Author's Note: I've joined CSI Forever Online, under the same username, with thanks to Hithui, but I won't lie: I have no idea what I'm doing on there. Any help you lovely people would like to offer would be greatly appreciated! :) Also, the Luxor has amazing suites. I looked them up in preparation for this story. I'd love to stay there the next time I'm in Vegas! And many many thanks to all of those who are reading and reviewing. You're all awesome!
Here's to chapter five! Hurrah!
"Sara, you're awake," came the voice from the door, roughly bringing the sleeping woman into consciousness. "And just how was your little nap?"
"Horrible," she muttered, instinctively pulling Grissom's letter closer to her chest, her heart.
"Ahh, you found it," he said nodding at the letter. "Sweet, wasn't it?"
Sara was trembling, but trying her hardest to not let it show. "It was."
"Beautiful, it really was. Gil must really love you, to send you that letter, and that cocoon, as well, all the way from, where was it again?"
Ignoring the question, Sara stared at her kidnapper. How does he know about Gil's sabbatical? About the cocoon? How did he even get the letter he wrote to me?
"I know what you're thinking, my Sara," he said quietly. "You're thinking, how do I know all about you and Grissom, about your relationship? How do I know a lot of things?" She nodded, unable to form words. "Well, I could tell you, if you'd like, but I don't think you'd like my explanations very much…" he said, trailing off and baiting her into conversation.
Getting strength from somewhere, Sara stated firmly, "Tell me."
"Ooh, feisty, aren't you?" he asked, moving to crouch down in front of her. "I'll bet that that's one of the many reasons Gil adores you so."
"And if it is?"
"Then it should be fun telling you how I know all these things you've worked so hard to keep secret."
OoOoOoOoO
Catherine looked around the room at her coworkers. Pulling the miniature towards her, she asked the room at large, "Does anyone know where they've seen this room before?" Everyone shook their heads except for Nick, who was staring at the miniature intently.
"What is it, Nicky?" Grissom asked slowly, watching the Texan.
"I think I might know where this is from," he said, turning it towards him with latex-clad fingers. "It might look like a hotel room of some sort." And after a pause, "I think."
"Could you be any more specific? Like what kind of hotel?" Grissom asked, leaning over the table.
"The Luxor?" Nick asked, not entirely sure of himself. "Maybe the Tower Luxury Suite? It looks like it…"
Catherine gasped with recognition. "Nicky! I think you're right!"
Grissom sat back and closed his eyes, removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose. Please God, let Nicky be right! I need to find Sara… I need to tell her again, just how much I love her…
OoOoOoOoO
Sara was reeling from shock. He'd just told her how he had known everything, and like he'd promised, his explanation was one she hadn't wanted to hear.
"Sara," he said, grinning at her. "I've been following the two of you all year. I know where you live, I know where Gil lives, I know when you're at his townhouse, and when he's at your apartment. I knew where he was the entire time he was on sabbatical. Good thing Gil is a faithful guy, isn't it? I have to tell you, there were many good-looking girls on campus." Sara sucked in a breath, trying, but failing, to ignore what he was telling her. "I tried, you know, to get him to sleep with those other girls, I really did try. Sending them over to him armed with just the right questions and comments... But no go. He was just so damn committed to you, although I really don't know why."
It was a good thing that Sara was confident in both herself and her relationship, for that comment could have totally thrown her. "Gil loves me," she hissed through clenched teeth. "He's always loved me."
The man laughed. "Is that what you think? Oh, Sara, sweet Sara. You are wrong, my dear. So very, very wrong."
OoOoOoOoO
Brass's cell phone vibrated against his hip. Quickly pulling it out, he glanced at the caller ID. It was Catherine. "Catherine, what is it?" he asked hurriedly, pulling Sofia from her desk.
"We may have a lead," she said breathlessly. "The Luxor."
"The Luxor?" Brass asked, confused. "What? Why?"
"Nick finally pinpointed the scene and we're pretty sure that it's the Luxor, in a Tower Luxury Suite. We're going to go check it out, you and Sofia coming?"
"On our way," Brass promised.
Catherine hung up with Brass and turned to look at her friends. "Brass and Sofia are on their way," she said quietly, laying a reassuring hand on Grissom's arm. "We're going to find her. Alive."
to be continued...