Offing Ecklie

Pairings: Nick and Sara; Grissom and Catherine

Spoilers: Mea Culpa

A/N: All of my CSI fiction never mentions Conrad Ecklie's promotion and the split of the graveyard shift. My stories occur as if these two things never happened.

A/N2: I apologize profusely for the long delay in updating this story. I hadn't lost any interest in this story at all. The muse's inspiration wasn't with me in this chapter when I needed it. Also, I had my other stories in which the ideas for came a lot quicker than this one. I promise to get the next chapter posted as soon as I possibly can. Thank you for your patience and a billion apologies.

Catherine's story takes place in the modern day, but there's a 1940s and 1950s film noir feel to it.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of CSI. If I did, Ecklie would have never been promoted and the team remained intact. In fact, if I had things my way, Ecklie would be demoted to traffic cop or dog catcher.

Catherine's Chapter – A Film Noir Story

"My story is set in the present," Catherine said. "However it gets the film noir feel from the 1940s and 1950s treatment. Conrad is the corrupt nightclub owner. Gil is the bartender. Warrick is the piano player. I am the singer. Nick and Sara are experienced FBI agents posing as a young naïve couple. Greg will be a rookie FBI agent posing as Nick's little brother."

"Oh, come on, Catherine," Nick whined. "Sara and I are married, could you make us a real married couple in your story."

"Okay, Nicky, you win," Catherine beamed. "Only, I will have you and Sara secretly dating in my story. Are you happy now?"

"I am very ecstatic," Nick said.

Here begins my story.

That son of a bitch did it again! I made about 1,000 dollars in tips last night and now I only have less than half of that amount. My first instinct was to blame Eddie, my ex-husband, but I realized he was dead. Unless if his ghost was haunting the nightclub and taking my money, I could safely rule him out.

"Tough night, Catherine?" Gil Grissom asked.

"Gil, you have absolutely no idea," I said shaking my head. "I need to tell you something in confidence."

"Catherine, you know that I can keep a secret," he said. "First, would you like a glass of wine, a martini or a cordial?"

"A glass of pinot noir would be great," I said.

"Catherine, when I find the bastard that did this," Warrick said running to the bar. "I will track that person down and beat the shit out of him or her."

"Warrick, what's going on?" Grissom asked.

"Someone stole all of my tips," Warrick said heavily.

"Aha, that's what happened to me," I said. "I have less than half of mine left to my name. How much did that son of bitch take?"

"I had about 1,000 dollars," Warrick said. "I am wiped out. No, Grissom, I didn't gamble."

"I believe you," Grissom said.

A young couple had entered the club. A younger man followed a little later.

"Good evening," Grissom said. "How can I help you?"

"I would like a chocolate martini," the young woman said.

"I'll just have a beer," the young man speaking with a Texas drawl said.

"I'll have a beer, just like my brother," the younger man said.

"Who are you and where did you come from?" I asked.

"I am Nick," the Texan said. "This is my wife Sara and my younger brother Greg. We live in Austin, Texas, but my wife is originally from Portland, Oregon."

"What brings you Vegas?" Warrick asked.

"We are on vacation," Sara said. "It was supposed to be just my husband and me, but his brother insisted that he join us. So much for a romantic holiday!"

Nick gave Greg a cold stare. Greg couldn't help but give Nick a sad innocent look.

"Here's is a chocolate martini for the young lady," Grissom said. "Here are the beers for her husband and brother-in-law."

The three visitors were grateful for the drinks.

"Excuse me," Sara said. "Is Mr. Conrad Ecklie here somewhere?"

"Why do you want to see him for?" Warrick asked. "I know you aren't from around here."

"My best friend's brother's girlfriend's cousin's best friend's sister's boyfriend is Mr. Ecklie's nephew," Sara beamed. "I told the punk kid that I am going to talk to him."

"Conrad Ecklie is the most corrupt nightclub owner in Las Vegas," I said. "I can't believe he has family that loves him and he loves them back."

"Even the vilest of humans have someone to love," Nick pointed out. "My father-in-law was like that until he died. I met him once and he was a major asshole."

"Nick, shut up!" Sara swatted him in the arm. "They don't need to hear about my father being an ass!"

"I am sorry, TMI," Nick said.

"No problem," Grissom said. "Just let me know if you need anything. Mr. Ecklie won't be in until tomorrow. Go to your hotel and get some rest."

Nick took out his wallet, but Grissom held up a hand to stop him.

"Don't worry," Grissom said. "Your drinks are on the house."

"Thanks," Nick said. "Here is something for your trouble."

Grissom smiled at the gesture and thanked the young man. Nick, Sara and Greg shook my hand and Warrick's before they left.

"They are nice people," Warrick said. "However, I think they arouse suspicion."

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"They were asking to see Ecklie," he replied. "Nobody sees him without a written invitation or an advance appointment. You have to make them three months in advance."

"I wonder if they are with the IRS," Grissom said.

"I don't think so," Warrick shrugged. "They don't look like auditors or people after Ecklie's financial records."

"They are after something," I said. "I don't know what, but we should find out."

"Catherine, how are we going to do that?" Grissom asked. "They will know we are on to them."

"Grissom, what Catherine means is that we play it cool," Warrick said. "Treat them the way we did when they were at the bar. They are just like every other customer that comes here for a good time. Just don't let them on our suspicions."

"Good idea, Warrick," I said. "Come on, it's getting late and we should close for the night. I have to get home before Lindsey has a major panic attack."

Sanders, Sidle, Stokes' Hotel Suite – Caesar's Palace

Sara was sitting on the couch of the suite looking a Greg and wanting to wring his neck. Nick gave the younger man a scornful look.

"The boss told us that you are good with accents!" Nick yelled. "Why couldn't you have done a Texas drawl? Bobby Dawson and I busted our asses in training you to speak like a true blooded Texan and you blew it with infusing your Midwestern accent!"

"Guys, shut the fuck up!" Sara shrieked. "Greg, you nearly blew our cover at the bar. Nick, this punk kid is human. I am exhausted from the trip, I want to go to sleep and I guess the two of sure as hell could use some yourselves!"

"Sara's right," Nick said. "I am dead tired and want to collapse in bed."

"I can share a bed with Sara," Greg beamed. "Nick, you can sleep in the couch."

"Greggo, I am sharing a bed with my girlfriend," Nick responded with a glare. "You are sleeping on the couch."

"What? You're dating my crush!" Greg was in shock. "Isn't that against agency rules?"

"She's my equal in rank," Nick smirked. "We are your superiors."

"I get it now," Greg sounded less confused. "Congratulations and I mean it from the bottom of my heart!"

About an hour later, the three were fast asleep. Sara was in Nick's arms in the bed and Greg was sleeping uncomfortably on the couch.

The Next Afternoon

"Mr. Conrad Ecklie is in his office," I said. "I told him that you are here to talk to him. I don't know what you want to talk to him about, but he is a rare happy mood. Just don't ruin it!"

"Don't worry, Catherine," Nick reassured me. "We'll try to stay on his good side."

"If the three of you just follow me," I said as I took them to the office I nicknamed 'The Temple of Doom' after that Indiana Jones movie of the same name. "Wait right here. I'll tell him it that it's urgent and you are leaving for Austin in a few hours."

"That's fine with us," Greg said with a perfect sounding Texas drawl making Sara and Nick proud.

A few moments later, I came out with a smile letting them know they can enter. I left to do some rehearsing for tonight.

"Sirs and ma'am, please sit down," Conrad Ecklie smiled. "So, you know someone connected to me. Who is this person? How do you know them?"

"Well, it's your nephew," Sara said. "My best friend's brother's girlfriend's cousin's best friend's sister is dating him. He is some sort of trouble with the government."

"What sort of trouble he's in?" Ecklie asked.

"He robbed a bank and nearly killed a security guard and branch president," Greg explained with a Texas drawl. "He is in a holding cell and getting very antsy. You should try to reason with the young man or the guard will have to use a tranquilizer on him."

"Is he in Las Vegas or nearby?" Ecklie wanted to know.

"He is in Austin," Nick replied. "You need to come with us now."

"Okay, I'll go," Ecklie said as he got up. "He'll have to deal with me and it won't be pretty."

Nick, Sara and Greg followed Ecklie out of the office and into the hallway. They were met by Sam Braun, Grissom, Warrick and me.

"Conrad Ecklie, you are under investigation," I said.

"Who is investigating me?" Ecklie asked.

"I asked the Las Vegas Police Department to investigate my suspicions of money laudering, extortion and bribery," Sam Braun said. "They called the IRS and the FBI. Turns out, you have been running quite a racket in Vegas and Atlantic City."

"Mr. Braun, how did you know this?" Ecklie asked.

"I asked my daughter Catherine and her friends Gil and Warrick from the police department to go undercover for about a year," Sam said.

"Yeah, I called the IRS and they called the FBI," I said. "David Hodges of the IRS also uncovered something truly dangerous that alerted his friends Special Agents Nick Stokes, Sara Sidle and Greg Sanders to the matter."

"Conrad Ecklie, I am placing you under arrest," Nick said as he apprehended Ecklie and Sara tried to handcuff the bastard. "You've committed laundering, fraud and plotted an act of terrorism. Sara, cuff Mr. Ecklie!"

Ecklie bolted from the small crowd almost knocking Nick and Sara down. I ran after him and he tried to escape through the fire exit. I finally had him cornered near the stairwell, took out my gun and shot him several times. He fell backwards over the railing and was dead when he landed.

"Catherine, are you okay?" Grissom asked as he along with the others ran to the fire exit. "We heard shots fired."

"I am fine," I breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Nick and Sara. "What about the two of you after Ecklie knocked you down?"

"We are fine," Sara said. "Nick and I are tough."

"Is Conrad Ecklie dead?" Warrick asked.

"If the bullets didn't kill him," I said. "The fall probably did."

"He was probably dead before the fall," Grissom tried to rationalize. "You did the country and possibly the world a favor."

"Anyone care to have a bite to eat?" Sam asked. "Dinner is on me!"

We nodded and followed Sam out of the hotel. Grissom put his arm around my shoulder that turned into an embrace. We kissed, released each other and ran to catch up with my father and friends.

Here ends my story.

"Catherine, that's an interesting story," Brass said.

"Thanks," Catherine said. "That bastard met an end only appropriate for the story."

Without warning, there were some gagging noises followed by three flushes of the toilet. They knew who was behind it. A few moments later, Greg appeared in the living room looking slightly pale and exhausted.

"Feeling better, Greggo?" Warrick asked.

"I haven't felt better until now," Greg heavily sighed as he collapsed on the couch next to Sara.

"Maybe this will teach you not to drink more than everyone else," Grissom warned the newest CSI.

"Who wants to go next?" Nick asked.

"Sara, why don't you take a crack at it?" Brass asked.

"Why the hell not!" Sara smiled. "I have a really good one for your enjoyment!"

TBC