Las Vegas.
"Warrick was on the first flight available. He'll be assisting in any evidence processing in the labs. They can't have him working the scene because he wasn't cleared by Ecklie." Catherine spoke into the phone as she settled back in her chair. "This wasn't exactly a move Ecklie approved of, but after getting a quick run down by both Nick AND Warrick, he was quick to sign only what he could on short notice."
"That's okay. Rick can pass on information quicker if he isn't preoccupied with protocol." Grissom responded with approval. He knew things weren't going to be smooth sailing in regards to jurisdiction and convincing Conrad Ecklie.
"If they don't hold a grudge on having their toes stepped on, I think we can have something pretty quickly. I'm afraid Sara isn't taking this too well." She hinted calmly.
After a silent pause, he spoke quietly. "She was alright a few hours ago."
Catherine looked up from the desk. "I'm not trying to worry you, Gil."
"You're doing a very bad job." He sighed. "Besides, I was already worrying. I can't read her very well over the phone. Has she said or done anything? Am I hoping for too much if I ask if she's gone home?"
"Yes, yes and no."
"What?"
"She said she's fine. A little worried. Oh, and she threw up." Waiting and listening to the breathing down the phone, she could just about feel the tension emanating from him by just his voice.
"I'm hanging up"
"Wait!" Her brows furrowed. "Gil?" The sound of pure silence was definitely nothingness and the sign of Grissom having ended the call.
Los Angeles, Downtown Police Department.
Glancing into the interrogation room, Grissom caught Brass' eye and signalled twice with five fingers, indicating he needed ten minutes. He left the hallway and entered the observation room for some semblance of privacy.
Turning one of the padded chairs so it was facing away from the people on the other side of the mirror, he speed dialled Sara's cell phone while trying to quell the hope building in his chest.
"Sidle." She answered.
Smiling, he sighed. "Hey."
"Hi." She said in surprise, it was obvious she hadn't noticed his ID before answering. "I was just thinking about you."
"Really?" His smile grew.
"Yeah. It's funny really, I was just talking to Judy and she was hinting really badly about me being pregnant." She laughed softly. "Then I couldn't stop thinking about you."
"You know what else is funny?" He asked. "I just got a phone call from Catherine and she didn't hint at all."
She was silent for a second before she sighed heavily. "I'm not pregnant. And Catherine shouldn't have told you either. I'll talk to her."
"Sara, she wanted me to know. If I was there, I would have been the first to suggest you were pregnant." He said honestly. "How do you know you aren't? You might be."
"Gil, honey, I'm not pregnant. When that time does come, you'll be right here with me and I can tell you in person. Anyway, I took the test the second Judy left me alone to find more orange juice. I actually think she went to the store."
Grinning at her light laughter, his heart was still filled with hope. "I love you."
"When you get home, we'll talk about baby stuff some more. Promise."
"I'll hold you to that." He sighed and the tension of how personal this case was, hit home. "I have to go. Tell Catherine I'm sorry I hung up on her. Ask her to call me the minute Warrick has anything."
"I will. Bye."
"Bye." Closing the phone, he stared at the wall. He had to try and keep objective or he would lose any hold on this case. Personal or not, he would see it through and give it is all before he threw in the towel.
5 Hours Later.
San Francisco Crime Lab
Kyle Tolkin pushed off the floor with one foot and his chair rolled across the room. He turned in time to grab the table and stop himself. "With any luck, this could be something."
Warrick leaned back against the table a few feet away. His arms were folded over his chest as he waited. With his borrowed white lab coat and his cell phone at the ready, he had camped out in Layout Room Four, Trace and DNA. With only being at the crime lab a few hours, he knew all of the Techs but only a few of the CSI's assigned to the case.
"She's a little slow after having her cartridges changed, but she'll start spitting stuff out soon."
Warrick nodded. "I'm going to check on Trace again. Your man Ian is testing my patience."
"He's nervous." Kyle grinned. "It's his third day back after his wife gave birth to twins. He's not had that much sleep, but he's worrying about Abby and the babies. Go easy on him."
"Right. Sorry." Warrick sighed.
"Hey," Kyle turned his chair to look at his new friend. "You work with Sara Sidle, right?"
"You're not the first person to ask me that. And the answer is yes. And yes I know she used to work here." Warrick intoned with a bored look, but a smile appeared. "You one of the Sidle Followers?"
The Tech blushed. "No." He turned back to the printer. "She worked here until she got a call from an old professor. Apparently she held a torch for him."
"Still does." Warrick chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't married in the next three years."
Kyle stared at him. "No way."
"They are going steady and are moved in together. Next thing is marriage."
"Sara is getting married?"
"I didn't say that." Clearing his throat, Warrick stood up straight. "I implied it." He left the Tech to stare at his back.
Los Angeles, Downtown Police Department.
"So far, we don't have anything to link her to the kidnapping." Deputy Paul informed them sullenly.
Brass sipped his piping hot coffee.
"We can't hold her." Grissom stared into the interrogation room from behind the observation mirror.
Deputy Paul blew across the top of his steaming tea. "Do we have anything from San Francisco?"
"The evidence isn't complete. It takes time to process."
"Without anything to keep her here, I can't do anything else." Deputy Paul motioned for the guarding officer in the corridor to release their only suspect.
To Be Continued.
