Chapter Forty-Four
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI
Wendy stayed in the hospital because of her injuries and stress related to her attack. Hodges took time off work (with pay) to stay with her and help Jim Brass and the cops in any way he could to find Claire and baby D.J.
"Where did you find this woman?" Brass asked Hodges.
Hodges sighed. "We put an advertisement in the local paper for a nanny. We got a lot of responses and interviewed them all intensively. We chose five of the top candidates and had Sara and Gil screen them too and they also liked Claire. We called all her references that backed up her claim that she had top-notch experience. The only reference we didn't get in touch with was her boss at the daycare she worked at because we could never get her on the phone. We'd ring the daycare and it would go to voice mail."
"Did you try going over to the centre?" Jim asked.
"We didn't honestly think of it." Hodges said.
Brass pursed his lips in thought. "Ok. I'll go and speak to the woman in charge. It'll be quite a surprise for her."
"Her name is Allie Shaw." Hodges said and handed Brass a file folder of info. (their search for a nanny was extensive – all potential nannies on their list had folders with the candidates info and what people said about them as well as notes from their interviews)
"Hang tough David, go to Wendy."
"Grissom and Sara are taking care of baby Sara for us for now thank goodness." He said.
"Go to your wife. We'll talk soon."
Hodges got in the vehicle and headed to the hospital while Jim, along with Nick headed to the daycare.
They arrived at the centre and had to use the intercom to get access to the centre.
"May I help you?" A voice said.
"This is Jim Brass and Nick Stokes – LVPD and Crime Lab, we need to speak to Allie Shaw immediately." Jim said.
"What is this about?"
"A crime one of your previous daycare teachers has committed."
"Who?"
"Claire"
"No comment"
"Madam, we will need to speak to you either here or downtown. You do not need a lawyer – we just need some info."
"Get away from my place of business now. I am calling my lawyer."
Jim frowned. He certainly did not want to scare any children by busting in but this woman was being very uncooperative.
"Madam, you were called for a reference many times on this woman and never returned calls. It is imperative that we speak with you now."
"I have nothing to say about Claire."
"Madam you have been warned. You can be arrested for not cooperating. All we want is to chat." Jim said getting a little exasperated.
Finally the door buzzed and they were let in.
"You have harassed me to the point that I do not give a damn anymore. My lawyer is on the way anyhow. What do you want to know about Claire?"
"Did she have infant experience?"
"Claire? " Allie said. "No she had no infant experience. She was the 'floater girl' She does not have her credentials for any actual teaching. All she'd do is go from room to room covering the teacher's breaks. She'd read to the kids and do some crafts but she'd never be alone with them. There was always another teacher in the room."
Jim frowned and looked at Nick. "She lied on her resume and had her other references lie for her too."
"What is going on what did she do?"
"I can't go into detail but I can say this; she obtained a job as a nanny on false pretenses and was fired immediately. She then kidnapped one of the charges after beating the mom."
Allie gasped and put a hand to her mouth. "No!"
Jim looked at her. "I am afraid so."
"Why did she leave her employment here?" Nick asked.
"She was fired. We told her that she needed to get her credentials and that we'd even pay half the cost. There were course offered through the local college. She outright refused stating that it would take up too much of her free time with the homework etc." Allie shook her head.
"Another lie she told Wendy and David!" Jim said.
Allie looked at them. "I apologize for being so non-compliant earlier. It is hard to talk mean about a relative even one as messed up as Claire."
Jim and Nick exchanged glances. "Relative?"
Allie sighed. "She's my sister. My twin sister. We are fraternal twins as different as day and night. She's involved with that Jack Malloy guy" Allie shuddered. "He's a piece of work…"
Jim looked at Allie. "This gets stranger and stranger all the time." He said with a shudder.
"Ms. Shaw – um have you met Jack Malloy's sister?"
Allie looked at him. "Of course. Riley is a nice girl. She's a little rough around the edges, but she's always been nice to me."
"Thanks. We'll be in touch."
Jim and Nick left the daycare and sighed. "Now what"
Jim looked at him. "I am not sure…"
Nick's cell phone rang. "Stokes"
"Nick it's Mandy. We have a location where this woman Claire is…"
"Where?" Nick asked
The cell phone line went dead before she could answer……
A/N: Gonna leave ya with a cliffhanger for now while I go make a pot of coffee and think of my next chapter. **evil laugh **
