Chapter 36
Positioning his rifle over a rock Josh took aim. He caught P.J in his sights and squeezed the trigger...
The bullet pierced the glass like a hot knife through butter and P.J slumped forward in his seat.
Tony's eyes widened in horror, his heart lunging from his body in shock, but he was quick to act and leapt from the car. Ducking on his knees behind the back tyre he pulled his gun from the holster. He kept his head low and tried to gather his composure. 'Breath...breath...' He thought over and over and reached into his pocket for his radio.
"Damn it..." He grumbled, the radio was still on the dash.
Lying flat on the floor he looked under the car, attempting to see what the hell was going on. It still wasn't light enough and all he could pick up was the outline of Mal's body. He sat up and leaned against the car, banging the back of his head roughly against the body work. What the hell was he going to do? He needed to get to his radio. He scooted back to his knees and stayed low, he opened the car door but the second he raised his head a bullet hit the inner side of the door. He ducked quickly back behind the tyre.
"Fuck!" Josh grumbled. He never missed. He hated it when he missed. He moved quietly, edging closer to the car.
Tony's mind was in frenzy. He knew he was a sitting duck and had to worn Grissom somehow. He had to get to the cabin but could he make it? There was another shot and the far side front side tyre blew out then the back one.
With each shot fired Tony jumped. He had to move but something told him he would never make it. He flicked the safety off his gun; at least if he didn't get there he could warn them the best he could.
"To protect and serve..." He jumped up and ran as fast as his feet would allow towards the cabin.
Josh's lips pursed an evil smile as his eyes darkened. He squeezed the trigger.
Tony felt the bullet hit, it was almost like someone had thrust molten hot lava into his back. He tumbled to his knees. A faint smile quickly graced his lips as he put every ounce of strength he could muster into his fingers. As he fell forwards he fired, a shot echoed loudly through the trees and then all was silent.
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Grissom's head shot from his pillow, quickly followed by Sara's.
"What was that?"
Grissom shook his head quickly getting out of bed and grabbing his pants. "I don't know."
Sara looked to Michael in the centre of the bed, he was still sleeping. "It sounded like a gun shot."
It was almost dawn and the faintest of light was visible though the darkness. Grissom grabbed a flashlight from the dresser.
"I'm going to check it out."
Sara nodded quickly and began dressing.
Opening the front door Grissom poked his head out, scanning the flashlight around the area. The squad car was still there, but there were no signs of movement coming from it. He slowly walked towards the car.
"Hey guys did you hear something?"
No answer.
"Guys?"
Grissom caught the outline of Tony on the floor and his eyes widened. He cautiously ran to him and knelt on the ground. The blood poured from his back.
"Oh god..." Grissom whipped off his jacket and held it hard over the wound.
"Tony! Tony!" He checked for a pulse, it was there but very weak.
"Oh my god!"
Grissom looked up to see Sara, Michael in her arms, still fast asleep.
Grissom's eyes frantically darted through the darkness. She was here, she'd found them.
Thinking quickly he pulled Tony's gun from his holster and held it out to Sara.
"Take it and get back inside."
"What? No. I'm not leaving you out..."
"Now!"
Sara jumped.
"Please...Sara, get back inside. Call Brass, get an ambulance, I will just be a minute, I need to see if anyone else is hurt."
Sara's shaky hand reached out for the gun. "What's happening?"
Grissom shook his head. "I don't know."
"She's here isn't she? She shot Tony and..."
"Honey please, you're not safe out here and neither is Mike. Get inside, lock the door and don't open it until I tell you too. Okay?"
Swallowing hard Sara nodded. "Please hurry."
"I will."
Sara slowly backed away towards the cabin, their eyes never parting until she had to climb the stairs. Grissom didn't move until he saw her disappear and the door closed. He looked back to Tony.
"Hang on in there okay?" He whispered. Staying low he headed towards the patrol car. Peering inside the window he saw P.J, slumped against the dash. He knew straight away he was dead. The bullet hole in his right temple confirmed that.
Grissom grabbed the car radio but it fell apart. It had been destroyed. The radio on the dash also smashed to pieces. Taking a deep breath Grissom knew he had to get back inside and quickly, he willed himself to stay calm. He only prayed Sara had got through to Brass. He dropped the radio and turned to head back inside but he got no further. He didn't even see it coming. The object hit him brutally on the side of his head. His whole body trembled and he slumped to the floor with a heavy thud. An image of his wife flashed before his eyes before he passed out and became oblivious to the world.
Josh swung the baseball bat over his shoulder as Kate appeared behind him, grinning like a Cheshire cat. She looked at the cabin and then back to Josh.
"Home run." She laughed.
Josh smirked. "Thanks."
"Set him up. I'm going to see if we can get a little audience participation."
Nodding Josh Grabbed a hold of Grissom's ankles and dragged him across the dirt.
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Sara picked up the telephone. The line was dead. "Dear god..." She mumbled. Pulling out her cell she quickly dialled...
No signal.
She tried again.
"Brass..."
Sara's eyes widened. "Jim!"
Static...
"S..s..a..ra..." The phone crackled.
"Jim...P...lea...se..."
Beep...No signal. The phone cut off.
Sara screamed in frustration dialling again. No signal, over and over again. She threw the phone across the room.
"Pull yourself together Sara..." She muttered. Then she looked at Michael. She had to get him safe. She quickly placed him on the sofa and ran to the dresser. Pulling it from the wall she opened the hatch then ran back for her son. Carefully she carried Michael down the stairs and into the panic room, softly placing him on the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed and waited. "Come on Gil..."
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Grissom's eyes slowly flicked open. He groaned feeling the stabbing pain in his head but that was the least of his worries. He tried to move, he couldn't. His hands were bound tightly behind his back, he struggled but to no avail, then, he was being dragged.
"Oh god..." He chocked. He was being dragged upwards, by his neck. There was noose around his neck. He could hear his pulse throbbing through his ears as the rope got tighter and began lifting him from the floor. He kicked his legs attempting to stand, trying to take some of the strain from his neck...
Sara paced around the room. He was taking too long. Something was wrong. She knew it. She had to make a decision. Tears filled her eyes as she hovered over her son. She kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Be safe..." She chocked and walked to the button. Turning, she took one last look at Michael before she pressed it. She ran from the room and shivered as the door slammed behind her. Quickly running back up the stairs she replaced the hatch and cabinet. What ever happened, they would not get her son.
Sara took the gun from her pocket and opened the barrel. She frowned.
"What the..." There were only two bullets in the gun. Why were there only two bullets in the gun? She needed more. She needed something. Running to the kitchen she pulled open a drawer and took out a kitchen knife. She sighed; well it was better than nothing. Wrapping it in a cloth she shoved it in the front of her slacks and un-tucked her shirt, trying her best to conceal the weapon.
Suddenly Sara jumped, that familiar sinister voice sent a stab of fear through her soul as a loud knock hit the door.
"Oh Sara...come out, come out where ever you are..."
Sara ran to the living room and her back hit the wall. She swallowed hard as she shimmed towards the window. Peeking through the drapes she saw Kate outside the door and quickly stood back when Kate caught her presence.
Grinning Kate approached the window. "Aww Sara, are you not coming out to play?"
Sara stayed silent.
"I'm really sure your husband would appreciate if you participate in the game Sara...in fact, his life depends on it..." Kate grinned as she turned away and walked down the porch steps. "Take a look Sara..." She called as she walked away.
Sara waited a few moments before cautiously looking back threw the drapes. She saw Kate walking away from the cabin and then looked to her right.
Sara felt her world implode when she saw him. His feet left the ground just as her glance fell upon him. Josh behind him, pulling on the rope which he had hooked precisely through several thick tree branches like a make shift galley.
"Aaghhhh..." Grissom groaned under a muted breath as he was lifted from the ground. He struggled with a fearful intensity, trying to pull his bonds apart as the noose got tighter and tighter cutting off his airway.
"Oh my god!" She screamed. "No!"
Kate watched as Grissom kicked. "Feel good doc?" She laughed. "I've been very patient waiting for the moment to watch you squirm…"
Grissom chocked a distressed cry; it was all he could muster.
Sara didn't have a choice, if she stayed in the cabin her husband would die. She frantically headed for the door and unlocked it, almost falling out onto the porch. She ran down the wooden steps and towards Kate and Grissom.
"Stop!" Kate shouted raising a gun.
Sara came to a sudden halt her eyes terrified as she watched Grissom, his feet kicking, his body swinging. His face was a picture of pure horror, his eyes showing signs of petechia and his face was starting to bloat. The slightest gasp escaped from his trembling lips as he struggled to hold on, struggled for the slightest breath of air.
"Please...!" Sara screamed as she watched his time running out.
Kate looked across to Josh who leaning on his pickup. She nodded.
Josh reached into the back, pulled out a small stool and walked over to Grissom, placing it on the ground under his swinging and kicking feet.
"Relax Grissom and find you're footing," he chuckled as he stood back.
Despite his disorientation Grissom managed to manoeuvre his feet to the stool. It only allowed him the slightest relief from the noose and his neck still stretched. His feet barely landed on it but still it was enough to allow him to breath. He inhaled as deeply and quickly as he could through the agonising pain shooting around his whole neck, throat and back. It was not an easy position to stay in either especially with his hands bound. It was hard to balance and he fought hard to remain on the stool.
"You try and approach him Sara and he starts swinging again do you understand?"
Sara swallowed hard but quickly nodded as she watched Grissom struggle to keep his balance. Her eyes flicked briefly to Josh who was leaning comfortably against his truck.
Kate walked up close behind Sara.
"Not a bad set up you had here; too bad we knew where you were all along."
Sara frowned.
"Oh yes Sara, you should have checked your wheels before you left the little hideaway in Vegas. GPS trackers are marvellous things you know."
Sara kicked herself; she knew something was off that night when the car window got smashed.
"So where's the little one Sara?"
Sara turned her head to Kate. She swallowed hard again and looked back to Grissom. Their eyes met, nothing but fear spiralling within both. She remained silent.
Kate grinned. "No matter, I'll go find him myself after our, little game. Are you ready to play a game Sara?"
Sara could feel her heart pounding, now what?
"I believe you have a gun Sara?"
Sara frowned, how...?
Kate sniggered. "Do you think I would intentionally leave you a gun without reason?"
Sara didn't know what to say.
"You have the gun?" Kate asked again.
"Yes."
"Would you care to take it out Sara, but, very slowly and keep it pointed at the ground or the game will be over sooner than I want it to be. You get me?" Kate flicked the safety off her gun and Sara shuddered.
Sara slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out the gun, doing exactly what Kate had instructed her to do.
"Good." Kate grinned. "Did you check the barrel Sara?"
Sara nodded.
"Did you not wonder why there were only two bullets in the gun?"
Sara struggled to find an answer as she had done before.
Kate walked right up to Sara and she could feel her breath on her neck. "I'll tell you...two bullets, just enough..."
"Enough for what?" Sara wasn't sure if she actually wanted to know.
Kate grinned and walked around Sara, going to stand by Josh. Her glance fell upon Grissom then shot back to Sara.
"Enough for you to save your husband Sara, I mean it's only fair; he was given a chance to save you so...you should be shown the same courtesy."
Sara struggled for words.
"Have you ever fired your weapon in the line of duty Sara?"
Sara shook her head. "No."
Kate smiled. "Well Sara, now is your chance. Two bullets, that's all..."
Kate walked towards Grissom who watched her intently. Standing by him she looked him deep in the eyes and noted the slight redness that was showing in his pretty blue orbs. He could see the evil spiralling through hers.
"Two bullets Sara and I should think hmmm," she looked Grissom over from head to toe, "maybe about two minutes. He looks like a fighter. Oh sorry, that's before he chokes to death..."
Kate quickly kicked the stool away from under Grissom's feet.
Sara jumped in shock at what Kate had just done. "No!" She shouted but as she started towards them Josh cocked his rifle quickly and aimed it at her.
"Don't! Move!" He demanded gritting his teeth.
Sara froze, watching Grissom as he swung from the noose again. His feet kicking once more, his face pure devastation and pain.
"Better hurry Sara. Two bullets...Shoot the rope if you want him to live; it's just about thin enough."
"I could kill him!" She yelled, horror booming through every syllable of her words.
"Yeah," Kate gloated, "wouldn't that be fun?"
Sara felt lost as she looked at him. She hadn't fired a gun for so long, let alone hit a target like this.
"Not long left Sara..."
"God! I can't..." She cried.
Kate grinned. "That's entirely up to you my dear but, you are his only hope."
Grissom chocked desperately, feeling pain like he'd never felt before.
Sara looked deep within him and in spite of his disorientation she found permission within his eyes to do it, regardless of what the outcome may be. They had no choice.
Raising the gun Sara could feel herself shaking. She tried to compose herself, hell she tried. She could do this...she had too. Is she hit him; she would never forgive herself...
A/N: Agghhhh! Sorry to leave you hanging (on no I didn't just say that!) So how was the angst? Is it working? Will they make it? Will Sara miss? Ooooh wait and see :)