CHAPTER FOUR
Brass was making his own speed limit as he and Grissom rushed to the convenience store parking lot.
"These two suspects pistol-whipped a woman and carjacked her just 30 minutes before they hit the store," he stated. "The first squad car ran the car plates as well as another vehicle in the parking lot. Gil, it's an older Jeep with Texas plates. Isn't your newest CSI from 'Big D'?"
"Yeah, then, Iris…oh, dear God, Sara and Iris," Grissom's voice was ragged. His heart felt like it was exploding out of his chest.
"Gil, I know this is hard on you, but they'll know how to handle themselves…we're nearly there," said Brass. "Other squad cars are now on site along with some hostage negotiator who's trying to initiate contact."
Grissom thought to himself, 'Sara, hang in there honey, I'm coming…I'm there with you.'
Inside the store, the sound of sirens and the sight of flashing lights shifted the attention of the two men from their immediate targets.
"How'd you get an alarm off you wetback!" shouted the first robber. He whirled about and viscously back-handed Elena to the ground. She landed onto her side with a sickening thud and cried out in pain.
Both men looked outside to see the parking lot filling rapidly with police cars and ambulances. The opportunity for a fast and easy getaway had passed them by. Keeping their weapons on the women, they talked in low but urgent tones between them as to what the fate of their captives would be.
"Iris, keep cool, I mean frosty," Sara said. "These guys are getting more desperate by the minute. Outside I think they'll get some negotiator out there to plead our case and get us out."
"I'm in but Elena needs seeing to…she took a nasty fall and she's so close to having her baby," Iris said softly. "These creeps have no respect for women let alone a pregnant one, that's for sure. Does the cavalry ever show up in Vegas?"
Sara found herself drawing new strength from Iris, who remained calm and collected, as well as knowing Grissom was out there. She knew as sure as drawing her next breath that he was out there and was coming.
"Yeah, they do," Sara whispered back. "Come on."
The phone above Elena's prostrate form began to ring.
