Release

"I just got off the phone with Captain Cragen," Deakins said, stepping out of his office and stopping the two Special Victim's officers from hauling Bobby off then and there. "Your boss is one hell of a hard-ass." He sounded both impressed and angry. "Eames, give Detectives Benson and Stabler the case file from this morning's rape/suicide. You and Sledge are officially off this one. It's too... close." He looked away as he said it, as if he doubted Bobby's innocence. Of course, he didn't work with Bobby day in and day out. He didn't know him like she did. No one did.

"Captain --" Alex started but he cut her off with a frustrated shake of his head.

"You'll have council waiting for you down at SVU headquarters, Goren. Don't say anything until he's had a chance to speak with you." But Bobby didn't seem to be listening. He was far, far away. Alex watched as he was walked over to the elevator and disappeared behind the shiny steel doors. She wanted to go with him so bad, but what good could she do... there. She dropped into her chair and fired up her computer. "You're taking this well," Deakins said, leaning against her desk, his arms folded across his chest. "I figured we'd have to restrain you to keep you here."

"He didn't do it, sir," Alex said, not bothering to look up from her keyboard. "I'm going to prove it, and I can't do that from lockup."