Chapter 6--The Understatement

It couldn't be avoided. Nick gritted his teeth as he stood listening to Hodges. Some slivers of red paint had been found embedded into an abrasion on Scott Gibb's forehead. Something had hit the victim or he had hit his head against something. The tire iron had already been ruled out, not just for the lack of paint, but the lack of any blood evidence on the tool. Nick had brought the paint sample to Trace and now endured Hodges know-it-all attitude.

"Camaro...looks like late 70's..." Hodges looked up from the computer screen to Nick. "Seem like a 'gay car' to you?" Hodges smirked. "I already figured that out about Sanders, you know. Why else would someone change their hairstyles that much?"

Nick sighed very deeply. "Just give me the info on the paint..."

"Did you hear...? They had matching tattoos!" Hodges quickly pointed to the monitor. "There. Make, model, year...looks like I may have found the case breaker again."

Nick snatched the print out as soon as it was in Hodges hand. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"I guess you just never know people..." Hodges would not shut up. "I mean...matching tattoos!"

Nick could tolerate no more. He moved nose to nose with Hodges and glared. "That's ENOUGH!" Nick struggled to keep his voice down. "Greg has lost someone he onced loved. Have you EVER loved anyone Hodges? Have you! Have you ever lost that someone? Not once, but TWICE!" Nick didn't wait for a reply He spun on his heel and stormed out.

Nick left too quickly to see Greg standing not far from the doorway. Greg blinked hard to keep tears at bay. He only took one step towards Nick, before Sara came up behind him and stopped him. "Hey. We've got a match on one set of the tire treads. Oh, and there are no other prints on the tire iron. Only the victims."

Greg turned to Sara and looked at her blankly.

"I mean no other prints, but Scott's. Sorry." Sara mumbled.

"Okay. Good." Greg replied. "Gimme five minutes...or twenty...whatever." He turned and began to walk quickly in the direction Nick had taken. "I'll meet up with you later." Greg hollered over his shoulder.

Nick sat at the computer, leaned in towards the monitor , his chin rested on the palm of his hand. The illumination from the screen reflected in his glasses. He was waiting for answers.

Greg stood behind him for a moment and then sat down in the chair next to Nick. "Thanks," he said quietly. "Hodges." Greg grumbled.

"Yeah. Hodges." Nick grinned a reply at Greg. He then nodded towards the screen. "We're getting close, G. Whoever was involved left us enough clues. You'll have answers soon."

"I hope so. I think so. You're right though...everything's coming together." Greg suddenly laughed. "And not a speck of DNA evidence. If this had happened months ago, I'd have felt so helpless. I'd have nothing to do. Now...well, it feels good to know that I can..."

"It is good, G." Nick looked far into Greg's eyes. "You've come a long way from being a CSI Wanna Be." He then grinned, dimples grooved deep into his cheeks.

Greg chuckled. "So...I'm not a pest anymore, eh? Not such a bad partner either, I'd venture to say. I do my part..."

"Now...I never said you weren't a pest." Nick shook his head, laughing.

"Yeah...but you love me for it." Greg's brows danced up and down as he grinned mischieviously.

"You've no idea." Nick inhaled deeply.

Silence filled the room. Neither one spoke.

"Hey!" Catherine walked in. She pointed to Greg. "Sara's looking for you. What'd you do to piss her off THIS time?"

Greg laughed. "What DON'T I do..." He stood to leave and pointed to the monitor. Smiling at Catherine he declared, "We're getting close."

As soon as Greg was out the door Catherine crossed her arms and smiled at Nick. "I think I'd have to say 'that's an understatement.'"