Chapter Ten:
She smiled during shift despite the jokes from the guys on her inability to speak. She was surprised when he paired her with him.
She sat there in the passenger's side and reviewed the details of the crime scene.
"Thought I would rescue you from the guys…they were having too much fun," he said.
She smiled.
He refused to let her work over despite her protests. Grissom made Brass drop her off at the lab while he remained behind to finish up. She grabbed her things and headed home.
She was surprised when there was a knock on her door and she quickly opened it to find Father Andrew.
"I was getting worried," he said. "I left messages but you didn't return them."
"Can't talk," she whispered.
"Laryngitis?" he asked.
She slowly removed the scarf from her neck.
"Sara, what happened to you?" he asked suddenly.
"Wrong place at the wrong time," she whispered.
They sat there on the couch while he talked about the past several days.
"You and Gil getting along better?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Good," he said.
"Missed you," she whispered.
"I think you shouldn't be talking," he admonished.
"Sorry," she said. "So much to tell you."
"It will have to wait," he said. "Would you like for me to fix you something for lunch?"
"Soup in fridge," she signed. "Join me?"
"Only if you don't talk," he teased.
They sat there at the table and she watched as he took a bite.
"Did you make this?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"It's just like mine," he said.
"Grissom made it," she whispered.
"At least I taught him something," smiled Father Andrew.
Lunch ended and she flipped on the TV.
"Got you something," she whispered.
"You said you wouldn't talk," he said.
"Movie," she signed.
He smiled as they sat there and watched it.
Hours passed and she nodded off finally.
Father Andrew covered her with a blanket and then cleaned up the kitchen.
He quietly let himself out.
She was startled by the beeper when it went off.
She looked around and saw that she was alone.
She grabbed her phone and called Grissom.
"Have you slept?" he asked.
"Yes," she said.
"You feel like working…with me?" he asked.
"I'm on my way," she said.
"Stay put," he said. "I'll pick you up."
"Twenty minutes," she begged.
"Bring coffee," he said.
She glanced down at the file and then back at Grissom.
"Another altar boy?" she asked.
He said nothing as they arrived on the scene.
Sara recognized the boy lying on the ground.
"That's Jimmy…Roberts," she gulped.
"You know him?" asked Brass.
"He's been at the church a lot…I helped him once or twice with his homework," she said. "His mother is a waitress and works late."
"How is it that you know so much about the church?" asked Brass.
"I visit with Father Andrew," she said quietly.
"Are you still seeing him?" asked Grissom sounding irritated.
Sara looked surprised at his tone.
"Yes."
It was not the answer he wanted.
"You okay working this case?" asked Grissom as he refused to look at her.
"I'm good," she declared.
"Take the perimeter," he ordered.
Sara hesitated for a moment but turned.
"Since when did Sara become Catholic?" asked Brass to Grissom.
"She's not!" he seethed.
"Whoa! Who missed their coffee before coming here?" Brass joked.
"Do you mind? I'm trying to work," said Grissom as he waited for Doc to finish.
"Looks like the same means of strangulation," said Doc. "I put the time of death around 2:00 p.m."
"Who kills a child and dumps him in an alley in broad daylight with no witnesses?" asked Brass.
"Someone who is taunting us," replied Grissom.
Grissom gently slipped open the young boy's hand and pulled out a crucifix.
"I think he just got messy," announced Grissom.
She said nothing as they drove back to the lab. They had spent the last six hours working the case and he had said very little to her during that time.
Once they drove up, he started to get out when her hand shot out to his.
"Wait, we need to talk," she said.
"We have evidence to log in," he replied as he started to get out.
"Fine. Just blow me off! You've been pissed for the last six hours. Want to tell me what I've done?" she asked.
"Why do you spend time with Andrew?" he asked.
"It's Father Andrew and we're friends. Gil, we don't discuss you if that's what…"
He was out of the vehicle before she could finish.
She quickly made her way to the back of the vehicle and began lifting the bags.
"I'll get these," he said.
"It's my case also," she countered.
She was not prepared for him to remove the bags from her hand.
"Not anymore," he ordered.
"Why?" she asked letting the frustration sound in her voice.
"I'm your supervisor and I decide what cases you…"
She fumed as she did not stay to hear the lecture.
She opened the door of the lab and practically ran into Brass.
"You didn't have your coffee either?" Brass asked.
She quickly sped past him and he glanced at Grissom.
"You seem to have such a sparkling personality today," said Brass.
Brass chuckled when he was received with a scowl as Grissom walked past him.
"Let's do this again soon," called Brass.
"Hey, Lindsey was sick," said Catherine. "Sorry Grissom had to call you in." She looked at Sara's empty hands. "Where is the evidence?"
"The evidence to his case is coming with him," seethed Sara as she stormed into the break room.
"Someone needs coffee," snorted Greg.
Sara shot him a "eat shit and die" glare.
He quickly retreated behind his newspaper.
Grissom's head popped into the room. "DB found out on Interstate Fifteen. Nick and Sara take it."
Her cup stopped in midair.
Greg and Nick looked at her.
"Hey, I uhm available," offered Greg.
"We're going to need you with us," replied Grissom. "Hodges is backed up."
Grissom disappeared.
Sara sat her coffee cup down on the counter and headed out.
"I would buy her a cup of Starbucks if I were you," whispered Greg.
"No kidding," said Nick. "What pissed her off?"
"My money is on the bugman."
She wiped her brow as they continued working.
Nick glanced over at her.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Fine," she fumed.
"You haven't said much," he said. "Something wrong?"
She unloaded on him.
Nick stared at her as she went off on her tirade.
"He doesn't let me finish the case last night because he didn't want me to work over but then he calls me up and lets me work another case only to pull me off it before sending me out here in the middle of nowhere!"
She stood there fuming.
"Feel better?" smirked Nick.
"I wouldn't mess with me when I'm pissed," she warned.
Nick's hands went into the air. "I'm not. Just concerned. Your voice sounds better, by the way."
She grinned as she returned to work.
They stood outside in the parking lot and patted each other's clothing.
"Nothing like the wind kicking up the dust," chuckled Nick. "We're covered."
"I just want to shower and go home," she moaned.
"Yeah, well I'll wash your back if you do mine," teased Nick.
"Sorry," said Sara as she stepped into the women's shower.
"Let me know if you need help," called Nick.
Nick turned and found Grissom standing there.
Nick glanced back at the locker room.
"Wind storm…lots of dust…Sara is taking a shower…just joking," he said quickly as he hurried into the men's shower.
She sat down on the bench as she tied her shoes.
She glanced up and saw Greg.
"Is it safe to come in here?" he asked. "I can come back."
"It's safe. Thanks for reminding Nick to get Starbuck's," she said with a smile.
Greg returned the smile. "Anytime. I'm ready to go home and sleep. Don't know how Grissom is still awake... he's staying through the interrogation of some priest."
"What priest?" asked Sara.
"Andrew…something," replied Greg as he sat down on the bench. He glanced up when he saw Sara hurry out of the locker room.
She went straight to the interrogation room.
She watched as Brass brought Father Andrew into the room.
Grissom stopped when he saw her standing near the viewing window.
"Andrew's crucifix was found in the boy's hand," said Grissom.
Sara glanced inside the room.
She knew Father Andrew did not appear well.
"Maybe he gave it to Jimmy," she said softly.
"Since when did you ever see Andrew without it?" he asked.
He always had it with him.
Sara bit her lower lip.
Grissom stepped inside and sat down.
She watched as they showed the photos to Father Andrew.
He was visibly upset.
Catherine came and stood next to Sara.
"I can't believe a priest would kill young boys," said Catherine.
Sara did not reply.
Catherine glanced at Sara.
"What uhm was the time of death?" asked Sara.
"Around 2:00 p.m. I mean why kill the boy and then dump his body in broad daylight?"
Sara quickly headed toward the door.
"Sara, you can't go in there," called Catherine.
Sara opened the door and stepped inside.
"I need to talk with you," whispered Sara to Grissom.
"I'm in an interrogation," he warned.
"This is important…it's about…"
Grissom stood quickly and grabbed her by the arm leading her out the door.
She waited until the door was closed.
"You have the wrong person," she began.
"Stay away from this case," he fumed. "Interfere again and I'll write you up."
Sara stood there with her arms folded. "Fine! Write me up! You're not putting him through any more questions!"
"He waived his right to counsel," said Grissom trying to calm the explosive conversation.
He had not meant to go through with his threat.
He had merely wanted her to leave.
"He could not have committed the murder," she countered.
"Go home, Sara," warned Grissom.
"He was with me!"
Grissom's face fell.
She was sure she saw betrayal written across his face.
Note from author:
Okay, so there's still a little fluff...just look down deep...LOL
Take care,
Penny