Title: Love, Death, and Justice
Author: CATH.fan4
Rating: T (PG-13)
Summary: Alternate ending to the Strip Strangler. Warning - Character death! NSR & GCR
Disclaimer: See first chapter
Spoilers: Strip Strangler
Thanks to my AWESOME reviewers: csijunky05, csi-ds9, CSI Kennedy, Space-Case7029, mudhousejunkie, Addicted 1, and Jessica Summers. Ya'll rock!
Syd Google's Apartment
Brass knocked on the door, rapping his knuckles in a sharp manner. "Syd Google." He called through the wooden barrier.
The door opened slowly to reveal a man in his mid-thirties with a jet-black wig. "Hello?" He asked, seeming puzzled. Brass grabbed him by the arm and swung him around, pressing the man against the wall.
"Cuffs." He demanded of the cop behind him. Clasping the cold metal bracelets over the two scrawny wrists, Brass began to recite. "Syd Google, you are under arrest for the murders of Eileen Snow, Tracy Berg and Sara Sidle. You have the right to remain silent - anything you say can, and will, be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney - if you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you by the State. You have the right to a fair and expedient trial by a jury of your peers. Now get in the damn car," he growled.
As the police car holding Syd Google drove off, Warrick, Catherine, Grissom and Greg stood watching from beside the Tahoes. Warrick pulled his phone out of his pocket. "I'm going to call Nick; tell him we got the bastard." He walked off to one side as everyone else loaded into the cars and followed Brass to the police dept.
Nick's House
Nick lay on the couch, his arm cast over his eyes. He had just been drifting off to a dream-world where Sara still lived when the phone rang. Rolling over and groaning, Nick picked up the phone, glancing at the caller ID.
"Hey War'." he slurred, still semi-asleep.
"Hey." Warrick sounded concerned. "How're ya doing?"
"Oh, I'm all right. You know..."
"Yeah, well... I wanted to call and tell ya... Well, we caught him."
Nick sat up, running his free hand through his hair. "You did! Who is-?"
Warrick cut him off. "Nick, man, you know I can't tell you."
"Yeah, I know."
"I just wanted to let ya know that..." Warrick paused. "That we're gonna nail this sonofabitch. Don't worry 'bout that."
Nick nodded his head slightly, vaguely aware that Warrick couldn't see him. "Thanks for calllin' me, man."
"Don't worry - I got your back. I'll keep you posted on everything I can."
"Thanks. 'Later." Nick slipped the phone back into the cradle and lay back on the couch. But now he would never be able to go back to sleep. After tossing and turning for a few minutes, Nick rose and began to get ready to leave.
Interrogation Room
Grissom, Catherine, and Warrick sat across the table from Syd Google. Brass stood quietly in the corner. Google was sitting comfortably back in his chair, hands resting on the table before him. Catherine folded her hands and placed them on the green, glass surface in front of her.
"So... Mr. Google." Catherine began the interview. She slid a picture of Sara atop the table. "Do you recognize this woman?"
Google caught the sliding photo, but did not even bother to look down. "No." He stated evenly, staring at Catherine.
"Really?" Grissom interjected. "Then explain how we found your epithelials underneath her fingernails."
Google leaned forward, moving his hands until they were nearly touching Catherine's. "You know, I may not be a real cop, but I do wear a uniform. Some girls find that sexy." He smiled at Catherine. "I can't honestly be expected to remember every girl that jumps in bed with me, can I?"
Catherine resisted the impulse to move away. Grissom was glaring at Google, his eyes burning with rage. For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Google pushed his chair back and stood up. Brass automatically reached for his gun. Google held up his hands defensively and gave a short bark of a laugh. "Relax, cop-boy. I'm not doing anything." He crossed his arms and began pacing up his side of the room.
"You know... I don't really like a lot of people." He remarked quietly. "They make me nervous. I would much rather be with just one person... alone." His lust-filled voice made it evident to all present who he wanted to be alone with.
Grissom shifted in his chair, straightening, and placing his hand atop Catherine's on the tables. "If you want, I will have everyone else leave." He growled, making it clear that, if anyone were to stay, it would be him.
"No, that's alright." Google continued pacing, finally stopping in front of the mirror/window. "Did you have anything else to ask?"
Grissom sat back again. "No, that's it for now."
Brass walked over to the door and waved two other cops in. "Take him to booking." He barked.
The three CSIs exited and stood by as Google was lead out of the interrogation room and into the corridor. They started walking out toward the parking lot when Catherine paused. "You guys go ahead, I have to stop by the Ladies Room."
They kept on walking. "See you back at CSI."
As the policemen led Google away, he noticed Catherine detouring to the restroom. "Hey guys?" he remarked to his escorts. "I have to make a stop at the -" He gestured with his head toward the restrooms. The cops looked at each other.
"Five minutes," One said, unlocking the handcuffs.
Google rubbed his wrists, "Thanks."
The guards stood and watched as Google disappeared into the bathroom. They didn't notice, however, that he went the wrong way for the Men's Room.
LVPD Woman's Restroom
Catherine bent over the sink, splashing a bit of water up at her face. As she patted her face dry with a paper towel, she heard the door creak open. "Hello?" She asked, turning around. There was no answer, but one of the stall doors was swinging slightly.
Catherine shrugged and turned toward the door to leave. The stall door burst open, and Google slammed her against the wall, one hand covering her mouth and the other on her neck, restricting her air. "Hello, Catherine." He whispered, staring into her eyes.
Catherine choked for breath and Google smiled wickedly. "If you promise not to say anything, I'll let go."
Catherine nodded mutely and he eased his grip and took a half-step back. "Wow, I'm surprised. I had marked you as the type of girl who would fight. I thought you would be at least as much fun as that other bitch... What was her name again? Sara?"
Her knee slammed up into his groin. Google groaned as he doubled over. Catherine slipped around him, but just as she passed, he straightened and grabbed her. He twisted her arm up behind her shoulder blades, causing her to arch her back in pain. Google wrapped one arm around her neck and then released her arm so he could place the other one around her waist, holding her still, with her back to him.
Catherine fought to free herself, struggling silently to conserve what little air came through his fierce grip on her throat. He pushed her up against the wall, and pinned her arms against her sides with one of his own muscular arms.
Outside the restroom, the cops were beginning to get anxiouse. "Hey, Google! Come on -time's up!"
Google pulled Catherine up close to him, pressing his face against her smooth hair. "You ready to get me out of here?" He asked.
Not waiting for a reply, he pushed her out into the hallway.