Title: Boundaries
Chapter 7
Author: Evidence
Rating: PG
Author's Notes: Thanks to D for all the encouragement.
Central High School was large, filled with some of the poorer Las Vegas area residents. It's brick surface was old and faded looking and many students were smoking on the front lawn even though it was against the law.
Grissom and Sara walked past the students and into the building. The principal, Mr. Jerome Davis greeted them. "Mr. Grissom, Ms. Sidle, I'm Mr. Davis. You have access to whatever you like here but if you first want to head to the athletic department that's fine."
"The athletic department, please," Grissom said.
"Okay, right this way." Davis led them on a winding path to the back of the high school where the football, soccer, and baseball fields all stood adjacent to each other. The department was actually one small office with three desks.
"We will need to see your student roster," Sara said scanning the office.
"Of course," Davis replied.
"How many teams have windbreakers?" Grissom asked.
"Two teams. The soccer team and the baseball team."
"Who coaches these teams, I would like to talk to him."
"Eric should be here in a few moments. When I saw you coming I told him to meet us down here. He's been feeling ill for a while, had to go home."
"Ill?" Grissom asked, his curiosity peaked.
Davis nodded. "Stomach bug."
Both CSIs could hear heavy footsteps behind them. "Jerome, are these those CSIs?"
They turned to see a large man with sandy blonde hair around age 30.
"Ah Eric, glad you could come down. Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle from the crime lab."
Eric nodded his head. "Nice to meet you, I'm Eric Jasper."
"Jasper?" Grissom said pieces falling into place.
"Yeah."
"Is your mother Evelyn Jasper?" Sara asked, her wheels also turning.
"Yes she is."
"And your father is deceased." Grissom said it as fact.
Jasper's head turned and a scowl appeared. "My father is still alive in my heart."
"But he's not able to go grocery shopping or cut wood anymore, correct?" Grissom said analyzing Jasper's voice shifts.
"Correct." Jasper crossed his beefy arms.
"Where were you an hour ago?" Grissom probed looking at his plaid shirt and tan slacks for clues.
"Home. I felt sick. Ask Mr. Davis."
"Good, may we see your toilet then?" Grissom asked.
"What?" Jasper's eyes were full of shock.
"Well to prove your alibi. If you really were sick particles of your stomach undigested food should be prevalent."
"That's gross man. Look I felt sick but I wasn't."
"How convenient," Sara replied studying him closely and seeing the lies. "Where were you last night?"
"Home." His voice had deepened and a gray gloom colored his appearance.
"Alone?"
"Yes alone."
"Any neighbors that can collaborate your story?" Sara asked.
"It isn't a story!" he yelled, his temper flaring.
Grissom quickly moved himself between Jasper and Sara as a form of protection for the woman who made his heart skip a beat.
"Calm down Eric, this is a school", Davis instructed.
"Mr. Davis may we check this office please for any evidence?" Grissom asked, his eyes focused on Jasper.
"Yes you may," Davis said, his cheery expression gone.
"What about my permission or Mike's or Ian's?" Jasper looked at the CSIs.
"The principal has the authority to overrule you." Grissom responded.
Jasper stewed in the hallway as Grissom and Sara begin looking through the papers on top of Jasper's desk.
"Lots of old notices. He doesn't seem to throw anything away," Sara said with a shake of her head. "I wonder how Bailey's doing?"
"Hopefully well and hopefully I have a couch in some working condition."
Jasper was continuing to fidget outside. David realizes a diversion was necessary while the CSIs completed their work said, "Eric, why don't we go to the main office and wait."
"Fine," Jasper replied leaving with the principal.
"His windbreaker doesn't seem like it's here. I wonder if it'd in his car."
"We don't have a warrant Sara."
"I know but maybe..." Sara's eyes lit up. "I can go down to the athletic field locker rooms and just look to see if his jacket is there."
Grissom thought for a moment. "Okay but look don't touch. Not until we can secure a warrant."
"Yes sir," Sara mock saluted him and headed off to the locker room.
For Grissom the last day had been super pleasant. He was really enjoying his time with Sara and learning to appreciate Bailey. In a way he finally was acquiring the one thing that was missing from his life that he didn't realize was missing- a family.
Sara walked down the white stairs to the athletic complex. The locker rooms were right at the bottom of the stairs labeled simply W and M. She knocked on the men's door, announced her presence and walked in. The metal door closed swiftly behind her. She missed hearing the footsteps that followed down her track a few seconds later.
"Mr. Grissom!" Mr. Davis ran into the coaches' office. He was holding a cloth to his head.
"What's the matter?" Grissom stood up.
"Jasper punched me and took off."
"Where, in what direction?"
"Toward the athletic complex."
Grissom's heart sank. "Good God no."
To be continued...