Chapter 14
Catherine studied Linley Parker. They had sent her home a few hours before only to call her back in for the line up. In all her years as a CSI she had never understood how involved people like Sara would become in cases, but looking at the blonde in front of her, she had never felt so invested in a case.
Linley tensed suddenly as the men entered the observation room in front of them.
A harsh voice shattered the silence, "Single file, stop at your number on the floor. When I tell you to turn, you're gonna face the mirror. When you hear your number called, step forward."
Brass remained a silent observer. His days were always the same. He investigated rape, murders, and assaults, and watched the victims struggle with the worst day of their lives.
"Number one, step forward," an officer requested.
Brass was instantly glad they hadn't needed a line up for Sara to id. Of all the crime scenes he had seen, the vision of Sara suspended from the ropes was one that would always be burned in his memory.
"…number three, step forward."
Linley's features reflected off the glass allowing Catherine to see her eyes widen, and her features harden. Everyone in the room knew, "It's number three. That's the guy who raped me."
Stepping up behind Linley, Catherine refrained from touching her. "Linley," she whispered.
The younger blonde, looked the CSI in the eyes, revealing fear and hatred in once meaningful glance, "You'll put him away? He'll pay for what he did?"
Taken aback, Cath wanted to tell her yes, she wanted to erase the pain, but she knew lying would only hurt the victim more, "I will do everything in my power to make sure your rapist is convicted."
---/---
Sara sat behind her desk, completing paperwork for her closed cases. She was on auto pilot. Thinking work would keep her busy, Sara was soon learning her mind was not going to stop thinking about the way Kelly James smelled, or the way his gloves felt as his hands roamed her body. Instinctively she clamped her knees together despite her still tender muscles.
Her mind was moving at a thousand miles per hour, and all she wanted out of life was for it to slow down.
Closing the brown file she was working on, she tossed it on top the stack of completed files. Exhaling forcefully, the brunette scanned the room. Her eyes fell on Grissom. "How long have you been there?"
A slight hint of fear tainted her voice. They both heard it. 'Great Sara, you were just assaulted by a man who snuck up behind you, and now you're letting people sneak up in front of you.'
Pushing himself off the door frame, Grissom took a step forward, "Not long. I'm waiting on some DNA results from Greg, and thought I'd see how you were doing."
Nodding toward her stack of folders, "I think this is the first time in history that I've been caught up on my paperwork."
"What are you doing for lunch?" He suddenly blurted out.
Taken aback by his abruptness, she shook her head as if clearing her confusion, "I was going to check up on Tucker."
Glancing at his CSI disapprovingly, he struggled for understanding, "Are you sure that's smart?"
Grabbing a file, she needed to convey to him that the conversation was over, "No, but it's the right thing to do." Sara felt his presence linger, but she refused to look up.
---/---
Sara sat in her car, looking at the house in front of her. She had no idea what she was trying to prove or who she was trying to prove it to. Her mind was racing, and no matter how hard she worked, her focus remained on her feelings of humiliation and lack of control. All she wanted was to just stop thinking for a minute. She wanted to close her eyes, and not see Kelly James; to shower without the streams of water reminding her of his touch.
Stepping out of her car, she inhaled deeply, and walked toward Tucker's door with determination. The wood under her feet creaked, causing her to look over her shoulder. The familiar fear that had been Sara's constant companion for over a week now rose from her stomach to grip her heart.
She was willing to do anything to rid her self of the paralyzing affects. Her stubbornness kept her from running. Something inside her compelled her to prove to Grissom she could take care of herself.
Knocking twice, she waited impatiently. Finally the door opened to reveal a petite blonde, Sara took a step back, "I'm sorry, I wanted…I shouldn't have just stopped by."
The woman in front of her placed a hand on the retreating brunette's arm, "You here to see Tucker? I'm his sister, Margo, and am sure he's dying for someone else's company." She explained with a smile, and moved to let Sara in. Walking down the hall, Margo led Sara to the living room.
Taking in Tucker's residence, she was mildly surprised to see several potted ivy hanging from the ceiling, a colorful Monet print, and several framed pictures of various rock faces. It was a far cry from Grissom's bare walls punctuated by dead bugs. Sara's focus soon rested on the reason for her visit.
Sleeping in his recliner, his arm was propped up on pillows, a dark bruise along his jaw line accentuated by his now pale skin.
"I don't want to wake him," Sara whispered to Margo who was filling up a glass of water from a pitcher.
Shaking her head slightly, "It's time for his medication anyway, and I'm sure he'll want to see you…"
"Sara." She filled in for the blonde, and watched her face drop slightly. Realizing Tucker had at least told his sister some details, "Should I leave? Would he want to see me?"
Margo set the glass down, and crossed the space that separated them. Genuine compassion emanated from the woman, "Oh no Sara, he wants to see you. Badly. It's all been tearing us up. Our brother–"
"It's ok Margo. You're not responsible for his actions." Before either could elaborate a moan interrupted them.
Margo knelt in front of her brother, placing a warm hand on his knee, "Tucker. Tucker, Sara's here."
Blinking rapidly, he attempted to understand. "Sara?"
Stepping into his line of sight, she offered a small smile, "Hey, how are you feeling?"
"Like I have to get better just to die. Sara, how… are you…" he stumbled over his words partly due to the medication, but also due to his shame.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry I haven't contacted you soon. I–"
"Sara, you don't have to explain. I wouldn't want to see me either if I were you," he concluded for her, and let the silence settle for a moment. "I don't know what to say."
"I won't stay long, I just wanted to swing by on my break. Check up on you." Sara explained honestly.
"Break? Are you attending the pretrial?" Margo asked handing her brother some painkillers.
"Pretrial. For Kelly? It's started already?" She was confused, and suddenly angry at her coworkers for keeping her in the dark.
Tucker offered an apologetic nod, "I assumed you would have known, but then again, your office apparently has enough evidence to move past the pretrial. Said they wouldn't need us to testify.
Swallowing hard, Sara knew what that evidence entailed, and felt slightly violated again. "I should go back to work, but please call me when you're feeling better."
"I will. Sara, I'm glad to see you." Tucker told her as he drifted back to sleep.
---/---
Grissom turned the corner, almost running into Nick and Catherine.
"Hey boss, where ya going?" Nick's southern drawl asked as the paired joined him.
"DNA," he answered abruptly and continued to walk only to see his CSIs turn around. He stopped momentarily as they breezed by him, and continued their conversation heading to their new destination.
He heard their voices as they discussed the case, but his mind was not processing their conversation. His thoughts were focused on Sara and his feelings of helpless. They had all attended training that helped them understand the victim, but he was having a hard time remaining objective enough to remember that training.
"…collected at Todd Coombs' house…crime scene." Nick explained, while Grissom tried vainly to listen.
Coming to a stop in front of Greg's work station, Catherine was the first to speak, "So, uh, what do you got, Greg?"
"Well, according to the DNA results, Todd Coombs is not your rapist." The younger man answered.
Catherine's face mirrored her shock and confusion she felt, "You're kidding." Her mind had already begun to find a way to tell Linley, and she wondered if this was how Sara had felt when she was unable to help the victim find justice.
Greg continued to speak, drawing some hope to the surface, "There's only seven out of thirteen, which means we're looking for a sibling."
Grissom finally spoke up, "I believe the semen would indicate a brother."
"Could explain why she picked Todd out of a lineup…strong family resemblance." Nick concluded.
"She was so sure," the blonde was still surprised. She knew eye witness testimony was the worst form of evidence, but the conviction Linley had rivaled Sara's own statement.
---/---
Brass slowly walked up to the couple sorting through a personal belonging's bag. "Dr. Coombs. You're free to go."
"So that's it?" The man asked expecting there to be more.
Nodding slowly, he answered, "Yeah."
The woman standing with their suspect began to lecture him. Brass listened patiently, but knew he had no problem arresting and detaining a rape suspect. He still harbored some guilt regarding Suzanna Kirkwood, and Sara. Watching the couple finally leave, Jim knew he would gladly keep a suspect behind bars for as long as the law would allow him to.
---/---
Linley looked at the CSI in front of her in disbelief, "You're letting him go? Why?"
Shaking her head in apology, Catherine searched for the right words to say, "He's not the man that assaulted you."
"Yes, he is. I identified him." Linley retaliated with conviction. Anger was evident in her words, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Catherine knew the psychology of the victim, and she knew she needed to be completely honest with her, "DNA ruled him out."
"Then you made a mistake. That man raped me." The anger was dissipating, but the fear remained.
Looking at Linley, Catherine felt a sudden urge to heal the victim. The case was becoming personal and quickly, "We have some additional leads, and we're working on them. I promise to keep you informed."
"I saw him. He wanted me to see his face."
Wanting to find some way to comfort the younger women, she looked for an explanation, "Linley, it was dark. You were under attack. Under those conditions, pupils dilate, it's hard to focus." As she spoke Linley's face paled slightly, and her eyes lost focus. It was the same expression Sara had when she was reliving her attack. Trying to get through to her Catherine touched her arm gently, "You can't always trust your eyes."
The touch brought Linley out of her flashback, her anger renewed, "He wanted me to see his face because he was going to kill me, and now you're letting him go?"
Pulling out her business card, the CSI wanted to give her something she could find comfort and protection in, "This is my cell phone number. Call me if you need anything."
"This isn't gonna keep him away from me. What I need is protection. I need a gun."
The admission was blunt, and not at all what Catherine was expecting. "If you don't feel safe in your home, stay with a friend."
The suggestion was answered by a frustrated shake of the head, and Cath was forced to watch Linley walk away. When the case was over, she vowed to apologize to Sara for all the times she lectured her on getting too involved in certain cases. There was no turning back for her on this one. She was invested.
---/---
Walking into the lab, Sara wasn't sure which emotion was winning the war within her. She was angry that she wasn't informed on what was happening with Kelly James, which led to a renewed sense of a loss of control. Her life felt like it was trying to keep up on a treadmill that is set too fast for her. She either needed to regain control, or find a way to numb the feelings.
Spotting Greg working at his DNA station, she walked steady toward him. Determined to find some control. "Hey Greg, any new developments?"
Filling her in on the DNA results, Greg tried to determine his friend's mood. He was deeply concerned about her, but did not have the first clue as to how to help her. "How are–"
"I'm good, thanks Greg," she answered him quickly, and set off to find Grissom. Finally finding him, she watched him for a moment.
He was diligently studying photos, and having a difficult time, not remembering Sara's evidentiary photos highlighting every bruise left by Kelly James.
Suddenly her voice broke the silence, "I hear you're looking for Todd Coombs' brother."
Twisting to look at her, he held the photos away from her, "Or brothers." The answer seemed cold even to him, but he needed to separate himself from her or he was going to loose his last bit of objectivity. He turned his back to her, hoping she was going to tell him she was heading home for the day. He didn't want her anymore involved in the case then she already was.
Sara stared at his back, unable to read him, but decided this was the opportunity she was looking for. She could immerse herself into the case and forget about her own. "I'll work out the family tree."
Grissom stopped suddenly. Her voice held a conviction that he hadn't heard for a long while. The tone that told him, she was on a mission, and there was going to be no way for him to stop her. Watching her retreating form, his concern for her grew exponentially with each step away from him that she took.
TBC
