Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 3
August 29, 2005
Grissom's Tahoe
12:13 a.m.
Stuck in traffic resulting from a car accident in the intersection, Grissom sat in his truck waiting impatiently for Catherine to answer her phone.
"I'm on the other line with Warrick," Catherine heatedly answered. "What the hell...first the greeting card and now this with Nick and Carrie? And he's telling me you think there could be a connection to Rodgers."
"I'm positive the card is his doing. As far as the attack…we have nothing to support that, but it's very early in the ballgame." Stepping out of his Tahoe Gil flagged down a cop. "Hang up with Warrick and I'll tell you your assignment."
"I'll have to make arrangements for someone to stay with Lindsay. Give me a sec…"
"Officer!" Gil flashed his ID. "I need to get through ASAP."
Desert Springs Hospital
12:21 a.m.
Under the bright lights of the ER, Nick saw the dead man's handprints on Carrie's throat for the first time. The shock wearing off, his gut twisted as he realized what might have been. Sitting on the edge of the ER bed he stared at her as she stood before him still trembling. "I'm really sorry." Reaching out he placed his shaky hands on her shoulders. "If I didn't run out…if I had called like I said I would…this is all my fault. You could have been…" The words were blocked by the lump forming in his throat.
"Don't go there," Carrie whispered while stroking his cheek. "You know I hate the 'what if' game. Life doesn't work that way. One event leads to another and leads to the next, you can't take one action back without changing everything good along with the bad. How far are you going to go back? Are you going to blame the person who gave Dana the chickenpox so she couldn't babysit you that night because really, isn't it their fault that Shelly was there to abuse you? And if she wasn't there, then you wouldn't have gotten upset tonight about what she did to you and left to play basketball and then I wouldn't have looked for you and none of this trauma would have happened. Do you see what I'm saying? The 'what if' game is a waste of time and you waste way too much time playing it."
In theory he knew she was right. "I just…" Clamping his lips tight he fought to hold it together.
"Just is a bad word too." She smiled warmly, knowing he was beating himself up over what happened. "If your parents had just controlled themselves andnot made love that seventh time, you wouldn't have been born and none of this would have happened." Her smile widened as she fronted, "Unless of course you still believe the stork theory?"
He pulled her against his chest. "You were so strong. I saw you throw that book at him…it was the perfect distraction. I don't know how successful I would have been if you hadn't stunned him first. I'm so proud of you, Sweetheart."
"I was fighting for us, Nicky." Knowing that he could have died, she savored the feel of his warm flesh against her cheek. "This morning when we were talking about Mike Rodgers and Nigel you promised me you'd fight to your last breath to stay here with me. I was doing the same for you." When she reconnected with his loving gaze her building tears spilled. "When I thought you were dying…I remembered telling you this morning how much I loved you…" A jagged inhale cut off her words.
Cupping her face Nick replied in a choppy whisper, "I remembered that too and the thought of losing…" The sight of her tears sliding over her bruises pushed him over the edge. "I was so scared."
"Me too."
They let their emotions ride, hoping to purge all the drama before their concerned friends showed up. Their embrace tightened as their fears and declarations flowed and then, minutes later, when their lips met in a tender kiss, their fright finally subsided.
"I feel better," Carrie stated while grabbing a box of tissues from the bedside table. "Do you feel better?"
"Yeah…" Drying his tears with the bed sheet, Nick forced some humor. "I'm getting really good at being a girl."
Carrie laughed into her wad of tissues.
"I'm not kidding…" Shaking his head he admitted, "I know I'm overly sensitive for a guy...I blame my five sisters for that by the way."
"Of course."
"But jeeeeeez, I've done more emoting this week than I did in my 20s, all ten years combined." Grinning, he grabbed the box she was holding out. "I blame you and your," he mimicked her voice, "ooze some vulnerability for me, Nicky. Be careful what you wish for, Darlin'…if I keep this up, we'll both be wearing gowns at the wedding." Seeing her smile he kept joking. "I'm really jonesin' for some chocolate. Do you think I'm getting my first period?"
Jim's voice resonated through the curtain. "Is that you giggling uncontrollably, Ms. Blake? Can you believe this, Sara? They're going for it in the ER while Stokes has a gunshot wound. Shocking! Will nothing stop these two rabbits?"
"That has to be Jim Brass," Carrie said while walking over to the curtain. "We heard laughter is the best medicine and were trying it out." When she pulled it back, she saw Sara and Warrick too. "Thanks for getting here so quickly."
Sara nervously said, "Judy didn't have any details about you." The bruising on Carrie's neck looked eerily similar to ones she had seen on her mother and for a moment she was lost in a bad memory. "Uh…since you were laughing just now I assume…"
"Just some contusions…I'm fine." She hugged her tense friend while Warrick and Jim proceeded to the bed.
"So…" Warrick moved his gaze from Nick's red eyes and stared at the bandages wrapped around his upper arm. "…third time wasn't so charming, huh, Slick?" He knew Nick had a gun pulled on him twice before.
"Luckily he was bad shot," Nick answered. "At five feet it should have been a lot worse. I think he was high on something."
"I'll let you know as soon as we get a Tox report." Jim peeked underneath the temporary bandaging. "How bad is the pain?"
"Are you kidding?" He puffed up. "Hell…after playing football for years, pain doesn't faze me."
"They gave him a local to numb it," Carrie announced while returning to Nick's side. "Isn't that right, Tough Guy?"
"Speaking of being a tough guy…" Brass turned serious. "Did you keep cool out there, Nicky? Or is this gunshot the result of…"
"He couldn't have been calmer," Carrie answered in defense of her man. "He stayed calm, I stayed calm, and in the end…we both thought our way out of the situation."
"I seriously thought the guy just wanted her keys and ring," Nick explained. "I didn't make a move until he grabbed her." He saw Carrie stare at her barren left ring finger. "Don't worry, I'm sure the top-notch CSIs working the scene will find it."
"But will they hock it?" Warrick teased.
The doctor breezed in. "You attract quite a crowd, Mr. Stokes." Extending his hand the silver-haired man said, "I'm Doctor Garner."
Nick shook his hand. "Nice to meet ya."
After snapping on a pair of gloves the doctor removed the bandage.
"Oh." Sara gasped when she saw the bloodied and torn flesh of Nick's upper arm. "I didn't expect it to look that bad. You can see the bone."
As the doctor poked the gaping wound he explained, "As I'm sure you're aware, with gunshot wounds of this nature the most serious complication is infection. The odds are greater with bone damage. It appears the bone was clipped slightly, not enough for a fracture. We'll clean it out, stitch you up, give you a course of IV antibiotics here and then send you home with a prescription. You'll be good as new in no time."
Watching the blood ooze over the doctor's gloves, Sara felt her head swimming. "I…oh god…" Pushing Warrick aside she leaned over the trash can and hurled.
"Morning sickness?" Jim asked in surprise.
"Oh no…" Nick knew what would be coming from his weak-stomached future wife. "Sweetheart…"
With her hand clamped over her mouth Carrie raced out of the exam area.
"Girls." Nick shrugged. "They cry a lot too. And worry too much." Hearing Carrie gagging in the hall he asked in worrisome tone, "Can one of you go check on her for me?"
Stevenson Park
12:35 a.m.
"What took you so long?" Sofia asked when she saw Grissom finally stepping under the crime tape.
"There was a car accident blocking the road." Setting down his kit he surveyed the area. "Brief me."
"Yes, Master." She pointed south. "They were surprised by the now deceased Mr. Montana over there…ten yards from basketball court one. There's blood spatter on the grass from Nick's gunshot wound and drag marks from Carrie resisting."
Grissom nodded. "Go on."
"The rest of the activity played out here." She pointed to the Jetta. "At the car and then here obviously." She pointed to the DB. "Pete finished the photos and we're ready to bag and tag."
"Do we know how the assailant entered the park?"
"Not yet." Walking towards the deceased she said, "But he's wearing worn out shoes and was trying to steal a car so my guess is he walked in. Once we're done processing here we'll fan out and find how he entered."
Setting down his kit Grissom said, "Bag every piece of trash you find in this park and bring in all the garbage cans." He walked over to the body. "Nice shot."
"A kill shot for sure."
"He wasn't taking any chances."
Sofia sighed, "I would have done the same."
Kneeling down Grissom asked, "With Nick on a mandated mental health break while this happened will there be a probe?"
"Only if it's recommended based on the evidence. What…are you worried Nick went nuts because this guy looked at Carrie the wrong way?" She knelt beside him and brandished a pair of tweezers. With them she carefully extracted Carrie's engagement ring from the dirt next to the dead man's hip. "I'll make a prediction that says the evidence supports justifiable homicide. Does that alleviate your concerns?" She dropped the ring in a small plastic bag.
"One of them." Standing up he remarked, "Make sure the ring gets top priority processing at the lab and then release it to its owner. I'm sure the giver of the ring will feel much better once he sees it back on his fiancée's finger."
"Where are you going?" she asked as he grabbed his kit and hurried off.
"I'm meeting Catherine at Mr. Montana's domicile. I've asked her to leave no stone unturned there and I suspect she'll be happier if I'm helping her lift a few."
Glen Montana's Trailer Home
12:39 a.m.
Standing in the cluttered living room of the mobile home, Catherine couldn't fathom how long it would take to sift through all the junk. "Uh…" She glanced over at the battered girl holding an inconsolable infant. "How old are you?"
"Nineteen."
She thought she looked sixteen tops. "How long have you lived here with Mr. Montana?"
"It's my trailer…it used to belong to my parents. He lives here with me. He's been here since he got out of prison a year ago." Frustrated by her wailing two month old and the intruding police, Jessica Hanson barked, "Are you ever gonna tell me what that son of a bitch did? You know what…I don't care. Just tell him I hope his ass rots in jail twice as long this time."
Catherine planted her hands on her hips. "Oh, he'll be rotting…but not in jail. He's dead."
Clutching her baby the girl coolly replied, "Best news I heard all year."
"Yeah…" Catherine nodded as she stared at the collection of hardcore porn magazines and videos amassed in one corner of the room. "I can believe that." Scratching her head she sighed, "We're going to be here a while so get whatever you need for the baby and find another place to hang out."
As she walked into the bedroom Jessica shouted over the baby's cry, "The crystal meth on the kitchen table isn't mine."
"Good to know." Catherine snapped on a pair of gloves.
Jas appeared in the doorway of the trailer and immediately saw Catherine. "I guess I'm in the right place."
"Did the Master summon you here?"
"Yep." She placed her kit next to Catherine's and checked out the pigsty. "Whoa. My mom gets pissed if my dad leaves his shoes in the middle of the room." Her eyes landed on the framed Nazi flag on the wall. "They say you can tell a lot about a person by their choice of artwork."
Jessica returned with the sobbing baby in one arm and a diaper bag stuffed with a carton of cigarettes in the other. "I'll be at my neighbor's," she snapped while marching out the front door. "The guns under the dresser are't mine."
Catherine watched Jas's jaw drop. "I can hardly wait to see what he kept hidden under the bed if his porn, guns and meth are out in the open."
"Ooh…" Jas grabbed a pair of gloves. "Can I look with you?"
"Get your camera."
Desert Springs Hospital
12:51 a.m.
A nurse escorted Carrie and Sara to curtain seven. "You can use this one. Just let me know when you're done."
"Thank you," Sara replied as she checked her camera. "We'll only be a few minutes." When she turned, Sara saw Carrie already sitting on the bed. "Uh…okay, I'll need you to take off your shirt."
"Right." Carrie tugged the blue polo over her head and held it tight.
"How big was this guy?" she asked while eyeing the large bruise around Carrie's neck.
"Well over six feet." When Sara snapped the first photo Carrie jumped. "Sorry." She held up her hand. "I um…need a minute. This is a little freaky because it's…uh…familiar."
"Caroline…"
As the caseworker approached the hospital bed Carrie clutched the teddy bear she had been given by the police officer earlier a little tighter. "Yes."
"This is Nurse Flores. She's here to do the examination and take some pictures like I told you about. I promise it won't hurt."
A hot tear slipped down her cheek. "That's what he said."
"Here…" Sara handed over the paper cup of ice water she retrieved from the cooler in the hall outside the curtain.
"Thanks." She gulped the contents then nodded. "Okay…take the pictures."
"I'll be quick." She grabbed the ruler from her back pocket. "How about some small talk to take your mind off what we're doing?" She snapped the first one. "Tell me about your road trip. What shoes did you wear?"
Carrie's lips finally tipped into a smile. "Red cowboy boots…brown cowboy boots…hiking boots…my Keds …and those black sandals with the ribbon ties I bought when we were out shopping last month."
"I bet Nick liked those sandals…they're so flirty girly…only a lace man from Texas would like 'em on his gal." Sara positioned Carrie's head and took another shot.
"He did!" She laughed at the memory. "Speaking of lace. I bumped into Catherine before I left town and she told me she saw you buying a French Maid costume. "
"Oui." Seeing a bruise on Carrie's left arm Sara positioned it for a photo. "Monsieur Grissom l'a aimé beaucoup."
"Quel était votre nom français?"
"Mimi." Sara cracked up as she recalled the scene. "Did you play Indian Princess with Nick?"
"Catherine told you about that!" She instantly realized the answer would be of course.
"Of course." After Sara snapped the last photo she handed Carrie her shirt. "She was even brainstorming role play scenarios with Tawny for you and Nick. You'll be happy to know I abstained from planning out your sex life."
"I'm sure those two came up with more than Nicky and I could ever imagine. I did put the Indian Princess costume on as a joke though, and we took silly pictures of me tied to tree to show Catherine we could role play with the best of them." While putting on her shirt she admitted, "Sister rule in effect…Nick and I stink at big production role play." Straightening her shirt she beamed. "But who cares…when we're so good at being us."
"Come on." Sara pulled back the curtain. "I'm sure he's missing you."
Behind curtain two, now that Nick was stitched up and lying in bed getting his IV antibiotics, Brass began probing. "Was there anything the guy did or said that would lead you to believe this wasn't a random act of violence?"
Nick bristled. "Why would you…"
Warrick interjected, "With Carrie having those death threats made against her in Seattle it got us wondering."
"Oh." He nodded. "Yeah…that makes sense. Sorry, I'm still a little dazed I guess." He pondered the question for a minute. "No, I can't think of anything. The bastard was only focused on taking what we had…" He winced. "…including Carrie's body. He never used our names or made reference to anything about us. No…I'm sure he was just your run of the mill vicious scumbag."
Glen Montana's Trailer Home
1:05 a.m.
"What a scumbag," Catherine groaned as she sifted through a shoebox which included horrific photos of women in violent and vile situations. "Nicky should earn a merit badge for taking this guy out." She returned the lid to the box. "I'm rather certain they'll test positive for fluids."
Jas shivered as she bagged the box. "Child Protective Services is coming, right?"
"Oh yeah." Standing up she called out, "Grissom!"
"Yes?" He entered the bedroom.
"For a registered sex offender on parole this guy wasn't very smart about what he kept around the house."
"Or he wasn't very worried that anyone would be checking."
Catherine cocked her head. "What? You think his parole officer is in on the conspiracy theory building in your head?"
"I don't have a theory, Catherine," Grissom snapped. "I'm just being thorough." He pointed at Jas. "Find out who his parole officer is and see how well he's been doing his job." With that he slipped back into the living room.
"Yes, Sir." Standing up she nodded. "Right away."
Catherine whirled around. "That's going a little overboard, Jazzy. Is Nick making you do that authoritative kiss-ass bullshit.?"
"No…" She smiled. "It's a programmed cultural response out of respect. My grandfather in Bombay is only five years older than Dr. Grissom."
"Ugh…that means I'm old enough to be your mother."
"Technically."
"You heard Dr. Grissom!" Catherine snipped. "Make that phone call!"
"Yes, Ma'am." Jas couldn't hold in the laughter.
"Have you smelled the odor wafting out of there?" She pointed to the bathroom. "I predict some really shitty stuff coming your way, Whippersnapper."
The Townhouse
2:17 a.m.
After waking up to use the bathroom, Tawny realized she was starving. A moment later she remembered Wendy had packed her a shopping bag full of leftovers and so, she made a beeline for the fridge. "Hmm." She began debating whether it was salt or sugar she was craving.
A few minutes later she settled down in front of the computer with a giant slice of wedding cake and a glass of milk, ready to tackle some schoolwork. Although she was far ahead of the scheduled assignments in Algebra, she had been avoiding English 101.
When the screen saver, a twisting and bouncing double helix, was replaced by the AOL screen, Tawny noted that Greg had been the last to use the computer. Just as she was about to log him out she noticed the mailbox flag was up and wondered if he had made any more secret interview appointments.
But she knew it was terribly wrong to click the READ icon and invade his privacy.
Five minutes later when she finally gave in and clicked the READ icon she breathed a sigh of relief. There was nothing duplicitous sounding about any of the e-mail addresses or subject lines. Feeling horribly guilty she closed the mailbox.
Then she saw the Buddy List icon and curiosity tweaked her again, as she wondered how many buddies Greg had on his list. A quick click to the Setup button provided the answer.
Buddy List
Buddies:
RobSchwaPA
LegallyBeccaT
Family:
Mom2GHS
Co-Workers:
VegasStokes
SSvegasCSI
They were all obvious: the first two names were from high school: his best buddy, Robbie Schwartz and the infamous Becca Turnbull. The third was his mother and the last two were Nick and Sara. It was another bit of insight into Greg's personal life and once again Tawny felt good that he was no longer the lonely guy he used to be.
Just as she was about to log out of Greg's account, the sound of a door creaking open startled her. She instinctively turned toward the hall but soon realized it was a cyber door opening, not a real one. The Instant Messenger chime rang out and before her eyes she saw the name LegallyBeccaT on the screen.
Hoj! OMG! You haven't caught you online since July.
This is the best surprise!
Your mom told me you're coming out for Labor Day.
I really need your shoulder, Hojie!
Only you can take away the pain.
My divorce is final. Peter was such an ass.
You always said he wasn't right for me.
I should have listened to you, Hoj.
In hindsight I would do so many things differently.
If I could do everything all over again…
I can't believe I'm going to say/write this!
I would have told you how I really feel about you.
I love you, Hoj.
"Holy shit!" With her hands cupped over her mouth Tawny stared wide-eyed at the IM box on the screen.
I can't believe I hit send! Shit! Shit! Shit!
I should mention I drank a dozen Cosmos tonight.
Well not a dozen but more than I should have.
I just got home and I'm tanked.
I mean seriously plastered. That's why I said...
"She's retracting!" Tawny's felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank god."
Wait…that's such a cop out.
I mean I really drank the Cosmos but, I'm only
telling you in case I'm making a fool of myself.
You know…in case you don't like me anymore
Or, if you're not into women at the moment.
Honestly, I don't care about the sex.
I want your love.
I need your arms around me.
I need to hear the things you always used to say…
Becs, he didn't deserve you.
You're so special.
You'll always be my number one girl.
"No!" Tawny grimaced at the screen. "You're too late, that's my job now."
Wow! Talk about vodka induced honesty.
I need you Hoj. I can't stop thinking about you…us.
I want to play Boggle. I want to talk all night.
I want to get lost in your soulful brown eyes.
I want to snuggle on the couch and watch TV.
God, I haven't been snuggled in years.
I asked your mom last week what you were up to.
She told me you were doing great at work.
When I asked her if you were seeing anyone she giggled.
I wanted to find out more but I got called away.
So, what are you thinking after all my drunken babbling?
Can we make it work, you and me?
I know we have the friendship part down.
I think we'll know about the rest after one kiss.
Now please say something before I explode.
"Oh my God!" she screamed into her hands. "What do I do!" In a panic to stall she typed, I'm speechless.
You! Gregory Hojem Sanders! Speechless! OMG!
Now I know for sure you feel the same way I do!
"What! No!" Her fingers raced through her hair as her breath quickened. "That's not what I meant!"
I'm logging off so this perfect moment isn't ruined.
I can't wait to see you at the club this week!
It's our time, Hoj. I know it. Here's to the future…
Becca
The sound of the cyber door slamming sent Tawny into a full blown panic. Greg's original dream girl was finally madly in love with him. Tawny had seen enough movies about the power of first love to know it was a formidable enemy. "Why now!"
"Why what now?" Greg asked as he padded across the room rubbing his eyes.
Needing more time to think things through, Tawny flipped from AOL to Word. "An extra homework assignment. It's bad timing with the trip to California. Uh…maybe we shouldn't go."
"What!" He slapped the side of his head. "I can't possibly be awake, because all day you were bursting at the seams to go to California. You even made me call my mom and tell her Wednesday instead of Thursday."
"Kidding!" She gave a nervous laugh. "I'm just getting cold feet about the whole country club thing. Maybe we could just skip that part."
"My parents would be really bummed," he explained. "Labor Day weekend is the club's big deal." Kneeling in front of her he flashed a supportive smile. "Sweetie, you have nothing to worry about there. Yeah, there are some snoots, but most of the people are cool. I'm really looking forward to us hanging out with Robbie and his wife. Which reminds me…I need to send him an e-mail."
"No." She blocked him from the keyboard. "I'm really embarrassed about my paper and I don't want you to see it."
"Why didn't you ask for help?"
"Greg…" Tears started to pool in her eyes. "I really just need a little more time to think through what I want to say before you…."
"Damn…I'm really sorry." Feeling like an idiot, he enveloped her in his arms. "I know it's a real sensitive area for you and I shouldn't have pushed." He knew she felt intimidated by his academic credentials.
Hearing him apologize made her feel twice as bad.
"I really don't deserve you, Tawny," he humbly admitted. "You're such a special person."
She tensed upon hearing the words Becca had written in the IM…the words she said he always said to her. It prompted her to get confirmation on the third one he used to say. "Am I your number one girl, Greg?"
"No."
Clamping her eyes shut, tears shot out the corners.
"You're the only girl for me. Saying you're number one implies there are others."
"Oh." She forced a chuckle and quickly wiped the tears. "Old habits…insecurity being my worst." Placing her palm on his cheek she said, "Would you boil some water for green tea?"
"I'm on it!" he energetically replied after pecking her lips.
Once he was in the kitchen she flipped back to AOL copied the chat and pasted it into a Word document. Before they went to the Country Club for the first time, she'd explain what had happened and show him Becca's amorous declaration. Then she would wait and see if the magical pull of first love would be stronger than a love which began out of obligation and responsibility.
Crime Lab
3:10 a.m.
At the security desk, Jim signed in Nick and Carrie. "I feel so popular, you're my second and third guests tonight."
Clipping the visitor badge on his shorts Nick remarked, "I need to pop into the locker room, grab a shirt and get a fresh one for Carrie." He was shirtless, and hers not only had his blood on it, but the memory of her assaulter touching it.
"Hey, Stokes!" Vartann greeted as he saw his co-worker approach. "You're not supposed to be back for another week. Did you find your marbles sooner than expected? Since you forgot to put on a shirt, my guess is no."
Jim quipped, "Don't give him shit in front of his fiancée. She'll kick your ass."
"Are you kidding? I'm already afraid of Blake," Vartann chuckled. "She's an animal in the courtroom." He nodded at her. "How are you, Carrie?"
"Oh…I've had better nights."
Now that they were standing in front of him Vartann noticed Carrie's bruises and Nick's bandage. "What the hell happened?"
"Carrie and I usually deal with the criminal element after they've committed their crimes, but tonight in the park, we were unfortunate enough to be on the front lines. Robbery…" Nick pulled his fiancée close as they walked down the hall. "Attempted rape and attempted murder. I shot him dead. We're fine."
"No shit." Vartann glanced over at Brass. "I just got here. Well at least he's dead and it's over." He winked at Carrie, "Looks like your fiancé saved your office some work and the taxpayers a little money."
Carrie gulped, recalling the assailant's hands in the air and then the sound of the gunshot seconds later. "The justice system is always the preferred means of punishment."
"Yeah, yeah, okay," Vartann waved as he started walking. "Let me know if you need anything expedited on my side." A few seconds later he paused, "Hey, Carrie!" Walking quickly he rejoined them. "Are you sure this was a random act of violence?"
Upon hearing the question for the second time that night Nick anxiously probed, "What made you ask that?"
"State vs. Rendido."
"Which is?" Nick felt three steps behind.
"You didn't tell him?" Vartann shot Carrie a look.
"I uh…must have forgotten."
Jim leaned against the wall waiting for the story.
"Carrie got a conviction on this bastard, Rendido, a real sweetheart who beat a little old lady to death for her social security money. Anyway, his sentencing was last week." Vartann stood in front of Nick and filled in the blanks. "When Rendido's brother saw her outside the courthouse he went ballistic. Started shouting shit, even called her that 'c word' guys never say in front of a lady. We hauled him in but he didn't have any priors and since he was on the street, not in the courtroom, he only got Disturbing the Peace. I don't know…it just popped in my head as a possibility because Rendido rolled with a crew."
Carrie felt the weight of Nick's glare. "You don't tell me about every whackjob who says something nasty to you while you're at work. Let's not go all double-standard, Nicky."
Nick handled it by looking at Vartann and saying, "Thanks for telling me what my future wife, the woman who always stresses we need to be completely open and honest with each other, should have told me. Is there any other pertinent information I should know, Vartann?"
"Yeah…" Shaking his head he sighed. "This is exactly why I'm getting divorced…head games and power plays. Women want you to be there for them when they need you, but if you get too into it they say you're controlling and play the equal rights card." He snipped at Carrie, "I bet you were glad Nick went Alpha tonight when he saved you from getting assaulted. You can't have it both ways, Baby…do you want your man protecting you or not?" Walking away he sighed, "Women…they're so friggin' confusing."
Jim laughed into the hand he had over his mouth.
"For the record, Vartann…" Nick cracked a smile. "She was saving me. I just got to pull the trigger at the end and look like the hero."
From down the hall Vartann belly laughed. "For the record, Stokes…you're gonna make a great wife."
Jim tossed his arm around Carrie's shoulders and started walking her down the hall. "Nick, grab what you need from the locker room while I escort your fiancée to your office."
"Uh oh," Carrie remarked. "I feel a lecture coming on."
"I prefer to think of it as a Mars to Venus chat, Missy." In her ear he counseled, "It was totally uncool for your man to find about that from Vartann. No guy wants another guy to know more about his woman than him, especially something important like a threat."
"He didn't threaten me," she exasperatedly replied. "He cursed me out because he was pissed. It's only a big deal because I'm a woman. If I was a guy who got cursed out and I yelled back, 'F off, asshole' that would be the end of it. It's part of my job. I don't dwell on it." Glancing over her shoulder she confessed, "Because of my abuse baggage, Nick would dwell on it…that's why I don't tell him when it happens."
"I admire your strength, I really do. I hope when Ellie gets back from rehab you can mentor her but do your man a favor, Venus…" When they reached Nick's office Brass unlocked it with his master key. "If something happens in front of cops, don't keep it from him."
"Thanks for the advice, Mars," Smiling, she walked in and took a seat at the desk. "I'm going to check my voicemail."
After winking he announced, "I'm going to check my lab and make the underlings shake in their shoes."
Trace
3:21 a.m.
"Kona Diamond coffee…," Hodges reported to Grissom and Sofia while holding up a report file. "Black. That's what was used to seal the envelope. It's your favorite, isn't it?"
Snatching the report Grissom couldn't believe the lengths Rodgers went to and wondered if Sara had mentioned Kona Diamond at some point during the thankfully short time she knew Rodgers. It was clear to Gil that Mike was up to his usual mind games. In Tahoe last year he tried to convince him that Sara, desperate for attention, gave herself GHB. Now, he was attempting to make it appear that Gil sent the card to frame him. No doubt it was a very tiny part of a grander plan. "Hodges could you…"
"Stokes!" When she saw Nick hustling by, Sofia abruptly rushed for the door. There, standing in the open doorway she waited for him to double back. "Here…" She handed him a small piece of paper. "That's the file number for Carrie's ring. I designated that you would be picking it up from Property."
"Excellent, thanks." He reached for the paper.
"Is she okay?" Sofia shivered at the thought of a woman with Carrie's background being the victim of attempted rape.
"Just shaken up." He shivered, still reeling from the terrifying almost-tragedy. "Thanks for asking."
Grissom joined them at the door and spoke somberly. "Sara called and gave me an update. How's the arm?"
"I'll be fine." Glancing over at the newly married Hodges he said, "I hear congratulations are in order, Goose."
"Yes! Congratulations, Nick," Hodges replied. "It's not everyday a supervisor gets the best Trace guy on his shift."
"Or the best CSI," Sofia added while flipping her hair off her shoulder. "Will one of you make sure that Catherine knows I said that?"
Glen Montana's Trailer Home
3:39 a.m.
Warrick and Sara had been helping Catherine and Jas for an hour when a Child Protective Services representative stepped inside the trailer home.
"Stef Albright, CPS." She flashed her ID. "Whatcha got?"
On edge, Sara snapped, "Guns, drugs and child porn but what concerns me most are these…" She grabbed an evidence envelope. "Naked baby pictures of his infant…he was scanning them into the computer to share with friends. How the hell could this baby be living here with a registered sex offender who was violating his parole six different ways! You should have been here…"
"Hey!" Stef barked back. "For the same reason there are still crimes happening twenty-four hours a day in this city even though there are cops. The bad guys outnumber us and there are only so many hours in the god damn day!"
"Warrick!" Catherine didn't need to say anymore.
Taking Sara's arm he said, "It's a nice night for a walk."
"Catherine Willows, Lead CSI." She smiled at the overworked and underpaid social worker. "We all have our triggers. This is hers. I apologize for the outburst. I know you guys are just as overwhelmed as we are."
Outside the trailer, Warrick let Sara pace out her tension. "I think I should take you back to the lab."
Pointing at the trailer she yelled, "How can that not make you sick!"
"It does, Sara," he calmly assured her. "It all does, but I don't let my emotions show at the scene."
"You're my CSI hero, Warrick." Shaking she said, "I can't wait to tell Nick thank you on that baby's behalf. He's a hero too."
Just then Jessica Hanson, the baby's mother, came barreling toward the police tape. "Where is that red-headed bitch! They took my baby! Where is she! I'll friggin' rip her head off!"
"Hey!" Warrick grabbed the girl as she dashed under the tape. "You can't cross the tape. Where the hell are the officers on the scene!" As he pinned the girl in his arms Warrick yelled, "I said…I want backup over here now!"
The two officers finally emerged from their car.
Warrick handed over the kicking and screaming girl to one of the officers. "She crossed the tape and threatened to harm the investigators processing the scene." Then he blasted, "You don't sit in the car, you stand at the tape and you guard the door. We count on you to cover our asses. If I wasn't out here she could have been inside jumping CSI Willows. I have enough work to do; I don't need to be doing your job too!"
"Sorry," Officer Hitchcock replied, knowing he was in deep shit.
Warrick poked his finger right at the man's badge number. "You can bet I'm reporting this."
As they headed back inside the trailer Sara smiled, "Great job hiding your emotion there, Warrick."
"I knew that was coming." He lowered his head laughing.
"Don't worry, you're still my hero." She gave a light laugh. "Because I really liked how, even in the heat of the moment, you referenced Cath as CSI Willows rather than the woman I love…made it all seem very professional and unbiased."
"Shut up," he said while laughing at himself.
Crime Lab
3:51 a.m.
"Don't move," Nick instructed as he entered the room and approached Carrie, who was alone in his office sitting in his desk chair. "I have something for you." Standing in front of her he opened his palm, showing her the ring.
"It looks better than when I lost it."
"Sofia polished it when she was done processing."
As she watched the princess-cut diamond sparkle, a chill ran through her and she unwillingly recalled how close they both were to never seeing their wedding day. "Please put it on," she urged, anxious to feel the symbolic bond once more.
Glad to oblige, he dropped to one knee and took her hand. "This is the third time I'm doing this."
"They say the third time's a charm." Bursting into a smile she said, "But for the record, I thought the other times were pretty charming too."
Gently he slipped the diamond on her ring finger and brought her hand to his lips, first grazing a kiss then heartfelt words. "Every time I place that ring on your finger, something has happened to make me love you twice as much as the time before."
Reaching out she caressed his cheek. "I feel the same way."
In the hallway outside the glass walled office Grissom, Brass and Sofia stood watching the loving moment.
Checking his watch Brass suggested, "Let's give the lovebirds another five minutes before we drop the bomb about the greeting card and send Nick over the edge."
"I had no idea you were such a romantic, Jim." Sofia teased as they walked away, "Does your dominatrix girlfriend appreciate that?"
"Only on her submissive days."
"I also want to review their police statements with them," Sofia stated, returning to business as usual.
Grissom, already on edge, stood alone outside Nick's office recalling the words Mike Rodgers had privately spoken to him during his visit to Ely State Prison after the trial. Gil, don't look so smug. You won a round, not the battle.
After breaking off the kiss Nick sheepishly whispered, "What am I thinking? My office doesn't have walls, it has windows. We need to save the celebrating for home, Sweetheart." Glancing toward the door he saw Grissom standing in front of the window wearing a dire expression. A moment later Nick's radiant smile faded and he said what his gut told him, "Somethin's wrong."
Author's Notes:
Lots of casefile details in this chapter as they try to determine if the attack on Nick and Carrie was random or Mike's doing and a new development in the Greg and Tawny story. I hope you found it intriguing.
In the next chapter (posting Thursday 8/25)…more casefile, Nick returns home with Carrie, Greg analyzes a portion of his dream with Dr. Myers, and Grissom tells Sara his next step.
Hopefully the series title is starting to make more sense as the Laws of Motion are happening. A few examples:
Things at rest stay at rest unless force is applied…Jillian's peace of mind until Nick told his story, Sara's comfort until Mike sent the card, Tawny's security until Becca IM'd.
External forces cause changes in velocity…Nick's mom saying the wrong things triggered Nick to tell her his secret sooner and differently than planned, Mike making a move will prompt Grissom to make some progress in another area, Becca's IM will accelerate Tawny and Greg's examination of their relationship.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction…Carrie worrying that Nick shot Glen Montana while his hands were up will influence a decision, Mike plays with Grissom then Grissom reacts and makes decisions and on it goes...
Things are just being set in motion…look for connections but the obvious ones won't always be the important ones. Don't assume the obvious thing will happen but when it doesn't, don't assume there won't be other ramifications down the line because…it's all about the motion.
Thanks for reading! And thanks Misty J for reviewing the last chapter.
Maggs