Chapter 2

Alone in the quiet motel room processing the last of her samples Sara heard it….the victim's scream. Closing her eyes she rested against the wall, pressing her hands to her chest. The feeling was always the same…her lungs tightened as if all the oxygen inside was borrowed to fuel the piercing yell.

The first time it happened was when she was working the Kay Shelton case. Since then, Kay's screams, along with a handful of others, haunted her. No matter how much time passed the screams never went away; they just hid until they were awakened by the next grisly case. Some days when she thought, today I have processed my last victim I can't take it anymore I have to quit, those same screams quieted to a whisper and begged her to stay. They begged her to stay for the ones yet to come who would need her to tell their story.

"Sara…"

In the distance she heard her name and fought her way back from the fog. The screams subsiding, the air slowly returned to her lungs.

Walking into the room Grissom knelt beside her. "Sara…" Concerned he watched her eyelids flutter open. "Are you okay?" Instantly he knew the answer was no. Her pained expression was all too familiar. He first experienced it during the Kay Shelton case.

In their line of work empathizing with the victim was normal but Sara didn't just get caught up in the Shelton case, she was consumed by it. It was during that case that he had found himself driven to find answers he didn't even know he was capable of producing. Not once before had he been motivated to solve a case for anyone but the victim or his own insatiable curiosity but during the Shelton case, his motivation took a decidedly different turn…he worked first and foremost to restore Sara. Not that he ever told her.

Inhaling sharply, Sara finally replied, "Um…I'm fine." Not desiring to be a blubbering mess in front of consummately unemotional boss she fought back her tears and rose to her feet. "I…I haven't eaten all day and I was feeling a little weak." Avoiding his gaze she worked to compose herself.

Sensing her struggle he switched gears as he stood up beside her. "I spoke to Nick out in the parking lot and he told me about the breech." If he just stuck to business he knew she would regain control. "Do you think it will compromise the investigation?" Clicking on his flashlight he busied himself inspecting the room.

Her eyes fixed on the floor she mechanically answered. "No, it should be fine. Petechial hemmorraging indicated that she was strangled. Bruises around the neck substantiated. Lividity confirmed she died here at the motel. We found a couple of vials of a clear odorless substance under the bed. My guess would be GHB. I'll wait for Trace to confirm. I'm thinking the vials rolled out of the killer's pants when he dropped them to rape her." Emotion momentarily crept back into her voice. "No sign of struggle. Her one break tonight…unconsciousness." And then it was back to business. "Her killer's DNA was found in, on and around her body. If we get a hit on CODIS case closed. If not, we'll go from there. We've got plenty of prints for AFIS and enough fibers to weave a blanket. But I'm hopeful for CODIS because I think this guy has a history. He just upped the ante tonight."

"Good work." Clicking off his flashlight he returned his gaze to Sara. "I heard about your confrontation with the rookie."

"Yeah, well." Frustration powered her voice. "Lecture away but it won't do any good." Leaning over she snapped her kit closed. "Anyone who hinders my ability to nail the sick bastards who do this stuff to little girls..."

"No lecture." His voice softened. "The kid needed a wake up call." When their eyes met he saw her desperate plea for some comforting words or a reassuring touch. "Sara…" Paralyzed as usual by over-analysis the words refused to take flight. If he said one comforting phrase how would she respond? If she responded emotionally, would he? Would he find himself saying things he didn't want to say? Would a hand on the shoulder lead to a hug and once she was in his arms how could he ever let her go? The risk wasn't an option, certainly not here, not now.

Tired of waiting for words that never came, Sara shifted her eyes to the door. "If we're through here I'm in a hurry to get these samples to DNA and Trace. The way this guy feasted tonight he's not going to slow down." Her voice trembled in rhythm with her shaking hands. "It makes me sick to think he's out there right now with another girl in his crosshairs." Suddenly fighting the urge to vomit, she grabbed her kit and headed for the door. "I'll be in the lab. Nick said he would wrap things up here."

Following her out the door he tried to think of a way to help. "I'll call Greg and make sure he understands to work your stuff first." It wasn't a kind word or a caring embrace but it was helpful and it was the best he could do.

"Appreciated," she yelled as she hurried down the stairs.

Brass, who had been just outside the room the whole time, walked toward Grissom. "Should I be worried?"

"Sara's strong, she'll be fine." If only he believed his words. By now she would be behind the wheel of her truck, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Brass turned to his friend. "I was talking about you."

Masking all emotion Grissom gave the requisite, "I'm fine."