Chapter SEVEN
Grissom sat in the car rubbing his temples. Another murder, same as the previous two. Sara walked away from the scene to his car. His window was down and she could see his pained expression. Looking around, she took a step closer to the car door and in a hushed tone. "Gil, listen to me."
He looked at her and lowered his hands. "How identical is it?"
She shook her head. "It's the same, but this time it seemed he was in a rush. Hurried incisions and more blood than the others. I think he's either panicking or building up to something."
Grissom sighed and opened his door. "Let's get back to work."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Back at the lab, Grissom and Sara stared at the body. "These are not right." She mumbled.
Grissom nodded and scratched his chin. "I think you were right, he's getting ready for a show down. He might be looking for something tonight, which means he's accelerating."
"We need to find something Griss. This is nothing." Sara turned and rubbed her face. She left the room and walked to the rest rooms.
When she emerged 5 minutes later, Grissom was leaning against the wall. "We'll get him Sara." She didn't say anything. She wasn't going to agree, because she didn't think they were going to find him, not before he gets smarter. Grissom pushed off the wall and walked with her back to the lab. "I'll keep Brass looking out for anything odd. Why don't you get some rest and coffee? I'll come and find you in an hour." His hand on the small of her back pushed in slightly, telling her he was here for her. She nodded and they split up once they entered the main lab.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mmmm. Door, hard wood and difficult to bust down.
Window, double-glazing and noisy.
Let's use the old 'Can I use the phone' trick.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She opened the door and smiled. "Can I help you?" She asked him.
He nodded and gave his best sweet smile. "Yes, sorry to bother you at such a late hour, but my car broke down and I need to phone the garage. Do you mind if I use your phone?"
She pursed her lips and shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I don't live here and under instructions, I can't let anyone in. Sorry. Why don't you try the next house down?" She went to close the door, but he pushed his foot in to stop it. "Hey!"
Before she knew it, he pushed the door open and everything went hazy then black.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sara was sleeping on the couch in the break room when Grissom strolled in with good news. He shook his head at the sight and sat on the coffee table. "She never sleeps and when she does she's out like a light." He chuckled.
"Just resting my eyes." She grumbled.
Raising an eyebrow, he leaned forward slightly. "You never rest your eyes and you're a grumpy person when you wake up."
"Am not." Sara protested turning on to her back.
Laughing, he got up and filled two cups with coffee. "See."
"Shut up." She grumbled again rubbing her eyes.
"I got a name." He said handing her a cup.
Sara sat up and opened her eyes wide. "Really? Then what are we doing here?"
Grissom drank his coffee. "Brass and his men are bringing him in. You were asleep. I said I'd come and get you and." He grinned. "Here I am, waking you up and sitting through your grumpyness."
She leaned forward and slapped his arm. "You just wait mister. You may think you can get away with teasing me at work, but when we get home, you'll regret ever saying those words aloud." She winked at him and drank her coffee.
Just as the second cup of coffee reach their mouths, Brass walked in with a very confused expression. "You ok Jim?" Grissom asked looking up at him.
He frowned, not for the first time since he got back with the suspect. "I don't know. He says he wants to speak with you."
Grissom raised a curious eyebrow. "I doubt that Jim, we've never met."
"He asked for you by name." Jim turned as Grissom and Sara headed to interrogation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The man sat with his hands folded on the table. He wore a dark blue shirt, jeans and a brown leather jacket. Grissom and Sara walked in and the man stood. The police officer standing behind him pushed him back into his seat.
"You asked for me?" Grissom stood in front of the man.
"Yeah. I'm Thomas Higgins. I was given a message to give to you." Thomas seemed to think for a second.
"What message?" Grissom asked moving closer.
Thomas looked up and smiled. "I got the most important piece to the Dr. Gil Grissom puzzle." He stopped and looked up as Grissom furrowed his brows in confusion. Grissom turned, but Thomas continued. "If you want to find me, you need to go home."
Grissom turned back sharply. "What?" He asked panicked. He approached Thomas and leaned over him. "What does that mean?"
Sara raked her brain and Grissom looked up as she gasped. His eyes narrowed and watched her. Brass watched Grissom's eye darken. He stepped back slowly and turned to Sara. "Brass. Get a car to my house now. My son and the babysitter should be there." Brass didn't move. "NOW!" Grissom shouted.
Sara looked up as Grissom put his arm around her and led her from the room. Once out of the room, he turned her and saw the tears. "Gil?"
Grissom pulled her to him. "I'm sure there ok. Let's follow Brass." She nodded.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Brass pulled up to Grissom's house and saw the door wide open. He pulled his gun from its holster and approached the townhouse with three other officers. Walking through the door, he saw blood. Searching the house, he found nothing. As he walked out the front door, he saw Grissom staring at the blood in the doorway.
"No ones home Gil." Brass informed.
"Ring Catherine, Warrick and Nick. Get them down here to process." Grissom swallowed the lump in his throat and closed his eyes. Sara left the car and ran up to the house after she saw the haunted look on Grissom's face.
"Where is he? Gil, Where's Mike?" He grabbed her and pulled her to him. Holding her tightly. Her sobs shook her body. His head leaned against hers and closed his eyes. "Where's our son?" She sobbed.
Brass watched them and turned to his officers. "Get this place sealed off now! Ring the rest of the team and start going round the houses for witnesses! Someone had to have seen or heard something!" His voice was firm and non-negotiable.
Grissom's face buried in Sara's hair. "We'll find him." His voice was barely a whisper. Sara held him tighter and cried harder.
Chapter EIGHT
Catherine and the other two exited their cars and walked up to Brass. "What happened?" Catherine asked.
"Grissom's kid was kidnapped by the puzzle killer."
Nick and Warrick stared at Brass in disbelief. "Grissom doesn't have a kid." Warrick said.
Brass shrugged. "We brought in a Mr. Thomas Higgins and he gave Grissom a message that if he wanted to find the killer then he should go home. Then all hell broke loose. Sara's in pieces and Grissom's not far from snapping."
Nick and Warrick turned to Grissom's Tahoe and saw him holding Sara tightly to him as they leaned against the side of the car. Catherine walked into the house and got to work. Nick followed and shortly after so did Warrick.
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"Anyone know about those two? I mean I didn't think they were seeing each other let alone have a kid together." Warrick seemed very confused, but got straight to work.
"The boys name is Mike, he's 3 years old. Sara's the mother and Grissom's the father. No there not married. They've been seeing each other for a long time and they didn't say anything because apparently we've never asked them." Catherine informed pulling out swabs and her camera.
Nick snorted. "I asked."
Warrick looked over at him. "When?"
"When I first came to work here. Kid case, I asked him and he said no." Nick said pulling prints from the door.
"Nick, that was over 4 years ago. Mike's 3. This is Grissom were talking about." Catherine said snapping away at the pool of blood and disturbances.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Grissom re-wrapped his arms around Sara's shoulders and looked up at the house. "I should be in there."
Sara turned her head into his neck. "No." She said bluntly.
"I need to find him." He said.
"I said no. Don't leave me, don't suppress it and leave me on my own. Gil, please." She rubbed her nose against his neck and he leaned his head to hers.
"I can't stand here." He said in a tight tone. Sara pulled back and saw his eyes watering. "I can't just do nothing."
A tear fell and Sara quickly kissed it away. "We have to wait. We're not on that side now. We need to wait and see what the others find and then nail the bastard that's done this to us."
Grissom nodded sadly and closed his eyes. "I want to ask Higgins more questions." He sobbed into her hair. "He knows more, I know it."
Sara squeezed his body to hers to steady his shaking body. Her tears joined his as they stayed there, holding each other tightly, never wanting to let go.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Warrick stood at the door while Nick photographed the rest of the house. Catherine moved to stand next to Warrick and sighed. "It's not going to be easy to keep them away from the evidence."
Warrick nodded. "I have a feeling from what Brass told us that the babysitter is dead, but there is no body. The kid is no where to be seen. He was snatched from his bed." His tone was deflated with concern and fear for this child.
"We need to ask them questions." Catherine walked over to the bloody puddle and stared at it "Let's give them a while and once they're settled back at CSI, then we'll get down to business."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well, I wasn't expecting to be turned away and I needed to get into the house. I had no choice but to make her quiet.
She's dead. I had to hide the body. They won't find her, not for a while anyway. Mr. Grissom will be in a state right about now, I'd guess. So would the young brunette.
I would be if my child were taken.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Grissom drove on autopilot back to the lab. 4 hours after his home was fully processed. Catherine and the others deliberately kept their distance, knowing that if the evidence were touched it would be tainted. Sara was quiet the entire ride. Grissom's hand twitched on the steering wheel. He wanted to hold her hand, but could sense she needed to be left alone for a while. Brass followed closely as they pulled into the car park and climbed out. Grissom and Sara walked into the lab and were confronted with the entire population of the lab's eyes staring at them.
Sara went to the locker room to freshen up and change. Grissom was becoming angry and edgy. He took a sharp turn and headed to interrogation where he knew Catherine was asking Higgins more questions.
Brass was on his heels and stopped him at the door. "You know you can't Gil. Stop, don't make this more difficult."
Grissom gave a tense laugh and stepped up to Brass angrily. "Move Now Jim! I want answers and I want them now!"
Brass held his ground and refused to be bullied by an angry Grissom. "Being here right now it making this a longer process. If you go in there, you will make things worse."
Sobering slightly, Grissom stepped back. "Worse? Worse?" Grissom turned away, but turned back before Brass could take a breath. "My son has been kidnapped by a serial killer and your telling me that talking to that SOB is going to make things WORSE?"
"TALK?" Brass shouted to get Grissom's attention. Seeing his eyes flash, he took his arm and pulled him to the observation room. "Watch." He ordered and stood by the door.
Grissom sat in the car rubbing his temples. Another murder, same as the previous two. Sara walked away from the scene to his car. His window was down and she could see his pained expression. Looking around, she took a step closer to the car door and in a hushed tone. "Gil, listen to me."
He looked at her and lowered his hands. "How identical is it?"
She shook her head. "It's the same, but this time it seemed he was in a rush. Hurried incisions and more blood than the others. I think he's either panicking or building up to something."
Grissom sighed and opened his door. "Let's get back to work."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Back at the lab, Grissom and Sara stared at the body. "These are not right." She mumbled.
Grissom nodded and scratched his chin. "I think you were right, he's getting ready for a show down. He might be looking for something tonight, which means he's accelerating."
"We need to find something Griss. This is nothing." Sara turned and rubbed her face. She left the room and walked to the rest rooms.
When she emerged 5 minutes later, Grissom was leaning against the wall. "We'll get him Sara." She didn't say anything. She wasn't going to agree, because she didn't think they were going to find him, not before he gets smarter. Grissom pushed off the wall and walked with her back to the lab. "I'll keep Brass looking out for anything odd. Why don't you get some rest and coffee? I'll come and find you in an hour." His hand on the small of her back pushed in slightly, telling her he was here for her. She nodded and they split up once they entered the main lab.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mmmm. Door, hard wood and difficult to bust down.
Window, double-glazing and noisy.
Let's use the old 'Can I use the phone' trick.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She opened the door and smiled. "Can I help you?" She asked him.
He nodded and gave his best sweet smile. "Yes, sorry to bother you at such a late hour, but my car broke down and I need to phone the garage. Do you mind if I use your phone?"
She pursed her lips and shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I don't live here and under instructions, I can't let anyone in. Sorry. Why don't you try the next house down?" She went to close the door, but he pushed his foot in to stop it. "Hey!"
Before she knew it, he pushed the door open and everything went hazy then black.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sara was sleeping on the couch in the break room when Grissom strolled in with good news. He shook his head at the sight and sat on the coffee table. "She never sleeps and when she does she's out like a light." He chuckled.
"Just resting my eyes." She grumbled.
Raising an eyebrow, he leaned forward slightly. "You never rest your eyes and you're a grumpy person when you wake up."
"Am not." Sara protested turning on to her back.
Laughing, he got up and filled two cups with coffee. "See."
"Shut up." She grumbled again rubbing her eyes.
"I got a name." He said handing her a cup.
Sara sat up and opened her eyes wide. "Really? Then what are we doing here?"
Grissom drank his coffee. "Brass and his men are bringing him in. You were asleep. I said I'd come and get you and." He grinned. "Here I am, waking you up and sitting through your grumpyness."
She leaned forward and slapped his arm. "You just wait mister. You may think you can get away with teasing me at work, but when we get home, you'll regret ever saying those words aloud." She winked at him and drank her coffee.
Just as the second cup of coffee reach their mouths, Brass walked in with a very confused expression. "You ok Jim?" Grissom asked looking up at him.
He frowned, not for the first time since he got back with the suspect. "I don't know. He says he wants to speak with you."
Grissom raised a curious eyebrow. "I doubt that Jim, we've never met."
"He asked for you by name." Jim turned as Grissom and Sara headed to interrogation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The man sat with his hands folded on the table. He wore a dark blue shirt, jeans and a brown leather jacket. Grissom and Sara walked in and the man stood. The police officer standing behind him pushed him back into his seat.
"You asked for me?" Grissom stood in front of the man.
"Yeah. I'm Thomas Higgins. I was given a message to give to you." Thomas seemed to think for a second.
"What message?" Grissom asked moving closer.
Thomas looked up and smiled. "I got the most important piece to the Dr. Gil Grissom puzzle." He stopped and looked up as Grissom furrowed his brows in confusion. Grissom turned, but Thomas continued. "If you want to find me, you need to go home."
Grissom turned back sharply. "What?" He asked panicked. He approached Thomas and leaned over him. "What does that mean?"
Sara raked her brain and Grissom looked up as she gasped. His eyes narrowed and watched her. Brass watched Grissom's eye darken. He stepped back slowly and turned to Sara. "Brass. Get a car to my house now. My son and the babysitter should be there." Brass didn't move. "NOW!" Grissom shouted.
Sara looked up as Grissom put his arm around her and led her from the room. Once out of the room, he turned her and saw the tears. "Gil?"
Grissom pulled her to him. "I'm sure there ok. Let's follow Brass." She nodded.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Brass pulled up to Grissom's house and saw the door wide open. He pulled his gun from its holster and approached the townhouse with three other officers. Walking through the door, he saw blood. Searching the house, he found nothing. As he walked out the front door, he saw Grissom staring at the blood in the doorway.
"No ones home Gil." Brass informed.
"Ring Catherine, Warrick and Nick. Get them down here to process." Grissom swallowed the lump in his throat and closed his eyes. Sara left the car and ran up to the house after she saw the haunted look on Grissom's face.
"Where is he? Gil, Where's Mike?" He grabbed her and pulled her to him. Holding her tightly. Her sobs shook her body. His head leaned against hers and closed his eyes. "Where's our son?" She sobbed.
Brass watched them and turned to his officers. "Get this place sealed off now! Ring the rest of the team and start going round the houses for witnesses! Someone had to have seen or heard something!" His voice was firm and non-negotiable.
Grissom's face buried in Sara's hair. "We'll find him." His voice was barely a whisper. Sara held him tighter and cried harder.
Chapter EIGHT
Catherine and the other two exited their cars and walked up to Brass. "What happened?" Catherine asked.
"Grissom's kid was kidnapped by the puzzle killer."
Nick and Warrick stared at Brass in disbelief. "Grissom doesn't have a kid." Warrick said.
Brass shrugged. "We brought in a Mr. Thomas Higgins and he gave Grissom a message that if he wanted to find the killer then he should go home. Then all hell broke loose. Sara's in pieces and Grissom's not far from snapping."
Nick and Warrick turned to Grissom's Tahoe and saw him holding Sara tightly to him as they leaned against the side of the car. Catherine walked into the house and got to work. Nick followed and shortly after so did Warrick.
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"Anyone know about those two? I mean I didn't think they were seeing each other let alone have a kid together." Warrick seemed very confused, but got straight to work.
"The boys name is Mike, he's 3 years old. Sara's the mother and Grissom's the father. No there not married. They've been seeing each other for a long time and they didn't say anything because apparently we've never asked them." Catherine informed pulling out swabs and her camera.
Nick snorted. "I asked."
Warrick looked over at him. "When?"
"When I first came to work here. Kid case, I asked him and he said no." Nick said pulling prints from the door.
"Nick, that was over 4 years ago. Mike's 3. This is Grissom were talking about." Catherine said snapping away at the pool of blood and disturbances.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Grissom re-wrapped his arms around Sara's shoulders and looked up at the house. "I should be in there."
Sara turned her head into his neck. "No." She said bluntly.
"I need to find him." He said.
"I said no. Don't leave me, don't suppress it and leave me on my own. Gil, please." She rubbed her nose against his neck and he leaned his head to hers.
"I can't stand here." He said in a tight tone. Sara pulled back and saw his eyes watering. "I can't just do nothing."
A tear fell and Sara quickly kissed it away. "We have to wait. We're not on that side now. We need to wait and see what the others find and then nail the bastard that's done this to us."
Grissom nodded sadly and closed his eyes. "I want to ask Higgins more questions." He sobbed into her hair. "He knows more, I know it."
Sara squeezed his body to hers to steady his shaking body. Her tears joined his as they stayed there, holding each other tightly, never wanting to let go.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Warrick stood at the door while Nick photographed the rest of the house. Catherine moved to stand next to Warrick and sighed. "It's not going to be easy to keep them away from the evidence."
Warrick nodded. "I have a feeling from what Brass told us that the babysitter is dead, but there is no body. The kid is no where to be seen. He was snatched from his bed." His tone was deflated with concern and fear for this child.
"We need to ask them questions." Catherine walked over to the bloody puddle and stared at it "Let's give them a while and once they're settled back at CSI, then we'll get down to business."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well, I wasn't expecting to be turned away and I needed to get into the house. I had no choice but to make her quiet.
She's dead. I had to hide the body. They won't find her, not for a while anyway. Mr. Grissom will be in a state right about now, I'd guess. So would the young brunette.
I would be if my child were taken.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Grissom drove on autopilot back to the lab. 4 hours after his home was fully processed. Catherine and the others deliberately kept their distance, knowing that if the evidence were touched it would be tainted. Sara was quiet the entire ride. Grissom's hand twitched on the steering wheel. He wanted to hold her hand, but could sense she needed to be left alone for a while. Brass followed closely as they pulled into the car park and climbed out. Grissom and Sara walked into the lab and were confronted with the entire population of the lab's eyes staring at them.
Sara went to the locker room to freshen up and change. Grissom was becoming angry and edgy. He took a sharp turn and headed to interrogation where he knew Catherine was asking Higgins more questions.
Brass was on his heels and stopped him at the door. "You know you can't Gil. Stop, don't make this more difficult."
Grissom gave a tense laugh and stepped up to Brass angrily. "Move Now Jim! I want answers and I want them now!"
Brass held his ground and refused to be bullied by an angry Grissom. "Being here right now it making this a longer process. If you go in there, you will make things worse."
Sobering slightly, Grissom stepped back. "Worse? Worse?" Grissom turned away, but turned back before Brass could take a breath. "My son has been kidnapped by a serial killer and your telling me that talking to that SOB is going to make things WORSE?"
"TALK?" Brass shouted to get Grissom's attention. Seeing his eyes flash, he took his arm and pulled him to the observation room. "Watch." He ordered and stood by the door.
