Author's Note: It's okay everybody, because I HAVE A PLAN! Thank you very much for the help, especially to krysalys73 for your helpful suggestions. I think I'm back on track now.
Cause and Effect: Chapter six
Las Vegas, 2005
He looked unaffected.
For a man whose entire career and reputation was at jeopardy, it was a relevant observation.
He sat back in his chair, studying the surface of the cold, steel table with detachment, completely unaware of their scrutiny through the one-sided glass, an untouched mug of coffee steaming at his elbow. He was well aware of the tricks of the department, and too intelligent to fall into any of their inconsequential traps. He wouldn't drink their coffee because they could use it for his DNA, or fill his bladder faster, making him want to talk.
Grissom hadn't supposed any of those things would work on Alex anyway. They were for the dim-witted criminals, the ones who were destined to slip up.
Detective Vartan glanced back at them, and Grissom nodded, gesturing that he was to go ahead first.
Sara remained carefully silent. She had avoided his gaze since her heated accusation back at the lab, folding her arms tightly around herself as if wishing to meld into the insipid cinder-block walls around them.
Her assumption had hurt. He knew there was a degree of personal fury behind the barb, years of the job seemingly taking priority over anything more intimate between them. It was that moment he realised that was what she believed. Sometimes he wished he could tell her his reluctance when she was concerned involved many facets, that his job was only the outer reserve. But that would be giving her too much insight, too much knowledge, and he resisted becoming that close to anyone.
It hurt that she believed he would allow his personal feelings to come in the way of any investigation, impede any opportunity at justice. His relationship with Alex Townsend was complicated and unexplainable, and her involvement in it was only a small part of it.
The glass door scuffed on the carpet as Vartan pulled it open, and he strode inside, Grissom and Sara mutely behind him.
Alex straightened some invisible crease on the sleeve of his dress suit, lifting slightly in his chair to eye them all with a practiced calm.
Grissom allowed Sara to take the seat beside the detective, leaning against the cool, hard wall behind them.
Alex linked his fingers calmly on the table before him, gaze lingering over Grissom's longer than necessary. Any continual civility between them was a smokescreen. Grissom's feelings towards the professor exceeded the mere professional disapproval he once might have felt, and he knew, deep within his heart, that he believed this man was capable of murder.
Vartan cleared his throat, as if sensing some vague tension spiralling in the room. For the time being, he chose the ignore it, but he was a perceptive man, and he would question them about it sooner or later.
"Mr. Townsend, we'd like to ask you some further questions if you don't mind", he started evenly. "I believe you know CSIs Grissom and Sidle?"
Alex's eyes darted over them fleetingly. "We're acquainted", he replied easily.
Sara's back was facing him, but he thought he saw an indistinct shiver run through her.
Vartan nodded. "Good. We'd like you to explain exactly what you did the morning you left the motel".
Alex sighed, as if he were doing them a great service by replying. "All right. I left around ten o'clock. Audrey was still half-asleep, we had… what you might call a busy night."
Vartan rolled his eyes. "She stayed behind then?"
He nodded. "She was tired. She had no classes that day. I didn't check out, we decided to keep the room for another night. I assumed she was going to sleep in, maybe go back to her dorm for some extra clothes, and come back later. I went to my hotel room very briefly to change and shower, and then I went straight to the university. My lecture was at twelve o'clock. I had several that day, and didn't leave the campus until around five. By the time I got back to the motel, police vehicles were already there."
Sara shifted forward. "Cleaning staff found her shortly after four o'clock. Since her nightgown was still on and the bed wasn't made, I think we can assume she never left the room. Funny, you left at ten o'clock, but your lecture wasn't for two hours. The campus is only a twenty-minute drive. And the Palms is on the way. It doesn't take very long to do all of that".
Alex barely wavered. "I had a few errands to run beforehand. I wanted to consult with another professor over some of my lecture notes."
"Really?" Sara asked. "Which professor was that?"
Alex sighed tiredly. "Professor Turpin."
Grissom lifted an eyebrow, intrigued by this sudden inconsistency. "Interesting that he didn't mention that when we spoke to him".
Alex glanced up at him, shrugging lightly. "It was a hectic morning, Dr. Grissom. I had to wait quite some time for him to finish speaking with some students who were falling behind. I anticipated that. Students find Fred's lectures… difficult."
Sara slanted an eyebrow. "What time did you arrive at the campus?"
Alex pursed his lips thoughtfully. "I'd say perhaps eleven thirty".
Grissom felt his suspicions confirmed grudgingly. Unless Alex produced an alibi, his whereabouts were unaccounted for at Audrey's time of death.
Sara was on the same wavelength. "Can any hotel staff confirm your presence there?"
Alex shrugged. "Perhaps; I really couldn't say. It's a large hotel. I'm not sure if any of them would have paid any notice."
Vartan slowly leant back in his chair. "Mr. Townsend, perhaps you're not aware, but Audrey was murdered at approximately eleven o'clock that day. Your story doesn't sound very good at this stage."
Alex narrowed his eyes slightly, remaining silent.
"Are you aware that Audrey was considering ending your relationship?" Sara piped up levelly.
Alex's eyes drifted over hers again, and a wry smile overtook his features. "I had the feeling she wanted to discuss something, but she didn't mention it. But there were no strings involved in our relationship. If she wanted to end it, I wasn't going to pressure her otherwise. It was a very casual affair."
Sara remained carefully indifferent. "Are you sure you didn't handle her rejection badly?"
Alex's gaze held hers for a moment too long, and Grissom could see the stiffness in her posture.
"Ms. Sidle", he said in a low, careful voice. "Many people have accused me of being a womaniser. I don't deny that. But I would not commit murder over something so insignificant. I value my professional reputation too highly for a start".
Grissom narrowed his eyes slightly, and they asked him a few more questions before letting him go. Despite his claims, it was obvious he was going to be needing a lawyer.
Before he even took one step out of the interview room, Grissom's cell phone shrilled loudly in his pocket. He sighed, glancing around to see that Sara had already disappeared down the hall, and he flipped it open tiredly, without checking the number first.
"Grissom".
"I want you in my office as soon as you get back from the lab", the curt, nasal voice of Conrad Ecklie barked in way of greeting.
Grissom rolled his eyes, pushing the door open as he strode out into the dimly lit parking lot. Sara leant patiently against the passenger door of the Tahoe, studiously studying something on the distant neon-lit skyline.
"Good evening to you too, Conrad", he said calmly. "Are you going to tell me what this is about?"
He saw Sara glance over at the sound of his voice, and his shoes scuffed lightly on the dark black bitumen as he halted in front of her.
The dim sounds of the office came back to him over the line, and Ecklie hissed angrily. "You know damn well what this is about, Gil. Don't be late".
Grissom lowered the phone to his side, clasping it shut with a measured flick of his wrist. His eyes travelled over Sara's, who had abandoned her feigned fascination with the sky, and was staring at him uncertainly.
"Well", he said flatly. "That's that then".
Sara lifted an eyebrow questioningly.
"Ecklie wants to see me in his office when we get back", he elaborated coolly.
Sara swallowed, realisation clouding her features. "We're off the case, aren't we?"
Grissom kept his face unreadable. "It's more than likely".
Sara nodded, tightening his lips as she glanced down. She frowned as silence descended over them. "Grissom… I'm, um, sorry for what I said earlier. You're my boss and I shouldn't have spoken to you like that, and… I… shouldn't have said what I did. I shouldn't have questioned your integrity like that".
Grissom remained silent, face half in shadow, as it was his turn to study something intently in the distant.
"Clearly, you're not the only one who is", he said quietly.
She folded her arms, leaning back against the sleek black door of the car. "You haven't done anything wrong", she said, with more conviction that he felt himself.
He glanced at her briefly, feeling very tired. The sudden worry in her expression reminded him how young she really was. It was something he forgot all too frequently. He often feared if the job would destroy her exuberance by the time she was his age, if the passion and intensity she possessed now would fade into sombre resignation. He realised all too suddenly that it already was.
"We should get back", he said quietly, shifting slowly and sliding his cellphone vaguely in his pocket.
Sara frowned at him, watching him for a long moment, before nodding and turning to climb into her side.
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San Francisco, 1994Several more days passed by in his seminar before Grissom recognised Sara's pretty features in the teeming flow of faces. She sat in the middle row, gaze carefully focused on his as he ran through several introductory concepts of entomology, but he sensed something preoccupied in her composure.
When he concluded he was assaulted by the typical barrage of questions, and when the crowd finally ebbed, she had already left.
He sighed inwardly, wondering what it was about their few exchanges that drew him back to her so strongly. He sighed, gathering up his accumulation of notes, and starting out into the afternoon light.
"Hello, Gil".
He glanced around, recognising the eloquent voice of the professor.
He nodded in greeting, righting his briefcase in his hands. "Alex. I haven't seen you for a few days".
Alex shrugged absently, tugging his jacket over his shoulders as they started down the stairs of the auditorium. "I've been busy lately. Haven't had much chance of coming to your sessions. I tell you, if you think your job is hectic, try schooling 40 kids through their midterms". He lowered his sunglasses, glanced at Grissom vaguely. "So I hear the board has planned some sort of mixer for the seminar tomorrow evening".
Grissom smiled vaguely. "So I've been told".
Alex glanced at him thoughtfully, shuffling around for his keys. "Can I assume you'll be attending?"
Grissom shrugged. "I suppose it's required. I should be there. How about you?"
"Wouldn't miss it", the professor said jovially. He located his keys, stopping on the pavement as they reached his car. Grissom glanced down, noting a slight scratch on the otherwise flawless black exterior.
"I see the vandals have been at your car", he observed nonchalantly.
Alex's eyes darted down, and he frowned slightly, before nodding slowly in agreement. "Oh, yes. Uh, one of the perils of being a teacher these days, I suppose".
His gaze turned distant, and Grissom glanced at him oddly. "Alex?"
The professor twitched, glancing up quickly as he emerged from his distraction. "Sorry. I have to say; I'm looking forward to a decent night's sleep tonight for a change. I've been phasing out all day, I'm afraid".
Grissom lifted an eyebrow at the sudden shift in his bearing, shrugging lightly. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow night, I suppose."
Alex nodded. "See you later".
Grissom strode away, distinctly uncertain about something in Alex's behavior. In retrospect, he thought it was only his friendship with the man that failed to allow him to glimpse the obvious signs when they were there, signs, which as an investigator, he was trained to identify.
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Las Vegas, 2005Catherine was in Ecklie's office, which shouldn't have struck him as such a surprise, but it did.
It was obviously not predetermined; she was discussing some non-related case with the assistant-lab director, but as his sly, shifty eyes drifted up in response to Grissom's terse knock, it was obvious her presence was only an added bonus, judging by the subtle smirk that tugged at his smarmy features.
"Gil. Please, come in", he said flatly, sounding considerably more restrained than he had on the phone.
Catherine's light blue eyes ticked upward from the casefile spread precariously on her lap, and her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly in puzzlement, but she didn't offer to leave.
Grissom resisted the urge to heave a weary sigh, and lowered himself civilly into the chair opposite the man who was now regrettably his superior.
"What can I do for you, Conrad?" he asked calmly.
Ecklie's eyebrows knotted together, and he glanced briefly at Catherine on Grissom's side, obviously relishing the fact that he was going to have an audience.
"I think you know very well what you're doing here, Grissom", he said darkly. "I believe you're previously acquainted with your only suspect in the Audrey Fraiser case, Alex Townsend. Is there a reason you neglected to share this information before?"
Grisosm knew there was nothing the supercilious man loved more than having direct power over him. When before their exchanges had been disdainful but distanced because of their status, Ecklie now had the ability to be completely disrespectful and it was all in the name of 'the lab'.
He leant back in his chair, eyeing the other man levelly, attempting to keep some semblance of professionalism. "We were once distant colleagues, Conrad. I wouldn't exactly say it's the kind of connection that merits a meeting".
Conrad glared at him irritably. Grissom knew, and was safe in his confidence, that no matter how badly this meeting went, Ecklie would not fire him. He meant too much to the lab, and it was control he could utilise over Ecklie, if he was the kind of man to power play like that.
Ecklie wasn't to be dissuaded, and smiled unpleasantly. "I wasn't actually finished", he said sarcastically. "You also intentionally concealed the fact that he attended the same seminar… that you met Sara Sidle".
Catherine's head swivelled around in her chair, visibly startled.
Grissom sighed wearily, ignoring his friend's sudden probing stare. "Yes, that's true", he conceded unwillingly.
Ecklie ticked a pointed eyebrow. "I spoke to several of your old colleges at Berkley", he went on. "They say this isn't the first time Alex Townsend has been involved with one of his students. They also said they had seen he and Sara together several times. So perhaps we should start again, and this time you can explain to me exactly why both you and Sara chose to impede our investigation".
Grissom remained immovable in his seat. Catherine's files lay all but forgotten on her knees, and she had shifted forward so quickly they nearly toppled to the floor before she hastily righted them.
Grissom at last broke the silence. "What do you want me to say, Conrad?" he asked tiredly. "That Sara was involved with Alex?"
Conrad appeared unusually perceptive as he stared at Grissom over the wide expanse of his desk. "Ordinarily, I would, but knowing Sidle, I'd assume that was hardly the case".
Catherine cleared her throat. "Is this really probative to their investigation, Conrad? Can't you just take both of them off the case?"
Ecklie glanced at her; obviously annoyed he did not have an ally like he had assumed he would.
"I can assure you that's already been done", he said flatly. "Which is why it's a good thing you're already here, Catherine, because I'll be appointing the case over to your shift. Sanders is too inexperienced to handle it with just Sofia, and the Sheriff has given this one a high priority."
Catherine sat back, looking vaguely annoyed to be brought into such a high profile case halfway, but she didn't voice her complaints.
Ecklie's gaze returned to Grissom, and he pursed his lips tightly. "What I'd like to know, Gil, is exactly what your prior relationship is with Sara Sidle".
Grissom blinked, genuinely caught off guard at the worst possible moment. He had not even expected Ecklie to go down that road, but obviously Ecklie assumed there was something worth pursuing.
"What exactly are you implying?" he asked, a little too abruptly.
Ecklie leant forward impatiently, clasping his hands over his desk. "Don't be stupid on this, Grissom", he said bluntly. "If you two had a previous relationship, it brings both of your credibility into question. This already looks bad for you, so if you have something to admit, I'd suggest you get it out right now".
Grissom narrowed his eyes, genuinely derisive. "Sara and I have a perfectly respectable working relationship, we always have. That's all", he snapped.
Catherine chewed her lip; she looked vaguely uncomfortable. Grissom realised she doubted him, and it only increased his irritation further. Ecklie, meanwhile, was studying him sceptically, and Grissom realised that by denying it, even if it was true, he had just put himself- and Sara- in a very perilous situation.
If Catherine and her team investigated Alex further, and he was found to be the perpetrator, he had no doubt the professor would insinuate something further had gone on between them. Because despite what he said, their relationship wasn't as uncomplicated as a simple working relationship, and everyone who worked with them was well aware of that. Even if nothing had ever happened, no one would have any difficulty believing otherwise.
Ecklie looked tired with the way their conversation was going, and sat back again in his chair.
"I have to take disciplinary action, Grissom", he said flatly. "I'm putting you on suspended leave, effective immediately".
Catherine jerked in surprise. "Ecklie, you can't do that!" she exclaimed, but he could see she had doubts of her own.
Ecklie obviously sensed it too. He simply shook his head. "He intentionally withheld information. And obviously Sidle was the wrong choice for the acting supervisor position, so she can kiss that goodbye."
Grissom frowned. "You can't blame her for this".
"The hell I can't. And frankly, I think there's something else you're not telling us about your past with Alex Townsend, and I can't tolerate it.
"Until further notice, you're out of my lab."
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