DISCLAIMER: "CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION" and other related entities are owned, (TM) and (c) by ANTHONY E. ZUIKER, JERRY BRUCKHEIMER Television, CBS Worldwide Inc., Alliance Atlantis Corporation, CSI Productions and CBS Productions, All Rights Reserved. This is a purely an outlet of creative writing inspired by a superb TV series and out of respect for my favorite actor, Paul Guilfoyle. The character of Iris King is my own creation.
Dedication: Humbly to Mr. Guilfoyle and the life he breathes into Jim Brass.
A/N: Grissom's plan to take his team for some much needed R&R over the Fourth of July on a four-day holiday retreat proves to be more explosive than the traditional fireworks.
Acknowledgements: "Magic is the Moonlight", written by Maria Grever and Charles Pasquale. "Moonlight Serenade", written by Mitchell Parish and Glenn Miller. "Man in the Mirror", written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. "Single Ladies," written by Thaddis Laphonia Harrell, Beyonce Knowles, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart. "Fallin' For You," written by Colbie Caillat and Rick Nowels. "Be My Baby", written by Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry and Phil Spector. "You Can't Hurry Love", written by Lamont Dozier, Brian and Eddie Holland. "Take Me Home Tonight", written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Mike Leeson, Phillip Spector and Peter Vale. "History in the Making", written by Clay Bernard Mills, Frank Rogers and Darius Rucker. "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes", written by Brett Beavers and Dierks Bentley.
Heartfelt Thanks: Onyx, Mel-O, JoanP, BC, KaceeW, AimeeP – all who have supported and encouraged my writing efforts, as well as to the readers who have so kindly embraced the character of Iris King into the CSI family.
"The Dragon's Breath"
Chapter One
Catherine's yawn was wide and she was cat-like while stretching in the chair opposite Grissom's in his office. She gave her head a shake to shift her strawberry blonde hair out of her eyes as well to help her pep back up. It was one of those very rare nights where all assignments could be handled by the other graveyard shift CSI's, leaving Grissom and Catherine able to tidy up several case folders that were solved but now coming up for trial.
"Go home, you've done enough," Grissom ordered.
"Okay, not arguing with you there, Griss, I'm out. See you tonight," Catherine stood up and stretched once more, but lines of fatigue showed around her mouth as she attempted a smile. "That last one's going to keep the DA's office busy."
"It'll keep the news crews busy too," Grissom added wryly.
After Catherine left, Grissom reopened the last folder they'd been working jointly on about the multiple homicides that occurred at the McDonald's on Las Vegas Boulevard at Riviera Boulevard from a botched robbery attempt over a week ago. Twelve people had been killed in the shoot out between the three young gunmen and a citizen carrying a concealed handgun who tried to thwart them. It had been dubbed the "McD's Massacre" by one of the local news anchors. He pushed it far away with a sigh, taking off his reading glasses to rub at protesting eyes that begged to go home.
"Long night?"
Grissom looked up to see his best friend, Jim Brass, in the doorway. He gave him a weary smile with an affirmative nod. "You back from your out call?"
"Yeah and the drunk dumbass already confessed to torching his passed out room mate because of a fight over who won a PS3 video game on the way back to booking here at Metro. Just got done booking him and sending him to the drunk tank to sober up. I think Warrick's gonna have it easy for this one – crispy critter 101. Come on, I know this nice little place…," Brass jerked his thumb in the direction of his office.
As Grissom took a seat across from Jim's desk, Brass reached down to his left lower desk drawer to pull out the familiar bottle with its dark amber liquid and two glasses. He deftly poured a generous amount in each glass and handed one to Grissom.
"Drink is the feast of reason and the flow of soul," Grissom raised his glass as Brass did the same for the toast and they downed their drinks.
"You're never at a loss for words," Jim observed and refilled his glass along with Grissom's.
"Well, the team's been working this McD's case hard along with you. Remember the youngest vic was only seven years old," Grissom said and shook his head sadly.
"Yeah, she reminded me of Ellie when she was sweet…still my girl…," Brass looked over at the picture on his desk of a little pigtailed girl with a big smile while she colored. "Then they grow up and get wise in the ways of the world on their own, don't they?"
"You don't dare blink these days," Grissom said softly as he gazed at the picture.
The matter of Ellie still caused Brass heartache Grissom knew firsthand. Since Brass had been shot nearly two years ago, Ellie had only surfaced then to seek financial benefit while challenging Grissom as Brass' power of attorney. Jim's daughter continued that pattern and only contacted Brass when she wanted money and, finally, he had said no to her last three requests and he hadn't heard from her in months. While Jim worried over how his daughter might be doing, he refused to be suckered yet again by her machinations even if it meant not seeing her for God only knew how long. The brief casual relationships he'd had in the past couldn't begin to fill the void Ellie left in his heart, and made him reluctant to hope he could love someone that much again or dare to try to. Though Ellie seemed to have burned her bridge with him, he would always keep the welcome mat out on his side.
"Helluva way to get McDonald's chicken nuggets and a happy meal," Jim sighed and absently swirled the contents in his drink glass.
"You know my team's overdue for something special," Grissom said with a mysterious glint in his eye.
"Really? Like what?" Brass' curiosity was piqued.
Grissom reached into his pocket and handed Jim a well-worn brochure. Brass took several moments to read it over and glanced at Grissom. "So, it's just the team, right?"