Feasibility Study
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 77: Losing It – Part 6
August 22, 2005 (Day 122)
McGuire Residence
4:54 p.m.
Once they reached the front porch of the single story house, Vartann, Grissom and Nick heard a series of blood curdling screams from inside, which they all silently concurred were coming from a small child.
Without hesitation, Nick and Vartann pulled their guns and the detective forcefully knocked on the door. "Detective Vartann from the Las Vegas Police Department. I need you to open up."
"Sorry! I'll be right there!" A frantic woman's voice yelled from inside the house. "My daughter's favorite doll was found half eaten by the dog! My daughter is hysterical and I'm trying to catch the dog!"
Her words were followed by a little girl's high-pitched shrill. "Buster ate Kirsten's face off!"
Nick lowered his weapon and chuckled, "Don't look at me, Gris, I'm not shootin' the family dog. Vartann can take him out."
The men laughed together as weapons were re-holstered.
When the front door eventually swung open, a frazzled thirty-nine year old woman answered with an irritated four month old infant perched in a Baby Bjorn over her chest. Next to her was a heartbroken six year old girl clutching a Kirsten American Girl Doll, which was now sans face. "Sorry…chaos is common around here. Luckily my sister has my twin three year old boys for another half hour."
"No problem, Mrs. McGuire." Vartann gave a friendly smile. "Like I said a moment ago, I'm Detective Vartann of LVPD and these are my associates from the Crime Lab, Gil Grissom and Nick Stokes. Thank you for your cooperation in our investigation."
"Come on in." The woman stepped back.
Sunrise Medical Center
Las Vegas
5:02 p.m.
As soon as Sara stepped inside the clinic her heart began to race. After a deep breath she walked up to the counter and politely asked a few questions of the young girl dressed in pink scrubs sitting behind the desk. "Excuse me…your pregnancy tests. How strong are they? Can they detect a pregnancy on day twenty of a woman's cycle?"
"Yes, in most cases. If ovulation is standard." The girl handed over a clipboard. "Fill out the form, front and back. We accept cash, debit and credit, no personal checks."
"Thanks." Sara took the clipboard and glanced around for an open chair in the busy waiting room. Finally she spied one in the far corner and hurried over.
Once seated, she snatched the pen from its secured spot under the clipboard fastener and glanced at the form. But as she put her pen to paper, she couldn't help but hear the conversation to her left, between a young girl and the guy she was clutching.
"How much does it say an abortion costs?" The guy asked as he grabbed the pamphlet from the emotional girl.
"There are a couple of places. The prices are different for each one."
"That's easy, we'll go to the cheapest one."
Sara re-clipped the pen to the board and headed for the desk. "Excuse me, I've changed my mind."
The receptionist nodded. "Would you like to take some information with you? We have pamphlets on the wall."
"Great, thanks." Sara bolted for the door.
When she stepped back outside in the hot evening air, she snapped back to reality. What the hell was I thinking? We have a plan…a sweet, normal plan! We're going to make this moment special. I don't want to find out the best news of my life alone in a clinic full of distraught people. And Gil would have felt so betrayed. He'd never do something on the sly and keep it from me. Temporary insanity on a stressful day…that's what it was.
Shaking off her disappointment with herself, Sara headed for her Tahoe.
Lady Heather's Dominion
5:07 p.m.
Sitting at her ornate desk, Heather held a smile on her face and the phone to her ear. "Jim, you'll be happy to know the letter is being couriered over to Sara's house for a seven p.m. delivery."
"Great, that should give her enough time to get home." Jim's voice carried a hint of trepidation. "Are you sure you were polite in the letter?"
The question pushed the edges of her mouth out a little further. "Absolutely! The epitome of respectful remorse."
"Thanks, Honey."
The term of endearment caught her off guard. "Will I see you tonight? I have a dance class at seven and then I'm free until ten forty-five. A casual dinner perhaps?"
"I'd like that." He exhaled hard through the phone. "We had a hectic day here. You want to meet at that place across the street from your gym like we've done before?"
"Perfect." She snickered as she teased, "I'll wear my disguise so no one recognizes me."
He gave a light laugh. "I'll see you a little after eight then. Thanks again."
"You're welcome."
County Courthouse
5:10 p.m.
After a full day of testimony and cross examination, Maria Speranza was escorted through the halls by Carrie, while Clive, along with the assigned Victim's Advocate and Maria's mother followed. "Are you still doing okay?" Carrie asked with compassion flowing from her voice.
"Yeah." Maria had her arms wrapped tightly around her body. "I'm really glad I testified."
"We just need a quick debrief and then you can go home and get some rest for tomorrow." Carrie's arm was around the girl's shoulders and she gave her a quick squeeze. "You did great, Sweetie. You're so strong. I'm really proud of you."
From behind Clive announced. "Hey, just so you know, I'm meeting a hottie for drinks at six-thirty, so we need to make this debrief snappy."
If looks could kill Carrie's would have slayed Clive on the spot.
Crime Lab
5:29 p.m.
After parking her Tahoe, Sara headed towards the lab entrance. Before going home, she needed to log in Mrs. Thomas's DNA sample and drop it off for processing.
When she was half-way through the parking lot Sara saw Greg rushing out the door, heading for the pool of Tahoes she was leaving behind. "Hey!"
He cringed when he saw Sara, but continued walking towards her. "Hey…"
"Do you have a second?"
"I'm meeting the Master in the field so no, but…" He groaned, "I'm really sorry I acted like such an ass earlier. I had a bunch of stuff going through my head, and when you made that crack, it set me off."
"No sweat, Bro." She punched him the arm.
"Ow."
"Irving?"
"Yeah."
Sara smiled sympathetically. "The Master is hurting too. And I'm really sorry for teasing you when you're having a tense day. I should have sensed it wasn't a good time. It's just so rare that you're not up for a joke."
"I know." Tilting his head asked, "So we're cool?"
"As much as two geeks can be, yeah." They shared a laugh and then Sara suggested, "Tell my husband hello for me when you see him in the field, and I'll tell Tawny hello for you when I see her at the gym tonight."
"Deal."
Greg's Apartment
5:29 p.m.
Tawny was busy in the bedroom packing boxes for the impending move to the townhouse, when she heard the phone ring. After turning down the stereo she grabbed the cordless from the nightstand. "Hello," She answered in her trademark chipper voice.
"Hi, Sweetie," Bev Sanders greeted. "I just spoke to Scott. He's at the airport ready to board his plane. You're safe."
"Yes!" Tawny jubilated by falling back on the mattress. "Greg will be so relieved when I tell him."
"I'm sure." Bev sighed, "For the first time in a while I feel out of the loop. Scott told me Greg's paper is being published, the two of you won thirty grand at a casino, and you're moving into Gil Grissom's townhouse."
"We haven't been keeping any of that from you," She giggled. "It all happened in twenty-four hours! Isn't life SO crazy! Oh and I'm supposed to tell you that Greg paid off his car loan with the money you gave him, so he's free to swap it for yours when we drive out for Labor Day."
"That's a relief. He has a history of spending available cash at Bang & Olufsen."
"I had a feeling. The BeoSound 9000s in both the living room and the bedroom were my first clue, followed by the Beo music software system, BeoSound player and the BeoVision flat screen. The X-box is only piece of the electronics family that shares this apartment with us that's not from Bang & Olufsen." Tawny sighed with delight, "Greggy hid a lot of his toys when his dad stopped by, because he wanted to show him he had new priorities. You should have seen him, he was so happy his dad was proud of his paper. And today Gil selected him to be his right hand man, working a really high profile case. I can't wait to see him tonight!"
"It's comforting to know my boy is in good hands." The joy in Bev's voice matched Tawny's. "And how are you feeling? And how's my grandbaby?"
Gently gliding her hand over her abdomen she replied in a cheery tone, "I'm hurling several times a day, but other than that I feel great. And your grandbaby is definitely growing, because this morning I realized I have a little pooch showing. Greg got a little overwhelmed when he felt it. He's nervous, but I think he's going to a great dad. What do you think?"
"Honestly, I have a hard time picturing my baby as a dad." Bev chuckled. "Maybe it's because I've never seen him interact with small children. I know he hasn't ever changed a diaper or babysat. I'm not sure he's even held a baby in his entire life. The more I think about it, he's in for a shock."
McGuire Residence
5:50 p.m.
By the time Greg arrived, Vartann had left and Grissom was standing in the living room with Nick going over their game plan. "Hey, I got here as fast as I could." After setting down his kit, he extended a file. "I have the photos you requested and the paint chips."
"Great." Grissom took the photo file from his hand to peruse it.
"I saw Sara in the parking lot, and she said to say hello."
Nick grabbed his cellphone and saw he had no messages. "Damn, I'd settle for a secondhand hello today. Carrie's been tied up in court and I haven't been able to talk to her. I called her a dozen times just to hear her voice on her message." Instantly he hung his head in shame. "I can't believe I just fessed up to that in front of the two of you. As if I haven't given people enough to razz me about today. Now I'm stalking my fiancée."
Greg jumped in questioning the validity of the statement. "Can you technically stalk your fiancée? By accepting your proposal…"
"We'll debate this later, gentlemen." Grissom pointed to his watch. "Your time is up, Nick. And Greg, I have a lot for you to do here." When he saw Nick's hesitation he added, "I promise I'll call you if there are any breaks in the case, but you're not allowed to work it or show up at the lab for twelve hours."
"Okay, okay…I'm going." Brass had insisted he clock out at six p.m. sharp, for mandatory decompression, until six the next morning. Since it was a hell of a lot better than having his emotional outburst documented, which would force mandatory sessions with a PEAP counselor, he took the deal without complaint. "I'm swinging by my place, then I'll be at Wendy's all night." When he saw Grissom's reaction, he explained, "I know it sounds a little paranoid, but with Paul out of town and that mailing list book missing, I'll feel better if I'm there."
Greg smiled approvingly. "Very responsible and dependable of you."
"That's right." Nick headed for the door. "I'll be in at six a.m. Chuckles, don't be late for the conformist morning routine at seven."
"I'll be there with bells on my clown shoes."
Grissom pointed in the direction of the back door with one hand as he returned the file of photos to Greg. "Tina McGuire is in the backyard with her children. I want you to go out there and show her the photos of the dollhouse and the photo we have of Brittany from her father…don't show any morgue shots. After…" He pointed to a door at the end of the room. "That's the entrance to her workshop. Meet me in there."
"Got it." Greg hurried through the home and out the back door. When he stepped into the yard he saw two small boys running around in circles screaming, a little girl crying while clutching a faceless doll, and a woman standing on the patio bouncing a shrieking baby in her arms. "Uh…I'm Greg Sanders with the Las Vegas Crime Lab. I'm here to ask a few questions but, this seems like a bad time."
Tina glanced over. "No…this is average for us." The horrified look on the obviously childless young man's face made her laugh. "Don't be afraid to come near the baby and I. Only the boys bite."
Greg approached the lady and her shrilling infant with a feigned comfort level. "I have some photos for you to review." He placed them on the patio table and then spoke above the infant's wail. "Do you recall making this dollhouse? Or seeing this little girl?" His eyes focused on the red-faced inconsolable baby. "Does she always cry that hard?"
"She has colic," Tina explained to the clueless guy. "All you can do is ride it out. It ends right around six-fifteen like clockwork."
"Oh…colic…right." Greg nodded while imagining coming home from work and finding Tawny holding their frantic baby. The image rattled him. "Colic…kind of has an Exorcist quality about it, huh? I mean she seems possessed. I don't mean she's evil…she's really cute. It's just that…"
"You don't have kids." Laughing she glanced down at the photos.
"Not yet, but I'll have one in seven months." Saying it out loud sent a shiver down his spine.
"From the look on your face I'd say you're in for a shock." Shaking her head she informed the investigator, "I didn't build this dollhouse and thinking of the other custom builders I know, I can't recall anyone mentioning working on something like this either."
"MOM!" The little girl screamed. "Henry has a bloody nose!"
Tina turned and saw her boy's nose running red and his brother using his t-shirt to wipe it "Shoot! Uh…I don't have the bouncy seat out here to put down the baby." Eyeing the father-to-be she sweetly asked, "Would you mind holding her while I handle them? Her name is Abby. Thanks!"
"Uh…" Before he could answer, the frustrated four-month old was in his hands and its mother rushing off with her two boys in tow. "Hi, Abby. This is good…I need the practice." He dangled the hysterical baby awkwardly out in front of him and watched her arms and legs flail. "I've never held a baby before. I've seen it on TV though."
The infant's cry escalated to a new extreme.
"Not good." Realizing he wasn't holding her securely, Greg decided to try a different position. "Here we go…maybe this way." He wrangled the infuriated baby into the crook of his left arm. "I have to be honest…you're not making a very good first impression on me. You're uh…scaring the hell out of me frankly." Attempting to comfort the exasperated baby in his arms he was terrified by its quivering body parts, nonstop tears, and intense distress. "Oh my god, I can't believe I'm going to have one of you in seven months. I have no clue how to take care of a baby." When the baby cried harder still, he picked up the pace of his bounce. "Too bad Nick left, because he'd be fine with this…he's the dependable, responsible one. Kids and girls love him. He oozes a strong you're safe with me little lady vibe. Me, my name is Greg by the way…I'm the lovable goof, but you don't seem to be lovin' me, and I don't think you're in the mood for a joke, so..."
"Greg?" Grissom approached. "I heard screaming in the kitchen and…"
"Master! I need mentoring!" He shouted. "Have you ever held one of these?"
"Once." Grissom walked over with a puzzled expression on his face. "What's going on?"
"The mom asked me to hold her while she took care of her son's bloody nose." Greg extended the bawling baby. "You try."
"The mom asked you, not me." He backed away from the rabid-looking infant. "Did she ID the photos yet?"
Shouting over the escalating cry, Greg answered, "The dollhouse isn't hers or anyone she knows." His eardrum vibrated from the most recent round of screams. "Can you believe the lung capacity on this kid! Wow…is it wrong for me not to like this? Because I'm not liking it. Should I like this? Do real parents enjoy this? Or is it something they fake? I'm not feeling anything positive here."
"Well, it's not your child, so it's normal not to feel attached. If it were your child then you'd feel differently." He chuckled at the memory of Sara holding her scratched out eye at the Blake's house while cursing their baby and calling it a demon. "At least that's what Wendy told Sara when she wasn't bonding with her daughter, Ashley."
Greg replied in an unsettled tone, "Let's hope the paternity test goes in my favor then." The tiny girl in his arms sobbed harder.
The feeling of his foot inserted deeply into his mouth choked Grissom into silence.
"It's okay." Greg forced a smile when he saw the awkward expression on Grissom's face.
"What I meant was…this is a stranger's child. Since you love Tawny, her baby would…" Seeing Greg's anxiety intensifying, Grissom reached out. "Here…I'll take her."
As soon as the baby was in Grissom's arms, three things happened…Abby stopped fussing, Grissom felt an overwhelming desire to have one of his own as soon as possible, and Greg grew exponentially more insecure about his ability to parent any baby, especially not his biological child.
"Her name is Abby." Running his hand through his hair Greg nervously blurted, "Wow…she's a lot happier now. I guess I'm not cut out for the job."
Feeling it best to remove him from the situation, Grissom directed his forlorn co-worker. "Why don't you go inside and start collecting paint samples in the hobby room."
"On it." He hustled away.
Once Greg was gone, Grissom beamed a smile at the delicate child in his arms. "Hello, Abby. This is only the second time I've done this. I hope to have a baby soon with my wife, Sara, so I could use the practice. Thank you for being such a cooperative test subject."
"I'm back!" Tina announced as she rushed over. "Thank you for helping. Most days I need at least two more sets of arms." She smiled in reaction to the happiness on the investigator's face. "You're a natural. How many kids do you have?"
"None yet," He quietly replied while continuing to sway the infant. "But my wife and I are hoping for some good news this month. Your daughter is beautiful."
"You say that now because it's after six-fifteen and the Colic Hell hour is over." Reaching over she rescued the kind man from his babysitting duty. "I think she likes you because you're wearing glasses and have a beard, so does my husband. Don't tell your co-worker, but I think his hair freaked her out." Holding her baby, Tina focused on the photos again. "I do recognize the little girl. She was at the last craft fair playing with my sample houses while her parents spoke to me about building a house for her this Christmas." Suddenly concerned she inquired, "What happened to her? Is she missing?"
Somberly he informed her, "No, I'm afraid she's deceased."
Tina clutched her daughter. "Oh God. Her parents were the nicest people and she was the sweetest little girl."
The Grisssoms'
6:30 p.m.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror Sara reviewed her appearance in her sports bra and running shorts while determining if she really had the guts to dance exotically in front of a room full of women, most of whom were probably well-endowed professionals. Smirking, she remembered her husband's thoughts on her ability, which definitely helped boost her confidence…I know first hand you have the right moves, Boom Boom, and your six-pack is state of the art…your friends will be shocked when they see what lies beneath your shirt for the first time.
After a few more minutes of psyching herself up, she grabbed the t-shirt she had on the counter and threw it over her bra. "It's one hour, how bad could it be?"
With that, she made a beeline for the kitchen to grab a bottle of cold water to drink on the ride to the gym.
The Fitness Den
6:40 p.m.
When Carrie pulled into the gym parking lot she was grateful to see Tawny, already dressed for class and waiting right where she said she would be.
With a smile plastered on her face, Tawny approached her friend's silver Volkswagen Jetta and when the door opened she taunted, "Ready to shake it, Baby?"
Tense from her mentally taxing day Carrie groaned, "Actually the old me would rather go home and sip a glass of wine while reading a good book, but I committed to this and I never break my commitments."
"Lucky for Nick." She remarked. "He won't have to worry about you leaving him stranded at the church."
"Not a chance." She grabbed her gym bag from the trunk. "Hell, after spending a day with my arrogant and insensitive co-worker Clive, I'm ready to kiss Nick's feet when I get home tonight."
Tawny hurried to give her friend advice. "Just make sure he showers real well first, because one time, I went to suck this guy's toes and he had gunk…"
"I was speaking metaphorically." Carrie shuddered at the thought. "Yeah…you can definitely skip that erotica lesson, because I know what Nick's workboots smell like after a long day. Not to mention he has a year's supply of Odor Eater's and foot spray stashed at home. Yeah…it's not happening. If he can have limitations in the bedroom, so can I."
"I know where you're coming from," She casually replied, "I'm fine with toes, but there's one other part of a guy's body my mouth never gets near."
With a wink Carrie responded to Tawny's declaration with a play on words, "Yeah, I've never been much of an ass-kisser either, especially at work."
Laughing she asked, "Hey, you said you work with someone named Clive? His last name wouldn't be Braxley would it?"
"Ugh, yes!" Carrie tossed her bag over her shoulder. "Why? Do you know him? Oh no…please tell me you didn't." Gaping at the girl next to her she pleaded, "No…no…no…NO…please tell me you did not sleep with Clive Braxley."
Chomping on her bottom lip she confessed with regret, "Twice actually."
"TWICE!" Carrie's pulse jumped twenty points. "Once wasn't enough for you to catch on that he's a textbook asshole? Oh god…come here." She gave her hug. "You really were looking for love in all the wrong places prior to Chuckles."
"Yeah…" Tawny somberly informed her distraught friend. "There's no denying Clive's a looker, and he had a really hot car, so when he offered to take me out for a fantastic night on the town I jumped at the chance. Then, when we were out, he spent a ton on a dinner and champagne. So, later when he suggested we get a room at the Mirage, I felt obligated. The two times were in the same night though!" She excitedly informed her disgusted friend. "And I really didn't want to the second time, but since I had already done the deed with him, and he was such a wham, bam, thank you ma'am guy, I figured it was easier to do it than make a scene. He never called me again."
"Promise me you know better now." Carrie stepped back. "Dinner doesn't buy anyone an all-access pass to your body, girlfriend. Not even Greg."
At that point Tawny was really glad she never shared the Krispy Kreme story with Carrie. "I promise." Side by side they walked into the gym. "I'm so glad that part of my life is behind me. Every day I thank my lucky stars for Greg showing up on my doorstep. Not only do I have the sweetest guy in the world, I have a new mom too." Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, "I thought Mrs. Sanders was cool for treating me to the makeover and shopping spree, but now she calls me every day to check in on me and the baby. We can talk about anything. I haven't had a parent to confide in since my dad died. And today, when she was about to hang up she said, love you, Sweetie. See…she loves me too."
With her arm around her friend's shoulder Carrie replied, "What's not to love?"
"And when I said it back to her, she suggested I start calling her Mom." Tawny looked to her friend for guidance. "Do you think it's weird that I love my boyfriend's mom almost as much as I love him?"
"Not under the circumstances." They stopped at the desk to run their membership cards over the scanner.
"Good…I feel better now."
"Have you heard from Sara?" Glancing around the busy establishment Carrie looked for the missing person in the trio.
"Earlier. She said she couldn't get through to you so she called me to make sure we were still on." Tawny led the way to the locker room. "She said she was definitely coming and she has the guest pass I gave her." Tawny was relieved it was a Monday class Sara was trying because Tuesday and Thursday were Lady Heather's days.
"Hey, Miss Kansas!" Vic Lamuro shouted out from his position next to the leg press. Knowing Tawny was spoken for now, he gave up trying on her and eyed her friend.
"Hey, Vic!"
"Introduce me to your fashionable friend." He winked at the cute woman in the trendy suit and pumps.
Carrie froze as she realized not only was a cute guy checking her out, but everyone in the immediate area was watching the process.
Tawny broke the bad news, "Sorry, Vic, she's sportin' a rock on the left. Nick Stokes is her fiancé. He's a fellow gym rat. You probably know him."
"Slick Nick is settling down? Great!" He smiled and turned to rack another hundred-plate on the press. "That frees up some women for the rest of us."
Tawny pulled Carrie toward the locker room. "Vic is a really nice guy and did you see his bod? Nick would kill for his guns, wouldn't he?"
"Let me guess…you never slept with Vic."
"No." She shook her head. "He asked me out a few times but I declined."
Not surprised, Carrie inquired, "Because he's a nice guy?"
Wrinkling her nose she admitted the sad truth, "Yeah…and because he didn't have a lot of cash."
"Fits the pattern." Carrie walked into the locker room with slumped shoulders. "Girl gets abused and is overcome with guilt, which causes her to lose self-esteem. Then she becomes hyper-sexualized, doesn't feel worthy of nice guys, but says yes to ever bum who gives her the time of day. As the years pass she wonders why she can't find a guy who treats her well."
"Sounds like my life story." Tawny guided her over to her locker. "Until Chuckles of course. Yep! I finally caught me a winner and now I'm set for life."
Although the phrase caught me a winner and now I'm set for life, slightly disturbed Carrie in a got pregnant to trap a guy, so he would have to take care of me sort of way, she let it go. Greg and Tawny were obviously happy with the outcome so she figured why belabor the circumstances. "Have you spoken to Greg? Did he say how work was, because I haven't spoken to Nick yet."
Tawny stared at Carrie. "I talked to him four times. Don't think it's odd not to talk to your fiancé all day?"
"No." She quickly disrobed and started dressing in her workout clothes. "With our workload, a lot of days we don't see or talk to each other until ten at night."
"Do you think Greg will start working that late too?" Tawny frowned. "I just got used to having him on the same schedule as me.
"Greg's only going to get busier as he gets more responsibility at work. The only time Nick and I absolutely count on seeing each other is Saturday four o'clock p.m. until work Monday morning. That's our special time. Other than that, it's career first, unless of course something urgent and personal comes up, then we'd drop everything for one another." Carrie pulled on her peach padded sports bra. "What do you think? Will I blend? Am I hitting a C in this?"
"C minus," She teased. "Carrie…at the risk of sounding pathetically immature, I have to say, sometimes you and Nick sound like such serious grown ups it bums me out."
"It's not pathetic." Carrie assured her with a smile. "You just turned twenty-two. You should be at college living it up. I'm at a different place in life. I'll be thirty-one in December. I'm done with school and I'm trying to hit a certain mark in my career, which means I have to put in the hours. Plus, I'm getting married, settling down and thinking about a family. I need to be a serious grown-up a good portion of the time."
"Since you're the same age as Greg, I guess he should be at the same place too."
While she twisted up her hair Carrie answered, "Guys are always behind. Nicky didn't settle down from his frat boy ways until he was thirty-four. However, because you and Greg have a baby on the way, you're unfortunately going to have to expedite the process. But you've sowed all your wild oats, right?"
"Hell, yeah, I was on the accelerated plan and I know for a fact there isn't a better guy out there than my guy, so what would be the point?" As she grabbed her stilettos from her locker a thought hit her. "But what if Greg hasn't? I kind of got the impression from Sara that Greg was just starting to live it up this year. You know…new job, new car, dating more…"
Before Carrie could answer, Sara rushed into the locker room. "Sorry! My car wasn't turning over. I really thought I wasn't going to make it. And after the day we had at work I'm actually looking forward to releasing a little steam. Then I had to fill out the guest member paper at the desk." Looking at Carrie she said, "I'm a little surprised to see you here after what Nick went through this morning."
"What?" Carrie knitted her brow. "I haven't spoken to him, what happened?"
"Oh. Sorry…I thought you knew." Sara lowered her bag on the bench. Now she felt bad for being the one to tell her, but realized she'd have to tell her the truth or Carrie would careen into a full-on panic. "He got called to a scene and the vic was eerily similar to McKenna, even wearing the same ladybug dress she had on at church yesterday. When he saw the vic, he um…" She glanced around first and then whispered, "…flipped out."
Carrie's voice filled with distress. "Flipped out? How bad?"
"He had to be wrestled away by two cops because he was hysterical. When they let him go, Greg had to chase him down." She looked at Tawny. "Did he tell you anything about that part?"
"I didn't know this happened at all." Perplexed by the news she added, "He sounded a little stressed on one phone call we had, but he was fine the other times."
In a panic Carrie stuffed her clothes in her bag. "Now I feel terrible that I didn't check my voicemail. I had a bunch. He was probably wanted to talk to me about it. I'm sorry, I know the only reason you came here was for me but, do you mind if I skip class, Sara?"
"No, not at all." Sara soothed, "Please don't worry though, I saw him after the incident and he looked fine. When I asked him how he was, he said he was doing okay. I think he's just a little uncomfortable with the fact it played out in front of so many guys at the scene."
"Yeah, but sometimes what Nicky says and what's really going on inside his head, are two completely different things. He's real good at fronting. He's been practicing since he was nine." Grabbing her bag she tore out of the locker room. "Thanks for understanding girls."
"I guess it's just you and me," Tawny smiled. "Ready to bump and grind, Baby?"
"Do I have to take off my t-shirt?"
"No. A lot of newbies wear bulky clothes, then as the weeks pass and they get into it they're shedding layers without a care in the world."
"Okay then." Sara tossed her stuff in an empty locker and snapped her padlock closed. "Let's hit it, Sis."
As soon as they strolled through the back door of the locker room into the dance studio, Lady Heather entered the locker room from the front door.
Mimi, one of the Monday night regulars called over, "Lady H what are you doing here on a Monday? You've only been to a handful of Mondays over the years."
"Huge convention coming to town tomorrow and I'll be swamped." She opened her locker. "So I came tonight." While shedding her clothes, her cellphone rang, and when she saw it was her assistant, who knew better than to disturb her here unless it was urgent, she groaned, "Wonderful, now I'll be late for class."
The Blakes'
6:55 p.m.
When Nick rounded the final corner toward the Blake home his cellphone rang, but before he could grab it from his bag, he noticed something odd. A blond-haired man approximately in his late-twenties, dressed in khakis and a navy blue polo shirt, was standing across the street from Wendy's house snapping photographs. On a dime he screeched his Xterra to a halt and jumped out to confront the suspicious photographer. "Excuse me. Why are snapping pictures of that house?"
"Get out of my face, Psycho!" Incensed, the guy lowered his camera and yelled, "What are you cruisin' the streets looking for somebody to pick a fight with? Get back in your truck before I call 911."
"I am LVPD." He grabbed his ID and flashed it. "Now answer my question."
"It's not a crime to take photos in public," He barked.
"It is if you're using a zoom and taking snapshots of little girls in their bedrooms to sell as porn."
"What!" The man was floored. "Are you calling me a pervert!"
Eyeing him warily Nick repeated, "No, I'm asking you for the third time, why are snapping pictures of that house?"
"I'm a realtor." Reaching into his pants pocket the man produced a business card. "I'm taking listing shots for that house across the street."
Nick noted the man pointed to the house to the right of Wendy's.
"Happy? Look, if you don't believe me you can go knock on the door and ask the Gleasons. I also have a signed listing contract sitting on the front seat of my car…the blue BMW right over there. Go look at it."
Nick looked at the business card. "Mind walking with me, Mr. Connors?"
"I'd love too." The man proceeded to the car and pointed to the passenger seat. "It's right there. Just signed fifteen minutes ago."
Nick glanced in and saw the man was telling the truth. "Why didn't you just answer my question truthfully if you had nothing to hide?"
Dan Connors snapped, "Because last time I checked I wasn't living in a Totalitarian state."
"Yeah…people like you make my job just that much harder."
Because McKenna had been watching out the window for Nick, Wendy saw the confrontation and was out the door and crossing the street with Ashley on her hip and McKenna's hand in hers. "What's going on? Is everything okay, Nick?"
"Uncle Nicky!"
"Are your neighbors, the Gleasons, selling their house, Wendy?" He scooped up McKenna. "Hey there little lady." Seeing her and holding her, he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
"Yes, they are," Wendy immediately replied. "Harvey is being transferred to Des Moines."
Dan grumbled, "Told you so, Tough Guy."
"Ready to tea party, Uncle Nicky?" McKenna cinched her arms around her uncle's neck.
"I sure am." Glancing over his shoulder he said, "Sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Connors. Hope the listing goes for full price." Nick strolled away sheepishly explaining to Wendy, "I saw him snapping pictures and thought maybe he was gonna use them to build something."
"Ah." Wendy eyed her high-strung protector. "I think you need a whisky in your pretty pink tea cup."
Squeezing McKenna tight he sighed, "I think I do too."
"You're not packing are you?" She worried about guns on a calm day, but with Nick on edge it was the last thing she wanted under her roof.
"No, ma'am. No guns in the house with your kids, I know the drill."
The Fitness Den
7:00 p.m.
After peeling her eyes off Divine, the Cardio Strip instructor, a stunning thirty year-old African American woman who stood at six feet with her heels on, and had a perfectly sculpted body, Sara continued glancing nervously around the room at all the women chit-chatting. There had to be fifty females packing the place…women from all different walks of life with drastically diverse body types. Clearly not everyone in the room was a stripper by trade. It also appeared that Tawny knew every person in the class and they all seemed to adore her and know all about Greg and the baby. One of them, a stay-at-home mom of three named Joan, even gave Tawny a shopping bag of her used baby books to keep.
In the microphone Divine announced, "Hey everybody, Miss Kansas brought a friend tonight, let's give it up for Sara! It's her first time shakin' it here!"
The ladies clapped and Sara died of embarrassment as she snipped at Tawny. "You didn't tell me you told her my name!"
"She always introduces new girls. Everyone knows everyone here, Sara…just chill. It's a friendly group, not catty. And stop worrying, you'll be great."
Sara turned and waved while wishing that Nick had reserved his nervous breakdown for another time, so Carrie's name would have been announced too. Then she'd have a fellow newbie to share the dubious honor of shakin' it here for the first time.
"Let's warm it up girls." Divine whooped into the microphone. "Sara, Honey, it may feel silly when you start, but just let it flow, girlfriend. Embrace your sexuality. It's all about feeling good about your body, ain't that the truth, ladies!" They yelled back as usual. "Yeah…feeling confident about yourself no matter what society thinks you have to look like! Big boobs, little boobs, chunky middle, skinny ass…it doesn't matter in here, right girls! It feels good no matter what, and when you take it home to that special man or woman in your life, or do it for yourself in front of the mirror…it's hot! Let me adjust the volume on the stereo, and then we're good to go!"
Sara tapped Tawny on the shoulder. "I think Carrie would like this instructor, she's got a nice empowerment vibe with no negative stereotyping about body image or sexual preference. Because frankly, I was a little worried that Carrie would blow a gasket if the instructor came out and said, let's learn how to shake it for men, because the only thing that matters is how you look and if you'll put out."
Tawny burst out laughing. "Yeah…I never would have invited her if that was the vibe. I'm blond but I'm not stupid."
When the ladies started whistling Sara turned her attention toward the entrance at the far side of the room. "No. No way." She was desperate to believe her mind or her eyes were playing a trick on her.
"Oh!" Tawny's hands flew to her mouth as she thought, she never comes on Mondays!
Divine gave a catcall. "Well hello, Milady! Look who's gracing us with her presence on a humble Monday. Vegas's Queen of Leather."
In her trademark bravado Heather greeted, "I left the boys tied up at home, so I could come and dance with all you wonderful women." Her eye was caught by a brilliant white t-shirt across the room. Then she realized who was wearing it.
One look at Heather dressed in a black sports bra and tiny matching shorts and Sara did the only thing that came to mind.
"WOO HOO!" Divine whistled into the microphone. "Sara tossed her t-shirt! Didn't take her long to get into the spirit! Alright here we go girls…let's grind!"
Tawny gasped. "Check out the six-pack, Sara! Who knew that was hiding under there?" The shock was enough for her to forget the potential cat-fight brewing.
"Kickboxing," Sara affirmed with a sharp nod as she eyed the enemy. "It's my usual thing. But I have a feeling you're about to be surprised by how well I apply myself to becoming the best damn exotic dancer this class has ever seen."
From across the room Heather watched Sara glaring at her. Realizing it was just after seven she knew her apology letter had not been received. Unable to leave the class inconspicuously, because of her notoriety in it, she decided she would stick it out and approach Sara at the end of the hour to offer her sincere apology in person.
Sara stewed while thinking…if that bitch has any plans to corner me and berate me, she's got another thing coming. This time I'm not waiting to play defense. No, I've learned my lesson TWICE! I'm taking the offensive position and shutting her down before she gets a chance to humiliate me like she's done in the past…just like Miranda did…just like Suzie. Today's the day Sara Sidle finally stops taking shit from Mean Girls and gives some of her own!
With something to prove, Sara found it much easier to gyrate publicly than she had believed possible. "How am I doing, Tawny?" Following the instructors cues Sara eased into the steady grind.
"Honestly…I'm stunned." Tawny gawked at her friend. "While I know you and Gil have it going on privately. I thought you'd be a total prude in public." Then she couldn't help but wonder, "What do you think of my ability?"
Forgetting her mortal enemy's presence for a moment Sara grinned, "Let's just say I understand why Greg has had a little more spring in his step since the day he met you."
Balancing on one foot she ever-so-slowly raised her leg until her calf grazed her ear. "Yeah…Chuckles appreciates my flexibility."
Divine shouted into the microphone. "Look at Miss Kansas showing off for her friend. Girl…are you sure you're doing that at home for Greggy? How could the man not slap a ring on your finger yet, if you're pulling that one out of your bag of tricks?"
"He's just waiting for the right time!" She shouted back. "I'm not worried!"
Sara glared over at Lady Heather thinking…yeah, another couple is about to take the plunge into Victorian normalcy, that must really piss you off. Then she accented her thought by sticking out her ass in rhythm with the music. Kiss this, Honey.
McGuire Residence
7:10 p.m.
As Greg was packing up his truck, Grissom walked over. "You sure you're okay?"
"You mean about the baby hating me?" He faked a laugh while falling apart on the inside. "Yeah…like you said, it was my hair and the fact that I was tense. She could sense it. You're in gung-ho daddy mode and she knew it. I have no doubt you're going to be great at it too. Yeah…he or she is going to be one lucky kid having your and Sara for parents…dependable, responsible, stable, intelligent…a total gold mine."
"You've got plenty of time, Greg….seven months. Don't try to tell me you're not a fast learner, I know better." He knew the guy was still smarting with self-doubt. "You're being too hard on yourself. And stop comparing yourself to Nick or me. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses.
His tone turned snarky. "Like you not telling Sara the truth about Jim's mystery lady? That's pretty weak." Shutting the back door he lowered his head. "I can't believe that just popped out. I'm sorry, even though bothering me that I'm covering for you, I shouldn't have said it. It's none of my business why you made that decision. I'm really out of it today from the case and…"
"You've been asked to hide the truth, so I can hardly get upset at you for throwing it in my face. I appreciate you keeping Heather's identity quiet." Grissom solemnly nodded. "And on Saturday Jim will tell Sara and we can all move on. It's ridiculous for it to be taking this long…or that this animosity exists between Sara and Heather in the first place."
"Is it?" Greg asked his burning question. "Why didn't you do something about it, when it happened the first time? Obviously you know how I reacted when Hodges berated Tawny. I admit I went too far, but you did nothing after Lady Heather verbally attacked Sara the first time and then it happened a second time and you still did nothing. I don't understand that."
Grissom promptly defended his inaction, "That was Sara's choice, not mine. She requested that I stay away from her. So I couldn't attempt to communicate with Heather without going against Sara's wishes, which means I've not had an opportunity to address it. That's what doesn't make sense to me, Sara is such a strong, intelligent woman I don't understand why she let's Heather get to her in the first place, when she logically knows the woman has no bearing in our life together."
"I do." With an uncharacteristic edge in his voice Greg remarked, "Since we're being disarmingly honest with one another on this day when our nerves are shot, I'll tell you. After seeing her in action twice, I think Heather is a real bitch. She's someone who enjoys cutting other people down…especially vulnerable people. I hate that. I make it a policy in life not to do that. I mean…a guy is minding his own business and some girl feels compelled to tear him down as callously and as publicly as possible. Why? Is it pathological? A hunger that needs to be fed, like our killer needed to feast on that innocent little girl?" Resentment building quickly he snapped, "Unlike a murderer physically taking a life, I think these super bitch types thrive on psychologically destroying people."
Since Greg was vacillating between speaking about Sara and himself, Grissom thought it best to let him vent and continued to listen without interrupting.
"There was a guy in my school so terrorized by this group of vicious girls and their jock boyfriends that he gave up thinking his life would ever get better, so one day he swallowed a bunch of pills and booze to finally escape." Greg postured and huffed, "I know you've told us you were a ghost in school so maybe you didn't notice this stuff going on. I think that's why you can't empathize on this one. I think some girls, like Heather, can't shake the rush they used to get from doing this stuff in school, so they do it for the rest of their lives. I saw Heather in action that night with Sara, remember? She may have been a wonderful person with you, but that night she was calculating and rotten to the core." Pointing at himself Greg reminded Grissom, "I was the one who followed Sara out of there to make sure she'd be okay. I followed her because I cared. She was really torn up. And I would have returned to give that bitch a piece of my mind if I thought Brass wasn't doing it himself, but the other night when I realized he didn't defend Sara…I took care of it."
It was obvious to Grissom that the subject struck a nerve with Greg. "Like I've told you before, I really appreciate you looking out for her that night."
"I thought Brass was looking out for her too." His arms tightly folded across his chest Greg continued his rant. "I can't for the life of me understand what he sees in her unless he's in it strictly for the kink." Tossing up his arms he groaned, "Whatever…now I've gone way too far with this." Clutching his forehead he attempted to excuse his behavior, "I'm not myself today. I'm a little out of it…sometimes I get…" In a remorseful tone he pleaded, "I'm sorry…can we please just forget this conversation ever happened?"
"Sure." Grissom agreed, empathizing with the feeling of wanting an emotional issue to disappear rather than be addressed. He was certain Dr. Myers would be disappointed in the choice.
"Thanks for the latitude, Gris." Grabbing his keys he stated, "I'm ready to take off. See you back at the lab."
While analyzing the supposedly forgotten conversation, Grissom watched Greg drive away.
Outside the Blake Home
7:12 p.m.
Dan Connors had just finished hanging his For Sale shingle in front of the Gleasons' home, when he noticed a guy taking photos across the street. "Hey!" He called out. "You better not let the psycho guy who lives next door catch you taking pictures," He joked. "Which house are you listing?" Much to his surprise, before he got an answer to his question the guy took off running down the block.
"This neighborhood is crawling with whackjobs," He muttered while returning to his car. "Hopefully they'll all stay out of sight until this house sells."
Next Chapter: Losing It - Part 7
Teaser: Lady H and Sara collide. And did you ever wonder how Tawny and Greg's infamous 'first date' really went?
Posting: Thursday morning.
Sorry this chapter was delayed. This website was down for a while and then I accidentally loaded a draft version of the chapter and needed to wait for it to be removed.
Thanks for reading,
Maggs