"Grissom!" Warrick shouted from down the hallway. "I've lift thirty two separate prints from the phone. None were a match to Elizabeth Clark's."
"So she never tried to call the police. It could mean nothing or everything. Good work Warrick. Have you seen Catherine?"
"Last time I saw her she was in the one of the layout rooms."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
I wondered down the maze of hallways until finally catching sight of Catherine reading.
"Got anything?"
She sighed. "Well the phone records show us that Clark did call Sara at work seven days ago from her apartment. Their conversation lasted roughly three minutes. Here is the weird thing. Whoever it was, she called them right before the attack."
"So who did she call?"
"Don't know its unlisted. But I can find out." Her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Do it." I said with conviction. "What about the medical files?"
"Clark has a medical record two inches thick. She has been to the hospital five times in the last year. All for domestic abuse; broken bones, concussions, the usual. This certainly shows that she was in danger. I mean the guy just wouldn't let up on her."
"Why didn't one of the doctors who examine her intervene?"
"Don't know but we can surely ask."
"What are their names, I'll send Warrick a copy and you two can split up."
Catherine flipped through the file and scanned for the names. "That won't be necessary."
"What? Why?" I leaned closer to get a better look.
"There was only one doctor that saw Elizabeth Clark all five times."
"Who?"
"Dr. Justin Parks. Ethan Parks' brother and the doctor that released Sara into custody."
"How does he tie to Clark? And I don't think that is a coincidence that he was both the doctor for the two women McBride abused."
"I think we are looking at something more than a random attack. McBride might have been in with Parks."
"Yes but why?" I asked.
"Hey Gris!" Nick walked into the layout room with a file in his hand. "Never even guess what I got."
"Its going to be hard to beat my findings Nicky." Catherine teased. "Dr. Justin Parks, the guy who released Sara to his brother, was the only one to see Elizabeth Clark for her injuries. I think we have something else going on than a simple attack. The question is how are they connected?"
"Blood." Nick answered in his southern drawl.
"They're related?" I asked stunned.
"Yep. Brothers and the father is Judge Parks."
"So we're looking at three brothers: Ethan Parks the police officer, Justin Parks the doctor, and Thomas McBride the abuser, and good old judge."
"Well it is more than the last name that was different. I mean look the two older ones and the father, they were all successful and baby brother was a total loser." Catherine said.
I was equally intrigued. "Why the different last name?"
"The good Judge Parks disowned his son after he lost several thousands to playing in the stock market. It seemed that Thomas was a big risk taker. He did good at first then he lost it all and ruined the family name. He even stole from his father so he could get back in, but it never worked. He was out of work for six months. Some where along the lines he decided to take his mother's maiden name."
"He went to see then, his father? About money?"
"Yes. Clark was telling the truth. There was a heated argument between the two but that's all I got to find out before I was kicked off the judge's property."
"Who gave you that information in the first place? I know the judge wasn't forth coming." Catherine snickered.
"One of the security guards at the front gate." Nick smiled. "Real nice guy actually."
"I'm sure." She said. "Is abuse a running thing in that family? Ethan and Thomas sure had a problem with keeping their hands to themselves. What about the father and other brother?"
"I really don't have anything conclusive on them because I can't get a hold of the families medical records but it doesn't matter. The D.A. can do that. The important thing is that we have a game of foul play and Sara wasn't a part of it."
"Nick is right. Catherine I want you to give that phone number a name. I want to know who Clark called. I have a suspect to bring in. Join me when you get the phone records."
"You bet I will. Who's the suspect?" I didn't answer, I was too deep in thought. I knew exactly what happened that night and had to run with it.
I did hear before I left that Nick said, "He's solved the case again without us."
"Yeah. Well its hard to keep in step with Grissom, so I quit trying a long time ago. Help me with this number would you." I had to smile.
I got Jeremy to bring in my suspect and within minutes the arrest was made. I made my way down the hall to the interrogation room. I was furious but I used my anger to fuel my intelligence like I have so many times before. I entered the room with a smile on my face and the evidence in my hand. I guessed that soon Catherine would be joining me and the last piece of the puzzle would be delivered but I had enough for now. Right now I just wanted to talk. Besides I already had a very good idea who Miss Clark called but the evidence has the impact of scaring the suspect. I love the evidence.
"How are you doing Miss Clark?" I said warmly taking a seat from across from her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
tbc...