*The Jim and Iris series continues! I apologize to those who have wondered if no more stories were forthcoming and for the length of time between this and the last story, so please enjoy the read. As always, your reviews are appreciated and welcomed. Ladykestrel
"The Sum Total"
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. The character of Iris King is my own creation.
A/N: One part of the diverse community of Las Vegas has been targeted by a killer. Can Brass with the help of Grissom's team going undercover flush out the killer before another victim is claimed?
Rated: T
Very special thanks to JoanP for her flawless beta assistance as well as MelO and AimeeP for general support and research.
Acknowledgements: "Come to My Window," sung and written by Melissa Etheridge. "Relax", Frankie Goes to Hollywood; written by Peter Gill, William Johnson and Mark O'Toole. "Don't" sung by Billy Currington; written by Jim Beavers and Jonathan Singleton. "Love in an Elevator" sung by Aerosmith, written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. "Mysterious Ways" sung by U2; written by Paul Hewson, Dave Evans, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Jr. "If" sung by Janet Jackson; written by Johnny Bristol, Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson, James Harris, III, Harvey Fuqua, Jackey Beavers. "No One Else on Earth" sung by Wynona Judd; written by Jill Colucci, Sam Lorber, Stewart Harris. "Brass in Pocket" sung by the Pretenders; written by James Honeyman-Scott and Chrissie Hynde. "Love Reign O'er Me" sung by The Who; written by Pete Townsend. "Gotta Be Somebody" sung by Nickelback; written by Chad Kroeger, Joey Moi and Ryan Peake. "Are You Alright" sung and written by Lucinda Williams.
Chapter One
Grissom arrived early to the lab as was his custom to check on new out-calls before preparing assignments in conjunction with ongoing cases. His hands were full as he juggled what he held to unlock his office door. Putting the Las Vegas Sun newspaper crossword puzzle between his teeth, it freed up one hand to retrieve his keys from his pants pocket. The door now open he turned on the room lights and greeted his male African Red Baboon tarantula affectionately dubbed "Esau." On his way to the aquarium to feed the large arachnid a cricket, he spied a large manila clasp envelope that had been slid far under the door. He set his briefcase and crossword puzzle on his desk and then knelt down to get the envelope. Preprinted on an adhesive label, it was addressed simply "Gilbert Grissom, Supervisor, Crime Lab – CONFIDENTIAL." His curiosity piqued, Grissom took a seat and put on his reading glasses before undoing the metal clasp and extracting one sheet of paper and another smaller legal-size envelope addressed differently from which he heard a faint jingling sound.
He read the text over, then again and again as he ingested the meaning. He also looked at the smaller envelope once more. Grissom frowned, removed his glasses, a sigh of exasperation escaping through pursed lips as he shook his head ruefully.
"Grissom?"
Grissom looked up at the familiar voice. Sara stood there with folded arms and an inquisitive expression. As usual she'd ridden in early with him from home. His now brooding countenance only made her wonder all the more about its source before he silently held up the sheet of paper. Sara walked in and sat down opposite of him to take it. She scanned it quickly as her dark eyes widened in surprise.
"What're you going to do?" asked Sara softly after several moments, noting Grissom's body language of rubbing at his temples as if a migraine threatened. News like this he would address but not without a degree of internal consternation. She reached over and squeezed his hand supportively.
"Calling in those it concerns before the information is general knowledge in the lab," Grissom replied wearily, "they'll need to know this before it gets out." He opened his cell phone to make the first call.