Author's Note: And with these last two chapters (8+9) the story's done...still, reviews are welcome!
Chapter 9
Meanwhile Sara and Catherine both had climbed out of the Tahoe and leaned against the hood of the car, waiting for the arrest to be made by the police officers before they could process the garage.
Sara, who saw movement in the back garden, told Catherine to start the car and drive it to the back. And the moment that Brandz walked by Sara opened the door, knocking him over.
"Mr Brandz you should definitely watch where you're going" Sara said, as she jumped out of the Tahoe and pulled Brandz back onto his feet.
Catherine who had also left the car had drawn her gun and pointed it at Brandz. Looking over at Sara she saw a smug look on the brunette's face, and as Sara's eyes met hers both of their faces showed full-blown smiles, satisfied with solving another case.
Brass came over quickly and took Brandz in custody, telling him his rights while pushing him into the back of his Taurus. Together with Grissom he headed back to the PD.
Catherine and Sara decided to check Brandz's garage, since the last time they were here we had denied them access to it, which had made them more suspicious at the time, but couldn't do anything about it then.
Kneeling at a dark red stain on the ground Catherine took some pictures. Sara opened her kit and put on gloves.
She crouched down opposite Catherine and swabbed the stain.
Holding up the now red-colored swab for both of them to see she looked Catherine straight in the eyes.
"There's no way out for him now. I'll bet my paycheck this blood will come back the vic's" Sara said.
Catherine had nothing but admiration in her eyes. She kept staring at the sparkly brown eyes in front of her, and until she saw Sara blush and heard her cough a little, she was shook out of her deep reverie.
She shot up right, but a bit too fast. Almost tumbling over, Sara was just in time to catch her and steady the strawberry blonde again.
Both of them noticed how each other's body reacted to their touch. And both of them really liked it. Unconsciously their faces inched closer, but before their lips got even remotely closer Sara's cell phone rang.
Quickly releasing Catherine out of her grasp, Sara flipped open her cell. A little sigh escaped her throat before she answered.
Catherine looked at the younger woman expectantly, curious about who called, and as Sara mouthed it was Grissom she also let out a sigh.
Grissom wanted to know how far along they were with processing the garage.
"We're done. We'll go back to HQ and analyze the blood immediately." the brunette said.
"Good. Let me know the results of it as soon as possible" Grissom answered before hanging up.
Back at the HQ Catherine and Sara handed Greg the swab and went to the break room for some coffee while they waited for the results.
In silence they each enjoyed a cup of steamy black liquid, sneaking glances at each other, but not saying a word.
Suddenly Greg stormed in. "Slam dunk!" he said "Blood's a match to the vic's"
"Nailed the bastard" Sara stated.
Catherine merely nodded and grabbed her cell, calling Grissom to inform him.
At the PD, Grissom told Brandz about all the evidence they had found. All of it pointed to him, and how he had tried to cover up his actions. Hearing this all Brandz confessed.
He had helped Alice Kenner to a house, and the first time they met he had noticed they had the same SUV. He even made a remark about their cars to Miss Kenner.
The evening of the accident, Brandz had been working late. He had one last business appointment and was on his way over when his phone went. As he reached for his cell he didn't notice that a woman crossed the street.
Sitting back up straight he saw the woman in front of his car. He tried to brake, but it was no use…
Complete panic came over him, and he fled back home. There he placed the SUV in his garage. Remembering Alice Kenner had the exact same SUV, he switched the cars later that night.
He first tried his own key, and although it didn't set off the alarm it neither opened the door. Suddenly he remembered that the dealer had told him about a box for a spare key that was placed on the bottom of the car.
Thinking that no one would be so stupid to use that box he was surprised to find the hidden key on Alice Kenner's car.
To make the switch more believable he also switched the number plates, and filed off the VIN numbers from both SUV's.
Taking all the stuff from Alice's car and placing it into his and vice versa he overlooked the comforter.
And as he thought he had taken care of everything he headed back home, placed the SUV under a cover and went inside drowning all his troubles with a glass of whiskey.
"I couldn't let this ruin my career. My business was doing so well the last months. What was I supposed to do?" was the last thing he said before he was lead out of the interrogation room.
Catherine sat in her office finishing off the paperwork for the Hit-and-Run case as there was a knock on the door.
"Come in"
"Hey"
Blue eyes shot up to see twinkling brown eyes staring at her.
"Just wanted to let you know Alice Kenner said to thank you for helping her" Sara said leaning against the doorframe.
"Well, it was you who felt something was off from the start…so all the credits are for you"
The strawberry blonde's face was showing a smile. "See, sometimes it's good to follow your heart."
Suddenly finding courage in Catherine's words, Sara walked over to Catherine's desk –their eyes still locked, and smiles still plastered on their faces. She took the older woman's hand and placed it over her heart.
"I do follow my heart. More often than you think." She said as she closed the gap between them. She placed a soft kiss on Catherine's lips, her tong quickly grazing along the older woman's bottom lip.
"See?" Sara stated seriously as she leaded back, earning her a smile from the strawberry-blonde.
Knowing this was the perfect time to finally ask the question she had wanted to ask hours before Catherine spoke up, her voice sounding lower than usual.
"So how about a date?"
Hearing the blonde's request Sara felt a shiver go through her whole body.
"I thought you'd never ask" she answered before engaging their lips once again in a smoldering kiss.
The End
Thanks to all of you who took time to read my story!