"This sucks; as soon as he's happy, something happens to take that away from him." Greg said
"She's not dead yet, Greg. They don't really even know what's happened here." Sara replied
As Jim tried to compose himself, O'Reilly took his time, seeing that he was in a fragile state.
"Now, you said that when you got here, the door was open"
"Yeah, it was. I nudged it open further and that's when I saw the mess on the floor. It looked like she might have struggled with someone." he explained
"Did you touch anything other than her?" he asked
"Puh-leeze." Jim snapped
"Ok, after you checked her pulse, what did you do"
"I cleared the rest of the house, then went back to her. A few minutes later, the ambulance showed up."
Looking down at his notepad, O'Reilly sighed.
"Ok, needless to say, you've got to be off this case, due to it's personal nature. Jim, did you hear me"
Jim was drifting, his thoughts focused on Cyan and their little argument the other day. Seeing that Jim was not 100 percent, O'Reilly placed his hand on Jim's arm, shaking slightly.
"Jim, did you hear me"
"Yeah, I heard you. Can I go now?" he asked
"Yeah, you can go"
"Thanks." Jim said, walking to his car
Climbing behind the wheel of his car, Jim was startled by a knock on his window. Rolling it down, he growled.
"What"
"Where are you going, Jim?" Catherine asked
"Where do you think I'm going"
"Ok, just keep your phone on." she said, assertively
All during the drive to the hospital, Jim's thoughts were on Cyan and how he felt sort of responsible for her accident. He thought that if he hadn't accused her, she might not have gone with Grissom and gotten injured, and then she would have been at work instead of being at home and this might never have happened. Blowing through a red light, he was nearly broadsided by a pick up truck. He shook the negative thoughts from his head, realizing that if he didn't focus on the road, he might end up in hospital along with her.
Pulling into a spot reserved for police vehicles, Jim jumped out and headed inside. As he walked down the halls, he was stopped at the nurse's station.
"I'm sorry, sir. You can't go back there"
"I'm looking for someone that was just brought in. She's about 25 and she had some head trauma." he explained
"What's her name?" the nurse asked
Realizing that he didn't know Cyan's last name, Jim fudged.
"Brass, Cyan Brass. She's my wife." he said softly
For a brief moment, the nurse disappeared and when she returned, she had papers in hand. Handing them to Jim, she explained.
"I'll need you to fill these out and return them to me." she said
"Is she ok? When can I see her?" he asked, scribbling the information down
"She's in surgery right now, she's got a head laceration as well as some facial fractures and some torso damage. She's stable, but it'll still be a while, yet." she continued
"Let me know the minute she's out. I need to see her." he ordered
The nurse nodded her understanding and went back to her previous task. Jim took the clip board and forms to the family waiting room and filled them out while he waited. Since he really had no idea as to her specifics, Jim put Cyan down as being on his insurance policy as well as him being her next of kin. No sooner had he signed his name on the insurance form, his cell rang. Fumbling with the pen, he flipped it open and answered.
"Brass"
"Jim, this is Gil."
Gil was the last person he wanted to hear from right then, but talking to somebody was better than talking to no one, so he did his best to stay calm as he talked with him.
"What's the matter? I got a call from Greg saying that there was an accident. ADD's in hospital"
"Yeah, Sam sent her home from work and near as I can tell, that's when she was attacked." Jim said
"She went in to work? She's got a sprained wrist." Gil gasped
"Yeah, well, you said it yourself, she's got an amazing work ethic"
"Do you want me to come over?" he asked
"If you like. She's in surgery right now. Apparently, she's got some head trauma and some facial fractures. They don't know when she'll be out." he explained
"I'll be there soon." Gil said, hanging up
Truth be told, he really didn't want Gil there right now, but this might prove to be good, in that he might be able to ask him of his intentions toward Cyan. Jim stood up and delivered the forms to the nurse, then returned to his seat. After about twenty minutes, Gil showed up, crutches and all. Hobbling down the hall, he asked after Jim and was pointed to his location. Standing in the doorway, he cleared his throat and gave a lopsided grin. Jim picked up his head and looked up at his friend. Grissom hopped over to Jim and took the seat next to him. Placing his hand atop Jim's, he squeezed lightly.
"I know this is hard, Jim. I'm sure she'll be fine. She's a trooper." he said, by way of consolation Glancing over at him, Jim frowned.
"Gil, what's your relationship to her?" Jim asked, painfully
Not believing his ears, but at the same time, not surprised, Gil answered promptly. Gil and Cyan had been spending a lot of time together as of late and being that Jim was clearly interested in the young lady, Gil felt that a certain amount of duty was called for in explaining their relationship, such as it was. So, organizing his thoughts, he spilled.
"She's a friend, nothing more. She's a great conversational companion, but camaraderie is as far as it goes with she and I. Besides, I know you like her, and I would never intentionally do anything to get in the way of that." he explained
"She's angry with me for accusing her the other day." Jim said, softly
"I know. I told her that it was me that put doubt into your mind, and she made me promise to "fix it". She really likes you, Jim." he said, flatly
About an hour later, the doctor came out and stopped at the nurse's station, where he was directed to the family waiting room. Standing in the doorway, he announced his presence. Looking up, Jim shot out of his seat.
"Mr. Brass, your wife is fine. She's got multiple contusions, lacerations and fractures to her face, chest and back and her major facial laceration was kind of on the nasty side; we had to do some subcutaneous sutures, but apart from that, she should be fine. Did you know that she was here earlier for a fractured wrist?" he asked
"Yeah, she was here with me." Gil piped in
"Oh, ok. Well, her injuries not withstanding, she's in fair shape. She's still under anesthesia, but when she comes around, I'm sure she'll receive visitors."
"Thanks, doc." Gil said, simply
After the doctor left, Jim and Gil discussed the events of that morning including his and Cyan's trip to the woods and their injuries. Gil relayed her proficiency in treating his ankle and the way she improvised a splint from the straps from the back pack.
"She knew exactly what she was doing. She stripped that pack like someone that had done it hundreds of times before. She was quick, too. I think all in all, it only took about a minute or so." he said, thoughtfully
"What are you suggesting"
"I don't know. I guess I'm just thinking aloud." he replied
"I can't wait any longer; I'm gonna try and find her." Jim said, standing up
"Ok, I'm heading back to the lab and see what they've come up with." Gil stated
Grissom had taken a cab back to the lab in order to oversee the progress being made on the case. As he made his way down the hall, he was met by Greg with some very strange news. Ushering him into his office, Grissom sat at his desk while Greg told him what they'd found out.
"Well, the door knob had been wiped clean as well as the vase that was on the floor. Blood found at the scene came up as "Cyan Exeter Oxford", born July 3rd 1972, that's ADD's real name. Kind of cute, huh, named after two of the best colleges in the world. She's got papers, too." Greg said, flipping through a small stack of papers. "1990-2002, she was in the Army Special Forces, the details of her service are classified, but I can tell you that she's listed as being on "inactive" duty, which, as I understand it, means that she could be called back at any time for any reason. Pity, really. Jim's not gonna like hearing that. She was transferred, at her own request, and worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital as a crisis counselor. 6 months ago, she moved out here, and she's been a personal assistant ever since. We did some digging into this "Julian"
character, and it turns out that they were in service at the same time; in different branches, of course. He was stationed out here at Nellis Air Force Base until about a year and a half ago, at which time, he was dishonourably discharged for untreated substance abuse while on duty. He was high as a kite and blew up a guard shack. He was diagnosed as being a paranoid schizophrenic, and he's on meds. That's all we could find out."
Staring at Greg with his mouth hanging open, Grissom was momentarily speechless.
"All you could find out? Greg, this is amazing. Well, at least that explains her proficiency in handling our injuries today. She stripped that back pack like a pro; using the straps to splint my ankle." he said, thoughtfully
"Yeah, well, I knew she was special, but this just beats all." he commented
"Let's get O'Reilly to bring Julian in for questioning." Gil said with urgency
Just then, Nick came barreling down the hall and skidded to a stop in Grissom's doorway. Papers in hand, he tried to catch his breath before explaining himself. Bending over, his hands braced on his knees, he calmed himself somewhat.
"Griss, I found a commonality." he said, breathing heavily
"Well, what is it?!??" Gil snapped
"I viewed the media coverage of the gawkers from the Hovel, the scene near Brass's and the Tangiers, and I found the same guy at all three scenes. Now, I couldn't get a clear look at his face at any of the scenes because he was wearing a balaclava, but he's got a tattoo on the back of his left hand; Chinese characters symbolizing Heaven and Earth"
Back at the hospital, Jim was at Cyan's bedside, her hand in his. For lack of a better word, he was asleep, breathing softly. Opening her eyes, she looked down at him and with her free hand, she rubbed his short hair, her hand tingling. Opening his eyes, Jim lifted his head and she could see his tear streaked cheeks. Jim was a strong man, no doubt, but seeing him fragile and emotionally open like this made her smile. She winced as she felt the pain of her stitches and bruises. Looking into her bleary eyes, Jim wiped the tears away on his shirt sleeve.
"Don't cry, Cappie." she said softly, pain evident in her voice
"Oh, hun. I'm so sorry." he said softly
"It's not your fault. You weren't even there"
"I know. I should have been there. I'm so sorry."
Standing up and placing a hand on her bandaged cheek, he leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her swollen lips. The shock was searing and immediate as she recoiled. Taking her free hand and feeling her face, she felt the bandages on her head and the stitches on her lips and eye. Focusing her eyes and looking around, she managed one sentence.
"Get me a mirror."
Not wanting to aggravate her any more than she already was, Jim hesitated.
"You look beautiful; just a bit banged up, that's all." he said
"A mirror, Cappie; please." she pleaded
Looking around and seeing no such thing as a mirror, Jim fiddled with her tray table. Sliding the top back, a small mirror popped up and stared her in the face. Looking at her reflection, she lightly touched her dressings and as she lifted the bandage over her eye, she saw the remnants of her altercation. Her face was swollen, her left eye had three inches of stitches above it and her lips were sutured in some places. As she touched the bruises left by her facial fractures and cuts, tears streamed down her face. Turning away from Jim, she groaned.
"Leave me alone." she said softly
"Hun, you're fine, You'll heal. Its only a few cuts and bruises. You're beautiful." he said in protest
"I said leave me be, James." she growled, rolling over onto her tender side
Jim stood up and walked out of her room, closing the door behind him. In the hall, he broke down. Sliding down the wall and crouching into a kneeling ball, he sobbed like he had never done before. Jim was never really one to cry, not even when everyone else was. The last time he cried, even slightly, was the last time he saw Ellie, and those were tears of hurt and regret. These tears were of emotional pain and anger, welling up from within him all at once. He was not a vindictive or vengeful man, but right there and then, in the corridor, he swore he would find who was responsible and make them pay. Add to that the fact that she'd NEVER called him James before, he knew that the road ahead would be rough for a while and that she was serious about wanting to be left alone.
Back in her room, Cyan was slowly and methodically removing her bandages. As she removed the last bandage, she saw, in full force, the real and true extent of her wounds. Her eyes filled with tears as she saw her battered and broken reflection staring back at her. In her anger and her rage, she balled up her good fist and brought it down upon the mirror in front of her; glass shattering and flying everywhere.
Out in the hall, Jim heard the breaking glass and jumped up, running into her room. When he stopped at her bedside, he saw the blood and glass all over her bedclothes. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he took her hand in his and wrapped it up, tying a small square knot in closing and kissing her fingers. The look of confusion on his face spoke volumes as Cyan lay on her side, sobbing. Moving the damaged table aside, Jim sat on her bedside and turned her face to see him.
"I promise, whoever did this is living on borrowed time." he said emphatically
"Don't bother." she said simply
"Then you know who it was?" he asked, changing his posture
Cyan said nothing, but just pulled the sheets up over her head and fell back to sleep. About half an hour later, Jim moved from her bedside to the chair next to her bed. Gently and carefully, he peeled the sheets back to reveal her battered and torn face. She was undoubtedly asleep, and as Jim placed a light kiss on the suture above her eye, he pulled out his cell phone and flipped it open.
In the A/V lab, Grissom's cell phone went off. Leaning back from the monitors, he stretched his stiff limbs and answered his phone.
"Grissom"
"Gil, this is Jim. Any news yet?" he asked
"Yeah, we've got a bit. How's Cyan?"
Hearing her real name escape Grissom's lips made Jim wonder what else they had found out while he was by her side. He would ask that question later, but right now, he was focused on finding out what new discoveries they had made.
"She's fine. She's pretty well banged up and very upset, but I think she'll be fine, given time." he said
Against his better judgment, Gil spilled the details of Greg and Nick's findings. As Jim listened to Gil tell him about her military service and her inactive duty status as well as their findings about "Julian", Jim flushed with confusion. He wondered why she would keep something as illustrious as a distinguished military career secret, but given what had just happened, he'd wait and let her tell him when she was ready.
Standing at the nurse's station, Jim got a hold of an attending and took them aside.
"My name is Captain Jim Brass, I'm with homicide. My wife is in the room at the end of the hall. The moment she wakes, I'd like you to call me. If she asks after me, let her know that I've gone out for a bit, but that I'll be back soon." he directed
"Is your mobile number on the paperwork?" she asked
"Yes, it is. Thanks." Jim said, turning to leave
In his car, Jim was torn by whether he really should leave her alone or if he should stay until she woke next. His sense of duty won out as he turned the ignition and backed out of his spot. Driving down Main Street, he watched as the freaks and geeks of society mingled on the sidewalks of Las Vegas.
Pulling into the lab lot, he was greeted immediately by Grissom, who was outside for God knows what reason. As they walked inside and went to Gil's office, they talked quietly. Once they reached Gil's domain, Jim closed the door behind them and sat across from his desk. His head in his hands, Jim sighed.
"She knows who it was that attacked her, but won't tell me." Jim said
"Is that so?" Gil asked
"Yeah. She's really banged up. She asked me for a mirror and when I gave one to her, she broke it, injuring her good hand. I wonder why she'd protect her attacker." Jim theorized aloud
"Well, just give her some time, I'm sure she'll come around. She's no idiot. She'll realize that it does more harm then good to protect whoever it was." Gil replied
"So, is Nick making any headway with the tapes?" he asked
"Well, Nick had identified a tattoo. The same tattoo is at the Hovel, the Tangiers and the scene near your house. Thing is, he can't get a clear image of the guy's face." Gil said,
"Well, you've got your best people working on it. They'll come up with something. What came from the processing of the house" he asked nervously
"The door knob had been wiped clean. The Book of the Dead hasn't come back with any known prints yet. That's pretty much all we know, right now." he said
"Ok, well, if anything new comes up, I'll be in my office." Jim said, standing up and heading for the door
In his office, Jim scrolled through e-mail messages and when he came to one from Cyan, he swallowed hard and opened it. His eyes teared again as he read the message.
"Cappie, I'm truly sorry for overreacting the other day. I was totally out of line. After all, you were only doing your job; and we both know that you're very, very good at your job. If you're so inclined, you're more than welcome to come over tonight for dinner. Have a good day. Hugs, Cyan."
Reaching into his desk drawer, he pulled a tissue out and blew his nose. No sooner had he thrown the tissue in the garbage, than his cell phone rang. Pulling it out, he recognized the number as being from the hospital. Flipping it open, he answered.
"Brass"
"Mr. Brass, this is Nurse Wilder from Desert Palms. Um, did you remove your wife from the premises? "
"God, no. Why? She's gone?" he demanded
"Yes, it would appear that way"
"How do you lose a patient? What'd she do, just get up and walk out?" he snapped
"Well, we have her on tape leaving her room and now she's gone." she explained
"Ok, thanks for calling. I appreciate it." he said, hanging up
Standing up and rushing down the hall, Jim stopped outside Grissom's office, popping his head in to let him know what was up.
"She's gone AWOL." he said
"She left the hospital? How? What'd she do, just get up and walk out?" Gil asked, turning his attention from Greg
"I'm going to her place. If she's gone anywhere, she's probably there, but most likely not for long. Probably just long enough to grab some clothes and find a hotel room. She wouldn't want to stay at her place tonight. Would she?" Jim wondered aloud
"What about your place? Would she go there?" Greg asked
"Doubtful, besides, she obviously doesn't want me to know she's gone or she would have called me." Jim replied
Rushing down the hall and out of the lab, Jim jumped into his car and floored it to Cyan's house. When he got there, Grissom's truck was gone and the door was locked. So, he climbed out of his car and approached the house, nudging the door with the tip of his foot. Not surprisingly, the door had been locked, so he went around to the side of the house and looked at the window of the guest room. He had opened it when he was there the other day and was praying that it was still unlocked. Reaching his hand up, he smiled as he felt the gap between the panes. He balanced himself on the spigot that jutted out from the foundation of the house and wiggled his way in through the window. Once inside, he did a quick visual sweep of the place and went back to the guestroom. Opening the wardrobe, he found the strong box that he had seen two days prior, and as he looked around for a key, he remembered the dish on the dresser in her room. Running next door, he grabbed the keys from the dish and rushed back to the strong box. Opening the box, he shouted his curses as he looked into the void depths of it.
Picking up the empty box and heaving it across the room, the sound of impact was deafening as it collided with the high backed rocking chair in the corner. He flipped the light on and looked at the damage and cursed aloud.
"Where the hell is she?"
Leaving the guestroom, he went into the bedroom next and turned the light on. His attention was drawn to a slip of paper that was not there earlier. Opening it up, he read it.
"Cappie, if you're here, reading this, then you know I've left. I'm truly and deeply sorry for any inconvenience that I've caused you or the guys at the lab. I really like you guys and in a different world, things might have worked out between you and I. With you, I've lived and loved, and if only for a week; this has been the happiest week of my life. When I woke in your arms the other day, I felt like I'd finally come home, but the events of these last 24 hours prove to me that home is not as safe as it used to be. I wish you love and happiness in your life, for you deserve nothing less. Currently, I cannot offer you what you need, and maybe one day I could, but as of now, its back to the solitary life for me. As King Lear said: "I'll tell thee. Life and Death! I am ashamed." My dear, James, there will always be a place in my heart for you that will never be usurped by another. In my life, for my heart and my soul, you were my close friend. Now, there is a searing pain, where our friendship once lived."
Reading this letter, Jim teared slightly, and folding the letter, he placed it in his pocket. He stood on the front porch and pulled out his cell phone. While waiting for someone to answer the line, he racked his brain. Finally, he heard a voice.
"Gil, this is Jim. She's gone missing and she's got your truck." Jim said
"No, my truck is here, I just picked my keys up from Wendy. Apparently, Cyan dropped them off and left." he explained
"How long ago was this"
"Just after you left, so, that's about half an hour to forty five minutes." Grissom replied
"If she dropped your truck off, then how did she get to where she's going?" Jim asked
"I don't know, Jim." Gil replied simply
"I'm concerned. She made references to handling this mess on her own and her side arm is missing." Jim explained
Closing his phone, Jim tried to think of where she could have gone to. The odds of her being at his place were slim to none, but as it was really the only place he could think of that she'd go to, he rushed out of the house and jumped into his car, flooring it over to his house. Driving like a man possessed, he nearly had at least two accidents in the four or so blocks to his house. Coming to a screeching stop at a 4 way stop sign, he banged his fists on his steering wheel. From the intersection, he could see that his porch light was on, and he knew that he didn't do it, so he passed through the intersection, slowly pulled up in front of his house and cautiously climbed out of his car, his weapon drawn.
Taking a look at his door, Jim saw no signs of forced entry, so he pulled out his house keys and unlocked the door. Stepping inside, he noticed the small lamp by the front door was on and upon further inspection, he noticed that the phone on the coffee table was not where he had left it. It looked as though someone had sat down on the couch and pulled the phone towards them. Taking his pen from jacket pocket, he pressed the caller id button, and when he did, two new outgoing calls came up; one to a long distance number and another to a local number. Pulling a sheet of scrap paper from the note pad by the phone, he scribbled down both numbers. Pressing the speaker phone button, then the redial button he listened as the phone dialed the last number called. Seconds later, a voice came on the line.
"Tangiers Hotel and Casino, how can I help you?"
Hearing this, Jim hung up and made to leave. Behind the door, by the wall, he noticed a package on the floor. Kneeling down, he shifted it, and feeling the light weight, he picked it up and turned it over in his hands. It was a soft sort of package wrapped in black and blue tissue paper with a cobalt blue ribbon holding it closed. Tearing the paper from the package, he smiled when he saw that it was a t-shirt. Pulling it free, he held it up and grinned as he read it.
"I'm not a good shot, but my gun uses really big bullets"
As he folded the shirt back up, he noticed a small piece of paper at his feet. Picking it up, he read it.
"Cappie, I wanted you to have this before I left. Wear it well and in good memory. Cyan"
Driving the brightly lit neon streets of Las Vegas in the middle of the night, anyone could tell that this city was alive in every sense of the word. From the prostitutes on Freemont Street to the fake ID sellers walking the length of the strip, this city had a way of attracting all sorts; not just bad, but in a lot of ways it was so. As Jim neared the Tangiers, he thought about that he would say to Cyan if and when he saw her, if she'd see him and if not, what he would have to do or say in order to get to her. He envisioned her being scared, and maybe that's why she called the casino, knowing that it was Sam's place and knowing that there were cameras all over the place.
He climbed out of his car and gave the keys to the valet and taking his ticket, he walked inside. As soon as he set foot in the joint, he was met by Sam Braun, with a poop eating grin on his face.
"Mr. Brass, what brings you here at this time of night, and without your cohorts?" he asked smugly
"Sam, I'm looking for Cyan. I know she called here, so what room is she in?" he asked in assertive tones "She's pretty shook up. Personally, I think maybe she should be in hospital, but she assured me that she'll be fine. I'm just trying to look after her; someone should." he said, eyeing Jim
"Is she here or isn't she?" Jim snapped
Reaching into his pants pocket, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed hers. As he waited for her to pick up, he paced back and forth. Sam watched as Jim wore holes in the carpeting and just glared at him. Letting the phone ring for a few cycles, Jim slammed it shut and jammed it into his pocket. Turning to Sam, he growled.
"I swear, Sam, if I find out she's here"
"Look, I wish I could tell you something useful, Captain Brass..." Sam interrupted
Turning and huffing, Jim stormed out of the casino and to his car. He paced some more while the valet took his time returning with his vehicle. When his car finally was brought around, Jim stiffed him on his tip and just climbed behind the wheel. Flooring it away from the casino, he headed back to the lab, post haste.
Back at the lab, Jim caught Grissom hobbling down the hall along with Greg, who was just returning from the field. Speed in his stride and a frustrated look on his face, he walked up to Gil.
"Let me ask you, do we know where Cyan is from, I mean, where she lived before she joined up." Jim asked
"Let's ask Nick, maybe he can dig something up."
In the A/V lab, Nick was hard at work punching away at the keys of the terminal he was at. Grissom and Jim made their presence known as they passed through the door way.
"Nick, can we find out where Cyan's roots are?" Gil asked
"Sure thing. Let me see..." he said, changing databases
Looking over the screen and sifting through all sorts of records, Nick took his glasses off and leaned forward to get a better look at the screen. After a few moments, he snapped back and gave a "Woo Hoo". Taking notice of the young man's exclamation, Grissom and Jim pulled up stools and plopped their butts down. Pointing to a particular spot on the screen, he smiled.
"Winnemucca. That's up state, if I'm not mistaken." he said
"Yeah, let's bring up a map, if we could, Nick." Gil directed
Depressing several buttons, Nick brought up a map of the state of Nevada. Looking down at the letter, Jim read to himself.
"Let's see, Winnemucca is kind of in the middle of nowhere, but around it is Orovada, Golconda, Paradise Valley, King Lear Peak, Imlay..."
"Wait, go back." Jim said, interrupting
"Paradise Valley, King Lear Peak, Imlay." Nick repeated
"That's it; King Lear. Where's that?" Jim asked, straightening up
Tracing a line on the screen, Nick pointed to it.
"Its between Winnemucca and Big Mountain, near Black Rock Desert. Go to Tonopah, then head north west to Fallon and take that right into Winnemucca, then follow the signs." he said, pointing at the screen
Looking closely at the screen, Jim took down some route notes and when he was done, he looked over to Grissom who had his nose virtually pressed up to the keyboard.
"I'm heading out. If there's anything that comes up, just give me a call, although I'm not sure what sort of reception I'll get in the mountains." he said, getting up
Hours later and as Jim entered Winnemucca, he saw no signs that would direct him to King Lear Peak. So, pulling over at a small country store, he climbed out and went inside. It was around 06:00hrs, and Jim was not surprised that the place would be open this early, as things in the country had a different way of working out. Seeking out a cup of coffee and a danish, he stood at the cash counter. From a back room, a short elderly man appeared and rung up Jim's purchases. Fishing through his wallet, he enquired as to the area.
"My name is Jim Brass, and I'm with the Las Vegas police department. I'm looking for someone, maybe you can help me." he said, flashing his badge
"You're a long way from Las Vegas, mister." the old man replied
"Yeah, well, we're still in Nevada, so, as I said, maybe you can help me." he asserted
"I'll see what I can do"
"I'm looking for a woman, about 25 years or so. She's 5 foot 9 inches, with blue/green eyes, very athletic with curly brown hair." he explained
"What, there aren't enough women in Vegas; you've got to come all the way out here?" he joked
"Very funny...No. She would have passed through here a few hours or so ago on her way to King Lear Peak. Are there any cabins or anything like that up there?"
"Well, there are vacation homes; the Mason's, the Cliffley's, the Lecter's, the Krueger's, the Dorland's; take your pick. There are about two dozen of them, but I haven't seen any of the owners in a while. You might just want to take a drive up the logging road. The logging road leads to almost all of the houses up there. For a lot of them, you've got to park and walk a bit; some half an hour and others more. I'll warn you, though, some of the owners don't cotton much to uninvited guests, so just watch your step." he explained
"Thanks." Jim said, plopping a five dollar bill on the counter
As soon as he left the store, the old man picked up the phone and dialed. If Jim were inside, he would have heard the brief conversation.
"Hey, Ox. You got a visitor"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Hopping back in his car, Jim followed the signs for the logging road and after about twenty minutes he started wondering if the old man was just having him on or if there really were houses up there off the logging road. Just as he was about to turn around, he saw a large flat black late model Chevy Suburban. Wondering who's it was, he noticed a couple of things; one was the plate on the back, which read "3M-TA3". He had just passed it when he looked in his side view mirror, re-reading the plate, he laughed aloud.
"EAT-ME", huh? That's rich."
The second thing he noticed was a bumper sticker that simply read, "It All Depends On Your Preference; Reality Or Perception. I Prefer Perception. "
Both of these things struck Jim as being very much like Cyan, from what he knew of her. Backing up and parking next to the truck, he climbed out and looked at the inside of the vehicle. Flashlight in hand, he shone his light in through the dark tinted windows and saw evidence of a hasty departure on the seats. There was a holster, a duffel bag, several bottles of water, MRE's and a US Cavalry catalog with several pages dog eared. His attention was drawn to an open box of buck shots on the passenger seat and another open box of single shots next to it.
He made sure his shoes were tied and his side arm at the ready as he looked down the dirt path. Glancing down at his watch, he noted the time and began his trek. Through the woods, he had to climb over fallen trees and under branches from Evergreens. Some parts of the path were overgrown and at times, he had to step off of it to avoid trudging through puddles of standing rain water. After about forty five minutes of being smacked in the face by branches and thorns, he stopped to check the time.
Looking up to the sky, he noticed smoke billowing from a chimney that couldn't be more than a couple hundred yards from his current position. A smile on his face, he increased his speed and began to run. Just then, his foot caught on something and as he bent down to look at what it was, he heard a stick crack somewhere in the distance. At his foot was a thin metal wire extending from between two trees on opposite ends of the path. Taking it in hand and chuckling to himself, he mumbled.
"Trip wires. I wonder what else she's got out here."
Just then, as he stood up, he felt and heard something whizzing by his face, whipping his head around, he saw an arrow lodged in the bark of a tree no more than two feet from where he stood. His eyes popped wide open and he stumbled over the words he wanted to say. However, he was not the first to speak.
"Whoever you are, you're not welcome and you're trespassing on private property, so unless you'd like another fly by, I suggest you leave."
Pulling out his badge and holding it up in the air, he announced himself.
"I'm with the Las Vegas police department." he shouted
"Drop your weapon on the ground and kick it aside"
"I can't do that." he called back
"I've got the advantage, sir. Do it!!"
Reaching inside his jacket, he pulled out his gun and set it on the ground at his feet. Very slowly and carefully, he kicked it to the side and stood, hands in the air. He could hear foot steps approaching from his right side, and as the figure came into clear view, he saw why they were so adamant with their orders. Cyan wore dark wrap around sunglasses, but Jim could see the bruising all the same. Her face was swollen and her left eye had swelled shut. When she walked, she favoured her left side and had a slight limp. As she came closer, she realized who it was that had come calling. She was dressed in camouflage BDU's and jump boots, in one hand she had a hunting bow and in the other was her Glock, trained on him.
"Cappie, is that you?" she asked, shouldering her bow, holstering her gun and lifting her shades up
"Yeah, its me." he said, relieved
"I'm so sorry, Pappy didn't say who it was. He just said I had a visitor." she said softly
"Why did you leave?" he asked, wanting to ask more, but not wanting to prod
"You shouldn't be here. Its not safe for you." she replied
"And it is for you? Look at yourself, you can barely walk." he said, extending a helping hand
"I can walk well enough." she stated
"Come on, let's get you inside." he directed as he guided her
Up the hill and having reached the cabin, Jim set her down on one of the porch chairs and went inside to use the bathroom. Minutes later, when he came back out, Cyan was shooting arrows at a nearby tree. When she heard him come up behind her, she flinched. Seeing this, Jim kneeled beside her, placing his hand on her knee.
"Why did you run?" he asked simply
"That's what I do. I've never been able to stay in one place for very long." she explained
"Come back home. I promise, we'll find Julian"
"Why are you looking for Julian?" she asked
"He's the one that attacked you, right"
"No, he was the one the police were supposed to call. He's like my brother. He'd want to know that I was in hospital. He'd worry. He was there just before I was attacked." she replied, looking at Jim with her one good eye
"You didn't even stay long enough to get your pain killers." he stated
"I'm better off without them." she replied
"So, you're going to live out here, in pain?" he snapped
"Pain is merely psychological, Jim and scars are just souvenirs." she mused
"That's very philosophical of you, Cyan. But why don't you come home and we'll deal with this crap together."
"Are you going to stay with me until this guy is caught? Huh,? Are you going to protect me?" she fired back "You can't stay out here in the sticks for the rest of your life." he said firmly "Besides, there are people that care about you, back home. Grissom's got his whole crew working on your case."
"I really should get back, shouldn't I? I mean, Sam's gonna wonder where I am. I'm afraid I didn't think this evasion thing through very well." she replied with a slight giggle
"Then its settled, then. You'll stay with me until we get this bastard." he offered
"That's not necessary, I mean, I'll have to go back to my place sometime, right"
"Good, let's get you packed and head back home." he said, cheer evident in his voice
It was around 08:00hrs and Grissom was still at the lab working the case. Everyone save for Greg had gone home and as he sat in DNA, he jacked up the volume on his boom box. Going through the blood samples from Cyan's house, he was working on the second sample that had yet to be identified.
"So, Greg, what do we have?" Gil asked from the doorway
"Well, the second sample hasn't been identified. Whoever it belongs to isn't in our system." he replied
"Well, since Julian is gone, this is all we've got to go on. Well, that and Nick's mystery tattooed guy."
Just then, Gil's cell phone rang and as he fished it out of his pocket, he turned to Greg and told him to keep working. Hobbling down the hall, he could be heard talking to Brass.
"You found her"
"Yeah, she was up state. She's right here, asleep, and we're coming home. Do me a favour and stay with her while I go to Sam's and let him know she's going to be out of commission for a while. We should be back by noon." Jim said softly so as not to wake Cyan
"Ok. Should I go to your place?" he asked
"Yeah, you've still got the key, right"
"Yeah, I do"
"Ok, thanks"
It was around midday when Jim and Cyan got back into town and as they pulled into Jim's drive, Gil came out to the porch to greet them. Opening her door and seeing that she was nowhere near waking up, Jim unbuckled her and lifted her from the car, carrying her inside.
Inside the house, Jim put her down in his room, as the guestroom had become a sort of dropping off point for mail, packages, his old computer and other clutter that he didn't want house guests to see. Helping Jim get Cyan settled, Gil pulled back the bedclothes and removed her boots and socks, dropping them on the floor beside the bed. Whispering, Gil drew Jim's attention to her bruises and wounds.
"Should we see about getting her some pain killers?" he asked, pointing to her
"She said she won't take them. I guess we can get some and leave it up to her. I'll go by the hospital"
"Ok, I'll be here. I've got a bunch of stuff in the truck if you need me here for a couple of days"
"I don't believe that's necessary, but thanks." Jim replied
Leaving the room and closing the door behind them, Gil and Jim talked briefly before he would leave for the Tangiers. Jim relayed the details of him finding Cyan and her little get away in the mountains of northern Nevada. Gil thought it particularly precious how she had gotten him to relinquish his weapon and how she had dead on aim even with one eye swollen shut.
"You're lucky she didn't pierce your ear. You say she was taking pot shots at a tree with a hunting bow"
"Yeah and if she shoots that well with only one eye, I'd love to see her aim with both of them." Jim joked
Taking his keys in hand, Jim walked back out to his car and climbed behind the wheel. As he drove through town he thought about what he would say to Sam when he saw him. Should he apologize for being so gruff earlier? Should he keep his mouth shut and say nothing at all?
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Stepping inside the casino, Jim saw Sam coming from across the room with a very smug expression on his face. Reaching in and unbuttoning his suit jacket, Sam swaggered his way over to where Jim was standing.
"Well, Captain, three visits in almost as many days, I'm flattered"
"Agh, can it, Sam. Cyan's going to be out for a while. Now, I know she's going to get stir crazy, so is there any work that she needs to do?" Jim asked
"Like I'd trust you with my records. Where's she staying, and I'll have them sent over." he offered
"She's at my place and she will be for a while." Jim replied flatly
"And all of Las Vegas knows where that is?" Sam prodded
"Yeah, I'm an idiot. Just have someone follow me"
"It'll take a few minutes to get everything together." Sam replied
"Ok, I'll be back in an hour or so, I've got to go by the mall and pick up some stuff. I'll call you when I'm on my way back here." he explained
"Ok"
Over at the mall, Jim was a bit overwhelmed by all the stores and clothing choices. It had been quite some time since he'd shopped at Old Navy, Britches or Abercrombie and Fitch, not to mention Victoria's Secret. At the former stores, he picked up some jeans, t-shirts, flannels, socks and a pair of boots for her. But Victoria's Secret was another story, he was literally smacked in the face by pairs of slinky under things and night clothes. Red in the face, Jim picked out several pairs of satin and lace undies and two sports bras and three lacy numbers. When he reached the register, he was surprised to see the total of his purchases, but he had recognized the labels on Cyan's clothes and wanted her to be comfortable.
Bags in hand, Jim made his way across the parking lot and to his car. Popping the trunk, he tossed the bags in and pulled out his cell phone, calling Sam Braun. The conversation was brief and to the point, consisting no more than five words from both parties. When he pulled up in front of the Tangiers, he saw Sam out front talking to one of his men, pointing to Jim's car. Coming to a full stop, Jim rolled down his window.
"Are we ready?" he called out
"Yeah." Sam said, closing his man's car door
As Cyan slept, Gil checked in on her periodically. In the time since Jim had left, she had rolled over twice and woken up once due to the pain of her injuries. At present, Gil sat up, leaning against the headboard of Jim's bed, his left arm draped around Cyan as she slept. She had woken an hour earlier in a frantic state, saying that she had had a nightmare. She had screamed and Gil rushed to her side. So, now he sat, half asleep himself, waiting for Jim to come home. In her sleep, she had snuggled up to Grissom's legs, wrapping her left around his knees.
Outside, Jim was just returning home, shopping bags in hand followed by one of Sam's men that carried several boxes of paperwork. As Jim pulled his house keys from his pocket, he looked over his shoulder and directed the man to place the boxes on the front porch.
"Sorry Captain, Mr. Braun wants to see that she's alright." he stated
"And how's he gonna do that? Hmm? He's at work." Jim replied
"He just wants me to get a look at her, that's all, and let him know of her state." he explained
"Ok, then, come on in." Jim said, winded from carrying his purchases
Jim nudged the door open with the toe of his shoe and as the door swung open, he looked around for Grissom. Unable to locate him, Jim dropped the bags by the front door and proceeded to the master bedroom where he found Gil and Cyan asleep. He was momentarily flushed with confusion but figured there had to be a perfectly valid reason that his friend was in bed with his lady love. Coming up behind Jim, Sam's man poked his head in the door and when he saw the two asleep in each other's arms, he chuckled and gave Jim an awkward sort of grin.
"Well, they look mighty comfy"
"Yeah, they do. Now, have you seen enough?" Jim snapped
"Yeah. Thanks, Captain." he replied, turning to leave
As the front door closed, Jim stood in the doorway, still looking at Gil and Cyan. They did look rather comfortable, maybe a bit too much so, Jim thought. Pulling himself away from the doorway, Jim sat on the couch in the living room and pulled the tags off of all the clothing and made his way to the utility room where he threw everything in the wash. The more he tried not to think of his friend and his female friend in each other's arms, the more he became agitated. Slamming the lid closed, Jim went to the kitchen for a stiff drink and some reflection.