Title: A Wolf at the Door

Author: Spike Speigel

E-mail:

Rating: PG-13

Classification: Grissom/Sara

Disclaimer: As usual, these characters don't belong to me. Just taking them for a joyride.

Spoilers: Everything before Viva Las Vegas. Sequel to No Surprises.

Summary: The crime lab gets a wake up call when they become the focal point of a new case. Part IV.

Status: Finished


Brass was pulling into the parking lot when Sara's cell phone began to ring. Sara smiled apologetically, Brass returning a small one in kind. She reached into her vest pocket to retrieve the phone. Grissom's name flashed on the LCD. She didn't mean to smile, especially with Brass in the vehicle, but she did that a lot more recently when his name came up on her cell. She flipped open her phone, trying to keep her voice as professional as possible.

"Sidle."

Grissom ascertained from the reply that she was still near the vicinity of Brass. However, he really didn't have to keep up the charade since Catherine knew about his relationship with Sara. Unfortunately, it wasn't the right time for flirtatious banter. It'd have to wait.

"Any leads at the security company?"

The upbeat in Sara's voice was evident as she answered his question. "Could be. Mr. Mendoza received a work order to perform routine maintenance on the camera as well as readjust its position. Something about the camera being out of focus. Manager's looking for the work order right now. Said he'd fax us a copy once he pulled it up in the database."

"Good work, Sara." She allowed herself a small smile. She might be dating the guy, but it still made her day when he complimented her work. "Could you come down to MountainView once you're done there?"

She could hear the worry in his voice. "What's wrong?"

Grissom hesitated, trying to phrase his words accurately. "Warrick's been shot."

"Oh my god."

"He's in surgery right now. Cath and I are waiting for any word. I was hoping you'd come down here and take Lindsey home until we're done here."

Sara spoke, a quizzical tone to her voice. "Lindsey?"

"It's a long story. I'll fill you in later. So, can you pick her up?"

"Yeah, of course."

Grissom sighed softly, a hint of relief in his voice. "Thanks. We'll be waiting for you. Bye."

"Bye." With that, she pressed the end key. "I…uh…I have to head over to MountainView to get Lindsey."

The confusion in Brass' voice was clearly evident as he pulled into the parking spot. "Lindsey? Something wrong?"

"Um, Grissom didn't tell me much. Only that Warrick's in the OR with a GSW. He's with Catherine now."

Brass groaned slightly, irritation tinting his voice. "That's two then. How the hell did he get Warrick?"

Sara shook her head slightly, releasing her seatbelt. "Dunno, but let's just hope it stops at Warrick." Brass nodded agreement, Sara opening the passenger door. Brass followed closely, both beginning to walk toward Sara's car. "Jim?"

"Just making sure you get to your car in one piece. No telling which one of us is next."

Sara nodded slightly, a small smile gracing her face. "Thanks, Brass."

"Just doing my job, ma'am."

Sara looked at him, her nose slightly crinkled. "Ma'am? How old do you think I am, anyway?"

Brass waved his hand at her, a small chuckle emanating from his lips. "Sorry. Force of habit."

"In that case, you're off the hook."

"Gee, thanks." Both smiled slightly even though the severity of the situation still lingered in the air. And the noise that came from their right did little to alleviate said situation. "You hear that?"

"The bushes." Sara reached for her gun, Brass mimicking her perfectly. Brass signaled to her to remain close as he took point, gun drawn to the ready. Sara remained close to Brass as he moved methodically toward the sound. Upon pinpointing the exact location, Brass pointed to his eyes, then to the silver VW Beetle. Sara nodded, her grip tightening around the butt of her firearm. Sara followed Brass' silent count before stepping into the void between the Beetle and the adjacent vehicle. However, Sara was immediately puzzled when Brass lowered his weapon, instead rushing into the space. "Jim?"

She could hear him mumble under his breath as she moved into view of Brass. "Christ." Upon viewing the scene, Sara quickly holstered her gun and extricated her cell phone. Brass felt for a pulse, sighing in relief as he found one.

"This is CSI Sidle. I need paramedics at the CSI lab now. I've got a 415 that needs immediate medical attention." She waited for the confirmation before ending the call. Sara instinctively pulled her jacket sleeve over her hand before kneeling next to Brass and Greg. "How bad?"

"Looks like someone took a baseball bat to him. Jesus Christ." Sara grimaced slightly when she saw the small pool of blood underneath Greg's head. "Should we move him?"

"No. Might do more harm than good."

Brass nodded, turning back to Greg. "Hang on, Greggo. Help'll be here soon. Just hang on, kid." Sara reached across Greg's back, gently picking up the new envelope with her jacket sleeve. She noted the message before showing it to Brass. There was no question as to Brass' mindset at that point. "Son of a bitch!"


Lindsey was about to take another bite from her vanilla pudding, but thought better of it before placing the plastic spoon back into the cup. She was hungry, but she could hold out for real food. Nick continued to watch in silence until he was sure she was done eating.

"Good?" Lindsey shrugged her shoulders, not really in the mood to talk. Unfortunately, Nick needed her to talk at the moment. "Linds, I have a few questions to ask you, if you're up to it. Think you can answer a few questions?" Her answer was a quick nod as she continued to stare deeply into her pudding cup. "Alright. Can you tell me who took you and when?"

Lindsey never looked at Nick as she spoke. "I was at Grandma's. I was doing my homework when I heard a noise from downstairs. Something loud. So, I went downstairs and saw Grandma sleeping in her armchair." Lindsey paused, her mouth slightly open.

"And then?"

"I don't remember. Everything went black." Her voice began to waver as she continued to recollect. "Everything stayed black until the airport."

"So, you didn't see who took you?" Lindsey nodded slightly, her brow furrowed, her lips pursed. "Okay. Did you hear anything? Anything strange, maybe?"

"Just his voice." She began to stir the spoon in the cup; trying to remember as best she could for her mother's friend. "Sounded weird."

Nick nodded, hoping for something to follow up on. "Can you describe it?"

"It was like on the radio." Nick looked at her quizzically, not entirely sure of what she was talking about. "When you hear those people that call in, and they have their radio on in the background? Like there were two voices?"

"Oh, like a delay?" Lindsey nodded slightly, Nick smiling at her as he continued. "Back to the airport. You said everything was dark until the airport. Did you see who took you at the airport?"

Her answer came immediately. "No. He left me at the gate. Told me to count to a hundred before I took off the hood and blindfold. Or else he'd hurt mommy."

Nick exhaled sharply in disgust, his emotion beginning to get the better of him. The asshole kept Lindsey in check by threatening Catherine. What daughter would take the chance? Nick took a deep breath before continuing. "That's good, Lindsey. You're doing good. Just a few more questions, okay?"

"Okay."

"Okay." Nick smiled almost apologetically at Lindsey as he continued. "How about smells? Anything out of the ordinary?"

"No. Not really."

"Anything you can think of."

Lindsey furrowed her brow, as though trying to remember the slightest of detail. After a moment, she spoke. "He had new car smell. Does that help?"

Nick grinned slightly, impressed at Catherine's daughter. "Maybe. Good job, Linds." The movement out of the corner of his eye got his attention, Nick turning to see Grissom walking toward him. He turned back to Lindsey, the smile still on his face. "I'm gonna get a jell-o cup. You want one?" Lindsey shook her head more agitatedly than he would have expected. Nick nodded. "Be right back." With that, he rose from the cafeteria table, making his way toward Grissom. "What's up?"

Grissom looked toward Lindsey before returning his attention to Nick. "You get anything?"

"Not really. She didn't see anything and it sounds like her abductor was using an electronic device to mask his voice. Oh, and he might be driving a new car." Nick thought about his conversation with Lindsey before speaking once more. "And you might want to send a car over to Catherine's mother's. Lindsey said she was sleeping when she was taken, but who knows."

Grissom nodded. "Could you stay with her until Sara comes by to take her home?"

"Yeah, sure. Better call Greg and tell him to go ahead without me on the envelope." Grissom nodded again, Nick reaching for his cell phone. While Nick tried to call Greg, Grissom's cell chimed. If Grissom were a paranoid person, he'd think it more than a coincidence that his cell had gone off at that exact moment. Luckily for him, he was that paranoid.

"Grissom."

"Grissom, it's me."

He could hear the worry in Sara's voice. "What's wrong?"

"It's Greg. Brass and I found him in the parking lot. Someone almost caved his head in. Brass is on his way to MountainView. I'm gonna see if I can get anything from the scene."

"Sara…"

She cut him off, knowing exactly what he was thinking. "Brass left two of his best with me before he took off. You know this is the right thing to do."

The concern was evident in his voice as he spoke. "Yeah, I know. Did he leave another envelope?"

"Yeah. Hodges is already working on them. The second one's most likely Greg's DNA, but Hodges is typing both."

Grissom sighed softly, worry once again filling his voice. "Just…just be careful, okay?"

Sara smiled slightly, alleviating her lover's concern. "I love you, too. Tell Nick to bring Lindsey back to the lab. I'll take her home once we're done processing."

"Good thinking. Brass and I'll be over at McCarran later to see if we can find anything. I'll probably be home late."

"Want me to send Nick over once we're done here?"

Grissom heard Nick walking back toward him, his tone shifting back into a more formal one. "No, that's okay. We're all pretty burnt out about now. I think a few hours will do us all some good about now."

"Okay. Talk to you later."

"Later." The line went dead, Grissom turning back to Nick.

"Strangest thing. Kept on getting Greg's voicemail. Maybe he fell asleep? I'm gonna head over there now and…"

Grissom interrupted him, not trying to mask the gravity of their situation. "Greg's on his way here."

"What?"

"Jim and Sara found him in the parking lot. He got worked over pretty good, according to Sara."

"Dammit. Another envelope?" Grissom nodded. "Where do you want me?"

"Take Lindsey back to the lab. Help Sara process the parking lot and then go home and get a few hours rest before next shift."

Nick scoffed softly at his supervisor's words. "You're kidding, right?"

"I'll let Brass know to put a black and white on your place. We gotta play it safe from here on out. And that means being on our A game. One mistake, and we'll have another one of us inside these walls."

Nick nodded, seeing the logic in Grissom's words. "Alright. How's Cath doing?"

"A little shaken up but otherwise okay. Warrick just got out of surgery. Cath went to see how he's doing."

Nick exhaled sharply, relief washing over him. "That's good. I'm gonna head on back to the lab then. I'll let you know what we turn up." Grissom nodded before Nick walked back to Lindsey. There was still some time before Brass arrived, so Grissom decided to join Catherine.


Catherine stood in front of the door, staring through the double paned glass, the wire mesh segmenting Warrick into small square segments. Her arms remained crossed about her waist as she continued to look at him. His upper left chest had been bandaged heavily, but other than that, he looked relatively unscathed. Catherine thanked whatever god was listening to her pleas back at the airport as she watched Warrick, a look of serenity on his face. A look of peace.

"Excuse me. Can I help you?"

Catherine turned her body slightly to see a nurse standing in her proximity. "I'm sorry?"

"You look like you're lost."

Her voice was tired as she spoke. "No. Not lost. Just relieved."

The nurse looked into the room to see Warrick lying in the bed, finally piecing together the puzzle. "Your friend's going to be okay."

"Yeah, that's what Doctor…Doctor…"

"Ramcharan."

Catherine nodded at the nurse. "Right. Ramcharan. Said the bullet missed the major arteries. Clean shot."

The nurse stepped closer to Catherine, her hand falling on the door handle. "Do you want to see him?"

Catherine gave the nurse a quizzical look. "Really? I thought he needed to recuperate."

"He's stable, so I don't see what a few minutes will hurt. Anyway, he's been asking about you."

Catherine could feel the tears beginning to well in her eyes. That was just like Warrick. He took a bullet and he was the one worrying about her well-being. "Thank you."

The nurse opened the door, a gentle smile gracing her elderly face. "Just a little while, though." Catherine nodded, the nurse leaving her to her privacy.

Catherine quietly closed the door behind her, walking slowly to Warrick's bedside. She eased a chair next to the edge, taking a seat next to her friend. She looked at him for a moment before extending her arm out toward him. Her hand eventually found its way around his, her thumb gently stroking his palm.

"I don't know if you can hear me, Warrick. But, thank you. Thank you for saving my little girl. I don't know what I would have done if I lost her. I don't…"

"…'re welcome."

She looked up from their embrace to see Warrick looking at her through tired eyes. "Honey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you…"

"It's okay. Been up. Drugs making me feel woozy though."

Catherine genuinely smiled at her friend, a tear trickling down her cheek. "They're to help you sleep."

He nodded slightly, his voice hoarse. Weak. "Lindsey?"

"She's okay. She's…" Her voice cracked, her emotions beginning to overcome her. "I was so sure I was going to lose you."

Warrick managed a meek smile, his hand squeezing back at hers. "Not so easy to get rid of me. You're gonna have to try harder."

Catherine didn't mean to laugh, but she was just so relieved that Warrick was okay. She leaned forward toward the bed, placing a tender kiss onto the back of Warrick's hand. "Asshole." Warrick laughed softly before the cough erupted from his chest. "Oh, God. I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

"S'okay. I'm good."

Catherine smiled slightly as she rested her head on the bed, their hands still entwined. "I gotta go soon. But, I'll be back. I promise."

His voice was timid yet caring. "I know. Just glad you're okay."

Catherine smiled, placing another kiss on his hand before placing her head against the bed once more. Neither saw Grissom looking through the door, a small grin on his face. He stepped away from the door and proceeded to make his way back to the waiting room for Brass' arrival. However, as he began to walk away, a foreign voice stopped him in his tracks.

"CSI Grissom?"

Grissom turned around to see a young man, most likely in his early thirties, garbed in a dark blue suit, black tie, and close-cropped haircut, standing in front of him. "Yes. And you are?"

The stranger smiled awkwardly, holding out his badge to Grissom. "Uh, sorry. Special Agent Michael Morrison. I'm here to help." Morrison put the badge back into his jacket pocket before offering his hand.

Unfortunately for him, Grissom didn't offer his hand in return, instead looking on quizzically. "Help?"

"Sheriff Atwater put in the request for more manpower. Told the branch you've got a hostile taking your people out in a methodical manner. And here I am."

"So I see. I'll have to have a talk with Roy." Grissom turned around, continuing his trek to the waiting room. Agent Morrison remained still for a moment before he realized that his conversation was walking away without him. Morrison quickly made his way to Grissom's side, a hint of frustration in his voice.

"Look, Dr. Grissom. Like it or not, I'm here to help. That's all."

Grissom never looked at the eager young man as he spoke. "And how can you help?"

"Former Marine. Weapons expert. Sharpshooter. Forensics science." Grissom stopped walking, turning to face Morrison. "Look, I'm familiar with what it takes to shoot a man from distance. Maybe I can get inside this guy's head. Figure out what his next move will be. I'm not trying to step on any toes. I'm just here to help, straight up."

Grissom gave Morrison another once over, his black hair contrasting greatly to Grissom's graying hairline. "You have your kit with you?"

Morrison nodded, confusion on his face. "Out in my car."

Grissom finally offered his hand, Morrison taking it. "Good. Because we've got an airport level to process." With that, Grissom walked away from Morrison, leaving the agent perplexed once again. However, this time, Agent Morrison caught on more quickly, only needing a few seconds to register what was happening before falling in step with Grissom.


Warrick had finally fallen to sleep, Catherine remaining with him for a few more minutes before leaving the hospital room. She leaned against the outside door, her head hanging slightly. While she was relieved that Warrick was going to be okay, she was still…what? Furious? Violated? Whatever. In any case, a madman had taken her little girl and almost killed her best friend. No matter how she tried to justify it, those were things that were wholly unacceptable. Unfortunately, the way this case was unfolding, it was highly unlikely that this bastard would get what was truly coming to him.

Catherine fished her cell from her pants pocket, scrolling through her phonebook. When she came across the number she wanted, she pressed the key and held the phone up to her ear.

"Hello? This is Catherine Willows. I need to talk to him." A moment of silence before the voice came back.

"Catherine?"

"Hi, Sam. I need to talk to you as soon as possible. Face to face."

Braun's voice was clearly puzzled as he spoke. "Um, sure. What's this about, anyway?"

Her voice never wavered as she spoke. "I need a favor."

To be continued