Disclaimer: I still don't own the characters or anything associated with the show. Bummer.
Chapter Five
"Miss Williams," began Brass, "Do you want to explain why your blood was on broken glass at a jewelry store robbery?" She shifted nervously and brushed her short black hair out of her face.
She pressed her lips together and her eyes landed on Nick. He watched her pensively for any hint of guilt or innocence.
"Look, your blood was already found there," inserted Warrick. "So why don't you just tell us what happened?" She gave a shrug and looked at the table.
"Fine," answered Brass. "You don't even have to say anything." He slid a notepad and pen to her. "Write down everything." She continued to sit there. "Alright then, but you've got two DUIs and a molestation charge on your record. That's not going to look too good."
"Those charges were dropped!" she shrieked.
"That may be so, but your DNA was already in the system, so I'll ask you again. How did your blood wind up at the jewelry store?"
"I want a lawyer," she sneered.
"Well, that's your right," stated Brass. "But if you give us your partner's name, we might be willing to cut a deal."
Her eyes shifted between Brass and Warrick. "He always did like action movies," she whispered before the boys could slide out. "We didn't hurt anyone! He said we wouldn't get in trouble."
Warrick and Nick exchanged looks.
"Is that a confession?"
"Yes, I guess. Look, he's been really sick. Really, really sick. He's almost always in the wheelchair now." Her eyes were shining with unshed tears. "He's about to start chemo again, he has cancer. We've been friends since we were kids. He helped me when my friends thought I was useless." She put her face in her hands.
"It's all right, Miss Williams," soothed Nick. "Continue with your story."
"He just wanted one last go 'round. You know? So he saw this movie with people kicking in doors and shooting out cameras and stuff, and he said it would be cool to try it. We weren't hurting anyone! Just trying to make his last days worthwhile…" She trailed off, and wiped her eyes again.
"What's his name, Ms. Williams?" pressed Brass.
"Joel. Joel Andrews. He has all the jewelry." She paused. "I'm not going to be in too much trouble, am I?"
"Armed Robbery is a class B felony in the state of Nevada," countered Brass. "But I'll make sure the DA knows you were co-operative."
Quiet sobs shook her slender frame. Nick felt sorry for her, but it was in the DA's hands now. Warrick and Nick slipped out of interrogation.
"College students," muttered Warrick. "I bet she thought she really wasn't doing anything wrong."
"A crime is a crime," defended Nick. "Armed robbery is still a crime, as it should be."
Warrick sighed. "All so a couple of kids could be in their own action flick." Nick shook his head. "Now what?"
"Now we go find him," inserted Brass. "I arrest him; you guys find the missing jewelry and give it back to the owners."
"Las Vegas police!" hollered Brass. "Open up Mr. Andrews!"
Brass tried the door handle and offered a resigned sigh. "Always with the kicking down doors." He lifted a boot and slammed it against the wood. With his weapon drawn and pointed in front of him, he rushed the living room. He glanced to both sides, and motioned for his fellow officers to follow him in. Working their way down the hallway they cleared room by room until Officer Gallagher spoke up.
"Good thing we brought CSI's," she announced. "Looks like we better get a coroner too." Once the house was cleared, Brass allowed the CSI's to enter.
Warrick took the living room and left the bedroom for Nick. Blood had soaked through the sheets and into the mattress. Mr. Andrews' eyes were open and Nick thought he saw despair in them. He picked up a blade about an inch wide and four inches in length. He snapped his gloves on and began taking pictures. One long slit from wrist to elbow down his right arm, and a smaller cut about three inches down his left forearm.
"Looks like suicide," he commented. Warrick walked in with some bagged jewelry.
"We definitely got the right house." Nick glanced over his shoulder. "I got all our missing jewels right here."
Nick sighed. "I got a letter on the bedside table," he answered. He picked up a passport from the night stand. "This is definitely our Mister Andrews." He continued taking pictures while Warrick busied himself with lifting fingerprints.
By the time David arrived, the boys were on their way back to the lab to drop off evidence.
"How does a guy just pick up a switchblade and slit his wrists?" Nick asked once they were in his Tahoe.
"If what our girl told us is true, he had cancer. Maybe he wanted to decide his own fate."
"Still," persisted Nick. "It's not like he didn't have any choice."
"He felt like he didn't. Look Nick, why don't we go to that little place of yours after shift? It'll cheer you up and maybe you'll see your girl again." Nick sighed.
"No use," he whined. "Tonight is 18 and up."
"Friday then."
A small smile crept across Nick's face. "Sure, 'Rick." Maybe seeing her again will wipe the memories of this case.
Once they were back at the lab, Nick dropped off his evidence and pulled out some procrastinated paperwork.
Friday arrived faster than Nick anticipated and the shift was light. He solved a B&E for an upscale neighborhood-turned out it was the neighbor's son. He caught up on his paperwork and headed to the locker room with a grin on his face.
"What's got you so happy?" asked Greg.
"What has you so grumpy?" Nick pondered aloud.
"Now all we need are Doc, Dopey, Sleepy, Sneezy and Bashful," chirped Greg with a smile.
"What are you talkin' about, Greg?" A smile fell across his features.
"Are you telling me you don't know Snow White and the Seven Dwarves?" Nick frowned.
"The Disney movie?" Greg laughed aloud.
"Thanks, Nick. You always manage to cheer me up somehow." Nick opened his locker and pulled out his bag. Every Friday night he cleaned out his locker and took home any clothes that needed to be washed.
"Did you need cheerin' up?" inquired Nick.
Greg let out a long sigh. "Remember my friend I had a thing for?" Nick nodded in affirmation, amazed that Greg remembered the conversation. He was pretty drunk, recalled Nick. "Yeah, well, he isn't my friend anymore."
"Maybe he needs time," answered Nick. Greg's eyes narrowed and for a fleeting moment, he looked like he was about to cry.
"Hey, Warrick and I are going out tonight," offered Nick. "Why don't you come with us? You could use a night out, and I'll even buy you a beer."
Greg smiled a fake smile. "Sara's already dragging me out," he sighed.
"Well, bring her too. I'll ask Catherine and Grissom, see if anyone else wants to join us. It'll disguise your moping and Warrick's brilliant idea of getting me laid." Greg laughed.
"It shouldn't be that hard to get you laid," he quipped.
Nick silently wondered if he meant that with the pun intended. He opted for a change of subject. "You go find Sara, I'll ask Cath and Gris if they're up for it." He didn't want to admit he hadn't had sex in months, let alone anything resemble a relationship. The last time he tried that it didn't work out so well.
The slam of Greg's locker knocked Nick back into reality. He offered a small smile to Greg before he breezed out of the locker room.
He flipped open his phone and dialed Warrick. Nick let him know the change of plans before closing his locker and fleeing in search of Grissom. In his office, thought Nick. No surprise there. He knocked twice before sliding in.
Catherine and Grissom sat facing each other, engaged in casual conversation. Nick smiled. Catherine noticed him first.
"Hey Nicky," she said affectionately.
"Hey," he offered. He suddenly felt nervous and tried to relax his body. "You guys up for a beer after shift?"
Catherine's smile reached her eyes. "You and Warrick?" she asked.
"Greg and Sara are coming too."
"Sure," she answered. "I'll have to shower first. Where?" Nick relayed the nearest cross streets and told her that they charged. Not that Nick minded, because anything would be worth seeing her again. Grissom politely declined.
Out at his car he observed an odd sight. Warrick had Greg pinned against the side of Nick's Tahoe and they appeared to be deep in argument. Nick approached cautiously.
"Everything okay?" The worry was evident in Nick's voice.
"Sanders was just telling me how much smarter than me he was," answered Warrick. Greg rolled his eyes. "But I told him intelligence is no match for physical strength." Warrick took a step back and Greg rubbed his arm. Of course it was something trivial like that.
"I'll drive if you want," offered Greg. "After all, Sara and I still owe you for that." Nick nodded in agreement.
"Okay," answered Warrick. "Just remember, he drives a little silver Jetta…"
Greg slapped Warrick's shoulder and his face scrunched in annoyance. "At least we know I'm not over compensating, Warrick." Greg looked squarely at Nick. "I don't have to hide behind a large truck to make myself feel like a man."
Nick heard giggling from behind him and turned to see Sara and Catherine approaching. Greg joined their chorus of laughter and Warrick and Nick joined in not long after.
Catherine broke the laughter first by saying, "we're not going to get much drinking done in the parking lot of the crime lab." Another chorus of laughter erupted, as she headed for her car. Warrick and Sara also seemed to vanish, and once again, Nick and Greg stood alone and enjoyed a comfortable silence.
A/N: This is the last thing that got done before my beta went to Hawaii. Without me. The bitch. I might hate her now. Anyway, thanks to Janet, Seshat3, Impure Desire.
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