Chapter 11

Sara surveyed her living room. Over the last two hours it had turned into some kind of command center for the case. Brass made repeated calls to Scotland Yard, Interpol and Jiles Bloodworth. Grissom had said very little since he had entered Sara's home. Sara surmised that Jiles Bloodworth had moved his family to an undisclosed location in Britain and that Interpol was shadowing the Bloodworth's sister and her husband along with the Bloodworth's parents.

Jiles had found surveillance equipment in his home exactly like those found in the Bloodworth's Las Vegas bungalow. Jiles had also found a GPS locater on the family car. Interpol was checking flights from the US to Europe. When she'd tried to question Grissom about what was happening he'd waved her off and whispered that they would talk about it later.

She had the distinct impression that his protective instincts were on overdrive. She didn't know why but it pleased her immensely. So she sat next to Leigh while the men folk swirled around them. She felt oddly safe and comforted.

Eventually Brass called in the two uniforms outside Sara's door. He conferred with them and Jarvis Bloodworth. Jarvis eventually motioned to his wife and continued the conference. When they were done, Leigh came close to Sara.

"Well CSI Sidle it seems that I am being whisked off. I don't think we will be seeing one another for a while."

Sara nodded her understanding. "I figured." She was sad to see the other woman go. "Don't look so down in the mouth CSI Sidle." She wagged her cell phone. "I will be in touch." She glanced to where Grissom stood in deep conversation with her husband. "We still have much work to do."

Sara was surprised when the other woman lowered her voice further. "Sara I think he loves you very much. I am not sure exactly what is going on but he is extremely worried for some reason or another." Her seriousness was broken with a smile. "Does he always put his hands in his pockets when he's trying not to touch you? My goodness his hands must never see the sun"

Grissom turned to Sara as she let out a sweet laugh.

After the Bloodworths were gone Sara watched as Grissom and Brass continued in hushed whispers. Ever so often Gil would look across the room at Sara. He was surprised that she hadn't asked more questions.

Two new uniforms had replaced the ones that had escorted the Bloodworths from Sara's building.

Grissom walked to the couch where Sara sat and took Leigh's former place beside her. His hand went to her knee.

She found that her lips were close to his ear. "What's wrong?" Her warm breath on his lobe nearly sent him over the edge.

"We are going to have to put you in protective custody."

"What!"

"The profilers at Interpol think that you, my mother or Catherine may be the next target. My mother has been moved out of California and Catherine, Lindsey and Warrick should be on the east coast by now."

"This is about the Bloodworths."

"It was about the Bloodworths but now it's about us as well. They think that the same person that stole the DaVincis from the Louvre is the same one attacking women in the Bloodworth's lives."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"The profilers and I tend to agree, think that the attacker sees people who pursue him or her in a romantic light. They might be the only people the attacker feels are worthy of his or her affection. More than likely this person is the forger-thief I told you about earlier. He or she sees anyone that takes attention away from the case as a romantic rival. I am now pursuing him so it stands to reason that those women close to me would be the next target. We don't think that my mother, Catherine or the Bloodworth sister are in danger. They are not possible romantic interests but thought it best to be safe."

Sara's mind moved illogically. Did Gil think of her as a romantic interest or was Sara only being targeted for her romantic inclinations toward Grissom? Jealously reared and the words shot from her mouth.

"Who else are they moving, Lady Heather?"

Gil had known the question would come up but not that soon. "She is in Europe right now and yes Interpol is shadowing her as well."

Sara's silence tore Grissom into pieces.

What do I say? Should he try to explain?

"Are you still seeing her?"

Grissom pressed his lips together. "Sara…"

"You owe me an answer." Her chin jutted out defiantly.

"We still go out on occasions."

She looked at his hand on her knee and he wondered if he should move it. "Are you coming with me?"

Relief flooded his body. "I have to go somewhere too, so if that's okay?"

She nodded as she stood and went to pack.