My Best Enemy
Chapter Eleven
"What the hell is that?" Nick swore as he rounded the corner and found Sara staring at the ugly word scrawled across her locker in bold print. "Sorry, Sara." Apologizing for his unusual lapse of manners. "Who did this?"
"I'm not sure, but-"
"Hang on." Halting her motion as she was lifting a hand to touch the black letters. "Let me grab my kit."
"Don't. It's okay, Nicky. It's not necessary-"
"No, it's not okay, Sara. This is a crime scene." He waved off her words in anger. "It's a crime to deface government property and it's a downright disgrace to insult a woman this way. But don't you worry about a thing, I'm going to check for prints and run them through A.F.I.S. I'll find out who did this."
"Wait a minute. This is not a crime scene, it's my locker. It's no a big deal. Really." She added when Nick did not look convinced.
"Sara," Nick began in a lower tone "Grissom told us about the about that guy who's stalking you. He could have broken in here."
"He's not stalking me, Nicky. He knows where I live because he works the property. This," She motioned towards her locker "Is just some asshole pissed at me because I tuned him down for dinner. I'll talk to him."
"You know who did this? Tell his name. Warrick and I will-"
"No, Nick."
"Whoever did this should be fired!"
"Nicky, I appreciate your chivalry, but it's really not a big deal. Embarrassing, but not a big deal."
Her co-worker pondered the situation, not in a hurry to let it all go. "I don't know…Let me see what Grissom-"
"This has nothing to do with Grissom or Jeter. Just…will you find something so I can clean this off?"
Nick nodded, quickly disappeared and returned with cleaning supplies. "What we do in our personal lives is nobody's business." He began distractedly as he scrubbed the tainted metal surface. "We deserve to have a private life outside of here."
Sara groaned out loud. "You heard something about me?"
"I hear a lot of things and I tell those people wagging their tongues to mind their own damn business. I don't care what your sexual preference is; it doesn't change who you are or what you mean to me."
"Nick, I'm not with Dana."
"You think I don't know that? It wouldn't matter one bit to me if you were. Anyways, anyone who really knows you, knows the truth."
"What in the hell does that mean?"
"Hey!" Nick jumped to a side as Sara tried to bat him with her hand. "I'm just saying that, unless Dana morphs into a tall, gray, entomologist - she doesn't stand a chance. Oomph!" He wasn't quick enough to avoid Sara's fist that time.
"Get out Nick!" Sara laughed as the mood lightened significantly.
"Okay, okay. But seriously Sara, you sure you don't want me to give this guy a good talking to?"
"I'll handle it."
"If he gives you anymore grief let me know."
"Yes, Dad." She tossed sarcastically as she relieved him of his cleaning supplies. "Now, leave me alone so I can get this off before someone walks in."
Trace Lab…
Grissom felt as if he was being watched, though it was not an uncommon feeling with glass walls. He knew that it wasn't Sara. Not only had she gone for the day, but Grissom always got a peculiar, hair standing in the back of his neck feeling, when she was near.
He had to suppress a grin. Finally, he and Sara had made some headway. It started off rocky but in the end, progress had been attained. Grissom had almost dropped the proverbial ball when his jealousy went into overdrive. Luckily, Sara was able to once again wade through his insecurities and give him another chance. A chance he had no doubt would be his last if he didn't wise up and take action. Now, if he could only figure out his next move…
Annoyed that the presence did not move on, Grissom turned to face Dana Karlin. His brow wrinkled in confusion as he tried to decipher her expression. "Dana?"
"Grissom."
Okay
"Dana, Sara went home. Apparently, she had plans for the evening."
"Yes, she does."
Grissom assumed that the exchange was over and that the Officer would move on. How-ever, Dana continued to watch him intently, as if she were sizing him up. He didn't dislike Dana - well…Grissom did not appreciate the negative influence the woman seemed to have on Sara. The Sara he knew would have never gone to the Policeman's Ball or that club.
Though, Sara had gone willingly and apparently had a grand time of it. Maybe, she really did want to do those things but had not had the opportunity? Would he be expected to accompany to those types of events? If he couldn't, obviously Dana was willing to fill in. "Anything else I can help you with?" Suddenly irritated.
Taking several minutes to respond, Dana moved within the doorframe.
"You and I have a lot in common, Dr. Grissom."
Dr. Grissom? So, now it was a formal conversation? "Oh?"
"We are both ambitious people." She cut off any response Grissom readied. "Your ambition or motive may not be as obvious but it is there none the less. Your moves are well planned and deliberate. Younger men lack the patience required for that sort of calculated attack."
Planned? Deliberate? Calculated? Was she talking about Sara, stalking or a game of chess?
"And you, Officer Karlin? What is your modis operandi?"
"I prefer to strike hard and fast."
"Like a snake?"
Her lips pursed in thought. "Why not? They've been known to snatch what's right beneath the nose."
So we are talking about Sara. Sara assured Grissom that she and Dana where only friends. Yet, here she was, staking some sort of claim. What exactly she was claiming? Sara or their friendship? Why did women always speak in code?
"And the moral to this story is what, Officer?" He certainly had no clue.
There gazes held for several tense moments.
"Lighten up, Grissom. I'm just trying to get to know Sara's boss, slash friend, slash what ever you two are."
Was that a threat? Was she planning to expose his relationship with Sara? Grissom doubted the later. It would certainly ruin women's friendship.
"You and Sara are way too intense. I'll have to work on that." She added with a saucy grin heavy with sexual undertones.
Grissom's stomach turned a little. "Have a good dinner."
"I will."
LVVP…
Curious gazes followed Sara as she walked swiftly down the hall of the police department. Obviously, the rumor involving her and a certain officer must be floating around that building also. Quickening her steps, she made a beeline for Brass's office, practically slamming into the last person Sara wanted to see. He was on her list of things to do- just not today.
"Sara. It's nice to see you." Officer Timothy Hayden had just stepped out of an office less that a foot ahead.
"Officer Hayden."
"So now we're back to Officer Hayden? Come on Sara, I said I was sorry."
"For which part? Pawing me on the dance floor, slandering my name at the lab or defacing my locker?"
"What are you talking about? I admit I was a little aggressive at the club, how many times do I have to say I'm sorry? I have no clue about defacing your locker."
"Right, whatever." Sara stepped to move around him. He turned to block her. "Excuse me, Officer. I need to go."
"Sara."
"What is it with you? Don't you ever listen?" Sara moved again to get around him. "Okay, look, I forgive you. Just stop spreading rumors about me, and stay away from my locker."
"Sara, I was out of line that night, I'm an idiot but I would never and have not done what you are accusing me of."
Sara studied Timothy for several minutes, he seemed sincere.
"All right, I'm sorry. It's been a long shift and I'm a little wound up."
"You can make it up to me, by having a beer with me after shift?" He offered hopefully.
"Thanks, but no thanks. Now, I have to go see Brass."
Tim's eyes flashed with anger. "What makes you think you're so much better than everyone else? You're nothing but a tease."
"What are you talking about?" And what was it with men and their split personalities today? "You know what? I'm not having this conversation with you. Just stay away from me."
"Damn it! Wait a minute." He grabbed her arm painfully before she could pass him.
"Don't touch me!"
"Sara listen."
"Let me go!" She warned through clenched teeth.
"Sara-"
"Officer Hayden." A sharp male voice interrupted Tim's plea. "Please remove you hand from CSI Sidle and move on."
Tim immediately released his grip and turned to find Officer Fromansky glaring at him. "Sir, I can explain."
"Move on Officer. That's an order."
Tim's posture stiffened noticeable as he stepped away from Sara and continued down the hall.
"Thank you." Sara offered to the older gentleman, massaging her arm when Hayden turned the corner.
Officer Fromansky's face remained expressionless as he turned and walked away.
Stunned, Sara remained where she stood until she realized that she had an audience. Spinning on her heels, she retraced her steps out of the building. Brass could wait.