Darren White fingered the hilt of the shiv that he had hidden underneath his mattress. Just a few more hours, he thought. A few more hours and I can get the fuck out of here.
Heather Kessler, known throughout Las Vegas by her business name of "Lady Heather," sipped her tea as she sorted through the large stack of mail she had received. She could easily have had someone else do it for her, but she found it relaxing. Much of what she received was absolute garbage: junk mail and meaningless threats. But one letter caught her attention and her emerald-green eyes widened as she looked at the return address. "Annette Raines" was the sender. Interesting. An old friend and a former employee at the Dominion, Annette had gone east to do her work. Heather had endorsed it, though she was sorry to see such talent leave.
Catherine Willows poked her head into the open door of her boss' office. "Gil—" she started, then noticed the way he was sitting. He was leaning over his desk, his left hand over his eyes, and his right on the side of his head. She was about to turn and leave, when his voice startled her.
"Yes, Catherine, what is it?"
"Nothing huge. Just got a note from ADA Winters, she wants a rundown on the evidence gathered in the Darren White case."
"When?"
"Well, he's set to go to trial at the end of the week, so either today or tomorrow."
"Could you tell her that I can do it tomorrow? I just don't feel up to it now."
"You sure? I could do it," her voice was tinged with concern.
"Would you?" she could hear relief in his voice.
"Sure," she paused. "You know, if you don't feel very well, you should go home. I'll cover the shift." She braced herself for the ensuing argument, but Grissom merely nodded, got up, and left the lab. Catherine shook her head and couldn't help but wonder if he really was sick. She walked into his office to pick up the information on the cases that needed the crime lab's attention tonight and couldn't help but notice a strange smell, something that definitely did not belong in the office of Gil Grissom.
The smell was on her mind as she walked into the break room to hand out the assignments. She looked at the assembled team and noticed that Greg was being uncharacteristically still and quiet and Warrick and Nick were struggling not to laugh. Catherine shot a look at Sara, who merely shrugged and confusion was evident in both women. Catherine coughed softly, causing Greg to jump and give her a 'deer-in-the-headlights' look. Nick and Warrick shook their heads and turned towards her. She wondered what was going on, and resolved to get it from Warrick later. "Alright, team," her voice was calm, though concern for Grissom and curiosity about Greg were running through her mind, "Grissom is feeling under the weather tonight, so he went home. I've got the assignments. Greg, you and Sara have a db in a dumpster behind the Bellagio. Nick, you've got a B and E on Charleston, and Warrick, a home invasion on Fremont. I'm staying in to brief ADA Winters on the Darren White case."