I packed light, so I wasn't surprised that I was the first one back at CSI headquarters. I wanted to get a few items of my own that would help with the case. I packed my metal field kit full of anything and everything imaginable. I grabbed the red creeper off my shelf and was instantly reminded of Sara. I remember when she questioned it. I believe I told her that it was a special concoction for a special case. Well this couldn't get more special. I also made a mental note to remind Catherine to pack the best camera we had, that took the clearest pictures. We will need to make sure we don't miss a beat. I was already a little shaken that by the time we got there the crime scene was old. Possible evidence could have been lost and again I made a mental note to post that in my reported findings. I was so lost in thought, that I didn't hear Conrad Ecklie enter my office. And I knew it had nothing to with my hearing, because I could hear all the background noise of the lab. Sometimes I wish I could pick the moments when my hearing left me; right now would be one of those times.
"I heard about Sidle. You think you can just pick up and leave. I talked to the sheriff and he hasn't approved of this." His tone was filled with contempt.
I turned to face him. "You are talking like I care Conrad." My temper became short. "Sara is in trouble, we need to be there."
"Why do I get the feeling this is a personal thing? Are you two an item now? Is she giving you some? I have to admit she has that whole sex thing going on."
I lost it. I shouldn't have but I did; I punched him directly in the jaw. He stumbled back upon impact and my fist immediately began to throb with pain. "You know I would do this for any of my CSIs." Then I quickly added, "And don't ever talk about her like that."
Ecklie approached me. "You might not have job to come back to Gil." He said in a threatening tone.
"Maybe not but I will still have my integrity. Move I have a case to solve. You know, that's what we do. Solve crimes for the victim or have you forgotten?"
"I am just saying to watch it Gil."
"Maybe you should watch it." I spat. Luckily for Ecklie, Catherine came in to break up the tension.
"Conrad doesn't the sheriff need you?" She said mockingly.
"This isn't between you and me Catherine. Don't make it."
"I will if I have to." Catherine got in his face causing me to step back. "You see you can't threaten my job. I won't hesitate to take you with me Conrad."
"What are you teaching your people Gil? Keep them in line and out of my face." He turned back to Catherine. "Don't think your job is so secure Mrs. Willows."
"Its as secure as yours."
"Watch yourself Gil." Ecklie walked towards the door. "This isn't over Gil." Was all he said before slamming the office door.
"That son-of-a-bitch." I knew I surprised Catherine with my language so I quickly apologized. "Sorry. Are you packed?"
"Yes and you shouldn't be sorry. Ecklie is an S.O.B no arguing there. And yes I even got the best camera that I knew you would ask for."
"How did you know?"
"Serious case, serious equipment."
"It sounds to me that you are beginning to read my mind. I am getting scared." I smiled.
"Yeah, before you know it we can finish each other's sentences like you and Sara." Catherine must have noticed my change in demeanor at the thought of Sara, so she changed the subject. "I better go pack some ice for that hand slugger." She gave me a short nudge of the elbow.
"Thanks." Was all I could say.
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We loaded my Tahoe and Warrick's with all of our best equipment and reconvened in the lounge. I had to talk to them before we left.
"Okay guys, settle down. This is what I want once we get there. First we need to go to the scene then review all the evidence as a group. Now according to Mr. Green," I motioned to him as he stood in the doorway, "the scene has already had a preliminary collection before they were removed from the case, but I want to see it ourselves."
"You forgot. The first thing I want to do is see Sara." Nick interrupted. "We should all go see her and let her know what's going on."
"I agree Gris. She should know that we are on her case." Catherine fiddled with the lip of her Styrofoam cup.
"Okay. You are right. First we will see Sara, then process the scene. Agreed."
They all filed out of the room to the cars. Nick stopped me on my way out. "Thanks Gris. I really do need to see her."
"I know. We all do." Nick and Sara were always close and I was grateful for that. She would always have someone to turn to if she couldn't turn to me.
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We arrived in San Francisco making good time. I forgot just how beautiful it really was; nothing like Vegas. The air was wet from the bay. Not to mention very refreshing compared to the hot Nevada air. It really was a beautiful city. The hills were immense in angle and the homes slanted because of the tilt of the landscape. But Las Vegas was home, with its hot, sometimes humid air. The heat was intense during the day and it was nonexistent at night. Sometimes the desert would reach almost freezing after the sun went down. It was a harsh land, to be perfectly honest, and had no real appeal. Vegas after all had the second best lab in the country, which was most of its appeal to me.
We were all restless and anticipating the next twenty four hours. They were going to be the most hard to get through. It always was with a tough case, whether the case was tough because the evidence didn't cooperate or the fact that the crime was so appalling. It was both this time.
We all followed Mr. Green into the hospital. "Yes we are here to see Miss Sara Sidle." He said politely to the nurse behind the front desk.
"What's the name again?" She asked.
"Sidle, Sara."
"Okay here we are. I am sorry but she was released about two hours ago."
"What!" Mr. Green seemed to lose it. "In her condition? Who approved?"
I was starting to get worried now and I am sure my face reflected just that. Mr. Green never described Sara's condition, he just said she was pretty beaten up. But reacting like this was making me wonder how bad Sara really was.
"Well the doctor released her to the police. They came in and arrested her."
"Do you know the officer's name?"
"No sir."
"Well do you know the doctor?"
"Yes I can go get him. Would you like to see him?"
"Ahhh yeah!"
The nurse walked away to some unknown place.
Warrick broke the silence. "I thought you said she was in bad shape. Why would a doctor approve her dismissal?"
"That's what I want to find out." Mr. Green said.
Finally the nurse returned with a very good looking doctor. He wore round glasses and was fairly tall. Before I could observe him any longer Mr. Green interrupted my thoughts.
"I should have known that you were the piece of shit that released Sara." He hissed.
"Good to see you Jeremy. Before you get all wrapped up in the details look at the big picture. Sara was well enough to be arrested. After all this is a hospital, not a place for murders."
"You ass. Sara did not commit murder and you know it. And don't lie I know you did it for your brother. I saw Sara and she was in no condition whatsoever to be released."
"Don't you dare insult my credibility." The doctor poked his finger in Mr. Green's chest.
"Well I am right? The arresting officer was Ethan, wasn't it?"
"Yes but that has nothing to do with it."
"Right. I wouldn't trust you with the life of my goldfish, you fake." Mr. Green turned to face us completely ignoring the doctor. "We better go now."
The doctor quickly turned on his heels at the insult and left.
"What's wrong?" Catherine asked.
"Do you have someone in Vegas that is determined to be a complete jerk? And isn't cut out for his job?"
"Ecklie." They all answered in unison. I had to smile.
"Well, Ethan Parks is that man in San Francisco. He isn't even a CSI. He is the officer that works with us."
"I don't get it." Catherine stated honestly and frankly I was also confused.
"Sara and Ethan never got along, I mean never. And he is not the right person to be interrogating Sara."
I grabbed his shoulder and spun him to face me. "Mr. Green..."
"Call me Jeremy."
"Fine. Jeremy what do you mean? Be specific."
He sighed heavily. "Ethan has trouble controlling his temper. And he will wear Sara down to get a confession out of her. He won't settle for anything else."
"He can't do that!" Nick yelled.
"I know but daddy is the judge and baby brother got his medical degree for free, so you put it together. He is currently involved in a internal investigation for excessive force, but once again daddy got him back on duty until the verdict is in."
"What you can do with money." Warrick murmured.
"Yeah I know. Mr. Grissom we need to get to Sara. Trust me."
"Then let's go."
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tbc...