Chapter 2
When I got home I unsteadily climbed the stairs to my bedroom. My head spinning while replaying the conversation I just had with Nick. Even in my drunken state I had the decency to cringe when I though of how forward I was. Luckily we both laughed it away and went our separate ways. I must have been imagining the hurt expression on Nick's face when I was leaving, mustn't I?
****
Arriving in early to work the next morning sporting sunglasses didn't fool anyone. Greg who was also in early to accommodate any finding's we may have was his usual sarcastic self "You and Nick hit the bar again huh? Well will wonders never cease, you two get up to anything I should know about?",
"What" was stammered out while promptly walking into the lab bench.
"Jumpy this morning are we" Greg snickered and looked curious at my flustered state.
"Just hung-over, and no nothing you should know about, Now have you processed the evidence from yesterday?" returning to work mode while willing my blushing to stop, nothing had happened really it didn't. Now a little voice in my head became annoying telling me something between us had changed, I just didn't know what exactly.
"Yep, it's all processed but Dr. Robbins left a message for you to go down to him before you went to the school, Nick my man, are you as fragile as our Sara this afternoon?"
Nick had sauntered in behind me, "No, us Texans can hold our liqueur" increasing his southern drawl for affect. God he looked good, his usual dark t-shirt emphasising his muscles, which incidentally I am convinced he does on purpose, vainly I might add.
Punching him in the shoulder as I walked past "Lets get to work then, if you're so full of energy", I headed for the morgue.
Dr. Robbins had informed us our victim Jack Callan had not died due to hanging, no he had died of a fracture to his head. All indications were pointing to the fact he did not commit suicide. Using an Ultraviolet camera, Dr. Robbins was trying to bruises or any other damage to the skin not visible under normal light. There was a series of marks on his upper arms consistent with being lifted, one would imagine up to the noose of the rope.
"That poor kid, what could a sixteen year old have done to warrant someone going to such trouble to conceal a murder and stage a suicide, the crime scene was methodical, and no prints except the victims own on the rope", I still hated being in the morgue, the victims always looked so peaceful here, well from the neck up anyway. A kid's death was always the worst for us. It just lacked any major motive or reasons above all others.
"What is interesting" Dr. Robbins looked uneasy " is that's the forth suicide that has turned out to be a definite homicide the morgue has dealt with in the last three weeks. Day shift caught the other three, now I haven't read the case files yet as I did not perform those other autopsies so I will have to get back to you on this"
"You think there connected?" Nick looked at me and raised his eyebrow while he spoke.
"As I have said Nick, I don't know enough about the others to comment, but this boy could not have hung himself after getting a knock like that on the back of his head and the injury was pre-mortem.
Getting the files of the other three suicides from day shift would be fun.
Walking back to the lab, I immediately started to discuss the case, not wanting any small talk with Nick at all. "Nick, you want to get the files from Day, you know some of them well don't you?"
"Only Linda, and I don't think she will be too forthcoming somehow",
"Nick I wont ask why, but it may be a good time to apologise to her for what ever way you treated her, we need those files and Ecklie will not give us copies if he has any knowledge of them"
Turning to look at me, I stoped in my tracks when I saw the look of hurt on his face. "What makes you think that I need to apologise, Maybe she needs to apologise to me, Don't jump to conclusions Sidle, not everyone has the same bad opinion of me as you, and for that matter please don't convey your opinions regarding my love life in future, they are not nice and not warranted.
I will get the files, go to the school and start the interviews with the class mates". Squaring his shoulders he walked off.
Shit, why did I have to say that, now Nick was really pissed at me. I suppose I could admit to myself that my opinion of Nick's love life was fuelled only by Greg, who was not entirely a trustworthy source. My Mouth could get me in an awful lot of trouble sometimes. While wording my apology a junior detective drove me to Oak High.
The principal was waiting for me along with Detective Brass.
"This is Principal Mike Cooper, and this is CSI Sara Sidle".
After our nice to meet you's etc., brass pulled me aside.
"Nick called me with news about the other links" Brass recounted the information "the other suicides the morgue processed were all attending Oak High, one teacher, one Janitor and a student, well now two students "
Digesting the information I couldn't help but swallow the anger I was feeling at Nick for not calling me. The principal walked after us to address me "The students are fragile at the moment, Ms. Sidle, there suspicions that these are not suicides are frightening for them which is not surprising so please go easy on them"
"Principal Cooper, the detectives will interview all students alongside me, I assure you that we will handle all interviews in a gentle and understanding manner. But we need to ask questions that will upset them. It's the only way to get to the truth".
Hours later, having unsuccessfully interview many, many students I met nick in the hallways. Funnily enough, he looked like he belonged there with a backpack in his arms.
"Sorry I am late Sara, I interviewed Mrs. Callan, she was feeling better and called the station to let us know she could make a statement. She said something about Jack being in some sort of Book Club that took up most of is time. Avid read apparently. So I called the other boy's mother, you know the one who supposedly committed suicide, I met with her and he too apparently was a member of this book club", Nick looked so exited about his lead that I didn't even bother chastising him for practically working solo.
"Book club huh, Did they happen to say what kind of book club"
"Yeah murders, forensics and mystery. My favourite kind", our normal easy banter was back. "Lets get back to the lab and fill Grissom in, and see where we go from here, I think with four dead we may need to spread the case among the team".,
****
While heading back to the lab "Nick, I am sorry for making assumptions about your love life. It was rude of me and I would not appreciate it either. I don't have a low opinion of you, I think more highly of you than I do of any other man I have met in this city. Am I forgiven?"
I leaned forward and made a begging face at Nick who was in the driving seat.
"Really, me?" Nick looked disbelieving.
"Really you, and you know it Stokes. Does this mean I am forgiven?", I was still leaning forward looking utterly pathetically sorry.
"You will be forgiven after you agree to come to the LVPD ball with me next week" he glanced mischievously at me sideways.
"What, No fair, the punishment does not fit the crime Stokes, you know I hate those things and I will have to wear a dress"
"Yes you will and don't wear that awful blue one you wore last year, but you do want my forgiveness for your inexcusable comments, for which you had no proof". Humming to himself he looked so gorgeous and smug, and did I mention gorgeous.
Amazed at myself I found his good humour infectious. "Bastard, my blue dress is lovely" I replied indignant, that was an expensive dress you know. Ok I will but you better watch out I will amaze and surprise you with my attire this year. Book your dances now Stokes" laughing we alighted the SUV.
Coming around to my side of the parked vehicle, Nick stood between the open car door, the car and me. Leaning towards me with a look I don't think he had ever used on me before "I don't doubt you will amaze me, but sidle all your dances that evening are mine". Finally moving so I could move from the small space I was trapped in I watched Nick saunter off. "Besides its part of your punishment" he called over his shoulder. I could tell by his walk he was smiling to himself.
God my stomach was jumping, and I found myself tremble a bit. Now only a small bit I told myself.
The look he had used, well that was of tenderness. And I finally had to admit to myself, Yeah I liked it. I had a feeling his eyes would get me in whole lot of another kind of trouble.
********** Thanks for your review's, I am so grateful for the encouragement because of you I am really enjoying this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as this is so new to me. Please review.
When I got home I unsteadily climbed the stairs to my bedroom. My head spinning while replaying the conversation I just had with Nick. Even in my drunken state I had the decency to cringe when I though of how forward I was. Luckily we both laughed it away and went our separate ways. I must have been imagining the hurt expression on Nick's face when I was leaving, mustn't I?
****
Arriving in early to work the next morning sporting sunglasses didn't fool anyone. Greg who was also in early to accommodate any finding's we may have was his usual sarcastic self "You and Nick hit the bar again huh? Well will wonders never cease, you two get up to anything I should know about?",
"What" was stammered out while promptly walking into the lab bench.
"Jumpy this morning are we" Greg snickered and looked curious at my flustered state.
"Just hung-over, and no nothing you should know about, Now have you processed the evidence from yesterday?" returning to work mode while willing my blushing to stop, nothing had happened really it didn't. Now a little voice in my head became annoying telling me something between us had changed, I just didn't know what exactly.
"Yep, it's all processed but Dr. Robbins left a message for you to go down to him before you went to the school, Nick my man, are you as fragile as our Sara this afternoon?"
Nick had sauntered in behind me, "No, us Texans can hold our liqueur" increasing his southern drawl for affect. God he looked good, his usual dark t-shirt emphasising his muscles, which incidentally I am convinced he does on purpose, vainly I might add.
Punching him in the shoulder as I walked past "Lets get to work then, if you're so full of energy", I headed for the morgue.
Dr. Robbins had informed us our victim Jack Callan had not died due to hanging, no he had died of a fracture to his head. All indications were pointing to the fact he did not commit suicide. Using an Ultraviolet camera, Dr. Robbins was trying to bruises or any other damage to the skin not visible under normal light. There was a series of marks on his upper arms consistent with being lifted, one would imagine up to the noose of the rope.
"That poor kid, what could a sixteen year old have done to warrant someone going to such trouble to conceal a murder and stage a suicide, the crime scene was methodical, and no prints except the victims own on the rope", I still hated being in the morgue, the victims always looked so peaceful here, well from the neck up anyway. A kid's death was always the worst for us. It just lacked any major motive or reasons above all others.
"What is interesting" Dr. Robbins looked uneasy " is that's the forth suicide that has turned out to be a definite homicide the morgue has dealt with in the last three weeks. Day shift caught the other three, now I haven't read the case files yet as I did not perform those other autopsies so I will have to get back to you on this"
"You think there connected?" Nick looked at me and raised his eyebrow while he spoke.
"As I have said Nick, I don't know enough about the others to comment, but this boy could not have hung himself after getting a knock like that on the back of his head and the injury was pre-mortem.
Getting the files of the other three suicides from day shift would be fun.
Walking back to the lab, I immediately started to discuss the case, not wanting any small talk with Nick at all. "Nick, you want to get the files from Day, you know some of them well don't you?"
"Only Linda, and I don't think she will be too forthcoming somehow",
"Nick I wont ask why, but it may be a good time to apologise to her for what ever way you treated her, we need those files and Ecklie will not give us copies if he has any knowledge of them"
Turning to look at me, I stoped in my tracks when I saw the look of hurt on his face. "What makes you think that I need to apologise, Maybe she needs to apologise to me, Don't jump to conclusions Sidle, not everyone has the same bad opinion of me as you, and for that matter please don't convey your opinions regarding my love life in future, they are not nice and not warranted.
I will get the files, go to the school and start the interviews with the class mates". Squaring his shoulders he walked off.
Shit, why did I have to say that, now Nick was really pissed at me. I suppose I could admit to myself that my opinion of Nick's love life was fuelled only by Greg, who was not entirely a trustworthy source. My Mouth could get me in an awful lot of trouble sometimes. While wording my apology a junior detective drove me to Oak High.
The principal was waiting for me along with Detective Brass.
"This is Principal Mike Cooper, and this is CSI Sara Sidle".
After our nice to meet you's etc., brass pulled me aside.
"Nick called me with news about the other links" Brass recounted the information "the other suicides the morgue processed were all attending Oak High, one teacher, one Janitor and a student, well now two students "
Digesting the information I couldn't help but swallow the anger I was feeling at Nick for not calling me. The principal walked after us to address me "The students are fragile at the moment, Ms. Sidle, there suspicions that these are not suicides are frightening for them which is not surprising so please go easy on them"
"Principal Cooper, the detectives will interview all students alongside me, I assure you that we will handle all interviews in a gentle and understanding manner. But we need to ask questions that will upset them. It's the only way to get to the truth".
Hours later, having unsuccessfully interview many, many students I met nick in the hallways. Funnily enough, he looked like he belonged there with a backpack in his arms.
"Sorry I am late Sara, I interviewed Mrs. Callan, she was feeling better and called the station to let us know she could make a statement. She said something about Jack being in some sort of Book Club that took up most of is time. Avid read apparently. So I called the other boy's mother, you know the one who supposedly committed suicide, I met with her and he too apparently was a member of this book club", Nick looked so exited about his lead that I didn't even bother chastising him for practically working solo.
"Book club huh, Did they happen to say what kind of book club"
"Yeah murders, forensics and mystery. My favourite kind", our normal easy banter was back. "Lets get back to the lab and fill Grissom in, and see where we go from here, I think with four dead we may need to spread the case among the team".,
****
While heading back to the lab "Nick, I am sorry for making assumptions about your love life. It was rude of me and I would not appreciate it either. I don't have a low opinion of you, I think more highly of you than I do of any other man I have met in this city. Am I forgiven?"
I leaned forward and made a begging face at Nick who was in the driving seat.
"Really, me?" Nick looked disbelieving.
"Really you, and you know it Stokes. Does this mean I am forgiven?", I was still leaning forward looking utterly pathetically sorry.
"You will be forgiven after you agree to come to the LVPD ball with me next week" he glanced mischievously at me sideways.
"What, No fair, the punishment does not fit the crime Stokes, you know I hate those things and I will have to wear a dress"
"Yes you will and don't wear that awful blue one you wore last year, but you do want my forgiveness for your inexcusable comments, for which you had no proof". Humming to himself he looked so gorgeous and smug, and did I mention gorgeous.
Amazed at myself I found his good humour infectious. "Bastard, my blue dress is lovely" I replied indignant, that was an expensive dress you know. Ok I will but you better watch out I will amaze and surprise you with my attire this year. Book your dances now Stokes" laughing we alighted the SUV.
Coming around to my side of the parked vehicle, Nick stood between the open car door, the car and me. Leaning towards me with a look I don't think he had ever used on me before "I don't doubt you will amaze me, but sidle all your dances that evening are mine". Finally moving so I could move from the small space I was trapped in I watched Nick saunter off. "Besides its part of your punishment" he called over his shoulder. I could tell by his walk he was smiling to himself.
God my stomach was jumping, and I found myself tremble a bit. Now only a small bit I told myself.
The look he had used, well that was of tenderness. And I finally had to admit to myself, Yeah I liked it. I had a feeling his eyes would get me in whole lot of another kind of trouble.
********** Thanks for your review's, I am so grateful for the encouragement because of you I am really enjoying this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as this is so new to me. Please review.