Disclaimer: Same as always. I don't own CSI, but it would be nice dreams

A/N: Sorry it took so long coming. In the end I had to be given a new laptop (which I must say is much better and looks way cooler than the other one) and also I've had Uni exams and my muse left me for a while. But, I hope you enjoy this long awaited chapter :) Also, I'm almost done with torturing Warrick.. almost


Chapter 9: One Step Closer

The shrill cry of the phone brought Grissom out of his trance. Hopefully, this would be the kidnapper, and being desperate, they'd set up a trace line in the hope of establishing some sort of lead. Composing himself, Grissom picked up the phone.

"Hello," he said.

"Ahh, hello Mr Grissom. How are you on this fine day?" asked the sinister voice on the end of the phone.

"Fine," Grissom snapped.

"Now now, there's no need for that type of behaviour. It may influence my next actions." There was a pause. "I understand that you've already seen what I've done."

"Yes we have," he replied, grimly. He looked over to where the tracking equipment was set up, to see if they've picked up a location.

'Got anything yet,' Grissom mouthed.

Brass, who was standing behind the locator device shook his head, before mouthing back.

'Keep talking. We should have him soon.'

Grissom went back to talking over the phone.

"I hope you've left my CSI alive though."

"Well, I thought I'd leave the detective work up to you Mr Grissom. Now, lets discuss my terms. Did you have much time to consider them? I do hope you did."

"Yes, the Sheriff did."

"And?"

"And before Marty can be considered for release, we need to know that CSI Brown is ok," Grissom said, thought etched on his face.

"Hmmm," Tyrone sounded. "What would it take me to do to get him released? I do hope you're keeping a good eye on Nick Stokes. It would be a tragedy to lose two CSI's. I'll ring back within the hour, and I do hope that the nice Sheriff has come up with a decision."

The phone line beeped as the phone was hooked up.

"Did you get a location?" Grissom asked.

"Yeah," replied Brass. "It's a phone box in a relatively secluded spot. I'm going to head out their, do some surveillance, see if I can spot him next time he places that call."

"Take Sara with you. We may be able to gather some evidence."


Grissom went in search of Catherine.

"Cath, did you ever find out the names of those other two boys?" he asked.

"Yeah. I put them in your office. Didn't you get them?" Grissom shook his head. She began to ruffle through some papers on her desk.

"Ah, here you go," she said, handing the piece of paper to Grissom.

"Marie-Anne never remarried, but after the birth of the two boys, she gave them their father's surname, Bale. That's why I was having difficulty finding them. Anyway, I did some background checks. Daniel Bale, well, he's a lawyer, wife, two kids. No previous record. Tyrone on the other hand has a few minors. Theft, things like that."

Grissom looked at the criminal record.

"I need to see Jason Green's prison record. I have a feeling that they were in there together."


Warrick woke up, but wished he hadn't. His body was burning, aching, and his lungs felt as though they were fit to burst. The house was eerily quiet but he had neither the urge or the ability to try another escape.

'I hope I'm out of here soon,' he sighed.

Although he didn't hold that much hope.


Nick thundered into Grissom's office.

"Why didn't you tell me what you found?"

Grissom looked at Nick.

"Because I didn't think you were ready to be told," he simply replied. "But, now that you're here, I may as well tell you."

Grissom told Nick what they'd found and the current course of action.

"If you are ready, you may work on this case, but from a distance," Grissom said.

Before Nick had the chance to reply, the Sheriff walked into the office.

"What right do you have to do what I told you not to do?" he fumed. "I told you that he was not going to be released."

Grissom was about to reply, but Nick beat him to it.

"And what right to you have to sacrifice a good member of the CSI team."

"Nick, wait outside,"Grissom ordered. Nick stormed out.

"I'm sorry I went against you're orders Sheriff. But this is a member of my CSI team, and I had to keep them talking. We think we know who is behind it and have to find him and by telling him that, we give him hope that Marty will be released, as well, hopefully, ensuring the safe return of Warrick Brown."

"I hope you're right about this," the Sheriff said. "Because if you're not, you're job is on the line." He left Grissom's office.


Catherine was outside of Grissom's office when the talk with the Sheriff was going on. After seeing him leave, she entered the office.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

"O, it doesn't matter. What have you found?"

"I've got several addresses that Tyrone could be residing at, and one of them is in the area that call was placed."

"Call Brass," Grissom said, looking at his watch. "We've got half an hour before we get that second phone call and perhaps we can end this case then and there."


Hope you enjoyed :)