" Round and Round the city of sin, I chase the girl I lo-ove, she's pounded by her work all day, so I'll go and get her."
The flashing images on the television depicted mass numbers of people in uniform crawling all over the ground, searching. Slivery eyes widened when a certain Sara Sidle was pictured kneeling on the ground next to 'the Competition'. Another image of a hotel, and then of a makeshift lab and a very secure car.
Slowly, a boyishly happy yet chillingly cold smile appeared. "I found you, honey. Why are you so late for dinner?
"Grissom, I'm tired." He looked up, confused and concerned at the same time. Sarah Sidle had only twice in his memory admitted great weakness. The first time when she had asked him to sleep with her, and the second when he learned of her dark past.
"What do you mean?"
"My knees hurt, my head hurts. We haven't found anything of significance for at least 6 hours, and we've been working since we got here last night, and nobody has given us any food! I'm tired."
"Okay. Let's stop."
"Grissom! I'm….Oh. right. Yes."
"Besides," he said, "Everybody else is sleeping. We probably should too"
"Great." The stood up and walked back to the SUV.
On the elevator, they started talking about the case. "What do you think about what we found?"
"Well," Sara considered her words carefully, "We know that somebody else, a woman, was involved in the crime. So, all we need to do is find the other women involved with him, right?"
"Right…"
"If he was around here, maybe this woman is around here still. If this woman had no other ties, maybe she is still around. Maybe we should interview the people around here, see what they have to say."
"That's been done."
"Yes, but I have a suspicion."
"Of who?"
"Did you detect anything while we were talking to that receptionist?"
"What receptionist?"
"The girl."
"oh, uhhh…..no."
"Well, I did. I think we should check her out."
"Whatever you think, honey."
"Great, I…" the full impact of what he said finally hit her "uh….." she blushed furiously and her distinctive half smile poked through. "yeah."
Grissom remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was thrilled. He had used a term of endearment, they didn't die, the elevator hadn't stopped, and she hadn't been offended. Maybe he could do it again. If he built up the little moments, then the big one wouldn't be so tough. Or so he hoped.
The young woman did not pace nervously around the makeshift room. She sat in the chair, looking around her with little interest.
Sara and Grissom walked in carrying some papers and a box. "Ms…"
"Riicco."
"Ms. Riico. We have some questions for you, as you may have gathered by now."
"Fire away, boy." Sara bristled at her obvious flirtation with Grissom.
"Okay. Where were you the night before last?"
"I was….spending some quality time with a significant other."
"Name?"
"They weren't that significant." She grinned.
"Okay…do you have a boyfriend?"
"Not if you're interested."
"Uhh.."
Sara jumped in quickly "I'm interested. Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No. We broke up."
"When?"
"A few days ago."
"Do you remember seeing this man?" Sara showed her a picture.
"Nope. I've never seen him."
"He came through here a couple nights ago. Where were you?"
"I told you, spending quality time with a guy."
"Yes, but WHERE."
"Here."
"Do you have and identification for this guy? We need to know who he is, Ms. Riico. "
"Why?"
"Because it's your alibi. As of now you have none, and you admitted that you were here. "
"Whatever. My shift starts in a few minutes. Can I get back to work?"
Grissom nodded. "One last question."
"Yes?" She stood up and revealed more skin than was necessary. Grissom was visibly startled and flattered.
"Ms. Riico."
"Call me Aimee."
"Aimee. What size shoe do you wear?"
"9, handsome. Wanna see?"
Sara might as well have been clawing the woman's eyes out for the intensity of the glare she was giving. The woman smiled evilly at Sara and waved cutely to Grissom. "She seemed nice." He remarked.
Their elevator ride was more tense this time. Sara was fuming, and Grissom was clueless.