Chapter twenty one:
Warrick was sitting in his office when he walked in.
He knew he would be.
"I didn't want to leave this lying around," he said as he handed it to Grissom.
Grissom's shaking hands took the package as he sat down.
"Did you get any sleep?" asked Grissom.
"Not much. Is she alright?" he asked.
"She's fine, Warrick," he said with a slight smile.
"Griss, if there's anything I can do, let me know," he said.
"Thanks."
He watched as the young man left.
He stood and locked the door as he sat back down.
He breathed in deeply.
He did not want to do this.
There was no one else.
He did not want anyone to see the photos.
He knew Sara did not want the others to know what Hollister had done.
He knew she would be upset that Warrick had been told.
He had to do this for her.
He had to find enough evidence so Ecklie could force Hollister away from Vegas.
Treat it like a case…
Remove yourself…
This is just another case…
Don't let it get to you…
His fingers trembled as he opened the envelope.
The photos fell out onto the desk.
He was thankful they were in another envelope.
He took a deep breath and read the medical report.
Bruises on the wrists, torso, inner thighs and buttocks…
Bruising on wrists indicative of handprint…
Severe bruising on right ribs…
Will check for fracture…
Cuts and scratches on wrists and thighs…
Cut lip…
Internal tearing from forced…
He clenched his teeth as he read it.
His mind forced him to read some parts over and over since he found it hard to believe that Sara did not file charges.
How could she?
She would be going against her own DA's office…
She would face difficulty no doubt in her job…
David would have made it difficult for her…
Still…
He stared at the remaining envelope.
He started to take Warrick's advice, but he found himself opening it up.
He swallowed hard as he looked at each one.
He could not imagine the horror she went through at the hands of Hollister.
He knew what he was doing…
He knew he was inflicting pain…
He wanted to punish her…
He wanted to break her…
She refused a Hollister…
Sara was considered beneath him, and she refused him…
He wanted to teach her a lesson...
Prove who was in control…
He wanted nothing more than to kill the man.
He can cover a rape…
I can cover a murder…
He quickly put the photos up as soon as he heard the knocking.
He unlocked the door to find her standing there.
He quickly pulled her inside and shut the door.
She looked at him strangely as he took her into his arms and held her tight.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," he whispered. "I love you."
She smiled. "I love you too."
"Finished your case?" he asked.
"Done."
"Let's have dinner," she said.
He smiled. "I'd like nothing more."
"See…so much better than saying no," she said.
"Yes, it is."
"Let me put some things away, and I'll be ready," he said as he turned quickly.
He was not fast enough as she glanced around and read her name upside down.
"Why is my name on that…"
He turned quickly and looked at her.
"Gil?"
She reached for the envelope, but he refused to give it to her.
"What is it?" she demanded.
He stood and struggled to come up with an explanation.
He decided to tell her the truth.
"I had Warrick to obtain the medical records of your assault."
Hurt and confusion crossed her face.
"Sara…"
"Why?"
"I don't want that bastard around you."
"He can do whatever he wants…"
"Sara, all we have to do is give Ecklie enough evidence to flash in Hollister's face and…"
"It will be his word against mine."
"We have the medical report and…the photos.…"
Her eyes widened as her hand covered her mouth. "Oh God, Warrick saw..."
"Warrick read the report. He never looked at the photos."
"What about you?"
He said nothing.
She quickly bolted from the office.
He hurried after her.
"Sara!"
She stopped abruptly. "Don't!"
She did not stop again until she was out of the building.
He did not give up the pursuit.
"Sara!"
"You should have told me!"
"I didn't know what Warrick would find."
"I never wanted you to see that…to see what he did…wasn't it enough to see how damaged I am?" she cried.
He grabbed her by the arms.
"You're not damaged! He may have hurt you, but he didn't damage you!" he yelled.
The single tear that slipped down her cheek caused him to pull her close to him.
"I'm sorry. I'm just trying to protect you. He doesn't deserve to be free."
"I wish you had never seen the photos," she whispered.
"I'm sorry," he said again.
"He'll find out. Once he does, he's going to…"
"He'll leave you alone. He won't risk his political career with a scandal."
"I'm worried about you," she said. "He'll go after you…he'll try to attack your credibility…he might hurt your career," she said.
"Don't be. He can't hurt us Sara."
He held her again.
"Trust me?" he asked.
"I trust you."
Note from author:
Okay, here is where I issue an angst warning…I am finally headed home...I so want to go home.
Take care,
Penny