Rating: NC-17 for language and some content Author's Note: Thank you to everyone that has reviewed so far. Also thanks to everyone that has continually asked for updates. I needed the motivation!
Saints and Angels
Chapter 6
The conference room was quiet. Too quiet. Catherine, Grissom, Warrick and Nick, along with Sophia and Brass all sat quietly after hearing Greg's findings.
"So," Grissom finally said, breaking the silence, " here's what we know for sure: Catherine's clothes had two types of blood- A negative and O positive. One we know belongs to Sara. The other can be traced back to a Christian Tate."
"He was the one that-"
"We know who he is, Catherine. Just let me finish." Grissom said icily, cutting her off.
"Listen, we all know the information. Let's just take a ten minute break, okay? We've been staring at these papers for the better part of 12 hours now."
"And we will continue to stare at them, until we have a lead on where Sara is."
"I didn't say anything up giving up," Brass said calmly. "Fresh eyes, you know how it goes, Gil."
"Fine. If you guys want to go, then go. I'll be here."
Nobody got up to leave. Brass and Catherine eyed Grissom. This case was taking its toll on him. If it weren't Sara…
'But it is Sara,' Catherine thought. 'Sara that saved my life. The least I can do it keep looking.'
"Hey guys-" Greg said from the doorway. "Archie has something for us. He checked the surveillance outside the lab, like you told him to, Gris. He managed to get a partial tag number off of the car that dropped Catherine off…a black Chevy Impala. I checked with the DMV, there's only 26 in this area…but only one that registers with the partial plate. It's registered to a Mike Lexmark. We got an address…We've got a couple of guys on there way over right now."
"Thanks Greg," Nick said soberly. "We going or not?" he asked Grissom.
"Grab your kits on the way out," Grissom suggested. "Let's go get our girl."
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On the way to the address downtown, Grissom's phone rang. It was Sophia, who was still back at the lab.
"I checked the address that we got back from Greg's report. The building is an old warehouse. Back in the 60's they supplied paper and other recyclable products"
"When did it close?"
"Looks like the late 70's. Another company bought them out, and they moved out of state. We did get a couple of flecks of lead paint from underneath Catherine's nails during processing, so make sure we get samples…just to be sure."
"Got it. Thanks Sophia."
"No problem. Keep me posted?"
"Sure."
Grissom relayed the information to the team as they were pulling up. There were police cars spread out sporadically through the alley. Two SWAT team trucks, an ambulance, and a fire truck also had beat them there.
"Listen," Grissom began to the team after speaking with Brass, "there are 17 floors and we don't know which one she's on, or if she's even here. We hold back until we have permission. We don't want to compromise anything this time, okay?"
"We understand, Gris, but this isn't even our case." Warrick explained.
"I already spoke to Ecklie. It's our scene this time around. Gather as much as you can, and make sure you get paint samples. I know you know how to do your job, but no mistakes."
"We got you."
"Catherine, you can't go in. It may compromise-"
"What makes you think I want to go back in there?" She asked, tears forming in her eyes for what felt like the hundredth time that day. Slowly, things were getting worst for her. She hadn't got to take a shower, she hadn't got to see Lindsey.
"Cath," Warrick said gently, coming to stand in front of her. "We will all understand- Sara will understand if you go home now. Nobody will think any less of you."
"I'll wait. Damn it, I need to see her come out of there. I KNOW this is the place. I can feel it. Tell them to look on the first or second floor. I didn't take that many stairs on the way out. I know that for sure…"
"Gris-"
"I heard you. I'm calling Brass now."
Just as he went to dial the number, there was a lot of noise coming from inside the building. Gunshots rang out, along with glass from the windows above breaking.
"Get back!" Brass was yelling.
The commotion went on for only a few more seconds, though, and it was quiet once again.
"Brass?" Warrick yelled.
"I don't know yet!"
Police officers were coming out of the building now, along with the SWAT team. At the same time, fireman and EMT's were rushing in.
"Gris?"
"Just wait. Brass?"
"My hands are tied, Gil, you know that. Wait until it's secured."
Waiting for what seemed like a very long period of time, the team watched as more police officers came out of the building. There was no sign of the EMT's yet. They were all starting to lose their patience.
"Can you find anything out?" Nick asked Brass.
"I'll see what I can do."
As Brass went to talk with a few of the police officers that had come out of the building, there was finally a breath of relief when the three EMT's began exiting the building. They waited to see any signs of Sara, but there were none.
The team knew what this meant: no survivors.
Grissom became outraged, slamming his fist into the hood of the Tahoe. Flashbacks of the Debbie Marlin case flooded his memory. If only…
"Gris!" a couple of the team gasped.
He turned to see what was going on. Two police officers were coming out of the building, escorting Sara out. She was limping slightly, but alive none the less.
He ran to her, but before he could pull her into an embrace, she took a few steps back. The rest of the team had caught up with Grissom by then.
"Sara?" he asked.
"Evidence." she said, simply, like Catherine had done many hours before back at the lab.
"You need to go to the hospital," Catherine exclaimed.
"I know, I know. I have to be processed first. The hospital will instantly-" Sara said, the pain in her voice evident. She knew what she was going to be in for.
"I'll do it," Catherine said.
"Catherine, Sophia is already on her way. You can't do it. You know that."
"You're right…" Catherine said, sadly, also taking a few steps away from them all.
"Why don't I take you home?" Brass asked her, "so you can see Lindsey?"
"You haven't been home yet?" Sara asked incredulously.
"No. I just wanted…needed to make sure…"
"Point taken. Go home, Cath. You promised, remember?" Sara asked.
"Yes, I remember. I'll give her a big hug…" Catherine tried to finish, but was so overwhelmed with emotions. It was hard not to touch her, to hug her. She bit her lip in frustration.
"I'm fine. Really. I'll be out of the hospital before you know it."
"I'll come see you."
"I know you will. Go home. Get some rest. All of you-" Sara said, looking directly at Grissom.
"I'm going with you. Sophia can process, but I'm not leaving."
"Grissom-"
"Sara, this is not a debate. I'm going whether you want me to or not, " he said roughly. Too roughly.
Sara was in tears. He didn't mean to make her cry.
"Sara-"
"It's not you, Gil. I just-"
'Gil?' Grissom thought, 'she chooses now to call me by my first name!'
"Honey, Sophia will get your clothes and process before you leave here. You have to go to the hospital. Your shoulder-"
"Could be a lot worst. I'm fine. I'm used to the pain by now. I bet I'll need surgery, though, to remove the bullet. I tried to-"
"Please don't tell us now," Nick said squeamishly. This wasn't some case. It was Sara. He was sick to his stomach as soon as he saw her exit the building.
"Now's no time to become a coward, Nicky," she said playfully.
"Nor is it the time to make jokes," he quipped back to her.
"Alright, alright. Let's just get this over with."
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