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, Gum Drops, 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: So, some people thought they knew who the brother would be…alright, let us see how correct you were! Oh, and we embark on another joint course with the season as we knew it. Getting, oh so close to getting there. Thanks for reading! See ya around.
Chapter 11:
"The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there."
Leslie Poles Hartley
The drive up US-95 wasn't the most eventful thing that had happened to Nick Stokes, but it did seem like the new longest. He sat in the passenger seat of the CSI truck, chin resting on the palm of his right hand. His eyes watched lazily the passing desert and houses.
Warrick held the truck steady, following after the police sedan in front of them. His right hand was lose and relaxed over the top of the wheel. Left arm was resting by the elbow on the ridge by the driver's window. The entire posture of the taller CSI showed a cool, collected exterior.
Mile after mile passed, nothing changing. Not a word was spoken. Neither man had talked with the other except for the tired, confused hello's back at the station in Vegas. But it was also a silence that neither felt like filling. They were comfortable enough to leave it alone.
The city of Indian Springs soon came upon them. Nick barely blinked an eye at the change in the landscape. His weight shifted with the truck as Warrick took a clean left onto the new road. The prison was enough to get him to sit up more in his seat and attempt to look professional.
"So, you know why we had to drive out here for this?" Warrick's voice cut through the encased space.
Nick managed to keep his jump small, unnoticeable, with some help of the seatbelt, "Nah. Sophia just said something about the guy's brother being in here. Nothing more."
"Hmm, sounds like one of our friendly detectives from Vegas, that's for sure."
The prison itself was impressive when they pulled into the black top lot. Sophia pulled her sedan into a slot, perfectly between the solid yellow lines. The SUV took the spot to her left.
"You boys ready to go? We are expected," Sophia grinned as she walked away from the confused CSI's.
Warrick shot a look over to Nick, shrugging his broad shoulders high. With an answering shrug, the two men walked quickly after the blonde detective. Nick couldn't help, but to turn his eyes upward as they walked upon the high fences and towers surrounding the tiny world of brick and stone. Deep inside his body, something shuddered and hid its face.
High Desert State prison was officially the largest institution in the Corrections Department. It's span spread over an easy 1.5 million square feet. Only the best technology was used, for protection of the officers inside, and full control over the 1,816 inmates at any given time. It was an impressive castle of gray and steel against the blue Nevada sky.
Approaching the main entrance, Sophia moved up quickly to speak with the guards standing ready. Credentials were checked, fire arms handed over. Nick stood stiffly for the body search, trying to focus on something other than the searching hands covering his arms and legs.
They were nodded through only to be cut off by a large man with balding, blonde hair, "You would be from Vegas?"
"We are. I'm Detective Curtis," Sophia glanced over towards the men standing by her side, "Stokes and Brown from the crime lab."
"Huh, really think we need scientists getting up in this mess? Should'a just left 'em behind. Might be too much for their…thin blood," the man smiled, yellow teeth under a thick moustache.
"I'll vouch for them. They'll be leading the questioning anyways. And you would be?"
The man threw out a large hand, "I'd be Dave Nesser, warden of this mess. I'll be taken y'all inside. And boys, I'd recommend you'd watch out for your asses inside. Pretty things such as you'selves might make the prisoners a bit happy."
Warrick's face went stone cold, "We'll be fine. Let's just get this over with."
"Very well. If you'd be so kind as to follow me in. You got about an hour left before visiting hours are over. But I thought I'd take you straight in, seeing as this seems to be a big deal and all. Having the mayor calling in a favor and everything. Gotta admit, I'm impressed. Never thought of the guy as something important."
The trio walked in a slow pace after the bear of a man. Nick snuck glances around them, afraid to risk meeting any inmate's eyes. None were out in the fields surrounding the walls, but he wasn't about to take any chances. He was too used to seeing the suspects before they reached this stage and he didn't know how to deal with people at this level. And it was another thing that made him wonder what the hell he was doing there in the first place.
Nesser seemed to like the sound of his own voice and obviously felt the need to share the history of the six year old prison, "We handle multi-classification inmates in this facility and custody levels of min to max. Even got us segregation in this place. There's seven different housing units, though it's a tad difficult to make that out from this angle. All ya see is wall after all. Each can hold up to 332 Joes at one time. We're gonna head to Unit 6B for your fella."
A large steel door, guarded by two men was their way into the mass of a structure. Warrick's fingers twitched a little as the pressure from the inside caused a slight hissing noise. It was deadly quiet on the inside. But there were plenty of lights to make up for the lack of noise.
"Each area can vary on free inmate movement or whether we keep them locked up. Depends on how they act, how good they can keep themselves. Some trouble last week, but nothing a little alone time can't fix. We'll have to head past the cafeteria in this unit to get to our building. Might get a touch loud around those parts. The boys like their grub."
Nick could swear their footsteps were too loud, echoing off the walls like pings of radar. They took several turns and a couple of curves. He would never find his way out on his own. And they weren't even in the prisoner areas yet. This was all employee areas and waiting areas for guests.
It was around the next right that he finally felt like he was in a prison. There were bars, signs, and guns. And the guards watched them closely as they moved with the warden. Nick felt like he was the only one from the group that was edgy being there.
"Up ahead, we got the first of the six eating halls along with the prisoner chapel," Nesser pointed down another hallway blocked off by more bars, "Down that way, the Inmate Store, Laundry, and hallways to two of the other buildings. Education and the law library are in Unit 4. But we're heading this way."
Nesser halted at the thick bars and removed the card hanging from around his neck. It slid easily through the reader, causing the red light to turn green. The bar door moved slowly to the left, opening the way further down the drab hallway.
The hairs on Nick's neck stood up and sweat gathered on his upper lip. His tongue slid out, nervously, to wet his dry lips. He was nervous to continue, but more afraid to let anyone see it. It was almost as bad as walking down into that bunker.
"We let the boys volunteer themselves so they can move through this place faster. Move from one area to another. Get better benefits. Where we're going, some of the naughtier boys. Guarantee ya, you'll never want to meet any of them in a back alley," Nesser laughed as he walked heavily down the hallway, towards more and more bars.
None of the three said a word at what the man leading had just said. Sophia kept her lips tight over her teeth, hands hanging at her hips. She had been in this prison before, but never this deep into the bowels of it. The noises were beginning to reach them from the inmates. It sounded like the chatter of a school yard. But these students had played with guns and knives before.
Warrick couldn't help, but to move further ahead as they moved along. For some reason that he couldn't describe, he felt he had to be in the front of their little trio, in case anything were to happen. It was unlikely, but he wasn't taking any chances, especially with Nick.
Another set of bar doors blocked the way, but they were through them quick enough. But Nick had to endure another body search. Procedures and all. The smile on the warden's face wasn't pleasant at the comment and Nick held in the shutters at the hands running up the insides of his thighs.
"Alright. We're about to walk into unit six. Keep yourselves in the middle of the hallway. The boys are in their cages, but might feel the need to reach out and touch someone. And I really don't want to have to drag out the tasers today," Nesser turned to walk away, but quickly turned back, "And don't talk to any of 'em. Might earn you'self an unwanted boyfriend."
The man's gate was faster now, more determined now that they were in the next. Nick could see over his shoulder the bars that began the double rows of cells. The hallway wasn't any wider in this section than the others. And the cafeteria they just passed was nothing more than a large room filled with large, burly men and no closed door.
Sophia reached back without thinking about it and took Nick's left hand in hers. She didn't know if it was to comfort her or him more, but it seemed to work for the two of them.
Some of the inmates were standing, leaning on the bars of their cells. Their eyes followed the small group. Nick tried to keep his own eyes on the ground, but got pulled into looking up. His face flushed at the gestures and faces some of the men pulled as he glanced over their faces.
They seemed to walk forever, between the leers and catcalls from various criminals. And, as fate would play it, Nick received the most attention. Comments were tossed at him about his finely shaped shoulders, grab-easy hair, and tight ass. Warrick had shifted closer to him as they proceeded, but it didn't block any of the comments. And the hand in his tightened with each step.
Finally, the warden stopped and faced a cell to the right. His face was tight as he looking in upon the man being kept inside. "You got some people that want to talk with ya."
Quiet, hesitation, "And if I don't wanna talk with them?"
"Well, you ain't got the choice in the matter. You're going to talk with them about what they want, answer all their damn questions and the like…"
Nick lost track of what the warden was saying, lecturing to the prisoner on the inside of the bar wall. His brain was too lost trying to connect on how he knew that voice. Something about it made his skin crawl. He was so lost in thought he missed the hand shooting out to his left, grabbing his t-shirt with long fingers.
Not paying attention to his surroundings, Nick was easily pulled off balance and lost his footing. He lost all contact with his two friends in this place. It caused him to fall in the direction of the clinging hand. And it didn't fail in grabbing more of the Texan and pulling him in close to the bars.
"Well, well. I do believe you and I know each other." Warm breath racked across his ear from the awkward angle the new hand was holding his head against the steel. The other hand wrapped around his throat, holding him tightly in place.
"Hey!" Warrick yelled, reaching for a gun that was no longer there, "Let him go!"
The same gray streaked brown hair fell off the pale forehead, grin parting the tight lips of Brian DuBois. Man still looked like he was missing a few too many nights of sleep. But now it might have been more warranted.
"DuBois," Nesser stepped up close to where Nick was being pinned, arm tightening around his throat, "I'd recommend you let go of that man, now! Unless you want to spend some quality time with you'self for the next two weeks."
DuBois quickly released Nick, hands held high in the air as he back away into his cell, "No harm, no foul. Just saying hi to one of the men who put me in this damn place. Hard to see a familiar face when you're doing time."
Warrick didn't let Nick collect himself before grabbing his upper arms with both his hands, eyes darting around the sweaty face. The other man was breathing heavy, quickly, but looked to be unharmed. Green eyes flashed at the grin being sent their way.
"I'm…okay, man," Nick coughed out as he rubbed at an imaginary hurt in his throat. The inmate's grip had scared him, hadn't harmed him. He was really okay for once. But it didn't stop the taller man or blonde detective from hanging on him.
"What you think you're doing?" Nesser barked now that DuBois was settled away, "I told you to stay away from the bars."
Sophia didn't care that she was smaller than the warden. She got herself right up in his face, "Let's just get the guy out of the cell and into a room. Now."
With a huff, Nesser moved back to the original cell. He pulled a radio out from his belt and barked some letters and numbers into the set. There was a buzz and a grating noise as the cell was opened. Nesser waved the man inside to come out into the hallway.
"Don't do anything stupid. Or you'll be shit out of luck along with your buddy. Just move this way, hands out in front of ya where I can see 'em."
The tan was gone, almost an orange tint now. Hair was still blonde, but the style was lost with the growth it had taken in the prison. But the bulk was still very much present.
"Well, if it isn't the asshole CSI's that got me locked up in this shit hole. Sure you wanna be locked up in a small room with me?" Charlie Johnson smiled big, white teeth over Sophia's shoulder to the two men.
He held still as the cuffs were locked into place. Nesser grabbed one of his arms and began to yank him further down the hallway, towards two more guards that were waiting in position. They quickly took possession of Johnson so the warden could turn to look back over the three following him.
"Gonna have to do a check on him first. Make sure he's clean. You three will wait out there until we let you in."
Sophia didn't bother to say a word, just moved past the man towards the door another guard was waiting at. Walking quickly, Nick moved to follow, but not before he saw the smirk the warden shot him. He wasn't feeling that well anymore on this trip. And the heavy hand of Warrick's on his shoulder wasn't as helpful as he had hoped it would be.
!#$&()!#$&()!#$&()+
The room was similar to the ones they had back in Vegas, in the station. It was large, with the double sided mirror to the left of the door. A single wooden table sat in the middle, plain white chairs surrounding it. But the addition of two large, armed guards was new. As were the chains.
Charlie Johnson sat on the far side of the table, one guard standing over his right shoulder. He had an easy grin on his lips, hands resting easy on his thighs. His eyes took in the two CSI's sitting on the other side of the table from him. These were two people he had dealt with before and they didn't scare him.
"So, what brings you two on up here to see me? Get lost somewhere and needed someone to blame for your bad shit?"
Nick couldn't bring himself to say a word in response to the man. He was still trying to get all his thoughts in order from realizing this was the brother. It made sense in so many sick ways. But he wasn't ready to open this conversation.
"What? You two suddenly forget how to talk? Seems to me, the last time you fuckers were in my house, you both had plenty of shit to say. Now, nothing. Always knew you were losers."
"You and Brian have cells by each other. Still friends?" Warrick growled out at the insults being thrown at them.
Laughing, Charlie shook his head, "Nah. Dude lost it once we got in here. Guy was stupid and weak on the outside. In here, he went crazy. Got mean. Woulda been better like this out there."
"Yeah," Warrick leaned back in his chair, "You two would have been a whole lot better out there like that. What, you think more people would have been killed then?"
"Oh, maybe not a whole lot more people, just maybe one," Charlie smirked as he shifted his gaze onto Nick by the end of him comment.
Nick couldn't tear his eyes from the criminal ones. A chill filled his senses, but he held it in nicely. It was bad enough the man across the table had seen him weak before. Never again.
"What Tex? Cat got your tongue?"
"Your brother's dead."
The tone was flat. No emotion was behind the words or the lips that said them. Nick was almost surprised by his ability to do that, but he kept his glare steady.
It was enough to wipe Johnson's face clean, "What!"
"Oh yeah. Your little brother put a gun to his chin and pulled the trigger out on the pavement."
Warrick slapped Nick in the hip, shooting him a sharp look. He was shocked by the sudden change in his friend. The past between these two men was nothing new to him, but he never thought Nick could ever get so cruel. It wasn't something he ever wanted to see directed at back at himself.
"When?" Johnson's voice was quieter, almost childlike now.
"Yesterday. His body is back in the city morgue," Warrick entered his voice into the room, "And we would like to know if you knew anything about what he's been up to."
Shifting in his seat, the criminal caused the chains around his wrists and ankles to clank loudly. First he had lost his son and wife, now his brother. He was human and it stung to hear the news. And hatred caused his vision to turn red.
"What he's been up to! I haven't seen him since you assholes threw me in this joint. Why don't you tell me what he's been up to?"
"He was killing women. Gun shot wounds to the back of the neck and lower back region. He was caught with his last victim before he took his own life after a case," Warrick stated.
"And you think he came to me and told me all about it? Well, sorry to say boys, I know nothing about what he has been up to. Caleb always lived in his own little world. I never knew what he was thinking or doing. Hell, I was never home to worry about the little shit. I had my own shit to deal with."
Nick drew in a deep breath, "You know of any guns he might own?"
"As far as I knew, he was terrified of the damn things. I guess he got over that quick enough. Look, I don't know anything about what Caleb's been doing. You're wasting my time and my eyesight by having to look at you two assholes. You best be on your way."
"Think really hard Charlie. Is there anything you might be able to tell us? Even the smallest thing?" Nick asked again, connecting his sight with the other man's.
Johnson shifted his gaze away, then back again. It finally settled on a brick in the wall as he thought things over. His heart was hurting at the loss of yet another family member. Caleb had always been getting into trouble as a kid, but never gotten as deep as he ever had.
"Nothing. You boys are shit out of luck and I'm out of here. Guards, I'd like to return to my cell now please."
The guard standing behind Johnson moved forward and assisted the man in getting up from his chair. He gave to two CSI's a grin as he was released from the excess links and escorted from the room. Nick didn't move, kept his eyes on the table in front on him. Warrick kept his eyes on Nick, filled with concern and worry.
!#$&()!#$&()!#$&()+
Leaving the prison was much faster than getting inside. And the good warden was less inclined to talk with them this time. He did complain about upsetting his prisoners and making commotions that didn't need to be made. All in all, Nick couldn't have been happier to get out of that place.
His breathing slowly returned to normal. He hadn't even realized it had been different when he was inside, but his chest was a little tight and sore. Nick followed behind Warrick and Sophia as they moved through the main gate back out into the parking lot.
"You two get what you needed?" Sophia asked now that they were free of ease dropping eyes and ears.
Warrick took heavier steps, "No. Guy didn't know anything or was just that willing to not tell us a thing. Waste of time."
They got to the truck and the sedan. Sophia turned to look back at the two men, "Well, we should get back to Vegas then. Maybe something moved along while we were away."
Nick nodded and was about to answer when a vibration went off in his jean pocket. With a roll of his eyes, he reached down and retrieved the annoying little device. "Some days I just wish to throw this thing into Lake Mead and be done with it."
"Only a dream, bro," Warrick chuckled as he opened the driver's door to the truck.
"Stokes…oh hey, Sam…Yeah. Still out at the prison with Sophia…what ya need?"
The one sided conversation continued as Nick and Sam talked things over. Warrick gave up trying to follow it and figure out what they were talking about. Sounded like a new case had come up, once again. It was getting frustrating that they kept getting side tracked.
Nick flipped his phone shut and rubbed his face with his free hand, "Looks like we need to take off again. New case. Brass got a call from the Pioche department. They need our help. Grissom is sending you, me, Greg, and Sara out there."
"I'm gonna need one of you to go back with me first," Sophia spoke up from her position by her sedan, "Got a nice warm passenger seat waiting."
"Alright," Warrick threw Nick the keys, "I'll head back to town, grab the other two. They'll get lost without some help. Meet ya there as soon as I can get Greg moving."
"Sounds good. I'll wait for you," Nick smiled as he moved past the taller man to get into the driver's seat. The drive wouldn't be too long from their current position. And it would give him some time to think things over. Nick watched the police sedan pull away first before turning the truck engine on. It rumbled under him, reminding him how little he actually was.
TBC…
Extra: Whatever you just read of the prison is from research only, I've never been there. So, I hope it wasn't too far off. All the facts are true, just the layout was fictional. And I changed the name of the warden as well and made up a personality for him. Hope it worked!