Chapter Twelve
In the Las Vegas Police Department reception area people were celebrating. There was a tree decorated beautifully with presents sitting beneath it. Food and drinks were all laid out on a couple of tables.
Children were present, looking slightly nervous, not really knowing what to expect. Police officers and lab technicians danced and played music, trying to put the children more at ease.
At one point Catherine got up, calling to get everyone's attention.
"Attention, please, everyone. A very special guest has arrived."
Everyone stood still, silent, watching. From around a corner, bells could be heard jingling. The noise grew louder as a large man in a red and white suit and carrying a large brown sack came into sight.
"Ho, ho, ho," he chuckled. "Merry Christmas."
"Santa!" all the children exclaimed in unison, rushing forward.
Catherine smiled at the sight of the children. Nick came over and stood beside her.
"Nice job."
Catherine looked at him. "It was all I could do after Robin told us why she took those toys. Different store owners were willing to come forward and pay for the toys to be donated to needy children."
"And hiring Mr. Eros to play Santa?"
"He was available." A sly grin appeared on her face.
Nick smiled. "Merry Christmas, Catherine."
"Merry Christmas, Nick." She looked over to the opposite side of the lounge where a young, teenage girl with blond hair stood by herself. Catherine excused herself from Nick and walked over to the girl.
"Merry Christmas, sweety." She pulled a gift out frombehind her back and held it out to her daughter.
Lindsey looked up at her for a second. Then she wrapped her arms around her mother and hugged her. "Merry Christmas, mom."
"Greg Sanders," Santa called out, pulling the next package from his sack.
Greg pointed a finger towards his chest in surprise, then walked up took the gift. As he walked toward the back of the room, escaping the kids still huddling around Santa, he looked at the tag. It was from his secret Santa.
Becoming impatient, he tore off the wrapping paper and opened the box. For a second he just stared, gaping at what he found.
He pulled out a pair of edible underwear. Realizing, he looked up just as Warrick walked past him, smiling.
"Merry Christmas, man."
Greg stared after him, speechless.
Grissom turned on the light to his office and walked over to his desk. He began moving papers around and gathering files together. He stopped for a minute when he heard the music and people laughing.
He let out a sigh and returned to his desk, opening his top desk drawer. Reaching inside, he stopped.
He pulled his hand back out, holding a small square package with a large green bow on top. He smiled warmly as he read the tag.
From: SS…
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!