A/N: When you're feeling down, never bare a frown – interesting sentiment – Anyhoo, here's the next chapter. It's a little longer than usual but hey.
Thanks to mingsmommy for beta and the ass whoopin – deserved.
Chapter 47
Grissom finished his entire story about what had happened at The Grove during the night. Once he'd finished, he stood up and sighed heavily as the sheriff and his two new deputies looked on.
Thankfully Brass had informed his apprentices of the current happenings around town, so at least they had some understanding about what Grissom had just said.
"I need to get back to the estate," Grissom mumbled as he approached the window and looked out onto the main street. After further examination of the cattle passing by he looked back to his friend. "They have a lot to cope with and….I need to…" He swallowed hard, "…think about Warrick and putting him to rest."
Brass stood and slipped his hat on. "We'll accompany you; we need to question everyone and take a look at the scenes and…Warrick."
Nodding glumly, Grissom opened the door and a warm breeze struck his face as he stepped outside. Brass appeared by his side and he too watched the cattle as it passed by. He looked to his deputies.
"Ray," he began pointing towards the market, "you can meet us at the estate. First I want you to have a look around. See if there is any cattle branding Providence Grove's mark, alright?"
The deputy nodded and pulled up his belt.
"But…don't be conspicuous and if you find anything, come and get me straight away," the sheriff finished.
"Will do." The younger man nodded and headed down the steps and towards the market.
Sighing heavily, Grissom slipped down the steps and untied Dante, watching as O'Reilly disappeared into the crowd.
It was going to be a long, long day.
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He got to McKeen's quickly and was met on the driveway by the usual guard. He allowed him through and the informant rushed to the house.
The colonel was having breakfast with his nephew when the mole was escorted into the dining room.
"You have a visitor, sir," the head servant announced, causing McKeen to pull his attention from his plate and look up. Hank followed suit.
The colonel's brow firmly furrowed as he picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth. "Thank you, Mason," he said standing. "You can go back to your duties."
Nodding in acknowledgment, the worker backed away and closed the door behind him.
"I'm really seeing this, aren't I?" Colonel McKeen began as he slowly stepped towards his spy. "You really, wouldn't be so stupid, as to come here now, would you?"
"I have information you need to know," he said quickly, swallowing heavily as the colonel advanced on him. "It's important."
"Oh, my boy…" The older man clenched his fists, "…it had better be," he growled. "Do you have any idea what could happen if anyone sees you here after what has happened?"
"No one saw me, I promise. Everyone is too lost in their own little world right now, especially after…" He swallowed hard again. "…Finding Warrick," he continued on a sigh. He looked McKeen in the eye. "Did you really have to kill him? You said no one would get hurt."
The colonel's patience seemed to falter and, without warning, he slapped the younger man hard across the face causing him to stumble backwards, holding his cheek.
Hank slowly rose from his chair and moved around the table.
"What have I told you about questioning me?" McKeen scowled, holding up a threatening finger.
The younger man bowed his head and he could feel the colonel invading his personal space as he stepped right up to him.
"Look at me," the ranch owner demanded.
Slowly, and with a hint of fear, the spy raised his head to bring his eyes back level with his commander's.
Rubbing his chin, the colonel inhaled a slow, long breath. "Now, if you had been more careful in the first place and not allowed the idiot to follow you then he wouldn't be dead now, would he?"
He failed to answer.
"Would he?" McKeen repeated but more firmly this time.
"No," he mumbled.
"Then stop questioning my actions, do you understand?"
Hank stepped to the side of his uncle as the informant nodded.
"Good," the colonel continued, "now, get on with whatever it is you have to say and get back there before someone notices you are gone."
"I heard the captain talking; he says he still won't sell to you even after what has happened."
Looking to his nephew the colonel shook his head. "The stubborn fool," he grumbled. "You're sure he said that?" he then asked looking back to his mole.
"I am."
Sighing heavily the older man pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why the hell can't he just give it up?" he griped.
"Because he's too much like you?"
The colonel's glance fell back upon his nephew who was now grinning at him. "Funny, my boy, but alas, true."
"The threats and sabotage don't seem to be working, Uncle," Hank continued.
"Yes," the older man spat, "I noticed, thank you for your input. Do you have a better idea?"
Hank's grin broadened. "You know I do, I did tell you."
"Hmmm…" McKeen thought for a moment and leaned across the table, picking up the bread knife. He twirled it in between his fingers as he continued to think and his informant watched the sharp object with apprehension as a beam of sunlight coming through the window caught the blade and the light shone into his eyes.
The mole shuffled nervously on his feet. "So, what do you want to do? Maybe it's just time to let it go and leave the estate alone…"
"No!" the colonel shouted, impaling with knife through the woodwork of the table with one, hard thrust.
Both Hank and the informant jumped as the ranch owner glared at each one of them in turn. Moving back to his spy he grabbed him by the shirt and the younger man swallowed the heavy lump which had formed in his throat.
"I will have Providence Grove, do you understand me? It will be mine," he growled. "And you will not back out on me…" He shook the man. "Do you get me? No one ever backs out on me and if you even contemplate defying me then you will pay for your betrayal. Do I make myself clear?"
The younger man shook in the colonel's hold but quickly nodded his head. "Yes, sir," he whispered. "I'm sorry." The words he spoke sounded sincere and definitely full of fear, so the colonel released his grip and smiled.
"So glad to hear it," he breathed into his spy's face.
"What should I do?" The informant's voice shook with his question.
"Nothing," the colonel began as he approached his nephew and flung an arm around his shoulders. "Get back there and lay low until I give you instructions. I will try one more time to convince dear old Thomas to see sense and if not…" He pulled Hank tighter to his body in an encouraging motion. "…Then I will let Hank try his way. Now that could be even more entertaining than I could have possibly imagined but it will take time, which I didn't want, but if needs must, then they must, right, Hank?"
Hank looked to his uncle and a sinister smirk formed on his lips. "Oh yes and needs most definitely…must…"
The colonel replicated his nephews smirk and they laughed.
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Grissom arrived back at the estate, accompanied by the sheriff and his new deputy.
They were greeted by Captain Sidle who had been informed of Grissom's return by his daughter, who stood stoically by her father's side. She never had left the window until she saw Grissom coming down the driveway.
"Captain…" Brass nodded as he dismounted. His deputy followed suit and Grissom held out his hand as he hopped off Dante.
"I'll, just go stow the horses," he said taking Vartann's horse.
"I'll help you," Sara cut in quickly and took the sheriff's horse before Grissom even had a chance to argue.
"Alright," he sighed softly as Sara took the reins to Vartann's horse from him and he took Dante's. "We will be back shortly, Captain."
The captain nodded and Grissom followed Sara's lead as she walked away. He caught up to her and frowned as they headed towards the back of the house.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"To the garden," she began quietly before looking at him. "I…" she cleared her throat," …put Pandora there after you left. The outer stables we not set on fire, probably because they were empty, I don't know," she sighed, "but they have a lot of smoke damage, plus, Pandora wouldn't go anywhere near the area so I took her to one of the few places that are quiet and smoke free.
Grissom nodded his understanding and kept his eyes locked with hers. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly as they began down the path into the garden.
Sighing loudly Sara shrugged her shoulders. "I think I'm still trying to take it all in," she responded quietly. "I can see how upset Father is, but he isn't being very talkative."
"He will need some time, Sara," he tried to reassure.
She nodded with uncertainty but then stopped and looked around with a hint of urgency.
"What's wrong?" Grissom asked noting her discomfort.
"Pandora's gone," she replied swiftly. "She was just here." She point to the large oak tree before them. "Where is she?"
Grissom looked around but Pandora was nowhere to be seen. "Are you sure you tied her here?" he asked.
"Yes," Sara replied with a panicked nod. "Although," she continued, "I wasn't entirely paying attention," she sighed again. "I may not have tied the reins tight enough."
"Don't worry," Grissom cut in quickly, picking up on the tinge of worry in her words and he watched as Dante's nostrils flared and he sniffed the air. The rancher released his horse's reins and slapped him healthily on the back. "Go find her, boy."
With a healthy snort and bob of his head, Dante trotted off down the path before slipping into the trees and out of sight.
"He'll find her," he said softly.
Biting down on her bottom lip, Sara nodded but her gesture wasn't all that convincing.
Sensing her pain Grissom swiftly looked around. He was certain they were alone and there was no one in the immediate area, so against his better judgment he reached for her. Slipping an arm around her waist he pulled against his body and into a tight embrace. "Pandora will be fine," he soothed on a whisper as Sara ran her hands up his back to cling to his broad shoulders.
She exhaled heavily into his chest and pulled him tighter against her body. "Do you have any idea how much I need to be with you right now?" she sighed into him.
Keeping his ears alert just in case someone should interrupt them he pulled back, cupped her face in his hands and look deeply into her eyes. "I know," he replied, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. "But now is simply not the time to reveal our secret." No matter how much it pained him to say that, it was true and he could see the disappointment on her face instantly as her chin quivered.
He was about to continue, to reassure her but a rustling behind them alerted the couple to an oncoming presence and they immediately separated.
Grissom's heart thumped in his chest, had they been seen? But then as Dante appeared from the trees with Pandora nipping at his heels he breathed a healthy sigh of relief, as did Sara who quickly stepped towards the horses with a smile on her face.
"There you are," she said, reaching for Pandora's reins. "You had me worried," she finished. She patted Dante on the back before kissing him softly on the top of his nose. "Thanks, boy."
For the first time that day a small smile graced Grissom lips even if it was because Sara was smiling. It probably wouldn't last long, but for that single moment in time, he was content. He took Dante's reins as well as Vartann's horse and tied them securely to the group of surrounding trees. Sara tied Pandora next to Dante and after a tender rub of noses the horses began to nibble on the grass.
"They should be fine until later," Grissom said holding out his hand. "Come on, I need to get back."
"Alright," she sighed, allowing him to take her arm and lead her from the garden.
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They arrived back at the house to find the entire estates population waiting outside. The captain was talking to them, thanking them for their patience and the sheriff would get to everyone as soon as he could.
Grissom stepped up to his boss, Sara right behind him and looked at the group.
"Do you need any assistance, Captain?" he asked.
The rancher looked to his aid and shook his head. "No, Gil, it's all under control. Thankfully everyone is just eager to get this over and done with. The sheriff is talking to Conrad at the moment."
Grissom frowned, wondering exactly what his co-worker may be saying.
"You go next, Sara," the captain told his daughter. "Then you can try and relax a little."
"Me?" Sara asked looking a little shocked. "The sheriff wants to talk to me?" She looked at Grissom before back to her father. "Why?"
"He desires to speak with everyone, Sara. Including me. We can go in together if Gil keeps his eyes on everyone out here." He placed a comforting hand on her arm and smiled. "Do not worry; you do not have anything to hide, right?"
Her eyes flicked back to Grissom and he knew exactly what she was thinking and he could just hear the sheriff's questions running through his mind…"So Sara, why were you out around the estate at such a late hour? With whom? What were you doing?"
Oh, this could be bad.
Returning her attention to her father she smiled. "Of course not," she responded. "But maybe, Gil and I should go in together; we did find the fire together…" Suddenly she stopped and her eyes widened a touch.
Grissom's eyes widened, a lot, and he swallowed hard at the fact she had just reminded her father they were out together in the middle of the night. Something he had let pass, but now? He returned his eyes to the captain who now seemed to be looking at him rather quizzically.
"That's right," the older man began, "you still have to tell me why…" He raised his brow, "…you were out at that time, don't you?"
"Oh…" Grissom stuttered, "…yes…"
Luckily, once again, Grissom's yet to be thought of excuse was put on hold when Conrad emerged through the front door and announced the sheriff was ready for whoever was next.
Grissom sighed with relief when the captain turned his attention to the man behind him and nodded. "Go on then, you two," he looked back to his daughter and Grissom. "We will finish our conversation later."
Sara quickly nodded and rushed up the steps but Grissom wasn't quite so eager to rush as Conrad walked by him. "What did you say, Conrad?" he asked and the younger man stopped and turned to face him.
"I simply told the truth, Grissom," Ecklie responded.
"With a little of your own suspicion?" Grissom added, taking a step towards him.
"Enough," the captain interrupted, grabbing his aids arm. "Get inside, Gil, or we will be here all day. I can really do without my own people fighting amongst themselves right now."
Grissom didn't move and just glared at Ecklie.
"Now, Gil!" the ranch owner commanded. "The Sheriff is in the study."
Grissom looked around. Everyone was now staring at him and he exhaled a heavy breath. "Fine," he mumbled and the captain released his grip. Turning on his heels he climbed the steps and joined Sara who was waiting for him by the door.
"Are you alright?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
Working his jaw he half nodded and gestured his hand down the hallway. "After you," he said softly.
Sara nodded and they began towards the study, stopping just outside.
"You can go in, Sara. I've already spoken to Brass." He leaned against the wall. "I'll wait here for you."
"Come with me…please?" she almost begged.
Pushing himself from the wall he studied her face. Again she looked lost and vulnerable. "Do you want me to?"
"Yes," she whispered. "I…well…what do I say about us being out together in the night? And…I don't want to…"
"Hey, relax…" He stepped right up to her and took her hand without really thinking about it. "We simply couldn't sleep and happened to come across each other in the stable. We went for a walk, that's all. Alright?"
After taking a deep breath Sara nodded.
Their moment was cut short when the study door opened. Slowly, Grissom released her hand. There was no point trying to hide the contact as Brass had already seen them but it was a simple gesture of support, there was nothing to hide at that point.
"Oh Sara," the sheriff said surprised. "I didn't expect you so soon."
"She's been through a lot, Jim," Grissom cut in. "Better we get this over with."
Brass nodded his understanding. "Of course, come on in." He stepped to the side and the couple entered the study.
The sheriff closed the door behind him and walked to the captain's desk. "Sit, please."
The couple did so and Brass slipped into the chair behind the desk.
"Where's Vartann?" Grissom asked noticing he wasn't there.
"Having a look around at the stable and the cattle field, see if he can find anything that may be useful. I'm going to meet him out there in a little while," the sheriff replied picking up his pencil and taking a fresh piece of paper from his pile. "When O'Reilly gets here he can take over from me and then I will go and…take a look at Warrick."
Sighing, Grissom nodded and exchanged a quick glance with Sara.
"So, are you ready, Sara?" Brass asked.
"Yes," she responded.
"Good," Brass began, "Now I know you were with Gil, he's already told me that but I just want you tell me the nights events from your point of view, alright? I may stop you so I can ask questions but relax and take your time. Understand?"
She nodded and the sheriff smiled.
"Begin when you are ready," he instructed.
After another nod Sara began. "Well, I couldn't sleep so I decided to get up and go for a walk."
"What time was that?" Brass asked, making notes as he went.
"Not long after midnight," she continued, "Maybe around twelve fifteen."
Brass nodded and Sara continued. "I walked towards the stables and…"
"Any particular reason why you went there?" the sheriff cut in.
"Well, um…" Sara hesitated, flicking her eyes to Grissom who offered her a reassuring smile. He nodded. "Well, not really. I had been checking on Melissa a lot and…" Her face suddenly saddened and she held her hand to her mouth. "Melissa…" she whispered, "My poor Melissa…"
Squirming in his seat, Brass leaned forward as did Grissom, concern etched upon their faces. "Sara, are you alright?" the lawman asked.
Sniffing hard Sara nodded and Grissom took a handkerchief from his pocket, offering it to her. She took it with half a smile and wiped her nose. "I'm sorry, just thinking of what happened to the horses, it's…"
Reaching to a tray that was on the desk, Brass picked up a glass decanter of water and poured a glass. "Here…" He stood and leaned over the desk offering Sara the liquid refreshment.
Grissom took the glass and handed it to her. She sipped lightly from the contents and sighed softly.
Sitting back down Brass gave her a moment before continuing. "Alright to carry on?" he asked.
Smiling weakly Sara nodded. "Yes, sorry."
"So, you reached the stable?"
"Yes. I got to the stable and Grissom was already there, he was saddling Dante," she lied.
Brass looked to Grissom with a smirk, "Problems sleeping, too, huh?"
Narrowing his eyes, Grissom shrugged his shoulders. "I don't sleep much."
Clearing his throat, Brass returned his attention to Sara. "So, did you see or hear anything or anyone on your way to the stable?"
"No," she replied. "I didn't see or hear anything."
"How about you, Gil?" the sheriff then asked his friend.
"No."
"Alright." Brass scribbled on his paper. "So, then what did you do?"
"Well…" Sara shuffled forwards and cleared her throat. "…We took our horses and decided to go for a walk. We ended up by the river."
"How long did you stay there?"
Sara looked down to her hands and fiddled with her fingers and Grissom watched her. She looked as uneasy as he felt. They were there for some time, would Brass question as to why?
"I'm not really sure," she mumbled, "A few hours maybe. It was a nice night so we just talked."
Brass raised his brow and looked to Grissom again. "Talked, huh?"
The rancher nodded. "That's right, is there a law against it?"
"Hey, hey…" Brass held up his hands in defense. "I'm just trying to get a clear picture of the facts here, alright? I'm not judging."
"Good," Grissom shot back his reply.
Sighing, Brass continued to write. "So, you headed back to the house sometime after 2am, right?"
"That's right," Sara concurred. "That's when Grissom spotted the fire in the distance."
"And…" The sheriff chewed on the end of the pencil. "Neither of you saw nor heard anything on your way back or while you were by the river?"
Both heiress and rancher shook their heads and said, "No," simultaneously.
"So, you both got to the stable and find it on fire, yes?"
"Yes," Sara replied. "Then I rang the bell and got my father. The rest is…" She struggled to continue, "…Very hazy. It was all just so chaotic."
"That's fine," Brass said softly. "I have all I need, thank you."
Sara looked to Grissom and then back to Brass. "Is that it?"
"That's it," he confirmed. "Unless there is anything else you would like to add?"
She shook her head.
"Gil, anything else from you?" the sheriff asked.
Now, Grissom shook his head and stood up. "No, not about the fire but we still need to discuss Warrick."
"True," Brass sighed, pushing himself from the chair.
Sara slowly joined Grissom and the trio walked to the door. As Brass opened it O'Reilly appeared.
"Ah, Ray," the sheriff started, "I'm glad you're here. Did you find anything?"
Grissom waited eagerly for the deputy's response but felt his heart sink when the man shook his head, "No, nothing. Who ever took the cattle certainly isn't selling them in town, at least not today, anyway."
"Well, it was worth a shot," Brass said and Ray nodded his agreement. Grissom and Sara didn't look quite as supportive, however.
"Ray, can you carry on with the interviews for me?" Brass continued. "My notes are on the desk. I have a few things I have to do."
"Sure thing, Sheriff. How many people are left?" the younger man asked.
"Lots, send for me when you are finished."
O'Reilly nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good. Gil, shall we…?"
"Warrick?" Grissom cut in.
"Yeah."
Grissom nodded and stepped out of the room. Sara followed and then Brass.
"I think you should try and get some rest, Sara," Grissom suggested, turning to face her. "You haven't slept at all and you've been through a lot."
Her face saddened a little. "Isn't there anything else I can do to help?"
"Gil's right, Sara," Brass interrupted placing a soft, comforting hand on her arm. "Get some rest; there isn't anything else you can do right now."
She breathed a heavy breath but nodded. "Alright."
Grissom watched as she turned and approached the stairs. As she climbed the first step, she stopped and turned back to the two men. "Just let me know if you find out anything, please?"
"We will," he replied softly. "I promise."
She half smiled and continued her journey up the stairs. Grissom waited until she was out of sight and the sound of her bedroom door closing caught his ears.
When he turned back to Brass, he noticed his friend staring at him.
"What?" he asked with frown.
"Be careful, Gil," the lawman advised and began down the corridor, leaving Grissom at the foot of the stairs with a very confused look on his face.