DISCLAIMER:Don't own it... No money made... Just for fun and enjoyment.
SUMMARY: Sequel to Displacement. The CSI team and their recently hired coroner Stephanie are back to work solving cases, sharing companionship and generally making their way through the dire world of criminal investigation with humor and friendship... This one will show the development of the relationship between Grissom and Sara and there should be some other surprises down the road as well. Romance/Drama/Angst/Mature Situations
RATING: M for Mature - I'm starting this one out at "M", since we won't be waiting quite so long for the smut this time out ;) Also, there is a sprinkling of language throughout the story.
A/N: Oh, but I do know a lot about "Legalese." So, if the first part of this chapter sounds incredibly long winded, meticulous and a little hard to follow... That's what I was going for. :D
REVIEWS: I am always looking for ways to improve my writing, and your reviews let me know if I am hitting my mark. Thank you in advance for the time you take to read & review this story.
Chapter 51
"Ms. Sanchez, as you can see, there are substantial liabilities that have been generated during the course of this union, none of which were initiated by my client, Mr. Brown. What we are proposing is that Mr. Brown take over the loan liabilities on the automobiles, one of which was already the sole property of Mr. Brown prior to the union, and as such they become his property to disperse with, as he sees fit. The lease on the condominium can be transferred to Mrs. Brown, if she sees fit, but that his name will no longer be associated with said condominium. Mr. Brown will assume the liability for the credit account ending in two four seven nine, but all other accounts, taken out by Mrs. Brown over the course of the union, with Mr. Brown listed as secondary, would become the soul propriety of Mrs. Brown, since the debt incurred can be attributed directly to her individual spending, as is outlined in the documents we are submitting to the court." Stephan's outline of the proposal was interrupted by the voices from the opposing counsel side of the table. "I'm sorry, is there a problem?"
"Damn right, there is!" Tina spoke out of turn and he could tell that her anger was genuine.
Her attorney was quick to try and quiet his client, but it was really not working, "Mrs. Brown, we need to wait until Mr. Tompkins has finished and then we can-…"
"That's bullshit! He's gonna pay."
The mediator was the next to speak up, "Mr. Gianese, we may not be in a court at the moment, but please advise your client that everything she says during this meeting will be presented to the judge, should this action make it into a courtroom."
There were a few more heated words exchanged between the two, but, eventually, she crossed her arms over her chest and scowled, somewhat silently, at the people assembled there. Stephan never liked dealing with this aspect of a divorce, because the first meeting always ended up turning into a fiasco, with heated words exchanged on both sides. However, so far, his client seemed to be keeping his cool
"If I may continue?" Stephan regarded the opposing counsel, as well as the mediator. "Very well… The matters of personal property have already been dispensed with in the phase before Mr. Brown secured legal counsel. Is it a correct understanding to believe that these matters are closed, in reference to this action?" Stephan waited for all the parties to nod, and he motioned for Warrick to speak his affirmation.
"Yeah, I got all I needed. It's closed for me." Warrick's words were tight, but the emotion was closely held in.
"Mrs. Brown is also in agreement… On the issue of personal property." The attorney made sure to interject his last qualifying statement, which told Stephan that nothing else was being agreed to, yet.
"To conclude, there is limited physical property, specifically the financial obligation on the condominium lease and the loans on the two vehicles. Mr. Brown is willing to cede rights to the condominium and its contents, for the responsibility of the automobiles, as long as they remain in his physical possession."
Tina started up again, shaking her head as she said, "Nuh-huh… He is not gettin' my Lexus."
Stephan addressed the woman directly, that time, "With all due respect, Mrs. Brown… My client is the owner of record on the title and the lien, so ownership has never been in question in regards to the authorities on that matter." The woman had no answer for his retort, and that was what Stephan was going for in the first place. He had not built his reputation by being a nice guy, and when it came to negotiations, he was anything but.
He returned his focus to the mediator and continued making his presentation, "And as I have indicated, this settlement is more than fair, considering the mitigating factors involved in the dissolution of this union, which, should the action make it into a courtroom, we are fully prepared to present, in detail." He looked over at the opposing counsel, and added one more nail to the coffin, "And it is our belief that a judge would be far less accommodating to Mrs. Brown's situation, given those factors." Stephan nodded at opposing counsel, and then to the mediator, before he took his seat, and acknowledged that he had concluded his proposal for settlement.
The lead attorney for the opposing counsel had a few terse words to share with his client before he held up his hands, and motioned for the woman to be silent. As he stood up to address the people assembled for the settlement meeting, he removed a group of folders from his briefcase. "Ms. Sanchez, it is our belief that the proposed settlement from Mr. Brown's attorney might be considered fair, if he had not shouldered any of the blame for the dissolution of this union. However, it is the contention of my client, that Mr. Brown did indeed violate his oath of marriage, by engaging in an inappropriate relationship for the duration of the union."
Grissom had his hand firmly on Warrick's forearm, but even through his suit jacket and shirt, he could feel the younger man's anger begin to burn through him. His whole body was tensed, and Grissom feared what his final reaction was going to be, so he did his best to keep his own demeanor as calm as possible. When the opposing counsel handed copies of the folder to Stephan and the mediator, Grissom became unsure of just what Warrick's attorney was going to do. He watched as Stephan flipped through the pages contained in the folder, and he could visibly see his anger rising. However, he was completely shocked by the scene that followed.
"Mr. Tompkins, does your client have a response to this apparently supported accusation?" The mediator was also looking through the folder and Grissom thought he caught the glimpse of a photograph, so he was very curious to find out what was in the folder, but he would have to keep his curiosity to himself, as Stephan flung the folder into the wall with such force, it sent the pages scattering across the floor.
"No, because I refuse to subject him to the malicious and indecent gestures of opposing counsel to manipulate the facts!" If they had been in a cartoon, Stephan would have been turning red like a thermometer, and steam would have been jetting from his ears.
"I am sorry, but I have a hard time understanding how you can comment on this matter without conferring with your client, Mr. Tompkins… Would you care to elaborate?" Ms. Sanchez regarded him with a curious glare.
"I can comment on the matter, because I happened to have been present when those photographs were taken… When they were taken, illegally, I might add, in a private hospital, in a private room, only days ago, as we waited to learn whether or not my dearest friend would live through a horrifying medical emergency. THAT is how I am able to comment, Ms. Sanchez." Grissom might have thought Stephan would have already begun using a string of expletives, but he seemed to have perfected the art of legalese through anger. "I can comment, because Mr. Brown also happens to be friends with the young woman who was lying in that ICU bed fighting for her life, as Mrs. Brown abused her position at the hospital to unethically, and illegally obtain photographs of a group of friends and family struggling to survive through unimaginable torment, while they watched someone they loved fight for every breath of life she had left in her body!" His rage was seething from every pore in his being, but he still managed to show his professionalism throughout the experience. "I can comment, Ms. Sanchez, because I have never before in my professional life witnessed a more heinous display of callous disregard for the ethics of our legal system, as I have seen here today."
The anger appeared to be contagious, because the mediator turned to the opposing counsel and questioned him, "Mr. Gianese, am I to understand that these photographs are of such a recent nature as to have been obtained following the Brown's petition for the dissolution of this union?"
Opposing counsel appeared to be genuinely concerned about their position by that point and he fumbled over his explanation. "Ah, well, it has been a long held suspicion on the part of my client that Mr. Brown has continued to engage in a relationship with the woman in question prior to, during and obviously, from those photographs, immediately following their marriage."
That statement was too much for Warrick and he threw his head back in his disgust. "What?" Grissom held onto his arm and Stephan put his hand out in front of Warrick to keep him from saying anything further.
Stephan turned to speak with the mediator, ignoring the opposing counsel altogether. "Ms. Sanchez, I can say unequivocally that the only 'relationship' my client has had with Ms. Willows is that of a friend and colleague of many years. And by an act of providence, the supervisor and friend of both my client and Ms. Willows happens to be in the room today, acting in a supportive capacity to my client." Stephan turned to Grissom and asked him a question he was completely unprepared for. "Dr. Grissom… In your years, working with Mr. Brown and Ms. Willows, can you say, in all honesty, that they have never, to your knowledge, as their friend, colleague and superior, engaged in a relationship outside the normal scope of their work together?"
Grissom swallowed the lump which had formed in his throat and struggled to answer the question through his shock. "No, to my knowledge, as a dear friend of Ms. Willows, as well as my work with both, Ms. Willows and Mr. Brown, have I ever known them to be engaged in a relationship outside the parameters of our work together."
Stephan continued to ask questions of the man, and he worried tremendously that he would ask the wrong one, "How long have you been acquainted with Mr. Brown?"
"Since he worked as my intern one summer, while he was attending UNLV. Approximately ten years, I believe." Grissom relaxed, because that was the right question.
"And how long have you been acquainted with Ms. Willows?" That question came from the mediator, and Grissom's worry amplified.
"Since my arrival in Las Vegas, more than twelve years ago." The questions were becoming unnerving, and Grissom held his breath, hoping the next one would not cause him to say anything damaging.
"And in that time, was there anything that led you to believe that either party ever engaged in a relationship, outside of friendship, without your express knowledge?"
Grissom heaved a sigh of relief, because the question had not crossed the line, and he shook his head as he answered Stephan, "No, never once. They have shown only the highest respect for each other as colleagues and in recent events as good friends." Grissom turned to the mediator and felt the need to expound, "If I may?" He waited for her permission to continue, "Thank you… Warrick Brown has shown nothing but the strongest character to me, over the years. He has overcome a difficult upbringing, dealt with some rather ugly aspects of human existence and has always managed to emerge with a kind and caring spirit. And over the last few months, I have come to understand what those things have cost him, as well as the deeper root of his character. I consider him to be an exemplary employee, a talented colleague and a deeply moral human being. It has been my privilege and honor to count this man as a friend to myself and my family…" Grissom paused and then turned to the opposing counsel when he continued to speak, "And it was my family which has been obviously desecrated by the avarice of another during these proceedings. I can assure Mr. Gianese, I will be filing a personal complaint with the Nevada State Bar Association for the acts perpetrated against my family with the taking of those photographs. And on a personal note, Mrs. Brown, you are extremely fortunate that my goddaughter is not here in this room right now, to witness your indecency, because God help you if she was."
