A Friend In Need
By
Sydne
Rating: CSI 2
Disclaimer: All characters belong to CBS, etc…
Summary: Grissom makes an identification
A/N: Any errors in Marina Del Rey, The Marina International Hotel, The Transitions Funeral Home and the morgue/police department are totally my fault.
Chapter 3
During the five-hour drive from Las Vegas to Marina Del Rey, little was said between the two friends. Even when they stopped in Barstow to put gas in the Mercedes, Grissom would not speak.
Catherine was worried about her friend. She knew he tended to internalize things, but this was something that could eat him up if he didn't speak about it. Instead of pushing it though, she decided to bide her time and hoped he would open up.
When they arrived in Marina Del Rey, she began looking for a hotel. When she started reading the names of various hotels they passed out loud, he finally spoke.
"Cath, we can stay at my Mom's."
"Gil, do you think that's a good idea considering why we're here?"
He sighed and realized she was probably right. "Good point. I don't care where we stay, just find some place that looks good to you."
Catherine saw the Marina International Hotel ahead of them and pulled in to the driveway. She parked the car in a space and turned towards Grissom.
"I'm going to go check us in. Do you want to wait here?"
He slid a bit further down into the seat and muttered, "I'll wait."
"Okay, I'll be right back."
She left the confines of the car and walked into the hotel. The desk clerk looked up and smiled.
"How can I help you, Miss?"
"I need a room please."
"Do you have reservations?"
"No, I don't. I'm sorry."
"Well, I don't have any rooms left. The only thing I have is a bungalow."
Catherine thought about it for a moment. Not wanting to waste more time trying to find a different hotel, she decided to take the bungalow. If he had a problem with sharing a room, she would deal with it then.
"That will be fine. Does it have one bed or two?"
"I have a standard bungalow available that has two beds."
"That would be perfect."
"How many nights will you be here?"
"I'm not sure. Could you give us the room for two nights and then if we need to stay longer we'll contact you."
"That would be fine, Miss."
She filled out the registration form and gave the desk clerk her credit card. When the transaction was processed, the clerk gave her the room keys and directions on how to find the room. Thanking him, she left and returned to the Mercedes. Sliding into the driver's side, she starts the car and moved it to the back of the building. There was a parking spot in front of their bungalow and she parked the car there.
"Come on, Gil. Here's our room."
He got out of the car and helped her get the bags out of the back. They went to their bungalow and entered the room.
"I thought you were going to get us two rooms," he groused.
"This is all they had."
After putting their suitcases away, Catherine handed him the file folder that Ecklie had given her. Taking the folder, he sat down at the small desk and opened it. The contact information for Detective Metcalf was paper clipped to the front cover. He reached into his pocket and retrieved his cell phone. Flipping it open, he punched in the number that was provided for him.
"Metcalf," came the voice at the other end of the line.
Surprised to hear a female voice, he was momentarily speechless.
"Metcalf," the voice repeated.
"I'm sorry. This is Gil Grissom," he finally sputtered.
"Dr. Grissom, I'm glad you called. When will you be able to come to Marina Del Rey?"
"I'm already here. I'm staying at the Marina International."
"Good. When would you like to come to the morgue?"
Grissom involuntarily shuddered at the word morgue. While he intellectually knew why they were there; emotionally he hadn't accepted the reason.
"I can be there as soon as it's convenient for you."
Detective Metcalf looked down at her watch and noted that it was 3:15.
"How about meeting me at four o'clock? Do you know where the morgue is?"
"Yes, I do. I'll be there."
"Okay Dr. Grissom I'll see you then."
He snapped his cell phone shut and looked at Catherine.
"I have to be there at four."
"Do you want me to come along?"
Grissom stood and walked to where she was leaning against the window frame. He stretched his hand out and touched hers.
"I'd appreciate it, but you don't have to."
Catherine reached up and lightly ran her fingers along his jawbone.
"That's why I'm here, Gil. To be with you."
"Thank you, Catherine. You don't know how much it means to me to have you here."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else," she told him as she pulled him into a hug.
They stood there holding each other for a few moments. He gained strength from the arms of this strong, sweet woman. Breaking apart, she pulled back, but did not leave the circle of his arms.
"How long will it take us to get there?"
"About 15 minutes. We probably should be going."
Regretfully, they pulled apart.
Catherine walked into the bathroom and shut the door. She quickly used the facilities and then took a moment to brush her hair. After she was done freshening up, Catherine returned to the living area.
Picking up her purse from the bed, she announced, "I'm ready."
"Okay. I wish I could say I was," he responded.
"I know. Come on," she said as she slipped her hand into his.
They left the bungalow and went to Grissom's car.
"Catherine, I better drive. I know my way around here."
"Sure," she said handing him the keys.
Grissom unlocked the passenger door and helped her to get in. Closing the door behind her, he went to the driver's side and got in. Starting the car, he pulled out of the lot and into the traffic. During the ride to the morgue, he kept up a light commentary telling her about various places they passed. She could tell by his light chatter, that he was very nervous.
When they arrived at the morgue, the couple went to the front desk and asked for Detective Metcalf. The receptionist said she would page the detective and pointed to some chairs where both of them could wait. They took the assigned seats and waited silently for the detective to arrive. As they waited, she reached over and slipped her hand inside his. She gave it a tight, comforting squeeze. He looked at her and tried to give her a small smile. Unfortunately the smile came across as a grimace. She understood the meaning though and squeezed his hand again.
The couple soon heard the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway and both turned their heads in that direction. A petite brunette was coming towards them. She stopped in front of the couple and held out her hand.
"I'm Detective Metcalf."
Getting to their feet, they shook her hand and murmured quiet hellos.
"I'm sorry to be meeting you under these circumstances," Detective Metcalf said as she turned and motioned for them to follow her.
They fell in line behind her and walked to a door at the very end of the hallway. She was still holding his hand and felt him shudder when they reached the door. Suddenly, she remembered that as a teen he had hung out in this morgue so he would knew his way around. His response to the door told her they were near the viewing room.
The detective stopped with her hand on the doorknob. Turning back to them, she asked, "Would you like to view her through the glass or would you like to go in and see the body directly?"
He thought for a moment then replied, "I'd like to view the body directly."
The detective moved away from that door and turned left down another hallway. She went a short distance and then opened another door. She gestured for or the couple to follow her in. Upon entering they both noticed the similarity to its Las Vegas counterpart. There were steel doors lining one wall and a metal table near a glass-viewing window. The detective walked over to the steel doors and pulled one open. She pulled the tray out that contained a sheet-covered body.
Grissom slowly walked over to the side of the tray and looked down. Catherine stood next to him and tightly held his hand. He nodded his readiness to the petite detective.
The detective watched him carefully as she reached down and pulled the sheet back from the body. She heard his sharp inhalation of air and saw the way his hand tightened in Catherine's. Even before he said the words, she knew what his response would be.
"It's her. Its my mother," he shakily said as he reached out to touch her. He gently ran his fingertip across her chin and up to her hairline.
"I love you, Mom," he quietly whispered as the tears begin to slide silently down his face.
Catherine and the detective gave him a few moments to say goodbye before interrupting him. When he pulled his hand back, Metcalf gently slid the sheet back up the body. Turning she motioned for them to follow her. She led them out of the morgue and to an empty office.
Detective Metcalf sat behind her desk and motioned for them to sit in the chairs before her.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Dr. Grissom," she said once they were seated.
He nodded his acceptance and then asked, "What were the autopsy results?"
"Your mother died of heart failure. We can release her body to a mortuary now that you have identified her. Which mortuary would you like to use?"
"I don't know any of the mortuaries here."
"May I make a recommendation?"
"Please."
"I've used Transitions Funeral Home in the past. They have done wonderful work for my family," the detective said as she dug in a Rolodex for the funeral home address and phone number. Once she found the card, she copied the information down and handed it to Catherine.
"That sounds fine. When we get back to the hotel, I'll call them."
"Perfect. Is there anything else I can do to help you?"
Grissom looked at Catherine. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
"At this point, I don't know. May I call you if something comes up?"
"Please do. You have my contact information."
There was nothing else to say, and an uncomfortable silence filled the room.
Feeling the stress Catherine cleared her throat, "Gil, maybe we should go back to the hotel and call the funeral home."
"You're right, Catherine," he said as he stood up.
She stood and extended her hand to the seated detective. Gracefully, she shook her hand and Catherine uttered a quiet thanks.
Hand in hand, the couple left the morgue. They walked to his car and got in. The return ride to the hotel was very quiet
TBC…