- Stabler and Benson investigate a sexual assault very similar to one they worked a year and a half ago, whose first-known victim now follows her alleged attacker and reports his activities anonymously to the police, and the rapist's wife.
- Episode opens to a 911 operators call whereby a woman states that somebody is being attacked. Before further information is obtained, the line disconnects.
Detectives Benson and Stabler respond to an address. The Detectives are confronted by a woman seemingly hiding in a bathroom and refusing to leave. Detective Benson proceeds on her own to find a disheveled woman sitting under a running shower on the floor of the basin. She is trying frantically to clean the drain with a toothbrush saying that she wants the stuff out of her that he left.
Olivia goads the woman and carefully wraps her in a towel and walks her from the bath to the bedroom. This is where the victim randomly says is that how you like it assuming that is what the assailant said to his victim before he raped her.
A reference is made to a set of previous attacks on women as Benson states bastards at it again. Meaning, based on the physical description of victim, it fits an M.O. of a previous serial rapist they both seem familiar with.
The scene then cuts to the Detectives and their team discussing the possible link to the old serial rapist case. The case in which they are referring to is a Kenneth Cleary whose M.O. involves entry via fire escapes; where he rapes, asks if they like it, makes them bathe then steals a piece of jewelry before fleeing. It had been 1 year since SVU had him in for questioning but they never managed to secure a conviction.
Victim Lori then enters to do her statement and explain the actual rape. She explains that she left window open for air; which is how the rapist got in. She claimed that he pulled the blanket off her, pulled her shirt up over her head to conceal her vision and then tried to kiss her. She recalls that her button got caught in her mouth when he yanked up her shirt; and when he tried to kiss her - he yanked the button aggressively from her mouth. He proceeded to rip her necklace off and completed his tirade of abuse with a familiar statement of is this how you like it?
He then made her take a shower while her shirt still covered her head. No forensics information was obtained for this rape which is apparently always the case in regards to the previous string of attacks.
While Lori is recounting her experience; Elliot Stabler seems to predict the rapists movements by stating the information before the rape victim does thus indicating that they ARE dealing with the same serial rapist from the year before.
Lori concludes by stating that the rapist heard approaching police sirens and pushed her off causing her to fall and hit her head. This made the team realize that the police were called DURING the rape therefore there must be a witness. Upon reviewing the 911 call again, a woman is heard making the original call, while a male hushes a barking dog in the background; signifying TWO possible witnesses. Warned by Captain Cragen to tread careful as to not lose Cleary again; the team begin their investigation and again; they like Cleary for this crime.
The Detectives visit the 911 Operator who provides location of who made the call its given as a payphone.
Upon visiting the location of the payphone, its found to be near the scene of the rape. The victims apartment is on the 3rd floor and there are two apartments that would have been able to see the rape with clarity.
Upon reviewing the entire location; the Detectives spot a dog in one of the apartments which accounts for the barking of the dog. They visit the apartment with the dog and upon knocking of the door; they see that the apartment belongs to a Mrs Walton who is blind.
The second apartment belongs to a couple but they are currently on holiday. Mrs Walton stated she is obviously blind so didnt see anything; but he neighbor and friend Dr Billy Smith was with her that evening as he walks her blind dog for her. She states that Billy usually studies on the roof of the apartment block so the Detectives may find him there.
Billy Smith was located on the roof studying for his medical degree (Mrs Walton already calls him doctor despite him not finished medical school as of yet). He confirmed that he was with Mrs Walton last night as he walked her dog for her. When pressed for a time frame, he states he walked the dog around 11pm but it could have been any other time as studying excessively for his exams has left him with a warped sense of time. He also confirmed that Hank the dog is fully trained to be a loyal blind-assistance dog so doesnt bark. But he did advise of the local newsstand on the corner, whose owner has a constantly barking dog.
The scene cuts to the newsstand in question. The man has a loud, barking guard dog but said although his dog is yappy it does not bite. The newsstand man then becomes defensive asking if it is about the woman from the payphone who was at the receiving end of his dogs yapping. He assumed that she called the police on him. But the Detectives explained that its in regards to another crime committed and he provided a little further information on the said woman and a full description of her (mentioning a thong she was wearing but failed to detail her face).
Back at the station, another debate sparked between Detectives in regards to whether the perpetrator is still Kenneth Cleary. Olivia argues that the injuries are identical, the M.O. matches and the overall appearance of each of the victims are again the same. Captain Cragen is skeptical; he pushes them to get further information. In a clear bid to press on Olivias emotional buttons to illicit more determination; Cragen asks how the victim is doing. Reference is then made that the victim is still shocked and confused; and is currently staying at her parents.
Detective Fin then enters with the results of the payphone call log. He states that the 911 call regarding the rape ended at 12.03am. One minute later at 12.04am, the same payphone calls Kenneth Clearys house.
The Detectives manage to speak to Kenneth Clearys wife Meredith. She starts the conversation off by asking them what took them so long. Bemused, the Detectives listen as Mrs Cleary explains how some woman has been harassing her via phone calls, shouting things down the phone such as your husband is a rapist. Last night it escalated as when she answered, the woman said that her husband is raping someone right now. Not taking it serious at the time, Mrs Cleary is then informed that someone DID get raped last night. Meredith quickly confirms that her husband WAS home last night.
She clearly refuses to believe that he husband is guilty and gets annoyed that they are not more interested in the prank calls she is receiving.
Back at the station, due to the fact that Mrs Cleary was reporting the prank calls to her phone company; a log was available to the team. Once the logs were pulled, one of the first calls reported to the phone company was identified by the Detectives as being a Miss Harper Anderson a victim of Kenneths rape.
The Detectives track down and visit Harper; and although suspected of stalking and harassing Kenneth she openly admits to having him under surveillance; which she confirms is not a crime. Upon her surveillance, she states that she did in fact see Kenneth on the rape victim Loris fire escape outside her apartment.
Of that night (the night Lori was raped); Harper said that she called the police after she saw him enter the flat via a fire escape. She circled the block then felt the need to then involve emergency services. She did admit that she shadows him to prevent further rapes.
The Detectives confirm that she is clearly obsessed with Kenneth as he was dropped as a suspect in her rape. This is due to the fact that she was not able to identify him from a line up, therefore he was never convicted. When quizzed by Benson to her surety as to how she knows Cleary is her rapist (as she was raped with her shirt pulled over her head covering her eyes like the rest); she said she knows its him as when he left the court house after the conviction was over turned, he look at her and winked.
She is berated by Benson for her conduct with and around Kenneth a suspected rapist. But Harper defends her actions by stating that she never approaches him nor talks. Captain Cragen asked for Harper to be bought in and told off in regards to her stalking behavior; but he removes Olivia from this task as well as Harper as he feels she is getting too close to Harper.
Elliot and Olivia are instead sent to Kenneths wife to speak to her. Upon attending the Cleary residence; the Detectives stumble upon a small altercation. They find the Mrs Cleary scuffling with Harper who has placed mug shots emblazoned with rapist onto lampposts outside the Cleary home. Meredith Cleary is trying to save her son the embarrassment of these mug shots but Harper does not care. To make matters worse, Mr Cleary turns up amid a screech of tyres and expensive BMW metal. Annoyed that the police are more interested in her rather than Kenneth, Harper smashes Kenneths BMWs windscreen resulting in her arrest. This undoubtedly fires the flame that Harper feels Kenneth should be arrested not her.
Later the team discusses the case. It is plague by a huge lack of evidence, and Harper now ruining her own credibility as a witness after her screen-smashing antics. Permission is given by Cragen to shadow Kenneth and hopefully annoy him into expressing something other than quip comments and smug grins.
To increase the above plan, Detective Stabler and Benson visit Kenneth at his high flying job and ask him (rhetorically) if its okay for them to speak to his boss. Kenneth reluctantly provides directions to his bosss office. Kenneth emits some worry across his face.
Kenneths boss seems genuinely happy with him as an employee; but when the Detectives hint at some form of involvement with Kenneth and the recent rapes the boss does seem somewhat concerned. Nonetheless, his boss describes him as a workaholic and top earner. The Detectives request Kenneths Travel records which are duly provided.
Outside the office complex, Cleary approaches Elliot who is eating in his car. He belittles Elliots plot to defame his character to his boss by telling him that he is the highest earner in his company and pulled in the most money last year. Upon leaving, Cleary makes comment about how good eating out, especially a fresh meal is - and Stabler reacts by grabbing his shirt and informing him that he wont be eating out nor anything fresh soon.
Information contained within Travel documentation when Cleary has been back and forth to Philadelphia; identify that Cleary has been in the location of the three rapes which already have been identified as his signature. They notice that he is due to leave again tomorrow so Captain Cragen turns up the shadowing factor.
Cragen warns his team that Philadelphia PD has recently been scandal hit as it has been dumping rape cases; therefore he is not happy with the quality of facts relating to said previous crimes. He wants Munch to take a closer look while there and do some digging. He sends Munch and Fin to Philadelphia also and on the same train as Cleary.
The night before, Cleary takes the garbage outside and spots Detective Fin looking at him from his car. Fin waves his police badge to identify himself which causes Cleary to sport a creepy smug grin followed by a dirty look. The team seems to be succeeding in getting to Cleary.
Cleary attempts to leave for Philadelphia and is intercepted by Munch and Fin who inform him that they will also be going. Cleary states that he does not like the attention and nor does he want their company to which Munch makes the drab comment of I hate to ask but is this how you like it - referencing his trademark statement made to each and every one of his rape victims. Back at the station, Elliot informs Captain Cragen that he has a list and description of jewelry which was taken from each rape victim obtained by Detective Munch who has now reached Philadelphia PD. They only have the list of jewelry which was taken in the rapes of those M.O.s that match Clearys.
The Captain asks how this will help the investigation and Elliot tells him that he intends to work the wife with them hoping she spots an item her husband has given her. Although reluctant, Captain Cragen grants permission as the investigation is halting.
Separately, Olivia goes to meet Harper at a gun range for what she says is semi personal and professional intentions.
In Philadelphia, three rape victims each tell Munch their experiences all exactly the same and all matching Clearys M.O. One victim states that in a bid to gain guilt from rapist, she asked him if his mother would approve of what he was doing - to which the rapist responded that his mother would have wanted him to be happy.
As arranged, Elliot goes to see Mrs Cleary. She at first ignores his presence at her front door. Elliot plays the emotional card stating that victims of rape are not just those who were actually raped; also include a rapists family. He also tries to explain rape as an illness rather than a crime, trying to show that even if her husband has raped he needs help not punishment.
In a clever bid to get her to at least review the list, he asks her to help him to help the victims. He explains that although her husband has money to buy her whatever she wants, jewelry taken from a rape is a trophy to aid in a person illness. He tries to comfort and shows he feels for her. He apologizes for ever intruding on her life and promises that he wont return but leaves the list with her. As he walks away, Meredith reflects deeply.
Benson is at the gun range with Harper. She notices that Harper has an illegal clip size which Harper happily hands over without any hassle. She also states that Olivia sees her wrongly as a revenge seeker which she is now. She admits to following him so she can forget her fear to become stronger as he is the last thing she fears.
They proceed to Harpers apartment where they find Mrs Cleary is waiting on her doorstep. Meredith apologizes to Harper as she says she feels responsible for Harpers pain and misery. The two women seem calmer with each other and Olivia notices that all feelings of resentment are absolved of them. When asked on why the change of mind occurred, Meredith pulls out a large zip-lock bag full of jewelry. This is clearly a reference to the list of jewelry that Elliot gave her; which was taken from each rape victim. It is indicating that her husband gave her these pieces. She stated that he would get very excited upon giving these gifts and sometimes request that she wears them during sex. At the station, Mrs Cleary is assisting the Detectives in everything now. This is when she answers a call from her husband whom she demands he comes home. She confirms that he is on the next train available.
Upon arrival, Mr Cleary (who is still being shadowed by Fin and Munch) threatens them both for interfering with his wife. This is until Olivia and Elliot arrive to arrest him for the rapes.
Back at the station, a line-up has been set up so the latest rape victim Lori can identify her attacker, with each stating the trademark question while she listens. She picks out Cleary but recoils in shame when she finally turns to look at him.
One of the original rape victims from Philadelphia repeats the same line up and she also picks him out correctly.
At his arraignment, Kenneth looks back at his wife who stares back coldly. It is clear that she no longer believes her husband and is not willing to support him as she has done so so far. Bail is then granted at $500,000 which infuriates his wife. She advises the District Attorney that she is taking herself to her sisters and will be promptly divorcing Kenneth.
At the same courthouse, Harper bumps into Clearys defense lawyer and gives him a piece of her mind but he hits back clearly showing he is worth every penny of his expensive cost.
At a meeting of those involved in the legal proceedings it comes into question of how the jewelry was obtained. The expensive lawyer argues that police stalked and coerced both the defendant and his wife. Clearly Kenneths legal team will use the fact that the only way conviction was almost secured was via evidence from his wife which can be very murky legal waters to enter into.
At the trial, one of the rape victims is on the stand. The Defense plays a voice that states the rapists trademark comment. The defense lawyer asks if the witness recognizes the voice. When she states that she does not, the lawyer makes his point that the voice was one of her colleagues she works daily with yet she couldnt recognize his voice. Yet a man that she alleges raped her, and only said a few words she was able to identify? In effect this questions her credibility.
While the wife is being prepared for the stand, Meredith is told that she is NOT allowed to discuss the sexual satisfaction that Kenneth got when he gave the jewelry; or how he would demand she wear it during sex - she would only be allowed to state how and where she got it. This infuriated Meredith but she was told that under no circumstances can she discuss the sexual pleasure from the jewelry. Its explained to her in the form of a priest and someone confiding in the priest not allowed to divulge certain information. Its clear that Meredith is not happy with this, but agrees nonetheless.
Upon the stand, the dates of when each piece of jewelry was given, becomes the key. They are vital as they tie in perfectly to the dates of the rapes. Unfortunately Meredith cracks on the stand and an outburst occurs. She blabs all that she shouldnt have and a mistrial is granted. She fully divulges to the jury how her husband acted when she wore the jewelry, his sexual perversion and she continued to abuse him.
The ADA who arranged the trial, set up the evidence and fought tooth and nail for this case is then held responsible for the mistrial by the judge. Trial is to begin again from start. Cleary smirks at both his wife and Harper.
Cut to the end and the Captain receives a phone call. Cleary is dead and Harper and the wife are thrust into limelight. Attempts had been made to clear up and at first neither were admitting to who shot Mr Cleary. Eventually, the wife said it was me
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