Author's notes: I apologize for my long delay. Between work responsibilities (directing fall play) and home, my uncle passed away from cancer (the second this year) and then my elderly father broke his hip at the nursing home and had to be hospitalized for a week. Now with Christmas and the impending arrival of my mother-in-law, life is nuts. However we had a day off of school today due to freezing rain! Yeah for snow days!
So here it is. Thanks for understanding.
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The cab ride to the crime lab was a quiet one. Don sat looking out the window and mulling over the conversation from a few minutes ago. He had decided he wasn't going to say anything else mainly because he didn't trust himself not to go off again on the agent sitting next to him.
Colby was also silent. He really didn't have anything to say. He was berating himself because he hadn't even thought about how his "walk" would have looked to anyone else. He had just needed air and space and he couldn't understand why Don of all people couldn't understand that. He knew how to deal with pressure, hell between the military and FBI training he could handle whatever was thrown at him. Don's reaction really bothered Colby. It was as if Don didn't trust him. That was what hurt, after everything he had been through in the last year Colby felt like Don would never doubt him again. Now, he wasn't sure.
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After losing Granger on the strip he had went back to the small apartment and cleaned out all of his personal belongings. Now his 2004 Honda Accord was parked in the parking garage of the Luxor and he was sitting in the lobby watching the main entrance. He felt the bulky outline of the gun that was concealed in the pocket of his jacket.
He was afraid his plan was unraveling. Rubbing his tired eyes he made sure his gaze wasn't off of the door for long. Granger had to return and when he did, a surprise would be waiting.
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While they drove towards the lab, Nick was talking on the phone to the owner of the Kennedy Towing and not making much headway. Even though the company towed vehicles all hours of the day, the office was closed and the owner was balking at going in to retrieve the information.
"Sir," Nick's Texan accent was more prominent as he allowed his frustration to show. "If you force me to go and get a warrant for the owner's name and address it will be in the middle of the night. If you go in and get it for me now you can return home and be in bed before the news is over."
David listened to the one-sided conversation and tried not to think about the delicious aroma that was wafting out of the take out bag that sat on his lap. When Nick had suggested food David had realized that he had skipped several meals and he was hungry. Calling ahead to a Mexican place, David was a little dismayed when they turned into a parking lot with an old camper parked at one end. Nick had hoped out and went over to a small carryout window that had been added to the side of the camper. Returning, Nick had promised that even though the place might lack a certain ambiance the food was excellent. Judging from the smell Nick was correct. David tore his thoughts away from the food and back to the conversation.
"Sir, when I have that warrant I am going to personally come over to your house, wake you and your neighbors up and drive you in a squad car down to your office. No sir, that is not a threat, that is a promise." Nick paused. "Alright sir, have it your way. I'll plan on seeing you at around 2 a.m. I'll be the one knocking loudly on your door." He snapped the cell phone shut. "Asshole. He knows I'll get a warrant, but he wants to play this the hard way. I'm going to look forward to waking his ass up."
"Glad to see that we don't have all of them living in L.A." David teased slightly. "Sometimes I think we have a corner on the market."
"I just can't understand why people don't want to cooperate with us. If they were guilty I could see their motivation, but it seems like some just like to fuck around with us." Nick shook his head. "I guess I've just always wanted to see the good in people and I keep getting disappointed." He turned into the parking lot and slipped into a spot close to the door. "Come on, let's get in and eat that while it's hot."
Nick led the way to the break room and indicated to David to have a seat. He reached into the refrigerator to grab several sodas and joined the FBI agent at the table.
David had already pulled out the take out boxes and had opened his. "Damn, this looks good."
"Best green chili pork you'll ever have." Nick had just opened his own box. "Had a shooting in that parking lot four years ago and while interviewing Mama Lopez, she gave me a helping of carne asada. That was all it took, I've been going there since."
Swallowing the mouthful of tender pork, David replied. "I can see why. This is delicious."
The break room door opened and Catherine stuck her head inside. "Hey, if you two can tear yourself away, Eppes and Granger just got here. I've got things set up in the back lab."
Nick grabbed another bite and closed the lid to the box. He washed it down with a swallow of Coke. "I'm also waiting for warrant to come in on the towing service that might have a record for a friend of Primmer's."
Following Nick's lead, David closed up the box of food and stood up. "What's your plan Ms. Willows?"
"Catherine please." Catherine smiled at David. "The blood pattern doesn't seem to fit and I need to get Granger's height and weight to put into a simulation."
"It sounds like you realize that Colby didn't do this." David felt relief course through his veins.
"I don't assign guilt David, I just follow the evidence." She didn't want to raise his hopes to high. "I spoke with Warrick a little while ago. He and Greg are trying to run down some more information on the Lee's. They will let us know if anything tie it to us."
Nick took the two carryout boxes to the refrigerator and shot a teasing look at Catherine. "I know these are in here, so don't try to use the "I didn't know that it was yours Nick" excuse you tried last time you ate my leftovers." He pointed at her in a mock threat. "I know you ate the chicken asada I had in there last week."
"I did no such thing. It was Greg." Catherine smiled as she exited the room. "I'll be in the lab."
"A man has to protect his food around here." Nick explained.
"I feel your pain, Colby is our resident chow hound." David followed Nick into the spacious room. He glanced around at the wide variety of items stored on shelves. "Use this place much?"
"Yeah, looks like it doesn't it." Nick smiled as he took in the contents of the room that assisted the CSI's with reenactments. "We've been starting to use a whole lot more of computer generated scenes, but sometimes we find that going old school is best."
Don and Colby were talking with Catherine and Colby looked up as the two men approached. David could see the dark circles under Colby's eyes and the strained set to his mouth. He tried to send him a supportive look, but Colby was already looking back down at the ground.
"Hey David." Don was glad to see his friend; dealing with Colby was slowly wearing on him and he needed the chance to have a breather and touch bases with David. "I need to speak with you for a few minutes." Don motioned to the hall.
The two men excused themselves and Catherine went over to the far side of the lab and started putting together the needed items for the recreation she wanted to attempt.
Nick looked at the FBI agent and laid a hand on his shoulder in support. "I need to get some measurements from you if I could."
"Yeah, whatever you need." Colby's tone was slightly flat with a hint of the frustration he was feeling.
"You know that we're doing everything we can to help." Nick tried to shake the other man from his mood.
"Sure as hell doesn't seem like it. It feels more like you're building your case. Every bit of evidence is seeming like it's pointing straight at me." Colby's words came out bitter.
"Hey, I know how you feel. You've" Nick was cut off suddenly.
"Know how I feel?" Colby spat. "I doubt that, you don't know what it feels like to let your team down. Knowing that one small mistake could cost you your career."
Nick shook his head, memories of Kristy again coming to mind. "You're wrong there. I do know what it's like."
Shooting him a glance that clearly indicated that he thought Nick was bullshitting him, Colby tone turned challenging. "So what do you know about being on this side of the coin?"
"A girl I was with ended up being murdered and it appeared that I had done it." Nick looked hard at Colby, almost daring him to dispute his story. "You've got to remember that the best thing for you to do is to keep your cool and let us find the truth."
Listening to Nick, Colby brought a hand up to his neck and tried to rub the tension away. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's got into me. I'm acting like an ass."
"Don't worry about it. Like I said, been there and done that." Nick reached for a tape measure similar to one used in sewing. "Come on and lets get those measurements so that Catherine can get started on her simulation."
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Greg yawned as the vehicle pulled into a home in the residential section of Las Vegas. He and Warrick had been chasing down leads since they had come into work and this was their last stop.
The men stepped out of the car and approached the modest home of Chin Lee's sister. Knocking on the door, they both listened for someone to approach the door. It was only moments later that the door opened a crack and a frown make appeared below the door's chain.
"Good evening Mrs. Ang. My name is Warrick Brown and this is Greg Sanders. We are from the Las Vegas Crime Lab and we have some questions that we would like to ask you about your brother and your niece."
"I don't know anything. I told that to the police earlier." The diminutive woman's tone was anything but friendly.
"We just want to know if you might be able to tell us anything about your niece's boyfriend." Warrick inquired.
"Hah. Not much of a boyfriend. She brought him to the restaurant once. So many nice Chinese boys around and she brings a loser like him. Chin told her that she was disgrace to the family." She paused. "You think he did this to Chin?"
"So do you know his name or where he lives?" Warrick pressed.
"She called him Danny. That's all I know. She didn't bring him around again. I know they were still dating because Chin complained about it." The older woman paused as she turned to return inside her home. "You will let me know if you catch him."
"We will. We would like you to identify him once we find him." Warrick closed his notebook.
The woman nodded and stepped inside as the two men returned to their vehicle. Climbing in, Greg pulled his seatbelt out. "Well, looks like we are batting zero."
"Let's hope Nick has better luck. Let's go see if that warrant is ready for the towing service."
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Out in the hallway David listened as Don related what little he knew about Colby's foray. Shaking his head in disbelief he tried to smooth things over with his boss. "We need to look at it from Colby's perspective too. I'm sure he feels completely blindsided by this and when he can't help with the investigation he is frustrated. Hell, he's got to have the worst luck when it comes to crap like this." David paused. "I'm not letting my partner down again."
"If he could just see we are doing what's best for him." Don was still slightly angry with Colby disappearing from the hotel.
"I guess the sooner these guys get the case solved the sooner we can get back to normal. Has Charlie discovered anything?"
"No. He's been working on it but there doesn't seem to be any connection. I guess there isn't always a logical answer to everything."
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Greg and Warrick met with a rather unhappy Phillip Kennedy at the office of his towing company. Handing a copy to the short, barrel-chested man, Greg smiled as he watched the man go over to his computer and power it up.
Catching Warrick's eye, Greg nodded towards the owner. "We sure appreciate your help Mr. Kennedy." His voice was saccharine sweet.
Listening to the older man's grumbled reply about government, taxes and sticking large items into small body parts both men shared a quiet laugh.
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The test had been relatively simple. Catherine had concentrated on the blood spatter and Nick had feed measurements into a computer program that would run a computer simulation of what had occurred that evening.
Sitting in a chair by the computer, Colby watched as Nick manipulated the information. The return of David and Don to the room didn't cause either man to look up from the screen. They all remained silent for another ten minutes until Nick finally spoke. "Guys, I don't want to get your hopes up too high, but from what we are seeing there is no way that Colby could have stabbed the victim and received the type of blood spray that was on him. Plus, from the looks of the angles on the stab wounds the killer was probably three or four inches shorter than Colby.
The smile that broke out on Colby's face was one of pure gratitude. "That's the best damn news I've heard in two days."
"We'll get this to Grissom and he'll let Brass know." Catherine placed a hand on Colby's shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze. "I know we came on hard, but you can understand that we need to follow the evidence."
"I understand. Thanks, all of you for your help." Colby paused. "So will you start looking for Michelle's killer?"
Nick nodded. "We don't have a whole lot to go off of but we won't just let it drop. There is still the mysterious boyfriend to account for."
Colby stifled a yawn and looked at Don and David. "Would it be alright if I headed back to the hotel? I'm still feeling whipped."
"Sure Colby, David why don't you go with him." Don looked at the younger agent and noticed the blue-black rings under his eyes. "I'll stay and wrap things up here."
"If it's alright with you I'd like a little time alone." Colby looked at his partner. "I just need to decompress a little."
"Sure Colby." David understood that Colby wasn't looking for heartfelt talks right now.
"I'll call Charlie and let him know your coming and also that he can stop looking." Don pulled out his cell phone and walked out to the hallway to call his brother.
Colby shook Nick and Catherine's hands and excused himself. Once he had left, Catherine turned to David and asked. "Big strong and silent type when it comes to things like this?"
"Yeah," David smiled. "Gary Cooper all the way."
"I can feel for you, I know someone just like that." She smiled at Nick and placed a hand on his shoulder. Removing it, she sat down in the seat vacated by Colby. "Lets get this saved and talk to Gil."
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During the ride back to the Luxor, Colby had felt the hundred pound stone lift from his chest. The relief was intermingled with anger and sadness. Someone had murdered Michelle and had tried to tie it to him; they would need to pay for that.
Paying the fee he had stepped from the cab and entered into the hotel's lobby. At this time of night most of the activity was more towards the nightclubs. "Staying away from there." Thought Colby as he quietly waited for an elevator.
The doors opened to an empty car and as he entered another passenger pushed in. "Third floor." The other man's voice sounded young. Colby pushed the buttons and the doors closed on the two and started upward.
The sound of a gun's slide being drawn back broke into Colby's thoughts. "We are both going to get off on the third floor Granger. If you try anything funny I'll shoot you and then I'll shoot the next two people we see just to show you I mean business."
"Alright. What do you want?"
"To see you suffer like you made my brother suffer."