Disclaimer: Again, I own nothing...o...except the characters that aren't in the show therefore criminals...hmph, unfair.
Summary: Warrick failed to turn up for work and now the lab knows why, but what can they do about it?
A/N: Thank you to all those that have reviewed. It gives me some confidence to think that my fanfic is a little decent. So, this chapter is for Emmithar, AlexDham & Lauren. :D
Chapter 3: The Nightmare Begins
Grissom's eyes widened. "Nick, repeat that again. The phone line is playing up."
"I found a note tucked under his door. It says that Warrick has been taken and we need to wait for further instructions. I'm bringing it back to the lab see if I can get any prints off of the letter or saliva from the envelope. I've also swabbed the blood droplets I found on the steps. Likelihood is that it belongs to Warrick, but if he fought back, it may be the perpetrators."
"Ok Nick. Get back here as soon as possible. I'll alert the others and call Brass."
The phone clicked off as Nick hung up the phone.
"Problem?" asked Doc Robbins who, while Grissom was on the phone, finished writing his notes on the unidentified male on the table.
"Yes." Grissom screwed up his face in frustration. "Warrick didn't turn up for work tonight, and now Nick's telling me he's being held hostage somewhere and there's nothing we can do about until we hear from the person who did it."
Doc Robbins walked over to face Grissom, concern etched in his face. He'd known Warrick several years now and had watched with his own eyes the various changes that had occurred within, as he not only fought with his own demons, but as he fought to bring the guilty to justice and restore as much peace as possible to the people left behind. "You know he is strong. He won't give up without any type of fight."
Grissom said nothing as he tore off the protective gown and gloves he was wearing, walking out of the autopsy room, only pausing to throw the disposables in the bin.
Nick hadn't felt the adrenaline rush through his body at such a high speed before tonight. Warrick was his friend. They watched each others back, 'after all, isn't that what friends are for?' Nick thought to himself. Maybe if we'd left earlier, or, we'd gone back together this wouldn't be happening? Nick had been torturing himself with the 'what ifs' since he'd found the note.But that didn't matter anymore. 'I can't dwell on the past, it's the future that's important. That can be changed.' He'd reached the lab. He'd hardly pulled the key out of the ignition before he jumped out of his Tahoe and raced inside the building heading straight for Greg.
"Hey Gris, what's with the 911 page? Find anything out about our DB?" Catherine asked as she sauntered into his office followed closely by Sara. The office was familiar territory for them both as they'd been inside often enough. Grissom's office was filled with a number of weird objects, such as a piglet in a jar and a two headed scorpion, and these would often make visitors to the office feel uncomfortable. Sara noted the grim look that Grissom had on his face.
"Something up Grissom? You don't look too happy."
"I'm not happy. I'm not sure how to say this but here goes." He took a deep breath. "Warrick's missing. And I don't mean he just didn't show. It seems as though someone attacked him outside his house last night and has taken him prisoner somewhere."
"Shit," remarked Sara, while Catherine sat there silently, shock obvious in her face, the news sinking in.
It took a moment for Catherine to compose herself. "Surely we can't have this case. We're too close to Warrick. The Sheriff will never al..." Grissom cut her off.
"This is our case. I've spoken to the Sheriff about it."
Flashback: Grissom is conversing on the phone with the Sheriff "Damn it, I want graveyard on this Sheriff, he's my CSI, my responsibility."
Catherine stood up, arms folded across her chest. "So what do we do now?"
"For the time being we look for who may have a grudge against Warrick. We don't have much else to go on at the moment. The envelope the note was in and the blood sample Nick retrieved is with Greg. It's high priority. If we can retrieve any DNA or prints it may give us enough to move forward. I want you working on this case only. We'll hand off tonight's cases."
"Wait, you mean Nick discovered the note and blood? How's he taking it?" asked Sara, concern in her voice. She genuinely liked Nick. They played off of one another, one remark for another. Ok, so it was a laugh, but she cared for him, just as she cared for the others. She knew that Nick and Warrick were good friends.
If on cue, Nick walked into Grissom's office, a look of disappointment on his face. "I got no prints off the note at all, and there was no DNA from the envelope. Man it's like he doesn't want us to know who he is."
"Maybe that's the idea." Grissom's voice was sincere. "Sara, I want you with me. We're going to Warrick's house. It's our crime scene. Maybe we can find something that Nick may have missed earlier. Catherine, I want you helping Nick. Sara, Brass is meeting us at the scene." Grissom rose, as did Sara. "If you find anything, call me." Grissom left his office followed by Sara.
"Let's get cracking then shall we Nicky."
Warrick had no idea how long he'd been out. He remembered vaguely the conversation he had had with someone earlier. 'Someone, but who?' All he knew was that he was Marty Silver's brother. Him and Nick had worked hard to catch him, and get him convicted. Marty was on death row for killing and raping six girls. At first, he was careful not to leave any evidence behind. But as he stepped up his crimes, he'd made mistakes. Careless ones. Led Nick and Warrick right to him. There was no way that Marty could deny his crimes. Warrick knew he could be here a while. There was no chance that anyone would take that chance and release Marty. One word stood out in Warrick's head. Justice. Justice had been done. 'But it's landed me here.' Warrick was mid-thought when he heard the door click as it opened.
"How's my favourite CSI doing then?" Warrick thought he caught a glimpse of something shine in the shadows.
'He's toying with me.' Warrick thought to himself. 'He's looking for a reaction, just looking for that one reason to lash out.'
"Oh come on Warrick, where is your sense of humour. I always thought you were a bit of a joker. Maybe I would have had more fun if I'd have taken Nick instead of you. Okay, you don't have to say a thing. But I'll have my fun nevertheless." The man stepped from the shadows. It was the first time he'd revealed himself to Warrick. He was tall and muscular, and had very short brown hair. He also had a small scar running down the left side of his cheek. In his right hand, he held a small yet sharp looking knife. He twirled it around in his hand. Unfortunately, Warrick knew what was coming next. "Me, you and this knife are going to have some fun together." He strolled over to Warrick, and placed the cool metal blade across his cheek. Warrick braced his body for what was coming. It didn't come. The man got closer to Warrick's head, and whispered in his ear. "My name is Tyrone and I'm Marty Silver's brother. I'm going to make sure you don't forget what you've done to him in a hurry." Warrick cried out in pain as Tyrone sliced the knife in one swift movement down his arm.
"I wonder how your friends will react to a note written in blood," he asked out aloud. "Your blood," once more driving the knife into Warrick's flesh.
Hee..I'm evil ending it there..can anyone say cliffhanger much? Hope that this keeps everyone on the edge. Next chapter coming soon...
