Chapter 16

Considering it was only three a.m., Grissom felt certain that Roxie Delecroix, Sara's noisy neighbor would still be out on the town and wouldn't see him. Standing in front of Sara's door he pulled the pick out of his jacket pocket. A moment later the door knob turned and he slipped inside.

Since he had no luck finding any credit card information for Sara at work and Nick had no luck at the station finding out where Rodgers had gone, breaking and entering was a necessary short cut...albeit highly intrusive, not to mention criminal.

Deciding a flashlight would appear too suspect to an outsider, he flipped on the lights, illuminating the unfamiliar apartment. How odd was it that he had known Sara for so many years but had never stepped foot in her home. The closest he had ever gotten was earlier this year when he brought her here after her DUI. But that night she was embarrassed and in no mood for company so they parted ways in the parking lot.

Grissom's eyes soaked in the atmosphere…the soothing earth tones on the walls, the inviting overstuffed furniture and the silky wheat-colored curtains softly draping the windows. Taking one step into the main room he continued acquainting himself with the surroundings while working up the nerve to venture further. Minutes later, the sound of a turning doorknob startled him.

"It's Catherine, let me in."

After exhaling the trapped air in his lungs he turned around and opened the door. "What are you doing here?" Quickly he pulled her inside and closed the door once more.

Smiling, she replied, "I decided you needed a partner in crime. All my tasks are done. I'm just waiting for Greg's results so I can call Brass and give him the green light on the warrant." Glancing around she remarked, "It's no surprise that the place is perfectly organized but…WOW! Who knew Sara had such a warm, feminine side?" Drawn to the center of the room she ran her hands over the velvety sage sofa. "I'm guessing when we run her credit card we'll find more than a few Pottery Barn charges. Have you found the numbers yet?"

Following her he explained, "I only arrived shortly before you did and..."

Patting him on the shoulder she whispered, "I know you didn't want anyone else breaking the law but I figured this would be a little difficult for you."

She was right. He was grateful.

Winking Catherine announced, "I'll take the bedroom, you stay out here."

"Thank you." Suddenly feeling more comfortable about the endeavor he walked over to the computer desk in the corner of the room.

The first thing to catch his eye was a birthday card sitting on top of a small pile of correspondence. From the Gang was spelled out in red bubble letters and when he opened it he saw the signatures of his team mates sprawled over the inside.

Moving the team card aside he saw another, more formal card. When opened, it revealed a simple birthday message from Sara's dentist.

Another birthday greeting, in postcard form, lie beneath. It was from her insurance agent. On the back was a message reminding Sara, now that another year had passed, she may want to consider adding a life insurance policy.

Three cards and only one personal. He understood even better why she was upset that he didn't acknowledge the day. More than anything, he had let her down as a friend.

Pushing forward, he went through the rest of the pile, an oil change coupon, a menu from a new pizzeria, a trial membership offer to a local gym and the latest Pottery Barn catalog…all of no help.

Moving through the four small drawers of the desk, he found a lot of neatly organized office supplies but no information.

When he looked under the desk he saw an empty paper shredder. Sara was nothing if she wasn't paranoid, be it germs or identity theft she was always one step ahead. Thinking the shredder was recently emptied he went to the kitchen in search of the trash.

Much to his disappointment, the shiny stainless steel can contained only a fresh trash bag.

Spying an answering machine on the counter he checked the display. One message on the caller ID, the one he had left her. It hadn't been picked up. For a moment he was relieved to know Sara hadn't retrieved the message. She wasn't avoiding him. Then a scarier scenario crept in his mind…Sara couldn't retrieve the message because she was incapacitated or worse.

Desperate to erase the worrisome thought, he performed a detailed inventory of the kitchen cabinets and fridge.The search revealed nothing except Sara's lack of cooking supplies and healthy food.

Catherine's voice boomed into the room. "Find anything yet?"

"No." Leaning against the counter, he groaned. "What about you?"

"Just the other half of the Pottery Barn catalog." Falling prey to her coping mechanism…humor; she added, "Oh and her diary which of course was all about you. Wow! Who knew Sara had such an active imagination!" Instantly feeling bad she groveled. "Sorry. This isn't the time for jokes. Humor is my way of coping, not yours." Rolling her eyes she moaned, "I feel like an ass."

Walking over to the hall closet he shot her a look. "Find a credit card number and I'll forgive you."

Catherine moved over to the wall of bookcases. "You know...if you and Sara ever joined forces you could open a university library."

The hall closet was another dead end so he joined Catherine in front of the shelves. "Hmmm…do you think she keeps her personal information tucked away in a book?" There had to be three hundred minimum. "A thief would never spend his time going through this collection that's for sure."

Shaking her head, she sighed. "Maybe she does, because there are no signs of anything personal in the bedroom or anywhere else for that matter. No photos, no family stuff, no signs of visitors, nothing." Cocking her head at him she sweetly said, "Reminds me of your place…minus the bugs."

Taking a new look at the room he realized Catherine was right. Although decorated differently, Sara's place was exactly the same. Pulling a book from the first shelf he suggested, "I'll start on the right, you take the left."

Turning to her friend, Catherine curiously asked, "Speaking of your place, where do you keep your personal stuff? I mean you have to have some stuff."

Without taking his eyes off the shelves, he answered, "I keep all my financial information locked in a box in the cabinet behind my desk."

"I didn't mean financial information." Grabbing the next book she clarified. "I mean pictures…stuff…you know signs that you were actually born human and had a life before Vegas. I mean sometimes it feels like you landed on the planet and walked into the crime lab. There are so many blanks…"

"And you want to fill them."

"I don't need to fill them. I want to understand why they are there."

Flipping through the next book he quietly asked, "Why?"

With every book, Catherine's search intensified. "Because you are my closest friend and I know almost nothing about you, while you know everything about me."

"You volunteer information."

"And you hide everything."

Glancing over he retorted, "They're both valid choices."

"UGH!" Catherine reached for another book. "This is insanity. Why do I even bother to still initiate this conversation after all these years? There's never a different outcome." In her haste, the Forensic Psychology textbook she was holding slipped through her fingers and crashed to the floor. "Damn it!" When she picked it by the front cover, a photograph fell at her feet. "Well now we know Sara isn't a pod person. I found a family photo." Scooping up the picture she studied it carefully and then flipped it over. "1979. So she would be nine. Hmm…that's interesting. I thought…"

Grissom's curiosity getting the best of him and he reached out. "Let me see."

"No!" With dramatic flair, Catherine tucked the photo in the book and shoved it back on the shelf. "That's what a blank feels like." Shooting him a hard look she sniped, "Deal with it."

Holding a list of Tahoe hotel and motel numbers in one hand and his cell phone in the other, Nick rushed into the DNA lab. "Greg, I mean it, what the hell is taking so long?"

"You aren't serious?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Peeved, Greg stuffed his hands on his hips. "Like I told you twenty minutes ago, I'm doing my best. So far tonight I've had Catherine march in here and order me to drop everything to process this cold case. Of course I think she's crazy, but when I ask Grissom about it he bites my head off and tells me not to speak to him again until I have the DNA results Catherine requested. Now you won't get off my back about them."

On edge about Sara, the last thing Nick needed tonight was one of Greg's diatribes about not being part of the team. "Calm down, man."

Hopping mad, Greg spouted off. "Am I part of the team or am I just a lackey? Just because I failed a proficiency doesn't mean I'm stuck in here forever you know. You guys use me and you won't respect me until I'm a CSI."

Nick barked in Greg's face. "Look, I'm having a crappy night so shut the hell up and give me my results."

Conrad Ecklie interrupted the drama. "It's bad enough I have to be here at this awful hour but now I have to listen to this." Eyeing Nick suspiciously he sneered, "What has you so worked up?" Ever since the Kristy Hopkins scandal, he lost all respect for Nick Stokes, not that he had much to begin with. "Leave your DNA at another crime scene?"

Nick's eyes narrowed on the new target of his anger. Shove that accusation up your ass you son of a bitch.

"I'm still waiting for an answer, Stokes."

Afraid of jeopardizing the mission to find Sara, Nick mustered the fortitude to control his primal urge to pound Ecklie into the ground. Instead, with a kiss-my-ass-smile, he replied, "No, Sir. The only DNA I left anywhere tonight is in a snot-filled tissue in the break room trash can. Would you like to examine it? I'd be happy to retrieve it for you." Or how about I stuff your head down there so you can get it yourself?

Turning to Greg Sanders, Ecklie probed deeper. "I want to see what you're working on for Mr. Stokes." Hopefully it would be something incriminating and a nice addition to the 'Nail Grissom' file he was keeping.

"Certainly, Sir." Walking behind the lab table Greg grabbed a folder. "I have Nick's case information right here."

Nick lowered his head. It was bad enough that Grissom wanted to kill him for introducing Sara to Mike but now, because of his hot headedness in the lab, Ecklie was going to find out what they were secretly doing.

Handing the folder to Ecklie, Greg said, "Epithelials found at the scene of a break-in on Barclay Street."

As he opened the file, Ecklie's pager went off. "Damn it, what now? Can't anyone do their job around here?!" Shoving the folder back at Greg, Ecklie hurried out of the room.

Grinning, Nick put his arm around Greg. "You are so part of the team, Greggo. I owe you a beer, my friend."

"I think you owe me more than a beer."

Overjoyed, Nick was ready to give anything. "Name your price."

Stepping closer, Greg whispered, "I need a woman."

Cracking up, Nick shook his head. "I can't give you a woman and I'm not paying for one either."

Desperation creeping into his voice, Greg pleaded. "Take me with you when you go trolling and toss me one of your throw backs."

"Damn, Sanders…how long has it been?"

Inching even closer, Greg confessed. "Let's just say Grissom didn't have a beard."

After doing the math, Nick gasped. "How is that possible? This is Vegas, Greg. Do you eat a clove of garlic and forget to shower before you go out?"

When Grissom opened one of Sara's Theoretical Physics texts her Berkeley student ID fell out. Knowing Theoretical Physics was Sara's major at Berkeley he got an idea. "Catherine…"

"What?"

"You found the family photo in a Psychology text, right?"

"Don't even think about it." She knew the curiosity had to be killing him and wondered, if given the opportunity would he sneak a peek at Sara's childhood photo.

Scanning the shelves Grissom looked for the closest thing to a finance book. Selecting The Wall Street Journal's Guide to Personal Finance, he excitedly flipped it opened. "Search over, Catherine." Holding copies of Sara's recent credit card and bank statements he grinned. "I cracked the code."

"Nice work!" Taking the papers in one hand she flipped open her cell phone with the other. "I'll call them in to Warrick. He can run the search while we head back to the lab."

Staring at the wall of books Grissom continued to smile. Leave it to Sara to file away her important personal information in books. Suddenly his attention turned to one book in particular, the Entomologytext he had given Sara years ago.

After pulling the book off the shelf he turned his back to Catherine. Smiling, he cracked it open. When he did, he sawa bookmark tucked in the middle…what appeared to be a small envelope. Noticing a card in the envelope, he threw on his glasses.

Glancing over his shoulder he considered Catherine's whereabouts before proceeding to slide out the card. When he did, he was surprised to see the words From Grissom centered on the card. Thinking back, he didn't recall a card being on the book when he gave it to her. Then it hit him. It was the card that accompanied the plant he sent her after their squabble over cleaning up from the meat experiment.

From behind Catherine teasingly said, "I can tell by your body language that you're sneaking a peek at something."

Calmly he turned around and displayed the text while hiding the card. "Just a bug book."

"Ugh!" She shook her head. "I give you the opportunity to steal a look at Sara's family photo and instead you waste the time looking at a bug book." Returning to the bedroom she grumbled, "I'm going to make sure I turned out the light in the bathroom before we head out."

When she was gone he carefully tucked the card back in the envelope and placed it back in the text.

Running his fingertips over the cover of the book, he recalled the day he gave it to Sara.

Christmas Eve had turned into Christmas Day, Warrick was still out in the field and Catherine and Nick had the night off. So the tedious job of sifting through the contents of a vacuum bag had fallen on Sara lap.

From the doorway Grissom watched her processing the evidence. Sara's attention to detail and dedication on the job always caught his eye, as did her hair when she wore it pulled back at the neck like she was wearing it now. Every time she pulled back her hair a piece would eventually work its way loose and frame one side of her face. On several occasions he actually had to fight the urge to brush the errant lock off her cheek and find out if her skin felt as soft as it looked.

"Grissom?" Sara called out from across the room.

Lost in thought he hadn't noticed her notice him.

Hands behind his back, Grissom walked into the room, taking a seat beside her at the table. "How's it going?"

Sara cracked a glinty smile. "Dustiest job I'll ever love."

Laughing with her, he said, "Well if you can pull yourself away I have something else for you to do."

"Anything." Snapping off her gloves, she eagerly awaited her next assignment.

From behind his back Grissom produced a Christmas gift. "Open this."

Sara took the text book sized package wrapped in red foil in her hands. "You didn't have to get me a gift."

From the look on her face he could tell she was shocked at the gesture. "It's just a little something I thought you might like."

"I'm sure I will." Opening the package she grinned uncontrollably. "An Entomology text."

Beaming he explained, "You showed such an interest when we were working on the Shelton case I thought you might like a little more information." The mention of the Shelton case stirred the memory of her showing up to wrap a blanket around his shoulders and bring him coffee. Bug experiments always thrilled him but that night his enjoyment soared to a new level.

"Thank you. I love it." Cracking open the book Sara inspected the Table of Contents.

Pleased by her interest, Grissom added, "If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them. Anytime."

Still grinning, Sara softly replied, "I'm sure I will have a lot of questions."

"I think you'll really enjoy..." In mid sentence he saw the lock of hair tumble down onto her cheek and the familiar urge appeared.

"Grissom?"

"Sorry...I got distracted...thinking about the Lopez case."

"Oh."

Retreating, Grissom stood and pushed his stool under the table. "I need to go run some figures while the information is fresh in my head."

"Sure." Holding up the book Sara smiled. "Thanks again for the present."

"You're welcome." When he reached the door, he called back. "Sara..."

"Yes?"

Suddenly realizing his discomfort, he asked, "Could you do me a favor and not mention the gift to anyone else."

"Um...sure. Why?"

Struggling he replied, "Because...well I didn't get anyone else a present and I wouldn't want them to know I treat you special...I mean I wouldn't want them to think I treat you special...because I don't. I treat all of my CSIs the same...except you...sometimes." The slip stunned him and he didn't know what to do with the revelation.

Smiling Sara crumpled the gift paper and tossed it in the trash. "What gift? Leaving her stool with the book under her arm she sweetly said, "I'm taking a break. If you need me I'll be in the break room reading this new Entomology book I bought yesterday."

"Grissom!" Catherine snatched the bug book and shoved it back into the open spot on the shelf. "Honestly, how can you read at a time like this?! Let's go!" Huffing, she hurried out the door while wondering how he could go from obsessing over Sara to obsessing over bugs in a matter of minutes. "Don't forget to lock up."

"I won't."From the door, he glanced across the room at the book. It was the first and last present he ever gave Sara. The plant didn't count because it was a peace offering not a gift. Four years and only two gestures and she kept a reminder of both on her shelf. What did that say about her?

Four years and only two gestures, he knew what that said about him.