Notes: Ok, so maybe the victim profile wasn't that subtle...OK, it wasn't at all - but I'm trying. LOL! Thanks for the reviews!
Warrick dialed Grissom's number as he raced down the Strip. "Gris? I found something! It looks like our vic' yanked some hair out when she was fighting him. I've got some strands that look like they still have skin tags.... Yeah, I'm almost there." He hung up the phone, and jerked the wheel to the right, bouncing across the slight bump in the road, and into the CSI parking lot.
------------CSI Lab, Noon----------
The entire team crowded around Greg as the computer began printing out the results. Grissom grabbed the sheet of the machine and looked at it. He dialed Brass's number. "Hey Jim. We got a name - Christopher Johnson." Hanging up, he turned to the rest of the team. "Ok, Nick, Sara, and Warrick - you guys stick to Archie, get everything you can out of those pics, and re-look at the last couple ones too. Catherine - you and I will check out the land deeds; try to find out if this guy owns any property near Vegas. The other three wandered off, and Catherine and Grissom headed over to his office to use the computer.
Grissom accessed the land deeds, and typed 'Johnson, Christopher' into the search bar. As he hit enter, Catherine walked over, and whispered something in his ear. He spun around, smiling. Grissom rose to his feet and closed the blinds on his door before turning to face Catherine. (OK, now that was sort of vague, I know - but you guys follow where I'm going, right? Besides, let them have some privacy, for goodness sakes)
Afterwards, they lay together on the couch, and were half asleep when the computer started beeping at them. They both jumped up, and began franticcaly searching for their scattered clothing. As soon as he was dressed, Grissom checked the computer. "Damn!"
Catherine finished buttoning her shirt and walked over. "Nothing?" Grissom shook his head. "Well, we're still back where we started."
------------Half an Hour Later----------
"Grissom" Gil answered his phone with the usual abruptness.
"Would it kill you to say 'Hi' once in a while?" Brass grumbled. "I think we found him... He used his credit card to reserve a hotel room at the Tangiers. We got a warrant, an' are on the way now."
"OK, I'll meet you there." He hung up, turning to the rest of the team. "Lets go!"
-----------Tangiers----------
The man stood in the crowd, watching as the cops entered the hotel to search his room. How did they find me so easily? he wondered. I was so careful.... He watched, his anger building as people carried out his 'stuff.' A tall man with rather chiseled features carried out his favorite gun, and placed it in a dark Tahoe. A few minutes later, an older man with graying hair and a stubbly beard came out, bringing out more of Johnson's things.
Christopher felt the rage build as he saw the strangers touching his things. He reached unconsciously for his spare gun. Stop! Hold the phone, what was that? He looked carefully over the crowd, torn between trying to see over people and trying to be inconspicuous. Two women were walking out toward the Tahoe laughing and chatting. He had a brilliant idea...
Christopher pushed his way out of the crowd, heading for his car. Luckily, he wasn't stupid enough to keep anything incriminating in his hotel room - it was all locked in his car. Pulling on a pair of gloves, he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. He hurriedly scrawled short letter on a sticky note - one of the neon green ones that were produced en-masse everyday - virtually untraceable.
Grissom, Warrick, and Nick were leaving the hotel slightly more dejected then they had arrived. Catherine and Sara had called from the Lab about half an hour ago and said that none of the striations from bullets test-fired from the gun matched the bullets found in the victims. They headed slowly toward the car, realizing that almost an entire day had past since the last woman had been abducted, and they were still back - if not on, at least near - square one.
Grissom was climbing wearily into the Tahoe when Nick spotted the sticky tab. He stared at it in shock. "What is it?" Warrick asked curiously.
Nick read aloud, his voice shaking:
Well, boys - I saw the girls leave, so let just keep
this between us men. Drop this case NOW - before
someone else gets hurt. Maybe someone close
to you guys... "The Opera Killer"
-------------CSI Lab-------------
Catherine and Sara were sitting in the evidence room, looking over the 'Opera Killer Cases" when Catherine's phone rang. "Willows."
"Catherine -"there was a loud beep in the background as another driver honked at the speeding Tahoe. "He left us a note... I think he's going after you or Sara next! Stay at the Lab, alright?"
"Ok..." Catherine felt sick. She hung up, turning shakily to tell Sara.
The two of them were in the Break Room when the other three arrived. Catherine started "I want Lindsey out of Vegas." she stated flatly. "I can stay overnight at the lab or something, but if this psycho's coming after Sara or I, I don't want her here." She turned to Grissom. "I know I should stay and help solve the case - I mean, the quicker it's over, the better - so I'll just drop her of at my parents for a few days." Grissom nodded.
"Alright. -Sara, do you have somewhere to stay?" Sara looked at Nick and nodded.
"Yeah, I can stay with Nicky."
"OK. -Catherine, you can stay with me if you want..." Cat nodded.
"Thanks. -Well, if I pick Linds up now, I can drop her off before it gets to late. See you all later." She grabbed her keys and walked out. Once in the car, alone, all the thoughts from throughout the day hit her in a jumble. What a sicko.... I have to get Lindsey out of here - that poor woman's daughter (the one who found the last vic's body)... I don't want Linds to see anything like that... but - on the bright side - I'll be able to stay with Grissom for a while... I just hope we find this bastard before he attacks again...
Catherine pulled up in front of Lindsey's school, and the little girl clambered inside. "Hey, Mommy!" she tossed her book-bag into the back seat, and started jabbering about her day.
She paused for breath, and looked around. "Where are we going?' She asked, puzzled.
Catherine took a breath. "Well, I was wondering if you wanted to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a few days."
"But I thought you were going to let me have a sleep-over this weekend?" Lindsey whined.
"I know, honey. I'm sorry, but something... came up." she looked at the disappointment on her daughter's face, and thought her heart would break. "I'm really sorry, baby!"
Lindsey nodded acknowledgement and turned, staring out the window. "I didn't pack anything." she realized suddenly.
"I think we left some stuff there last month, besides, it'll only be a day or two."
"What about school?" Lindsey was still uncertain as to why she was going to stay at her grandparents in the middle of the week.
"I'll call your teacher, and work it all out." Catherine promised. Lindsey, though still puzzled, nodded and resumed staring at the landscape flashing by.