Chapter 8
In Grissom's office hours before shift would begin, he thought he misheard what was being said. "What?"
Captain Brass cleared his throat again. This wasn't easy for him either. "He was released, Gil." He repeated softly.
Grissom's heart pounded relentlessly against his ribcage replacing his shock with confusion. "What do you mean he was released?"
Brass dropped in one of the chairs in front of Grissom and pinched his nose. "The creep got a good lawyer, a good deal on a technicality, and the release papers were issued by lunchtime."
Suddenly, sitting down was too much. Grissom stood up and spun away from Brass. Somehow this had to be a mistake --a nightmare while he fell asleep pushing paper. It was too unreal to be possible. He's been released. How is she going to take the news? God, he nearly shattered her life last time. She was just starting to get back on track and now this.
"You're sure there is nothing that can be done?" He asked still staring at the wall.
"I talked with the district attorney and got nowhere. Apparently they don't think it's an issue, considering the circumstances."
Grissom wheeled around, his eyes a piercing blue. Brass continued.
"You and I both know that once a case gets to court it has no face. It is all paperwork. Sara's involvement was never brought into the Roberts murder trial. I checked and rechecked her name isn't among the file."
"What about the charges we brought up for assaulting an officer? Those were the charges that connected Sara to him!" He yelled in irritation.
"Totally separate cases. Two different judges and court dates. The DA never knew it was the same guy or relevant."
"Relevant?!"
Brass raised a hand to stop him. "I know, but that's the way the law sees it. What is important now..."
"That son-of-a-bitch should be wasting away in county prison! How is Sara suppose to work when she has to look over her shoulder out of fear?!"
"We've got an immediate restraining order against him, Gil. That's all we can do until he makes a threatening move. I cannot prevent panic but I can protect her from an attack. It's the best we have right now until he becomes a danger."
"When he kills her? Is that sufficient enough? Well that is not enough for me."
"Look, I love Sara like a daughter, if this guy moves on her I'll get him with the biggest smile on my face." He smiled wanly. "We'll get him."
The words clicked into place. Grissom said those exact same words to Sara when she got too close to a case and the chances of catching the suspect were fleeting. Now it was his turn to realize walking away could be impossible.
"She shouldn't have to live like this, Jim." He said after a long pause.
Jim could only nod in agreement.
Catherine made an appearance in the open doorway. "I heard you shouting all the way in the lounge. What's going on?"
Brass glanced at Grissom, who made no indication his mind was in the office but with a certain female CSI.
"Gil? Jim?"
Brass stood up and faced Catherine. "Eric Roberts was released this afternoon."
"What?"
"Yeah, we already got that reaction." Grissom mumbled under his breath.
Catherine moved into the office closing the door behind her. "Does Sara know?"
"No." Brass turned back to Grissom. "I'll arrange one of my best guys to accompany you to her place."
"Do you think that is the best idea?" Catherine interjected. "I mean, she's already having a hard time, Gil. Telling her he was released will put her in a panic. Besides, he may not be interested in finding Sara."
He blinked back to the present. "She was one of the CSI's working the murder case that put him in court in the first place and given their history I'm not trusting him to just fly off on the next plane."
"Do you know what this is going to do to her?"
"She should know, Cath. She would want to know. Her awareness that he is walking the streets will work to her advantage."
"You talk about her like she's bait." She said allowing her anger to flare. "This is about Sara, not working around the system to put him in jail."
"She should know." He persisted in a stony voice.
She met his frustration with her own. "You weren't the one who had to order her home."
Grissom broke the fiery gaze to glance at Brass.
"Your call." Brass said with a shrug.
Without any hesitation he said, "I'm telling her right after shift."
Catherine sighed, defeated. "Fine, but don't be your usual self and show some sensitivity as you tell her."
He only glared at her. Brass cut the tension by clearing his throat. "Well I'll be over at the PD drinking a large quantity of scotch."
"Thanks Jim, for..."
"I know." He answered with a rueful smile. This time the words held more weight. He closed the door behind him with full knowledge that the conversation between Grissom and Catherine were not over in the least.
As if on cue, Catherine spoke as the door locked into place. "You have to careful with her."
"Catherine, I know how to handle Sara." He said in a strained voice.
"Maybe for you're own benefit but this is about her, not you."
"What does that mean?"
"It means what it should."
"Would you like to tell her then?" He shot back. "Since you seem to think I'm incapable of handling my own CSI."
She snorted at him. "That's your problem. This isn't about one of your CSI's anymore. It is about Sara the person. You cannot protect her from memories like you can protect her at a crime scene. You cannot stop her personal struggle with this like you could help her with a case. When you realize that, maybe you'll be able to help her."
"Then why don't you tell her?" He asked again.
"Because believe it or not, you are the only one she still manages to trust."
Grissom pulled the glasses off his face and began to rub his eyes.
"Just be careful for her sake." She said sweeping the door closed once again as she left him with his thoughts.
Two hours into shift he came to one conclusion: nothing was going to happen to her.
TBC...