Torn

By: Manigault

Rating: R

Category: CRGS

Disclaimer: They are not mine. They belong to CBS, Atlantic-Alliance, and Anthony Zuiker.

Mallory Simmons' Residence

7:45 pm

     Sara pushed the doorbell of the moderate two story house, taking a step backwards until she was standing beside Grissom.  They stared at the ivory door, exchanging an impatient look when nobody appeared after a full minute elapsed. Sara was reaching out her hand to press the doorbell for the second time when the door was flung open and a teenage boy stared at them with disappointment.

     "It's not Scott!" He yelled back over his shoulder, before turning his back on them and disappearing into another room.

     Grissoms lips twitched slightly as he spoke to Sara. "Teenagers."

     "Hmmm." Sara shook her head and stared into the foyer that was revealed by the open door. A black and white photograph of breathtaking mountains hung on the wall facing them and it was towards this picture Sara found herself drawn when the image was blocked by a well dressed woman sporting a tight smile.

     "Mrs. Simmons?" Grissom asked politely, extending a hand that was promptly ignored.  Not missing a beat, Grissom shoved his hand back into his jacket pocket and continued. "I'm Gil Grissom and this is Sara Sidle of the Las Vegas Crime Lab. We would like to ask you a few questions regarding one of your clients…" He paused, waiting for her to ask which client, noting there was only a flicker of surprise.  Sara glanced beside her and knew that Grissom was closely assessing the woman so she ventured the first question.

     "May we come in, Mrs. Simmons, and speak with you concerning Erin Monroe?"

     Recognition flickered behind those astute eyes. "Erin? Has something happened to her?"

     Narrowing his eyes, Grissom frowned slightly. "You hadn't realized that she was missing?"

     "No." Mallory stepped back from the door and motioned them inside. They followed her into a sunroom, settling on a loveseat as Mallory sat in a chair opposite.  Once seated, she addressed them with a concerned tone.

     "Erin asked for a three month leave of absence so I assumed that she was taking her maternity leave a little early to prepare for the arrival of her child."

     Sara leaned forward. "You didn't think to call her and find out how she was doing? If she had her baby or if the baby was healthy?"

     Mallory Simmons stared at her with a blank expression.  "I was her editor, not her friend, so I didn't keep tabs on her."

     Grissom shifted on the small sofa, his thighs rubbing against Sara's as he felt her tension pour into him.  He felt the urge to reach for her hand in reassurance, but refrained. Instead, he listened and watched as Sara persisted.

     "You invited her to your wedding." Sara said.

     Startled, Mallory asked. "Where would you hear that?"

     Sara glanced at Grissom, silently urging him to jump in anytime, but he offered no assistance, so she turned back to Mallory. "That's what we do…investigate."

     She felt Grissom's eyes on her before he spoke. "We searched Erin's apartment." He left his answer intentionally vague.

     Mallory digested the words, appeared to accept it at face value, then spoke with an edge of uncertainty. "I invited all of my clients to my wedding. I can not honestly tell you if she was even there."

     The teenager dashed into the room with a backpack slung over his shoulder.  "I called Scott and he wants to know if you can drop me off at his place."

     Mallory tried unsuccessfully to hide her relief at the interruption. "I'm coming." She turned to the investigators. "If I can do anything to help you find out who hurt Erin, please let me know."

     Sara felt a warm hand on her arm as Grissom thanked Mallory Simmons then nudged Sara towards the door. Once inside the Tahoe, Grissom could not help himself. "It's what we do? Investigate?"

     Sara ignored the jab and said with excitement. "She never once asked us what happened to Erin or if she is still missing. She assumed that Erin was hurt. Why?" Sara didn't give him the chance to respond as she continued. "Is it that she doesn't care? Very strange."

     Grissom turned the key in the ignition and put the Tahoe in gear as they watched Mallory Simmons exit the house behind her son.

     "Well, Grissom." Sara pressed. "Now what?"

     "We investigate."

Crime Lab

11:00 pm

     Nick tossed the file on the table and grinned.

     "Mallory Simmons, formerly known as Mallory Thompson. Divorced. One son, Mark. She's been an editor for fifteen years."

     "Thompson." Grissom repeated the name as he reached for the file.

     "Any chance she and the first victim are related?" Sara directed the question at Nick, but she was watching Grissom.

     Nick pulled out a chair and sat, before shrugging nonchalantly. "Thompson is a common name."

     "Her ex-husband was Dallas Thompson from South Carolina." Grissom and Sara looked at each other as he added. "Not such a common name."

     Catherine was growing concerned with the direction this was heading. She knew that Sara was caught up with the victim, but she trusted that Gil would keep her firmly grounded. Now he appeared to be straying from normal perimeters. "I think that it's time to release our information to the FBI and let them take it from here." Catherine suggested.

     Warrick, who was sitting beside her, had the same thought. "There is no hard evidence to follow Gris, and the FBI is more equipped to chase the connections in South Carolina. It is their case."

     Grissom listened to their concerns. He knew that it was out of their jurisdiction, but, like Sara, he felt they were so close. He averted his eyes and stared at the file when he spoke. "We have one more night before Brass calls the FBI agents in that are assigned to the case. Until then we look at the evidence." At this he looked at Catherine and Warrick.

     Sara released her breath and smiled. "So you think that Dallas Thompson may be the father of Brynna Thompson, the first victim. That would link her to Erin Monroe through the editor. Do you have any information on the parents of Byrnna Thompson?"

     "Not yet." Grissom turned to Nick. "I want you to do a thourogh background check on the first victim and also try to locate Dallas Thompson."    

     Nick looked at Catherine as he pushed back his chair. He wanted justice for these victims as much as the others did, but he knew when to stop. So did Grissom, so why was he playing private eye. After Nick left the room, Catherine spoke to Grissom.

     "Can we speak in private?"

     Warrick excused himself by offering to help Nick, and Sara stood with the intention of phoning the hospital to check on Erin. Grissom stopped her with one request. 'Stay'. She sat back down and waited for the confrontation, feeling ill at ease.

     "Gil." Catherine looked at Grissom with an exasperated expression that included Sara. "There was no evidence at the crime scene. No weapon. No viable footprints."

     "We have the best evidence of all," Grissom paused for half a beat. "A living talking victim."

     Sara kept her eyes focused on Grissoms face, but her mind was spinning to make a connection. "Erin said that Valerie's biological father told her his name was Byran." 

     "Brynna and Byran Thompson? Twins." Grissom said.

     "Oh, shit." Sara marveled. "The direct connection."

     Catherine watched this exchange and tried again to press the issue. "Call Brass and let him get on this angle while there is still a chance to find the baby."

     Grissom nodded. "You got a sketch of this Byran from Erin Monroe?"

     He had used the victims name as casually as Sara, but what worried Catherine most was the fact that he did not even realize it. "I have a sketch. I've had copies made and they are ready to deliver to Brass. Should I take them over to him?"

     "I'll call him and get a warrant to search the Simmons residence."

TBC…..