Laws of Motion – Book 1
Written by: Ms Maggs / Edited by: KJT
Chapter 5
August 29, 2005
Ely State Prison
8:26 a.m.
Now that the guard had Rodgers shackled to the chair, which was already bolted into the floor, Gil said, "You can leave us."
"I'll call you if I need help, Stanley," Mike informed the guard. "Although I really can't imagine Gil doing something worse to me than putting me behind bars when I'm innocent." He drilled his gaze into his adversary's while the guard walked through the door shutting it loudly. "I haven't gotten over that yet…but I'm working diligently with Reverend Hawkins to forgive you."
"Good luck with that," Gil calmly retorted.
"So how do I look…aside from being bigger and stronger than ever?" He smiled as he nodded. "Yeah, I know my hair is different…the dashes of grey. I'm not dying it in here because I'm not looking for a date." Cracking a wider grin he said, "I bet Sara would find it attractive because we both know she likes older guys. Speaking of which…you're looking a little greyer yourself. Is the missus stressing you out?"
Gil chose not to reply and let Rodgers keep talking.
"I see you dropped a few pounds. Did she put you on a diet?" Chuckling he said, "Sara…she has to be a pill to live with. If ever a girl needed a therapist…" His voice morphed to concern. "Do you think it's healthy for such an unstable, fragile woman to have a baby? Hey…how'd an impotent guy like you pull that off, anyway? Assuming the baby is yours." Mike shook his head. "Did you go the sperm bank route? Or did Nicky do the honors for ya? I'm sure Sara would have preferred Warrick Brown, but that would have been a little too obvious when the kid popped out, huh?"
The goal was to have Rodgers talk as much as possible and he wasn't disappointing.
"Just kidding. Because of her freaky obsession with you, I know Sara wouldn't settle for anything less than your seed. And with Viagra I bet you even got to fertilize her the natural way." He narrowed his gaze. "Tell me…after all those years of screwing with her head, how did it feel to finally just screw her?"
For Gil it was a harsh reminder of his often manipulative past with Sara.
"C'mon, man…you come all this way to see me and you're not gonna talk? What the hell is that?" He shrugged as much as his shackles would allow. "I'm certain you're taping this without my consent so you can replay our chat for your own listening pleasure. I say it's for your own pleasure since you couldn't possibly have grounds to get permission and the tape would be inadmissible in court. You won't take it public either because it would look bad for you to do something shady. Yeah…that kind of reputation bashing move would jeopardize all those convictions you helped win…even mine." He waited but Gil still didn't play along. "Seriously…I need some intellectual stimulation, I'm afraid I'm getting rusty around all these half-wits. So how about a little open and honest two way communication for a guy in need?"
"Okay." Gil placed his briefcase on the table and opened it. "Let's see how honest you are about this." He fanned out copies of the greeting card's interior, exterior and envelope on the metal table. "Thoughts?"
"Hmm…" Mike carefully reviewed each page and then remarked, "Hallmark…whoever sent it cared enough to send the very best. Or so the saying goes anyway. I know this because my dearly departed wife always checked the back of the cards I gave her to make sure they were Hallmark."
Gil pointed to the postmark.
"Oswego, New York…never been there. I don't care much for the East Coast."
"Got any friends there?"
"Nope." Easing into a grin he said, "But as I recall…and my memory may be a little rusty here because it was a long time ago…the Hatcher family had some relatives there. Samantha and Wendy's uncle? Maybe an aunt? Like I said, it was a while ago."
Gil smiled back. "Nice touch." Obviously he wanted to make it seem that Wendy was assisting him in trying to frame Mike.
"How are Wendy and her brood? She's got so many kids she probably wouldn't bat an eye if one disappeared." Mike lowered his head. "I shouldn't joke about something as serious as losing a child…especially not in front of a guy who is expecting his first. Sorry for being insensitive."
"I'd expect nothing less."
"Ouch." Mike returned his gaze. "Okay, let's cut to the chase. Is there something you want to ask me?"
"Did you send the card?"
"Doesn't look like my handwriting." He cackled. "Whoever sent it sure knows you well though. Knows about you loser move last year. That narrows it down. Who knew about that besides me? Sara…a few of your co-workers…hey…maybe Nicky sent it?"
Gil played along. "What makes you say that?"
"No, you're right. He's too busy playing monogamous man with his cute little fiancée, Carrie." Laughing hard he said, "My brother gave me a copy of their engagement announcement. I was quite surprised that Slick picked a pixie who obviously skipped puberty when he was used to banging babes, but then I had my brother Google Ms. Blake for me and it all made sense. Obviously, he couldn't bring one of his usual whores home to meet Mama. Yeah…Nicky was looking to settle down and up his respectability within the Stokes clan so he finds a girl who his law abiding family will love…a prosecutor and a good Christian girl. Surely that has to trump his big brother who married a vapid supermodel."
"I see you still like to do your research."
"Old habits are hard to break." Drifting to a solemn tone he sighed, "Such a shame what happened to Carrie as a kid, huh? Tragic. I bet she still has nightmares about that pervert taking advantage of her. Yeah…I bet her biggest fear is that something like that will happen to her again." He shivered. "Thankfully she has a strong Texan to protect her. Oh! That reminds me…would you tell my ol' pal Slick that I met an admirer of his in here… Nigel. The guy's a bit clingy." Laughing he added, "But he treats me like a rock star hoping I'll tell him something about Nick. On his birthday last week I gave him my copy of the engagement announcement…poor Nige…he wasn't too stoked. Ripped Carrie right out of the photo while he went on and on about her not being Nick's type because he likes red heads with big tits and long legs. He thinks Carrie brainwashed him or something. Gee…I sure hope he's not plotting some kind of twisted revenge from the inside…I've heard some guys do that type of thing."
"How have you been passing the time, Mike?" Gil settled back ready to hear the BS he knew was coming.
"I found Christ, which is hilarious because I thought he was dead, not missing." Mike burst out laughing. "Yeah…I've been exercising my right to practice Christianity. Hey, Gil…did you know that some of the scariest dudes in here make the best fundamentalist Christians?"
"And yet you chose to join their group. Why's that?"
"Hey…you gotta belong to something around here. If you don't go hard and get into the gang shit, you find religion. Since I'm a law abiding citizen, I of course turned to God. And you know me…I never do anything half-ass, so I even got a cross tattooed on my chest a few months back. It's a work of art. I'd show it to you but…" He rattled his chains. "You're nothing in the joint if you don't get a tat."
"Getting caught receiving or giving a tattoo in prison is a serious infraction." Gil removed his glasses. "Pretty risky choice because your holier than thou image would have been tainted if you were discovered in the act."
"Well, we both know I'm good at getting away with stuff."
"Until you were busted and sent here."
"This is a temporary setback and I'm okay with it." Leaning as far forward as he could Mike wiggled his brows and whispered, "You wanna know why I'm okay with it, Gil?"
Without blinking he replied, "Like you said…I came all this way"
Mike parted his lips to speak but laughed instead. "Are you kidding? I'm not gonna tell you…it would ruin the surprise and you know how much I dig pulling off a good surprise." Then he yelled, "Yo! Stanley! It's my Bible Study hour and I need to go!"
When the door opened and the guard entered, Mike solemnly said, "Peace be with you, Dr. Grissom and remember, even for a lapsed Catholic like you…it's never too late to start saying your prayers." After winking he mouthed for only Gil to see, never underestimate the power of prayer…or me.
Catherine's House
9:23 a.m.
Staring at the shopping bag her mother was holding Lindsay snipped, "Is this some sort of peace offering?"
"You'll know when you look inside." After setting it on the bed she leaned against the wall.
Pulling out the pile of khaki skirts and Butterfield Academy crested navy polo shirts, she knew the answer was no.
"I refuse to let my previous inadequate parenting be an excuse for either of us to not do a better job going forward." She stood her ground. "That's not to say I don't recognize that my past actions have influenced your behavior enough to give you a confusing outlook on life."
"Uh…yeah." Lindsay tossed the clothes on the bed. "You've ruined me."
"That's exactly why I signed us up for mother-daughter counseling." The horrified look on her daughter's face made her smile. "You can also have private sessions if you'd like. The therapist's name is Dr. Myers and she comes highly recommended."
"What!" Lindsay flew off the bed. "First you enroll me in a school for geeks and now I have to go to some nutjob shrink!"
"Gil and Sara both go to her and they are…"
"Nuts!" Lindsay filled in the blank. "Grissom plays with roaches and Sara kisses him!"
"Okay, okay…bad example." Catherine rubbed her temples. "Greg and Tawny both see her as well."
"If you left Greg out I might feel better." Lindsay returned to her bed and pouted. "As if it weren't bad enough that Ryan Blake will be telling everyone I'm a slut. Now my friends are going to find out I'm going to geek school and that I'm so psycho I have to go to therapy."
"You could always say that my forcing you to go to geek school drove you insane." Catherine took a seat next to her. "I want us healthy, Linds…once and for all. Think of it this way, it's not fair to Warrick to live with us the way we are, the least we can do is try to make it a happier place for him."
Eyeing her mother Lindsay snipped, "If you're going to use guilt to motivate me, maybe we should switch to the Catholic Church."
"Hey…since you're on the outs with Ryan and over Josh, does this mean we can stop going to church?"
"Would that make you happy?"
"Hell yeah!"
"Then we're still going." Lindsay finally cracked a smile. "And I'll tell the therapist how important it is to attend with you so she'll make you take me."
"Nice! Hey, at least it's only once a week," Catherine announced while heading for the door. "You have to go to Butterfield five days in a row. Love you, Sweetie."
"Love you too, Mommy Dearest!"
Barnes & Noble Bookstore
10:03 a.m.
"Mom!" Ryan dashed over with a book in his hand. "Can I get this book too?"
"What is it and how much is it?" He had already selected the first three Harry Potter books.
"NFL's Greatest – Pro Football's Best Players, Teams and Games. It's twenty dollars…which I know is a lot. I'll put it back."
"How about I get it for you birthday?" she countered, not wanting to discourage his new love of reading.
"Cool!" Ryan handed it over. "Can we go to lunch now?"
"After I pay for everything." Placing her arm around his shoulders she chuckled, "Considering your aunt is the toughest prosecutor in town, I don't think we should get arrested for shoplifting."
Carrie Blake's Office
10:11 a.m.
After a heartbreaking meeting with the parents of young boy who was molested at camp, Carrie attended an equally depressing staff meeting where case after sick or violent case was summarized while she fought to stay awake. In desperate need of a pick-me-up to help her exhausted body and melancholy mood, she grabbed a Diet Coke and Snickers bar from the vending machine on the way back to her office.
"Please…just ten minutes of peace is all I need," she announced to her secretary before locking the door.
At her desk, Carrie sank into her cushy chair, kicked off her Cole Hann dark chocolate sling pumps and closed her eyes. Realizing she'd fall asleep if she kept them shut, she opened them immediately and grabbed her candy bar.
Two bites into the chocolate treat she remembered the greeting card from Seattle she had stuffed in her bag. Excited to have a little cheer in her day she tossed her bar on the desk, whirled around in her chair and snatched the pink envelope from her briefcase. Just seeing the bride and groom sticker below the Hallmark logo on the back of the envelope brought a smile to her face.
On the front of the card was a picture, two cartoon hearts joined by a diamond ring. "Cute."
When she flipped open the card there wasn't a pre-printed greeting, only a handwritten message. Grabbing her Snickers bar once again, she leaned back to savor the chocolate and the note.
Congratulations on your engagement, Caroline. It must be great having a dependable, loving guy like Nick Stokes around after all you've been through. I bet a chivalrous guy like him would do anything to protect you. I bet he would give up his job, his freedom, even his life in exchange for your safety. It's rare to find those qualities in a man these days. It must feel like a blessing. Be careful though, it may be a curse.
After dropping the card on her desk Carrie bolted out of her chair. Instinctually, she raced to grab her cell phone and call Nick. Then she recalled his frantic words from the previous night…
"What did you see?" he nervously asked. "Did you see me shoot him?"
Lowering the phone she answered, "I saw him put his hands up, but then I…" She inhaled sharply and said what she assumed had happened. "…I saw him lunge at you."
"That's what I thought happened but…I was so scared for you…it all happened so fast…I thought I might have…"
Trembling, she returned her phone to her purse and leaned against the wall. From there she eyed the card. "He wants me to tell him," she whispered while sliding down the wall to sit on the floor.
Nick's words from that morning echoed in her head…Rodgers researches everyone when he's sizing up targets. In hindsight I realized he knew everything about me.
Holding her head in her hand she stammered, "He's…he's counting on me getting scared and Nicky trying to take matters into his own hands. He knows Nicky would do it and after last night…I think he might." As she brought her knees to her chest she thought…Rodgers probably researched me too. He probably knows my history…the abuse and the death threats…that's why he's so sure I'll run for help.
After staring into space for a while Carrie stood, brushed off the dust on the back of her brown plaid skirt and went to the door. After opening it she proceeded to her secretary's desk and smiled. "May I have a legal size envelope, please?"
"Sure." She handed it over quickly. "Need me to have something couriered?"
"No, thanks." Carrie returned to her office and shut the door behind her.
At her desk, she used a tissue to pick up the card and its envelope and carefully placed them inside the large legal one. Then she unlocked an office drawer, stuck it in the very back and slammed it shut it, saving it to show Nick during a less chaotic time in his life…or maybe never.
A minute later her cell phone rang and she saw it was her future husband calling. "Hey, Tex," she sweetly answered, pushing past her worry. "Are you checking up on me?"
"How's your day goin', Darlin'?"
"I'm tired but other than that…great." With a shaky hand, Carrie picked up her Snickers. "How are you doing?"
The Townhouse
10:43 a.m.
Feeling lousy about giving Tawny such a hard time that morning, Greg purposely returned home after he knew she would be gone.
After placing the beautiful vase of red roses he bought for her on the kitchen counter, Greg hurried to unpack the bag he was carrying…two Asian chicken salads and pot stickers for their lunch later, and a decadent slice of cheesecake to share afterwards. He was sure it would be a hit because, these days, food was a quick way to Tawny's heart.
After stowing the goodies in the fridge he took a seat at the kitchen counter. Grabbing the blank greeting card he had purchased, he clicked open a pen, anxious to complete the final part of his 'cheer up Tawny' plan.
Dr. Myers Office
11:08 a.m.
As Tawny sat sniffling into a wad of tissues, Dr. Myers finished reading the printout of Becca's soul baring instant message.
"It's over, isn't it?" Tawny whimpered. "Even pregnant with Greg's babies I can't compete with fifteen years of friendship and desire. Not to mention she's an attractive well-bred genius who has an education equal to Greg."
Lowering the page Dr, Myers asked, "Do you really believe that, Tawny?"
"I'm scared," she confessed in between sobs. "I don't know what to believe."
Moving around her desk the doctor pulled a chair over to her quivering patient. "You need to calm down for yourself and the babies. Deep breath in…slow exhale out. Can you do that for me ten times while you listen?"
"Y…yes.," she answered before attempting the first.
"Just like that…perfect." The doctor lifted the piece of paper. "I see more in this message than you do, Tawny. I see a lonely woman who has been burned in marriage. I see a girl who is trying to cling to something she had in high school because grown up life has let her down. And while I do believe she has strong feelings for Greg because of their history, I don't necessarily believe she loves him romantically. I think she wants to feel beautiful and special and Greg has always been good at making her feel that way." Taking Tawny's hand she gave it a squeeze. "She's looking for a soft place to land just like you were and you know Greg makes a really good teddy bear."
"Uh huh," she sniffled.
Smiling confidently the doctor said, "I also see a critical difference in the way you and Becca view Greg…she landed in his arms many times but always walked away. You landed in his arms once and told him you never wanted to leave. Don't you think that means something to him?"
"I hope so but…"
Sensing there was a bigger issue working on the girl she prompted, "Let me hear your fears…without filtering."
"Greg's a great liar," she blurted, surprising herself. "He's lied to his parents about really serious things. His uncanny ability to lie is what saved his life when he was being held hostage. Just the other day I found out he set up a job interview behind my back. His mother lies to his father all the time and Greg enables her, which means he approves. Lying is one of his many gifts. And what I'm really afraid of…" She paused for another deep breath. "I'm afraid he's so good at it, that he's lying to himself and doesn't know it."
"Expand on that for me," she prodded while handing over another clump of tissues.
"I mean he wants to do the right thing so badly that I'm worried he's convinced himself to be with me even though deep down he may not think we have long-term potential." After blowing her red nose she continued, "He's under a lot of pressure from his friends. Nick would think he's irresponsible if he didn't marry me and Nick's not just his friend but his boss too. Greg also knows his father would be pissed and think terribly of him and although he'll say it doesn't matter, I get this feeling that he's been waiting his whole life to make his dad proud of him. And the biggest pressure on him…his mother wants him married and she wants the grandbabies. I know you know how influential his mother is in his life."
"Okay…I see where you're coming from. That doesn't mean I agree with your assessment though…or that I don't agree." Contemplating the situation, Dr. Myers fell silent. It was times like these that individually counseling both of the parties in a relationship had a distinct advantage. She knew three critical things: Becca was an expert at manipulating Greg in order to make herself feel better, even at Greg's expense; Tawny needed to feel that Greg is choosing to marry her because he loves her, not out of obligation; Greg needed to break the spell Becca had over him. Of course, due to patient confidentiality she couldn't tell Tawny what she had instructed Greg to do but…she could encourage Tawny to do something that would help Greg achieve his goal and hopefully would help Tawny achieve hers as well.
"It can't be a good sign that you're speechless." Tawny reached for the chocolate she was unable to eat when she first arrived.
"I won't lie to you, Tawny…it's a complicated situation." The doctor rose from her chair to head for the bookshelf. "The reality is you and Greg have only been together a very short time and you don't know each other that well and you were brought together by a mutual desire to see the pregnancy through. Doubts are normal in any relationship, but in one started like yours, they're also practical. "
"That's why we didn't win when we were playing this couples quiz game yesterday." Her tears suddenly resurfaced. "I really wanted to win to prove…"
With a book of quotes in hand Dr. Myers returned. "Deep breath," she reminded.
Tawny complied and grabbed some new tissues.
"What will it take to convince you that Greg means it when he says he wants to spend the rest of his life with you? Or rephrased…what has been missing that precludes you from believing Greg is truly happy with you?"
The answer surfaced immediately. "I can't tell if it's obligation, pressure, or true love motivating him to be with me. Because of the babies he feels he has to be with me…he didn't choose to be with me after being with a bunch of women, like Nick chose Carrie. With Nick it's obvious that he's in the relationship because he's tested the waters and knows Carrie is his perfect match. If tomorrow he were forced to marry another girl out of obligation, he'd always love and long for Carrie and his wife would never have his heart." After a tormented sigh she sadly said, "I'm just the girl Greg happened to get pregnant before he really ever got to test the waters and find his perfect match. What if his perfect match is Becca? If she is, she'll always have his heart instead of me even if I'm the one married to Greg."
Dr. Myers opened to a page in the book. "Okay…read this quote by Richard Bach."
After dabbing her wet eyes Tawny did as instructed. "If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were."
When her patient glanced up the doctor asked, "So, Tawny, my question is...exactly how big of a risk are you willing to take to find your answer?"
The Grissoms'
11:31 a.m.
When Sara heard the garage opening she hurried to meet Gil at the door. She couldn't wait to see him and verify that the confidence she had heard in his voice when he called from the airport, was still there.
When he stepped through the door leading from the garage to inside the house, she didn't hold back. "Hold me first then talk."
He gladly complied. "Let's talk in the bedroom," he suggested since all their heartfelt conversations were always held there.
Walking down the hall she asked, "Were you able to tape him?"
"Yes." He pulled the recorder from his pocket. "I've listened to it several times. Now you can listen to it with me and give me your insight. I'll warn you though…he hasn't changed."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting he would." Relieved that he wasn't keeping anything from her she rested her head on his shoulder. "But there is a huge difference from the last time he tried to get between us." Flashing her wedding band she said, "We weren't a team. He can't play us against each other this time."
"That's right." Suddenly compelled to kiss his wife he stopped walking. "And because of it…whatever he has planned isn't going to work."
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
11:51 a.m.
The greeting card shoved to a remote corner of her mind, Carrie walked into the apartment with Nick and cheerfully greeted her future mother-in-law, "Hi, Jillian."
"Sugar, you look exhausted," she replied in a motherly tone. "And from that pile of books and papers Nicky's carryin' I take it even though you got to come home you have work to do."
"I'm afraid so. I have a to-do list a mile long inside the first book." A beastly yawn prevented her from providing further details. "Excuse me."
"You need a power nap," Nick advised, being an expert in the area himself. "When pulling doubles, if I take a twenty minute snooze in the back of my Tahoe I'm good to go for another six hours."
"I'm on it." Removing her suit jacket she headed for the bedroom. "Don't let me sleep longer than thirty minutes."
When Carrie was gone, Jillian tugged the to-do list out from the top book. "Ooh…this will be fun. I'll pretend I'm twenty-two and clerking again." Pointing to the kitchen she instructed, "Set me up at the kitchen table, Son."
"Mama, if you don't mind, I'm going to grab some z's too." He placed the pile of materials on the table. "I'm beat."
"After the night you had of course you are, Honey. Until now you've been running on adrenaline." She kissed his cheek. "I'll have supper waiting for you when you wake."
"Wow…I could get used to coming home to you every day again, Mama." Under his breath he mumbled, "Damn…I'm turning into Sanders."
The Townhouse
12:18 p.m.
When he heard the front door opening, Greg darted from the living room to greet his emotional gal and begin project 'cheer up Tawny'. "Hey there." One look at her and he knew she had a rough session. "Need a hug?"
She nodded, hoping it wouldn't be the last hug he'd ever give her.
"My session was really rough too," he empathized. "But that's a good sign. It means we're working through our baggage." Smoothing his hand over her golden hair Greg whispered, "Don't worry, we'll get through all this and be fine."
"Um…" Not desiring to prolong the agony she pulled out of his embrace and cut to the chase. "There's something I have to show you." From her pink leather purse she removed the printed message from Becca. "When I sat down at the computer last night your AOL account was open. I had this sudden pang of suspicion so I checked your e-mails…I was worried that you were doing more job hunting behind my back."
Feeling badly Greg sighed, "Again…I'm really sorry I did that and I swear I'll never keep that stuff from you going forward because I realize now it's not just my future, it's yours too."
"Yeah…the future is exactly what I need to talk to you about." Handing him the paper she meekly said, "I opened your buddy list too and when I did, Becca IM'd you…or so she thought. It was really me reading it." When he took the paper she said, "When you read it, you'll understand why I've been acting so strange since you caught me on the computer last night."
"Uh…okay." With trepidation he opened the folded 8 ½ by 11 sheet and began reading.
Leaning against the wall in the hallway Tawny watched Greg's expression as Becca's words sunk in. Finally, when he lowered the paper she remarked in a choppy voice, "Crazy timing, huh?"
Greg remained speechless.
"I was planning to get you out of bed so you could reply to her. To stall I typed, 'I'm speechless' but she logged out before I had a chance to get you and then I panicked."
"Um…" Greg glanced down at the page again. "Yeah…well…that's what I would have typed too so..."
After gulping down her panic Tawny calmly said, "I want you to go to California today without me."
"What?" Stunned, he snapped his gaze off the note and onto her. "No way. We're leaving together Wednesday as planned." Tossing the paper on the entryway table he emphatically said, "Not that I'm interested anymore but even if I was…she's too late."
"No, she's not." Tawny whisked away the one tear she had accidentally let escape. "Greg…we can parent the babies together without being in a romantic relationship."
"Tawny…" He clutched his overtaxed head. "What? Why? Are you saying…I don't believe this is…are you breaking up with me?"
"No, I'm giving you a chance to explore your feelings so you can, without a doubt, figure out if you're with me out of obligation or love."
"Love!" Grabbing the printout he tore it into shreds. "Better?" He searched her eyes hoping for proof that it was.
"No…it's not." Pointing to the luggage they had lined up in the hallway for the trip she said, "Go see Becca. Really give it a chance."
"Have you lost your…"
"Please! Please, listen to me," she pleaded while fighting back tears. "I'd rather you find out I'm not the one for you now, instead of years from now. Go there and be honest with yourself. If after you really explore the possibility, you decide that I'm the only one for you…great…" A tear slipped then another followed. "Call me and tell me to be on the next flight out. But, Greg…if after you do some soul searching…if you can't say with 100 percent certainty that I'm the one that will make you happy for the rest of your life…then call me and tell me that too. I can take it. I don't want my husband living a lie because I know how that goes…I saw it nightly at the club. I don't want to live one either and our babies deserve more than to grow up in a house where their parents only got together because it was the responsible thing to do."
"You want me to…" Watching her swat away her tears his heart ached. "You want me to explore my options? Are you saying I should go to California and hook up with Becca?"
"Yes." She nodded for emphasis. "Do whatever it takes to decide and I mean anything."
"Are you…" The Twilight Zone feeling growing stronger he half-laughed, "Are you giving me permission to sleep with her?"
"Yes." Sniffling she explained, "Because I know I won't be able to compete with a fantasy over time."
"You're crazy."
"Am I?" Locking on his eyes she stared at him until he looked away.
"Yes!" After staring at the ceiling for what seemed like an eternity, Greg jerked forward and took his bags. "There's stuff in the fridge for lunch and I left something for you on the kitchen counter." Then, without making eye contact or saying another word he walked out the door.
The sound of the door slamming shut startled Tawny as she walked down the hall and into the kitchen. Immediately the twelve perfect red roses in a crystal vase caught her eye.
She cried harder.
Then she saw the open card and wrapped her fingers around it. With her forearm she wiped her tears, hoping to clear her eyes enough to read what Greg had penned inside.
The Road Chosen
By Greg Hojem Sanders
Alone in the lab I sat night after night.
Until the day my CSI dream took flight.
Not long after that, I was led to your perch.
Hours later my recklessness would put us in a lurch.
At first I was scared, downright terrified.
I panicked, I cursed and then I simply just cried.
Out of the blue you came, and gave me a choice.
Not sure what to do, I listened to your eyes and your voice.
Minutes later I chose to see the pregnancy through,
Uncertain of the future…of me and of you.
If given a redo, all kidding aside,
There's one thing I'd change…how fast I replied.
Seconds, not minutes would I take this time.
Because life with you in it…couldn't be more sublime.
I love you, Tawny
So much and forever
She cried harder still.
"Greg!" Clutching the poem she raced to the front door, certain he had mentioned leaving something in the kitchen on purpose so she'd read it and rush to stop him. "Greg!" she yelled while flinging open the door.
Her heart sank when she saw the empty driveway.
The Grissoms'
12:32 p.m.
After listening to the Rodgers tape three times in silence while she lay on top of the bed covers with her husband, Sara finally said, "I don't know where to begin." Staring at her vexed husband she rambled her thoughts. "There are a bunch of veiled threats…harm to Wendy's children, Carrie…our baby." The chill racing up her spine caused a visible shiver.
"He wants revenge on the three people he believes put him away…Wendy, Nick and me."
"And the best way to get that would be to hurt the loved ones of his enemies."
Gil factually agreed. "It's a tactic that's been employed throughout history."
"Right, why reinvent the wheel?" Sara remarked before rolling onto her back. "I always imagined he'd be more creative than that though." Nervous laughter caught her off guard. "I just want to point out how remarkably strong and calm I'm being about this…a year of therapy and a good relationship really do have an impact on mental health."
His wife's words set off an alarm in Gil's head. "Wait…what if he is being more creative? What if the card and his comments are just diversionary tactics so we don't see his real plan coming?" Jittery with a combination of excitement and fear Gil slipped out of bed and began walking the room. "What does Mike enjoy most?"
"Playing games, messing with people's heads, psychological tricks…like in Tahoe when he was convincing you I gave myself the GHB."
"That's right, and what else…"
"Aside from murder and rape? Hmm…" Propping up on her elbow she sighed, "Getting away with it all and making other people feel powerless and pissed off…Wendy being a great example of his success."
"That's right." Gil leaned against the dresser. "So…there has to be more to his plan than just putting hits out on loved ones because, if he's not doing the damage himself, he's not getting pleasure out of it."
"But what do you think his plan could be?"
Running his fingers over his beard Gil pondered the possibilities. "Well…for starters, he's definitely trying to put us on edge."
"And doing an excellent job." Sara picked up the tape recorder and exhaled sharply. "If Nick hears this tape he'll flip."
"Because not only has Mike researched Carrie and is insinuating harm against her…he's got Nigel under his wing. It took Nick months to calm down and stop looking over his shoulder after the Nigel incident." Returning to the bed he said, "I'm not going to play it for him, Sara. Since it's an illegal recording we're keeping it between husband and wife."
"Can we do something about Nigel interacting with Mike?"
Already a step ahead, Gil smiled. "I made a few phone calls and I expect Nigel to be transferred out of Ely in the near future."
"Of course you did." She proudly returned his smile. "Okay, next area of concern…"
Nick and Carrie's Apartment
1:13 p.m.
Jillian had already crossed two items off Carrie's to-do list when she heard her cell phone ring. Tossing her pencil down she checked the caller ID and answered quickly. "Harvey…I really appreciate you returning my call so fast."
"Anything for you," the long-time family friend assured her. "I've got someone lined up…he's the best of the best. Got a pen?"
She grabbed her pencil. "Go ahead."
"His name is Bryce Morton. He's fast, extremely discreet and as thorough as a blood hound when it comes to tracking. You know that huge scandal last year when the photos of Representative Johnson in Cancun with a girl for hire hit the Dallas papers? Well, this guy I'm sending your way was working for Mrs. Johnson and he's the one who snapped the pics."
"Sounds perfect." Jillian smiled as she wrote the name. "I want to know everything about Mrs. Anson-Travers. No stone unturned."
"Morton will turn over every pebble but he doesn't come cheap, Jilly."
"Don't worry, I've got a little saved up for a rainy day." As she jotted the phone number he was reciting she thought…and last night it poured buckets and I intend to make that vile woman pay.
Ely State Prison
2:05 p.m.
As he stood at the railing overlooking the common area Mike watched the inmates below passing the time in various non-productive ways.
For him on the other hand, the day had been quite productive. The visit from Gil was a pleasant diversion in a weary existence. Right now he imagined Gil and Sara would be holed up trying to figure out each and every meaning behind his statements. Forensic Psychologists loved psycho-babble bullshit and he hoped he gave him a few meaty scraps on which to chew…a few red herrings too…and a healthy dose of fear.
Fear; he thought of it as an early birthday gift for Sara and a belated one for Gil and Nick. Having done his research, he knew Wendy's boys had a birthday coming up soon too. A satisfied smirk appeared when he thought of the gift he had in mind for them, his only regret…he wouldn't be there to see the look on Wendy's face when she saw the surprise.
McDonald's Parking Lot
2:31 p.m.
Halfway to San Marino, Greg had stopped for food and a reality check, hoping a quick call to Becca would clear things up in his mind and hers. Then he could call Tawny and give her a definitive answer.
"Hoj!" Becca's voice sang through the phone. "I didn't expect you to call so soon. Does this mean you're no longer speechless?" After a minute she chuckled, "I guess you are still speechless because you're not saying anything."
"Oh…sorry." He leaned against the wall of the McDonald's. "I pulled off the 15 to get some food and…"
"You're on your way home!" she bubbled with excitement. "Your mom said you wouldn't be here until Thursday."
"Well I…"
With hope in her voice she inquired, "Was it my message? Aww…you miss me too."
"Um…yeah…we need to talk about…"
"My place…six o'clock…712 Via Diabla…oh, you know where it is because you were here for a party. Bring your swim trunks because we'll have drinks and chill by the pool…just like old times…except now we're legal. I'll order in for dinner and then we can snuggle up and watch a movie like we used to when you were mending my broken heart." Her voice took a sultry turn. "After that…well, I don't want to push anything but, I'm tired of rattling around in that big house alone so…I'd love it if you spent the night…as a friend…or something more if that's where things end up…I guess we'll have to wait and see, huh? God…I can't wait to see you…to feel your arms around me, to get lost in your eyes and hear your infectious laugh. Jesus! I sound like I'm reading a page out of a Harlequin and you know I mean it this time because I'm sober!"
"Uh…" Speechless, he rushed his fingers through his hair. A lot of what she said was a repeat of the Instant Message but hearing his ex-fantasy girl say it to him in a sexy voice, was quite different than reading about it. "I…um…" As he listened to her purr sentiments through the phone Greg felt his pulse rise along with a body part that apparently had a mind of its own. Becca was right, it was just like old times, and she still had a direct line to his libido that bypassed his heart and mind. Dr. Myers had been right too, fifteen years of fantasy couldn't be discounted. But the worst part was, Tawny had known it all along. The truth devastated him and standing there he realized it was English class all over again…Becca whispering in his ear and him squirming to stave off a woody. So, just as he did back then, Greg closed his eyes and summoned his strongest anti-boner thought.
"I'll be counting the minutes, Hoj." Sighing blissfully she confessed, "Oh shoot, I'm being called into a meeting. I'm trying to make partner so I've got to kiss the ground these windbags walk on. Six o'clock! We'll toast to the past and then get on with the future."
With visions of wrinkly old ladies in flowery latex caps swimming in his head Greg stammered, "Uh…actually…I think I shouldn't…" But before he could say anything coherent she was gone. "Shit!" he cursed, unaware that a family with children was walking by. "Sorry!" he groveled to the mother scowling at him. "Sorry…really sorry. It's just…I'm having such a shitty day." Realizing he cursed again he yelped, "Jesus, I'm so sorry!" Then he saw every member of the family had a hemp cross around their neck and the mother was wearing a t-shirt that read, 'got Christ? Family Bible Camp 2005'. "I'll shut up now."
Before walking into McDonalds's, the teenage boy of the family snipped, "Keep goin' in the same direction, Mister and you'll burn in hell."
"Tell me something I don't know," Greg replied as he headed for his car to continue on the road chosen by Tawny, the Highway to Hell, also known as the I-15 South and the quickest way to San Marino, his past and Becca.
Catherine's House
2:42 p.m.
"I can't believe you're making me do this," Lindsay droned. The idea of having to face Ryan and his mother made her stomach knot.
Catherine dangled her keys. "Time to go."
From her desk Lindsay grabbed a notebook and pen.
"Are you going to take notes at the meeting so you can review everything you learn?" Catherine inquired. "How diligent."
"No…" Lindsay stepped into her purple-jeweled flip flops and smiled. "I'm going to use the time on the drive over to start a list for therapy…all the things you've done to make me insane."
Catherine nodded approvingly. "You have excellent time management skills, Sweetie. I bet they'll love that at Butterfield."
The Blakes
2:46 p.m.
While Sean happily reviewed his Butterfield Academy orientation materials for the tenth time, Ryan sat on the couch zoning out in front of Sportscenter while McKenna played Barbies with Wendy.
"Mom!" Sean excitedly pointed to one of the colorful brochures. "Did you know that last year's winner of the National Science Fair was from Butterfield? He was a senior so he won't be there this year…darn."
"Good thing he won't be there, Bugboy." Lying on his back tossing a football Ryan quipped, "There's probably only room for one…" Then he saw his mother's glare. "…super genius."
"Ryan…" Wendy prodded, "Lindsay and her mom will be here soon, you need to go freshen up." He had been out in the heat at football practice all morning and she could smell him from across the room.
"No way." He sniffed his arm pit. "If I reek then Octopus Chick will stay far away from me."
"Octopus chick?" Sean parroted. "Is anyone going to tell me what happened yesterday and why Lindsay is coming over?"
"No," both Wendy and Ryan quickly replied.
Luckily McKenna had the scoop. "I heard mommy tell daddy that Lindsay tackled Ryan onto the bed and they got into a hot and heavy wrestling match." Shaking her head she said, "You know the rules…no playing sports in the house."
Sean stared at his brother. "You got caught in bed with Lindsay Willows?"
"Don't look at me, Dude." Ryan shook his head. "That girl is a real s…" Then he saw his mother's glare. "…sports enthusiast."
Sean's heart broke a little more as he realized the girl of his dreams was apparently dreaming of a lot more than he imagined he'd want to do for a while. "I'm uh…going to my room to get things ready for school on Wednesday." Hanging his head he slugged down the hall.
Author's Notes:
The rollercoaster ride will continue for a bit and there will drops, twists and turns but don't worry, there will be fluffy cotton candy during the lulls!
FYI (because someone asked on my website and I wondered if others wondered too): there will be more CW ahead but it needs to happen after certain other events. Always think 'chain reaction' in this story, everything is linked ;-)
In the chapter: more casefile, Dr. Myers afternoon shopping trip is interrupted by a frantic call, more than one person gets a wake up call, and Sara is forced to give up something she loves. Posting: late Tuesday
Thanks for reading!
And thanks to Misty J for sharing your thoughts.
I hope everyone had a nice weekend,
Maggs