Chapter 24

James Craig sighed heavily and pushed his last hundred dollars into the bet square. Two cards were dealt to him, an ace and a four. The dealer showed a king.

"God damn it." He mumbled. He had to take a card. "Hit me."

The dealer dealt him a third card, a six. James smiled, finally a little luck, but his smile quickly faded as the dealer flipped over his other card. The ace of spades.

"Black Jack." The dealer declared.

James slumped back in his seat, he was done. Well and truly done. Another five thousand dollars gone, this time it took just two hours. Could he ever get a break? With his mind in yet another total haze he decided it was time to call it a night and go home. On the way he had to decide how he was going to tell his wife he had just lost their monthly rent amongst other things.

Walking from the elevator into the parking deck the cool night air sent a shiver down his spine. His lengthy sigh echoed through the darkness as he reached his car. His old, crappy, piece of shit car. He'd be lucky if it even started. He opened the door and got in. The intense urge to bang his head against the steering wheel enlightened his senses.

"Well, well, well..." Came the chuckling voice from the back seat.

James turned his head quickly to see Kate grinning at him. His eyes widened in horror. Before he could say anything the passenger door opened and Josh got in. His eyes pierced through James's and James swallowed hard. He looked back at Kate.

"What the hell are you doing here? Don't you know the whole of Vegas is looking for you right now?"

"Oh I know honey." Kate cooed. "But I have important business to take care of and you are going to help me accomplish that."

James shook his head. "Like hell I am! I've done all I'm going to do for you. I don't want any part of it."

Kate looked at Josh who grinned.

"Really?" Kate sniggered.

"Yes. Now get the hell away from me. You're lucky I don't call security and have your ass arrested right now, in fact, maybe I should."

"Oh go ahead and while you're at it you can explain the twenty thousand dollars Josh gave you for your little envelope dropping in Grissom's office. At the same time you can explain your drug and gambling addiction to your Captain. I'm sure he's a good listener. But wait..." Kate held her finger to her lip in mock shock. "...you can explain all of it to your wife, erm Anne, isn't it? Oh and your lovely daughter Christine, I'm sure she'd be happy to hear all about daddy's problems. Maybe I should pay them a visit and explain it all to them. I did want to take a peek inside your house you know, looks quite lovely."

James's mouth dropped open and his chin quivered. "You've been to my house?" He stuttered.

Kate nodded. "Lovely!"

James slowly shook his head. "You stay away from my family." He knew exactly what Kate was capable of.

Kate smiled. "As long as you do me one more favour, and don't worry we will make it worth your while. Another twenty thousand dollars and after tonight hun, I think you need it, am I wrong?"

James licked his lips at the promise of the cash. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to find out where Sara Grissom is."

James frowned. "Forget it; there is no way I can get that information even if I wanted it."

Kate smirked. "Why is that?"

"Because that case is sealed tighter than you could possibly even imagine. No one apart from those actually working on it knows anything about it and they don't go around spreading the info you know."

"Well I'm sure there is a file and I'm pretty certain I can tell you where it will be. In fact, there should be the perfect opportunity for you to get access to it tomorrow. You find that file James, you hear me? You have until tomorrow at 5pm. Call me when you have what I want. Or we will be stopping by your house for a little chit chat. You get me?"

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Sara finished up the dinner dishes and looked at her watch. 9pm. She walked over to the front window and stared at the squad car. At least it had stopped raining now. She pulled her cell phone from her pocket. She was sure she would get a signal now. Flipping it open she hesitated, closing it softly she sighed. Damn him. He didn't care enough to call her why she should call him? It wasn't as if she could even change anything. He'd abandoned them; it was as simple as that. Looking over to Michael her lips turned a slight smile. He was fast asleep on the sofa. Picking him up carefully Sara held him against her shoulder and carried him to the bedroom. He flopped loosely in her caring arms as Sara undressed him and she felt growing sadness form in her heart as she remembered their wedding night and undressing Michael in the same way. How can so much happiness turn into so much pain? Carefully she lay Michael down and covered him with the blankets. She promised herself there and then she would never let anyone harm her son again. Ever! She would give her life, if that's what it took. She was tired but yet Sara knew it would take a miracle for sleep to take her. Alas, she had to try. She lay next to her son and stared at the ceiling, praying that this would all end soon.

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Sara opened her eyes and looked at the clock as she felt Michael stir. 7am. She reached over and stroked his hair as he opened his eyes.

"Hey baby."

Michael smiled.

"You sleep okay?"

Michael nodded.

"Want some breakfast?"

Nodding quickly Michael sat up and Sara followed suit. "Okay, we'll have some breakfast then mommy will give you a bath."

"Mommy bath too?"

"You want me to bath with you?"

"Yes."

"Alright, if you want me too."

Michael suddenly jumped into Sara's arms and held on tightly. Sara was a little shocked.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Mommy no leave. Mike no like lonely."

"Hey hey. Sara pulled Michael's face back so their eyes met. I'm not going to leave you okay? Ever. You understand me?"

"Pwomice?"

Sara grinned and kissed his forehead softly. "I promise. Have I ever broken a promise to you?"

Michael shook his head.

"I will never leave you and I promise you will be safe."

Now Michael smiled.

"So.." Sara stood pulling Michael in her arms as she went, he held on. "Shall we go make that breakfast?"

Michael kissed Sara softly on the cheek. "Yes."

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Grissom headed down the lab corridor towards the front desk to meet Brass. He couldn't deny he was nervous but this was a huge step. He would be out in the open and he knew Kate could come at him from any direction.

Brass leaned against the reception desk as Grissom approached.

"Ready?"

Grissom nodded.

"You sure you want to go through with this?"

"I'm sure."

"There's no guarantee she's gonna take the bait on this you know?"

"I know but I'm sure we can entice her right?"

Brass gnawed on his bottom lip a little. "Maybe."

"So we're ready?"

Brass nodded. "Two unmarked cars will be following us and there will be two others waiting at the prison. So, we have plenty of back up if we need it."

"So let's go."

Brass sighed a little. "Okay."

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There was a knock at the door as Sara prepared the eggs and muffins for breakfast. Michael looked up curiously.

"Oooh, badge?" He asked hopefully.

"Stay there." Sara requested as she checked through the window before opening the door.

Tony greeted her with a glorious smile. "Morning Sara."

Sara smiled back; it made a change to be greeted with such a look of happiness. "Morning Tony."

"How are you this morning?"

Sara tried to smile; she should at least be polite back. "We're okay thank you."

Michael snuck up behind Sara and Tony saw him peeking out from behind her leg. He grinned as he knelt to Michael's level. Michael watched his every move.

"Hey little man I have something for you."

Michaels face beamed pure joy as Tony pulled the small replica police badge from his pocket and held it out so Michael could see it. Sara chuckled at the look on her sons face. Michael's gaze was fixated on the badge.

"Now, you can have this on one condition Michael."

Michael nodded quickly.

"You look after your mommy and make sure that you are a good boy for her alright?"

Sara looked up at Tony and felt a lump in her throat. This guy was just way too sweet.

"Yes!" Michael shouted.

"Okay." Tony laughed at Michael's enthusiasm. "There you go." He handed the badge to Michael who took it with such pride it was almost like he'd been award the bravery cross. Michael held it closely to his chest and ran to the sofa.

"Thank you Tony, I think you just made his year."

"My pleasure."

"Hey, do you guys want some breakfast?"

"We shouldn't really, I should get back, protect and serve remember?"

"You sure?"

"Yes, thank you but I appreciate the offer."

Sara smiled. "You are more than welcome."

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Bobby Steven's pumped weights in the prison gym. The ugly smell of male perspiration spilled through the room.

"Stevens!" A guard shouted.

Bobby placed the weight on its rack and looked over at the guard.

"Visitors."

Bobby frowned. It wasn't visiting day. "Who the hell is it?"

"Do you think I give a fuck? Get your ass up now!"

Bobby cursed to himself before pulling himself to his feet and following the guard. Bobby's frown grew as they approached some interview rooms rather than the visitor area.

"Get your ass in the there." The guard demanded opening the door.

Bobby didn't argue and entered the room.

"Sit!"

"Hey why don't you try being a bit more polite huh?"

"Oh you want polite do you?" The guard grinned. "Wait till you're through then I'll show you polite."

"Whatever."

The guard closed the door and turned to see Brass and Grissom. "He's all yours."

"Thanks." Brass replied. "You can go back to your duties; we can take it from here. If I need you I will call you."

"Yes sir Captain."

Bobby drummed his fingers on the desk as the door opened. His mouth caught flies as he saw Grissom and Brass enter.

"What the fuck do you want?" He went to stand.

A/N: I hope everyone is enjoying the story, the pace will pick up pretty soon, at least for a little while. Many thanks for all the reviews I always try my best to reply to all of them! Please keep them coming.