An Unfair Act of Vengeance
Notes: This chapter has taken me a bit longer to write, and I'm not sure about the following sequence of events yet, so I guess I'm just as in the dark as everyone else! Hope you take the time to review after reading, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Summary: Things become more complicated at the lab, and everyone including the Sheriff is getting involved. Meanwhile, Nick talks to Warrick and Greg. Catherine does her best to keep up with the latest events, and the entire team finds the situation becoming harder to cope with. Kenneth Wilson also finds himself once more in the center of action...
"Ok, everyone, please… please listen up, and we can set everything straight right now. I'd first like to apologize for Ms. Willows. She is new to her position, and under the circumstances everyone in the lab is extremely stressed. Now, about this case…"
"Okay, I want you four officers patrolling the parking lots, and you guys, I want you both walking the perimeter!" No one questioned Sofia as she yelled various orders. She smiled as all the people who had been in the building lined up in two long lines.
"Ah, Detective Curtis! I'm glad to see that this situation finally seems to be coming under control."
"Undersheriff McKeen… I should've known you'd show up as soon as things calmed down."
"Look, I'm doing my job. You're doing yours, so why don't we just try to be civil?"
"You selfish asshole! You waltz on over here when everything is over, but you don't even seem fazed that two CSI are dead, and twenty other people are in the hospital! Not to mention Nick! God, you and the sheriff… you don't give a damn about what we're going through! He's off telling the entire world something that should be limited to his family and friends!" She didn't care that everyone in the lot was staring at them. It was too hard for her to remain calm at this man's cavalier attitude.
"Hey, I will not be spoken down to like this, so you'd better watch it Detective. This situation is going downhill too fast, and we're stepping on the brakes to stop this before it gets worse!" He swiftly turned away, and never heard the detective's response.
"Yeah… and when you hit those damn breaks we're going to go spinning out of control… I just hope there won't be any cliffs nearby…" Her eyes refocused onto the crowd, and she quickly looked down at the list of all employees for the lab. We've got to track everyone down… every last person on this list… She sighed as the enormity of the situation fully dawned on her. This could take weeks…
"Here we go, Nick… we'll get you inside in just a moment…"
"Yeah… t-thanks man…"
"No problem." He turned to the nearest officer and whispered so that Nick wouldn't hear, "I know these officers didn't leave, but I don't want to take chances. So just search all the rooms, and don't forget the attic, ok?"
"No problem, Warrick. How are things at the lab? We just heard over the radio… was it connected to Nick?"
"I think it might have been, since most of our physical evidence is destroyed… at least we've still got the photos…"
"Yeah, except those won't hold up as well in court."
Suddenly it hit him. Maybe that was his plan… Without all the evidence… the lack of the actual, preserved tools would mean the DA would want… would want Nick to testify…
"Thanks… you may have just given us motive… go and search the house, I need to make a quick call."
"Sure thing, man. Don't let him too far out of your sight… he's a good guy."
"Yeah… he is…" he responded, and finished slowly under his breath, "I just hope he realizes it."
"Catherine here."
"Hey, Catherine, I've got good and bad news… and they're the same thing…"
"Go figure… well, go ahead."
"Ok, I think I've found their motive for the bomb."
"Really? What?" She couldn't hide the excitement in her voice… a motive could start to give them a deeper look into Alberts' plans…
"Well, Sara and I were just heading over to check the evidence from Nick's case… I think they wanted the evidence gone so that Nick would be asked to testify."
"Well, you were right about one thing, that is good and bad news… I guess there's nothing we can do about it. They'll be releasing Sara any time now…"
"Well, I need to go… don't want Nick to keep waiting…"
"Yeah… I'll talk to you later… oh, and Warrick?"
"What?"
"Grissom, and I… we're proud of you… all of you guys, that is…"
"Huh… thanks Catherine…"
"Grissom wanted you to know, and so did I… You guys deserve to know how important you all are."
"Yeah, you too Catherine. Bye."
His eyes looked towards Nick as he hung up the phone. His friend was starting to cry once more. I hate seeing him like this… he shouldn't have to be going through this…
"Hey… buddy, what's wrong?" He kept his voice quiet and gentle, and forced down the boiling fury towards Alberts and his henchmen. Get the hell over yourself. So you almost got blown up… that's nothing compared to being tortured for hours on end…
"I'm sorry Warrick… After everything you all went through… and now with the lab…"
"Nick… don't even start to say that explosion was your fault… it wasn't."
"Sure it was… they're after me right? All… all I could think about was that damn coffin when I heard that shot man… I just thought of that scalpel… those shears… God, I'm a freaking selfish asshole…"
"No. You're not Nick, you're not a selfish asshole. You're a wonderful friend, who has always been there for us. For crying out loud, Nick, you're probably the least selfish person I know."
"I… it sure doesn't feel that way, man…"
"It doesn't have to feel that way, bro. It's the truth; you just gotta find a way to accept it."
"I… I just want it all to go away…"
"So do I, man… so do I…" He looked at his friend sadly, and fought another burst of anger as his best friend was once more reduced to tears. A look up towards Nick's home showed the officer coming back out, and he flashed a quick thumbs up. Nick didn't resist as Warrick helped him inside, and he didn't hesitate to close the door behind him. Once inside his hand fumbled with the locks and alarm system while he kept his other arm wrapped around his buddy's shoulders. It's going to be ok… you're gonna pull through this…
"Hey, Sara… how… are you ok?"
"Hey Catherine. I'll be just fine. They said I almost sprained my ankle, but that if I'm careful it'll be fine on its own…" her voice gave out, and she quickly turned towards the window as tears sprung to her eyes.
"What's wrong, Sara? Come on… you can tell me." She carefully made her way towards the other woman's quaking form, and placed her hand on Sara's shoulder.
"I… I can't understand how he made it through all that. I… I just can't comprehend how hard it must've been, and for everything he's already gone through…"
"Of course it was hard for him Sara. But, I know you. You would've held on too. You're strong, and… well… I'm really proud of you, Sara. So is Grissom. You guys mean everything to us. I know Gil usually seems like some heartless jerk, but he isn't. He cares so much about us… that he just doesn't know how to react all the time…"
"Thanks, Catherine… it means a lot… but it isn't true. At least not about me. I couldn't have handled being put through all that, and we both know it. Hell, I would've been done in after his first…"
"I guess that's fair Sara. You're right to say that we don't know if we could handle it…"
"But that isn't all Catherine… Nick… he'd put himself right back into Alberts' hands if it would save us from… something…"
"Yeah… he would. Listen, Sara, that just shows how important we all are to him…"
"Except he'd do that for someone he didn't even know Catherine. He'd do it for anyone. And don't tell me I'd do the same... the same thing… I'd just be glad it wasn't it wasn't me…"
He wasn't sure what exactly he was doing, but he needed to see him. His pace hastened, and his footsteps echoed in the silent street. Quick glances at the windows showed that his friend's neighbors were watching everything closely. They won't even let their kids outside… He felt a hand meet his chest, and his eyes slowly looked back towards the officer that had stopped him.
"Hey Greg… you here to see Nick?"
"Y-yeah… is that ok?"
"Well… I don't know yet, I'll send someone in to ask…"
"Come on Nick, why don't we check out if there are any games on?"
"You can go ahead… I'm sorry… I just don't…"
"It's ok, Nick. Maybe we should just focus on getting over this guilt complex you've got building up in you… otherwise…" He was cut off by a knock on the door.
"I'll be right back, Nick…"
"Hey, Warrick, Greg is outside… is it… uh… ok… Is Nick fine with him coming in?"
"I'll check… and… uh… give my thanks to all you guys. It means a lot that you're so…"
"I gotcha, Warrick. You're right… Nick isn't just some case. This isn't just some case. What that guy did was… beyond disturbing. We're not going to let any psychos get to him…"
Warrick smiled appreciatively before disappearing back inside. We're going to do whatever it takes to keep him safe… He doesn't deserve this. No one does… He sighed and quickly went back to observing the surrounding neighborhood.
"Hey, buddy, uh… Greg is outside. He was wondering if you'd want to see him." Warrick moved closer to Nick as he watched his friend rock slowly back and forth on the couch. God, I swear we're going to get these guys. They're not going to get away with this…
"Yeah… uh… I guess that'd be fine… that… the explosion… must've been really hard on him."
Greg wasn't sure why, but he didn't feel relieved when the officer waved him to the door. He had no idea what to expect, and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to handle it. Once inside he could actually take in Warrick's appearance. If Nick looks any worse… I'm not sure I'll be able to handle this…
Warrick once more blocked his path, and he finally managed to take in Nick's appearance once the taller man had sat back down, and wrapped his arm reassuringly around Nick's shoulders. Tears filled his eyes when he finally saw his friend. The sweats did a lot to cover up most of his injuries, but there wasn't anything he could do to hide his near white skin, or the clear impression of a boot on his face. Then he could glimpse the slightest sight of the deep bruises around Nick's neck. The distinct pattern of the rope was unmistakably visible.
"Hey, Nick…" He began cautiously. Ever since his the explosion in the lab all those years ago he hadn't been comfortable being near injured people. Looks like you chose one hell of a good career then Sanders… He fought the urge to sigh, and tried to focus on Nick.
"Hey… Greggo… I-I'm sorry Greg…"
"Why…" he didn't get the chance to finish before Nick's weak voice cut him off.
"The explosion… it was my fault… they're after me, and they're trying to hurt you guys now… you've been through enough…"
"Man, Nick, it was… well… it wasn't easy, but like hell I'm gonna say it was bad when I didn't get hurt. Plus, that explosion was not your fault. You didn't want it to happen; you sure as hell didn't want it to."
"It doesn't matter Greg. These guys are willing to hurt… any of you… just to get at me… I'm not sure I can handle that."
"Nick, we'd do anything for you. If protecting you means getting hurt, then I'll go through anything they throw my way. You don't deserve this Nick, you've had a hard enough past to cope with already…"
"Greg… I know you're doing your best, but why don't you put yourself in my shoes for a few minutes? Why don't you imagine being nine years old? Being thrown around your room… being… victimized… and then lying there. Knowing that you're not strong enough to fight her off… too scared that you might end up like one of the countless dead bodies from any of the cases your parents worked on as a DA and Judge… Scared that your parents would never be able to look you in the eyes. Then, you can't even tell anyone; otherwise, you know she'd fulfill her promise… she'd come back, and all my family would come home to would be my body…"
"I'm so sorry, Nick, but you have to…" He stopped once more as Nick cut him off again.
"It doesn't end there though! Not for me… then I get a gun shoved in face. I was too stupid to see it coming… I wasn't so afraid of dying… I was afraid that I'd just become another case for all of you guys. I was afraid that I'd let you down, and scared to think that in a few minutes you all would've been there bagging little pieces that were left of my skull… I was saved though. For a while… Then… he came around. Just because I ordered cable…"
"Nick…"
"Think about it Greg! How would you feel if you knew someone had been watching every single thing you did in your own house? I mean everything, Greg, it's not like he respected my privacy when I was changing… or getting ready for work… all that stuff… he watched…" Nick stopped as another sob broke free. Greg quickly crossed the distance between them, and sat down on his other side.
"It's ok, Nick… just… just let it out… we're here for you, man."
He exchanged a worried glance at Warrick as they tried to comfort their friend who was breaking apart right in front of them. Neither could make themselves look at him as he cried into Warrick's shoulder. His sobs were the only sounds to break the otherwise deafening silence.
Kenneth Wilson sat uncomfortably in the small room. This won't last too much longer. I have done my part, and I'll be rewarded. A smile came across his face as he heard two quiet thuds outside his door. A moment later the door opened silently, and he stood up to help his partners move the two unconscious officers. Merely half an hour later he was being escorted out of the building being closely watched by the two 'officers' who were wearing dark sunglasses and their hats. No one can tell who they are. This was almost too easy…
Warrick slowly stepped out from behind the driver's seat. He still wasn't sure that Nick was ready for this much… He looked at Greg who was also climbing out of the vehicle, and then he carefully pulled out the crutches.
When he made it around the side of the SUV he found that Nick was using Greg as an armrest, and he couldn't help but smile as Greg tried to hold the bigger man steady.
"You sure you're ready for all this man?"
"Yeah. I've got to get my life back Warrick, and I can't do that without seeing everyone, or with these stupid bandages."
"Well, then let's get this over with…"
An hour later Nick came out of the room wearing a much less bulky cast on his leg, and the bandages that had covered his arms were gone. His skin was still pale, but at least he was smiling.
"You look better."
"Thanks… I guess those bandages were tough to look at… My cuts aren't quite gone yet, but At least they aren't too noticeable..."
Warrick's eyes had shifted to the palms that Nick had exposed. He could still see where Alberts had slit them with that scalpel. The bruises around his best friend's neck were a bit less noticeable, and he gave a halfhearted grin when he noticed the boot print on his face wasn't nearly as noticeable.
"Well, Sara, and your parents are… uh… waiting. You don't have to see them all now…"
"No. I do. I owe them that much… but… could I see Sara first? Alone…"
"Sure, man. Let's go…"
Sara stood quietly. Not sure of how to react. He's letting us back in… he's finally healing… he's finally starting to recover…
"Ok, you guys, we've got everything in place, right?"
Eric Kelner smiled as he saw them all nod. His hand slowly stroked the odd table that was bore two wheels that fascinated him. Along a groove in the wheels were ropes that were connected to a pair of shackles. Both ends were essentially identical, and he remembered the last person who had been chained to this device and slowly had his arms and legs pulled apart. Once the body had been pulled taunt he could remember how Alberts had instructed him to perform the tasks. I may not have performed as well as him, but at least the Cowboy will be allowed to taste the Boss's finer touches…
"We've got, what, four days until it's time for the real fun to start."
His smile widened as he looked at the other three faces looking eagerly at him.
Grissom sat in silence looking at the files on the patients. He had been concerned because there were so many, but he had never expected to find out that they all had had jobs in law enforcement. Not too mention they were all put through some type of situation similar to what Nick went through... He was afraid of what that could mean. Either he's escalating, or these people were merely practice for his real goal... I just hope that his final goal isn't Nick... otherwise this could get real ugly...
His hand subconsciously held his arm. The bullet had barely grazed him, and his small bandage was easily concealed by his shirtsleeve. I can't even imagine what he's gone through already... If I think this hurts... I guess I wouldn't have lasted too long... He shook away the thoughts and looked back at the files laid out on the table. The answer is in here somewhere, I can feel it...
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, Jacob O'Connor. I've been getting my testimony ready, I swear."
"Actually... I'm not dumb enough to question your dedication, Gil, but we need Nick's testimony. I didn't want it to come to this, but your evidence is being questioned... after the bomb in the lab blew most of it up the judge and the jury are going to want more."
"I figured as much. But, this is up to him, got it? If Nick says no, then he doesn't testify."
"Naturally. I feel bad enough to even ask. Who knows, maybe it'll do him some good to see Alberts in that position..."
"I doubt it, but I'll ask him. Meanwhile, I'm sure you need to talk to everyone else on my team?"
"It would be a good idea, and I'd like their testimonies as well."
"Ok. We're going to be having a big meeting soon, so I'll call you, and let you know when."
"Sure thing, and... uh... give let Nick know that we're going to do everything in our power to put this guy on death row... I know that people in his position can find it comforting..."
"We'll all find it comforting."
"Oh, and, I'm heading out to talk to Sheriff Atwater... I don't know if you saw it, but he released a whole lot of information to the press, and I want to tighten the lid on this situation a bit more..."
"Thanks, I guess it's all over the news by now huh?"
"Yep, well, I'll see you later, Gil."
Grissom watched as the younger man left the room. There was no doubt that that man was the best District Attorney in Las Vegas. His hand reached out for the remote on his desk, and he flinched when he heard the sheriff's voice fill the small room that was serving as his makeshift office.
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter: Alberts' plans begin to formulate more. Meanwhile Nick talks to Sara, and then his parents. He takes a side trip to the morgue where he runs into Officer Dayton's parents. Jacob O'Connor talks to the entire team, and finally to Nick. Later Grissom corners the sheriff and they fight over how much information he gave to the press.