20 minutes later a personal driver came by to pick up Casey and Gil to drive them to the Tangiers. Casey was given a cell phone and he hand back Gil's. "Thank you so much for this, Mr. Grissom."
"No problem, but this isn't just for—."
"I know. But it still means a lot to me. I'll be more then happy to spill my beans to you as soon as I get some sleep."
"You can call me Gil."
Casey broke out into a dazzling smile which made Gil just a tad bit uncomfortable. Casey shifts in his seat, making another grimace.
"You sure you don't want something for the pain?"
"Yes. Morphine makes me sick and everything else just makes me so out of it. I hate that loss of feeling, that loosing of control. I don't have much control, but I have that."
"You don't have to be on your guard so much now."
"I don't? My life doesn't let me relax, Mr. Grissom, Gil." Casey relented. "And I certain can't just give up after spending so many years on edge."
There was an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes.
"Oh, my god! I'm a complete wanker. You need to get your stuff! I can get someone to pick up a change of clothes of you and whatever else you need." Casey looked horrified that he'd slipped up.
"No, really, that's ok. I'll be fine."
"No, I insist. I can have someone get you a change of clothes. It's nothing." Casey was already dialing on his cell phone. "What size and what do you want?"
"Ah, do you mind?" Gil gestured that he wanted the phone.
Casey handed it over and Gil talked to the person on the other line. "I'm really not used to this," he said when he handed back the phone to Casey.
"I can tell. Relax. Live a little. It's alright to indulge yourself. This is the LEAST I can do for helping me out. It's nothing." Casey flashed him with another brilliant smile.
The car stopped and the door opened. "Mr. Armagh, Mr. Grissom. I'm Cory Tulane. Welcome to the Tangiers. If there is anything you want, just give me a call."
"Thanks." Casey said.
"Thank—you." Gil said more graciously.
Cory lead them up a private entrance. "All that you have asked for is either awaiting you on will be arriving shortly." The elevator dinged. "Here we are. Your suit. The fridge and cupboards are stocked with your favorite drinks and food. The bath has all of your necessities and your clothes will be arriving shortly. There are complementary pajamas and bathrobes hanging in the closet for the both of you. If you want anything else it's just a phone call away. Is there anything else I can get you while I am here?"
Casey looked at Gil and he gave a quick shake of the head.
"Well, I wish you both good night." Casey tipped him and Cory left.
"All I want is the bed. Sleep. You're awfully awake." Casey said with a yawn.
"I work nights." Gil said with a shrug.
Casey nodded and went around exploring. "Oh, don't worry about sleeping on the couch. There is an extra bedroom. I'm trying to be considerate." He gave Gil a meek smile. "And there's plenty of ice tea and Propel Fitness Water in the fridge and stuff." He sat down on a chair and instantly winced in pain. "Shit," he said under his breath and shifted, trying to alleviate the pain in his back. Where Julian had kicked him with his boot. Probably had a pinched nerve and a hell of a lot of bruising. The shifting didn't help with the pain, but caused more, making Casey grit his teeth. "Stupid, ruddy bastard...I'm going to bed." He winced more as he got out of the chair. Apparently bending was out of the question for a while. "When Cory comes, please, wake me up. He'll have a heating pad for me."
"Ah, alright." Gil said slowly, maybe even a bit concerned.
"Thanks." Casey disappeared into the bedroom.
About 15 minutes later Cory came back with the heating pad, clothes for the both of them and meds.
"Can I ask you a few questions?" Gil said, pulling out a small pad of paper.
"Ah, sure, I guess. About what?" Cory said. "About Casey and Julian. They've been here before?"
"Mr. Grissom, I can't divulge personal information. I'm sure he'll tell you in time. Truthfully, I'm glad he broke up with Mr. Julian. You seem like a much better fellow. If you don't mine me saying."
Gil flashed his badge. "This is for a criminal investigation. And I suggest very much that you do not divulge anything I say to you. Is that understood?"
"Yes, I'm sorry. I just assumed. Uh, well. Yes, they were here last year. They're on the VIP list so we know what to get them when they arrive. I was their attendant when they were here last. Casey was really nice, always tipped and had a smile and praise. But Julian. He gave me the willies. He was so cold. He ordered us around, and Casey. They broke a few things during their stay."
"Such as?" Gil prompted.
"Mirror in the bathroom, a few of the breakables out. Nothing that they couldn't cover."
"Did you hear or see any physical abuse?"
"Besides the broken glass? Everyone heard it. You could hear it if you were outside in the hall."
"What were these fights about?"
"Sounded like Julian was yelling at Casey for not being faithful to him or for having too much fun or not doing what he as told. Since you asked me, that guy was a complete control freak. He had Casey on a leash. It was obvious to everyone that even though Casey was a big name star, Julian was still calling all the shots. I don't think Casey had a moment to himself. Julian never let him out of his sight. I never saw them apart, except late one night. He was out in the hallway. I think he was crying. He saw me coming and whipped his face on his bathrobe. He said he couldn't sleep but wouldn't take anything for it when I suggested it."
"He didn't want me to use drugs. Said it made me too loose and drugs were bad. I had to beg just to use allergy meds." Casey said from the doorway to his bedroom. "And he was a control freak."
"He was a megalomaniac?" Gil asked.
"Yes. If there is anything else you want to know, Mr. Grissom, I think it can wait until morning. And you can ask me."
"I need witnesses and you are a suspect."
"Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? That will be all, Cory. Please, no rumors."
"I won't say a word, Casey. I promise." He gave a worried look at Gil.
"Don't worry, Cory. I have nothing to fear from Mr. Grissom."
Cory looked between them and left with a small bow, closing the door behind him.
"Are you so sure of that?' Gil said.
"I didn't mean to kill him." Casey's voice was colder then before. "I want you to trust me, Gil."
"You are a suspect in a murder case. I hardly think there can be much trust between us. At this point in time."
Casey sighed. "Fine. Whatever. It's 3 fucking am. Can we just up everything on hold until 9?"
"No, my people are going to be working through the night on the evidence. The evidence is the only thing that won't lie."
"I haven't lied to you, Gil." Casey said sadly. Casey paused. "When will we know about the evidence?"
"It can take a day or two if I keep them working around the clock and make this case a priority."
"I hope you pay them well, boss."
"They'll do their jobs."
