Journey Through the Past- Chapter 39
Dr. Taylor tapped his desk with his pencil and stared at the folder before him. The results of Grissom's tox panels came back from the crime lab. Grissom had been given a combination of Benzodiazepine, barbiturates, and heroin. The combination of these drugs had been injected into Grissom continually for almost two weeks without let up. Based on an interview with Dr. Ken Jones, which was included in the report, Grissom had developed a high tolerance to the drug cocktail, so that higher and higher doses had been required to achieve the same hallucinogenic effects. Shaking his head, the doctor wasn't sure how to proceed in treating his patient. His physical injuries he could treat, but drug dependency was not his field of expertise. The physical addiction was complicating the healing process of those injuries.
A knock at his door brought him out of his reverie. He was expecting the man on the other side of the door.
"Come," Dr. Taylor called out.
Jim Brass opened the door and stepped into the office, quietly shutting the door behind him. Dr. Taylor waved the police captain to a chair directly across from him.
"I'm glad that you could make it here so quickly. I have looked over this report you sent on Grissom. Based on what I'm reading here, it's a wonder he didn't overdose. Captain Brass, I'll be perfectly frank with you. This is definitely not my area of expertise. I can recommend a number of physicians who are more knowledgeable about safely weaning a patient from drug addiction, but really, the person you want treating Grissom is Dr. Ken Jones."
"Yeah, Dr. Taylor, I figured as much. Right now, Dr. Jones is facing a number of charges. However, in light of the number of patients he has helped in the past through the Nevada Treatment Center for Addictions, I think that we can work it so that he can be used as a consultant in Grissom's case. The District Attorney's office is working on a deal."
The homicide detective couldn't share with Dr. Taylor the details of the arrangement the district attorney's office was trying to work out, but Maddie Klein was in the thick of things. Brass was hoping that he would be able to bring Dr. Jones to Desert Palm, under police escort, in a day or so.
"Do you have any idea when that will be? Right now Grissom is being held together with a few bolts, screws, wires, and sutures. I have him on Demerol, but he really needs a more effective medication to deal with the pain. I'm afraid that if we use anything stronger, it will only deepen his body's cravings. He's pretty much refusing anything in the form of a needle. The Demerol barely has him hanging on."
"We're working on it, doctor. These things take time, and, before you say anything, yes, I know, Grissom needs to get the help sooner than later. Dr. Taylor, what I need from you is a written statement that the best person to assist in Gil Grissom's treatment is Dr. Jones."
Nodding, Dr. Taylor changed the subject, "I understand that there may be charges filed against Grissom? I've heard that there's an investigation underway that my patient has been hiding a drug addiction problem for some time. Is that true, Captain Brass?"
Jim Brass smiled, "Dr. Taylor, I'm sorry that I can't comment on an ongoing investigation, but I do appreciate your insights as far as Dr. Jones goes."
Dr. Taylor stood up to follow Brass out of the office. "Captain, I want to say something about my patient. When I first treated Grissom some weeks ago, there was no indication of any kind of drug use. I do not recall any needle track marks on his arms or body at the time. This time around, however, his arms show definite needle mark tracks. They're fading, but they're there. In addition to that, I have treated other patients who have suffered from drug addiction. Dr. Grissom is the first patient I've had with a physical addiction to drugs try to refuse any kind pain medication for his injuries. Usually, it's the first and only thing a drug addict will care about."
Brass stopped dead in his tracks. Why didn't they think to interview Dr. Taylor about when he had first treated Grissom? Brass gave the doctor a wide grin.
"You just may have given us the break we needed to clear his name, Doc. I will get a warrant for Grissom's previous records from when you first treated him. You should have the results of any blood tests included in that file, right?"
"Why yes, Captain Brass, we do have those records. I can turn them over to you, if you wish."
Brass just shook his head. "No, Dr. Taylor, these records need to be obtained through proper channels. The records have to be subpoenaed in order to admissible in court. Please expect to officially turn those records over sometime today."
The doctor nodded his understanding and then the police detective asked, "Has there been any progress on his amnesia? Do you have any idea whether his memory loss is permanent?"
Dr. Taylor shrugged his shoulders. "His progress has been mixed. He remembers who he is and knows he is in the hospital, but he remembers almost nothing of the recent events that landed him here in the first place. He has been experiencing flashbacks in the form of night terrors, but doesn't remember them when he wakes. Captain Brass, if you'll excuse me, I do need to continue with my rounds. Please keep me informed about Jones, won't you?"
"Sure thing, Doc. In the meantime, I think I'll go up and see our patient…see if I can jog that memory of his," said Brass with a smile.
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Catherine walked down the quiet halls of Desert Palm. She made her way past the nurses' station, nodding and smiling at the matronly nurse who nodded back in return as Catherine continued down the hall towards Grissom's room. As she approached the entryway, Catherine peeked in. Sara was in a chair next to Grissom's bed, grasping his uninjured hand as if to comfort him.
Catherine paused at the door, observing the occupants of the room. Each member of the team had taken turns in visiting their injured supervisor since he had been admitted to Desert Palm, but he had usually been asleep. On the rare occasion that Grissom was awake, he was silent, hardly acknowledging the people in the room. It seemed that Sara was the only one he responded to, but even his reactions to her were guarded and strained.
Grissom appeared asleep, but he wasn't resting easily. The man's arms and legs seemed to be twitching slightly and a soft moan could be heard escaping from his lips. The bruising on his face was starting to fade and the soft cast on his arm had been replaced with a hard plaster one.
Smiling, Catherine tiptoed in and asked softly, "Hey, how's it going?"
Smiling back, Sara whispered back, "Okay, I guess. He just fell asleep."
Nodding, Catherine noted the sheen of sweat lining Grissom's forehead and face. The senior CSI motioned for Sara to come out into the hall, and the two women quietly left the room.
Glancing back at Grissom and then back at Sara, Catherine looked at Sara with concern, not really sure how to proceed. She was to meet Brass here in Grissom's room where they could both face Sara together.
Seeing Catherine's look of concern, Sara asked, "Catherine, what's wrong? What do you have to tell me?"
"Sara, I..um…don't know how to tell you this, but I…I mean Jim and I wanted to tell you before…" stalled Catherine.
"Catherine, tell me what?" asked Sara, irritation creeping into her voice.
"What Catherine is trying to tell you, Sara, is that there is an investigation going on against Grissom, and you are also implicated," said Brass, as he stepped up behind Catherine.
Giving Brass a puzzled look, not quite believing what she was hearing, Sara looked back and forth between the two investigators. "I…I…don't understand. What investigation? An investigation against Grissom? For what?"
"Sara, evidence was uncovered that indicated Grissom was contacted by Mallory some six to eight months ago-soon after he escaped from Folsom. It appears from the records we recovered that Grissom and Mallory actually joined together as partners and purchased several properties," said Catherine.
Taking in the look of consternation on Sara's face, Catherine continued, "From the records, evidence, and a couple of witnesses, Grissom had partnered up with Mallory and was trafficking in drugs. According to Mallory and members of the Knights, what went down at the warehouse was a drug deal gone bad. It is assumed that when Grissom realized that he was being double-crossed and that you had followed him, he tried to get you out of there."
"Catherine? Jim? You can't possibly believe this evidence, do you? You can't possibly be giving credence to anything Mallory or any member of the Knights. They're all criminals! Besides what would be his motivation?" Sara said incredulously.
Looking at Brass and then at Sara, Catherine spoke softly and cautiously, "It would seem that Grissom may have had a problem with drugs for awhile now….that his encounter with Mallory either intensified his cravings or …."
"Seriously? You seriously think that Grissom was addicted before this whole thing started at the warehouse? What the hell, Catherine? What possibly would make you think that?" Sara said fiercely, her anger flashing in her eyes.
Catherine closed her eyes momentarily, hoping that what she would say next would not send the young woman before her over the edge. "Um…Sara…when this "evidence" was uncovered, a warrant was issued for a search of the townhouse. Nick and I processed the townhouse, and…"
"You…and…Nick… processed… the… townhouse. For what, Catherine? What did you guys hope to find?" ground out Sara.
"Sara, you have to understand that it was either that or we pass the case to Days or Swing. We weren't about to do that. Just hear me out, okay? Catherine said patiently.
Sara folded her arms and stood taller. "Okay, explain away."
"When we processed the townhouse, we didn't know what we were looking for. We were looking for evidence that would confirm or deny the evidence we already had. Sara, in the study, we found, behind some books, used syringes and vials of pcp, ecstasy, and heroin. I was sure that this stuff was planted, but Mandy id'd both your prints and Grissom's prints on the syringes. Also, DNA found on the needles matched the both of you. The assumption is that Griss was into this stuff for some time, and that he introduced you to his habit."
With a low growl, Sara hissed, "Do you believe this Catherine? Jim?"
Brass held up his hands in an effort to calm Sara down. "Look kiddo, the team just is following the evidence. You know that's what they're doing. We all know that somehow Mallory, the Knights or McKeen planted and manipulated evidence. We just have to find it. To that end, I think that we have the first break in this whole mess," relayed Brass with a small smile.
"Really? What have you found out? I haven't heard anything new from the lab," Catherine said, looking at Brass with eagerness.
The police detective shared the conversation he had with Dr. Taylor, which brought wide smiles from both women.
Taking a deep breath and looking from Brass to Sara, then Catherine added, "You also need to know that you are being investigated for conspiracy, but with confirmation of this new evidence, I'm sure that we will be able to clear the charges."
Sara was speechless as she shook her head in disbelief. This just couldn't be happening.
"And, oh, Sara? You can't go back to the townhouse anytime soon. It's now a crime scene," Catherine said quickly, wincing as she said it.
Sara clamped her jaw shut and worked her jaw back and forth. With her eyes blazing, Sara glared at her two friends.
"I…can't…go…back….to…the…townhouse. Catherine, I need a place to live. Gil insisted that I move in…..," Sara faltered.
Brass cleared his throat and said softly, "Sara, we know. Catherine has arranged for you to…."
"Jim, that's a nice sentiment and everything, but isn't it a conflict of interest for me to be staying with an investigator on a case against Grissom and me," interrupted Sara.
"Well, yes, it is. However, if a private citizen offered you a place to stay, then it's not illegal, now is it?" said Catherine with a glint in her eyes.
"What private citizen? Catherine, what are you talking about?" asked Sara suspiciously.
"Um…Sam has offered to let you stay at the Rampart until this is all over," Catherine said in a low voice.
"Sam, as in Sam Braun…as in your father? Catherine, I ca…can't accept," stammered Sara.
" Look, Sam heard what happened and offered. Sara, I didn't contact him. He contacted me. If you have a better suggestion, I'm all ears. I suppose we could always call Lady Heather...," suggested Catherine with a straight face.
Sara rolled her eyes and held up her hands, "Okay, okay, you win."
"Now that we have that settled, how is Gil?" Brass inquired, craning his neck to sneak a peek at his friend.
"Just fell asleep," said Sara softly. "He's remembering bits and pieces and starting to put things together, but it's been slow. It has been confusing for him. The withdrawal is making things difficult. He can remember Rachel and Scott as a baby, but for some reason, anything recent doesn't seem to connect." Sara drew in a shaky breath as her emotions were starting to get the best of her.
"Hey, Sara, he'll remember," Brass tried to reassure her. "Dr. Taylor seems to think that all this memory loss is temporary. It'll all work out. Just be patient, okay?"
Sara gave him a half-smile and nodded. "C'mon in. Just once, I'd like to catch a break with this whole thing. Maybe if he wakes and sees you two, it might jog something. Scott is due any minute, too. I'm sure that he would like to know what's going on with what might be happening with Grissom."
"Has Gil seen and talked to Scott? Does he remember who he is?" asked Catherine.
Sara shook her head. "They've seen each other and talked, but Gil doesn't have a clue who he is. He…um…doesn't remember about us either. He doesn't realize that Scott is alive. He's not even sure what year it is. I'm trying to help him fill in the gaps as he remembers, but there are times when he can't tell whether what he remembers is real, dream, or nightmare."
A little puzzled, Brass had to ask, "Sara, he doesn't remember the relationship between the two of you, but he's connected with you? How is that working out?"
Sara shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "When he first woke up, it was while Dr. Taylor was examining his wounds. The doctor told him that I had been with him nonstop. Dr. Taylor seems to think that my talking to him while he was unconscious helped to build the bridge for him to regain consciousness. He has asked about us, but I want him to remember on his own, rather to fill his head with my impression of our time together. C'mon, let's see if we can spark a memory or two."
Both Brass and Catherine followed Sara into the semi-dark room. Though he had been taken off the respirator, Grissom was still receiving oxygen through a nasal capsula. At the sound of shuffling of shoes into the room, he cracked his eyes open and looked at his visitors. A brief spark of recognition crossed his face but then faded away.
Grissom tried to sit up a little straighter in the bed but bit back a gasp as sharp pains raced across his middle. Sara walked over and reached over to press the button that would raise the bed.
"Better?" she asked.
Grissom nodded, "Thanks. That helps."
Sinking his head back against the pillows, he shut his eyes briefly to ride out the latest wave of dizziness and nausea.
"Grissom? Hey, Gil," whispered Sara.
Grissom swallowed, "I'm okay. Just a little dizzy, that's all," he murmured.
"Shall I call the nurse? You're about due for your meds, anyway."
"No, I'm…I'm…really okay. I don't like the way the Demerol makes me feel. I'd rather have the pain," the man said tightly.
Looking up at the strawberry-blonde woman and the man in a jacket and tie beside her, Grissom stared at them knowing that he should know who there were but couldn't quite grasp how he knew them. Grissom concentrated on the familiar faces, trying to conjure up some connection on how he might know them.
"Hey, Gil. Glad to see that you're awake. You look a little better than the last time I saw you," Catherine said tentatively as she stepped forward.
"Thank you. I'm…I'm sorry…Um…I know that I should know who you are. You are familiar, but I… I can't remember," said Grissom as he looked away with embarrassment.
Looking back at Brass and then at Sara, Catherine hurriedly said, "Catherine, and it's okay. I'm sure that it will come back to you. You've been through a lot. We work together. We're on the same team."
Grissom nodded and turned back to his visitors, " Yes, at the Las Vegas Crime Lab, right? Sara told me." Turning to Brass, Grissom continued, "And you…we work together also?"
"Yeah, Buddy. We do. Jim Brass. Do you remember anything at all?"
Grissom shook his head slowly. "Nothing I can put my finger on. I have flashes of memory of both of you but nothing to connect them together….Jim and Catherine… I'll try to remember your names next time you come."
Sara took note of the slight tremors starting in Grissom's right hand as he took in a shaky breath.
"Hey, Griss…I..um..I'm going to check on those meds. I know that you said that you were okay, but you need to stay ahead of the pain," Sara said as she reached over and gently grasped his hand briefly.
Grissom shut his eyes and nodded. He felt Sara's hand leave his and heard the quick retreat of footsteps. Clenching the sheet with his fist, he tried to control the increasing tremors and the waves of pain that were starting to invade his consciousness.
Brass touched Catherine on the shoulder. Giving Grissom a look of concern, Brass motioned that they should leave. Catherine nodded.
Touching Grissom gently on his arm, Catherine softly whispered, "Gil, Jim and I, we're going to leave now, but we'll be back soon, okay?"
Grissom continued to keep his eyes shut but gave a slight nod to indicate that he had heard. Letting out a sigh of relief after hearing them leave, Grissom relaxed while still trying to keep the tremors in check.
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Lucas Mallory sat in his cell busily planning what his next move might be. He had already been surreptitiously contacted by the Knights, a pretty tricky proposition considering he was in isolation and had no contact with any other prisoners. His guards were even handpicked so the fact that the Knights were able to contact him was a small miracle indeed. The Knights had promised him his freedom in exchange for keeping his mouth shut and in keeping up with the story of his partnership with Grissom. He was all too happy to do so.
His first interview with Jim Brass had given Mallory some insight. First was that his cousin was good as dead when he secured his freedom. Lucas would make sure that Cousin Kenny would suffer a long and painful death.
Second, Grissom was still alive, but was suffering from complications from his physical injuries and his body's addiction. The doctors must be at a loss at how to treat him if they wanted his notes. Mallory was glad that he had hidden the notes when he and Grissom were in the outcropping. It would be a guessing game in treating the man. Even if Kenny were allowed to treat Grissom, he didn't have the notes that Mallory had made. He would be guessing which drugs that Mallory had given him and in what dosages. Lucas smiled at the thought of getting to Grissom when the Knights were able to somehow break him out. No, he was not finished with his dear friend.
Lucas Mallory smiled to himself. He just needed to be patient. Grissom wasn't going anywhere, and, for Mallory, he had all the time in the world to make his plans. The Knights would come through for him because Mallory was much more valuable alive than dead.
A/N: Another chapter in. This chapter was a hard one to get through for some reason, but I think it works out okay. Keep those thoughts coming.
becky