Chapter 6

Hospital

While Grissom was gone, Catherine and Brass made themselves comfortable. In the silence of the room, a shrill, though quiet, broke the tranquil atmosphere. Brass and Catherine both reached for their phones. "It's mine." Brass let her know before standing. "I'll be right back, ok?"

"Sure, no worries." said Catherine.

Stepping into the corridor, he flipped his cell open. "Brass."

"It's Nick. We ran some prints we collected from the doorframe through the database and just got a hit on CODIS."

"Name?"

"Michael Holt. His rap sheet is a mile long. Stretches from car theft, armed robbery, illegal dealings and, attempted murder a few years back. He got out of the joint two months ago."

Brass looked down the corridor to the nurses station when he heard a nurse clear her throat. "Where is he Nick? Did you get his latest address?" asked Brass, getting a hard glare from the head nurse.

"Hang on, I'm getting that now." He was quiet for a few seconds and the sound of the printer and paper rustling was that Brass could hear. "Okay, I've got it. The address is Fairfield Apartments. Room 26. 1st floor."

Brass jotted down the information into his notepad. "Thanks Nick. I'm on it."

Nick sighed with relief. He hadn't been able to get away from the lab to see Sara yet and he was hoping not to be the one to go after their suspect. "Good. Tell Cath I'm on my way to see Sara ok?"

"Ok Nick."

Cutting the connection, Brass immediately hit speed dial. Turning his back on the angry nurse, he waited for an answer.

"Grissom."

"Gil, it's Jim." Before Brass could say anything, Grissom's worried voice interrupted.

"It's Sara, isn't it?"

Brass chuckled. "No Gil. It's not Sara. She was still sleeping when I left a few minutes ago. Don't panic ok? She's not alone. Cath is sitting with her. Warrick should be back with food and coffee soon." Hearing footsteps that were more than likely from the nurse, Brass quickly filled Grissom in. "I called because I just got a call from Nick. He got a hot of CODIS. Got and address… though you might like to tag along for the ride."

Grissom's harsh breath sounded his anger. "You don't need to ask. I want to see what that bastard looks like-"

"Now Gil-" Brass tried.

"Don't got there Jim. I'm not in the mood. The moment we get him and he's put away, I can be right back at the hospital for Sara."

"Ok." Brass sighed. "I'll be there to pick you up in ten minutes."

"Thanks Jim. I'll be ready."

Sara's room

"Hey guys." asked Nick when he walked into the room. The door was open and he could see Catherine and Warrick sitting by the window talking. "How is she?"

Warrick looked up and Catherine offered a smile. "Hey bud. How you doin?" asked Warrick.

"Been better." Nick looked at Sara's sleeping form. "I didn't find out about Sara till I was at the scene. Guess Grissom thought I'd want to be on the case."

Catherine nodded. "He did."

Nick smiled sadly. "Yeah." He walked over to the bed and gave Sara a brotherly kiss on the cheek. "I had to do this for Sara. Hey sis, how're you holding up?"

"It's no use Nick. They gave her a shot before you arrived, and she's been out ever since." said Catherine.

"Where's Brass at?" asked Warrick, only knowing that the detective had to leave.

"Oh, he's gone to talk to a suspect." Nick informed them. "I hope it's him. Brass and Grissom were going to have a little talk with him." He took Sara's hand and sat down. "Let's hope Brass has a leash on Grissom, because one he gets a hold of the guy who did this, he probably won't be alive to see another next day."

"Yeah, I hear yah." said Warrick.

Suspects Residents

Brass approached the door with his hand on his gun holster. "This is it Gil. You stay behind me. Get your gun out if you have it. Other than that, follow my lead. I'm serious Gil." He pinned Grissom with a stare.

Grissom sighed, but nodded. He unclipped his gun and lowered it to his side, waiting behind Brass.

The next few minutes were sequenced.

Brass knocked on room 26. After getting no answer, he called out. "Mr. Holt! Open up! This is the Las Vegas Police Department. We have some questions!" When nothing came, Brass reached for the door handle to test if it was unlocked. Rattling the handle got a reaction. Gun shots fired through the door, missing Brass and Grissom by inches. Both dove for cover.

TBC