Disclaimer: Same as normal...I do not own CSI, or any of the characters that you recognise from the show.
A/N: Very large apologies for the fact I've only got this down now. I had lots of exams, plus a big block on what I wanted to write, as well as the need for a summer job to help me through Uni. But, I've finally gotten round to it, and I know what I want to write, so I hope you enjoy :)
Chapter 10: Explanations
Jim Brass was in a hurry. He had under half an hour to get to the area where the last phone call was placed, to try and catch the guy there and then. He'd radioed for back-up in the form of plain clothes officers before he left the crime lab, but he was cautious as he didn't want to scare the guy off.
'People do desperate things in times of desperation,' he thought to himself silently, accelerating some more.
Grissom and the other CSI's were seated around a large table, where in this last half an hour they were going over the evidence that they'd found, in the hope they could at least pin point a location.
"Brass is on his way out to the area the call was placed," Grissom began. "He's taken some plain clothed officers just in case."
"We've also got," continued Catherine, "A few possible locations that Jason Green could be residing at in that area. Looking at the evidence we've gathered, it would seem as though Jason Green was in jail with one Tyrone Bale, who we believe are executing this together. They were both in prison at the same time for minor offences."
Sara was looking through the case files so far. Nick was listening to Grissom and Catherine as he had now been allowed back into the case.
"Who's Tyrone Bale?" Nick asked, sounding confused.
Grissom looked at Catherine before beginning.
"Tyrone Bale is Marty's younger brother." Nick's eyes widened. "Or, half brother to be more precise," continued Grissom. "So far, we don't know how he's involved in this, or whether he's involved at all, but, looking through Jason Green's prison records, we discovered that they were both in prison together."
Nick looked at Grissom, and Sara lifted her head from the case files.
"Which means," continued Catherine, "That perhaps he is involved. Currently we know that Jason Green delivered the letter, and it was his print we found on the envelope. We found some evidence of Tyrone at the house, and from what we've seen, these guys are dangerous."
Nick rubbed his head in his hands.
"How come we never knew he had a brother? We never found anything that would suggest he had one," Nick said.
"I was searching Marty's family history, and it took me a while to find it," Catherine explained. "It wasn't until Grissom searched through Jason's prison records that we discovered they were in prison together."
"What's the plan then?" asked Sara. "I mean, obviously we're not going to get Marty released, but how else can we help get Warrick back?"
"We're going to have to try and make him believe that the Sheriff has agreed to let Marty go," explained Grissom. "I don't know how easy this will be, and then if he'll make any other demands. But we've got to try it. It's what he wants. Hopefully then, he'll let his guard down."
"And if he doesn't?" Nick asked, his voice faltering.
The room filled with silence as no-one replied. Several sets of eyes now staring at the phone, as if willing it to ring. The phone however did not ring. It was if it was taunting them. More silence followed. After several minutes however, the ringing of the phone pierced the air, and everyone looked, hoping this would lead to the air. Grissom held up his hand as though stopping the others from talking, and picked up the receiver.
"Hello?" Grissom said, his voice composed.
"Hello Mr Grissom," the now familiar voice on the end of the phone sneered. "I hope that you and the Sheriff have reached a conclusion as your time is running out." There was a pause. "So what is it going to be?"
"We've considered your offer, and we are willing to release Marty, but only when we know that our CSI is safe."
There was another pause.
"I thought I told you before. I have the cards Mr Grissom. And how do I know that you are telling me the truth. I know you traced my earlier call. I suppose in the hope of nailing me there and then. But I've taken precautions.I knew that the cops would go to where the last call was placed. I warned you earlier what would happen if you tried and crossed me."
"Need I remind you of what is at stake here," he said coldly. The sound of a tape recorder could be heard in the background, buttons being flicked on and off. After a few seconds, vivid yells of pain could be heard over the tape.
Flashback: "Good." responded Tyrone, still not taking his eyes off of Warrick. He spoke again, this time to Warrick. "Let's see, we've done sharp and blunt, now we're going to do hot. I haven't really had any screams of agony from you. I'm disappointed. I want to hear you scream." He pulled out a small tape recorder from his pocket. "Oh, don't worry about this. It's just to record those screams." He laughed and hit the record button.
Grissom's eyes widened in fear and he didn't utter a word. The others around the table noted this, and instantly became more on edge.
"Now, as you can see, I'm not threatening. I expect the release of Marty. Tomorrow, I will finalise the release details. Until then sit tight."
The phone beeped as the call ended.
"What was that about?" Sara asked.
"He knows we traced the call," Grissom said. "He wasn't at the phone box like yesterday. Tomorrow he will finalise the details so we have until to find them. I know none of us have had much sleep. I'm hoping that you'll give me one more night. Go home, change, eat and have a few hours. But I need you all back here as soon as possible. I'll get Brass to send someone to watch the phone box he called from earlier. See if we can get some evidence from that. We need to search those addresses we think he's staying at." Grissom abruptly stood up and left the others in his wake, heading for his office, where he place the call to Brass.
"Somethings up," Nick said. "He wouldn't have left like that unless something happened. I'm going to - "Catherine cut him off, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"He told us everything he thought we needed to know," she said. "Go home Nicky, clean up."
Nick went to protest, but thought better against it. Instead, he stood up, and walked out of the office, slamming the door behind him.
Nick pulled his Tahoe up to his driveway and turned off the engine. He looked towards the door. The police that had been assigned there earlier had obviously left. Leaning over to the passengers side, he picked up his wallet and got out. He locked the Tahoe and made his way to his front door. Opening the door, he walked inside throwing his keys and wallet onto the chair. He made his way to the kitchen where he poured himself an ice cold drink, before heading to the bathroom. He turned on the shower and let it run for a few moments, heading back to the kitchen where he grabbed something from the fridge. Biting into it, he headed back to the bathroom. He put his hand under the water checking the temperature deep in thought. So deep in thought that he didn't hear the soft footsteps behind him. Didn't feel the breeze as arms reached around his neck until the last moment. He struggled, but found his vision getting darker and darker, before finally falling unconsciousness.
So there it is – chapter 10 in a nutshell. Stay tuned for the next chapter. And remember, reviews are nice :)
