the bedroom,

and you aren't actually
allowed to kill her.

Let's not do anything stupid.

Everything's fine.
Everything's fine.

Okay, that was fun.

Let's go, Rafael.

STABLER:
You're out of your mind.

I was hoping he would think
about that information
coming out in open court.

And he pissed you off.
Yeah. That too.

What does Branch say
now that the deal's
been shut down?

We move forward with the trial.
We give the DEA's office
fair warning,

and they have the opportunity
to pull their undercovers
if they think it's necessary.

You're going to
blow a two-year
investigation?

This is the best option
of only bad options.

We either
prosecute Zapata ourselves

or we drop it,
give him back his passport,

he leaves the country, and
the DEA's case is blown anyway.

Look, the fact
of the matter is
Hello.

that Zapata
blew the DEA's
investigation wide open

when he raped
and murdered
Livia Sandoval.

There you go.
Okay. Bye.

I just got called
to an ex parte meeting

in Judge Petrovsky's chambers.

What do you think
that's about?

Nothing good.

Excuse me.

ADA Cabot, I'm
George Reilly with the DOJ,

and this is Daniel Clark
and Brian Sullivan

with the United States
Attorney's Office.

You might be wondering
what this is about.

Can I guess? The federal
government is about
to steamroll New York.

This is a protective order
issued by a federal judge

in the southern district
of New York State

barring Judge Petrovsky
from subpoenaing

a federal law
enforcement agent

on the grounds that
it would jeopardize
an ongoing investigation.

There's nothing
we can do about this?

Not unless
you have other evidence

to support probable cause.

Your search is out.

Your honor, it's...
I don't like it
either, Ms. Cabot.

And, Mr. Reilly, I don't ever

want this many lawyers
in my chambers again,

so, next time,

leave the dog and pony show
at home.

Understood, Your Honor.

BENSON:
They can just

go over the
judge's head,
and that's it?

I'm going to appeal it
to the Second Circuit.

Now we're getting
into a violation
of states' rights.

Ms. Cabot...
I thought
you didn't want

to show your face
around here.

We've received
a credible threat.

It didn't come from us.

We have kept your
identity confidential.

The threat was made against you.

MAN 1:
Hey. How's my girlfriend?

MAN 2:
Good. Very good.

The second guy's an inmate

incarcerated at
a federal penitentiary

in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

One of Cesar Velez's guys.

This call was recorded
six hours ago.

We haven't yet
identified the other man.

MAN 1:
I'm gonna pick her up--
maybe this week.

MAN 2:
All right. She's living
at 235 West 78th,

apartment "C" like "Charlie."

Gets home around 8:00.

That's my address.

MAN 1:
What are her mornings like?

MAN 2:
Jogs at 6:00.

Son of a bitch.

MAN 2:
You could go jogging with her.

Central Park.

MAN 1:
I was thinking
I could visit her mother.

MAN 2:
That's an idea. Mom lives
upstate-- East Amherst.

Oh, my God.

MAN 2:
But you should really try
to see your girlfriend.

It's important.

How do they know this?

Cesar Velez
has a network

in the federal prisons.

We're trying to ascertain where
the information's coming from.

Have you noticed anyone
following you?

Any problems with your

telephone service
at the office or your home?

Uh... no. Not
that I can remember.

Okay. So, as of now,

we get a protective detail.

You step foot outside,
you have an armed escort.

We're going to have
to rig a security system

at the office and the apartment.

Federal Marshal's
already

lined up to escort you.

Should be here within the hour.

No. I want to go home now.

Okay. We'll take you.

Ms. Cabot?

We're going
to find the guy.

And we'll
tie him to Zapata.

He'll go away for life.

Okay.

And if we can't,
I'll go to your judge.

I'll testify
in open court.

So I don't
want you to worry.

This is handled.

Got it?

Got it.

Good night.

Alex, why don't you
stay with me tonight

until we figure this
whole thing out?

No. It'll be okay.
But thanks.

Okay, let's do a drive-by first,

make sure nothing looks off.

( car alarm beeping )

( people talking,
sirens blaring )

BENSON:
Hey...

come on, let's go.

Alex, you couldn't have done
anything differently.

Donovan made a choice.

We all did.

HAMMOND:
How?

I-I don't know.

You don't know?

He had two kids.
Did you know that?

Knock it off.

You were careless.
You didn't listen.

Do you get it now?
Is it sinking in?

Enough. Enough.

You got to get yourself
off this case.

End of story.

HAMMOND:
Oh, you don't have a case.

It blew up
with Tim Donovan.

Initial report
from the bomb squad

turned up evidence of C-4

and part of the detonator
in the debris field.

They believe the trigger
was rigged to the ignition,

the explosive was placed
under the driver's seat.

Every bomb-maker
has a signature.

FBI lab is running
the individual components

through their database
looking for a match.

Well, it doesn't matter.
We know who did it.

Cesar Velez,
fixing things for Zapata.

The more important question is

how did Velez
know Donovan was the C.O.?

Same way he knows
where you live,

and where your mother lives.

He's got the money
and the power.

STABLER:
And he's not gonna stop

until you back off,
or until you're dead.

CABOT:
I have a
protective detail,

my mom has a
protective detail.

I'm not backing off.

Alex, there's no reason
for you to die for this case.

Men like Zapata and Velez
live on other people's fear.

It doesn't matter
if I try this case

or somebody else
in my office does.

The intimidation
is always there.

So I can either accept
it as a part of my job,

or concede everything.

But I don't want to put
any of that on you.

The DA's office
has investigators...

Who are a bunch
of punks. I'm in.

So am I.

Okay.

Let's start by dragging
in every single guest

from Zapata's
little boat party.

Somebody knows about
Livia's murder.

Alex, can I see you
in my office?

I figured you were too gung ho
to let this die.

Don, I appreciate
the concern.

My old service revolver.

Straight shot, won't jam up.

Had the license division
expedite a carry permit for you.

Without my signature?

Your prints are on file.

Cragen.

Yeah, she's here.

I'll let her know.

Boss is looking for you.

( knock on door )

BRANCH:
Come on in.

Your ears still ringing?

Yeah, a little.

That'll pass.

You know, I had a buddy

that did three
years in Bogota
at the Embassy.

There was a time
when one police officer

got murdered
every single day.

Over a two month period,

Pablo Escobar set
off nine car bombs.

Well, it's a good thing
we live in the United States.

Yes, it is.

And there are
plenty of judges

and prosecutors and former law
enforcement in this country

walking around every day,

the rest of their lives,
with bodyguards

because they stood up
against a Colombian cartel

that will do anything
to protect its business.

That's all
the more reason

to continue to fight them.

We've been fighting them since
before you were born, Alexandra.

Now, we're going to drop
the Zapata case.

Why? How bad
does this have to get?

How many more people
have to die?

From what I hear, the Feds have
a much better case against him

than we would ever have now.

And to answer your question, too
many people have died already.

CABOT:
At this time, Your Honor, the
People are unable to proceed

and are asking that
the indictment
against Rafael Zapata

Gaviria be dismissed
with leave to re-present.

The charges are dismissed,
Mr. Zapata.

Court is adjourned.

U.S. Marshals, Mr. Zapata.

You are under arrest
for the murder of
a federal agent.

You have the right
to remain silent.

Anything you say can

and will be used
against you in
a court of law.

You have the right to
speak to an attorney

and to have an attorney
present during any
questioning.

If you cannot
afford an attorney,

one will be provided
for you.

The FBI connected
the car bomb to Zapata.

He's gonna flip on Cesar Velez.

If the DEA can get
an indictment,

the Colombians will arrest Velez

and start
the extradition process.

What does Zapata get
for his troubles?

FIN:
A reduced sentence

and a new identity
in Scottsdale,
Arizona probably.

If he lives that long.

And on that note,
I'll say good night.

You have to give me a ride
early tomorrow morning.

You need some sleep.

You need to hire a driver.

ALL:
Good night.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Bye.

STABLER:
Look, we had
a good run.

Conviction rates are up.

We had to get
screwed sometime.

Cesar Velez can probably do
more damage to Zapata now

than the justice system
ever could.

It just... it never seems
like enough, you know?

The Feds'll get Zapata
for killing Donovan,

but what about
Livia Sandoval?

She dies without any justice

and we're supposed
to be happy about it?

We tell ourselves that
we speak for the victims,

but we don't.

We can close cases,
but the victims,

even if they survive,
their lives are ruined.

I just get so sick of it.

Alex, we can't always win.

But that's just it.

Even when we win, we don't.

Come on...

let's get out of here.

Get you a cab?

No, I'm not far.
I'll walk.

Thanks though.

Look, I'm sorry I'm
such a buzz kill.

Oh, don't be silly.

It's late.

( gunshot )

Get down!

Go! Go! Go!

Alex!

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Somebody, call an ambulance!

Call 9-1-1 now!

Alex, it's okay, Alex.

Alex, look at me.

It's okay, sweetheart,
stay with me.

Stay with me, Alex,
they're coming right now.

You're going
to be okay.

Alex, you're going
to be okay.
Look at me.

You're going to be just fine.
You're going to be just fine.

Now just stay with me.

Alex, Alex, Alex, Alex,
it's okay.

Look at me.
Look at me.

Look at me. Look at me.

( phone ringing in distance )

We get a trial date yet
on that Richmond case?

It's postponed.

We're gonna lose
that witness.

She was already
shaky to begin with.

Well, nothing we can do.

You got SVU cases being handled
by ADAs from other bureaus.

They don't give a damn.

Well, isn't that nice.

What?

Rafael Zapata Gaviria was found
dead in a holding cell

awaiting a hearing.
No witnesses.

There goes Velez's
extradition.

I long for the old days
when the government
would just send in

the Delta Force
assassin squad.

DEA Agent Hammond
wants to see you guys tonight.

There's the address.

STABLER:
What for?

CRAGEN:
Something about
closing out the case.

Nice location.
Convenient.

Sorry. Only way to do this.

Do what?

Wouldn't take no for an answer.
Real pain in the ass, this one.

I am so sorry about all of this.

Your funeral's tomorrow.

And you're both expected
to attend.

For the time being,

Ms. Cabot's
better off dead.

If Velez can get to Zapata,
he can get to her.

Witness protection.

Until Velez is extradited,
or otherwise dealt with.

How long?

MARSHAL:
We're on the move.

Sorry, folks.

( vehicles starting )

Okay,
let's move 'em out!