Title: Entreaty chapter 30
By: Manigault
Thank your reading this story and than you to those who have reviewed!
I've had some computer difficulties and have not been able to post any new chapters. Hopefully I will be able to post the rest of this story in a more timely manner. Thanks again!
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The door to the interrogation room flew open causing everyone to jump back as Grissom stormed inside. His focus on Olivia, he moved to stand behind Sara and level an icy stare onto the girl.
"Where did they take Andy? Is he in Paul's house? Quinn and Connor's? This is your chance to get a light sentence if you help us out." Grissom's statement was so intense that Olivia started shaking and rocking faster as fear gripped her mind.
"He is in some abandoned house not far from where Quinn and Connor live," Olivia sobbed. She tore her eyes away from the accusing looks of everyone and focused on the table. "They said that he would be killed if I told anyone. If I didn't back them up and tell the story that they had told me to say."
"Olivia!" The cry was torn from Bess, who could not take this confession from her child. Clayton's arms wrapped around her shoulders.
Grissom did not wait to watch the drama unfolding in the room. He was back in the hall and speaking rapidly to Brass who had followed him from the room.
"I have several squad cars on it, Gil," Brass assured him as they walked towards the front of the building. "If Andy is alive, we'll find him."
Grissom felt a familiar presence on his left and knew that Tom had raced from the room to accompany them. For a flash of a second Grissom wondered why Sara had not hurried to catch up with him, but dismissed the thought knowing she would want to tie up some loose ends with Olivia.
The drive was tense. Brass kept up a stream of dialogue with various officers and with headquarters, locating any abandoned homes near the Hanson's. Glancing over at Grissom he relayed information as he received it.
"There are three possibilities, Gil, and there are men going to each one as we speak."
"Which one is closest to the Hanson home? We should try that one first." Grissom shifted slightly in the seat next to Brass and looked over his shoulder at Tom who had his head pressed against the cool pane of the window.
It was less than ten minutes when they arrived at the first home where they found three police cars there ahead of them. Jumping from the car the men hurried towards the entrance and were met by Detective Vartan.
"Jim, Gil," Vartan nodded at the men as they approached. "We searched the house and basement and he isn't here."
Grissom looked up at the two level house and estimated that it was at least more than 2000 square feet. "Jim?" The question went unanswered as Brass phoned his men at the other two houses. With a grim expression he looked back at Grissom.
"No luck," Brass said sadly.
Tom brushed past them and began moving from room to room, his own expression grim. "They searched the basement? The closets? Attic?"
Brass looked over at Vartan for the answer.
"We looked everywhere except the attic," Vartran admitted. "We didn't see an entrance for an attic." His look was sheepish and he avoided the disbelieving eyes of the men. Brass immediately got back on his phone to be certain those attics were checked.
Taking the steps to the second level, two at a time, Tom reached the next floor and scanned the ceiling. "It's a pull down attic ladder," Tom said to Grissom. "It looks like the pull has been cut off."
They studied the situation and with sudden clarity, Tom crouched down and laced his fingers together. He looked up at Grissom. "If he is up there, Gil, then it can't be good. We can't wait for someone to get here with a ladder."
Grissom placed his foot in the other mans hand and pushed up towards the ceiling. Beside him, Brass reached out to help him balance and they watched in frustration as Grissom used one hand to push against the ceiling while with the other hand he tried unsuccessfully to open the wooden trap door. The rope had been cut off flush against the wooden surface. Grissom dug his nails into the edge of the trap door and tried to pry it open with the tips of his fingers.
Wincing in pain as one of his nails ripped from his finger, Grissom let loose a stream of expletives.
"Try this, Gil." Brass handed a key up to Grissom who took it with a doubtful expression. Pushing the key into the edge of the trap door he ground his teeth together as he pushed down with the metal object.
"It's bent," Grissom said. "The ladder would probably get here first at this rate."
"Keep trying, Gil, you have to open the door," Tom pleaded.
Brass handed Grissom a stronger key and gave him a quick grin. "Try pushing it at an angle with the edge of the trap door, Gil."
Grissom followed the suggestion and found the door opened enough for him to squeeze one finger in far enough to gain a hand hold. Within seconds he pulled the door down enough to grab the built in ladder with one hand. He was not prepared for the ladder to fold apart with a sudden spring that catapulted him through the air where he landed with a heavy thud against the wall.
Brass rushed to his side as Tom held onto the ladder and the trap door, afraid to let go lest it swing back into place preventing their inspection of the attic.
Gil held his left shoulder and gritted his teeth. "I'm fine, Jim. You need to see if he's up there, Tom." Grissom spoke to the concerned man holding the ladder.
Grissom's words broke Tom free of whatever trance he had felt under and he scrambled up the shaky ladder and into the attic space. Ripples of heat assaulted him as he reached the top of the ladder and scanned the small room.
"He's here!" Tom shouted. Moving as quickly as possible, Tom made his way to the far side of the room where a tiny window opened at the back of the house. The crumpled body that lay beneath the window did not stir. Bending down, Tom turned the body over and found what he feared. Andy was unconscious. Pressing two of his fingers against the teens carotid artery, Tom held his breath as he felt what he was searching for and released a heavy sigh.
"Gil! Call an ambulance! He has a faint pulse!"
"Jim has already called for one and they should be here within minutes," Gil spoke from behind Tom and the younger man turned to give him a grateful smile.
"He's alive, Gil, but I don't know how much longer he can hold on."
Grissom felt a surge of emotion as he stared down at the teenager that he had wondered if he would ever meet. The boy looked like shit and from the odor emanating from his person, smelled like shit as well. Grissom recognized the clothes the boy wore as the ones that Elaine had described him wearing the day that he and Kyle had left for their camping trip.
"He's been shot," Tom pulled the shirt up for Grissom to inspect. "A graze by the looks of this wound."
Grissom shouted back down from the attic to Brass who informed him that the ambulance would be here any minute.
"He needs fluid," Grissom noted the signs of dehydration with concern as he crouched beside the boy and inspected him for any other injuries. The wound that had grazed the boy had left a trail of blood with it that was pooled beneath his body. Sitting on his heels, Grissom reached the back of one of his hands up and wiped at the sweat that was sliding down the sides of his face. He was roasting. Looking up at the small window, Grissom saw a bloody print on the edge where Andy had apparently managed to push the tiny frame up enough to allow some fresh air to enter the stifling room.
"We need to get him out of here," said Tom with a desperate look at his nephew and the surrounding room. "Maybe we can carry him down the stairs?"
Grissom was about to agree when he heard shouts below stairs and an EMT appeared at the top of the stairs with one end of a stretcher in his hands. Seconds later another EMT appeared and they quickly took over the scene, pushing Grissom and Tom gently away from the supine teen. Neither man was offended by the brusque nature of the medics and stood aside in relief as they watched the efficient manner in which the boy was placed on the stretcher and strapped onto it in order to keep him immobile as they lifted him through the small openening and into the hands of other medics that stood waiting on the second floor.
Andy was rushed to an ambulance where the medics began swiftly applying bandages to the open wound, an iv in the hand so fluids could begin circulating in his blood, and a more through inspection of any other injuries.
Feeling helpless, but overcome with emotion, Tom and Gil stood side by side watching the scene play out, each with their own sense of disbelief that they actually had found Andy alive.
"I need to call Elaine and Alex," said Tom. He made no move for the phone, however, but kept his eyes glued on the still unconscious boy that was making no response to the medics probing and sticking with the needle.
"You should ride with him to the hospital," said Grissom with the sudden realization that he had a phone call of his own to make. "You can phone everyone from there after you know how he's doing."
Tom nodded and moved towards the ambulance as Andy was lifted into the back. Stepping inside the interior he turned back to speak to Grissom but found that his brother had already moved away from the ambulance and held a phone against his ear.
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"Gris? Hey there, any luck?" asked Sara as she pressed her cell to her ear and prayed he had good news. Nothing came over the line except a broken sigh causing Sara's heart to drop with the sound. "Grissom? Talk to me."
"We found him, Sara. Andy is alive. Barely, but he is alive."
Grissom's voice broke with the words and he was thankful that he had his back to any curious onlookers that were still at the scene, including Brass. "You can tell Mattie that his Uncle Tom found his brother and that the doctors are taking care of him in the hospital. He should know that Andy is alive," Grissom could only hope that Andy stayed that way or Mattie would be devastated.
Sara's elation at the words was temporary as the grimness of his voice took form. "He's bad, huh? Listen, Griss, I know this kid will be just fine because he has the same line of blood as you have, okay?"
A soft chuckle greeted her declaration and she relaxed against the wall where she had halted when her cell phone had first rung.
"I'm not sure if blood lines equal toughness and survival, Sara, but at this point I'm willing to give it a chance," Grissom felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to find Brass tilting his head towards his car in silent communication. "I need to go with Jim to the hospital, Sara, so you will let Mattie know about Andy?"
"Try to stop me," she replied and then added quickly. "We'll meet you at the hospital as soon as we can get there, okay?"
Clicking off the phone, she smiled widely and went in search of Mattie to break the good news.
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Grissom was sitting in the waiting room, leaning back against the wall, eyes shut tightly, when he felt small arms wrap around his neck. His eyes snapped open and he found a freckled face and wide teary eyes staring back at him.
"Thank you, Uncle Gil, thank you, thank you," sang Mattie as the boy hugged Grissom close again. With slow motion Grissom lifted his arms and wrapped them around the child while his eyes locked with the brunette who had sauntered up in front of him, a beautiful smile spreading across her face.
"How is Andy?" asked Sara softly.
"Holding his own," Grissom replied. Shifting suddenly, he made room for Mattie to sit beside him as he kept his arms wrapped around the small shoulders. "The doctors feel that when the fluids take hold he will gain consciousness and recover quickly." Pushing back the tender emotions he was feeling as Mattie snuggled into his shoulder, he smiled weakly at Sara who was settling beside them, one of her hands reaching over to smooth Mattie's bangs away from his eyes.
Tom walked into the room at that instant and could not help but admire the visual of Grissom, Sara, and Mattie comforting one another, a tight little family circle. Not wanting to disturb them, but feeling the pull to be part of that circle, Tom made his way over to a chair across from the couple and eased himself into the cushions with a loud sigh.
"He's doing better," Tom answered in response to the question he read on Grissom's face. "Alex, Claire, Elaine and our mom are on their way here as we speak."
Mattie scooted off of Grissom's lap and flung himself into Tom's arms, repeating the same gratitude that he had given Grissom. "When can I see Andy?" asked Mattie with hopeful eyes.
"We will have to ask the doctors, okay, sport?" Tom kissed the boys forehead and smiled into his eyes. "When they give the okay, I will make sure that you are right beside him. I'm going to go back and check on him and I'll ask the nurses what they think about a little brother making a quick visit, I promise."
Mattie nodded, not happy with the answer, but understanding of the reasonings behind the promise. "Is it okay if I wait here with Uncle Gil and Sara?" Mattie pleaded, his eyes wide with anticipation.
"Of course, Mattie, the fact is until your mom gets here you are Uncle Gil's responsibility, isn't that right, Gil?" Tom stood up and stretched before returning to Andy's side.
"I suppose that I am responsibile for you Mattie, so it looks like your stuck with me," smiled Grissom. He felt Sara's arm through his coat and his body relaxed. "I suppose you're stuck with me and Sara for awhile."
Mattie nodded happily, a smile flitting across his small face as he felt geniune peace for the first time since his dad and Andy had disappeared. Squeezing back into the seat between Grissom and Sara, he leaned his head on Sara's shoulder and closed his eyes. Sleep claimed him and as he drifted off to sleep, Sara felt her maternal instincts kick in again as she lifted her hand to smooth it over the boys fly away curls.
Grissom twisted in his chair until he was facing Sara and Mattie. Stretching one long arm along the back of the chair he found his own fingers reaching for Sara's tendrils as he played with a strand of her hair and studied her wistful face.
"You look beautiful holding a child, Sara," Grissom heard his own voice and marveled at the wistfulness he detected. "Have you ever thought about children of your own?"
Sara stared at him as if he had spoken some language she could not decipher, her mind spinning with the implications of his words. Grissom talking about children with her even if it was in an abstract manner? Impossible.
"When you fell off that ladder, did you hit your head, Griss?"
A smile lifted the corner of Grissom's lips and he narrowed his eyes in a playful way. "Noooo, I did not hit my head. I'm serious, Sara, you are getting older-."
"Watch it, pal," Sara said with a mock glare, but her eyes twinkled. "Okay, seriously, I've never allowed myself to think that far ahead." The twinkle slipped from her eyes and she frowned slightly as her eyes drifted down to the long eyelashes of Mattie.
"Why not?"
Why was he pressing this issue? The question flitted through both of their minds and each of them pondered the reprecussions of this discussion.
"I guess that I never thought I would have children because I would make a horrendous parent," admitted Sara, now afraid to meet his eyes.
When Grissom did not reply, she risked a glance up towards his face and was surprised at the tenderness she found.
"Honey, there are many things that I don't know, but I know without a doubt that you would be a wonderful parent."
"You can't know that, Grissom, you don't know what I went through as a child, what my-." She drifted off and squeezed her eyes shut tightly. "Besides, what difference does it make? Unless you are willing to be a sperm donor then the subject is mute." She meant the statement as a means of lightening up the conversation, a way to break the tension. She was shocked into silence when Grissom spoke.
"That could be arranged. When you are ready, that is," Grissom grinned as her eyes flew open and she stared at him with raw emotion.
"Don't tease me like that, Griss, it's not fair."
"I'm not teasing you Sara," Grissom held her eyes and leaned forward until he was inches from her face. "These past few weeks have been eye opening for me and I realized how short life is and what is truly important. Trust me, if you ever decide that you want children then I would be honored to give you my sperm. The old fashioned way, of course, none of that clinical stuff."
Sara lifted her left hand and touched Grissom's cheek with tenderness. "You are serious, aren't you Grissom? What about you? Do you have a desire to be a parent?"
With a light shrug, Grissom repeated her words from earlier. "I never allowed myself to think that far ahead," he leaned forward and his lips brushed hers. "I want anything that you want, Sara, you tell me when and if, and I'm yours."
"And in the meantime?"
"What do you mean?" Grissom pulled back slightly and frowned.
"Where are we in the meantime, Gris? Together as a couple? Co-workers?"
"Both, I suppose," Grissom leaned forward and let his lips trail light kisses over her nose and along her cheek. "We will figure it out together, if you want to that is."
Pulling his head towards her, Sara met his kiss with a hunger that equaled his own. The clearing of a throat had them both pulling reluctantly apart and they found a bemused Catherine and Warrick standing in the doorway.
"There is a child present, people," Warrick teased, pointing at the sleeping child.
A red blush spread over both Grissom and Sara's faces as they stared at their collegues. "What's going on Catherine?" Grissom finally managed to ask as it was obvious Catherine and Warrick were enjoying their discomfort.
"Oh, lots is going on by the looks of it," Catherine retorted as Warrick snorted.
"I'm talking about the case, Catherine, anything new with the teenagers confessions?"
"What confessions? If you mean Oliiva, then she's retreated into emotional silence. Paul still mantains his innocence and the Hanson brothers have clammed up completely."
"Have you told them that we found Andy?" Sara asked.
"We told each of them and only Quinn had a reaction. These kids are something else, they don't appear to have any consciousness or moral compass." said Catherine with a shake of her head.
"Give it some time, though, and I'm sure that Quinn will crack and confess," Warrick said with a firm smile.
"When Andy wakes up then we will have his side of events," said Sara with more confidence than she actually felt. "Then it won't matter what Paul or his cousins say because the evidence is against them."
Grissom hoped this was the case, but they would have to wait until Andy woke up before they could get his version of events. If Andy had been trapped in the attic all of this time then his memory was very possible going to be clouded and Grissom realized that he may not be able to offer any information.
"The good news is that Warrick and Nick stumbled into their nest egg when they searched the brothers rooms," Catherine grinned and winked over at Warrick. "Quinn apparently kept a journal with the names of their contacts and the names of many of their clients. He writes that his brother and cousin think that he doesn't know all of these names, but he isn't as stupid as they think."
She let these words sink in when Grissom spoke for the first time since he and Sara had been interrupted. "If he has written in a journal about these things then did he write about what happened to Kyle and Andy?"
Catherine and Warrick exchanged smug looks and Warrick spoke. "A unknown confession is a thing of beauty."
"Warrick, I didn't know you could quote poetic," Grissom grinned. "You did change it a bit, but I get the drift."
"We have them, Griss, we have them." Sara did not care that they had witnesses, she leaned over and planted another kiss on Grissom's lips and smiled into his mouth.
TBC