Title: Supernova
Summary: "Sara, since the beginning of time the stars have held the answers to all the questions."
A/N: Any and all feedback is appreciated. Once again, I've tried to keep the investigation as realistic as possible (even though it is a tad far fetched to being with!), but sometimes I can't. The lyrics are excerpted from 'It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing' (Shania Twain, Up!, 2002.)
To everyone who read …thanks! To my recent reviewers: adpi2, MissyJane, A Bloom and Ina, thanks a bunch. I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my story, and your feedback is always appreciated!
Disclaimer: Surprise, surprise. 'CSI' still doesn't belong to me!
Spoilers: "Playing with Fire," "Inside the Box"
***
Cath breezed into the layout room.
"Warrick and I found the next-of-kin for Robson. Her sister lives in New York. Brass has got the NYPD picking her up, and putting her on a plane to Vegas. She arrives tonight. We haven't had any luck finding Austin's family."
"Good," said Sara. "Nick and I are finishing up the analysis of the other samples. Get this. Warrick scooped up a thread off the door jam. Under the microscope, we identified it as a piece of celadon linen. It's Italian linen. Anyways, we pulled up a list of stores that import Italian linen products in LA. Three stores. None of them stock celadon suits. However, one does custom orders. Dr. Matthews ordered a custom ordered celadon suit five months ago. Because it was a custom order, they kept a fabric sample. Nick and I are going to pick it up, along with the credit card receipts and the order specifications. Brass is getting us a court order."
"Won't that tip off Dr. Matthews that we're onto him?" Cath queried.
"No," Nick responded. "The warrant is going to be for anything custom made in Italian linen that matches a celadon shade, instead of for the specific suit."
"Sounds good. Grissom will be back tonight. I'll take him with me to pick up Robson's sister."
"OK," Nick replied, Sara remaining silent. "Any clue what kind of reaction we're going to get out of the sister?"
"No," Cath answered. "It'll be interesting."
"Bye, Cath," Nick called out to her as she left the layout room. He turned back to Sara, who sat dejectedly at the table.
"You all right," he asked.
"I will be," Sara said, forcing a smile to the surface. Nick smiled back, but his eyes betrayed the fact he knew she was upset.
"Let's nail this case," Sara continued determinedly, "Power and privilege aren't excuses for murder."
Nick nodded, and followed Sara towards the parking lot.
Sara strode ahead, her legs taking long strides towards the parking lot. Her inner voice kept repeating to herself, 'I will not think of Grissom,' 'I will not think of Grissom,' 'I will not think of Grissom.' And still, she thought of Grissom.
***
Hope life's been good to you
since you've been gone
I'm doin' fine now - I've finally moved on
It's not so bad - I'm not that sad
I'm not surprised just how well I've survived
I'm over the worst, and I feel so alive
I can't complain - I'm free again
***
Nick snatched the keys from her hands as she stood in front of the Tahoe, lost in her thoughts.
"Hey," she exclaimed.
"You're so not driving," Nick said adamantly.
Sara sighed. This was the second time in the last twenty-four hours she couldn't be bothered to argue with Nick. She must be getting soft.
Nick pulled the car out of the parking lot, heading towards downtown Vegas where the exclusive tailor held his offices. Sara checked her briefcase to make sure she had the warrant. The tailor, who Nick spoke to earlier, indicated he'd be more than happy to help them, but Sara was pretty sure when they explained what they needed and why the tailor wouldn't be so helpful. She shook her head. People could be so blind even when the evidence He mind wandered to something Warrick once told her, a piece of advice from Grissom.
***
"Concentrate on what cannot lie – the evidence."
***
The though of Grissom made Sara ache. She was trying so hard to move on, but she couldn't. There were memories of him everywhere: on the streets, in the lab, at her home. She focused back on the car.
Nick glanced over at her.
"Are you OK," he asked, "You look a little pale."
"I'm fine."
***
And it only hurts when I'm breathing
My heart only breaks when it's beating
My dreams only die when I'm dreaming
So, I hold my breath - to forget
Don't think I'm lyin' 'round cryin' at night
There's no need to worry, I'm really all right
I've never looked back - as a matter of fact
It only hurts when I breathe
***
The Tahoe came to a stop at the curb. Sara glanced out the passenger window to see the elegant storefront that proclaimed, 'Giani & Company: Fine Tailors.'
Might as well add exclusive to the sign, Sara thought to herself as she entered the store. In the past three years in Vegas, she had often felt out of place, but never had she felt out of time. The tailor's shop reminded her of a Victoria study: dark drapery, heavy wood and opulent fabric. A few suits were on display, but Sara quickly deduced the majority of the tailor's business was custom tailoring. As Sara approached the counter, reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century candy shop, she inhaled the overwhelming aroma of sandalwood.
At the counter, Sara ran her hands over the rich mahogany before pressing the tiny bell by a display case of 20th century tailors tools. Nick stood behind her, letting her take control of the investigation for the moment.
From behind a crisp linen curtain emerged a petite woman with whitening hair. She nodded respectfully at Sara and Nick, noticing the LVPD ID's on their belts.
"Draco," she called into the back room, "Your company has arrived."
Turning to Sara and Nick, she continued, "Draco will be out with the file from Dr. Matthews' custom suit. We were curious why you needed it. The poor man doesn't need anyone bothering him after this horrible tragedy."
The woman's voice remained polite and respectful, but Sara could sense the warning underneath it. She didn't want any trouble.
Trying to put the woman's mind at rest, Sara spoke, "I'm Sara Sidle, and this is Nick Stokes. We're with the LVPD Crime Lab. We've brought a court order for the file, so you have it for your record. If it's all right with your husband, we'll just borrow the file to photocopy, and we cut a small piece of fabric off the sample. We just want to tie up all the loose ends surrounding the investigation."
The woman relaxed when Sara mentioned the court order. She probably was afraid of their reputation being ruined. With the court order, they had no choice but to give the CSI's the file.
At that moment, a diminutive man walked through the curtains. The woman smiled affectionately at him.
"This is my husband, Draco Giani. Draco, this is Ms. Sidle and Mr. Stokes from the LVPD. They've brought a warrant for the Matthews file."
The man smiled at Sara and Nick, and passed the file to Sara.
"I would like it returned," he said softly.
"Of course," Sara replied. "We'll have it couriered back to you by the end of the day. We would, however, like to keep a sample of the fabric. Would that be acceptable?"
"Yes, yes," the man answered. "My Cira and I just want to help."
"Thank you," Sara said. "We appreciate your assistance."
The man nodded, his arm wrapped around his wife's waist.
"Thank you," Nick said as Sara and he walked out of the door.
At the car, Sara slid into the driver's seat, grinning.
"I want to get back to lab in the next couple minutes," she teased, "Instead of in an hour or so."
"Yeah," Nick responded, "and I want to get back to the lab in one piece."
"Truce," Sara smiled, "but I still get to drive.
Nick groaned, but climbed into the passenger seat without further complaining.
***
A/N: A little short, but I want to do something different for the next chapter (which I should post by the end of the day.)
