Chapter 21:

While they talked, Sara's pager buzzed. She pulled out her cell phone and returned the call. She held the phone out, speaker on, so that they could both hear. Grissom put his arm around her shoulders and drew her in close, their heads angled together around the phone.

"Detective Simons," said the voice on the phone.

Sara answered, "This is Sara Sidle, you paged me?"

"Yes, we have some news regarding Jane Doe. Her name is Connie Webster; her father confirmed her identification last night. We didn't find much at the suspect's apartment, but we did find some shoes with organic matter – leaves and seed pods – and mud that looks similar to that on the victim's feet and clothes. Unfortunately, the hair sample didn't have enough root left for a DNA identification."

"Do you think there would be enough plant material for DNA comparison?" asked Grissom.

"Oh, hello Dr. Grissom, I didn't expect you…" Simons replied, "That's an idea. I can ask our DNA technician,"

Sara asked, "Did you find any evidence of recent travel, or of a connection to the Philippines?"

"We didn't find his passport, though according to the state department he has been issued one. He received a visa for Australia, but nothing for the Philippines. The airlines have no record of recent ticket sales or travel."

"What about the Philippine tick? It had to travel here somehow. Check with cargo flights from the region as well, perhaps the bug hitched a ride on someone else," Grissom suggested, "Also, have your DNA technician draw a blood sample from the tick and process it. It should show the DNA for both the victim and the person who carried it to the scene."

"Is that really possible?" asked Simons.

"Yes, I've used that technique more than once to place a suspect in contact with the victim."

"Thanks, I'll get on that right away. I'll keep you posted. I thought this case was dead in the water, but perhaps we still have a chance of solving it."

"Glad we could help," replied Grissom. Sara said goodbye to Simons and hung up the phone.

"Do you want to spend the rest of the afternoon working the case?" Sara asked.

Gil leaned over and kissed her then said, "No, they can take care of it; I'd rather spend the day alone with you."

When they were finished with the Maritime Museum, they took a long stroll down the promenade to Pier 41 and the ferry to Alcatraz. The afternoon tour was sold out, but Gil found some tourists willing to sell them their tickets for a profit. He rented the tapes and equipment for the audio tour of the prison complex.

"I've always wanted to see Alcatraz," Sara commented, "But it seems like you never see the important sites in your home city."

Grissom reflected, "I've put a lot of criminals in prison. I've walked through the halls and yards of many modern prison complexes, but I imagine the effect of this isolated island, the hopelessness in the midst of the beauty of San Francisco Bay, was even more disheartening for these prisoners."

Sara nodded, and they found a place on the rail of the ferry to watch the scenery of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge as they took the short ride to the island. The sun glinted off Sara's dark hair drawing his attention. Sara smiled up at him, and the joy jumped from her eyes to his. He turned and wrapped his arms around her, oblivious of the crowd on the deck behind them.

"This has been a wonderful day, Sara. I don't think I have ever been this happy," he said. He reached up and caressed her cheek with his hand, allowing it to slide around the back of her neck. His fingers entwined in her hair; he leaned over and kissed her lovingly. They continued kissing, ignoring the beautiful scenery that passed by. Finally, the ferry's whistle blew indicating their arrival on Alcatraz Island. They wove their fingers together as they walked down the ramp and prepared for their audio tour of the infamous prison.

When they arrived back at the pier following the tour, they hailed a cab, and rode back to the hotel, snuggling in the back seat. Gil went up to his room and Sara drove to her apartment to change for their evening on the town.