Chapter 3
Several months had passed since Ecklie's arrest and things at the lab were settling down. Everyone was getting used to the management style of the new director. The sheriff had been disappointed at Grissom's refusal of his offer. He had also been skeptical of Grissom's recommendation of Catherine. She had the forensic experience but not a lot of supervisory experience. However, he had to admit that Grissom had been right. Catherine was a born politician. She looked as good as Gil in front of the cameras and she knew how to play the game. His reluctance had gradually turned into delight.
Catherine had taken to her new responsibilities like a duck to water. The new job gave her the hours she wanted so that she could be with Lindsay and challenged her abilities so that she was never bored. She did miss the hands on part of being a CSI but had no desire to go back. She had been surprised, pleasantly, by the acceptance of the other shift supervisors. They had, apparently, not liked Ecklie either.
The only problem so far had been with Sofia Curtis. Nothing overt, Sofia just didn't miss an opportunity to take jabs at Catherine's ability. Catherine, for the most part, understood. The detective had had her share of disappointments lately. The relationship between Grissom and Sara had to be eating her alive. Everyone, except Gil, knew that Sofia had set her sights on him. The fact that she also despised Sara twisted the knife that much harder. Sofia also had some very unflattering things to say about Catherine and her former occupation. To lose a man and a job to women that she felt were beneath her had to be a hard pill to swallow.
Catherine's first duty as director hadn't been the most pleasant thing she had ever done. She had called Gil and Sara in to discuss their relationship. Talk about uncomfortable. Neither of them tried to make it any easier on her. Gil had sat stoically while she stumbled through her speech. Sara had alternated between a silent glare and a huge grin. Finally, Gil had let her off the hook by explaining that if they had successfully hidden it from her for several months it must not be interfering with their jobs. Once she had conceded that point the two promised to practice restraint and left her office.
If Catherine had any regrets about leaving night shift it was Warrick. She had been attracted to him for a very long time and had thought it was mutual. Then suddenly he was married. Now that she almost never saw him and she was more than just a shift supervisor, she had to admit that any relationship between them was never going to happen. It was still a fantasy that could help her get through the night when necessary.
She missed Nick and Greg too. They were her friends and she rarely saw them either. She talked with Gil at least once a week and he kept her updated on everyone's professional life. Funny, now that she and Sara didn't have to work together Catherine had taken to calling her a couple of times a week to check on everyone's personal life. The two were actually becoming friends. That was probably a good thing since Gil had been her best friend for years. If he and Sara were going to be together then Catherine had to keep the peace.
Since his arrest, Conrad Ecklie had been outon bail. The state had confiscated his passport and frozen his bank accounts. His marriage, already on shaky ground, had crumbled. The trial was scheduled to start soon and Catherine called Gil to get a copy of his file on the investigation that revealed Ecklie's involvement with Joe DiMarco. She wanted to review it before he and Sara had to testify. She had spent some time with the D.A. regarding Gil's suspension and how that might affect the case. After much thought, she had requested another meeting with Gil and Sara.
Smiling, Catherine greeted Grissom and Sara and motioned them toward the chairs in front of her desk. "Hey, guys, how's it going?" she asked.
"Good," Sara answered. "How about you? You like being queen bee?" Sara's smile and the gleam in her eyes took the sting out of the question.
"I do like it on top," Catherine quipped and almost laughed when she saw the blush staining Gil's cheeks at her double entendre. "Gil, how have you been?"
Grissom cleared his throat and said, "Fine. We've been very busy, which I'm sure you're aware of. What's this about?"
"Always want to get right down to business, huh?" Catherine chuckled. "Okay, I wanted to talk about Ecklie's case. I want to make sure you guys are ready for what the defense is going to throw at you."
"What do you expect them to throw at us?" Grissom asked. He raised his eyebrow and gave Catherine the full benefit of his enigmatic look. Sara, on the other hand, had closed her eyes and sighed loudly.
"Gil, don't be so obtuse. You know how this is going to play. This is a political nightmare," Catherine said and threw up her hand to ward off his comment. "I know how you feel about it but we need to make sure we are solid on this."
"Catherine, you know that we have a solid case, especially since DiMarco rolled. That and the evidence should be enough to get a conviction." Grissom's voice was calm but his eyes were hard. "My suspension had absolutely nothing to do with Ecklie's arrest."
"Gris," Sara laid her hand on his arm in a calming gesture, "that's not what she's saying. You know that the defense is going to have a field day with our relationship. Ecklie's attorney would be remiss if he didn't at least give it a shot."
"Guys, I've talked to the D.A. and he wants to spend some time with both of you. He thinks that you need some practice." At the fire that flared up in both their eyes she said quickly, "Not coaching on the testimony, just a little practice for the personal stuff. You have a meeting with him at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning."
"I'm not happy about this, Cath. You know how I feel about being coached." Grissom scowled and continued, "I don't care what you call it. It's coaching."
"Gil, I understand your position but this isn't a suggestion." Catherine's voice carried a hint of steel that had both Grissom and Sara bristling.
"If it is an order, then I'll go," Grissom said quietly.
"Then consider it an order," Catherine replied just as quietly.
"Is there anything else?" Grissom asked. When Catherine shook her head, he stood and left the office.
Sara stood and looked at Catherine with a slightly embarrassed expression. "Sorry, you know how he gets. We'll be there tomorrow."
"No problem," Catherine said. "He'll forgive me eventually." She gave Sara a smile that was more than a little forced. "Thanks, Sara."
The trial of Conrad Ecklie began on a Monday with a full accompaniment of reporters. There were jurors to be selected and that took two days. There were motions to be heard and that took another. There were opening arguments that took another. The prosecution finally began presenting its case on a Friday. They began with Lt. Warrens. He testified to the conversations he had with Ecklie and the specifics on the drug raids. The defense couldn't touch him even though they tried to insinuate that he was the one taking bribes. At the end of the lieutenant's testimony the judge called a recess until the following Monday.
When court was called to order on the second Monday, the D.A. called the sheriff to testify. They ran through the sheriff's request to Dr. Grissom and Ms. Sidle for their assistance with the failed raids. The sheriff explained why he didn't call in IAD to handle the investigation. His testimony was straight forward with no cross. Then it was Sara's turn. The prosecutor led her through the story. They laid out the facts. The information she had discovered. The warrant and subsequent discovery of the deposits into Ecklie's bank account.
When Ecklie's attorney rose to begin his cross examination he smiled disarmingly at Sara. The questions started with easy things. Her education, qualifications and experience were all covered. Then the attorney began to attack the evidence. Sara held her ground and countered with ease. Suddenly, he asked the question she had been waiting for, "Ms. Sidle, can you tell the jury the nature of your relationship with Dr. Grissom?"
"He is my supervisor," Sara said without elaboration.
"Is that the extent of the relationship? Please remember that you are under oath." He said.
"No." Again Sara said only what she had to.
"Isn't it true, Ms. Sidle, that you and Dr. Grissom are involved in a sexual relationship?" he asked this while facing the jury to better judge their reaction.
"Yes." Sara fought to keep the anger from her voice.
"Isn't it true that Dr. Grissom had been suspended for a week pending an investigation of the same relationship?"
"Yes." Sara held onto her composure.
"Isn't it true that you had been suspended previously by Mr. Ecklie for insubordination?"
Once again her answer was simple. "Yes."
The questioning continued in this vein for over an hour; the defense attorney asking personal questions, the D.A. objecting, the judge overruling and Sara giving one word answers. He covered her DUI and PEAP counseling. When he asked about her mother the judge cut him off. As soon as he sat down the D.A. jumped up and began a redirect. He brought the questioning back to the actual case at hand and cleaned things up as best he could.
Grissom was up next. The D.A. started off asking Grissom the same questions he had asked Sara. They started with his credentials, qualifications and education. They walked through the trail left by Ecklie. They discussed the interviews with the detectives and Lt. Warrens. Grissom testified about the timing of the deposits made into Ecklie's account. Then the D.A. asked him about his relationship with Ms. Sidle.
When Ecklie's attorney stood up to begin his cross he didn't even bother to be nice. He started immediately about the sexual relationship between Grissom and Sara. He asked about Grissom's suspension. He implied that the relationship between Grissom and Sara began when he refused to fire her as Ecklie ordered. He even went so far as to ask about the broken coffee pot incident. Just as Sara had done, Grissom kept his composure and answered with as few words as possible. Again, just as with Sara, the D.A. came back and cleaned things up. Finally the ordeal was over.
By mutual agreement, Sara had left when she finished so she could get some sleep. Grissom walked out of the courthouse and took a deep breath. He had testified at hundreds of trials and could never remember feeling so dirty afterward. He drove home and opened the garage door. He was surprised to findSara's car missing. He took out his cell phone and called her. When her voice mail picked up he cursed and, putting thecar in reverse, headed toward her apartment. He was relieved, and a little puzzled, to find her car in the parking lot.
Sara heard the knocking and groaned inwardly. She knew it was Grissom but didn't really want to see him. She got to her feet and walked slowly to the door. She pulled it open and turned around, leaving him to close the door.
"Hey," he said. "Is everything okay?"
"No, it's not. I feel like I've just been stripped searched in public." Sara voice trembled as she fought back the tears that had been threatening for hours.
Grissom sat down on the couch next to her and studied her face. "Sara, what happened? Why are you here?"
"He asked about my mother. How in the hell did he know to ask about her!" Sara's voice rose to a screech. "The only person that knew was you."
"And you think I told someone?" Grissom looked at Sara in total disbelief. "You know me better than that. I would never tell something that was told to me in confidence."
"My God, Gris, I never saw it coming. I never thought that anyone would dig that deep." Sara bit back a sob. "I need to be alone."
Grissom sat perfectly still, as if by not moving he could avoid the impact of Sara's words. Finally, he found his voice and said, "Sara, I can't leave you like this."
"Please, Grissom, just go. I'll be fine. I just need a little time by myself," Sara said as she avoided his gaze.
Grissom stood and, after searching Sara's face on last time, he left slamming the door behind him. He didn't see Sara's hot tears begin to flow. She didn't see the hurt and resignation in his eyes.
