The next day

The next day

8:35 AM

Sara didn't even wait for the flight attendants to welcome her to Las Vegas before she was up out of her seat and unbuckling her seat belt. She sat fidgeting with her small carry on duffel bag until the plane pulled into the gate and the doors were opened. She was already frustrated at having a 4 hour lay over in Los Angeles due to thunderstorms. They picked up a few more passengers at LAX and the plane had continued on its journey. Grimacing at the slowness of people departing the plane, she scowled at the flight attendant who told her to "Have a nice stay in Vegas!' and huffed off. Bolting from the tunnel she burst into McCarran airport like a tornado. After apologizing for nearly knocking down a woman who was wrestling a small child and an elderly woman near baggage claim, she sprinted out into the parking lot. Hailing the first taxi she spotted she leapt in and rattled off the address of the Las Vegas Crime Lab and settled in for a short ride down the highway forgetting about her promise to call Brass when she landed.

8:45 AM

Jim Brass and Nick Stokes stood in the concourse of McCarran Airport scanning the crowd. In his hand, Jim held a LAPD ID photo that had been faxed to him at the start of last night's shift. He and Nick had decided to find the woman who called herself Evangeline Grissom when she arrived in Las Vegas to see if she might help them with the case. For all they knew, she was an imposter, a psycho, or some distant relative. Jim knew better than to jump to conclusions when it came to Grissom or his private life. The man was sealed tighter than Tut's tomb about his personal life and Jim was no Howard Carter.

Nick craned his neck to see above the crowd.

"Brass, I think I see her. Does she have a kid with her?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, I think so. Now, let's approach her with some decorum Stokes. Let's not assume anything until she tells us what's going on. Kay?" Brass stuffed the picture into his breast pocket and made sure that his LVPD badge was clearly visible. "Let's go."

Jim and Nick made their way through the crowd to the trio who were now standing at the baggage claim. The younger woman had a sleeping toddler balanced on her left shoulder and was dialing a cell phone with her right hand. She snapped it shut after a minute and returned it to her pocket. Then she did something that made Jim Brass stop dead in his tracks. She turned to the older woman standing next to her and started signing. He placed a hand on Nick's chest stopping him in mid stride.

"What Jim?"

"Look. I think the woman with her is deaf. She's the right age. It's been a while, but I know that she looks familiar to me." Brass scratched his chin and squinted.

"Whaddaya mean Jim? Who is she?" Nick looked at Jim and waited for a response.

"Nicky, I think she's Grissom's mother. I haven't seen her in years, but she looks pretty much the same."

"You sure?" Nick looked confused.

"Yeah. So, maybe this Evangeline is Grissom's niece or cousin or something. Not a secret wife."

"Jim, he's an only child isn't he?"

Brass paused for a minute then shrugged his shoulders. "I think so. But I'm not really sure. He doesn't talk about his family much. She could be a niece or a cousin."

"Ahh hell Jim. Lets' just go find out." Nick resumed walking towards the trio.

Jim and Nick stopped directly behind the younger woman and Brass cleared his throat. "Evangeline Grissom?

The woman turned around. "Yes, that's me. Who are you?" Her eyes fell to Brass's police badge and she raised an eyebrow and frowned. "Is there a problem officer?"

The older woman stared intently at Brass for a moment and then spoke in stunted words.

"Jimmy? Jimmy? Is that you?"

Brass smiled and took her hands in his. "Ava, my dear. It's been a long time. You are still just as lovely as you were all those years ago. What brings you to Vegas?" He spoke directly to her. His gaze never left hers.

"Jimmy, we're here to see Gil. Why didn't he meet us? Is he out in the field? Josie really wants to see him." She glanced around the airport looking for a glimpse of her son and finding none.

"Ava." Brass put a finger gently under her chin and spoke again, "Ava. We need to talk. But first, who is this lovely young lady with you? Is she your interpreter?"

Ava Grissom stared at him incredulously and then started laughing. "Oh Jimmy, I haven't needed an interpreter in thirty years. You don't recognize Evangeline do you? I know you haven't seen her in years, but you should remember my daughter Jimmy."

Nick's mouth dropped open and he stammered, "Daughter? You mean she's Grissom's….."

"Yes, I'm his sister. Actually, I'm his half sister. And this young beauty currently putting my arm to sleep is my daughter, Josephine." Evangeline spoke softly.

"Jimmy, I'm surprised that you forgot about us. It hasn't been than long since we've seen each other." Ava smiled at him.

Brass scrunched up his face as if he were trying to remember details from that brief meeting all those years ago. He had stopped by Grissom's condo once only to have a little girl about 10 years old answer the door. After some prodding, Gil had let Brass in and introduced him to Ava and Evangeline. Brass snapped out of his thoughts and turned to the women to explain.

"Ava, Gil didn't tell me she was your daughter. He said that she was a cousin's child and he was babysitting. I swear, I had no idea that Little Jilly Bean was your child. I'm so sorry Ava. Evangeline, do you forgive me?" Brass took her free hand and smiled.

"Yes Jim, I forgive you. You know that Gil is not very forthcoming with family information. I'm sorry that this comes as a shock to you. But, you know him. By the way, where the hell is he? I called three times to remind him that our plane was coming in this morning. We need to get to the townhouse so we can get settled. I only have three days of vacation. Why are you staring at me like that?" She stopped and glared at Nick.

"Well, I never thought that I would see the day that I met any of Griss's family. Let alone a sibling. I mean…I always thought that maybe he'd have a family with Sara, but…"

"Wait, who's Sara?" Evangeline lowered her glasses and stared at Nick. "Is that his girlfriend or something?"

"Umm…he never told you about Sara?" Brass looked from Ava to Evangeline who both shook their heads. "Well, um…she's actually his fiancée."

Ava's hands flew as she spoke, "What? He's engaged and didn't tell me? Didn't I teach that boy anything? I swear, when he gets here I'm going to turn him over my knee."

"Mother" Evangeline signed. "I knew that he sounded happier in the last few months. I wonder why he never said anything to us about her."

"I don't know. But she's been in San Francisco visiting family and was supposed to fly into Vegas today. I was hoping to pick her up too." Brass said.

"What are you not telling us Jim?" Evangeline glared as the child on her shoulder stirred. She rubbed her back and waited for an answer.

"Gil was abducted from the townhouse two nights ago. We have no leads and no evidence. I'm sorry." Brass's eyes glistened and he shut them tightly. He hated telling families the news about their loved ones. Knowing the victim made it harder.

Ava gasped and swayed. Nick grabbed her by the upper arms and led her over to a chair in the concourse. Evangeline stood still lost in thought and then slowly walked over to where they were sitting. Ava looked up at her. Her eyes were flowing with hot tears.

"My baby. My baby boy. I knew this job was bad for him. He never listened to me. And then you.." She pointed at Evangeline, "You do the same work, the same dangerous work, and you have a toddler. Why does no one ever heed my warnings?"

"Mother, enough." Evangeline looked at Brass. "Could you take her for a moment?" She handed Josephine off to him before he could protest. He cradled the sleeping child in his arms for a moment before placing her gently on his right shoulder. Nick smiled as Brass rubbed the child's back and brushed a stray curly hair from her cheek.

"Mom. We will find him. He works with the best CSI's in the US. They're even better than my team. It will be fine." She took Ava's hands in hers and held them. "He will be fine and then we can all enjoy some quality time. Remember, he promised to take us to Lake Meade this trip?"

Ava nodded and swiped her face. Evangeline turned to Nick and Brass. "You have no evidence at all? No note? Prints? Fibers? Nothing?" They both shook their heads.

She continued, "I suppose that I can't help because I'm family, but I am a CSI level 2. I want in on this case. I'll call my supervisor and get an emergency family leave. Gil's only seen my daughter twice since she was born. I want her to grow up knowing her Uncle Gilbert. I will work 24/7 if I have to."

Brass nodded and quietly spoke, "Well, then let's get your luggage and get to the lab. I'm sure there are a lot of people anxious to meet you. Nicky, lead the way."