Irrefutable chapter 17

By: Manigault

Thanks for everyone who is reading this story and for those who have reviewed! My apologies for the long time between chapters. RL.

It was brought to my attention that I misnamed LH's daughter. It should be Zoe and not Chloe. At least I rhymed g . My appreciation for the information. I changed the name in the last chapter. Thank you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grissom thought about walking forward and taking the gun from her unsteady hands. He didn't think that she would shoot him, but the wild look in her eyes made him doubt himself and he couldn't take the risk.

"Let me call Sara and let her know that I'm not heading back home," he said as he reached for his phone, only to be stopped by Heather's angry words.

"Drop the phone, Gil."

A new fear stole over Grissom as he stared between her and the only direct link he had with Sara. "I'll put it back in my pocket."

"No." Heather shook her head.

"It's our link to the man who has your grandchild," Grissom hoped this reasoning would filter through her confused mind.

It appeared to have an impact as she pondered his words and relented with a heavy frown. "When we get to the car, I want you to put the phone in the center of the seat."

His relief was short lived as he mulled over his options while walking towards the car with Heather trailing behind him, the gun trained on his back. He could jump in the car and take off before she could move around to the passenger seat. He could spin around and try to knock the gun from her hands.

Heather appeared to have read his mind because she told him to open the back door first and leave it open so that she could climb in behind him while he drove. Grissom opened the door and looked towards the gas station for any sign of witnesses. They were alone.

"Toss the phone on the backseat," she ordered with a flick of her head.

Sliding into the drivers seat, he felt the weight of his fears settle with heaviness on his shoulders. An image of Sara popped into his mind as he turned the ignition. He hoped she was safe.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Glancing at her watch, Sara was counting the hours before Grissom would be safely back in the lab where she could see him with her own eyes. Within thirty minutes of arriving at the hospital they had been informed that Lurie had taken a six month leave of absence. He had three months to go on his leave.

After interviewing several people who knew Richards, they could find nobody who could remember seeing the two men interact and no connection between the men other than the OR.

Turning to Brass, Sara said with resignation.

"We'll have to go to his home and interview him."

Catherine's eyes widened and Brass scowled with frustration.

"I'll go interview the man and take Vartrann," he glanced at Catherine for support. "I don't want to feed into Lurie's sickness by bringing you into his home."

Narrowing her eyes, Sara studied him with a small prick of indignation. "I'm not going to go off on him, Jim, if that's what you are afraid of."

"You have to admit that you have a quick temper, Sara, and frankly I wouldn't blame you in this case." Brass held up his hand and tried his best to make her see reason in this circumstance. "I don't want to be responsible for taking you into his home where something could happen to you. Grissom would never forgive me."

Catherine nodded her agreement, "I don't like the idea of you walking into his home, Sara. I'll go with Jim."

Shaking her head, Sara made a quick decision not to push the issue. Grissom would be arriving back at the lab soon and they would work on this case together. "Fine, I'll return to the lab and tackle the evidence."

"We''ll give you a ride back to the lab and then head out to Lurie's place," offered Brass, unable to hide the relief from his voice.

"The lab is in the opposite direction," protested Sara giving him that cynical look she had perfected over the years.

"You can't take a cab," Brass protested with a wry grin.

"Sophia is still here, isn't she?" When Brass nodded, she continued, "then I'll catch a ride back to the lab with her." Sophia had met them at the hospital, along with Vartrann.

Pulling his cell from his pocket, Brass dialed a number and spoke to the detective on the other end. Turning back to Sara, he gave a short nod. "Sophia will meet you right here. Please don't leave this area."

"I'll be fine, Jim," Sara gave him a warm smile, her previous irritation melting with the knowledge that he had her best interest in heart.

"Maybe we should wait with you," Brass had a bad feeling about letting Sara out of his sight, but Catherine tugged him gently on his sleeve.

"Sara is a big girl, Jim, she'll be okay."

"Thanks Cath," Sara did appreciate the trust the older woman showed in her ability to protect herself. "I'm more concerned about the two of you walking into Lurie's home. Watch your backs."

Once she was alone, Sara pulled out her cellphone and dialed Grissom to check on his progress back to Vegas. His voice mail picked up and she left a brief message, worry tugging at her mind as she added a quick, "love you."

A clearing throat brought her attention around behind her where she found Sophia staring at her with a curious expression. "I didn't know you were involved with someone, Sara."

Pushing the annoyance to the back of her mind, Sara forced a casualness to her tone. It would only be a matter of time before everyone knew who she was involved with, but not today.

"I like my private life, private."

With a thoughtful smile, Sophia nodded. "I understand."

Walking out of the hospital and to her car, Sophia studied the other woman with a practiced eye. Sara had been different for the past year or more and several times the thought occurred to her that she was involved with someone.

Sara was aware that she was being examined like one of Grissom's bugs, but she pushed the feeling aside and walked around to the passenger side door. Neither Sara, nor Sophia, were aware of the watchful eyes of the man sitting in his silver Mercedes not twenty feet away.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lurie taped his fingers on his steering wheel and deliberated about his next step. He watched as Captain Brass and the older woman who had entered the hospital with Sara left the hospital. He was wondering if Sara left through a different door.

She left with someone else that he didn't recognize and he smiled to himself. She was afraid to be alone. He was certain of it. He watched her climb into the car and stare out of the window in his direction. His hands stopped tapping and he froze. Did she recognize him? He forced himself to glance at his watch as if he were waiting for someone and all the time wondered what she was thinking. Risking a glance back in her direction, he realized the car with Sara in it, was gone.

TBC