A/N: Hey guys. Here we go with another chapter. I have to say I really feel for Sara in this one. Poor Sara. Bad hat! Lol.
Thanks for your continuing support and great reviews. Please, please, please keep your thoughts coming. It's why us writers write – to get your feedback. It makes up happy.
So no more ramble, let's see how Sara's going to react to the little movie Basderic prepared… Eeeep….
Chapter 20
The team hurried to the AV lab, Russell sticking closely to Sara and keeping a very watchful eye on her.
No prints had been found upon the envelope or the disc, not that anyone really expected there to be any.
Archie slowly stood from his desk as the CSI's rushed in, removing the headphones from his ears. "What's up guys?" he asked as Russell moved to large center monitor.
"A disc came for Sara," Greg informed him as no one else really seemed to be paying any attention to the lab rat.
"Oh…" the young technician mumbled, leaving his audio task for a moment to hover with the group. After all, he was the audio/visual specialist so he might actually be of some use.
Brass entered the room just as Russell inserted the disc into the player. "This better be good," Brass said pointing over his shoulder, "Because I left Hodges watching our suspect and I don't think he's all that happy about it."
All eyes apart from Sara's gave him an astonished look and he just gave everyone a false smile. Sara however was unable to move or pull her attention away from the blank screen staring back at her.
Sara felt her legs turn a little to jelly as everyone crowded together. She recalled Nick's kidnapping and a similar situation. The team was very different now but it felt like she was back in that very same room.
But it wasn't the same. This time it was her husband. She only prayed to god that what they were about to see wasn't going to be like what Nick suffered.
Everyone looked at the monitor as Russell stepped back. It took a few seconds but then an image popped up and everyone knew it was Grissom they were looking at.
Sara's head kinked a little to the right as her eyes focused. "Oh my God," she whispered. She felt an arm wrap around her waist but she didn't really acknowledge it. She just couldn't take her eyes from the screen. Finn held her closely and it was a good job because as soon as the figure in black appeared, she felt her entire body swaying.
No one in the room said a word as the mysterious figure held up an appliance to the incarcerated former CSI.
"You know what this is?"
Every nerve ending in Sara's body stood on end when the kidnaper hit the trigger on the stun gun and she shuddered as the sound of the electric charge ricocheted through her husband's prison.
"Answer the question, do you know what this is?"
"Yes, it's a stun gun…"
Sara whimpered as her husband answered. His voice was so pained, so fragile. But she had confirmation it was him. And for now he was alive. For now…
"Good…"
The team watched as the figure disappeared from view. Nick had his fists firmly planted in his hips, Greg was chewing on his knuckles, Brass looked like he was ready to shoot someone. The air in the room was so thick, you could have iced a cake with it.
Sara's heart pitched up another notch as her husband suddenly began to beg and it sounded like he was begging for his life.
"Oh, God…Please….no…don't.Not again. I'm begging you…"
Russell immediately got what was going to happen as the figure reappeared holding a spike and a mallet. His right eye twitched for a second. Spike…..
He shrugged the thought aside for now and concentrated on the video. He had already identified Grissom's left hand injury. That must have been what they'd heard during the phone call at the airport and he knew the right hand was about to receive the same fate. He rushed forwards and hit pause on the recording, stepping in front of the screen to block it.
Sara looked at him and blinked.
He swallowed heavily, flexing his fingers in and out as he looked into her eyes. "I don't think it's a good idea for you to be watching this," he said as gently as he could. His mouth hung open as he sought the right thing to say. However he said it though, it wouldn't make it any easier. "I think we can all guess what's about to happen and…"
"Put it back on," Sara demanded. "Now…"
Swiping a hand over his mouth Russell looked back to the screen. Grissom was already a mess. Beaten, bleeding, helpless and at the mercy of his kidnapper. He dreaded what was about to come and he feared the worst and Sara's reaction.
"Maybe he's right, Sara," Brass said attempting to dissuade her, placing a gentle hand upon her shoulder. "It's all part of the plan, you now that. You don't have to see this…"
She bitterly shrugged her friend off and he took a step forward. "I said put it back on," she repeated. "I have to see this no matter how bad it is. I need to know…"
Russell looked up, taking a moment, gritting his teeth together in thought. He really didn't want her to watch the footage but he understood. If it were him, he would want to see it also. "Okay," he conceded, even if he knew it wasn't the right decision.
He hit play again and cleared a path to the screen. Everyone continued watching.
"Maybe we'll have time to get to your feet…"
The entire room watched in horror as the mallet was raised and the spike was drilled straight through Grissom's hand.
Sara's own hand immediately shot to her mouth and her eyes clouded with tears as the crack of his bone and then his uncontrollable screaming tore through the silence in the room.
But still, she couldn't take her eyes from him.
Morgan turned away for a second, as did Archie. It was a little too much for the two.
"Dear, Jesus," Nick whispered as he witnessed his former mentor flailing around like a rag doll.
Now Sara sobbed as her husband passed out and his attacker vanished from view again.
"Something tells me this isn't over," Brass said, his voice, heavy, rough, emotional.
Indeed he was right for then came the wakeup call with the water and then the stun gun.
"God, no…" Sara wept as Grissom was hit with the first wave of electrical assault. She jumped again and again as the trigger was pumped, as did most of the team members in the room.
Tears trickled down Sara's cheeks as she watched the entire attack from start to finish. Her entire mind a whirlwind of dizziness, her stomach a pit of horror and anguish. Finn held onto her a little tighter as her body began to quiver.
When the attacker finally stepped back, after another pleading attempt from Grissom, every face in the room looked dazed. Tears fell, not just from Sara. Both Greg and Archie swiped away a few fallen drops. Everything went deathly silent, the footage continuing to roll…
"You want some more?"
"No."
"Say please…"
"Please…"
The person in black turned and approached the camera. "Time really is running out."
Click – The screen went black.
Everyone just stared dumbly at the blank screen for a moment. It hadn't seemed to filter through anyone's brain yet that the footage had finished and the beating was over. Eventually, Russell slowly turned to face the group.
Sara wretched, without warning, pulling away from Finn so sharply, the older CSI almost leapt out of her skin not expecting the sudden action. Sara pushed Greg out of the way and just about managed to reach the waste paper basket before her entire stomach contents were relieved into it.
Everyone watched, their faces highlighting nothing but devastation and they all looked at each other for guidance. Slowly, Finn approached her co-worker and placed a gentle hand in the center of her back just as another wave of vomit came.
"Try and take some deep breaths," Finn advised, softly rubbing Sara's back. "Nice and easy, just breathe…"
Russell drew closer, gnawing on his bottom lip. Images of the video stuck in his head. He knew there was so much to look at in the footage but first his priority was Sara.
After a minute or so, Sara straightened herself out and took a breath. She wiped her mouth on her jacket sleeve and her tears on the backs of her hands. Her eyes were blood shot, lost, angry…
She pushed passed Finn to stumble towards the door.
"Sara…" Greg began, his plea nothing but concern for his friend.
Reaching the open door Sara stopped and leaned against it. Crouching down without a single word she held her head in her hands.
Russell took Greg's arm as he went to move towards her. "Just give her for a minute," he advised softly. "She'll need a little time…"
Greg swallowed, looking to his boss. "I don't know if any amount of time is going to help her get over that." He pointed sharply to the screen. "What kind of an inhuman monster does that to someone?" the young CSI shouted now.
"Greg calm down," Nick pleaded, stepping up to his friend and colleague.
"Grissom's my friend and were letting that asshole get away with this," Greg held his ground and continued on a rant.
Now everyone pitched in and a small squabble began. Every person highlighting their frustrations at the circumstances. All in the room, whether they knew Grissom or not, wanted to find him, so after the footage, tension was certainly running high.
"Enough!" Russell shouted, stopping the bickering.
The room silenced. "This isn't going to help anyone now is it?" He ran a hand through his hair. "Now everyone take a breath and calm down, okay? We're a team, no arguing. Not now. We got that?"
Everyone looked regretful and all mumbled some form of apology.
"This video could very well be our key to finding Grissom, so let's…" Russell continued but he was cut short.
Nick looked back to the door and his eyes widened. "Oh hell….Where did Sara go?" he asked, shooting towards the now empty space.
"Oh, no…." Russell mumbled darting from the room and into the corridor. Everyone but Archie followed him and looked around.
"She was just there," Nick insisted, holding out a hand.
"Okay, okay…" Russell thought quickly. "Finn, check the bathroom, Greg, the break room, Nick, the locker room. Jim you better make sure she hasn't gone for our suspect down in the interview room. Morgan, check the labs. I'll go this way, you go that way. Everyone, Go…now!"
The team frantically dispersed, running in all directions.
Archie shook his head. Still trying to comprehend what he'd just seen. But, he had to push his personal feelings aside and do the job he was paid to do. He pulled up a chair by the monitor, flicked the recording to the start and hit play…
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Russell spun on his heels at the end of the corridor. He'd checked the entire east side and nothing. Retracing his steps he pulled out his cell and hit Sara's name.
The cell rang five times before cutting to answer phone. "This is Sara, leave a message."
Working his jaw Russell kept his eyes alert just in case she surfaced. "Sara, where did you go?" he said into the appliance. "I know your hurting, honey, but we don't have time for this. Just let me know where you are…"
He bumped into Greg and Nick as he reached the AV lab again.
"We can't find her," Greg said. "She isn't anywhere."
Russell's eyes narrowed and he looked around again. "She isn't anywhere here," he deduced, backing away, turning and high tailing it towards reception.
Nick and Greg ran after him.
The supervisor literally skidded into the front desk. "Have you seen Sara?" he asked, taking a well needed breath.
"Yeah. She left about five minutes ago," the receptionist answered. "Looked like she was in a hurry too. Although, she didn't seem very happy or...very with it to be honest with you. She looked a little dazed."
The three CSI's looked at each other.
"She's going after him," Russell said.
Nick nodded.
"Greg, tell Brass. Tell him she's going after Basderic and to get the hell over there now." Russell didn't wait for his CSI to reply and was out of the front entrance in a flash, Nick hot on his heels.
They ran to Russell's truck and jumped inside.
Nick pulled out his cell and tried calling Sara. It went straight to voice mail. "Sara...Sara don't do this. You need to calm down, okay? You know this is what he wants. Don't give in to him. Come on Sara…pick up…"
He sighed as he ended the call.
Russell had his foot flat on the gas. "I knew letting her watch that footage was a mistake," he grumbled.
Nick cracked his neck, feeling the frustration oozing through him. "Not your fault, Russell," he argued. "Sorry, but with your permission or without it, she would have watched that disc. And if you were in her shoes, you would have too." He tried calling again and still no luck. "I feel guilty for not watching her. We should have been watching her…"
Checking the digital clock on the dash, Russell nodded. "Yeah we should…but there's nothing we can do apart from pray we get there in time…"
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Sara pulled her car to slow halt in the street across from Basderic's home. She watched through the window, just like she had done not so long ago.
Her phone vibrated on the seat again but unlike her previous visit to Basderic's house, she didn't answer it this time. She had absolutely no intention of answering it. Her slender fingers coiled around her weapon which sat next to her cell and she checked the barrel before snapping it closed.
Tears burned her eyes as she slipped the weapon into it's holster. Such a mixture of emotion was running through her head. Pain, hate, desperation, guilt but most of all fury. The man inside that house had tortured her husband and tortured him to a point that he could no longer even keep his own consciousness.
As the bile began to rise in her throat again, she pushed the car door open, slamming it closed behind her.
She knew Grissom's condition would be worsening by the second after now knowing the extent of his injuries and indeed his time was running out.
She wanted answers.
She needed answers.
And at that point, she didn't care what she had to do to get them.
Sara felt like she was floating as she crossed the street and approached his door. Stopping by the entrance to his home, she took a deep breath and pulled out her gun. Her heart was pounding, adrenaline pumping so fast through her veins she almost felt dizzy as she coiled her hand around the door knob and twisted.
The door wasn't locked and she slowly pushed it open. The house was exactly as she remembered it and she shuddered once she'd stepped inside. This was the last place on earth se really wanted to return to.
Her eyes scanned around as she took a few more steps into the living space and her head snapped around when he walked out from the kitchen.
Sara raised her gun, pointing it right at him, strong and determined. Tears of fury burned her eyes again and her finger tensed on the trigger.
He saw her immediately and froze, dropping the bag of chips which he had in his hand.
She kinked her head to the left, her nostrils flaring at the man she despised so very much. "There's a firing pin in it this time," she growled. "You are one sick bastard!" she shouted, thrusting the gun forwards through her anger.
He slowly held up his hands. "I don't know what you're talking about," he denied. "And what are you doing here? You're breaking my restraining order again. Shame on you. You're going to get me in trouble."
"Do you think this is a game?" Angrily, she pulled back the safety. "I'll break more than your fucking restraining order," she roared, trying to hold back her tears. "How could you do that to him?" A tear slipped down her cheek. "You've crippled him…"
Basderic shook his head. "I haven't done anything."
"Liar!" she hollered, taking another step closer. "You tell me where he is RIGHT NOW or I'm going to end you!"
He smiled smugly. "I doubt that."
Sara tensed her finger on the trigger and fired. The bullet whizzed past Basderic and shattered a vase on the table behind him. He jumped and looked to the shattered porcelain in shock.
Now he looked worried as his attention shot back at her.
"Next time, I won't miss," Sara threatened. "Where… is… he?"
Basderic took a step back just as Nick and Russell ran in the open door.
Both CSI's came to a grinding halt in the doorway and Nick tried to calm her. "Sara..." he began, holding up a pleading hand.
She didn't flinch and kept her gun on Basderic.
"Sara, put the gun down," Nick begged taking one small step closer.
"He did this..."
Russell remained silent realizing Nick probably had a better chance of talking her down. But then Brass joined the party, followed by Greg and the captain wasn't happy at what he saw.
Nick looked to the lawman and Brass gave a quick nod, stepping forwards and taking over.
"Sara, listen..." Brass began slowly edging towards her. "Please…listen to me, okay?"
Turning her head to look at him, another tear fell down her cheek.
"You know this isn't you...and you know he's not worth you spending the rest of your life in a cell." He slowly raised his hand. "This isn't going to find Gil. Honey…give me the gun."
Her attention shifted back to Basderic. She so wanted to pull the trigger. The pain this man had put her through and now the torture he was inflicting upon her husband...
Brass got closer and closer until his hand carefully slid over her weapon and he gently pushed her hand down. She didn't fight him and bowed her head, allowing him to take the weapon from her fingers. The captain held the gun behind him, passing it to Nick.
Softly taking Sara's arm, Brass gently pulled her towards the entrance. She didn't say a word as he lead her out of the house and closed the door but the second they were out of sight from those inside he pulled her into a mammoth hug and she cried into his shoulder.
He held her tightly, sliding a caring hand to the back of her head as she uncontrollably cried into him. "We'll get him," he whispered. "I promise…We'll get him…"
A/N: Ugh, heavy. *Sniff* I don't see things going well for Sara after this. Wonder how Basderic is going to react and what's next? What do you think? :)