Disclaimer – Please see chapter 1
A/N – Thank you all again for the continued lovely reviews and support of the story, they really do encourage me to keep on writing. It has been a very busy week for me, and I thought I wouldn't get this posted as I would have liked tonight, but newfound inspiration, mixed with a few hours of uninterrupted quiet time has made my posting schedule possible. Yay! Story is beta'd by myself so any remaining mistakes are all mine, so I apologize in advance. R & R Enjoy!
Fall Out Boy – Chapter 40 - Should we.........
An hour later at the crime lab, In his barely illuminated office, Gil sat at his desk, tapping his fingers on his thigh impatiently, anxious tension evident in his creased forehead as he kept his protective eyes fixed on Sara, laid on her side on his couch, in a light restless slumber.
Knowing that neither of them wanted more attention pointing their way than need be, but the inevitable being the case with Kye missing, Gil had quickly left a message with Judy on reception for his team, then led Sara into his office still clasping her hand supportively, he'd closed the blinds and door, only switching on his low desk light.
They spent a few awkward moments looking to each other, for what, they couldn't decide?, this was completely new territory for the both of them being part of a case, being personally involved and close to the victim, it wasn't easy for them being on the other side this time, awaiting a hopefully good outcome from a crime.
Add to that being in the LVPD, crime lab and the probable, future public media spot light, when they were normally very private people, trying to deal with unaccustomed emotions arising from developments that were sure to take place over the next hours, and quite possibly days.
Unsure of really how to react in these circumstances, at the lab right now, night shift supervisor? Sara's boss? Worried Parent to Kye? Or just a person? boyfriend? No, partner, seeking to give and receive some form of comfort from Sara.
Gil had to make the decision now, and one he would need to stick to if this whole matter was to be dealt with the best way possible.
He closed his eyes breaking their gaze, taking a moment to think, decide, only to open them and see doubt and insecurity reflected in hers.
Stepping up to Sara, Gil embraced her in a comforting hug, holding her tight, rubbing her back soothingly as he spoke "It's okay, I'm here, and I'll be close by all the time" he said placing a lingering kiss to her hair "We'll get through this together, no matter what, okay".
Seeing that Sara was struggling to remain in control of her usual professional composure, along with fighting exhaustion from all the emotional upheaval, Gil gently guided her over to his couch, suggesting she should nap, that it would be some time before any results or news was sure to come in.
He had told her, he'd try and sort through any accumulated mail on his desk, but after he showed willing and watched her slip into a fitful disturbed sleep, he gave up, it was useless when his mind was so worriedly with both Kye and Sara.
Opening one of his blinds, and leaving the office on a couple of occasions to grab coffee, Gil watched as most of his team trailed into the lab one by one carrying evidence bags to login, then he saw them veer off determinedly, in different directions to various labs around the building.
Nick was the last one back with any trace evidence off the dogs, Gil knew that there probably wouldn't be anything to give them a lead in the case on the dogs, but they had to cover every possible angle.
Smiling at his boss weakly and shrugging his shoulders, Nick made for the layout room where Warrick was located, examining the discarded teddy bear closely, to make sure he didn't miss any important clues or trace from it.
Catherine and Jim seemed to be the only ones not in the lab right now, he narrowing his eyes in thought of what must be keeping them, until he remembered they would most likely be sorting out details for the amber alert at LVPD.
Wearily Gil went back into his office again, although he was itching to help his team, but wouldn't be allowed, Catherine and Brass would no doubt double team him to prevent that happening, but still he was torn between wanting to make sure Sara was okay, and trying to help in the investigation or search for Kye.
An hour later Sara woke distressed from a nightmare, trembling, breathing rapidly, as she sat bolt upright, anxiously asking for Kye on a broken sob.
Gil was at her side immediately gathering her up to him, as she frantically looked around his office, trying to recognize where she was, listening to his soft calming voice that was leading her back to the present, and the reality of everything.
Eventually loosing some of the panicked 'fight or flight' tension within her body while still in his firm embrace, Sara began to sob softly into his shoulder as the adrenalin rush subsided.
Speaking softly to her as he rubbed her back and kissed her hair, he waited for Sara to regain some kind of manageable composure once more.
Just at Gil released Sara from his arms, ready to go and get her a cup of tea to help settle her, Brass tapped on his door before opening it, and preceding Catherine into the office.
Catching the sad, sympathetic look Warrick shot at Gil before taking the case assignment slip from Catherine's hand, and heading out to his scene, had Gil worried at the show.
Then seeing Catherine and Jim swap a cautious look, Gil asked hesitantly "You have something Jim?" locking his eyes with his friend.
At this Sara sat up straighter tensing, her shoulders squared, her back rigid, as Gil sat beside her again placing his hand on her lower back in a show of his support, he wasn't sure he'd be able to stand himself, if it were bad news they'd come to deliver to them.
Catherine seeing that Gil had seen her pass off the new case, a child's body found hidden in a dumpster off the strip, that had just come in to Warrick, with her being acting supervisor in his absence it was now her job to do so, she just muttered "New case just came in, and there's no one from swing about to take it" she said in explanation, not meeting his eyes and acting a little uncomfortably.
Gil switched his gaze to focus on Jim again, something was off, he felt it, but didn't know what it was yet "Jim?" he asked, but a little irritatedly this time, he didn't like being kept out of the loop of information.
Clearing his throat Jim leveled his eyes with Gil "We've got Frost at PD" he said holding up his hands to indicate to let him finish what he was saying.
Sara's Eyes locked on Jim "Kye?" she asked hopefully.
Slipping his arm up onto her shoulders now, Gil pulled her gently into his side as he tried to anticipate Jim's reply, hoping it wasn't of the worst kind, he'd had to utter many times himself before.
"Not yet Cookie, but we're doing everything we can right now to get him back safe and sound, okay" he said, not totally convinced himself by his own choice of words, but it didn't harm to offer some reassurance to her at this point.
Sara barely nodded before looking down despondently into her lap, her hands clenching each other tightly, restricting the normal blood flow, while they carried on with the details, she was far to upset to concentrate on anything they said, unless they would tell her they'd found Kye.
Momentarily distracted, then giving Sara a quick squeeze of her shoulders, bringing her tighter into his side, Gil remained listening as he refocused on the two stood in front of them.
"As I was saying, that's where Cath and I have just come from, after interviewing him and.........." Jim said, but was interrupted by Catherine.
"He lawyered up on us, and the smug son of a ...." Catherine paused taking in a steadying breath before continuing "Well lets just say at this point he tried to slap us with a harassment lawsuit, and stated cockily that we didn't have enough to hold him, or get a DNA sample from his client" she said finishing.
Gil looked mildly annoyed, but shocked also, and had to ask "What about the hooker case at the Bellagio? He paid for the room right? Don't you have anything probative to warrant you getting his fingerprints and a DNA sample from him?" he said looking to Catherine, who had been overseeing the case.
Wincing slightly at Gil's tone, Catherine spoke "We got tons of fingerprints and even a couple of biological samples from the scene, but 'Ice -Man' stated he was in the room partying with the hooker earlier in the night with others, he said he didn't know, or was just refusing to name them" she let out a frustrated sigh "I've got Archie looking through twelve hours of hotel lobby, elevator and corridor footage as we speak, to find out if the story he's telling us that he left the room shortly after eleven PM, is consistent with what the tapes will show us" she said finishing, hoping her friend would understand that their hands were tied right now "So until otherwise we can't hold him, but have advised that he not leave the state until his alibi can be verified".
Jim took over again "Airport security spotted him from the APB information that was issued to them at McCarran, about to board a one way flight to New York on his own" Letting out a sigh he glanced at Sara who still had her face hidden "No flight bookings were made for an adjoining seat for either a child or his associate Mr Carlton, nor were there any signs to suggest he'd recently been in contact with a minor" at this Sara looked up at Jim questioningly.
Smiling weakly at her, Jim continued "Carlton is still out there somewhere, but our guys are watching for any credit card transactions to indicate his location, so they can then swoop on him" moving his gaze to Gil Jim paused briefly.
"I gotta tell ya though, Frost is one hell of a smug little rich, Momma's boy, and it looks like he's got all the right connections he needs, to make things happen the way he wants them to, but he looked genuinely upset and concerned when we eventually revealed the boy was missing" Jim said.
"I don't think he's our guy, but if he has had anything to do with the disappearance of Kye, he deserves an Oscar, I can tell you" he said rubbing his had across his jaw, a usual mannerism to show he'd had a tough interrogation prior to coming to the lab.
Frowning in momentary thought, Gil then asked "Has Frost been informed that he's not Kye's natural father yet?".
Catherine shot a quick look at Jim before answering for him "At this stage of all three investigations still being ongoing and active, plus with having to release him as a possible suspect without enough evidence to hold, we thought it much safer not to reveal this information to him yet while Kye is still missing, possibly with a known person associated with Frost. That way we wont add any further risk to the boys safety, if the man thinks he is his only son and heir".
"Checks have been made with all the past child sex offenders in the community, and we have nothing to suggest foul play from that kind of known persons to law enforcement" Catherine said, watching as the couple let out collective, relieved breaths.
"House to house inquiries in the neighborhood has only gotten us a sighting of a suspiciously parked, dark colored Lexus, with blacked out windows, parked down the street from your townhouse. No one remembered the plates or the driver of the vehicle, so thats still being pursued right now" connecting her eyes with Jim, Catherine thought she had provided him with the perfect segue to ask the previously discussed matter on the way over to the lab.
Nodding in agreement both Gil and Sara seemed to be in some thought, as Brass cleared his throat speaking again tentatively "Sara........Should we.......Uh.....Do you" he was really uncomfortable asking this, but he needed to, no matter how awkward if would be for her to answer in front of Gil.
Sara looked a little confused at Jim's sudden struggle to ask, whatever he needed to ask her.
Swallowing heavily, shooting a look at Catherine, Jim tried again "Sara do you think Hank Pettigrew is capable of being responsible for snatching Kye?" coughing a little he added "Do you think we should treat him as a viable suspect?".
Her eyes widened as she locked them with Gil, who now looked directly at her, neither had even considered Hank, the newly informed father to, not only Kye , but a new born, male baby a matter of hours old.
Searching each others eyes intently, Gil and Sara seemed to do their weird, but silent communication thing that all the others thought was a little freaky at times, for a few long minutes.
Jim and Catherine swapped raised eyebrows at the now common, but odd display between the two.
Sara eventually turned to look at her two friends, appearing a little uncertain "I......I don't think he'd do such a thing......I mean.....I......I never saw any indication that he'd do anything unlawful deliberately, his job means so much to him" she said meeting Catherine's eyes, knowing she knew the details to the breakup of that past disastrous relationship.
Stuttering a little more Sara let out a heavy breath, she wasn't sure if Gil and Jim were aware of the same facts Catherine was, she gulped then spoke again "He deceived me badly, when he made me the 'other' woman, to his steady relationship with his fiancée Elaine. But otherwise he was just a regular guy".
Gil clasped his other hand in Sara's as she seemed to falter, so he took over explaining the brief interaction they'd had with Hank, at Kye's counseling appointment with the psychologist.
Jotting a few notes in his black book, Jim pocketed it, then turned to Catherine about to speak, when his cell phone chirped.
Taking a couple of steps away from the other three, he took the call, answering with his usual gruff tone "Brass".
Jim listened for a minute or two, nodded a few times then "Uh huh'd" before speaking clearly.
"It's been issued, good. Let me know if you get any pertinent calls that sound promising Tennyson".
He listened again for some time, raising an eyebrow and looking to the three again "Okay, get him to PD ASAP, I'm on my way over there now right now. Have auto haul his car back here to the lab. I'll get a CSI out to his hotel room to process, so have one of the guys make sure housekeeping don't go into there until we give them clearance" Jim said ending the call, and snapping it closed.
A/N – Hope you all enjoyed the slightly shorter chapter this week, and the latest case details so far (writing cases in my stories isn't my strong point, but I do strive to improve as I continue to write) Who has taken Kye? Frost? Carlton? Hank? Or someone totally unexpected????? and more to the point WHY? More next weekend, then there will probably be a short Break until January, while I go on my holiday/vacation etc.
Please take the time to leave a comment, theory or suggestion to this weeks chapter,or the story so far. They are all very much welcomed and appreciated.