Summary: There's evil once again in the city of sin. Whatever happens in Vegas…might just kill ya.
Timeline: Sequel to Poisonous Fear (recommended that one is read first), Early/Mid Season Six
Spoilers: Grave Danger, Bodies in Motion, Shooting Stars, Daddy's Little Girl, several references to other episodes
Disclaimer: This is all written in fun. Everything CSI is not mine and never will be. It belongs to the creative talent of the actors, the writers, the directors, and the producers. I am not making any money off of this. Only meant to offer something new on something already so great. No reason to sue.
Title: To Whom It May Concern
By: duffshel
Author's Note: Now, let us expand the grid and throw in some action. Layers upon layers. I can just hear the sighs of relief! Now, back to the past. Thanks for reviewing my friends. Bye!
Chapter 8:
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you
return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are
and to dust you will return.
Genesis 3
seventy days earlier, crime lab…
His hands were still shaking. Nick couldn't figure it out, but they wouldn't stop. The bunker escapade had happened yesterday. Now he was safe in the lab, surrounded by friends and familiar faces, even though it was early morning.
Nick tried closing his eyes and counting back from ten to calm his nerves, but it only brought forth more images that he didn't want to see. His eyes snapped back open and he stared down at the bottles he had lined up. Swabs had been taken from each, now he was just waiting to hear his phone go off with a message from Hodges.
The paperwork from the blood samples was spread out to his right. Mia had been less occupied and was able to get to work on his stuff right away. She had a warm smile for him each time he had to go into the DNA lab. Nick almost was tempted to go wait in there with her.
He had read over the information from Sophia and knew he had a vital piece of evidence for the case. The blood proved to be from Ty Bentley. It proved his dead body had been taken from the bunker by the elevator, only to be dragged across three miles of desert and left in a backyard. And it was his car that was torched and left stranded.
They just didn't have to why yet for the body not being left down in the bunker while the others killed themselves. Nick knew they had the twelfth member of the cult, but hadn't seen or talked to her. He didn't know if he would be able to ever look into her face if given the opportunity.
Clasping his hands together tight enough to turn his knuckles white, Nick looked at his phone. As if by magic, it lighted up and began to trill. The ID proved it was from Hodges.
Nick quickly moved out into the hallway and towards the trace lab where, through the glass, he could see the large smirk on David Hodges face. He steeled himself and walked through the open door, ready for whatever he was going to get.
"Looking happy. Must mean you got what I need to know."
"Yeah, always your brain in these matters. Makes me see how people like Sanders could actually become a CSI and work in the field. Don't really have to think, you guys."
"Yeah, sure boss. What you got for me?"
"Well, I was able to determine the contents of the bottles for you. Looks like I broke the case on what they used to kill themselves, hmm."
"Uh huh, and that would be…?"
Hodges' smirk grew and he leaned a hip into the counter at his side. He reached towards the table for a single piece of paper sitting there. "Alright. Main ingredient was eight-proof vodka. They really knew how to party for their suicide party, didn't they? Mixed with a nice dose of Ketamine."
"Ketamine?" Nick tried to place the word in his memory, but was coming up short.
Now Hodges just looked bored, "Yeah, animal tranquilizer. Often comes in clear liquid form, but also is available in a white powder. Very easy to consume in drinks. In fact, it was a popular drug at clubs and raves. One of those club drugs. Or even as a date rape drug. Average cost for clinics is about $20-$25 a dose."
"Right. And if too much, looking at 'K-hole.'"
"Uh huh, out of body experiences, near death experiences. Or in our case, perfect death experiences."
"So, you have anything on where they might be able to get this stuff?"
"Yep, come on, Nick. Have I ever let you down?"
"Never boss, never. Now spill it."
"Alright, alright. I didn't find any traces of Ephedrine in the samples, which tells me that the drug was in liquid form to begin with. You need the other to cut it if it's in it solid form. And almost all veterinarians use it in their practices. I've already contacted Detective Curtis with the information and I'm sure she is already looking around. You might be able to hitch a ride with her."
"Okay, thanks David. See ya," Nick waved as he left the lab, excited to have somewhere to go with the information. He was cut off by Grissom and Catherine in the hallway.
"Hey Nick, what'd you get from the bottles or the blood samples?"
"Yeah, just got done with Hodges about the bottles. Seems they used a high dosage of Ketamine mixed with vodka. I'm going to get a hold of Sophia and see what we can come up with as a source. And the blood samples match the vic in the backyard."
Grissom nodded and began to walk back down the hallway, "Sounds good. We're going to head back out to the bunker. See what else we can get."
Nick watched his boss walk away from him, nothing more said. His attention was turned to Catherine when she cleared her throat and placed a hand on his upper arm.
"Good job Nick. That is a big help with this case. Now, I better get going or Grissom is going to leave me behind."
Left alone in the hallway, Nick felt a little self conscious and turned to head back into the lab he had been working in. He started to gather up his equipment and the evidence so it could be filed away in case anyone else needed to take a look at any of it. Once again, his phone interrupted his goal.
"Stokes…hey Sophia. You got something?…Nice…Yeah, I'll be there as soon as I can."
He flipped his phone shut and worked a little faster, but with no less of care. Nick was excited to get something on the case that didn't involve having to go back into that damn bunker.
!#$&()!#$&()!#$&()+
"Hey there good looking," Sophia Curtis greeted Nick as he walked over from his SUV. She watched the man walk, admiring his step. Nick was one fine looking man, but she knew she would never do anything about it. He was more fun as a friend.
"Hey. What ya got? Something good I hope?"
His eagerness made Sophia smile even more, "Well, seems that we had a little break-in here. And what a coincidence that it would be a vet clinic? So, yeah, though I'd check it out. Care to join me?"
"Love to. After you, of course," Nick bowed a little, left hand held out in front of him, palm up.
They walked to cement steps together and walked into the lobby. The veterinarian was already waiting since Sophia had already been in to speak with the short, red-headed woman. Nick greeted her with a smile and handshake before they were led into the back storage rooms.
"This is where we keep the drug cabinets. Only two keys for the locks. I have one and the other is kept locked up in the safe. I noticed this this morning when I came in and did the routine checks of the clinic. And as I told the detective here, all the Ketamine is missing."
Sophia nodded, "Thanks. Now, we're going to process the area. We must have this area kept clean until we are done."
"I understand. I have patients to attend to anyways. I'll be right out in the main clinic if you have any other questions."
The doctor walked away, leaving the two alone. Nick walked over to the glass cabinets and looked at them closely. From what he could tell, nothing else appeared to be missing from any other part of this room.
"Inside job?"
"Just reading my mind, CSI-boy. With only two keys and major security system on the doors, would have to be. Just have to figure out who."
"Well, I'll fingerprint this up and you get the records?"
"Be right back, Nick," Sophia clasped his shoulder as she left the room.
Nick turned to look back at the cabinet before setting his kit down on the ground. He shuffled through it looking for his brush and powder. Laughing a little to himself, Nick began to apply the pink powder to the handle and area around the glass.
"Never took you for a pink kinda guy there?"
"Yeah, ya know me. Full of surprises," Nick smiled at the female detective over his shoulder.
Sophia turned her attention to the lists she held in her hand, looking for any name that seemed familiar. "Hey, I think I found something."
"Yeah?"
"One Abigail Spencer. Weren't her prints on the funnel?"
"Hmm, I think so. Greg was dealing with the lifts. I'll get these new ones back to the lab and hopefully we'll make a match."
"Would be nice to get this case done. We still have that other one lurking in the corners."
Nick packed his kit up, samples carefully placed on the top, "Would be nice. But since there really isn't much more we can do here, let's get going."
They both gave the vet a quick talk before leaving the building. The morning sun felt good and Nick raised his face up towards the sky. Progress was always a good thing. As they got closer to their vehicles, they both could hear Sophia's police radio rambling off.
"We have a possible civilian assault over on Stewart Ave, close to N. 11th. Call from building facing alley way. Calling all units in the area. Proceed with caution, suspect may be armed. I repeat, possible assault…"
Sophia looked at her car, then back over at Nick, "We're close."
"Yeah, lets go. I'll follow ya," Nick said as he ran for the driver's side door of his truck. He slammed the key into the ignition and jerked the transmission into drive. Sophia had already taken off, pulling quickly away from the curb.
Nick quickly found the switch for his emergency lights and the outside was a wash of red and blues. It reflected off the hood of the vehicle, but he barely paid it any mind. The CSI was too busy trying to keep up with police sedan Sophia was using to whip around traffic.
His cell phone went off, but Nick didn't dare take either of his hands from the wheel as they barreled down the city streets at over fifty miles per hour. Houses and parked cars were almost a blur to Nick's tunnel vision. But he kept an eye out for anybody that might be dumb enough to step in front of a speeding car.
A sharp right turn set the SUV shuttering, but Nick was able to keep the wheel steady and he made the turn. There was a little bit lost, but with another push on the gas pedal, Nick was able to catch back up with Sophia. Until she made another sharp right turn, this time into a smaller street, lined with cars.
Nick had no choice, but to slam on the brake and cause his wheels to screech in protest. He knew there was no way he was making that turn at that speed without causing a lot of damage. It only took a couple of seconds, but Nick could see the taillights in front of him getting smaller and smaller.
Once the SUV was lined up nicely in the tiny lane, Nick gunned the engine and forced the vehicle to gain some quick mileage. He was unwilling to lose Sophia. She was still in front of him, but he was worried she would make some turn he would miss when it was his turn. His phone went off again, but Nick ignored it.
Brake lights went on and Nick could almost see the sedan lift in the tail end, towards the front wheels. Sophia turned quickly onto another street, one Nick knew they needed. He slowed as well, turning off his lights when he noticed that Sophia had done so with hers.
Compared to the case to get here, this was a crawl, a sneak. Nick kept his eyes open, head twisting all around looking for anything unusual. No one was out on the street, doors and windows closed up tight. But something sent a chill racing down Nick's back.
The sedan suddenly stopped in front of him. It was quiet and he watched as Sophia got out of her car. She waved to him and he slowly unlatched the door to slide out onto the pavement. Another gesture and Nick had his fire arm out in front of him.
They walked slowly together up a slight alley. It wasn't at all like the alleys they had looked at with the serial murders from the other night. This was a normal alley between houses and businesses, a few cars here and there, a trashcan. But they walked it slow, backs angled towards each other.
A chocked scream cut through the air, causing both to stop and look around for the sound. The gunshot was enough to send them both running up towards the yellow building. Next to the dumpster, there was a man and a woman. The man was still on his feet, the woman not.
"Freeze, LVPD! Drop the weapon and put your hands behind your head. Step away from the woman and get your hands up!" Sophia barked off the orders, gun trained onto the man's head the entire time.
Nick held his gun as still as possible, but he knew there was a slight tremor to the grip. His face was damp with sweat, shirt sticking to his back. But he kept it strong so he could help Sophia until more backup arrived.
The man simply looked up from the body, gun still smoking in his hand. Nick could see the woman, face down on the cement. From the blood pools spreading out in the cloth of her clothes, she had been shot. Twice. Lower back. Back of the neck.
It suddenly got colder in the area and Nick had to stop himself from hugging himself against the chill, inner and outer. This was the man they needed for the other cases. He had killed this woman, in an alley, with the same technique as the others. And they had heard the second shot.
"I said drop the weapon and put your hands on your head! Do it now!" Sophia yelled even louder, making sure the man had no qualms about hearing what she was saying to him.
He had piercing blue eyes, covered by shaggy blond hair. His skin was a dark color, olive tan. Large nose with thin lips over a strong chin. The clothes were simple, a pair of blue jeans and a red t-shirt. There was a small splatter of blood here and there. Enough that Nick would be able to connect him without a doubt to the murder they had walked upon.
But the guy wanted nothing to do with the orders he was receiving. Before Nick could even blink once, the gun was raised even higher and the trigger was pulled. Something hard slammed into his side and Nick was falling towards the ground. His eyes were still forward and he could see the man turning and running in the opposite direction.
"You hit? Nick?"
Nick threw his hands out and caught himself on his hands and knees. He could hear Sophia yelling at him as she got to her feet and began to run after the suspect.
"Nick? We need the car. Go get the car!"
The Texan pushed himself up, hands running up and down his torso looking for any holes that might be new to his body. It took him a second, but he realized he wasn't shot, just that Sophia had crashed into him to get out of the way. The blonde cop had a hit that was for sure.
Now that he was certain he wasn't going to bleed out from some odd spot on his body, Nick turned on his heels and raced back towards his truck. He had his keys out in mid-run, ready to go. The engine roared to life and he switched quickly into drive.
The angle into the alley was a little tight, but Nick pushed the SUV in and gunned it down it. He sat up straight in the seat trying to see Sophia running somewhere. It was a longer trip down the alley than he had thought it would be, but he eventually hit the end of it. Nick stopped at the end and looked back and forth up and down the street.
Sophia was standing, hands on her knees, a couple drives down to his left. Her chest was heaving with breaths as she tried to regain her air. Nick reached her in no time, window down.
"Hey, get in," he yelled out, "Where'd he go?"
"Up that way. Got in a damn Toyota something or another. Headed straight. Punch it."
With a push on the gas, the SUV thundered forward, following a trail that would hopefully still be there. Nick kept his eyes opened, darting from side to side looking for a car that was speeding or acting out of the norm. He could feel Sophia shifting around in her seat doing the same thing.
"There, he's there!" She reached over and slapped him on the arm, other hand pointing out the passenger side window.
Nick jerked the three ton vehicle to the right and roared down upon the Corolla that was trying to get away. Having the larger engine and the larger truck, it took very little for Nick to get right on the tailgate and ride it up the street. He lost a little distance with each turn they took, but he made it up. Nick was sure glad he had remembered to fill the tank that morning.
Sophia had a radio out in her hand, reading off the intersections and directions they were taking after the suspect. She had also called for an ambulance for the girl they had left in the alley. Nick was beginning to feel bad about that since neither of them had taken the time to check to see if she was still alive or not. He had a feeling she wasn't, but it still bugged him.
His hands were tense, beginning to ache as he held the wheel. The traffic was thick in some areas, loose in others. It wasn't an easy journey, but Nick managed the best he could. Speeding cases weren't his specialty, but he wasn't going to take this back to Warrick and say he wasn't good enough to keep up with the bad guy.
Up the road, two cop cars appeared out of nowhere, lights flashing. Nick felt an ease in his body that help was finally here. The Corolla's brake lights went on, car slamming to a halt. But the man quickly darted up another side street barely avoiding a trash truck. And Nick knew they were on a one way trip towards the freeway now.
"Go Nick. We can't let him get on the interstate."
"Alright, alright. Ya know, you're the cop. You should be driving."
"You're doing just fine. But don't let him go!" Sophia almost screamed as she watched other cars swerve and beep at them as they moved after the get away car.
The two cop cars whipped past him, speeding along faster. But they weren't quick enough to cut the man off from getting onto the off ramp. Nick cursed and forced more speed into the engine. And he could see more police sedans heading towards them from the other lane. They switched over into theirs as soon as the opportunity arose. He was sure the normal drivers on the highway weren't finding this at all amusing.
"We're going to cut him off! Get up there Nick. We have to help in the back."
But they didn't need to go too much further. The suspect stopped hard, turning the car sideways into several lanes painted on the pavement. Nick could see him, sitting and starring out the windshield. As soon as he stopped, Sophia was out and running towards the two stopped sedans a few yards ahead.
Nick couldn't bring himself to get out of the SUV. He could see the gun. The door opened and the man stepped out of the car, hands high. There were shouts from all the officers, horns beeping from interrupted traffic around them. It all became white noise as Nick too everything in.
The man brushed his blonde hair back with his free hand, gun waving around oblivious to the people surrounding him. Sunlight glinted off the steel as the man steadied the gun and brought it closer in. Nick could hear him perfectly.
"Do ya dare me! Huh? Dare me! Do it!"
His head blew apart from the impact of the bullet. The gun fell from his hand that had positioned it to his chin. Nick sat frozen, hands sweating on the steering wheel.
TBC…