Chapter 15:
Grissom looked through the one-way glass. On the other side Commander Anderson paced back and forth, twisting his wedding band around his finger. Lieutenant Century sat calmly; his forearms braced on the table and his face carefully schooled in a blank expression as he watched Anderson pace.
"Human are a puzzlin' species. At times they're vengeful and aren't but cold-blooded killers and other times, peace lovin'. Sometimes they spill over with emotion and yet they still search fer pure logic."
Elliot, who stood next to Grissom, turned to look at Sam. "Shakespeare?"
She grinned ruefully and held her hand up in the Vulcan sign of greeting. "Uh-uh. Star Trek."
Elliot grinned back and inclined his head towards the interrogation room. "I guess it's time for someone to talk to them."
Grissom grabbed his arm and shook his head. "Not you Elliot. You're far too emotional. Ms. Cabot and Brass will do the initial interrogation."
Elliot almost threw a retort back at the older man but then thought better of it and curled his hands into fists in his pockets. "You're right. I'm…gonna get some coffee. You guys want any."
"Always." Sam said as she looped an arm through his. "Let's see if we can find Greg's stash of Blue Hawaiian. Accordin' to the lab, it's the best."
Grissom watched silently as Sam chatted with Elliot down the hall and then turned back to the proceedings behind the glass.
SVUCSISVUCSISVUCSISVUCSI
Anderson had finally sat down next to Century and across from Alex as Brass flipped on a recorder and spoke briefly into it before setting it in the middle of the table.
"You gentlemen understand your rights as they've been read to you?"
They both gave affirmative answers.
"Now, can you tell me where you two were last night around 7:00?" Brass asked.
"In our hotel room." Century said without missing a beat.
Anderson nodded in agreement. "Um, exactly what's this all about Captain Brass?"
Brass tossed a photo of Tia Elan on the table in front of the two men. Century merely glanced at it and Anderson's eyes widened for the briefest of seconds.
Alex quickly grew frustrated with the situation as Century claimed his Fifth Amendment right and Anderson stuttered on in embarrassment and rage. Without saying a word she stowed the files and left the interrogation to Brass. She motioned to Shannon to take over for her as soon as she was on the other side of the door.
She stood silently between Grissom and Catherine as they watched Brass and Shannon try to work the two men over.
"This is going nowhere." Catherine griped.
"I don't know about that." Grissom mused. "Did you see the way they looked at the photos?"
Alex dug them out and looked at the pictures thoughtfully. "Century barely spared them a glance and Anderson's eyes kept involuntarily flicking back to them."
"Exactly. Before Brass and you entered the room, Mr. Anderson was pacing fitfully while Mr. Century sat, completely oblivious to his surroundings. I think we need to split them up to get the answers we need."
Alex tapped a fingernail on the photos. "Of course. Get the submissive away from the dominant and he'll be more liable to crack under pressure."
"That is, if he knows anything." Catherine said as she went to ready another interrogation room.