For the Dearly Departed

Chapter One

Disclaimer as Follows—I'm in NO way making any money off of this story. This is just a story. Not a New York Time's best seller. This is just for fun and grins and to boost up my self confidence. What else can I say. The plot bunny made me do it.

For Liz—Happy Birthday!

"We've got a live one," Catherine said, poking her head into Gil's office.

"How come I never got a call?" Gil said, looking up from a bug.

"I was talking with Brass in the hall. Come on, you'll like this one."

"Oh?"

"Oh, yeah. High profile case. Very famous."

"Great. That's just what we need. The Pres will be there before we do."

"Ah, Boss?" Greg ran in from the hall.

"What, Greg?" Gil let a bit of annoyance slip into his voice.

"Can I please be in the field on this one?"

Gil looked at Catherine and then at Greg. "Who is it?" This was not going to be good.

"Only, like, the coolest new music artist."

"Greg, you think Marilyn Manson is cool. That still doesn't tell me anything."

"Yeah, well, he is." Greg shrugged. "It's the lead singer of The Firebrand Casey—."

"Armagh." Catherine supplied. "Age, 28. He's here with his band on a USA tour."

"No, not this time Greg. You'll only see rock star. It could screw up the investigation. Catherine, get Sarah, Nick and Warrick. If this is going to be such a major case we're going to need all the help we can get. Greg, get ready in the lab."

"But, Boss."

"NOW, Greg. Maybe next time. Let's rock and roll."

"Julian Ballentine. Age 42. One gun shot to the chest. 9mm. Was the manager of The Firebrand and now ex—boyfriend of lead singer, Casey Armagh, is that how you say it? Who is talking to one of my men over there." Brass said with his usual deadpan voice. "Story goes that they were having an argument, one of many, when Mr. Armagh ran for the gun, pulled it out and shot Mr. Ballentine over here."

"Wow. Nice shot too." Sarah said, squatting next to the body. "Right through the heart."

"Nick, Sarah, Warrick, you all take care of the scene. Catherine and I will talk to the witnesses and our suspect." Gil ordered.

"You got it," Warrick said. "I call the body."

"And I'll take the first floor," said Nick.

"Well, that leaves me with the weapon and upstairs." Sarah sighed.

"Mr. Armagh?" Gil said walking towards a huddled figure sitting in the back of the ambulance.

"Yeah. Call me Casey. I never was the formal type." he gave Gil a half hearted smile. In the better light Gil could see the cuts and bruises on Casey's face, arms and hands. The medics had patched him up, but it was apparent that there wasn't only one victim that night. His red hair shone like fire in the harsh lights of the ambulance. When he looked up to meet Gil's eyes his eyes were a dark green, wet with tears.

"I'm Gil Grissom from the Crime Lab. I'd like to ask you a few questions and take some evidence from you."

Casey swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "It was supposed to be this way."

"Excuse me?"

"I didn't mean to shoot him."

"Maybe if you could start by telling me what happened, from the beginning?"

"Um...we were fighting, again. I was wanting to go my own way...and he didn't want to listen."

"He's hit you before?"

"Plenty. Was getting to the point of when hasn't he."

"So you bought the gun to defend yourself?"

"I just wanted him to stop. I thought if he saw the gun he'd know I was serious. That I wanted out. I swear I never loaded the gun. I never even bought bullets! But he kept edging me on. Kept telling me to pull the trigger..." Casey broke down into hysterical sobs.

"Gil?" Brass called.

"Will you be ok?" Gil looked really out of his league.

Casey nodded and pulled the blanket around him to help wipe his tears away.

Gil jogged over to Brass who was talking to someone on his cell. "Yeah? That many? Sure, ok, thanks. Well, I just got off the phone with a couple different police departments. This isn't the first fight these two have been in. There have been 13 domestic abuse incidents filed. Not to mention a fair few hospital stays. Each time Mr. Armagh refuses to press charges. You know, the usual, I fell, tripped, I'm just clumsy. Damn shame."

"Most people stuck in an abusive relationship don't want to provoke more conflict. They either aren't mentally ready or they are too afraid what will happen if they do." Gil said sullenly.

"Yeah. Well, we know how this story ended."

"But not how it came about. The evidence will tell us that. And for Casey's sake I hope it tells us the same story he's telling me."

"Well, I'll go check with your posse inside."

Gil walked quickly back to Casey. "I need to take your finger prints, DNA, pictures of your injuries, and check for hair and fiber evidence."

"What? Not my soul as well?" Casey grimaced.

"Are you in pain? Didn't you get—."

"It's nothing. I can deal. I'll give you whatever you want."

Gil opened his case and set to work.

"What's going to happen to me now?" Casey finally spoke up after Gil had finished collecting the evidence. "Am I under arrest?"

"No, not at this time. We're not done collecting evidence and then we'll have to let the evidence do the talking."

"I can't stay here..."

"No, nor can you take anything from the crime scene."

"Can I barrow your cell? I can call in a room at the Tangiers."

"Sure." Gil handed over his phone.

"Thanks. You're different from everyone."

"So I've been told."

"You're not being judgmental or accusing. That helps." Casey gave him a smile.

"It's not my job to do so."

"This is going to sound like a odd request, and don't be offended, but, I don't want to be alone. Could you stay with me? I'm just asking for company. That's all."

"Well, I..."

"Grissom!" Catherine called.

"I'll get back to you." Gil dashed off.

"Shit," Casey sighed. He dialed the number to Tangiers. "Hello, this is Casey Armagh. Yes. Hello. Thank you. Yes, I'd like a room for tonight. Possibly for a few more nights as well. Yes, the Executive suit is just fine. Well, yes, a few things. I'd like..."

"What have you got for me, Catherine?" Gil said, looking rather uneasy.

"Neighbors heard them argue just about two hours ago. Sounded real physical too. They could hear stuff breaking, that's when they put in the call to 911. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine."

"For now, there aren't any charges. It seems like self defense." Catherine said. "But Brass wants to keep an eye on him. He wants someone to stay with him tonight."

"You've got to be kidding. Brass wants someone to watch him?"

"So he doesn't try and leave town. And since he's famous...He's making eyes at you."

"He's what?" Gil did a quick glance behind him and sure enough Casey was staring at him. Casey mouthed the world "please".

"I think you're it." Catherine said with a smirk. "I can take over from here. See if you can get him to talk more. He seems to trust you."

"Me? I don't think—."

"Think of it for the good of the case. And some time off. Work on your people skill."

"My people skill are just fine."

Catherine gave him a Oh—you've—got—to—be—kidding—look and headed into the house.

"Why me?"