Chapter twenty nine:
"Hospital called and David Hollister is out of the coma. He's been asking about Sara. He's demanding to see you or Grissom!" said Catherine.
"I don't give a damn what he's demanding," said Brass.
"He said Sara's life depends on it," said Catherine.
Brass stood there in the hospital room.
He wanted nothing more than to kill the man, but he waited until the nurse cleared the room.
Nick and Warrick stood nearby.
"You wanted to see me?" asked Brass.
"Sara…how is Sara?"
"Like you give a damn!" said Warrick.
"Her lung was punctured. I tried to go for help…you found her right? I told you where to find her," he said.
Brass and Catherine looked at one another.
"You hurt her," said Brass.
"No! I didn't. Jenny and Brad did."
Catherine grabbed Brass by the arm.
"Jenny and Brad hurt Sara?" asked Catherine.
"Jenny told me that Sara was going to the cabin…that she had doubts about marrying Grissom so I should go out there…talk with her. I got knocked in the head. The next thing I remember
is waking up with Brad trying to rape Sara. I knocked the hell out of him and we ran. I knew they were after the money…ten million dollars. With me under arrest, Jenny gets control of our
father's company as well as the assets…ten million dollars."
He coughed.
Nick and Warrick walked forward.
"You raped Sara five years ago," said Warrick.
Nick and Catherine both looked at Warrick.
"I didn't do it. I was drugged. Brad and Jenny set it up to look like I had done it. Sara believed it. She was drugged as well. She thought I was a monster…I'm not!"
"If you didn't who did?" asked Warrick.
"Brad."
The room was silent.
"Look, they thought my father would disown me if they framed me for a rape…he didn't. He kept Jenny out of the will. He didn't like her choice of men…Brad. My father died last year. Jenny
decided to try again when I told her I was still in love with Sara and I planned to bring her back to San Francisco...the award banquet. This time they planned to kill Sara. They were going
to make it look like she had been raped and murdered by me. We got away….they're not going to stop until…"
He glared at Brass.
"Ask Sara! She knows the truth."
"Sara was pushed off a cliff," said Catherine.
Brad stared at them in disbelief.
He shook his head. "She can't be dead! I hid her in the woods…I told her I would get help. I did. I found you!" said David pointing at Nick. "She can't be dead!"
He struggled to get out of bed but was blocked by the uniformed officer.
He lay there and cried. "Can't be dead…I just wanted to protect her…just wanted her to love me again…never stopped loving her."
Catherine and Brass looked at one another.
"Sara is not dead. She just doesn't remember what happened," said Catherine.
"Where is she?" begged David.
No one answered.
"Look dammit! Those vultures are not going to stop until they kill her! If they think for a second she is a threat, they will try to finish the job. Get your asses out there and protect her!"
Brass and the others stepped outside.
"I'll call the local authorities and get them out to the cabin. I'm driving up there," said Brass.
"We're coming with you!" said Nick and the others.
"Catherine you better call Ecklie and fill him in," said Brass as they headed out the door.
"Be careful," she called to the men.
Brass glanced down at his watch and sighed.
"How much further?" asked Greg.
"It's taking longer cause of this damn rain," said Brass.
"I still can't get a connection," said Nick.
"Keep trying," said Brass. "Sara got a call out…not for long but…tell them to be careful," said Brass.
He cursed as the others stared at him.
"I helped Sara talk Grissom into bringing her up here," said Brass.
"She needed to remember," said Nick. "You know Sara. She doesn't want to leave a stone unturned."
"Yeah? Well these two are desperate. They can't afford to leave Sara or Hollister alive," said Warrick.
"No one is getting past the officers at the hospital," said Brass.
"My money is they'll go after Sara," said Warrick.
He had said what they all feared.
"Could you go a little faster?" asked Nick.
Brass floored it.
They arrived an hour later. The rain was now a slow drizzle. The front door of the cabin was wide open.
Brass and the others pulled their weapons as they stepped inside.
"No one is here…no sign of any struggle," said Warrick.
A shot rang out and they froze.
"It came over there!" yelled Brass.
They hurried.
Grissom pushed Brad and the gun discharged.
"Sara, run!" he yelled.
Grissom felt a blow to his side as he continued to struggle for the gun.
Sara released Bruno and the dog charged at Brad biting his leg and upper body.
Brad screamed out in pain as Grissom grabbed the gun and pointed it at Brad.
Bruno continued to bite Brad as he pleaded for the dog to stop.
"Bruno come," commanded Sara.
The dog retreated wagging his tail as he sat down beside Sara.
"Where is Jenny?" asked Grissom.
"I don't know," he said rubbing his leg.
Sara glared at him. "Bruno can attack at my command."
"I don't know! She was supposed to go to the hospital," said Brad.
"She's going to try to kill David," said Sara.
They heard voices and Grissom pulled Sara behind him.
They were relieved when it was Brass and the others.
"I thought you might need some help," said Brass looking at Brad. "I guess we were wrong."
"Jenny is still out there somewhere," warned Grissom.
Nick pulled off his jacket and covered Sara.
"We need to get you out of those wet clothes," said Nick.
Sara's hand locked with Grissom's as she pulled him away from Brad.
He handed Brass the gun. "Shoot him if he tries anything."
Brass glared at Brad. "That won't be a problem."
Grissom leaned down and kissed Sara.
She glanced at Brad but Grissom pulled her into his embrace as they walked down the path.
"So you think Bruno is an attack dog?"
She knew what Grissom was doing.
He was trying to keep her mind off Brad who stood there and glared at them as they walked away.
"He just likes us…besides his owner used to be Lady Heather…right?"
"I didn't think you would agree to take him if you knew," he said with a grin.
"Lady Heather has good taste…I wanted him…just like I wanted you."
"You know Lady Heather and I have only been friends," he said.
"I'll be sure and thank her in person for the dog," she said.
"That's not necessary," he said.
"Yes it is… I have a few things I want to talk with her about."
He stopped in the middle of the path.
"Like what?"
Sara smiled as she continued walking.
"Like what?" he asked again.
"Like…if you prefer leather over lace."
His jaw dropped open as the guys chuckled.
They soon arrived at the cabin.
Grissom shut the bedroom door and watched as she changed clothes.
"We need to get back," he said. "It's not safe as long as she is still out there."
"Did you get the local police to call the hospital?" she asked.
"Yes, I did."
She grabbed a sweater from the closet. "Ready" she said.
He stopped and held her for a moment.
"I'm sorry this had to happen…here. We made some good memories here," he said.
"We'll make some more," she said. "I like this place. We're coming back."
His hand cupped her face and he kissed her deeply.
"Love you, Sara."
"Love you," she said.
His hand swept across her forehead.
"You're warm…very warm," he said.
"I know…I usually get warm if I'm with you in a room with a bed."
He smiled. "We'll have you checked out at the hospital."
"Great…just great," she muttered.
"Surveillance hasn't picked up anything on Jenny," said Brass as he stood there in the hospital hallway with Grissom.
"You okay with this?" asked Brass.
"She wanted to see him," said Grissom trying not to sound too worried.
"I still don't like him. I sure as hell don't trust him," said Brass.
"Me either," said Grissom.
"Good," said Brass.
Nick handed the two men a cup of coffee.
"Thought you might need some," said Nick.
"Thanks Nicky," said Grissom as he glanced toward the door.
"How's Sara?"
"Pneumonia doesn't appear to be any worse despite her exposure to the elements," said Grissom as he glanced at the hospital room. "She has a slight fever but she insisted on seeing him."
"You okay with this?" asked Nick. "I mean, the guy's not squeaky clean and you know how Sara is? She tends to blame herself."
"That's why I had to let her see him…so she can see he's better."
Sara sat there in the chair and rubbed her temple.
She was tired.
Her eyes shot up when she heard him call her name.
"David," she said.
His eyes opened and he smiled. "Thank God, you're okay."
"They caught Brad but they haven't found Jenny," she said.
"If they don't, I will. She's not getting away with this," he said.
Sara said nothing.
"Sara, I never would have hurt you…you know that, right?"
She nodded slowly.
"You've got to be careful until Jenny is caught. Understand?"
She nodded again.
He tried to pull himself up but winced from the pain.
"Worse than any hangover I've ever had."
He stared at her.
"You don't look well. You should go home and rest," he said.
"I am tired. I just wanted to come by and see you."
His eyes lit up.
"Sara…"
"I love Gil. I always have and I always will. I just wanted you to know I don't blame you for what Jenny and Brad did to me."
"Did to you? They took you from me!" he yelled.
She shook her head.
The hallway became quiet when they heard David's outburst. Grissom stepped closer to the door.
He wanted to go in there but knew he couldn't.
This was between Sara and David.
"David, they may have…I'll never forget what they did, but they did not take me away from you. I didn't love you. It's the reason it didn't bother me that you called off the engagement. Sure,
it hurt that I thought I wasn't good enough for you or your family, but the moment I met Grissom, even that didn't matter."
David sat there stunned.
"I'm sorry," said Sara as she stood.
They both glanced at the door when it opened.
It was Hollister's attorney.
"Mr. Hollister, They've located your sister's car. She wrecked…Her body burned up on impact."
The room was silent.
"Good," he finally said. "She needed to burn in hell."
"Sir, there's the matter of Scotty. Social Services was called in when the nanny did not hear from the parents. The child has been placed in foster care."
Sara's eyes met his.
"Why wasn't I notified? They know to notify me immediately if anything happens to Scotty!"
"Sir, you were in no condition…"
"I'm not leaving him with strangers!"
He attempted to get out of bed but was stopped by his attorney.
"David, this is not going to help your son."
Sara's eyes grew wide.
David exhaled deeply.
"Scotty is mine. His mother and I…she died during child birth. Jenny offered to take the baby…to avoid a scandal…and to receive monthly hush money. I provided for the child…no one knows
he's mine. Part of the legacy my father left me…hide your skeletons so your political opponents can't find them."
He winced as he tried to reposition himself in the bed.
"He's innocent in this mess," said David. "I'm not about to let anyone harm him. I love him."
"Sir, we can still keep this quiet," said the attorney.
"I'm sick of the lies," yelled David. "My son should have been with me at all times…not with her or Brad. I had to sneak around to see my son…to hold him…not anymore!"
"I'll notify Services, they'll give custody to an uncle."
"You tell them I'm his father! I have proof Scotty is mine."
"I'll do everything I can," said the attorney.
"I mean it….I want him out of the hands of those people as soon as possible."
The attorney nodded.
Sara headed toward the door.
"Sara, thank you for coming by," he said.
She nodded as she stepped out of the room.
Grissom took her by the arm. "Let's get you home."
"Home sounds good," she said.
The others watched as they walked away.
"I'm worried about them," said Nick.
"We'll just have to keep an eye out for them," said Brass as he stared at the attorney when he hurried down the hall.
Note from author:
As you can see, it is far from over...leave a review. Hey, I have a favor to ask of my readers. My daughter is doing a project for school in which she has made this paperdoll named Stanley. She is supposed to send Stanley all over the U.S as well as other countries. Stanley needs to have his picture taken in these different locations...just one or two. It counts as part of her Social Studies project. I was wondering if any of you would like to help? If so, please send me your actual mailing address through my private email address which you can find on my bio page. I will send a copy of Stanley to you along with a self addressed envelope for his return. You could send the photos by email if you wanted to...anything to make it easier.
Thanks in advance!
Take care,
Penny
