CSI ain't mine...but you knew that already, didn't ya.
Rated T for profanity and sexual innuendo.
Chapter 39: Orders
Ecklie was out for their heads. He never liked Warrick to begin with and while he did see potential in Nick Stokes, he made the Department look bad by beating up Jimmy Cole the way he did. Stokes knew better then to take the law into his own hands. As far as Ecklie was concerned, losing your temper and control of yourself is just as criminal as Mr. Cole's actions in his book…and the law books too.
"Gil?" Ecklie stood at the open door of Grissom's office.
"I want you to know that the investigation with Warrick Brown is at a crossroad…a dead end, if you will.
Gil Grissom nodded silently waiting for more from Conrad, knowing the man gets joy out of slamming his team.
"It seems that the LVPD Officers on the scene of the alleged beating, involving CSI Brown and Mr. Cole, claim there was, in fact, no such beating and the complaint is unfounded." Conrad Ecklie raised his eyebrow. "And Captain Brass, who was implicated in the assistance and defense of Mr. Cole, has gone on record as stating that James Cole is mistaken and the accusation has no merit."
Gil nodded and knew Conrad didn't believe the statements but he had no way of proving otherwise.
"So, while I am apprehensive of the statements made by these officers, I have no proof of any wrong doing by CSI Brown and therefore he may continue active service beginning Monday morning." he said flatly. "The victim has no way of…"
"The victim?" Gil tilted his head slightly. "Oh, right, you mean the man who beat the hell out of a young woman who is now in a coma and fighting for her life? That victim?"
"You know who I am speaking about, Gil," Conrad said glaring at him.
Gil squinted his eyes, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Now, in the case of CSI Stokes. He has bigger problems." Ecklie took a deep breath.
"Nick is accused of beating Mr. Cole extensively. Mr. Cole has apparently suffered a shattered nose, cracked eye socket, and fractured cheekbone. Not to mention extreme lacerations on his face, all allegedly by the hands of your CSI Nick Stokes."
Gil twisted his mouth listening.
"I have Days on the investigation as your Team is not allowed to interfere due to conflict of interest," he stared directly at his rival Gil Grissom. "This means you as well as anyone who works the Grave Shift is to stay clear of this investigation," he said waiting for some kind of reaction from Grissom. When he didn't get one he frowned.
"Don't you have something to say, Gil? This is a serious accusation against your CSI and this department!"
"I am listening, Conrad. Is there something you would like me to say?" he raised his eyebrow.
"Well, yeah, I want answers!" he raised his voice loudly.
"Answers? Conrad, as you mentioned I am not allowed to investigate due to 'conflict of interest'," Gil remained solemn. "so without concrete evidence or a thorough investigation, I have no answers and therefore have nothing to say."
This shut Ecklie down tight. Gil Grissom always managed to infuriated him and it this time was no exception.
"Well, we have at least two witnesses that saw CSI Stokes beating Mr. Cole. It does not look good for him, Gil." Conrad put his hands on his hips. "In fact, I'm going to give the orders…I want a warrant for his arrest."
Now this rattled Grissom.
"Those allegations are pending investigation, Conrad," Grissom said forcefully but still trying to hide his worry. "I would think you could leave things alone until you get your proof, don't you?"
Conrad Ecklie shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, we have to take action when this department is under fire. If that means arresting CSI Stokes for his actions, then so be it."
Ecklie turned and walked out of Grissom's office before Gil could even speak.
Sara and Greg walked into Jules' room together and as they said their 'hellos' they smiled at both Warrick and Nick. Lounging around in their usual places they were happy to see their friends and collegues. Nick was lying leisurely on the bed next to Jules doing a crossword puzzle in a People magazine. He looked a bit tight in his position but he made it work. He liked having her so close next to him, so he always made sure it worked.
Warrick was in "his" chair at the end of her bed, tilted with his feet propped up on the bed frame and a television remote in his hand. As Greg and Sara made their way over to them, Warrick sat up a little straighter and welcomed them both into the room. Nick put his crossword on the side table, got up from his resting position and pulled two chairs closer to the bed for his friends.
"Any change?" Greg asked Nick as he sat in the chair he was given.
Nick pressed his lips together and closed his eyes briefly as he shook his head slightly.
"No, nothing yet."
"And the baby?" Sara leaned in close to Nick and whispered.
"Same…steady," he nodded.
A knock on the door was answered by Warrick who remained seated and simply yelled, "Come in!"
"Just me again! Just me!" a happy delivery woman who they had come to know, came in carefully carrying a beautiful gift basket filled with all kinds of different things.
"Good morning, Janice! How you doin' today?" Warrick said standing up to grab the basket from her.
"Great! How are you fella's doing?" she patted Warrick on his shoulder as a gesture of thanks for taking the heavy basket from her arms. Warrick reached in his pocket and handed her a few dollars.
"Now Warrick Brown, if I allowed you to hand me cash every time I walked in here delivering something I would be mighty wealthy and you'd be mighty broke!" she laughed hard at her own joke, but she still wouldn't accept his money.
Warrick placed the basket down on the table by the window, along side the many other flowers, gifts and cards of well wishes. Warrick took the card off the top as Greg walked over and asked if he could unwrap it. After hearing Nick tell him to "go ahead", he removed the cellophane and rooted around for some goodies.
"The gift basket is from Bill and Sheila MacArthur," Warrick smiled. "Hey that was really nice of them."
"Isn't that our security guard?" Greg asked as he held up a bar of Toblerone chocolate and threw it at Nick who caught it with one hand. "Bill the security dude knew Jules?"
Nick nodded and as he put the chocolate onto the nightstand, he thought about how much Jules liked Bill and knew he loved his coffee light and sweet. Jules really had a good heart and took teh time to know people. Nick looked over at Warrick and asked him to throw the card in Jules' duffel bag so they can thank everyone later. Tossing the card in the pink duffel bag, Warrick turned and walked back to his chair. Once seated he looked over at Nick who threw him the Toblerone Chocolate bar without him even having to ask.
Ecklie smirked with revenge as he headed for Jim Brass's office. He had a chip on his shoulder and an axe to grind over Warrick and Nick. He was angry that Jim didn't side with him and give Warrick Brown up to the Under Sheriff with his head on a platter. But, as Conrad Ecklie saw it, he could at least take Nick Stokes down just out of spite for not getting Warrick. There were two witnesses that came forward and said they saw the beating. Brass couldn't slither out of this one. Nick Stokes was going down and that would make Ecklie look very good in the eyes of the higher ups. After all, the media was running with the idea of police brutality and if Ecklie was the one to clean that up, and hold someone accountable for it, then that would glitter his image and make him shine in the limelight.
Ecklie knocked on Jim Brass's closed door and, without waiting for Jim to answer , walked in.
"Conrad, what can I do for you," Brass said knowing Ecklie was there to stomp on him.
"Jim, I am sure you have heard that James Cole has pressed criminal charges against CSI Stokes for the use of unnecessary force, police brutality, and assault. I want you to give your officers the orders to collect CSI Stokes and bring him in to head quarters for booking," he said with satisfaction.
"Conrad, c'mon, give us time to investigate properly before arresting one of our own!" Brass was angry and it showed.
"Hey, Stokes did this, Brass. There is a little thing called consequence," Ecklie said smugly.
"And the consequence for Mr. Stokes is an arrest. Therefore, Jim, I am giving you the orders…pick him up!"
"So, when do you want me to have him picked up?" Brass rubbed his temple with disgust.
"I want you to send an officer…no, wait…make it two officers, as soon as possible," Conrad glared at him with arrogance.
Jim Brass nodded showing compliance with his superior's demand, knowing damn well he would stall his officers for as long as possible. He had to find a way to get Nick out of this…he knew he needed a miracle.
Sara looked around quietly at the flowers and baskets and gifts. There was an awkward silence for a minute. Sara and Greg looked at each other and Greg stayed by the gifts across the room as if he wanted to escape the conversation that was about to take place. Warrick looked over to see why there was silence. Sara caught eyes with Warrick and gave him a closed smile.
"Well, Warrick. I have some good news for you," Sara began lightly.
"Oh yeah? I could use some of that; whatcha got?" he smiled and shifted his feet on the bed frame.
"The Jimmy Cole charges are being dropped due to lack of sufficient evidence," she said calmly.
Warrick took his feet off the bed frame and turned himself completely to look at her.
"Oh man, that is great news!" he leans his head all the way back hanging over the chair and rubs his hands over his face. "Man, Sara, it took you long enough to tell me that! Whoa, this is great! What a relief…"
His happiness is short lived though when he realizes she hadn't mentioned Nick.
"You said good news for ME, Sara. What about Nicky? His charges are dropped too, right?" Warrick asked concerned about his best friend.
Sara looks over at Greg and then looks at Nick.
"You have got to be fuckin' kiddin' me!" Warrick yells realizing why Sara and Greg hadn't told him his news sooner.
Nick sat up and whispered.
"Hey, hey, you see this girl right here? Listen, my concerns are about nothing else but her. Anything else can wait."
"No, Nick. I don't think it will," Greg spoke up. "We got a heads up that Ecklie has ordered that two officers come here to pick you up." Greg looked at his feet with deep regret.
"Greg, not here," Nick whispered again, this time putting his finger up to his lips and motioning toward Jules with his head.
Nick did not want anything but positive thoughts and conversations in that room, his impending arrest included.
Greg nodded to his friend completely understanding.
Nick got up, pulled out his cell phone and walked into the hall.
"Hey Mom, it's me," Nick said calmly.
"Hi Honey, is everything all right? How is Jules? Any change?" she sounded worried.
"She's hanging in there, Mom. No change yet though," he updated her.
"Did Tara arrive okay?" his mother asked knowing Nick's sister was flying in to be by her brother's side; to give him encouragement and support.
"Not yet. She will be here soon though, I'm sure."
"Then what's the matter, Nicky?" she said unsure she liked the strange calmness in his voice.
"Listen Ma, I think you might need to either come out of retirement or call Dad," Nick took a deep breath and informed his mother…
"I'm gonna need a lawyer."