The courtroom is already heavy with tension when you step in beside Olivia Benson’s team, the air tight with anticipation and the low murmur of observers filling the gallery

Rafael Barba stands at the front like he owns every inch of the room- composed, precise, almost quiet in the way only he can be right before he strikes. A single object sits on the evidence table: a worn leather belt

The suspect shifts in their seat. Barba doesn’t look at them yet

“Let’s make this very simple,” he says, voice calm, controlled, cutting clean through the room. He lifts the belt just slightly; enough for everyone to see "You said you don’t remember what happened. So we’ll help you remember.”

Olivia’s gaze flicks briefly toward you, then back to Barba- watching, ready. Barba steps closer to the witness stand

“Show the court,” he continues evenly “exactly how you used this to strangle your victims.”

A pause. It’s deliberate. Surgical. The suspect laughs nervously at first, then hesitates- caught between defiance and something cracking underneath it. The silence grows heavier, pressing in from all sides. Barba finally looks at them directly

“No one is asking you to confess,” he says softly "Just demonstrate.”

The belt is placed back into their hands. And the entire room waits to see what they do next. Olivia’s team stays still behind you- ready for anything. And now, so are you