“But the warrant is for Alex’s apartment. She is no longer the suspect. We should be looking at Ashley.”

“Not if the warrant doesn’t specify whose apartment.” Tina said proudly.

Tina raised her head at the sound of the knock on her door. The door was already open. “Want to grab a drink?” Bette asked when Tina acknowledged her. The case had more or less solved itself after the search. Ashley’s apartment had an alter dedicated to Alex. She also had pictures of the two victims and one other person who she had been stalking since she raped and murdered the second. She used a dildo wrapped in a condom. So it was untraceable. The DNA matched the DNA found on them so convicting was a breeze for Tina. Initially Helena had suggested treatment but when Ashley showed no remorse for what she had done, and on her advice, she was sentenced to death.

Tina was in her office reading through past cases when Bette asked her for a drink. “I’m a little busy, detective.”

“You need a break. And we have an unfinished conversation.” Bette suggested. Tina hesitated at first but she realised that if she and Bette were to be working together they need to work out what happened several years ago.

They got to the Planet and found a table near the back. It was quiet so it perfect for them to talk. There was an uncomfortable silence after they ordered their drinks and waited for the waiter to serve them. They looked around the club avoiding eye contact as best as they could. “So,” Tina was the first to break the silence. “How long have you been with SVU?”

“About five years.”

“How do you handle it?”

“Handle what?”

“The children, the rapes.”

“When I do I will be the first to tell you.” The waiter brought the drinks to the table. Bette watched as Tina ran her finger round the rim of the glass a few times. “You want to tell me what went on seven years ago?”

“You still don’t waste any time do you.”

“What?” Bette had a questioning look on her face.

“Remember the night of your graduation from the academy?”

“Vaguely. I was too drunk to remem…” Bette stopped in mid sentence realising might have happened.

“I was still in law school. I had just broken up with my girlfriend. Well she left me after five years.” Tina took a sip of her drink. “My friends convinced me to go out that night. We met. We danced. We talked.” She smiled remembering the night. “You were so attentive. You made me feel so special. We had sex. I fell asleep in your arms. Then the next morning I woke up alone.” Her face hardened.

“Tina, I’m sorry.”

“Too late Bette.”

“Look, I wont insult your intelligence and say that that night meant something. Honestly the only thing I remember about that night was driving to the club. And when I left you at the hotel the following day I was so hung over I didn’t even know how I made it home.”

“I was vulnerable and you took advantage of that.”

“I’m sorry. I really am. That person wasn’t me. I know we can’t go back and change the past but I hope you can forgive me.” Bette pleaded. “Maybe we could start over.”

“I hated you for leaving me. Then I hated myself for allowing that.”

“You still hate me?”

She looked into Bette’s eyes. She realised that Bette was genuine. She simply answered, “No.”

“Humm could’ve fooled me.”