"Suffer the Little Children"
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN CSI OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS; THEY BELONG TO CBS OR ANTHONY ZUIKER
A/N: The murder of a young child sends Iris on the most difficult case of her career as a CSI, as well as involving Brass as the lead detective. Can the killer be found and stopped before another child is victimized?
RATING: T
GENRE: Drama/Mystery/Suspense
SPOILERS: None I am aware of.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: To Kacee and Onyx for their beta support and encouragment. To Mel for being a sounding board for technical ideas. To those who have embraced Iris as a part of the CSI team, I humbly dedicate this story.
Timeline: Follows after "To Have and To Hold"
CHAPTER ONE
Heidi stood patiently waiting for Miss Iris to pick her up from school. The teacher's aide also waited with her. Heidi loved riding in the Jeep and hoped that Miss Iris was bringing her dogs too. Mr. Nathan, her teacher, came to tell her that Miss Iris was running a little late and would there very soon, but he was on his way home. She sighed and fidgeted; it was hard for a 6-year-old to wait. The teacher's aide told Heidi she was going to the ladies room for just a moment and she would be right back. Heidi said okay and remained by the door, still looking for Miss Iris.
Ten minutes later, Iris pulled her Jeep into the school parking lot. She hadn't meant to run behind but a last-minute delay leaving the CSI lab had occurred. Iris had called Heidi's mother, Janice, to let her know she'd been offset leaving but was now at the school to pick up Heidi. She was concerned for Heidi, whose heart problems continued relative to her Down syndrome, and was back on medication to combat the heart failure she struggled with. The little girl was looking more pale and drawn than ever. The possibility of a heart transplant loomed for the child if she did not improve soon.
Iris walked quickly into the school. Heidi wasn't waiting by the door where Iris usually met her, noting Heidi's backpack on the floor. She saw the teacher's aide who should be with Heidi in the hallway. "Where's Heidi?" Iris asked.
"I just left her by the front door and she was waiting for you, Mrs. Brass," replied the aide. "I was only gone a few minutes to use the restroom. Heidi wanted to stay here so as not to miss you."
"Okay. Well, let's check her classroom to see if she went back there to start with," Iris recommended.
The two women searched the classroom and surrounding rooms in the hallway without locating Heidi. Iris's concern was mounting. It wasn't like Heidi to spontaneously leave like this. They went on to check the playground and cafeteria. The child's debilitated physical condition precluded her from much physical exertion. Even back at Jim and Iris's wedding a few months ago, the little girl had tired easily and seemed in poor health. Iris located the principal and alerted him that Heidi was not in the school.
Grabbing up her cell phone, Iris quickly called Janice to relay the situation and to keep Janice calm as much as possible. She then called her husband at the LVPD.
"Brass," Jim answered.
"Hey, hon, got a problem at this end and need the cavalry," piped up his wife, who quickly filled him on the details.
"I'm on my way," Jim said. "Tell Janice that Heidi's probably somewhere nearby. Oh, I love ya, kitten."
"Love you more times infinity, babe," Iris replied, glad that Jim was taking the time to give this his personal attention. They were both very fond of Heidi and had her over to visit at least once a week.
As she hung up with Brass, Iris still could not shake a growing sense of dread.
