I was on my way to see Jeremy when a short middle-aged blond came running up to me. My first thought was something happened to Sara. I felt my heart jump to my throat.
"Mr. Grissom?" She said panting.
"Yes? Is there something wrong?"
"No. But Mr. Dobbs needs to see you in his office."
I breathed a sigh of relief. "I am kind of busy, can you tell him I'll see him after I get done?"
"Sorry sir but he said its urgent. He must see you now. No exceptions. Come, I will show you to his office."
I followed the woman to Dobbs' office. Still my thoughts were on Sara despite the woman's claims that nothing was wrong. Dobbs wasn't a man to invite me to his office without reason. Then to say that it is urgent, well let's just say my heart still wouldn't budge from its position in my throat. We entered the well lit office.
"Here is Mr. Grissom, Dobbs." The woman said stepping aside to let me enter.
"Thank you Elaine." Dobbs nodded curtly to the woman. "Close the door when you go out."
I heard Dobbs but my eyes were settled on an older man sitting in front of Dobbs' desk.
"Grissom," Dobbs said. "Have a seat."
"I'd rather stand. I'm quite busy with my case and I would like to get going."
"Suit yourself. Gil Grissom this is Judge Randal Parks."
The man stood up and turned to face me. He had gray hair and a cleanly shaven face. He wore a nice business suit that was very expensive. His eyes were a dull blue-gray that suggested an almost evil presence.
"Gil Grissom, its nice to meet you." Judge Parks held out his hand and I reluctantly took it.
"What's this about?" I was to the point. I knew a judge of his caliber didn't just drop by to see me just for a proper introduction.
Dobbs started to answer but Judge Parks waved a hand. "I like your directness Gil Grissom so I too will be frank. I have heard about your little outburst with the suspect Sara Sidle. I must say that it was highly inappropriate. Not to mention your excessive force that was used against my son when he was interrogating her. Slamming him up against a wall and threatening is not correct protocol."
"Her hit her. And maybe you should talk to your son about protocol and excessive force. He seems to have trouble in that area." I said coldly. "As far as my discussion with Sara Sidle, it doesn't concern you. This is my case."
"I don't know how things are run in Las Vegas but here I know everything and its always my business." He moved closer to me. "Now let's start again. I have found interesting things about you. A few faxes have come my way and I understand that you are in trouble back home."
"First of all it was only one fax. And again that doesn't concern you."
"Look I know how things work Mr. Grissom and I will throw you a bone. I know that whoever Conrad Ecklie is he doesn't have the authority to put you on suspension. So consider him one less headache. But before you thank me know that I do have that authority."
"Is that a threat?"
"Of course not Mr. Grissom." He got closer to my face. "That's illegal. What isn't illegal is reprimanding you for your actions."
"Then put it in a memo because I have a case to solve." I turned on my heels and reached for the door.
"We already have our prime suspect and the evidence isn't in her favor." He called after me catching my attention. "I would say your case is almost due to arrive at my scene."
"I don't remember briefing you on my case."
"That's not the point. Sara Sidle came here with the intent to kill Thomas McBride." His voice became enraged. "I don't like a murderer Mr. Grissom. They pay dearly in my court."
"Then I will be sure to find the one truly responsible for his death." This time I got in his face. "And the last time I checked judges aren't criminalists so leave the interpretation of the evidence to those qualified." I backed away and opened the door. "Oh and Judge Parks, I'll keep you posted on the evidence you're so concerned about." I walked out the door and gently closed it behind me. I took deep breaths. I might have signed a death warrant for my career but at least I didn't have to worry about Ecklie. After that little scare Ecklie gave me, I made it a must to read up on supervisor limitations and regulations when I got back and file a formal complaint against him for what he said about Sara and his threats. That is if I had a job to go home to, I thought ruefully.
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I found Jeremy Green standing at the front desk going through a stack of papers.
"Hey Mr. Grissom. How are you doing?" He said when he caught sight of me.
"Good. I wanted to speak to you about Sara."
"Sure I was just finishing up my case." He signed the last paper and handed it off.
"How did it turn out?" I asked trying to make small talk. Despite my deep breathing I was still upset about my conversation with Judge Parks.
"Well college freshman killed himself because of low test scores on his midterms. I thought maybe something more sinister but I guess I only wanted it to be that way. Most stress is what we put on ourselves, right?"
"True." If he only knew. "At least it was solved."
"Yeah but I bet the family doesn't feel that way." He paused deep in thought. "Enough about my case, how is yours?"
"Right now we are chasing a few clues but mostly more questions. I was hoping you could help me."
"Love to. I would ask you to come to my office but I don't have one." He joked. "How about over a cup of coffee? You look like you could you one."
"Sounds good."
We walked down the hallway and into the deserted lounge. He poured two cups of coffee and gave one to me.
"So," Jeremy started. "How can I help you?"
"I need to know where you found Sara?"
"On the bed. Why?"
My brows knitted in confusion. "We believe she would have fallen to the floor."
"Oh. Well have you asked her?"
"Not yet. I was hoping I wouldn't have to." I stared down at my coffee already dreading what I had to do. I would have to make Sara think back again to the attack. And that was the last thing I wanted to do." His words seemed to suggest stronger feelings for Sara than I thought were there.
"You care about her don't you?" He asked but he didn't give me a chance to respond, which I am glad because I wouldn't know what to say. "Sara has that effect on people." He said.
"What effect?" I asked trying to keep out my knowledge of the subject.
"She makes you feel. I guess you don't know her like that."
Oh yes I do, I said to myself. "How close are you and Sara really?" I just realized that their relationship was never clearly defined.
"Mr. Grissom I won't beat around the bush. Sara and I were the best of friends. I mean we looked out for each other. I love her like my own sister if not much more. That's why it was so hard for me to find her."
Images flashed in my head of what condition Sara was in. "I imagine she looked pretty beaten up when you found her." The words were almost hard to say.
"No that's not what I mean. I was the first one who found out that Thomas McBride was hitting Sara back when they were dating."
My curiosity won out as my ears picked up the vital information. "How? When?"
"It was years ago. It was after work and I went back to get my coat I left in the locker room. I walked in on them. He was slamming her head into a locker." He stared at me but almost through me, as if seeing it play out in front of his eyes.
"What happened?"
"Anger. I lost it. I beat the crap out of him. Its the easiest of emotions you know. Yet it underlies so many others. I found out later that Sara was leaving him on her own terms and I just complicated things. He held a grudge against her because of me. Then when I found her again almost dead I felt responsible. I thought he finally came after her."
"Hey Jeremy!" Epps walked into the lounge. "Oh sorry Mr. Grissom. I didn't mean to interrupt again but Dobbs needs to see Jeremy about his case." Jeremy downed his coffee and looked to me for approval.
"We're done. And Jeremy?"
"Yes?"
"You shouldn't feel responsible. I will find the person to blame. I promise." I have never in my career made a promise to someone to find the one responsible. I knew sometimes the evidence wasn't enough or it wasn't the right evidence to bring a desired outcome. I have seen it happen before. But when I promised that someone would pay for what happened to Sara, it was mostly a promise to myself. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't.
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tbc...