XXVII - TANNING
"Whoa, whoa Nick! I think we've got something," Warrick was looking at the green image flickering on the small display, his evening white teeth flashing as he shot a grin at Nick. "Looks like a foot. Shift over to the left a little and move up a few inches."
Nick did as he was told, the large mower-like machine rolling evenly over the concrete foundation of the smokehouse. "Well?" he demanded.
"We've got a body for sure."
Nick grinned, "Let's hope it's what we need to nail Enoch. Grissom and Brass are still in the tanning room. You want to go tell them, or shall I?"
"I will. I want to see the look on Enoch's face when he hears the news."
* * * * *
"Greg's going to have a field day with all this stuff," Catherine muttered to herself as she methodically loaded the Tahoe. On top of the DNA samples they had taken earlier from the commune residents not yet in custody, between her and Sara they had gathered every single implement in the small butchering room. Grissom had bagged almost as many blades and scrappers from the tannery. Sara had stoically disregarded the blood and the more gruesome aspects of the tools they were collecting, and had barely flinched when Grissom had also handed them several vials of pig's blood a few minutes ago.
"We need to test this against the pig's blood from Lifestyles," he had instructed, "and see if these piglets are related to the blood donor."
She and Sara had been gathering the last of the tannery tools when Warrick had walked in. "We've found a body in the foundation of the smokehouse," he had grinned when Enoch's glare had faltered slightly.
Grissom had merely nodded, "I suspected as much. Officer Langdon," he added this almost as an afterthought, "you keep excellent notes. So, we're going to have to dig him out. Let's measure off the area and get to work, gentlemen. Cath - Sara - back to the lab. Get those samples running, find out about the pig blood and call me with anything that pops up."
"Sure thing, Grissom," Sara looked at her watch and sighed, "I guess that means we'll be pulling doubles."
Grissom nodded, "Everyone except Greg. He's been there all night. Ask him to get the samples running, but send him home at the regular time. He's doing to well for a setback now."
"Understood. He won't want to go, though," Catherine added.
"And I don't want him out for weeks because we've worked him too hard, too soon."
"Listen Grissom, why don't I head back too?" Brass interrupted, "I'd like to talk to Michael - the butcher. I'll leave O'Reilly and his men here, and bring Officer Langdon with me to sit in on the interview. And I think, Mr. Winters, you're coming with us."
"Fine. So - we all know what we're doing?" Grissom looked at his team, eyebrow cocked, as he listened to the various responses. "Good. C'mon Warrick, we got a body to retrieve."
* * * * *
Greg was semi-dozing in the lounge when the click-click-click of Catherine's heels and the soft tones of Sara's voice interrupted the silence. He had been replaying the phone conversation with Alli over in his mind, remembering her sleepy voice describing his hands, and wondering if she had ever fallen asleep. Pushing himself groggily to his feet, he ran a hand through his hair and smiled at the women when they entered the break room.
"Hey - you're back. What have you got for me?"
"Greg, you are going to be in DNA heaven," Sara greeted him. "We have scrapers, knives, bone cutters, hack saws - more pig blood," she grimaced at this last part, "and Nick, Gris and Warrick are digging a DB out of cement as we speak."
"Speaking of which, I'm going to go and re-read the report on our suspected DB. Maybe I can get things organized enough that we'll have dental records here by the time they bring him in. The sooner we can confirm foundation man is Eric, the sooner we can hopefully arrest Enoch and send these cases to the DA," Catherine smiled at Sara, before turning to Greg. "Grissom gave me strict instructions to send you home at 8:00 - no doubles for you, so get cracking!"
Greg mock saluted her, "Yes ma'am! Sara, you helping me or -"
"Helping you. Cath - you going to sit in with Brass and Langdon when they talk to butcher boy?"
"I've already told Brass to page me when they're ready to start."
* * * * *
Greg was singing to himself as he started the DNA testing on the pig blood -
"Sometimes late when things are real
And people share the gift of gab between themselves
Some are quick to take the bait
And catch the perfect prize that waits among the shelves
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad -
So please believe in me
When I say I'm spinning round, round, round, round
Smoke glass stain bright color
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsuds green like bubbles
Oh, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And Cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad"
He stopped singing when he noticed Sara ginning at him. "What?"
"Isn't America a little mellow for you?"
Greg tried to frown at her, but gave up and grinned back, "I can be mellow. I'm getting more and more in touch with my mellowness every day."
She snorted, "Right. You are multi-faceted, Greg."
"Just like a diamond," he agreed. "Seriously though, I only listen to alternative punk metal here because I like to tweak Grissom. I actual have a vast repertoire of musical interests." Greg walked over to Sara and looked at the long slim blade she was carefully swabbing. "Looks like you're getting some good swabs."
"Sounds so rude when you say it that way," Sara agreed, "but yeah."
"Can I ask you something, Sara?" Greg's voice was tentative, and he went back to his samples so he didn't have to look at her, "You and Nick were friends for a long time. When did you realize you were interested in him?"
"It just happened. He was having a hard time with the murder of that little boy in the desert - Timmy Watson. We talked, and it was just there. I'd like to be able to say I always knew, but I didn't - one day, we were friends and the next something so much more," she smiled. "I don't know if I would have been open to a relationship with him sooner though, so it worked. Why do you ask?"
Greg shrugged, "I'm just trying to figure it out. Not you and Nick in particular - just relationships."
"You like Alli," Sara stated this baldly, amused when Greg flushed. "You don't have to answer me, 'cuz it's fairly obvious. I think it's great, Greg. Especially if it means you're happier. I know this has been hard on you - I cannot even begin to imagine what you're going through - but it doesn't make you less of a person. It's nice to see you really smiling again, and singing again. Now, if we could only get the obnoxious music back in the lab I'll KNOW you're really on the road to recovery and not just faking it to keep the rest of us from worrying."
"I am getting better, Sara," Greg agreed. "I'm still going to have my moments, but I will survive. And it's because of you guys. So, if loud music is all it would take to convince you, are you open to some classic Violent Femmes? It's the only CD I have in the lab right now."
"Bring it on, Greg, bring it on!"
* * * * *
"Cath, you ready?" Brass stuck his head in the door to Catherine's office, smiling slightly when she jerked her head up from the report she'd been reading.
"Michael?" she asked.
"Absolutely. We have Enoch in a holding cell, and Michael in room one with Langdon. I've spoken with the DA - she says she'll take the death sentence off the table if he'll roll on Enoch. He's the guy we want."
Catherine nodded as she stood up, "I'm with that program. So, what's the plan?"
"Well, we're going to officially charge him with the murders at Lifestyles, and the desert murders or the couple. I need to pop in on Greg and see if we got any DNA match from the pigs' blood to the piglets. The tighter we can tie this guy up, the better chance we have at getting something from him. Right now, we have no physical evidence to tie Enoch to any of this, so we really need something."
"What about the other guy that Enoch was supposedly training in the fine art of tanning hides? Should we speak to him?"
Brass grimaced, "Don't worry - we will be. We don't have as much on him as this guy though, so I think he's the one we get the ball rolling with."
He and Catherine walked down the hallway, the sounds of music getting progressively louder as they approached the lab. Brass smiled at Catherine when he saw Greg's head bobbing along to the loud tempo, Sara at a neighboring table, as they ran their respective tests. "Look like Greg's back."
Catherine didn't try to hide her relieved grin when she turned to look at Brass, "Let's hope he's back for good." She opened the door, lyrics assaulting their ears -
*Why can't I get just one kiss
why can't I get just one kiss
believe me there'd be something that I wouldn't miss
but I look at your pants and I need I need a kiss
why can't I get just one screw
why can't I get just one screw
believe me I know what to do
but something won't let me make love to you
why can't I get just one -*
"Greg!" Catherine hollered, laughing at the expression on Brass' face as he registered the lyrics, "do you mind turning it down a bit?"
Greg looked at Catherine sheepishly, quickly turning down the volume as he spun to face her and Brass. To his left, Sara grinned, and continued humming along to the music, occasionally singing a verse under her breath. "Sorry Cath, Brass - just listening to some Violent Femmes while I work. What can I do for you?"
"You have anything for us on the pig blood?"
"Should be ready - just let me print it up and check the markers," he quickly printed the results the computer had spewed at him, checking them out before turning to grin at her. "Positive - these little piggies are related to our less illustrious Lifestyles victim. Their mother was the sow."
"And you mean that in the nicest possible way," Sara mumbled under her breath. "Now that you're finished with the pigs, can we get some of these samples running? I know it's a long shot, but if we can match anything to the kids in the desert, Grissom will be really happy."
Catherine took the report from Greg and handed it to Brass. "We're going to talk to Michael now - room one. Thanks Greg. You can turn your music back up if you want 'Add It Up's' a good song."
Greg turned to Sara and grinned as Catherine and Brass exited the lab, "Cool!"
________
Author's Note: Believe it or not, an end is in sight. Thanks for your patience!
"Whoa, whoa Nick! I think we've got something," Warrick was looking at the green image flickering on the small display, his evening white teeth flashing as he shot a grin at Nick. "Looks like a foot. Shift over to the left a little and move up a few inches."
Nick did as he was told, the large mower-like machine rolling evenly over the concrete foundation of the smokehouse. "Well?" he demanded.
"We've got a body for sure."
Nick grinned, "Let's hope it's what we need to nail Enoch. Grissom and Brass are still in the tanning room. You want to go tell them, or shall I?"
"I will. I want to see the look on Enoch's face when he hears the news."
* * * * *
"Greg's going to have a field day with all this stuff," Catherine muttered to herself as she methodically loaded the Tahoe. On top of the DNA samples they had taken earlier from the commune residents not yet in custody, between her and Sara they had gathered every single implement in the small butchering room. Grissom had bagged almost as many blades and scrappers from the tannery. Sara had stoically disregarded the blood and the more gruesome aspects of the tools they were collecting, and had barely flinched when Grissom had also handed them several vials of pig's blood a few minutes ago.
"We need to test this against the pig's blood from Lifestyles," he had instructed, "and see if these piglets are related to the blood donor."
She and Sara had been gathering the last of the tannery tools when Warrick had walked in. "We've found a body in the foundation of the smokehouse," he had grinned when Enoch's glare had faltered slightly.
Grissom had merely nodded, "I suspected as much. Officer Langdon," he added this almost as an afterthought, "you keep excellent notes. So, we're going to have to dig him out. Let's measure off the area and get to work, gentlemen. Cath - Sara - back to the lab. Get those samples running, find out about the pig blood and call me with anything that pops up."
"Sure thing, Grissom," Sara looked at her watch and sighed, "I guess that means we'll be pulling doubles."
Grissom nodded, "Everyone except Greg. He's been there all night. Ask him to get the samples running, but send him home at the regular time. He's doing to well for a setback now."
"Understood. He won't want to go, though," Catherine added.
"And I don't want him out for weeks because we've worked him too hard, too soon."
"Listen Grissom, why don't I head back too?" Brass interrupted, "I'd like to talk to Michael - the butcher. I'll leave O'Reilly and his men here, and bring Officer Langdon with me to sit in on the interview. And I think, Mr. Winters, you're coming with us."
"Fine. So - we all know what we're doing?" Grissom looked at his team, eyebrow cocked, as he listened to the various responses. "Good. C'mon Warrick, we got a body to retrieve."
* * * * *
Greg was semi-dozing in the lounge when the click-click-click of Catherine's heels and the soft tones of Sara's voice interrupted the silence. He had been replaying the phone conversation with Alli over in his mind, remembering her sleepy voice describing his hands, and wondering if she had ever fallen asleep. Pushing himself groggily to his feet, he ran a hand through his hair and smiled at the women when they entered the break room.
"Hey - you're back. What have you got for me?"
"Greg, you are going to be in DNA heaven," Sara greeted him. "We have scrapers, knives, bone cutters, hack saws - more pig blood," she grimaced at this last part, "and Nick, Gris and Warrick are digging a DB out of cement as we speak."
"Speaking of which, I'm going to go and re-read the report on our suspected DB. Maybe I can get things organized enough that we'll have dental records here by the time they bring him in. The sooner we can confirm foundation man is Eric, the sooner we can hopefully arrest Enoch and send these cases to the DA," Catherine smiled at Sara, before turning to Greg. "Grissom gave me strict instructions to send you home at 8:00 - no doubles for you, so get cracking!"
Greg mock saluted her, "Yes ma'am! Sara, you helping me or -"
"Helping you. Cath - you going to sit in with Brass and Langdon when they talk to butcher boy?"
"I've already told Brass to page me when they're ready to start."
* * * * *
Greg was singing to himself as he started the DNA testing on the pig blood -
"Sometimes late when things are real
And people share the gift of gab between themselves
Some are quick to take the bait
And catch the perfect prize that waits among the shelves
But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad -
So please believe in me
When I say I'm spinning round, round, round, round
Smoke glass stain bright color
Image going down, down, down, down
Soapsuds green like bubbles
Oh, Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn't, didn't already have
And Cause never was the reason for the evening
Or the tropic of Sir Galahad"
He stopped singing when he noticed Sara ginning at him. "What?"
"Isn't America a little mellow for you?"
Greg tried to frown at her, but gave up and grinned back, "I can be mellow. I'm getting more and more in touch with my mellowness every day."
She snorted, "Right. You are multi-faceted, Greg."
"Just like a diamond," he agreed. "Seriously though, I only listen to alternative punk metal here because I like to tweak Grissom. I actual have a vast repertoire of musical interests." Greg walked over to Sara and looked at the long slim blade she was carefully swabbing. "Looks like you're getting some good swabs."
"Sounds so rude when you say it that way," Sara agreed, "but yeah."
"Can I ask you something, Sara?" Greg's voice was tentative, and he went back to his samples so he didn't have to look at her, "You and Nick were friends for a long time. When did you realize you were interested in him?"
"It just happened. He was having a hard time with the murder of that little boy in the desert - Timmy Watson. We talked, and it was just there. I'd like to be able to say I always knew, but I didn't - one day, we were friends and the next something so much more," she smiled. "I don't know if I would have been open to a relationship with him sooner though, so it worked. Why do you ask?"
Greg shrugged, "I'm just trying to figure it out. Not you and Nick in particular - just relationships."
"You like Alli," Sara stated this baldly, amused when Greg flushed. "You don't have to answer me, 'cuz it's fairly obvious. I think it's great, Greg. Especially if it means you're happier. I know this has been hard on you - I cannot even begin to imagine what you're going through - but it doesn't make you less of a person. It's nice to see you really smiling again, and singing again. Now, if we could only get the obnoxious music back in the lab I'll KNOW you're really on the road to recovery and not just faking it to keep the rest of us from worrying."
"I am getting better, Sara," Greg agreed. "I'm still going to have my moments, but I will survive. And it's because of you guys. So, if loud music is all it would take to convince you, are you open to some classic Violent Femmes? It's the only CD I have in the lab right now."
"Bring it on, Greg, bring it on!"
* * * * *
"Cath, you ready?" Brass stuck his head in the door to Catherine's office, smiling slightly when she jerked her head up from the report she'd been reading.
"Michael?" she asked.
"Absolutely. We have Enoch in a holding cell, and Michael in room one with Langdon. I've spoken with the DA - she says she'll take the death sentence off the table if he'll roll on Enoch. He's the guy we want."
Catherine nodded as she stood up, "I'm with that program. So, what's the plan?"
"Well, we're going to officially charge him with the murders at Lifestyles, and the desert murders or the couple. I need to pop in on Greg and see if we got any DNA match from the pigs' blood to the piglets. The tighter we can tie this guy up, the better chance we have at getting something from him. Right now, we have no physical evidence to tie Enoch to any of this, so we really need something."
"What about the other guy that Enoch was supposedly training in the fine art of tanning hides? Should we speak to him?"
Brass grimaced, "Don't worry - we will be. We don't have as much on him as this guy though, so I think he's the one we get the ball rolling with."
He and Catherine walked down the hallway, the sounds of music getting progressively louder as they approached the lab. Brass smiled at Catherine when he saw Greg's head bobbing along to the loud tempo, Sara at a neighboring table, as they ran their respective tests. "Look like Greg's back."
Catherine didn't try to hide her relieved grin when she turned to look at Brass, "Let's hope he's back for good." She opened the door, lyrics assaulting their ears -
*Why can't I get just one kiss
why can't I get just one kiss
believe me there'd be something that I wouldn't miss
but I look at your pants and I need I need a kiss
why can't I get just one screw
why can't I get just one screw
believe me I know what to do
but something won't let me make love to you
why can't I get just one -*
"Greg!" Catherine hollered, laughing at the expression on Brass' face as he registered the lyrics, "do you mind turning it down a bit?"
Greg looked at Catherine sheepishly, quickly turning down the volume as he spun to face her and Brass. To his left, Sara grinned, and continued humming along to the music, occasionally singing a verse under her breath. "Sorry Cath, Brass - just listening to some Violent Femmes while I work. What can I do for you?"
"You have anything for us on the pig blood?"
"Should be ready - just let me print it up and check the markers," he quickly printed the results the computer had spewed at him, checking them out before turning to grin at her. "Positive - these little piggies are related to our less illustrious Lifestyles victim. Their mother was the sow."
"And you mean that in the nicest possible way," Sara mumbled under her breath. "Now that you're finished with the pigs, can we get some of these samples running? I know it's a long shot, but if we can match anything to the kids in the desert, Grissom will be really happy."
Catherine took the report from Greg and handed it to Brass. "We're going to talk to Michael now - room one. Thanks Greg. You can turn your music back up if you want 'Add It Up's' a good song."
Greg turned to Sara and grinned as Catherine and Brass exited the lab, "Cool!"
________
Author's Note: Believe it or not, an end is in sight. Thanks for your patience!