Another chapter for ur entertainment just a short one - you'd better review
or else!!!
Chapter Seven
Driving to Mr. Williams house Grissom's mind was buzzing with hope and anticipation. This looked to be their only real chance to catch this guy and for Jade's sake he hoped it worked. It didn't take him long to get there, grab the rapidly wilting flowers and head over to the CSI. He route marches his way through the corridors straight to the lab.
Greg was sitting at the desk, his head bent down, looking in a microscope. *Typical Greg pose.* Gil thought for a second, then placed the bag with the flowers in on the table next to him. Greg looked up out of the microscope and to the bag. Gil stood their expectantly.
"Flowers? On a first date? - You shouldn't have."
He said quirkily, trying to look flattered. Gil gave him the 'very funny' look, followed by the 'I'm not in the mood' look.
"I need them analysed."
"Okay, well, they appear to be white lilies - death flowers."
"What?"
"You know. Flowers you send to funerals, to people in mourning."
Grissom looked annoyed.
"Not that kind of analysis. If I wanted that I'd have done it myself. I need prints, or just anything that you can get off them that doesn't belong."
"Prints? Off of these?"
He gestured to the droopy flowers and petals that had already fallen off in the bag.
"Try the ribbon first - if not you're just gonna have to try and get prints from the flowers somehow. ASAP."
And with that he strode out of the office. As he walked past the break room he saw Catherine in there getting a coffee. He popped his head round the door.
"Hey, any luck?"
He asked hopefully. Catherine looked at him.
"If you define 'luck' as the 'absence of success', plenty!"
Grissom sighed.
"Keep trying. I've just got a lead with those flowers in the bedroom."
"What's so unusual about the flowers? You think the killer touched them or something?"
"No, I think he bought them. Jade told me that Mr. Williams was allergic to pollen and didn't keep them in the house or his garden."
Catherine looked hopeful.
"Then we may just get lucky."
"You know, for some reason white lilies sound familiar somehow, but I can't put my finger on it. It's as if they were involved somehow in another crime scene, I just can't think which one and when it was."
"Why don't you check up on some old cases, maybe something will trigger your memory."
"Yeah, I'd better ring Jade first though, make sure she's okay.
*****
The phone went at the same time the door bell rang. Jade stood in the middle of the living room debating which one to get first.
She knew that it would be the nurse so she headed towards the phone as she called out.
"Come in, it's open!"
She picked up the phone as the door opened. She smiled at the nurse as she answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Jade, it's Gil."
"Oh hey, how's it going?"
She asked as she gestured for the nurse to take a seat.
"Greg's processing the flowers now. We've just got to wait for the results. I was going to wait here for them but I thought I'd better check on you first. Do you want me to come home? Because I will if you don't want to be alone."
Jade smiled, Gil could be so caring without even realising it sometimes.
"It's okay, I'm fine. You stay and get some work done. Besides Debbie's just arrived to check on me so I'm not alone."
"If you're sure...? What about when she goes?"
"I was gonna take a shower and go to bed. I'll be fine on my own for a short while - I am in my 20's you know, I can take care of myself."
"...Okay. I'm not sure what time I'll be home, depends on how long it takes to get results through. Once I know if we have a print or something, I'll be coming home."
"Sure. I'll see you in the morning."
"Night love."
"Night Gil."
She put the phone down and turned to the nurse smiling.
"He's such a worrier sometimes."
Debbie laughed.
*****
Gil put the phone down and looked up to see Catherine in the doorway smiling.
"You know, I think I underestimate her sometimes."
"She underestimates herself. The day she realises she's more than the sum of her part...she's really gonna be something."
Grissom looked at her, understanding that she was right. He nodded.
"Here."
Catherine suddenly said, moving in and dropping the huge pile of files she had in her arms onto his desk.
"What are these?"
"Old files. I went down and grabbed a load that mentioned flowers in for you to go through. There's still loads down there though."
"Thanks."
She smiled.
"But first coffee. Come on."
He stared at her and on her stern look he reluctantly stood and followed her out to the break room.
*****
Grissom had been sitting in his office for hours. He'd gotten through the pile of files that Catherine had gotten him and he'd just sat down with his second pile when Greg all but skipped in looking very pleased with himself. He handed a folder over to Grissom.
"One print from yours truly."
"That was faster that I expected!"
Grissom said amazed.
"We got lucky. The best one is in processing now. It's only half a print and they said it may take a while."
"Well done Greg!"
Grissom said gratified. Greg smiled pleased with himself, then walked out of the room with a definite spring in his step. Grissom half laughed. Catherine peeked her head through the door.
"I just passed Greg - he told me the good news."
"Yep, now just to wait for the results."
"Oh no. You're going home. I'm sure Jade might be wondering where you've gotten to by now. Besides I need to go get some sleep and I'm not leaving till you go home."
Grissom looked up at the clock and his eyes widened. It was 2.15am.
"Is that the time?"
Catherine nodded. Grissom looked back down at the files.
"But I really should go through these first."
"Those can wait till tomorrow."
She picked up his coat and stood in the doorway expectantly. He gave her a smile of gratitude and stood, taking his coat.
"Thanks. I'll see you later."
"Sure."
And with that he left.
*****
It was 2.30 by the time he reached home and he was shocked to hear the TV on. He walked in cautiously and found Jade sitting on the couch infront of the TV, a blanket was wrapped around her and she had a bowl of popcorn on her lap. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Hey."
For a moment he stood there surprised to see her and then realised what had probably happened.
"Bad dream?"
She nodded simply.
"Cured by popcorn and late night cheesy horror movie."
She gestured to the bowl and TV. Then she gestured to the rug and held a corner out towards him.
"Wanna join me?"
He places his bag on the floor by the counter, thinking, then smiles.
"Why not."
He heads over and she adjusts the blanket to go around him and he sits beside her and kicks off his shoes.
"So, what we watching?"
He asks, taking a handful of popcorn.
"See there's this killer called the tooth fairy..."
She leaned sideways and rested her head on his shoulder as she spoke. He looked down at her surprised at first, then wondered if the dream had affected her more that she was letting on and he lifted his arm and put it around her.
"Then there's this Detective who had taken early retirement or was on sick leave - I'm not quite sure - I missed the beginning. Anyway he caught this serial killer years before who was a psychiatrist who ate his patients and they wanted him to catch this serial killer because he was the best in the business. But..."
Gil glanced at Jade as she described the film and character so accurately even though she'd never seen the film before now. She had the gift to see the real nature of a person. Gil understood now that Catherine had been right about her. She was so much more than she let on.
By the time the movie ended Jade had fallen asleep. Gil smiled and gently picked her up and moved her back into the bedroom. She stirred only when he put her down but she didn't wake. Gil stood and watched her for a moment, then decided to get some sleep of his own.
*****
Jade wakes at about 10.30 to find Grissom already up and on the phone to Catherine. Debbie is sitting on the sofa sorting out her bag.
"Hey Debbie. Orange juice?"
"Sure, thanks."
Jade pours them both a glass of orange and goes and sits by Debbie.
"I'll see you tonight."
Gil puts the phone down and turns to Jade.
"Sleep well?"
"MmMmm."
"I'm heading back to work. Catherine's just there and I've got some more files to go through."
"Sure thing."
Gil picks up his bag.
"Okay. I'll see you later. Bye Debbie."
"Bye, Mr. Grissom."
"See ya Gil."
*****
When he gets there he finds Catherine sitting in his office.
"Hey. I found some more files that I think had references to flowers."
"Good."
He sits in his chair behind his desk and grabs the top one off the pile that was at least a foot high.
"Looks like we could be here a while."
Catherine agreed. They sit in silence for a while until Catherine sighs as she places another file aside that's obviously no hope.
"How's Jade?"
She asked striking up the conversation.
"She's okay. She was awake when I got home last night. Bad dream. I think she's hiding more than she's saying but I think she's coping with it. Debbie seems to be helping a lot - they've gotten to be quite good friends, then there's her friends that come round often to see her."
"That's good. Shouldn't be long now till we have him anyway, then the whole thing will be over and she can get on with her life."
They'd got down to the last six or seven files when Warrick suddenly came running in with Nick.
"We've got him! Names Simon Baxter. Police are looking for him now."
They expected some sign of excitement from Grissom, a smile, a 'well done' something and all of them just stood there as his eyes widened and he stopped moving, obviously thinking quickly.
He suddenly started to flick through the remaining folders on the desk, shoving the rest sideways and knocking some of them onto the floor. He grabbed at the second to last one and opened it, searching through the papers and photos. He came across the main photo of the crime scene and looked at it. There were some flowers laying next to the white tape where the body had been. He turned the page and read quickly down the information there. Then he looked up, taking off his glasses as something clicked inside him.
"Grissom what is it?"
Catherine asked worried. The folder was of a crime scene from a couple years ago. Simon Baxter had been the main suspect but was then exonerated due to false evidence placed there. But it hadn't stopped the man's business going under and his wife leaving him. And he had blamed Grissom.
Grissom suddenly stood.
"He wasn't after Mr. Williams...Jade..."
He lunged for his coat, then ran around the desk.
"Nick, call Jade. Make sure she's okay."
He ran out of the office. They all stood for a moment and Catherine looked at the file.
"Oh God. Warrick come on we've got to get to Jade."
Nick, who had looked over Catherine's shoulder and also realised - grabbed the phone and started dialling.
Catherine and Warrick caught Grissom up in the car park and jumped in the car with him.
"He blamed me for what happened. He's getting back at me. Why didn't I see it before?"
"You weren't to know it was him, Gil. None of us knew. I mean he did kill Mr. Williams, there was nothing suspect about that."
They stayed in silence for a while as they willed the car to go faster. Catherine's phone suddenly went off and she grabbed it.
"Yeah..."
After a moment she put the phone back down.
"It was Nick. He says there's no answer from Jade."
Grissom felt his heart skip a beat and he put his foot down further on the accelerator.
He pulls up quickly into his drive and without bothering to turn the engine off, he jumps out and reaches the door first shouting for Jade. Forgetting everything he learnt about forensics he grabbed the door handle without gloves and burst into his townhouse.
"Jade? Jade?!"
The place was still neat. Nothing looked out of place. He checked the bedrooms and bathrooms, then ran back into the main kitchen/living area. Warrick and Catherine were standing there looking around.
"She's not here."
"Maybe she went out."
Warrick said hopefully. Grissom saw something glimmer on the floor and bent down. On the floor lay Jade's necklace, the chain had been broken as if the necklace had been pulled from her neck.
"No. She wouldn't have left this here."
"Grissom..."
Catherine said. Grissom looked over at Catherine who was standing by the table. Grissom and Warrick moved over. There was a half finished bowl of cereal on the table, and beside it...a bunch of white lilies.
"Jade...Oh God I shouldn't have left her alone." Gil looked distraught. "What have I done?"
Well.? Comments purrrrrleassssseeeee?
Chapter Seven
Driving to Mr. Williams house Grissom's mind was buzzing with hope and anticipation. This looked to be their only real chance to catch this guy and for Jade's sake he hoped it worked. It didn't take him long to get there, grab the rapidly wilting flowers and head over to the CSI. He route marches his way through the corridors straight to the lab.
Greg was sitting at the desk, his head bent down, looking in a microscope. *Typical Greg pose.* Gil thought for a second, then placed the bag with the flowers in on the table next to him. Greg looked up out of the microscope and to the bag. Gil stood their expectantly.
"Flowers? On a first date? - You shouldn't have."
He said quirkily, trying to look flattered. Gil gave him the 'very funny' look, followed by the 'I'm not in the mood' look.
"I need them analysed."
"Okay, well, they appear to be white lilies - death flowers."
"What?"
"You know. Flowers you send to funerals, to people in mourning."
Grissom looked annoyed.
"Not that kind of analysis. If I wanted that I'd have done it myself. I need prints, or just anything that you can get off them that doesn't belong."
"Prints? Off of these?"
He gestured to the droopy flowers and petals that had already fallen off in the bag.
"Try the ribbon first - if not you're just gonna have to try and get prints from the flowers somehow. ASAP."
And with that he strode out of the office. As he walked past the break room he saw Catherine in there getting a coffee. He popped his head round the door.
"Hey, any luck?"
He asked hopefully. Catherine looked at him.
"If you define 'luck' as the 'absence of success', plenty!"
Grissom sighed.
"Keep trying. I've just got a lead with those flowers in the bedroom."
"What's so unusual about the flowers? You think the killer touched them or something?"
"No, I think he bought them. Jade told me that Mr. Williams was allergic to pollen and didn't keep them in the house or his garden."
Catherine looked hopeful.
"Then we may just get lucky."
"You know, for some reason white lilies sound familiar somehow, but I can't put my finger on it. It's as if they were involved somehow in another crime scene, I just can't think which one and when it was."
"Why don't you check up on some old cases, maybe something will trigger your memory."
"Yeah, I'd better ring Jade first though, make sure she's okay.
*****
The phone went at the same time the door bell rang. Jade stood in the middle of the living room debating which one to get first.
She knew that it would be the nurse so she headed towards the phone as she called out.
"Come in, it's open!"
She picked up the phone as the door opened. She smiled at the nurse as she answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Jade, it's Gil."
"Oh hey, how's it going?"
She asked as she gestured for the nurse to take a seat.
"Greg's processing the flowers now. We've just got to wait for the results. I was going to wait here for them but I thought I'd better check on you first. Do you want me to come home? Because I will if you don't want to be alone."
Jade smiled, Gil could be so caring without even realising it sometimes.
"It's okay, I'm fine. You stay and get some work done. Besides Debbie's just arrived to check on me so I'm not alone."
"If you're sure...? What about when she goes?"
"I was gonna take a shower and go to bed. I'll be fine on my own for a short while - I am in my 20's you know, I can take care of myself."
"...Okay. I'm not sure what time I'll be home, depends on how long it takes to get results through. Once I know if we have a print or something, I'll be coming home."
"Sure. I'll see you in the morning."
"Night love."
"Night Gil."
She put the phone down and turned to the nurse smiling.
"He's such a worrier sometimes."
Debbie laughed.
*****
Gil put the phone down and looked up to see Catherine in the doorway smiling.
"You know, I think I underestimate her sometimes."
"She underestimates herself. The day she realises she's more than the sum of her part...she's really gonna be something."
Grissom looked at her, understanding that she was right. He nodded.
"Here."
Catherine suddenly said, moving in and dropping the huge pile of files she had in her arms onto his desk.
"What are these?"
"Old files. I went down and grabbed a load that mentioned flowers in for you to go through. There's still loads down there though."
"Thanks."
She smiled.
"But first coffee. Come on."
He stared at her and on her stern look he reluctantly stood and followed her out to the break room.
*****
Grissom had been sitting in his office for hours. He'd gotten through the pile of files that Catherine had gotten him and he'd just sat down with his second pile when Greg all but skipped in looking very pleased with himself. He handed a folder over to Grissom.
"One print from yours truly."
"That was faster that I expected!"
Grissom said amazed.
"We got lucky. The best one is in processing now. It's only half a print and they said it may take a while."
"Well done Greg!"
Grissom said gratified. Greg smiled pleased with himself, then walked out of the room with a definite spring in his step. Grissom half laughed. Catherine peeked her head through the door.
"I just passed Greg - he told me the good news."
"Yep, now just to wait for the results."
"Oh no. You're going home. I'm sure Jade might be wondering where you've gotten to by now. Besides I need to go get some sleep and I'm not leaving till you go home."
Grissom looked up at the clock and his eyes widened. It was 2.15am.
"Is that the time?"
Catherine nodded. Grissom looked back down at the files.
"But I really should go through these first."
"Those can wait till tomorrow."
She picked up his coat and stood in the doorway expectantly. He gave her a smile of gratitude and stood, taking his coat.
"Thanks. I'll see you later."
"Sure."
And with that he left.
*****
It was 2.30 by the time he reached home and he was shocked to hear the TV on. He walked in cautiously and found Jade sitting on the couch infront of the TV, a blanket was wrapped around her and she had a bowl of popcorn on her lap. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Hey."
For a moment he stood there surprised to see her and then realised what had probably happened.
"Bad dream?"
She nodded simply.
"Cured by popcorn and late night cheesy horror movie."
She gestured to the bowl and TV. Then she gestured to the rug and held a corner out towards him.
"Wanna join me?"
He places his bag on the floor by the counter, thinking, then smiles.
"Why not."
He heads over and she adjusts the blanket to go around him and he sits beside her and kicks off his shoes.
"So, what we watching?"
He asks, taking a handful of popcorn.
"See there's this killer called the tooth fairy..."
She leaned sideways and rested her head on his shoulder as she spoke. He looked down at her surprised at first, then wondered if the dream had affected her more that she was letting on and he lifted his arm and put it around her.
"Then there's this Detective who had taken early retirement or was on sick leave - I'm not quite sure - I missed the beginning. Anyway he caught this serial killer years before who was a psychiatrist who ate his patients and they wanted him to catch this serial killer because he was the best in the business. But..."
Gil glanced at Jade as she described the film and character so accurately even though she'd never seen the film before now. She had the gift to see the real nature of a person. Gil understood now that Catherine had been right about her. She was so much more than she let on.
By the time the movie ended Jade had fallen asleep. Gil smiled and gently picked her up and moved her back into the bedroom. She stirred only when he put her down but she didn't wake. Gil stood and watched her for a moment, then decided to get some sleep of his own.
*****
Jade wakes at about 10.30 to find Grissom already up and on the phone to Catherine. Debbie is sitting on the sofa sorting out her bag.
"Hey Debbie. Orange juice?"
"Sure, thanks."
Jade pours them both a glass of orange and goes and sits by Debbie.
"I'll see you tonight."
Gil puts the phone down and turns to Jade.
"Sleep well?"
"MmMmm."
"I'm heading back to work. Catherine's just there and I've got some more files to go through."
"Sure thing."
Gil picks up his bag.
"Okay. I'll see you later. Bye Debbie."
"Bye, Mr. Grissom."
"See ya Gil."
*****
When he gets there he finds Catherine sitting in his office.
"Hey. I found some more files that I think had references to flowers."
"Good."
He sits in his chair behind his desk and grabs the top one off the pile that was at least a foot high.
"Looks like we could be here a while."
Catherine agreed. They sit in silence for a while until Catherine sighs as she places another file aside that's obviously no hope.
"How's Jade?"
She asked striking up the conversation.
"She's okay. She was awake when I got home last night. Bad dream. I think she's hiding more than she's saying but I think she's coping with it. Debbie seems to be helping a lot - they've gotten to be quite good friends, then there's her friends that come round often to see her."
"That's good. Shouldn't be long now till we have him anyway, then the whole thing will be over and she can get on with her life."
They'd got down to the last six or seven files when Warrick suddenly came running in with Nick.
"We've got him! Names Simon Baxter. Police are looking for him now."
They expected some sign of excitement from Grissom, a smile, a 'well done' something and all of them just stood there as his eyes widened and he stopped moving, obviously thinking quickly.
He suddenly started to flick through the remaining folders on the desk, shoving the rest sideways and knocking some of them onto the floor. He grabbed at the second to last one and opened it, searching through the papers and photos. He came across the main photo of the crime scene and looked at it. There were some flowers laying next to the white tape where the body had been. He turned the page and read quickly down the information there. Then he looked up, taking off his glasses as something clicked inside him.
"Grissom what is it?"
Catherine asked worried. The folder was of a crime scene from a couple years ago. Simon Baxter had been the main suspect but was then exonerated due to false evidence placed there. But it hadn't stopped the man's business going under and his wife leaving him. And he had blamed Grissom.
Grissom suddenly stood.
"He wasn't after Mr. Williams...Jade..."
He lunged for his coat, then ran around the desk.
"Nick, call Jade. Make sure she's okay."
He ran out of the office. They all stood for a moment and Catherine looked at the file.
"Oh God. Warrick come on we've got to get to Jade."
Nick, who had looked over Catherine's shoulder and also realised - grabbed the phone and started dialling.
Catherine and Warrick caught Grissom up in the car park and jumped in the car with him.
"He blamed me for what happened. He's getting back at me. Why didn't I see it before?"
"You weren't to know it was him, Gil. None of us knew. I mean he did kill Mr. Williams, there was nothing suspect about that."
They stayed in silence for a while as they willed the car to go faster. Catherine's phone suddenly went off and she grabbed it.
"Yeah..."
After a moment she put the phone back down.
"It was Nick. He says there's no answer from Jade."
Grissom felt his heart skip a beat and he put his foot down further on the accelerator.
He pulls up quickly into his drive and without bothering to turn the engine off, he jumps out and reaches the door first shouting for Jade. Forgetting everything he learnt about forensics he grabbed the door handle without gloves and burst into his townhouse.
"Jade? Jade?!"
The place was still neat. Nothing looked out of place. He checked the bedrooms and bathrooms, then ran back into the main kitchen/living area. Warrick and Catherine were standing there looking around.
"She's not here."
"Maybe she went out."
Warrick said hopefully. Grissom saw something glimmer on the floor and bent down. On the floor lay Jade's necklace, the chain had been broken as if the necklace had been pulled from her neck.
"No. She wouldn't have left this here."
"Grissom..."
Catherine said. Grissom looked over at Catherine who was standing by the table. Grissom and Warrick moved over. There was a half finished bowl of cereal on the table, and beside it...a bunch of white lilies.
"Jade...Oh God I shouldn't have left her alone." Gil looked distraught. "What have I done?"
Well.? Comments purrrrrleassssseeeee?