"Alright," said Grissom crossing his arms, "So what do we know now, that we didn't know at our last meeting?"
The team had assembled in Grissom's office and everyone was ready to close this case.
"Well," said Nick sitting forward in his chair as he clasped his hands, "We know that Vanessa Barett has serious history with a convicted felon called Derrick Lander, who's also a construction worker. Warrick and I went to pay Mr. Lander a little visit and he was less than cooperative. He also revealed himself to be a major asshole."
"He did admit," Warrick chipped in, "that he was made a pass at Mrs. Barett."
"But he never mentioned that he had a prior relationship with Vanessa," said Nick. "Mr. Lander is also the proud owner of a dark blue, Mercedes X5."
"Do you think we have enough for a warrant?" Griffin asked from her place next to Sara.
"Well," said Nick turning to her, "Lander's fingerprints were on the tape, he had scratches on his neck, Doc Marten boots (probably a size eleven), he knew where the victims lived..."
"He also had a pretty strong motive for getting rid of Michael," said Catherine.
"Yeah," said Sara, "But according to Vanessa, Michael never knew about her past."
"The guy said his tool kit was stolen and that he had tape in there," said Warrick.
"What are the odds that it was his stolen tape and his past lover's daughter that was tied up with said tape?" asked Catherine. "If Lander wanted to win Vanessa back, why kidnap Kimmy in the first place? Why kill her? Vanessa loved her daughter."
"Maybe that was the point," suggested Griffin, "If Lander wanted to start over with Vanessa, if (in his own twisted way) he genuinely loved her, maybe he wanted a clean slate."
"A clean slate?" asked Nick.
"Yeah, maybe he saw Vanessa's family as an obstacle. Get rid of the family, get rid of the problem," explained Griffin.
"The question is," said Grissom and everyone turned their attention to the boss, "Do we have probable cause for a warrant?"
"If you ask me," said Catherine flicking her red hair over her shoulder, "It's circumstantial, at best."
"Can't we even try talking to a judge?" Griffin asked Grissom.
Grissom pursed his lips and pondered their dilemma for a few moments. He grimaced before he said, "I'll give Culpepper a call. Maybe if the FBI and CSI talk to a judge it might have some more effect.
"Now, go home," Grissom ordered Griffin.
Griffin sat up straighter and said, "What?"
"You've been here 26 hours straight, Griffin. You need to get some rest, otherwise you'll start to miss things," said Grissom.
"He's right, Griffin," said Catherine, "You did a fantastic job. Go home and get some sleep, you deserve it."
Griffin grimaced and said, "Crime doesn't sleep so why should Justice?"
"Because there are more criminals than officers," offered Sara wryly.
Griffin scowled at them for ganging up on her. As she stood she gave Grissom a pointed look and said, "I would like to be there when you serve the warrant."
"And I'd like a bigger budget for the lab, we don't always get what we want," said Grissom.
Griffin narrowed her eyes as she studied his face. She gave a curt nod before saying, "Fine," and she left.
Nick chuckled shaking his head as he said, "You gotta give her ten out of ten of enthusiasm."
Catherine and Sara nodded their heads and Grissom said, "Okay, you guys have work to do and I've got a phone call to make. So shoo."
The team got up and left Grissom's office as he picked up his phone and dialled a number.
"FBI."
"Hi, this is LVPD Crime Lab supervisor Gil Grissom. I'd like to speak with Special Agent Rick Culpepper, please."
"One moment, please," said the young woman. A few moments passed then Culpepper answered and said, "What can I help you with, Grissom?"
"We've had a few new developments in the case," said Grissom.
"Let's hear it," said Culpepper.
Grissom brought him up to speed on all the new information they had gathered.
"You've been busy, Grissom."
"I always am, Culpepper, but I can't take much credit. My people have been working round the clock," Grissom said.
"So what you need me to do?"
"We need a warrant for Lander's DNA and his car and shoes. Would it be possible for you to come with me to see a judge?" asked Grissom.
"Who did you have in mind?"
Grissom suggested a judge.
"Sounds good. I'll meet you at the court house in...Half an hour?"
"I'll see you there," said Grissom.
And they hung up.
CSICSICSICSI
Grissom stood outside the court house about twenty five minutes later waiting in the morning sun. He had donned his sunglasses and was sipping a cup of coffee.
"Grissom!"
Grissom looked around and saw Culpepper walking over to him.
"Rick," Grissom greeted.
"Shall we do this," Culpepper asked.
Grissom nodded and headed up the stairs with Culpepper at his side.
CSICSICSICSI
Two hours later the FBI Agent and the CSI walked out of the courthouse, warrant in hand. Just then Culpepper received a call so Grissom waited for him to finish. Culpepper snapped his phone shut and walked back to Grissom.
"Grissom," he said, "I need to get back to the FBI HQ. There has been a really big break in another case I'm working on and they need me back there."
"That's okay, my people can handle it, like we have been the whole time," said Grissom.
Culpepper rolled his eyes and said as he walked away, "If you say so."
Grissom rolled his eyes. He thought for a moment before he pulled out his phone and punched in a number. She answered on the first ring as if she'd been sitting staring at the phone.
"Griffin," she said.
"I thought I told you to get some sleep," said Grissom walking down the steps.
"You think I could sleep? With the case this close to breaking?" asked Griffin.
"Good point," relented Grissom.
"So...do you have it?" asked Griffin eagerly.
"You're not one for small talk, are you?" asked Grissom.
"Neither are you," she countered.
"Touché."
"Grissom," she said in an irritated voice.
He chuckled once and said, "Yes, I've got the warrant."
"Great," Griffin said and it sounded as if she were moving around, "Where do I meet you?"
"At the construction site."
"Cool, see you in ten."
CSICSICSICSI
Grissom stood with Nick and Warrick and watched as a Department issued Denali pulled up a few feet away from them. Griffin got out of the car and locked it with her remote. At least she seemed to be more rested than the last time he had seen her. She was dressed in a black T-shirt under a black, leather jacket; she wore charcoal cargo pants and her black combat boots. Her long, silky hair was tied back in a French braid, but a piece of her fringe had pulled out and it hang over her left eye, which were covered with her black Ray Banns. In her hand she carried her silver, flight-case like, field kit.
"Grissom," she greeted as she reached his side, "Nick, Warrick."
"Griffin," he greeted back and Nick and Warrick nodded their heads at her.
"You serve the warrant yet?" she asked.
Grissom shook his head and said, "One of the workers went to find Lander."
They all looked up as Lander came out of a trailer and headed towards them. The suspect stopped in front of them, looked at Nick and Warrick and said with a scowl, "This is goddamned harassment."
Grissom handed the warrant to Lander and he snatched it from Grissom's hand. He read it over and looked up with a scowl on his face.
"What the hell is this?!" he asked indignantly.
"That," said Nick, "is a warrant for your DNA, your shoes, your car and to have a look at your arms."
Griffin slipped on a pair of latex gloves took out a DNA swab and said, "Open up, please, sir."
Lander clenched his jaw and glared at her. Griffin seemed tiny in comparison with Lander, he towered over her. Nick almost wanted to move her behind his back; Lander was emanating a malevolent aura and it made Nick nervous. It didn't seem to be affecting Griffin though. She just raised an eyebrow at him and held the swab up higher. Lander reluctantly opened his mouth and Griffin swiftly swabbed the inside of his cheek. She then placed her field kit on the tar and knelt down next to it, then pulled out a large, clear evidence bag. Griffin stood and said to Lander, "Your shoes, sir."
Lander's lip jerked up slightly and he pulled his boots off. He handed it to Griffin and she took them gingerly so as not to corrupt any trace evidence. She slipped the boots into the evidence bag, then stood and said, "Roll up your sleeves, please."
Lander clenched his jaw as he pulled the buttons open on the sleeves of his shirt and yanked them up to his elbows. Griffin got her camera out and aimed it at his arms saying, "Palms down."
Lander exposed the tops of his forearms and Griffin took two shots of each.
"Undersides," ordered Griffin.
Lander reluctantly turned his arms over exposing the undersides of his forearms. On his left arm was a long, nasty looking cut that was red and inflamed. Griffin looked at the cut and then up at Lander, "That blonde must have been really kinky, sir."
Lander scowled again and said, "I'm a construction worker, Miss. Accidents happen."
Griffin gave a lopsided smile and said, "They sure do. Even for the most careful of workers."
Returning the camera slowly to her eye she continued documenting the evidence.
The tow truck arrived and Warrick went off to met the driver and instruct him on which car needed to be towed. Lander watched this silently; rolling his shirt sleeves back down he asked, "How long before I get my stuff back?"
Grissom looked at him from behind his sunglasses and said, "As long as it takes."
Lander snorted and said, "I've got work to do. Can I go now?"
Grissom nodded his head and Lander turned and walked back to the trailer.
He watched Lander walk away before he pulled out his phone and dialled a number.
"Brass...it's Grissom. Listen, I need you to put a uniform on Lander...yeah he's still at the construction site. Thanks," Grissom snapped his cell phone shut.
"You think he's gonna run, Boss?" asked Warrick.
"It's a possibility," answered Grissom. "Let's get this evidence processed. Nick, I want you to stay here and stake out Lander with the uni," said Grissom.
"You got it, Griss," said Nick nodding his head.
Grissom and Warrick walked to the Denali they had arrived in and Griffin got into her car. They drove back to the LVPD Crime Lab.