XXVIII - TURNCOAT
"This seem familiar, Nicky?" Grissom muttered. He, Nick and Warrick had supervised the removal of a large part of the smokehouse floor, watching with interest and the slightest hint of anxiety as the block was lifted and moved out onto a waiting flatbed.
"Just like a jar of pickles," Nick agreed. "So, we get him down to the lab, crack open the cement and see if we found our man Eric?"
"That's the idea," Warrick agreed.
* * * * *
Michael's lawyer glared tiredly at Brass as he and Catherine entered the interview room.
"Couldn't this have waited until after breakfast?" he murmured, his expression dour. "This smacks of harassment."
Brass smiled grimly, "Buddy, you don't know harassment. Let's just cut to the chase, shall we? Like you, I want to eat breakfast this morning." He grunted as he sat down from the large man, indicating with a flick of his hands to his side, "and you remember Catherine Willows, CSI III? We're also being joined this morning by Officer Langdon. You may remember him from an investigation he was at the commune for about 18 months ago - looking for Scotty's friend, Eric?"
When Michael's eyes widened slightly at this, Brass sighed in satisfaction. "So Michael, this is what we know. We know you were at Lifestyles when the murders took place, we know you took Scottie with you, we know you were involved in the murder of those two kids out in the desert, and we know the pig blood at Lifestyles is from a pig butchered at the commune - probably by you."
Beside Brass, Catherine was grinning. When he finished speaking, she looked at Michael expectantly, waiting for his reply. When it came, it was brief and to the point.
"So?"
Officer Langdon jerked in his seat, and looked at the man in disbelief. Catherine just grinned wider.
"See Brass, I told you he wouldn't care," she said, before turning a waspish smile at the man. "We've got enough to ask for - and get - the death penalty. We have your fingerprints, shoe prints - tools. We can match the pig blood to the piglets currently in your barn, because she was the mother. We have an eyewitness who says you were the last person seen with Scotty. SO, you're going down Michael. I told Brass you wouldn't be interested in a deal."
Michael glared at her, but she noticed the thin sheen of sweat across his hairline and the sudden tight grip on the chair.
"Do you want to die, Michael?" Brass asked, "I know they say lethal injection is painless, but frankly - I've never believed that."
Off to Michael's side, his lawyer suddenly interrupted, "I came here to listen to your offer. Instead of trying to intimidate my client just spit it out."
Brass smiled tightly, "We'll take the death penalty off the table if your client gives us what we need to arrest Enoch. He's the ringleader in all this."
"DA has already agreed to this," Catherine inserted silkily, "but your client only has about 20 minutes to make the decision. After that, the deals off the table and we'll take it to someone else."
Michael snorted, "Brother Enoch is our spiritual leader. He is our link to God. No one will turn on him."
Brass just grinned, "We have arrested 12 men from the commune, all for murder. And not just any murder - hate crimes. All of them are facing the death penalty. I'm surprised you don't think one of them will want our deal. Life in prison is a whole lot better than death by lethal injection."
Catherine smirked at Langdon across Brass' shoulders, her expression clearly showing the young officer she was enjoying Michael's squirming. When Michael didn't respond to Brass, Brass sighed and stood up.
"Well, you're a more trusting man than I am, Michael. I hope your faith sustains you. Langdon, what was the name of the guy Enoch was training to run the tanning operations at the commune? Considering one of our victims was found with the skin peeled from his hands, I think he's the next person we should talk to."
"Uh. That would be Aaron, sir."
Michael's head shot up, "Aaron?"
"That's what Langdon said, Michael. You have a problem with us talking to Aaron? I thought you said no one would turn on him," Brass' voice was coolly detached, and he arched an eyebrow at the man.
"Speak now, or forever hold your peace Michael," Catherine added, "because, quite frankly, I don't care who takes this deal - I know someone will."
Michael shot a panicky glance at his lawyer, who quickly spoke up, "Let us have a few minutes?"
"Of course," Brass smiled, "Catherine, Langdon - shall we get a coffee from the break room?" He turned back to Michael and his lawyer, "Five minutes, gentlemen. After that, we go to Aaron."
* * * * *
"I've got unidentified male DNA here," Greg grinned at Sara, "pulled it off this blade here. I've already tried matching it against the DNA samples we have from the men at the commune, and it isn't any of them."
"And I've got an easy 3 - 4 dozen more samples for you to run. These tools are disgusting. If I wasn't already a vegetarian, this would be enough to turn me for good," the beeping of her pager made her jump, and she smiled self-consciously when Greg grinned at her. "Nick," she said, looking at message, "they're on their way back with the body."
* * * * *
Alli arrived to pick Greg up for breakfast 20 minutes early. Smiling in anticipation of seeing him again, she quickly parked and headed for the building. She turned when she heard her name being called, smiling when she saw Nick waving at her from the parking lot.
"Hey Alli," he smiled as he jogged up to her, "wasn't expecting to see you here this morning."
"I'm a little early - meeting Greg for breakfast."
"At least he gets to go for breakfast," Nick sighed. "The rest of us are pulling doubles." He pointed to a large Forensics van that was just pulling into the lot. "There's Grissom and Warrick now. We got a man in concrete."
Alli shuddered, "I'd like to say that sounds fascinating, but - it doesn't. At least, not to me."
"You get used to it. So, where are you going for breakfast?"
"I don't know. Hopefully, someplace that has eggs benedict," Alli smiled suddenly, "Want us to bring you something back?"
Nick held open the door to the lobby, motioning Alli inside, "I'd kill for a chilli cheese dog, but since you'll probably end up at IHOP - blueberry pancakes would be nice. If it's not a problem."
"Not at all - besides, I owe you for telling Greg to show me his place. It's a great apartment."
"Yeah. He misses it," Nick ran a rough hand through his short hair, "He says you're giving him a painting; seems pretty excited about it actually."
Alli smiled, "Well, he does like my stuff. I still say I'm getting the better deal though. You've known Greg a long time?"
Nick nodded, "Relatively, I suppose. We've worked together about 2 - 2 ½ years now, but just got to be close within the last month or so. He's like a brother, now."
Alli nodded at this, "He does seem rather close to you all. I suppose with what he's going through, it helps to have good friends around. What's his family think of all this?"
"We're his family," Nick paused in the hallway, turning to look seriously at her. "He's been through a lot, Alli. Some stuff you know about; a lot of stuff you don't. He'll tell you eventually, if you ask." He stopped, considering his words carefully, "I'm glad for you that you've found a place to live, and I can see that you're - interested - in Greg. I know he likes you. But I have to say, as his friend, he can't afford to be hurt right now. So please, don't hurt him."
"Hurting Greg is the last thing on my mind," Alli responded honestly. "I know I've only just met him, but I feel like I've known him forever. Is that strange?"
Nick shrugged, "Personally, no. I felt that way when Sara first came to work here. It was like - at last, you're finally here! What took you so long? - type of thing. So, I understand. The timing could maybe be better, though."
Alli smiled, "You're a nice guy, Nick. I'll try not to hurt him - I just hope he doesn't end up hurting me."
* * * * *
Brass and Catherine were in the breakroom when Nick and Alli walked by. Nick stuck his head in the doorway, "Hey guys. We're back. Griss and Warrick are supervising the unloading of the body now, probably be up soon. Alli's here to take Greg for breakfast - is he in the lab?"
Catherine grinned, "Greg and Sara both - running samples. Grissom already phoned to say he was on his way up - meet here in 5 minutes. We got some news for you all."
Beside her Brass added, "Do we ever!" rather smugly.
"Greg need to be in on this meeting, too?"
Catherine looked at Alli standing out in the hallway and smiled, "He should be - he's been working the case. It won't be long."
"Okay, then. Thanks Cath. I'll go tell them. See you in a bit."
* * * * *
"Yo, Greg. You got a visitor!" Nick grinned as he walked into the lab, Alli trailing behind him.
Greg looked up from the fat-scraper he was swabbing and smiled, "Alli - is it breakfast time already?"
Alli shook her head, "I'm early."
"And our presence is requested down in the lounge - apparently, there's some news," Nick added, as he walked over to where Sara was standing, bumping his hip companionably against hers. "What's up?"
"Greg and I have managed to pull human DNA from some of the blood on these tools," she smiled tightly when she said this, "and Greg tested it against our male vic out in the desert."
Nick cocked a questioning eyebrow at her, "Well?"
"Perfect match."
Greg shot a glance at Alli, before turning to Nick, "When you say 'our presence' do you mean me, too?"
Nick shrugged, "Sorry man. If it's any consolation, Cath says it won't take long."
Greg sighed, "Alli -"
"Don't worry, Greg. I'll go visit Uncle Al - hopefully, he's in his office and not the morgue," she grimaced comically when she said this, and Greg heaved a sigh of relief.
"So, I'll catch up with you in his office?"
"That's where I'll be."
* * * * *
"Okay, so what have we got?" Grissom strode into the break room, smiling at Catherine, before sweeping a quick gaze over the rest of his team.
Catherine grinned, "Well, since Brass and I have the best news, let's build up shall we? Greg and Sara - you start."
Greg smiled when Sara quickly explained the DNA and blood matches they had found on the tools, adding, "and at the rate we're going for fingerprints, we'll be checking and cross-checking for weeks."
Grissom grunted, "You better not be," before turning back to Cath and Brass. "You already know we found a body in the floor of the smokehouse. We've dug out a slab and brought it back here to retrieve the body - that's where we're headed next. I'm fairly confident it's Eric. What's your big news?"
Catherine turned to Brass and grinned, "You do the honors, Brass."
Brass smiled at her before looking at the rest of the team, letting the silence build until the anticipation was so thick you could cut it with a knife. "Michael - the commune butcher - has agreed to testify against Enoch. I've spoken with ADA Henderson, and we've pressed charges - Enoch is in jail until his bail hearing later today."
Grissom's eyebrows went up at this piece of news, "What did Michael say? Anything beneficial?"
Catherine shrugged, "Enoch was the mastermind behind the various murders. He set up the men into their teams, and sent them on their way. He's the one that told Michael and the other men to take Scotty with them to Lifestyles and kill him there."
"What about the kids in the desert?"
"Apparently, that's not the first time they've parked there. They'd been spotted before, and Enoch had men watching for when they returned. Killing those kids was premeditated."
Nick, Warrick, Sara and Greg all smiled at each other, but Grissom's expression was still grim, "Can he provide us with any evidence - physical evidence - to support this? Because right now, it's just a 'he said, he said' deal. A good defense attorney will rip Michael to shreds - he's the one with the blood on his hands."
Brass frowned, "Henderson thinks we've got a good basis to go on."
"Yeah? Well, I'm not Henderson. Listen, I'm glad he's arrested but we have to find something - anything - something he's written, whatever, because we only get one chance to nail him. If he goes to court and is found innocent, that's it. Double jeopardy."
His words were like a bucket of ice water on the others, and he sighed, rubbing his hands together before gently massaging the bridge of his nose. "Did he say anything about Eric?"
"He said the body in the concrete is Eric's. He also said Enoch is the one who killed him."
"So, maybe we'll find some evidence linking Enoch to Eric's murder, at least. Maybe there's something with the body," Nick's voice sounded hopeful, and Grissom turned to look at him.
"That's our best shot. We'll need fiber evidence or something to physically prove Enoch was involved. He's been smart about keeping his hands clean so far; but we could get lucky. Maybe we'll find something." Grissom's tone was grim.
"In the meantime, he's in jail - and the chances he'll be granted bail are pretty slim, considering the ferocity of the crimes," Catherine interjected. "If we can't find physical evidence, we'll just have to make sure that our new 'witness' won't crack under the pressure and fold."
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Author's Note: Next chapter, breakfast, Warrick and Katie, and - Well, read the next chapter and find out.
"This seem familiar, Nicky?" Grissom muttered. He, Nick and Warrick had supervised the removal of a large part of the smokehouse floor, watching with interest and the slightest hint of anxiety as the block was lifted and moved out onto a waiting flatbed.
"Just like a jar of pickles," Nick agreed. "So, we get him down to the lab, crack open the cement and see if we found our man Eric?"
"That's the idea," Warrick agreed.
* * * * *
Michael's lawyer glared tiredly at Brass as he and Catherine entered the interview room.
"Couldn't this have waited until after breakfast?" he murmured, his expression dour. "This smacks of harassment."
Brass smiled grimly, "Buddy, you don't know harassment. Let's just cut to the chase, shall we? Like you, I want to eat breakfast this morning." He grunted as he sat down from the large man, indicating with a flick of his hands to his side, "and you remember Catherine Willows, CSI III? We're also being joined this morning by Officer Langdon. You may remember him from an investigation he was at the commune for about 18 months ago - looking for Scotty's friend, Eric?"
When Michael's eyes widened slightly at this, Brass sighed in satisfaction. "So Michael, this is what we know. We know you were at Lifestyles when the murders took place, we know you took Scottie with you, we know you were involved in the murder of those two kids out in the desert, and we know the pig blood at Lifestyles is from a pig butchered at the commune - probably by you."
Beside Brass, Catherine was grinning. When he finished speaking, she looked at Michael expectantly, waiting for his reply. When it came, it was brief and to the point.
"So?"
Officer Langdon jerked in his seat, and looked at the man in disbelief. Catherine just grinned wider.
"See Brass, I told you he wouldn't care," she said, before turning a waspish smile at the man. "We've got enough to ask for - and get - the death penalty. We have your fingerprints, shoe prints - tools. We can match the pig blood to the piglets currently in your barn, because she was the mother. We have an eyewitness who says you were the last person seen with Scotty. SO, you're going down Michael. I told Brass you wouldn't be interested in a deal."
Michael glared at her, but she noticed the thin sheen of sweat across his hairline and the sudden tight grip on the chair.
"Do you want to die, Michael?" Brass asked, "I know they say lethal injection is painless, but frankly - I've never believed that."
Off to Michael's side, his lawyer suddenly interrupted, "I came here to listen to your offer. Instead of trying to intimidate my client just spit it out."
Brass smiled tightly, "We'll take the death penalty off the table if your client gives us what we need to arrest Enoch. He's the ringleader in all this."
"DA has already agreed to this," Catherine inserted silkily, "but your client only has about 20 minutes to make the decision. After that, the deals off the table and we'll take it to someone else."
Michael snorted, "Brother Enoch is our spiritual leader. He is our link to God. No one will turn on him."
Brass just grinned, "We have arrested 12 men from the commune, all for murder. And not just any murder - hate crimes. All of them are facing the death penalty. I'm surprised you don't think one of them will want our deal. Life in prison is a whole lot better than death by lethal injection."
Catherine smirked at Langdon across Brass' shoulders, her expression clearly showing the young officer she was enjoying Michael's squirming. When Michael didn't respond to Brass, Brass sighed and stood up.
"Well, you're a more trusting man than I am, Michael. I hope your faith sustains you. Langdon, what was the name of the guy Enoch was training to run the tanning operations at the commune? Considering one of our victims was found with the skin peeled from his hands, I think he's the next person we should talk to."
"Uh. That would be Aaron, sir."
Michael's head shot up, "Aaron?"
"That's what Langdon said, Michael. You have a problem with us talking to Aaron? I thought you said no one would turn on him," Brass' voice was coolly detached, and he arched an eyebrow at the man.
"Speak now, or forever hold your peace Michael," Catherine added, "because, quite frankly, I don't care who takes this deal - I know someone will."
Michael shot a panicky glance at his lawyer, who quickly spoke up, "Let us have a few minutes?"
"Of course," Brass smiled, "Catherine, Langdon - shall we get a coffee from the break room?" He turned back to Michael and his lawyer, "Five minutes, gentlemen. After that, we go to Aaron."
* * * * *
"I've got unidentified male DNA here," Greg grinned at Sara, "pulled it off this blade here. I've already tried matching it against the DNA samples we have from the men at the commune, and it isn't any of them."
"And I've got an easy 3 - 4 dozen more samples for you to run. These tools are disgusting. If I wasn't already a vegetarian, this would be enough to turn me for good," the beeping of her pager made her jump, and she smiled self-consciously when Greg grinned at her. "Nick," she said, looking at message, "they're on their way back with the body."
* * * * *
Alli arrived to pick Greg up for breakfast 20 minutes early. Smiling in anticipation of seeing him again, she quickly parked and headed for the building. She turned when she heard her name being called, smiling when she saw Nick waving at her from the parking lot.
"Hey Alli," he smiled as he jogged up to her, "wasn't expecting to see you here this morning."
"I'm a little early - meeting Greg for breakfast."
"At least he gets to go for breakfast," Nick sighed. "The rest of us are pulling doubles." He pointed to a large Forensics van that was just pulling into the lot. "There's Grissom and Warrick now. We got a man in concrete."
Alli shuddered, "I'd like to say that sounds fascinating, but - it doesn't. At least, not to me."
"You get used to it. So, where are you going for breakfast?"
"I don't know. Hopefully, someplace that has eggs benedict," Alli smiled suddenly, "Want us to bring you something back?"
Nick held open the door to the lobby, motioning Alli inside, "I'd kill for a chilli cheese dog, but since you'll probably end up at IHOP - blueberry pancakes would be nice. If it's not a problem."
"Not at all - besides, I owe you for telling Greg to show me his place. It's a great apartment."
"Yeah. He misses it," Nick ran a rough hand through his short hair, "He says you're giving him a painting; seems pretty excited about it actually."
Alli smiled, "Well, he does like my stuff. I still say I'm getting the better deal though. You've known Greg a long time?"
Nick nodded, "Relatively, I suppose. We've worked together about 2 - 2 ½ years now, but just got to be close within the last month or so. He's like a brother, now."
Alli nodded at this, "He does seem rather close to you all. I suppose with what he's going through, it helps to have good friends around. What's his family think of all this?"
"We're his family," Nick paused in the hallway, turning to look seriously at her. "He's been through a lot, Alli. Some stuff you know about; a lot of stuff you don't. He'll tell you eventually, if you ask." He stopped, considering his words carefully, "I'm glad for you that you've found a place to live, and I can see that you're - interested - in Greg. I know he likes you. But I have to say, as his friend, he can't afford to be hurt right now. So please, don't hurt him."
"Hurting Greg is the last thing on my mind," Alli responded honestly. "I know I've only just met him, but I feel like I've known him forever. Is that strange?"
Nick shrugged, "Personally, no. I felt that way when Sara first came to work here. It was like - at last, you're finally here! What took you so long? - type of thing. So, I understand. The timing could maybe be better, though."
Alli smiled, "You're a nice guy, Nick. I'll try not to hurt him - I just hope he doesn't end up hurting me."
* * * * *
Brass and Catherine were in the breakroom when Nick and Alli walked by. Nick stuck his head in the doorway, "Hey guys. We're back. Griss and Warrick are supervising the unloading of the body now, probably be up soon. Alli's here to take Greg for breakfast - is he in the lab?"
Catherine grinned, "Greg and Sara both - running samples. Grissom already phoned to say he was on his way up - meet here in 5 minutes. We got some news for you all."
Beside her Brass added, "Do we ever!" rather smugly.
"Greg need to be in on this meeting, too?"
Catherine looked at Alli standing out in the hallway and smiled, "He should be - he's been working the case. It won't be long."
"Okay, then. Thanks Cath. I'll go tell them. See you in a bit."
* * * * *
"Yo, Greg. You got a visitor!" Nick grinned as he walked into the lab, Alli trailing behind him.
Greg looked up from the fat-scraper he was swabbing and smiled, "Alli - is it breakfast time already?"
Alli shook her head, "I'm early."
"And our presence is requested down in the lounge - apparently, there's some news," Nick added, as he walked over to where Sara was standing, bumping his hip companionably against hers. "What's up?"
"Greg and I have managed to pull human DNA from some of the blood on these tools," she smiled tightly when she said this, "and Greg tested it against our male vic out in the desert."
Nick cocked a questioning eyebrow at her, "Well?"
"Perfect match."
Greg shot a glance at Alli, before turning to Nick, "When you say 'our presence' do you mean me, too?"
Nick shrugged, "Sorry man. If it's any consolation, Cath says it won't take long."
Greg sighed, "Alli -"
"Don't worry, Greg. I'll go visit Uncle Al - hopefully, he's in his office and not the morgue," she grimaced comically when she said this, and Greg heaved a sigh of relief.
"So, I'll catch up with you in his office?"
"That's where I'll be."
* * * * *
"Okay, so what have we got?" Grissom strode into the break room, smiling at Catherine, before sweeping a quick gaze over the rest of his team.
Catherine grinned, "Well, since Brass and I have the best news, let's build up shall we? Greg and Sara - you start."
Greg smiled when Sara quickly explained the DNA and blood matches they had found on the tools, adding, "and at the rate we're going for fingerprints, we'll be checking and cross-checking for weeks."
Grissom grunted, "You better not be," before turning back to Cath and Brass. "You already know we found a body in the floor of the smokehouse. We've dug out a slab and brought it back here to retrieve the body - that's where we're headed next. I'm fairly confident it's Eric. What's your big news?"
Catherine turned to Brass and grinned, "You do the honors, Brass."
Brass smiled at her before looking at the rest of the team, letting the silence build until the anticipation was so thick you could cut it with a knife. "Michael - the commune butcher - has agreed to testify against Enoch. I've spoken with ADA Henderson, and we've pressed charges - Enoch is in jail until his bail hearing later today."
Grissom's eyebrows went up at this piece of news, "What did Michael say? Anything beneficial?"
Catherine shrugged, "Enoch was the mastermind behind the various murders. He set up the men into their teams, and sent them on their way. He's the one that told Michael and the other men to take Scotty with them to Lifestyles and kill him there."
"What about the kids in the desert?"
"Apparently, that's not the first time they've parked there. They'd been spotted before, and Enoch had men watching for when they returned. Killing those kids was premeditated."
Nick, Warrick, Sara and Greg all smiled at each other, but Grissom's expression was still grim, "Can he provide us with any evidence - physical evidence - to support this? Because right now, it's just a 'he said, he said' deal. A good defense attorney will rip Michael to shreds - he's the one with the blood on his hands."
Brass frowned, "Henderson thinks we've got a good basis to go on."
"Yeah? Well, I'm not Henderson. Listen, I'm glad he's arrested but we have to find something - anything - something he's written, whatever, because we only get one chance to nail him. If he goes to court and is found innocent, that's it. Double jeopardy."
His words were like a bucket of ice water on the others, and he sighed, rubbing his hands together before gently massaging the bridge of his nose. "Did he say anything about Eric?"
"He said the body in the concrete is Eric's. He also said Enoch is the one who killed him."
"So, maybe we'll find some evidence linking Enoch to Eric's murder, at least. Maybe there's something with the body," Nick's voice sounded hopeful, and Grissom turned to look at him.
"That's our best shot. We'll need fiber evidence or something to physically prove Enoch was involved. He's been smart about keeping his hands clean so far; but we could get lucky. Maybe we'll find something." Grissom's tone was grim.
"In the meantime, he's in jail - and the chances he'll be granted bail are pretty slim, considering the ferocity of the crimes," Catherine interjected. "If we can't find physical evidence, we'll just have to make sure that our new 'witness' won't crack under the pressure and fold."
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Author's Note: Next chapter, breakfast, Warrick and Katie, and - Well, read the next chapter and find out.