Title: Vengeance

Rating: T

Summary: The murder of someone from Catherine's past sets in motion an investigation that could change her life forever. Grillows! Also references to Lady Heathers Box Season 3

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Chapter 2

"Grissom?" Brass made a face at the man standing in front of him. "You okay?"

Gil nodded "Yes." He replied matter of factly "What do we have?"

"Single victim, no I.D. yet;" He pointed toward a man who appeared to be a pizza delivery man. "He was delivering a fresh pie, with the works, said the door was open and he walked in, found our victim on the floor,"

Gil nodded as he and Brass approached the body.

"David's stuck at a double homicide with Sara." Jim began as Gil looked past him" he'll be here as soon as he can, in the meantime" he pointed to the strawberry blonde that was approaching them "You've got Catherine."

"Brass," she spoke as she approached "Grissom."

"Glad you could join us." Grissom spoke and made a point to look at his watch.

"Sorry." She sighed pushing a strand of hair from her face. "Just when you think you've fought with your daughter about everything in the free world."

"Things are still rocky with Lindsey?"

Catherine nodded "Her father was murdered; she almost drowned in a sinking car." Catherine bent down and opened her kit. "It's been almost eight months but she still hates everyone and everything."

"It's rough." Grissom replied.

"Tell me about it." she paused "So what do we have?"

"Single victim." Grissom spoke, stating the obvious as he illuminated his flashlight and took a closer look at the body before him.

"We're waiting on David to turn the body."

Catherine nodded "Right. So we process the scene."

Gil nodded and pulled out his camera.

"Looks like the party was just getting started." Catherine commented taking a picture and then a sample of the white powdered substance that was spilled across the coffee table. She knew it was cocaine; if there were any doubts the rolled up dollar bill on the floor would clear that up.

"Her purse." Catherine whispered just loud enough for Gil to hear her "I'm sure she won't be a Jane doe much longer."

"Does it seem strange to you." he paused looking at the end tables, the walls and the fireplace mantle. "That there aren't any pictures, not a piece of mail?" he paused looking over at Catherine who was now opening up what she thought was the victim's wallet.

"Her wallet is cleaned out except." she slowly stood up as she looked at the plastic driver's license. "Grissom." she whispered looking up at the man who was now looking back at her.

"I know this woman." she handed him the card. "It's Candeece Walters."

Gil made a face, he didn't seem to recognize her.

"Eddie's ex-girlfriend."

"Hey!" Nick spoke as he ran toward the two CSI's. " I got here as soon as I could. What's going on?"

Grissom looked up at Nick. "We didn't get very far; David is inside; I need you to take over processing the scene."

Nick nodded "No problem." he paused looking at Catherine who seemed irritated. "Is everything okay?"

Grissom nodded "Conflict of interest." he replied

Nick nodded, but didn't ask any more questions; as he turned and heading in the apartment

"So just like that I'm off the case?"

Gil nodded as he followed Catherine to her Tahoe. "Can you be objective? Can you forget that this is the woman that left your daughter to drown in a sinking car?"

Catherine didn't respond. She knew he was right. Eight months ago; the night Eddie was murdered Candeece had left her daughter in a car filling with water and didn't bother to even call 911. Catherine didn't have it in her to forget that night. And she certainly didn't have it in her to forgive.

"What?" she asked; as he stared at her. "You want to me to feel bad about for the woman that almost killed my daughter? She left her to drown in a car and now because she's been murdered you want me to forget about it? Am I supposed to feel bad for her? You must be kidding!" she spat at Gil.

Gil kept his cool "That anger." he spoke "Is why you can't work this case. You have to deal with that and move on from this. You have to realize that Lindsey is okay."

"And Eddie is still dead!" she spat "And we never found out what happened to him, no one was able to catch his killer. Or maybe you've forgotten!"

Gil watched as Catherine climbed in to her vehicle and drove off. Gil sighed; He hadn't forgotten, in fact he remembered the night Eddie had died like it was yesterday, Catherine had lost Eddie and almost had lost her daughter. Gil had spent the night with Lady Heather and won the trophy for worst best friend all in one night by avoiding his duties as Catherine's best friend and being at her side when she probably had needed him the most. Of course he hadn't forgotten

"Boy is she mad at you." Brass spoke as Gil walked back in the crime scene.

"She's angry." He paused as he bent down next to the victim "I can't blame her. Who wants to forgive the person how almost took her child's life?" he paused looking through the camera lens at her defensive wounds. "I wouldn't." he added

Brass nodded but didn't respond. He didn't blame Catherine either.

TBC