Chapter 10
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI. I'm just borrowing the characters.
Grissom had left Samantha in his office for a few hours as he was in autopsy for the shift. Ecklie, looking for Grissom was shocked to find the youngster sitting at his desk looking at an entomology book.
"Who are you" he demanded.
"Grissom's daughter" she said not looking up.
"Where is he"
"Autopsy" she replied.
Ecklie left and stormed angrily into autopsy, interrupting Doc Robbins evaluation of the dead guy.
"Grissom what's with the kid in your office"
"Ecklie, it will be handled shortly." Grissom replied.
Ecklie rolled his eyes. "Like father like daughter' he muttered.
Grissom ignored him.
A few hours later, Samantha left the office to use the ladies room and saw Sara.
"Uh Sara?" she asked
Sara turned to see Samantha standing there.
"Hi Samantha, are you tired of the entomology books?" she asked.
Samantha shook her head. 'No they are quite good, I just need the ladies room"
Sara brought her to the ladies room, but felt Samantha had more on her mind.
She did…
"Sara. I am so sorry for what my mom did – you know dropping me off like this… and for calling you a chippy and all"
Sara gave her a smile. "Although it was surprising, we are happy to have you" she replied.
"I'm glad someone is happy to have me… things haven't been that great … Sara at home" she said looking around in fright as if someone was out to get her.
Sara became alarmed.
"Samantha, we should talk in private" she said.
They then went to Gils office as standing in the hall outside the ladies room was hardly private.
"Tell me what's going on?"
"Mom went through many men before this guy she's marrying. This guy didn't want kids so he gave her an ultimatum Choose him or chose me. At first it was a tough choice. Then he upped the offer… He offered her an excellent life with a great car, money, vacations and more. Well we know what she chose"
She took a breath and continued. "My older brother lives with his father so there was no worries about him. Mom shipped Carl off to his father after the ultimatum. There was now only me to worry about and since this guy wanted no part of me or my upbringing he gave her that ultimatum, she sought out Grissom and here I am."
Sara closed her eyes. "Has the guy tried to hurt you?"
"Mentally he hurt me all the time. Physically no. He never laid a hand on me, but mentally, yes."
"What about the other boyfriends?"
Samantha sighed.
At the age of 5 I was at the 2nd grade reading level and still kept back in kindergarten even though the teachers and principal recommended me being jumped a grade. The boyfriends didn't think highly of me, being a girl and all, because I was a lot smarter than my brother, a boy who was 3 years older and struggling. My brother had substantial learning issues and the men in mom's life thought it would be disrespectful to my brother to promote me into a higher grade."
Sara cringed.
"As time went on, through elementary school, I was getting perfect gradeswithout even trying. I had one or two friends, that is all because the others called me a brown-noser and a suck up and other such nasty names. It was awful. When I would complain to mom about the bullying and begged her to let me be challenged in a higher grade, both she and her boyfriend would yell at me for being such a baby."
Samantha began to cry.
Grissom entered the office to see his girlfriend comforting Samantha, who was crying harder now.
"Samantha, can I tell Grissom what you told me?"
Samantha nodded.
Sara filled Grissom in with what Samantha had told her and Samantha added one or two things that Sara had forgotten to add.
Grissom told the girls to go to the break room because he had to make some calls.
He called the school Samantha had attended, then her mother. He wanted to make sure that Samantha was telling the truth before proceeding.
He called the school first.
"Hampton Elementary" the receptionist said.
"My name is Gil Grissom, I'm with the LV Crime lab. I have a question regarding Samantha Borland."
"Oh her, the resident genius"
"It's true?" he inquired.
The receptionist sighed. "Yes she is 10 years old and belongs in at least grade 7 or 8 but her mother won't promote her."
"Does this have something to do with her brother?"
"Yes, the brother has learning issues and was kept back in grade 6. They wouldn't promote Sam because it would disrespect and devastate the brother"
Gil sighed. "Thanks for your help"
"By the way where is Sam? She hasn't been in school for a few days."
Gil sighed again. "I'm her alleged father, she's with me. Don't worry I'll come to the school and talk to you. I can divulge any info, but after what you confirmed, we're investigating possible abuse of Samantha"
The receptionist breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness she's ok. She is a good kid, never gets in trouble. I hope during her absence she's continuing to strengthen her mind."
"Believe me, she is. She's reading my entomology book which is University level. Please inform her teacher that I'll be in contact with her regarding Samantha."
"I will. By the way, my name is Carrie Nixon and her teacher is Ava Maynard."
"Ok, thanks Carrie."
Gil hung up and sighed. The next call, the one to Candice would not be easy.