Disclaimer: I do not own in any capacity any part of CSI or the characters much to my dismay. If I did, Grissom would be shacking up with Sara every night. I do admit to having an active imagination…
The Real Estate Giveaway
Chapter 18
Catherine pulled into the parking lot at Roosevelts and scoped out the car population. There was Nick's truck and Warwick's car next to one another right in front.
Down a little farther, she came across the "Thing" that Greg had purchased at auction a few weeks ago and was working on restoring. It was the color of Bondo, with patches of yellow, as Greg painstakingly had been working on the body. She smiled at the memory of Greg's sheer excitement as he showed off his pride and joy a couple of days after he bought it.
Two cars down was Grissom's black Mercedes, a 20-year-old model in pristine condition. A spot was vacant adjacent to it, so she maneuvered her Lexus in next to it and pulled the visor down to check her lipstick.
Staring back at her were tired, but curious eyes. Her coral lipstick showed a little sign of wear – must have come off when she kissed Lindsey on the forehead when she dropped her off at Ann Elizabeth's house for a sleepover. Pulling out a tube of lipstick, she applied a fresh coat and turned off the engine.
Entering the fashionably darkened building, Catherine was led to a private room in the rear. Nick stood with Warwick, a highball in his hand. Both men were dressed in slacks and jackets, their shirts open-collared. Greg was seated at a table talking with Grissom. Across from them sat Dr. & Mrs. Al Robbins.
At the head of the table stood a striking woman in an understated black dress accented with pears. She turned smiling and accepted a wine glass from – Robert Carvello, and Catherine made the connection.
"Great, a Carvello party." Catherine whispered.
A strong hand grabbed Catherine's elbow and a gruff voice said in her ear, "Hey, sweetheart. You come here alone?"
Catherine smiled at the sound of Jim's voice and she chuckled. "You use that line often?"
"Actually, yes. I'm from the old school. This joint got a bar?"
"Somewhere."
"Let's go find it."