Chapter Four
Greg stepped out into the night air to take his break. He need
time to think and some fresh air. He leaned against the wall and
closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, letting the chill air into
his lungs.
The hair had been female, but didn't belong to either victim.
There was another woman out there waiting to be found or dumped. The
blood had belong to the second victim.
Time to hunt down the hair's owner, he thought as he pushed
himself from the wall.
Greg headed back toward the door when he heard footsteps behind
him. He stopped to listen, but heard nothing. He slowly turned
around, staring into the darkness.
"Hello?" He called as he took a step back.
The footsteps returned, causing his heart to pound. He turned
around and headed quickly for the door as the footsteps grew louder
and faster.
Greg placed his hand on the door to open it when he was grabbed
from behind. A hand clamped over his mouth as he was dragged away. He
tried to struggle, but the assailant was strong. He felt something
strike the back of his head then darkness.
"Anyone seen Greg?" Grissom asked as he entered the break room.
Sara looked up from her sandwich and shook her head. The
expression on Grissom's face sent a shiver down her spine. She set
her sandwich down and stood.
"Where did you see him last?"
"He said he was going outside. That was an hour ago."
"He's probably still out there," she said, hoping she was right.
She didn't want to think of what else could happened.
She followed Grissom outside and searched the parking lot. She saw
their SUV still parked and her fear grew.
"Greg!" Sara shouted as she walked around the building. "Where are
you?"
"Sara!" Grissom called.
She jogged back to the entrance where Grissom knelt in front of
the door. Dread filled her as she drew near.
"What is it?"
"Blood," Grissom said, holding up the pink swab.
"No," she whispered as her legs gave out.
Grissom caught her before she hit the ground. The tears welled up
as he helped her inside. He led her to the break room where he helped
her into a chair. He knelt in front of her, but all she saw was a
blur filled world.
"What happened?" Sara asked. "Why him?"
"We'll find him, Sara," Grissom reassured. "We'll find him."
Greg slowly opened his eyes and was greeted by darkness. For a
moment, he thought he was blind. A dim light from an overhead window
told him otherwise. He tried to sit up, but was stopped short. His
arms only went so far, telling him he was tied to something.
Probably bed posts, he thought, realizing he lied on a bed.
The lights suddenly came on, blinding him for a moment. He blinked
several times until his eyes adjusted.
"You're awake," a voice said from the brightness. "Good. I
wouldn't want you to be unconscious for this."
Greg narrowed his eyes and saw Stevens standing over him.
Thought so, Greg thought.
"Mr. Torturer, I presume."
"I knew I couldn't fool you. For that you'll get to be my next
victim."
"Joy."
"It will be," Stevens said, his voice harsh.
Stevens bent over Greg and ripped the younger man's shirt open.
The sudden motion caused Greg to flinch. Stevens smiled and sat on a
chair. He produced a bowl from a nearby table and lifted a shard of
glass.
"I will enjoy this," he remarked as he leaned toward Greg.
Greg gasped as the shard cut into his skin. The pain grew as
Stevens continued the torture. He cried out, his mind wondering how
long this would go on.
"You'll be surprised how long some people can hold out," Stevens
said as if reading his mind. "Let's see how long you last."
Greg glared at him then cried out as another cut was made.
"What do you want?"
Stevens smiled as he stopped cutting. He leaned closer and
whispered, "To punish you for being so smart. I didn't count on
someone like you to make me. Luckily you don't have enough to charge
me."
"We will," Greg said through the pain.
"Maybe."
Sara sat on her couch, Erick in her arms. She kissed the baby's
forehead, ignoring the tears falling down her face. Grissom had told
her to go home and she had obeyed. She wouldn't have been much help
anyway. She was near hysterics, thinking the worst. Nick had driven
her home and stayed awhile until Erick stared crying.
She looked at her son now and fresh tears traveled down her
cheeks. He looked so much like Greg, it hurt. She could imagine how
many hearts he'd melt with only a smile.
"I hope they find your father soon," she whispered. "I don't know
if I can live without him."
The phone rang, startling her. She gathered Erick in one arm and
went to answer the phone.
"Sara, it's Nick."
A sense of dread ran through her and she swallowed. She closed her
eyes and hoped her fears were unwarranted.
"What is it?" She asked slowly.
"The blood Grissom found was Greg's. We're thinking he's been
kidnapped."
"Do you know by who?" She asked, her heart pounding wildly in her
chest.
"Not, yet. We're looking at the surveillance tapes now. The
kidnapper didn't count on that."
"That's good news at least."
"Don't worry, Sara. We'll get Greg back."
"I can't help, but worry, Nick. I love him."
"I know."
They hung up and Sara put Erick to bed. She kissed him on his
forehead then went back into the living room. She sat on the couch
and closed her eyes.
Where is he? Sara thought. Who has him and why?
If she ever found out who took Greg from her, she would make them
wish they were never born.