A.N. Sorry for the looooooong wait between updates. I promise I will attempt to finish this in the next few days. I know several people have pointed out inconsistencies in the plot—such as the fact that if Sara was not a student at Berkeley then her relationship with Grissom was technically not inappropriate—and I'm going to have to ask you to just overlook those plot holes. I wasn't entirely sure about the ethics surrounding that whole situation, so I just took it on a limb, and I apologise if it makes the events a tad unrealistic. The criticism helps me learn though, so thanks for pointing it out to me.
Anyway, I just want to thank you all for the positive feedback, because it really is what keeps me going. I'd like to know if you are all still interested in this story, so please, let me know.
Cause and Effect: Chapter ten
Las Vegas, 2005Alex reclined in the hard metal chair, watching casually as Catherine and Detective Vartann seated themselves across from him in the bright interrogation room.
Unlike most potential suspects, he was calm, exceeding an air of limitless patience. It was an assurance few felt confident to possess within these walls, like it was an unspoken mark of guilt.
He tilted an eyebrow, scanning Catherine with distinct curiosity. It was the gaze of a man well acquainted with his own sexuality, the kind she had once sought after with a naïve thrill. When he spoke his voice was low and smooth, like he had the ability to seduce her with its lull. "Hello. I don't believe we've met".
Catherine resisted a scowl, keeping her countenance carefully professional. "Catherine Willows."
A smile tugged at his lips. "Catherine. Yes, I remember Gil mentioning you a few times. Still married?"
Catherine pursed her lips, taken aback by his familiarity. "No."
"We have some more questions to ask you", Vartann interrupted, eyes drifting askance at Catherine.
Alex nodded. "I see. I was under the impression Gil and Sara were the CSIs on this case. I take it they've been removed? For what reason?"
He was goading them without a care for what they could do to him in their interrogation, and she could see he was enjoying it. He mentioned Gil and Sara with such casual indifference she unwillingly wondered what his role had been in their lives. It was a question she had not allowed herself to consider until they were face to face.
Faced with him, she had no doubt he could have seduced her when she was younger, and inexperienced with men. But she had always been wilier than Sara, and she knew her own past experiences and the influence of her mother had shaped her sharp acuity when it came to the opposite sex. She had no doubt a young, green Sara would have been much more easily susceptible to his charms. Had he seduced her, where Grissom had clearly fallen short? She inwardly had to question the moral compass of her colleague, and found the conclusion admittedly unlikely.
"You said you had a meeting with Fred Turpin the morning of Audrey's murder", she said curtly, narrowing her eyes. "He claims he doesn't remember seeing you. We have no other accounts of you being on campus until your lecture. Can you explain that?"
Alex remained unperturbed, shrugging idly. "Well, I'm telling you that I met with Turpin that morning. In fact, I remember it all too well, because he was late and I had to wait behind several students before I could see him."
Catherine leant back in her chair, folding her arms. "Why would he forget something like that?"
Alex actually appeared annoyed. "I can assure you I don't know", he said flatly. "The man has always had it in for me; I wouldn't be surprised if he was using this as an opportunity to indict me. He's next in line to be the chair of the forensic department- before I came along he was almost guaranteed run of the seminar. Why don't you look into that?"
Catherine frowned, glancing at Vartann in the corner of her eye. He looked immovable, but she could tell he was carefully considering Townsend's statement.
A brisk, polite knock on the glass door cut Alex off, and Nick strode cautiously in, folder in hand. He nodded at Catherine, then out into the hall, and she rose to her feet, excusing herself quickly.
She closed the door behind her, turning to him expectantly.
"I got the security tapes from The Palms", he explained, waving the folder smoothly. "Townsend was on them. He arrived at exactly ten fifty-five am, and left at eleven twenty."
Catherine's eyes widened, and she glanced back inside at the professor. "Audrey's time of death was eleven o'clock."
"Are we sure its accurate?" Nick prompted. "I mean, Doc Robbins has made mistakes before…"
Catherine shook her head. "No. She died from blunt force trauma. This is practically ironclad." She blew out a breath. "You're telling me this guy's innocent?"
Nick sighed dejectedly. "Well… I think so".
She straightened slightly. She couldn't believe this. In a way, it was good news. If Alex was no longer their suspect, then Grissom's conflict of interest was no longer an issue. He could push for reinstatement.
Nick clearly saw the direction her thoughts were taking, and hesitated, clutching the folder to his torso. "Cath… how did Grissom miss this? Checking the security tapes. It's pretty basic, even for this job."
Catherine shrugged. "Townsend was only named a suspect just before they got pulled from the case. I'm sure he would have run with it. Nicky… Grissom didn't do anything we all haven't been guilty of."
Nick smiled slightly as he accepted her point. "Yeah. I guess he's, uh, human after all".
Catherine returned the smile weakly, turning reluctantly back towards the interrogation room. Seeing this snake's self-satisfied smile when she told him he was free to go was going to be a fun-filled experience she could have done without.
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Taking orders from Warrick wasn't as damaging to her pride as it once might have been, but Sara couldn't help but feel like she was being punished as she strode down the hall of the LVPD building, searching for Brass to update her on her case reassignment.
There was a definite air of tension in the lab, and it was obvious everyone was pondering the reasons she and Grissom had been removed. It was a situation that practically invited hearsay. She sighed, rounding the corner towards the reception desk. After inquiring after Brass, she was informed the captain was in the field, and was expected back in twenty minutes.
She decided to wait out in her car, instead of in the LVPD lobby where she was sure familiar, inquisitive faces would watch her curiously.
Her earlier interaction with Grissom had been… confusing. She had never been as abjectly honest with him as she had been in that moment. And clearly, the reaction she invoked in him had been the most honest he had allowed himself to be with her.
He had nearly kissed her. She wasn't going to be able to forget that. She had never been as physically close to Grissom as she was in that millisecond he allowed himself to invade her personal space, and she couldn't pretend it didn't happen. If this Alex Townsend debacle had done one thing, it was to permanently alter whatever remaining shards were left of their relationship. They weren't friends, or co-workers, and she thought they had finally established that. Whether or not Grissom would actually acknowledge it, was another matter entirely.
She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't look up until she had almost collided with someone in the parking lot. Her head whipped up reflexively. Surprise seized her heart when she realised who it was, and she unconsciously took a step to further the distance between them, awkwardly folding her arms.
"G-Grissom", she stammered. "Uh, hi."
Grissom stared back at her in the harsh Nevada sunlight, expression unreadable. He studied her for a moment. "Sara."
She swallowed, wishing she could have waited in the lobby for a few more precious seconds. The only consolation she had allowed herself today was the fact that he wouldn't be at work, and she wouldn't have to face him. Now she was completely unprepared, and her lack of self-confidence was showing.
"What are you doing here?" she managed at last, studying a spot intently on his shoulder.
He shrugged idly. Unlike her, he was completely unruffled, and she cursed him for his composure.
"Catherine called me. She wanted to talk about something. She wouldn't tell me what it was over the phone".
Sara felt a prickling of unease at that revelation. "Oh. I didn't see her inside. She was probably in an interrogation." She shifted under his scrutiny. "I was uh, just waiting for Brass to get back from a scene", she added hastily.
"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Sara", he said quietly. "I'm not your supervisor anymore, remember?"
"Right". She looked away, incredibly uncomfortable at this frank reminder.
A panoply of emotions crossed Grissom features. He drew in a breath. "Sara—"
"Hey, there you are", a familiar, amiable voice proclaimed across the parking lot.
Sara and Grissom both glanced around as Brass disembarked from his cruiser, awkwardness resurfacing anew now they had been caught out together.
"Hi, Brass", Sara murmured, faint, wan smile on her lips.
Grissom didn't even bother to muster that much effort, and Jim's gaze darted between them, instantly sensing the electric tension. She was sure he had been about to utter a significant admission, and she cursed the detective for his interruption. Then again, he could have just as easily been about to comment on the weather.
"Jim", the entomologist acknowledged, looking down somewhere at his feet.
Brass nodded in response, eyes latching onto Sara a moment longer than necessary.
She narrowed her eyes imperceptibly. It was obvious almost immediately that he knew something. For some reason, the realisation made her irritated. She had considered making a confession to Greg on the Townsend issue, but had resisted without Grissom's approval. Obviously, he didn't feel the need for the same clarification.
"We should probably get to briefing", the homicide detective spoke up in his slow, easy drawl, sensing the discomfort in the air.
Sara nodded, feeling stifled between the two men, unable to thank him for that sensitivity. "Yeah. Sure".
She turned, not caring that she had not yet concluded her conversation with Grissom, desperate to escape his unreadable acuity and hide in the comfort and warmth of Brass's office.
However the path to her destination was blocked by the infinitely charismatic figure of the person who had reawakened the past so vividly in the last few days. A figure she had dimly associated in her mind with the literary Dickens character of Steerforth. Physically charming and handsome, but ultimately deceiving. Always deceiving.
"Sara", Alex uttered steadily, dipping his head to fix her with his twinkling brown eyes. "It's always a distinct pleasure."
She swallowed, noting a movement of blonde behind him, eyes remaining fixated unwillingly on the professor's. It was the first time she had been confronted with him since the night they discovered his involvement with the victim. He was svelte and fake and just as intimidating as he had been when she was in San Francisco. Catherine emerged from the building in his wake, coming to an uncertain halt, eyes trailing over them all uneasily when she realised the predicament she had inadvertently created.
"I suppose you'll be glad to hear", Alex announced levelly, relishing the sudden increase of tension in the air, "that I've been cleared of all charges." He scoffed sardonically. "Although I can't say I would believe you did anything to assist that".
"Mr. Townsend—" Catherine tried unsuccessfully.
He turned to look humourlessly at Grissom and, less interestedly, at Brass. "It's always nice to know that the police department are doing their jobs correctly. It certainly inspires a sense of security, does it not?"
"I think we're done here, pal", Brass spoke up smoothly, distaste colouring his tone.
Townsend merely lifted a superior eyebrow, ignoring the captain's hostility. "No, I don't think we are", he said tartly. "In fact, I believe I'll be taking up a complaint with your superiors about the permanent blemish you've caused to my reputation. A public apology wouldn't be too much to ask".
Sara narrowed her eyes. "If you really think—"
"A-Ah", Alex snapped reproachfully. "Don't add gas to the flames, Ms. Sidle. Your situation is, I'm more than sure, precarious enough as it is. A personal involvement with a suspect. What would the department think? Do you think this won't look like your opinion was biased? Do they know about your involvement? Because I would have thought removal from the case would be a fairly petty punishment for such a."
"Back off, Alex", Grissom said quietly, voice low and threatening. He had unconsciously stepped closer to Sara's side, and eyed his ex-colleague dangerously.
Catherine blinked, standing by like a spectator to a train wreck as she witnessed the confrontation taking place before her. She took in Grissom's protective stance uncertainly.
Sara glared openly at Alex, not backing down. "And if you ask me, you only deserve what you get. You abuse your power and you shouldn't even have a reputation."
Alex smirked grimly, spite flashing behind his dark brown eyes. "I don't think you should be talking to me about inappropriate conduct, Sara", he said. "Let me ask you, how did you get your job here?"
Catherine winced. Grissom stiffened. Brass looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was.
"The Las Vegas crime lab is one of the most competitive in the country," he continued, smirking. "What tells me it wasn't on merit?" He chuckled as Sara's eyes widened disbelievingly. "Maybe a prior relationship had something to do with it?"
Brass also stepped forward, holding up his hands. "Okay, I think that's just about enough."
Alex barely wavered. "Now I'm no expert, but I believe that might be a bit unethical. Sleeping one's way to the top usually is".
Grissom hit him.
His knuckles grazed Alex's face with such force the man toppled back on the ground, and the movement was so swift and unexpected; it took all of them several moments to react. Catherine's mouth opened in a silent 'O' of astonishment. Sara stared down at Alex as he crumpled on the ground in blind shock.
Brass moved forward half-heartedly to intercept him, but a small, oddly delighted smirk tugged at his lips.
"You… you HIT me!" Alex exploded, roughly swiping away Brass's arm as he reluctantly leant over to help him up.
Grissom stood back, strangely unaffected, staring at the professor with detached indifference. "Yes. I did".
Alex's usually carefully maintained composure crumpled, and the depth of rage behind his gaze was startling as he jabbed a furious index finger in Grissom's direction. "You're all witnesses to this. Expect to hear from my lawyer. I'm filing an harassment charge!"
"Maybe you should rethink that", Brass spoke up, glaring at him with unconcealed disdain. "Because I think what you said to Sara just now could very easily be construed as sexual harassment. And we're all witnesses to that."
Alex bristled, straightening his suit, but they could see they had him.
"I hope she's worth it, Gil", he hissed, as he started past, attempting to regain what was left of his dignity. "That's all I can say".
"Well. Gil", Catherine commented feebly, as Alex disappeared into the lot. "I didn't know you had it in you".
"Well, the situation certainly merited it", Grissom muttered, glancing at Sara, who studiously avoided his eyes.
"Agreed", Brass said curtly. "And now I think it would be a very good idea if this little incident stayed between the four of us, and never got mentioned again. Yeah?"
"No arguments here", Catherine murmured, hoisting her bag on her arm.
Grissom nodded, and Sara muttered something incomprehensible under her breath, which Brass took as a sign of concurrence.
"Good", he said abruptly. "Then Sara, let's go to my office. Gil, Catherine, see you later tonight".
Sara followed mutely after the homicide captain, face expressionless and eyes downcast.
Catherine didn't say anything as she watched Grissom stare after her, only shaking her head in grim resignation.
After a while, she decided it was appropriate to speak again.
"Gil… that little display was not a good way to tell Sara you care about her".
Grissom's gaze snapped to hers, and he held it for a long moment.
"Excuse me?"
She rolled her eyes at his feigned ignorance. "Please. Don't be stupid. After that you can't pretend anything."
"Did you call me here for a reason?" he asked snappishly, an increasing edge of annoyance colouring his voice. "Besides an unwarranted encounter from the one person I shouldn't have any contact with if I want to keep my professionalism intact".
"You're not kidding about that", she muttered deprecatingly.
He shot her an impatient look. "I wanted to tell you that I took care of Conrad", she said tiredly. "Since, as you know, Townsend is no longer our suspect. Your credibility has been cleared. The suspension is nullified. You have your job back."
Grissom squinted at her in slight disbelief. "What did you do, twist his arm?"
She smiled vaguely. "Something like that".
He frowned. "Well, I appreciate it, Catherine. Really".
"I know". She touched him lightly on the arm, ready to head back to the lab for another follow up with Nick and Sofia. It had been a really long shift. She paused on her way, glancing back at Grissom briefly.
"Gil? You really need to learn to harness your enthusiasm into something more… worthwhile. That punch you landed Townsend nearly had him in the hospital". It was the closest she was going to get to ever offering Gil Grissom sex advice, and-- she inwardly vowed— the last time she was going to nudge him towards Sara.
They had their disagreements and she thought the last thing she would ever call the other woman was a friend, but the undercurrent of attraction was getting on her nerves. He'd proven his point. Either he wanted a relationship, or he didn't. This in-between thing they had going on was going to be his undoing.
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Sofia stormed into Catherine's office not five seconds after she had sat down, and for the first time she could remember, she empathised with Grissom for all the times he had tolerated her interruptions implicitly.
"I found a bloody sweater vest in the alley behind the motel", the blonde woman announced in her peculiar tinted accent, waving the bagged evidence in one hand. "The blood belongs to Audrey Fraiser".
Catherine slanted an eyebrow, leaning forward in her chair. "Our killer left something behind? He wasn't careless with anything else".
Sofia shrugged. "My feeling is, he got into a rush. He cleaned the apartment so meticulously; he didn't have time to properly dispose of his clothes. He probably thought we would implicate Townsend so easily he didn't worry about it".
Catherine bobbed her head in agreement. "Okay. So did you find any trace evidence on the sweater?"
Sofia looked grimly excited. "I just left Hodges now. He collected several small hairs from the back of the vest and Mia ran the DNA through AFIS."
"She got a hit?" Catherine asked, surprise in her voice.
Sofia nodded. "Our guy had a minor prior mark on his record. He was arrested in New Jersey in 1998 for public indecency".
"Peeping toms do escalate into rapists", Catherine agreed. "It makes sense. Who's the offender?"
Sofia allowed a small smile to grace her pretty features.
"Professor Fred Turpin".
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Grissom strode into his shadowy office with a vague sense of relief at its comfortingly familiar surroundings, sighing wearily. His townhouse had become stifling and oppressive in its vast impersonal space. He couldn't get his encounter with Sara there out of his mind, and every item of furniture or forensic journal on his bookshelf bore a constant reminder.
He placed his briefcase down on the desk, rounding it idly. A low, dull click sounded behind his head and he glanced around vaguely.
"Don't move", a low voice hissed sternly.
That was when he noticed the gun.
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