A/N All CSI characters belong to CBS, not me.

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Catherine could only imagine what Beth was experiencing. The young chemist had just been told that she would never see her best friend again. Catherine knew that there was still a glimmer of hope, so she decided to try and release the clues that Beth had locked in her mind.

"Beth, I need you to look at me. Can you do that?" Beth didn't even blink an eye. Catherine did not wait for a response, but instead moved so that she was kneeling on the floor in front of Beth. She looked the young woman in the eye and continued. "Beth, I know you've been dealt a near fatal blow, and I can't even begin to imagine what you're feeling, but Greg is still out there. There is still a chance for us to find him. All we need is for you to talk to us." Beth blinked her eyes and acknowledged Catherine's presence for the first time. "That's good, Beth. I just need you to talk to me now. You need to be strong for Greg. He needs you more now than he's ever needed you before." Beth slowly came out of her trance, acknowledging the CSIs for the first time. She looked around the room, from Nick to Warrick to Brass to Sara to Catherine and finally to Grissom. She slowly regained a conscious awareness of her situation and what had happened. To the surprise of all present, she began to speak. She spoke just loud enough for all to hear, but she was talking to Grissom.

"Greg called me on his cell phone. He sounded okay at first, but he had a headache. He told me that he remembered getting in his car after saying goodbye to you, but nothing after that. He told me that he was in a trailer surrounded by trees. Then someone was coming. He left the phone on so that I could hear what was said." Beth paused momentarily, then launched into the brief conversation between Greg and his abductor, reciting it verbatim.

"'I'd much rather you remain seated, Mr. Sanders.'

'You seem to have me at a bit of a disadvantage. You know my name, but I am unsure as to yours.'

'That was one of the things I always loved about you Greg. You play the fool, but in actuality, you are a rather intelligent young man.'

'If you don't mind my asking, when and where have we met? I don't recall—'

After that, Greg fell over, and I don't think he was awake when he fell."

She spoke like a small child, in addition to acting like one. Grissom waited patiently for the rest of the story.

"Then, after Greg fell, she talked to me." She broke Grissom's gaze and turned away from him. He gently urged her to continue talking.

"Beth, what did she say?"

In an icy cold voice that disturbed even Grissom, Beth quoted the words that had initially sent her into shock. "'I know you're listening, Mrs. Sanders. I allowed Greg to keep his cell phone with the hopes that he would call you. Your husband is a very clever man. But I am cleverer still. I have him where I want him, and I have no need of you anymore. I hope your last encounter with Mr. Sanders was a happy one, because you will never see him again.'"