Here's Chapter 3 oh and before I forget again. I do not own CSI, though I wish I did.
O.K. so that's my official disclaimer, nice and simple.
Thanks everyone for the great reviews, especially Diane. I appreciate your honesty and how you explain what you like about the story. With the great reviews I feel like I'm doing it right. Well enough of my babbling on with the story. Enjoy!
Nick looked at his watch as it beeped … telling him that it was the top of yet another hour. He and Warrick had been at their 418 since midnight, but Nick wasn't complaining. The job of a crime scene investigator was tedious work, but using the evidence left at a crime scene to help solve crimes was worth it. If a perpetrator made a mistake they would find it, and they were finding plenty tonight.
Nick slowly made his way over to Warrick who was still processing the car. He was leaning into the backseat with his flashlight.
"Hey Warrick. How goes it?"
"Just about done Nick, did you find anything?" Warrick grunted.
"Yea plenty. I was able to cast the tire marks, I loaded them into the truck. I wasn't able to get a shoe print, but I did find some dirt that may have fallen from the perpetrator's shoe. I also have Brass getting the ATM camera and the streetlight camera footage from this evening, maybe we'll get lucky and see something."
"Sounds good. I'm going to have them tow the car to the lab. I want to go over it with a fine toothcomb. I took paint scrapings from the front fender where it hit the van. Maybe we can get a make and color match."
As Warrick pulled himself up and out of the car, the flatbed truck they called for pulled in. The driver, a heavyset man smoking a cigarette, hopped out of the truck, and walked over to Warrick and Nick. He introduced himself as Ben, though they already knew his name since it was monogrammed on his shirt.
"So where am I taking this car?"
Warrick answered, since he was the one working on the car.
"Could you please tow it over to the Crime Lab at 3057 Westfall Avenue? Drive around the back … you should see a garage door, just honk twice and someone will open it for you, they will show you where to put the car."
"Sure thing buddy."
Ben loaded the car on the flatbed, and then left the crime scene.
By the time that the flatbed truck showed up some of the crowd had dissipated; another death in Las Vegas was now old news. There were still a few stragglers watching the comings and goings of the police. One person, Brent Mitchell, was still in the crowd.
Inside Brent knew that he was taking a big chance hanging around. He had already taken a chance when the taller CSI took a picture of the crowd. He was pretty sure he was able to cover his face just before the picture was snapped, but only time would tell.
When Brent learned of Nick's profession it made him smile. He loved messing with people in law enforcement, they made his life miserable; he was going to have fun torturing Judge Stokes with little Nicky. He had plenty of money to do almost anything. He was going to make sure Judge Stokes released his brother from prison, or his son would suffer the consequences.
As he stood there, watching Nick from a distance, he pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket, and dialed a number before putting the phone to his ear.
"Hey Mav. I want you guys down at my location in five minutes. I found my guy; I want you guys to tail him. His name is Nick Stokes. He's one of the CSIs investigating poor Brian's death. I want to know where he works, where he lives. You know the drill, and remember not to get to close. I'm paying you good money, and you don't want to screw me over. Got it! I'll meet up with you guys later."
Brent hung up the phone with force; he glanced over once again to Nick and Warrick, who were now laughing.
"Laugh it up Nicky while you have the chance."
When Brent turned to leave he noticed a dark sedan coming down the street. It parked, and the lights went out.
"Good they're here." Brent took one more look at Nick, and then headed to his car.
Warrick and Nick, oblivious to Brent and his men, were laughing at a joke that one of the officers just told them. Warrick and Nick were responsible for the crime scene, but the officers were responsible for Warrick and Nick's safety.
It had been a year since Nick's abduction by Walter Gordon from a crime scene. Nick finally had his life back the way he wanted it. He no longer had nightmares, though he still feared bugs, but he tolerated them when it came to his job.
Nick slapped the officer on the shoulder with a smile, as he and Warrick headed over to the SUV.
"Well my friend I do believe we have explored every avenue at this crime scene, are you ready to head back to the lab?" Nick asked.
"Yep, let's hit it." Warrick said taking his keys out of his pocket.
"We'll probably run into Brass at the lab, hopefully he'll have those tapes from the ATM and streetlights."
Both men climbed into the SUV. Warrick started the car, and pulled out. The dark sedan parked down the street pulled out after them, maintaining a safe distance.
Sara and Greg walked into the lab. Greg headed for the break room to make some of his famous Hawaiian blend coffee, and Sara headed over to Grissom's office.
Sara arrived at Grissom's office, and peeked in. What she saw made her smile. Grissom's desk was piled high with folders; she could only see the top of his head. She could hear him mumbling to himself that he would rather be in the company of bugs then dealing with this paperwork.
Everyone in the lab knew that paperwork and Grissom did not agree, but with the audit coming, Grissom knew the importance of having everything in order. He was meticulous that way, even when it came to evidence, everything had to be filed in triplicate.
After standing in the doorway for a few minutes, Sara finally walked in. As she did, Grissom's famous fish started singing. Grissom peeked over his pile, to see Sara standing there.
"Finished with your case already?" he questioned as he placed one folder in the finished pile and grabbed another.
"Yep, turned out that the victim left her purse in the casino next to a slot machine. With regards to the B&E, somehow the "do not disturb" sign stuck in the door as it closed, a gust of wind from the elevator pushed the door open. So case closed."
"Good work." Grissom replied and he shook his writing hand trying to get the feeling back in it. It was a result after all the writing he'd done.
"Well as much as I'd like to take the credit, it was our little Greg who figured it out."
"Well then tell Greg good work. I just heard from Warrick and Nick. They are heading back in with a bunch of evidence. When they get back why don't you and Greg see if they need any assistance." Grissom suggested as he finished another folder.
"OK … sounds good. I will bring you back a shovel a little later." Sara commented.
"A shovel?"
"Yea, eventually you are going to need to dig yourself out of there." She replied as she walked out the door.
Grissom shook his head at her humor, and then looked at how high his pile was again. He took a deep breath and continued.
Catherine Willows the other supervisor of the night shift walked down one of the halls of the crime lab. She had a determined look on her face. She just came around the corner when she ran into Warrick and Nick.
"Oh, hi guys. Just back from your crime scene? She asked as she fidgeted with her hands.
"Yep, just got back. We have a bunch of evidence that we need to get processed." Nick replied as he looked at Catherine's hands. "Is something wrong with your hands?" he asked noticing the Band-Aids.
"Nope just a bunch of paper cuts from those darn folders."
Nick and Warrick tried to suppress their smiles, but were failing miserably.
"Don't either one of you say a word." She replied with a smile.
"We would ever do that?" Warrick asked innocently.
"Yes." Both Catherine and Nick replied together.
They all laughed. The people walking by turned to look at the three of them, but continued on their way.
"So Catherine where were you headed? You had this look of determination on your face." Nick asked.
"Oh yes. You know doing all this paperwork really makes you drowsy, along with losing most of blood from these paper cuts; I was just heading over to the break room to get some coffee. I think Greg is making a pot of his coffee."
Both Warrick and Nick looked at Catherine then took off running towards the break room.
"Hey you guys better save me a cup." Catherine screamed as she tried to keep up.
"First come, first serve." Warrick yelled back.
"Yea, well I'll remember that on your review."
Warrick and Nick came to a screeching halt just before the break room with a look of defeat on their faces.
"You so don't play fair." Nick said to Catherine as she walked up.
She smiled at him. "Have you guys ever looked up the word supervisor in the dictionary, it states 'doesn't play fair'. Now please step aside, my cup of coffee is waiting for me."
As Catherine walked into the break room, Warrick and Nick both tried walking through the door at the same time getting stuck. Nick pushed Warrick back out then walked in.
As Nick and Warrick finally entered the break room they already found Greg and Sara sitting at the table having a cup of coffee. Catherine was at the coffee pot pouring herself a cup. They waited patiently for their turn.
Sara glanced over at Nick and Warrick as they entered the break room. It was hard not to notice them, when they both got stuck in the door. Sometimes she wondered if they both were really in their mid-thirties since they acted like teenagers a lot of the time. She really didn't mind. The job of a CSI was quite stressful, you needed to laugh and joke around sometimes. Having to work with Greg, Warrick and Nick made things interesting. Not that this job was interesting enough.
After Nick and Warrick finally got their coffee they both sat down at the remaining chairs at the table.
Nick finally spoke up. "So you guys finished with your case already?"
"Yep, it turned out it was a case of forgetfulness." Greg replied as he inhaled the aroma of his coffee.
"Really … forgetfulness?" Nick probed.
"Yea, it was an older couple. Mrs. Herris thought she left her purse in her room, but she had brought it down to the casino, and accidentally left it next to one of the slot machines."
"Well that's good. Nice and easy."
Sara looked and Greg with a smile then spoke up. "Hey did you guys know that Greg misplaces things all the time?"
"Really, well that explains why his hair is like that today, he must have misplaced his comb." Nick commented with a smile, Warrick and Catherine smiled, while Sara nodded in agreement.
"You guys are so cruel, after I make you some nice Hawaiian coffee, you are going to diss my hair. Well you guys just blew it. Give me your cups. You can't have any of my coffee." Greg said getting up.
They all stood up … taking their cups with them.
"Hey I just remembered I need to talk to Hodges about the paint from my car. Thanks Greg for the coffee." Warrick said as he ran out of the break room.
Nick followed Warrick out, and turned to Greg. "Yea, I have to follow-up on our victim. Thanks man for the coffee."
Greg watched both Warrick and Nick exit the room with great haste he turned to Catherine.
"Um, I have to get back to my files. See ya later." She ran out as well.
Greg then turned to Sara.
"Here Greg you can have my cup, it's empty, would you mind washing it?" She smiled, and started to walk out of the room. "If you need me I'm going to be in with Warrick talking to Hodges.
She nearly collided with Grissom as she walked into the hallway. Grissom nodded at her, and continued into the break room, where Greg was standing there by himself.
Grissom stopped to look at Greg. "Is that Hawaiian blend I smell? Do you mind if I have a cup?
"Well that depends on if you have a comment about my hair." Greg replied.
Grissom looked at Greg with a confused look and said. "What?"
Three-quarters of the shift was complete. Every CSI was hard at work in the crime lab, however outside was a different story. The dark sedan was parked across the street in the shopping mall parking lot, watching and waiting for Nick Stokes to emerge from the building.
Well there's chapter 3. Hope you guys like it. Please keep reviewing it keeps me going.