Journey Through the Past- Chapter 31
Lucas Mallory slowly climbed up the gentle slope that led up to the western edge of the compound, and when he reached the top, turned and waited for the man behind him to struggle up the hill. Holding out his hand to assist Grissom up the rest of the way, Mallory noted that the gasping man was perspiring profusely and was starting to shake uncontrollably. Being careful not to grab onto Grissom's swollen left wrist, Mallory grasped on to his left forearm and pulled the man up the rest of the way.
Grissom bent over and rested his hands on his aching knees trying to catch his breath. Mallory eyed the Glock in Grissom's right hand but made no attempt to take the weapon from the injured man. Looking up, Grissom noticed Mallory staring at him as if sizing him up. Taking in a deep breath, Grissom straightened up and pointed the gun towards the northern edge of the building they were standing behind.
According to Jones, the jeep was parked just around the corner. Gesturing for Mallory to proceed in that direction, Grissom staggered forward with the Glock still pointed at Mallory's back. Both men stopped suddenly in their tracks when they heard the sound of sirens approaching in the distance.
"Hurry," growled Grissom, "we're almost there. C'mon."
Grissom urgently scanned the area hoping to find guards or deputies searching for the escapees. Seeing several men gathered near the entrance of the complex, Grissom pushed his captive towards the jeep.
"Get in. You…you're driving," stammered Grissom as he handed Mallory the keys to the handcuffs so that he could take them off. Grissom opened the passenger-side door and slid into the seat, fastening the seatbelt. Mallory climbed into the driver's seat and Grissom handed him the keys he had gotten from Jones before they parted company.
"Hand me the keys to the handcuffs. Put one of the cuffs on your right wrist," rasped Grissom in a low shaky voice.
"Grissom, you can't be serious…"asked Mallory incredulously as he handed Grissom the keys and snapped the cuff onto his wrist.
"Very serious. N…now lock the other cuff onto the steering wheel. Just hurry up. We don't have much time," Grissom said tightly.
Mallory reluctantly clipped the handcuff onto the steering wheel. Grissom pointed to the jeep keys that Mallory had laid in his lap and indicated that Mallory should start the engine. Inserting the key into the ignition, Mallory put the vehicle into reverse with the intent of heading towards the western hills away from the men gathered at the entrance. Grissom pointed the gun.
"We're not taking that road. Head towards the entrance of the complex. You'll go where I tell you to go, you understand?" said Grissom shakily.
"Grissom, that's where the guys who want to kill us are! I'm not taking us over there. This road will take us away from them, and we'll be able to make a clean getaway," exclaimed Mallory as he continued to move the jeep towards the western road leading away from the complex.
Grissom raised the gun and with a shaky right hand, pressed the gun against the side of Mallory's head.
"Turn us around now. I want them to see us, so turn this damn jeep around," Grissom said in a shaky voice.
Mallory glanced at the determined man sitting next to him. Grissom's eyes had a slightly unfocused look to them and the tremors were increasing. Rolling his eyes, Mallory slowly turned the jeep back towards the entrance as Grissom continued to hold the Glock against his head.
"Okay, now what? Where do you want us to go once they see us?" asked Mallory keeping Grissom in his periphery vision.
"Just keep driving and when I tell you to turn, turn," said Grissom in a tight voice.
Grissom eased the weapon back but kept the gun pointed at Mallory while staring out the front of the jeep. An excruciating pounding had begun in his head, and it seemed that Mallory was intent on hitting every pothole and rock, sending shards of pain rocketing through his skull. Swallowing the bile that was building in the back of his throat, Grissom pointed to the left of where the group of men in uniform was standing.
"You'll make a left onto that dirt road when we're close enough for them to see us. You're going to make a wide turn onto that road and high tail it out of here," Grissom said through clenched teeth.
" Okay, and then what, Grissom?"
Mallory wasn't liking this idea at all. This wasn't his idea of getting away until he realized that Grissom was a man with a purpose. Turning his head incredulously at the man beside him, Mallory exclaimed, "You want them all to come after us. This isn't about us getting away from them. This is about that bitch and your damn kid. If you think I'm going to sacrifice myself for them, you're totally out of your mind!"
Grissom lolled his head back to look at the man driving the jeep. Cocking the gun, Grissom tried to focus his eyes on the driver, giving Mallory a slow grin, "No, this was never about me getting away, but keeping my son and Sara safe. With your help, I will at least accomplish that. Now, drive."
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Jim Brass looked down the road they had come from earlier to see three deputy sheriff patrol cars approaching with lights flashing and their sirens wailing. Warrick had just informed him that Catherine and Greg were on their way up in a search and rescue helicopter. Brass quickly took charge as the reinforcements emerged from their vehicles outfitted in Kevlar flak jackets and shotguns. Cringing at the firepower that was being displayed, Brass emphasized that the use of the firearms would be under strict orders. No one was supposed to fire unless they were fired upon.
As the law enforcement officers gathered to get their orders and the search perimeter, a plume of dust rose just off to the west of their position. All heads turned in time to see a dark blue jeep with the Nevada Treatment Center Addiction logo make a wide turn away from them and speed away on a dirt access road that headed to the west hills.
"I guess that simplifies matters!" exclaimed Brass. Ordering four of the officers to stay behind to guard the prisoners and to keep vigil on the complex should things happen to cycle back to the treatment center, Brass reminded the remaining officers that they were just keeping the escaping vehicle in sight and not to get too close.
"CSI Brown, Stokes, and I will be in the lead vehicle. I need all of you to stay behind me. The situation is fluid right now. Remember, no one is to fire their weapon unless I give the order," barked Brass as he climbed in the passenger side of the Denali. Nick made sure that both Brass and Brown were belted in and then took off after the escaping jeep.
Warrick unhooked his cell phone from his belt and hit speed dial. Moments later, a static filled connection with Catherine was made.
"Catherine, what's your ETA?," shouted Warrick into his phone, knowing that the roar of the helicopter would make it difficult for her to hear him.
"We're just about there. I can see the complex in the distance. Archie is sending us the coordinates for Brass's phone right now," Catherine shouted back through the headset she had on.
"We're pursuing Grissom in a black or dark blue jeep. We are about ½ mile to a mile behind him. Do you copy?" asked Warrick in the same loud voice.
"Warrick, did you say you were in pursuit of a dark colored jeep?" asked Catherine.
"That's affirmative."
Catherine looked at Greg with a puzzled expression on her face. "Warrick, that can't be Grissom. I'm showing that he is stationary. Copy that?"
"Impossible Cath…One of the men with us confirmed that he had a clear view of Grissom in the passenger side of the jeep. Identity of the driver is unclear, but we believe the driver is Lucas Mallory. We don't have confirmation of any other passengers. The assumption is that Sara and Scott are in the back," reported Warrick.
"The coordinates we have show a stationary target and located towards the southeast part of the complex. What is your position?" shouted Catherine into her phone.
"We are at the northwest entrance and continuing in that direction on a dirt road. You should be able to see the dust kicking up off the desert floor," reported Warrick.
Realization hit Catherine like a bolt of lightning. "Warrick, Grissom is leading you guys away from the complex on purpose. He's playing decoy. Warrick! Warrick! We're going to land back here and then take off again. I'm sure that when we land, we'll find Sara and Scott. We'll pick them up and then catch up with you."
Catherine signaled for the pilot to land. Upon landing, Catherine and Greg immediately emerged from the chopper and moved away from it. Catherine dialed Brass's number and was met with the voice of a young man.
"Catherine Willows?" came the voice on the other cell.
"Yes, yes this is. Is this Scott? Are you Grissom's son?" asked Catherine.
"Yes, you've come to help Sara?" asked Scott.
"Yes, and to take you to safety, away from here."
Catherine looked up and saw a medium-built young man with brown curly hair emerge from under a slight cliff overhang. She stared at the younger Grissom, seeing the physical similarities between father and son. His intense blue eyes took her in, and Catherine felt as though Gil Grissom was staring at her himself. Scott held a Glock in his hand, but it was not raised. Seeing her, he slowly tucked the weapon into is waistband and strolled quickly out to greet her. He held out his hand in greeting and Catherine reached out and shook his hand firmly.
"Glad to meet you, Scott," Catherine said with a warm smile, "but we need to get you and Sara loaded onto the helicopter asap."
"Sara's this way. I don't think she can walk. She was hurt. Dr. Jones has been taking care of her," said Scott.
Catherine nodded and signaled to Greg that he and the EMT's were needed with a backboard. "Lead the way," she said.
Scott trotted back to the overhang with Catherine in tow. Dr. Jones looked up as the two of them approached and whispered something to Sara. Sara was awake and Jones helped her to sit up.
"Hey," Sara said weakly with a relieved smile. "You found us. Is Griss with you?"
"Yeah, we found you. He's not with us, Sarah, but we know where he is. We need to take care of you. We're going to load you on the stretcher and get you on the search and rescue helicopter."
Catherine stepped back and let Paul, one of the EMT's, and Greg place Sara on the stretcher. Jones debriefed Paul on Sara's injuries and they all quickly headed to the waiting helicopter.
"Cath, Griss, he's…he's not himself. He…" Sara tried to let Catherine know what his state of mind was, but Catherine cut her off.
"It's okay, Sara. We know he's not well. We're going to try to get him to surrender to Greg and me. I think he thinks we're the only ones he can trust," Catherine said in a reassuring tone.
Catherine turned to find Scott holding back as the rest hurried towards the helicopter.
"Scott, we've got to get going," Catherine shouted over the roar of the helicopter.
"No, I need to stay here. My father…I can't leave him with that mad man," said Scott without hesitation.
"Look, we have a bead on where your dad is, but it's important that you and Sara come with us," said Catherine, her tone urgent. "We're not leaving him. As soon as we have you loaded on, we're going to him. He just doesn't know it yet."
The younger Grissom hesitated. "You're really going to help him?"
Catherine nodded emphatically, "Yes, but every second we waste, the harder it will be."
Scott nodded and followed Catherine to the waiting helicopter.
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"Jim, Sara and Scott aren't in that jeep! They're back at the complex. Grissom's playing decoy," shouted Warrick over the noise of the Denali as it rumbled down the dirt road.
A flume of dust kicked up by the fleeing jeep was visible in the distance. Brass gave Warrick a questioning look.
"Sara's not in the jeep? Who's in the jeep for sure, do we know? "questioned Brass.
"Catherine's got Sara, Scott, and Jones in the helicopter with her. There's another chopper on the way when Catherine realized that there might be more than one medical emergency. The ETA on that chopper is another twenty minutes."
"Catherine is going to try to have the pilot head off the jeep. Grissom knows that she is on the way and, if he sees that she has Sara and Scott, it might get him to surrender to her," explained Warrick.
"Well, that's all well and good, but if they reach those hills, we might lose them. Nicky, we need to catch them before they disappear into that maze of hills.
Nick stepped on the gas and continued to pursue the speeding jeep.
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Grissom was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain his focus and concentration.
Each bump and pothole that Mallory hit sent jolts of pain searing through Grissom's body. The road was becoming increasingly rocky and as they reached the base of the small hills the road turned into little more than a wide twisting trail that climbed into the mountains. Mallory wasn't really paying much attention to his speed, intent on gaining as much ground as possible between them and the law. Several times the jeep veered off the undeveloped road and as the jeep climbed higher into mountains, the jeep came dangerously close to rolling off the side of the road.
Grissom gripped the handle of the door as the jeep fishtailed from one side of the narrow road to the other. Glancing back behind them, Grissom watched as the lead vehicle slowly started making gains on them. Turning around, the disoriented man shut his eyes as the scenery sped past him making him increasingly dizzy. Taking a deep breath, Grissom decided that they had gone far enough. Surely Catherine had gotten to the clinic by now and had been able to carry Sara and Scott to safety.
"Mallory, stop the jeep and turn it around," growled Grissom.
"Grissom, are you crazy? A little further into these hills and we lose those guys," said an incredulous Mallory. "This is the best chance we have to lose them. Once we hit the hills, they'll never find us."
"Mallory, I want to make sure they are occupied with us and have no thought of turning back for Scott and Sara, so stop the damn jeep and turn it around," said Grissom through clenched teeth.
"Grissom, you're not going to sacrifice me for them," growled Mallory as he jerked the wheel violently, causing the jeep to slide off the road and veer down a steep rocky hillside. The jeep tipped dangerously and then somersaulted down the slope, coming to rest right side up but balanced precariously on the edge of a twenty-foot precipice.
When the jeep veered off the road and rolled, Grissom, though he was belted in, was tossed violently about in his seat. He was pinned against the passenger-side door, his right arm wedged between the seat and the door. Grissom lost his grip on the Glock and it was lost somewhere in the jeep. The disoriented man groaned softly. His ribs that were partially healed were now broken from being flung against the seatbelt. Grissom opened his eyes and peered around him. His head was still spinning from the chaotic roll down the hill. Mallory's body was wedged on top of his. Mallory's seatbelt had snapped and he was now resting on top of Grissom's left side.
Lucas Mallory took a moment to orient himself. He had not anticipated losing control of the vehicle around the sharp turn. Hearing the faint sound of approaching sirens, he reached up and grabbed the driver's side door to pull himself off of Grissom. Other than a few bumps and bruises, Mallory had escaped sustaining any serious injury. His right hand was still attached to the steering wheel, and, ironically, it was because he was still attached to the steering wheel that he was not more seriously injured. Awkwardly, the man reached his left arm across his body and searched Grissom's pockets for the keys to the handcuffs. After a few moments, he found the keys out and freed himself.
Pushing against the driver's side door, Mallory managed to push the door open. Staggering from the jeep, Mallory could hear the sirens getting closer. Staring briefly at the surrounding hills, he nixed the idea of trying to make a run for it. With the desert heat and lack of supplies, trying to escape into these mountains would be suicidal. Peering into the open door of the jeep, Mallory could see Grissom feebly trying to move about. Grissom apparently wasn't as lucky as he was in not getting any more seriously injured. Grissom's nemesis thoughtfully rubbed his sore right wrist and decided he still could salvage the situation.
Mallory could only reach Grissom through the driver's side as the passenger side of the jeep was hanging precariously over the edge. Crawling over the driver's side seat, Mallory grabbed Grissom by the collar of his denim shirt and pulled the injured trembling man across the seat.
"C'mon Grissom. Help me a little bit here," grunted Mallory.
Grissom reached up with his hands and held on to Mallory's arms as Mallory pulled him out of the battered jeep. Mallory roughly threw Grissom to the ground away from the vehicle. Grissom lay sprawled face down on the rocky ground. He struggled to lift himself up, but pain seemed to radiate from every part of his body. Gasping for breath, Grissom choked and started coughing up blood-tinged spittle. Pushing himself up to his knees with his right arm, the injured man tried to orient himself.
After tossing Grissom to the ground, Mallory crawled back in the jeep, searching desperately for the Glock. Their pursuers would soon arrive, and Mallory needed the Glock to make his stand. Seconds later, he had the Glock in his hands and checked to make sure that it was fully loaded. Glancing down at Grissom who was still trying to get his bearings, Mallory stepped over and grabbed a handful of his hair and jerked Grissom to his feet and shoved the man against the jeep.
Grissom groaned and let his hands fall to his sides. Mallory pushed Grissom up against the jeep, using the vehicle as a support to keep the man on his feet while keeping his hand pressed up against his chest. Grissom's head lolled back against the jeep as he fought to stay conscious. Grissom tried to reach up and push the hand at his chest away but found that he was rapidly losing all strength. His knees started to buckle, and despite having Mallory's hand pushing him against the jeep, Grissom sank to his knees.
"Get up Grissom. They'll be here any second, and I need you on your feet!" barked Mallory.
Gil Grissom heard a faraway voice telling him to get up, but he couldn't seem to find his feet. Gulping desperately for air, Grissom rasped, "Wha…what happened?"
"The jeep slid down an embankment and right now we're in a jam, so you need to get your act together before they get here."
Confusion clouded his thinking and he couldn't remember. "The…they?" gasped Grissom.
"Yeah, the guys trying to kill us. Now get up on your feet."
The faint sound of the whirling of chopper blades added to the growing sound of the sirens. Mallory looked up in time to see a search and rescue helicopter approaching their position. Dragging Grissom to his feet, Mallory pulled the half-conscious man away from the jeep and into the boulders and brush.
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A/N: Another chapter in as this story progresses to the end…just a couple more chapters. All mistakes are mine. Thanks for all the reviews as they have been such an encouragement for me to continue. becky