XII- SNIPER
~He laid out the rifles, he loaded the shotgun,
he stacked up the cartridges along the wall.
He knew he would need them for his conversation.
If it went as it he planned, then he might use them all.
He said 'Listen you people I've got a question -
You won't pay attention but I'll ask anyhow.
I found a way that will get me an answer.
Been waiting to ask you 'till now. Right now!
Am I? I am a lover whose never been kissed.
Am I? I am a fighter who's not made a fist.
Am I? If I'm alive then there's so much I've missed.
How do I know I exist? Are you listening to me?
Are you listening to me? Am I?'
The first words he spoke took the town by surprise.
One got Mrs. Gibbons above her right eye.
It blew her through the window wedged her against the door.
Reality poured from her face, staining the floor.~
Grissom listened in amazement to the first band of the night, as they performed an angry, edgy version of 'Sniper'. Brass, who had arrived just 10 minutes ago and was - not surprisingly - wearing a suit, leaned over to Grissom and tapped him on the shoulder, yelling. "This is not an appropriate song to be playing at a tribute for three murdered men!"
Grissom grunted his agreement. He looked across the table at Greg, waving him over when he caught his attention.
"What do you know about this band?" he hollered.
Greg rolled his eyes. "They're fairly new - just got together a couple of months ago. They're pretty good - but the lead guy; Edd - he thinks they're the best thing to hit Las Vegas since Bugsy Malone, if you know what I mean."
"Were they in the Battle of the Bands?"
Greg shook his head. "They didn't qualify - hadn't been together long enough."
~ Bill Whedon was questioned as he stepped from his car.
Tom Scott ran across the street but he never got that far.
The police were there in minutes, they set up barricades.
He spoke right on over them in a half-mile circle;
in a dumb struck city his pointed questions were sprayed.
He knocked over Danny Tyson as he ran towards the noise.
Just about then the answers started coming, sweet, sweet joy.
Thudding in the clock face, whining off the walls,
reaching up to where he sat there, answering calls.
Thirty-seven people got his message so far.
Yes, he was reaching them right were they are.
They set up an assault team. They asked for volunteers.
They had to go and get him - that much was clear.
And the word spread about him on the radios and TV's.
In appropriately sober tones they asked 'Who can it be?'~
Catherine was scanning the crowd, watching the group in the mosh pit as they slammed into each other. She glanced every once in a while at Grissom, and had to smile. He was sitting stiffly in his chair, nursing his soda, and just did not look comfortable. She noticed that he was absently pinching between his thumb and forefinger.
"What's wrong? You don't look like you're having fun!" she teased, leaning over and yelling into his ear.
He grimaced, before responding. "I can't believe they're singing this song. And I'm getting a headache. Sara told me pinching the nerve here would work as acupuncture and help relieve the pressure, but I don't think I'm doing it right."
Catherine looked at Grissom's hands, twisting partially in her chair and taking one in her own. "Where? Here?" Her hands were cold, but her fingers firm. She quickly found the pad between his thumb and squeezed. "This the spot?" Grissom nodded. They watched the band silently, Catherine alternately pinching and applying pressure. Grissom began to relax.
~ The wires are all humming for me.
And I can hear them coming for me.
Soon they'll be here, but there's nothing to fear.
Not any more though they've blasted the door.
As the copter dropped the gas he shouted "Who cares?"
They could hear him laughing as they started up the stairs.
As they stormed out on the catwalk, blinking at the sun,
with their final fusillade his answer had come.
Am I? There is no way that you can hide me.
Am I? Though you have put your fire inside me.
Am I? You've given me my answer can't you see?
I was! I am! And now I Will Be! I WILL BE!!!~
Nick and Sara were talking to Ray as the band on stage finished their song to thunderous applause - his group was going to be the next band to perform. The 'Master of Ceremonies' had climbed onto the stage, and was exhorting the crowd.
"Let's hear it for Killjoy! Great set guys! Our next band for the evening will be Meat Bullets and as you all know, this band was one of the finalists in the Battle of the Bands. And we have good news for everyone wondering what's going to happen with that in the midst of the terrible tragedy that has befallen K-ROX, with the loss of Rivers and Waters, and station manger Phillips. Matt Murdoch, the owner of Pity Party Records and one of the judges, has confirmed that the show will go on in tribute - one week from tonight! Matt - stand-up - take a bow!" The crowd was cheering wildly now, and the young man who had been scoping out Catherine earlier, stood and waved to them. On stage, Ray and his band were ready to start, waiting for the go ahead. Grissom grinned at Catherine. "It's your not-so-secret admirer! He's obviously a successful businessman - maybe you should go for it."
Catherine grimaced. "No thanks. But we should talk to him. If he was a judge, he might have some insight for us."
As Meat Bullets ripped into their set, Catherine and Grissom stood and walked towards Matt Murdoch. The young man was surrounded by people, slapping him on the back and offering to buy him drinks. He was shaking hands and laughing good naturedly, watching the band on stage as they performed.
As Catherine stepped closer to introduce herself, his gaze suddenly fixed on her, and he stepped forward.
"Matt Murdoch." He hollered, holding his hand out to her, ignoring Grissom.
"Catherine Willows." She replied. "Crime Scenes Investigations. Can we talk, Mr. Murdoch?"
"We can do whatever you want, Ms. Willows!"
She felt Grissom tense up behind her as she grinned in response. Before she could reply, the flash pots on stage exploded, the loud noise making her jump. Murdoch jumped as well, falling forward into her arms, a look of surprise on his face. Catherine almost collapsed under his sudden unexpected weight, and felt Grissom's arms reach out to catch her before she went down. Something warm and wet was soaking the front of her blouse. All around her, people were screaming.
And that's when Catherine realized - Murdoch had been shot. She held onto him tightly as he died in her arms.
_________
Author's Note: The song 'Killjoy' plays is the really neat character song 'SNIPER' written by the late, great Harry Chapin. I can totally see this song as an alternative rock/garage song, even though it was written by one of the best folk artists ever! I'm not totally sure if I like this chapter yet, so if you think it sucks, let me know and I'll revamp. Constructive criticism is always a good thing!
~He laid out the rifles, he loaded the shotgun,
he stacked up the cartridges along the wall.
He knew he would need them for his conversation.
If it went as it he planned, then he might use them all.
He said 'Listen you people I've got a question -
You won't pay attention but I'll ask anyhow.
I found a way that will get me an answer.
Been waiting to ask you 'till now. Right now!
Am I? I am a lover whose never been kissed.
Am I? I am a fighter who's not made a fist.
Am I? If I'm alive then there's so much I've missed.
How do I know I exist? Are you listening to me?
Are you listening to me? Am I?'
The first words he spoke took the town by surprise.
One got Mrs. Gibbons above her right eye.
It blew her through the window wedged her against the door.
Reality poured from her face, staining the floor.~
Grissom listened in amazement to the first band of the night, as they performed an angry, edgy version of 'Sniper'. Brass, who had arrived just 10 minutes ago and was - not surprisingly - wearing a suit, leaned over to Grissom and tapped him on the shoulder, yelling. "This is not an appropriate song to be playing at a tribute for three murdered men!"
Grissom grunted his agreement. He looked across the table at Greg, waving him over when he caught his attention.
"What do you know about this band?" he hollered.
Greg rolled his eyes. "They're fairly new - just got together a couple of months ago. They're pretty good - but the lead guy; Edd - he thinks they're the best thing to hit Las Vegas since Bugsy Malone, if you know what I mean."
"Were they in the Battle of the Bands?"
Greg shook his head. "They didn't qualify - hadn't been together long enough."
~ Bill Whedon was questioned as he stepped from his car.
Tom Scott ran across the street but he never got that far.
The police were there in minutes, they set up barricades.
He spoke right on over them in a half-mile circle;
in a dumb struck city his pointed questions were sprayed.
He knocked over Danny Tyson as he ran towards the noise.
Just about then the answers started coming, sweet, sweet joy.
Thudding in the clock face, whining off the walls,
reaching up to where he sat there, answering calls.
Thirty-seven people got his message so far.
Yes, he was reaching them right were they are.
They set up an assault team. They asked for volunteers.
They had to go and get him - that much was clear.
And the word spread about him on the radios and TV's.
In appropriately sober tones they asked 'Who can it be?'~
Catherine was scanning the crowd, watching the group in the mosh pit as they slammed into each other. She glanced every once in a while at Grissom, and had to smile. He was sitting stiffly in his chair, nursing his soda, and just did not look comfortable. She noticed that he was absently pinching between his thumb and forefinger.
"What's wrong? You don't look like you're having fun!" she teased, leaning over and yelling into his ear.
He grimaced, before responding. "I can't believe they're singing this song. And I'm getting a headache. Sara told me pinching the nerve here would work as acupuncture and help relieve the pressure, but I don't think I'm doing it right."
Catherine looked at Grissom's hands, twisting partially in her chair and taking one in her own. "Where? Here?" Her hands were cold, but her fingers firm. She quickly found the pad between his thumb and squeezed. "This the spot?" Grissom nodded. They watched the band silently, Catherine alternately pinching and applying pressure. Grissom began to relax.
~ The wires are all humming for me.
And I can hear them coming for me.
Soon they'll be here, but there's nothing to fear.
Not any more though they've blasted the door.
As the copter dropped the gas he shouted "Who cares?"
They could hear him laughing as they started up the stairs.
As they stormed out on the catwalk, blinking at the sun,
with their final fusillade his answer had come.
Am I? There is no way that you can hide me.
Am I? Though you have put your fire inside me.
Am I? You've given me my answer can't you see?
I was! I am! And now I Will Be! I WILL BE!!!~
Nick and Sara were talking to Ray as the band on stage finished their song to thunderous applause - his group was going to be the next band to perform. The 'Master of Ceremonies' had climbed onto the stage, and was exhorting the crowd.
"Let's hear it for Killjoy! Great set guys! Our next band for the evening will be Meat Bullets and as you all know, this band was one of the finalists in the Battle of the Bands. And we have good news for everyone wondering what's going to happen with that in the midst of the terrible tragedy that has befallen K-ROX, with the loss of Rivers and Waters, and station manger Phillips. Matt Murdoch, the owner of Pity Party Records and one of the judges, has confirmed that the show will go on in tribute - one week from tonight! Matt - stand-up - take a bow!" The crowd was cheering wildly now, and the young man who had been scoping out Catherine earlier, stood and waved to them. On stage, Ray and his band were ready to start, waiting for the go ahead. Grissom grinned at Catherine. "It's your not-so-secret admirer! He's obviously a successful businessman - maybe you should go for it."
Catherine grimaced. "No thanks. But we should talk to him. If he was a judge, he might have some insight for us."
As Meat Bullets ripped into their set, Catherine and Grissom stood and walked towards Matt Murdoch. The young man was surrounded by people, slapping him on the back and offering to buy him drinks. He was shaking hands and laughing good naturedly, watching the band on stage as they performed.
As Catherine stepped closer to introduce herself, his gaze suddenly fixed on her, and he stepped forward.
"Matt Murdoch." He hollered, holding his hand out to her, ignoring Grissom.
"Catherine Willows." She replied. "Crime Scenes Investigations. Can we talk, Mr. Murdoch?"
"We can do whatever you want, Ms. Willows!"
She felt Grissom tense up behind her as she grinned in response. Before she could reply, the flash pots on stage exploded, the loud noise making her jump. Murdoch jumped as well, falling forward into her arms, a look of surprise on his face. Catherine almost collapsed under his sudden unexpected weight, and felt Grissom's arms reach out to catch her before she went down. Something warm and wet was soaking the front of her blouse. All around her, people were screaming.
And that's when Catherine realized - Murdoch had been shot. She held onto him tightly as he died in her arms.
_________
Author's Note: The song 'Killjoy' plays is the really neat character song 'SNIPER' written by the late, great Harry Chapin. I can totally see this song as an alternative rock/garage song, even though it was written by one of the best folk artists ever! I'm not totally sure if I like this chapter yet, so if you think it sucks, let me know and I'll revamp. Constructive criticism is always a good thing!