Chapter 15: More Questions & Less Answers
Usually with evidence comes answers not more questions. Nick matched the prints on Sara's gun as Elizabeth Clark's. This is the only thing I remember from the night before. Well that and the fact that Sara was lost in herself, somewhere that I could not reach her.
My head hurt a little, but not as much as I thought it would. Catherine was true to her word and took me to breakfast.
"I am sorry about last night Catherine." I apologized. "I was just stressed with this case."
"Do you always quote other people when you get drunk?"
"I don't get drunk. Well except last night. Again I am sorry and thanks."
"Gil, that's what friends are for, no questions asked. So do you feel better?"
"Some. I just want to go home. I want all of us to go home."
"Amen to that." She said. "Are you ready to go get some answers from Elizabeth Clark so we can get out of here?"
"I was hoping you would ask." I shot her a smile.
"Good because I can't wait to hold Lindsay again."
I felt back on track back in control, back on the case. I was ready to solve this case. I was ready to face anything. Or so I thought.
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"Mr. Grissom we meet again." She smiled at me. "Except this time I am under arrest and you want more than my DNA. Correct?"
"Correct. I want answers." I waited for her reaction but she kept cool and calm. "We place you at the crime scene and we have your prints on Sara Sidle's gun." She still showed no hint of shock at our findings. Almost like she knew we would find them. "Well?"
"Answer the questions Ms. Clark." The officer said.
"Fine. I was there but I didn't do anything wrong."
"How did your fingerprints get on the weapon if you didn't do anything wrong?"
"I don't know."
I was starting to get angry. "Did you, in any way, take part in the attack upon Sara Sidle?"
"No."
"She said you did." Catherine jumped in. Probably because she saw how angry I was getting.
I looked from Catherine to Elizabeth, and hoped that Elizabeth couldn't tell she was lying.
"What?" Elizabeth asked.
"Look something horrible happened in that apartment. Just tell us what. We can help you." Catherine's voice was tender and soft. I had to admit she was good with people. At this point even I would tell her anything she wanted to know. Well, almost.
"Thomas McBride was gorgeous okay. He was smart, charismatic, sweet, just the guy you want to marry and be with the rest of your life. Any girl would want him. But he was not a very gentle person once you really got to know him."
"Not gentle how?" Catherine continued.
"He was rough." She shifted. "He hit me from time to time and forced sex. It didn't bother me at first so I dismissed it. He only struck me when he thought I deserved it."
"How long was it going on?"
"It started as you know a slap and then months of nothing. Then a month ago he got into trouble with his father. Let's just say he took out his frustration on me. I was hurt really bad."
"Was there any indication that he treated past girlfriends like this?"
"I don't know his entire history but yes there was at least one other girl that this happened to."
"Do you know her?"
Elizabeth looked down at her hands. "We were best friends actually." She started to cry. "She warned me about him. About what he was capable of, but I ignored her and told her to butt out of my life. I didn't realize how strong she was to leave him, until I tried. He came after me again and threatened to kill me if I left. I shouldn't have been so mean to her. She was my best friend." Elizabeth put her face in her hands and began to cry freely.
"I am sure she forgives you." I heard Catherine say.
"She shouldn't have."
"Elizabeth. We need to talk to this other woman. We need her name. Do you think she would mind being brought in for some questions?"
Her crying stopped and she sat straight up. "She would hate me forever if I gave you her name."
"Its for the best, trust me. Elizabeth we need answers or a very good person could go to prison."
"I shouldn't."
"Please, Elizabeth. Just a name."
I watched the spectacle with amazement. What was she hiding?
"I want to help her, not hurt her."
"And we want to help you."
Elizabeth paused and bit her fingernails. Her eyes were glassy because of the crying. Then she spoke.
"Sara Sidle."
"What?" Was all I could say. I couldn't breathe. This whole time we were putting this case together and Sara was...oh my God. How did Sara expect us to help her if we she didn't give us the whole truth. I don't know why this hit me so hard, but it did. I felt like everything was falling apart. All I could do was look on in disbelief.
"Are you sure we are talking about the same Sara Sidle?" Catherine asked. She sounded as stunned as myself.
"Yes. She was the best friend I ever had."
"Answer this carefully Elizabeth." Catherine folded her hands. "Did you witness the attack?"
"I think I've said enough."
"We have your prints on the gun. Please what happened?"
"Maybe you should ask her. I don't want to cause anymore trouble."
"By not telling us anything you aren't helping yourself or Sara. We need to now what happened?"
"I should keep quiet and that's what I plan to do." Elizabeth sat back in her chair. We weren't going to get much more out of her. Unfortunately it was enough to stop my heart.
"Grissom I think we need to talk to Sara."
I heard her but couldn't move.
"Grissom!"
I snapped to attention. "You're right."
We rose from our chairs in a synchronized sweep. Not a word passed between us as we made the trek to Sara. I never thought the walk to the police station could be so long. My hands were clammy and my breathing shallow. Again I asked myself that question, what do I do now? Before I could gather my thoughts we reached Sara's cell.
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tbc...