AN: Thank you to everyone for your continued support - means the world. Hope everyone is doing well.
Take care and enjoy.
CHAPTER 15
CATHERINE POV
"And you've never seen either of these women before?"
"Like I said, lady, never saw them."
"I guess I'm just having a hard time figuring out how you could fail to notice two women being kept in a shed that's about 100 yards from your property line."
"I mind my own business. I ain't about to go snooping in someone else's yard."
"Hell with snooping, do you ever look out your fucking window?"
My head snaps to my right, at the question that interrupts my own string of inquiries. The very abrasive and unprofessional question.
"Sidle."
Our suspect smiles, smirking in Sara's direction.
"Someone made teacher mad."
"Two women are dead," I bite, directing my glare back at him. "Forgive us if we're running a little low on patience."
I'm not condoning Sara's comment, not at all. But we need to be a united front in this interview, futile as it is quickly appearing to be.
Either this man knows nothing about the hostages, tortures, and murders occurring just next door to him, or he's less than interested in sharing what he does know. Based on his insolent attitude towards us since the start of this interview, I would wager on the latter.
I'll never understand how people can be so apathetic to the pain and horrors of others around them. As long as it's not them or their own loved ones, it means nothing. They can't be bothered to be of help.
It's deplorable.
"I think we're done here," I state in disgust, pushing back from my chair. "Contact us if you feel like actually being of assistance to those girls and their families that are going to have to bury them."
The officer escorts the neighbor from the room, the man never sparing us another glance or even bothering to wipe the smirk from his face.
"Nope," I call to the tall brunette making her own way to the door. "Get back here."
Pausing at my tone, Sara keeps her back to me before she finally turns around, arms automatically crossing over her chest.
"You care to tell me what that was about back there?"
Sara furrows her brows. "You care to tell me how that interview was anything but a failure already from the start?" She shakes her head. "My comment had absolutely no impact on the outcome."
"It was unprofessional," I say sternly. "Regardless of its impact or lack thereof."
Sara's chin lifts slightly, almost challenging.
"Tell me you weren't thinking the exact same thing."
"The difference," I state, not bothering to contradict her point, "is that I know better than to let my emotions overcome me in an interview. I know to keep that sort of thing in my head where it belongs."
Sara laughs lowly, "You think that was me losing control of my emotions?" Her brow raises slightly as her expression shifts to something much darker. "Me losing control of my emotions would have been strangling that fucking bastard for neglecting to report the abuse and torture of two innocent girls that we both damn well know he was aware of."
Hearing her edgy, low tone, I know we are moving into dangerous territory here. The last thing I want is to have an argument with Sara, especially this early in the day. We have to work together on this case, and butting heads over this worthless interview isn't the way to do that.
"Hey," I state softly, holding my hands out to show her I mean no harm. "I'm not trying to negate the fact that I wanted to say exactly what you did. All I'm saying is that in the future I would appreciate a bit more censorship in the interviews you do with me."
I find it ironic that I'm asking Sara Sidle, master of censored and masked emotions, to repress herself. Most of the time I'm wishing she would give me any slightest indication regarding what's going on in that head of hers. But, I feel that we are early in our working career, and I need to be transparent about what I will and will not tolerate from the CSIs that I will be supervising. Sidle included.
"I'm sorry," Sara eventually states into the silence, surprising me. "I don't normally…"
Sara rubs her temples, letting out a breath. The anger in her seems to fade slightly, replaced with the deep exhaustion I noticed when she first walked into the lab this morning.
"You alright?" I ask, suspecting there are other things going on that is making Sidle a bit more abrasive today than she usually would be.
Looking up, Sara almost seems surprised by my question.
"I'm fine. Why?"
I smile slightly before getting serious. "Relax. I just noticed that you seem a bit…off…today."
The brunette's eyes leave mine, her body tensing.
"I'm okay."
I look her over, noting she doesn't look okay. But, I've never been able to get Sara to trust me up to this point, and I highly doubt this is going to be the magical moment she does.
"Alright," I give in, moving to join her at the doorway. "Let's see what other leads we can find."
As she starts to turn, I place my hand gently on her shoulder.
She tenses, eyes flashing to mine.
"I have some aspirin in my bag in the locker room if you need," I gesture to where she's holding her side. "Feel free to help yourself."
Sara removes her hand, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
Squeezing her shoulder supportively, I remove my hand.
"See you in the layout room."
"Well this is frustrating," I mumble, tossing my phone down onto the table.
It seems like every neighbor of our crime scene has decided to pretend like they aren't home. No one will answer their phone, let alone return any of the messages I've left them. I really don't feel like traipsing all the way out there if no one is going to agree to speak with us anyway.
Sara lifts her head, eyes meeting mine in acknowledgement. She's been quiet since our earlier interaction, silently working on her own leads.
Reaching over, she pushes her still full coffee towards me, eyes quickly back on her papers.
I smile, taking the offered cup.
"Thanks."
Sara doesn't respond, already taking more notes on who knows what.
Something tells me my younger companion's brain works in a way that few of us would follow.
"You sticking around?" I ask, noting the time on the clock above her head.
"Yeah," her mumbled answer responds, her focus still squarely on the pages in front of her.
"Do you ever sleep?"
"Not if I can help it."
When the room remains silent, Sara finally looks up.
"You can head out, Miss Willows," she tells me. "I can finish up here."
I don't want to leave the already exhausted woman to work on the rest of this alone. But, I do have to head out and pick up Lindsey.
Torn, I hesitate, fingers tapping anxiously on my own notes.
"You sure?" I question. "I can stay a little longer…"
"I'm sure," Sara answers, eyes moving pointedly to my fingers. "Especially if you're going to keep doing that."
I laugh, taking the hint and stopping the restless tapping.
"Alright," I gather up my papers to place them in my file. Leaving it near Sara's, I head to the door. "Have a good night."
"Night."
"Oh," I poke my head back into the room from the doorway. "Sara?"
She looks up.
"Try to get some rest. Your eyes are too nice to be surrounded by such dark circles."
Before she can respond, I exit, heading towards the parking lot, smiling to myself as I imagine the look on her face.
As I pull into my drive, I immediately know something is off. There's nothing that I initially see or hear, just more of an overwhelming feeling. And, I know that feeling very well.
Not even attempting to turn off the car, I put it in reverse, leaving my driveway and pulling back out onto the street.
I knew Eddie was aware of where I lived from his statements to me earlier regarding Lindsey's room. But, it's still a shock to realize he's come here.
Sure enough, as I'm turning back towards the main road, I see his car, pitifully attempted to be disguised between two larger trucks.
"Shit."
Rubbing my temples, I consider my options. Home definitely isn't on the list right now as I refuse to bring my daughter anywhere near Eddie. Especially in the pitch black dark of night.
Knowing I really have no other options, I head back in the direction I came, careful to keep checking my mirrors for any sign of a gaudy red sports car.
Turning into the drive I practically just left, I make my way to the door.
When it's answered, my friend looks at me with concern.
"Cath?" she asks. "Did you forget something?"
"Kel," I run my hand through my hair. "I hate to ask…"
She sees my expression, the likely pale color to my skin. My hands that are trembling though I wish to hell I could stop them.
"Eddie."
I nod, embarrassed and pissed.
"Say no more," Kelly states, opening her door fully. "I'll get the guest room ready for you and Lindsey."
"Thank you," I breathe out, reaching over to pull her into a tight hug. "I promise to make it up to you."
"She's going to pick you up here?"
I nod, "You're going to need my car if you're going to have Lindsey – her car seat is in the back and you can't take her anywhere without it."
Seeing the issue, Kelly sits herself at the table across from me.
Having spent the night at her place, we are both enjoying some morning coffee before the day starts. Luckily Kelly can sometimes work from home, and she's graciously offered to watch Lindsey personally today.
While I really don't think Eddie is a threat to Lindsey, I wouldn't put it past him to use her to get to me.
Glancing at my phone, I read over Sara's text reply. While it took a lot for me to ask Kelly for help, it took much more to ask Sara for a ride to work.
I hate asking anyone for anything, but particularly Sara. Not after everything that's happened between us. But, when considering my other options, she's really the best, and perhaps only, one. Grissom would have too many questions. Sara thankfully is much too quiet and introverted for that.
Hearing the sound of a car door, I stand, placing my mug in the sink. At the soft knock, Kelly also stands, gesturing towards the guest room.
"Grab your stuff, I'll tell her you're on your way."
Gathering my bag and making sure I have left Kelly everything she will need for Lindsey, I move out to the living room where Kelly is watching Sara from the doorway.
"I told her you'd be right out," Kelly says, her voice with a strange tone. "She went back to her car."
"Okay, thanks," I raise a brow.
Looking back at me, Kelly smiles, gaze quickly redirecting back out towards her driveway.
"This is Sara Sidle?"
"Yes," I narrow my eyes. "Why?"
"She's hot," Kelly states in a way that is so completely Kelly. "Like, gorgeous. You didn't tell me she was so easy on the eyes."
I laugh, rolling my own eyes.
"You were straight the last time I checked."
Kelly laughs as well, "I am. Though I'm starting to reconsider."
I smack her in the arm as she playfully wags her brows at me.
"You're awful," I tell her though I can't help but smile at the nice break in the tension I've been feeling since last night. "Ogling my coworker. The scandal."
Looking out, I see Sara leaning against her Tahoe, obliviously tapping her keys against her hip.
"I better head out," I state, giving Kelly another hug as I shoulder my bag. "Thanks again, Kel. I can't tell you-"
"Stop, stop," Kelly waves me off. "It's what friends do."
Smiling, I squeeze her hand, Kelly shooing me out the door.
"Get out of here and stop this hugging nonsense before she thinks we're a couple and I'm unavailable."
"Jesus," I laugh, seeing Kelly wink at me good naturedly. "You're impossible. Call if you need me."
Heading down the drive, Sara looks up as I approach.
"You ready?" she asks.
"Yeah, thanks."
Getting in the car, Sara pulls out once I've gotten situated.
She's quiet, respecting my privacy. Though, when we get close to the lab, she finally chances a glance my way.
"Is everything okay with you and Lindsey?" she asks the question that's clearly been on her mind.
I appreciate her concern, as well as the way it makes me feel cared about.
"Yes," I answer, trying to be as open and honest as I can be. "Just a precaution."
Sara nods, understanding my subtext.
"You…"
Sara trails off, her body tense as she clenches and unclenches her jaw. It's obvious that she's trying to remain stoic.
"I don't like this situation," she eventually says quietly. "I don't like that you don't feel safe in your own home."
I look over at her, but she's adamantly keeping her gaze from mine, hazel eyes burning holes in the road in front of us.
Breathing out, I rest my head back on her passenger seat, for the first time since I spotted Eddie's car starting to feel myself lowering my guard.
"Neither do I."
Closing my eyes as we make our final turns towards the lab, I realize that I don't feel tense around Sara, on alert or nervous.
I realize that I feel safe.
AN: Thanks for reading.