***1. I don't own these characters, this show, or CBS (obviously, or
Season 3 would have been very different). 2. I'm not making any cash at
all out of this. 3. Word to all the UtB people (especially
freak_of_nature who was SOOOO nice to beta this for me weeks ago!! Thanks
so much!!) Also, any references to other persons/or places in Nevada are
completely contrived and have no basis in reality!***
Chapter 3:
They did not speak again until they arrived at the crime scene. They expected a few patrol cars, some extra rangers and a coroner. What they got was one chubby sweating officer fanning himself with his hat; a visibly shaken ranger, his middle aged dispatcher, and two representatives from the coroner's office.
After saying hello to David and his assistant, who had arrived only moments before them, he introduced himself and Sara.
"Where is everybody?" Grissom then asked. When no one replied, he added more sternly, "Did someone find a dead body in the middle of this public park?"
"Mr. Grissom, my name is Thomas Rhonesby," the ranger offered, shaking his hand, "This is Officer Pete O'Malley. I'm sorry there aren't more of us, but most of the rangers and sheriffs in the county are already tied up today," he said with a sigh.
Grissom tilted his head quizzically, "Tied up?"
Thomas tugged his hat down on his round head and nodded. "Yes, sir. It's a lot hotter than is typical for this time of year and all hell is breaking loose. We've had bears in two campsites at Lake Mead, one missing kid, and a pair of dehydrated hikers that had to be rescued."
He shook his head and rubbed his hands in a worrisome way. A few years older than Grissom, Thomas was built like an Irish soccer player, small and tough. His leathery skin was baked brown from countless days in the desert sun, but his eyes were soft and kind.
"Our luck has just been awfully bad today," he said looking sadly towards the path.
"Not as bad as the boy's I'm here to see," Grissom said.
The ranger stepped back, clearly affronted by the wry comment. Sara moved forward, placing her hand on Grissom's forearm in a silent warning. Her long fingers were gently pressed into his skin. It was distracting.
"Look, it's been a hell of a drive and we just want to get started. Will you show us where the body is, Mr. Rhonesby? She asked agreeably, flashing her sunbeam smile at both the officer and the ranger.
There it was. The million-dollar grin. The ranger bobbed his head like a Labrador retriever and the officer lifted his chin in solemn commitment to the task. Grissom realized that he was nodding too.
Damn that smile.
Chapter 3:
They did not speak again until they arrived at the crime scene. They expected a few patrol cars, some extra rangers and a coroner. What they got was one chubby sweating officer fanning himself with his hat; a visibly shaken ranger, his middle aged dispatcher, and two representatives from the coroner's office.
After saying hello to David and his assistant, who had arrived only moments before them, he introduced himself and Sara.
"Where is everybody?" Grissom then asked. When no one replied, he added more sternly, "Did someone find a dead body in the middle of this public park?"
"Mr. Grissom, my name is Thomas Rhonesby," the ranger offered, shaking his hand, "This is Officer Pete O'Malley. I'm sorry there aren't more of us, but most of the rangers and sheriffs in the county are already tied up today," he said with a sigh.
Grissom tilted his head quizzically, "Tied up?"
Thomas tugged his hat down on his round head and nodded. "Yes, sir. It's a lot hotter than is typical for this time of year and all hell is breaking loose. We've had bears in two campsites at Lake Mead, one missing kid, and a pair of dehydrated hikers that had to be rescued."
He shook his head and rubbed his hands in a worrisome way. A few years older than Grissom, Thomas was built like an Irish soccer player, small and tough. His leathery skin was baked brown from countless days in the desert sun, but his eyes were soft and kind.
"Our luck has just been awfully bad today," he said looking sadly towards the path.
"Not as bad as the boy's I'm here to see," Grissom said.
The ranger stepped back, clearly affronted by the wry comment. Sara moved forward, placing her hand on Grissom's forearm in a silent warning. Her long fingers were gently pressed into his skin. It was distracting.
"Look, it's been a hell of a drive and we just want to get started. Will you show us where the body is, Mr. Rhonesby? She asked agreeably, flashing her sunbeam smile at both the officer and the ranger.
There it was. The million-dollar grin. The ranger bobbed his head like a Labrador retriever and the officer lifted his chin in solemn commitment to the task. Grissom realized that he was nodding too.
Damn that smile.