A/N: Hey everyone. New chapter. Time for some investigating. I hope you enjoy :)
A huge thank you to my current supporters – Nat, Mrs Crabby, Dbackfan, AliceC, ChristineS, DawnS, Jillian, IngridT, Tracer85, NiniZ, Gaelle, and NancyB.
Always, thank you to calim for the beta, suggestions and friendship :) Mwah!
On we go….
Chapter 25
After pulling their vehicles into the parking lot, the four CSI's and Serena gathered together, three accompanying officers waited close by.
"So, who wants to do what?" Catherine asked, opening the folder in her hand. "We have surgery where Lucas Henry worked or Post Op where Meryl worked. I suggest we split into two."
"Divide and conquer?" Sara said.
"Exactly," Catherine agreed.
"Well," Sara continued, "why don't you and Josh take surgery? I sense a lot of men and I think you're more likely to win them over regarding providing any information."
"You mean charming old me?" Catherine laughed.
Sara smirked. "Let's just say you certainly have more luck with the opposite sex."
Grissom frowned and shot her a look, earning a cheeky smile from his wife.
"Does that mean I get to chat up all the ladies?" he challenged slyly.
Now Sara's eyes narrowed at him. "Don't you dare."
"Okay lovebirds," Catherine cut in, passing them a file. "This is the info we have on the post-op unit. The manager is expecting us so fingers crossed we shouldn't have any problems."
Taking the file, Grissom nodded. "Post op and surgery are practically neighbors. Easy to see how Meryl and Lucas met."
"Yeah," Catherine agreed. "Let's get to it, shall we?"
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The group stepped out of the elevator, Sara's gaze finding a sign on the wall.
"Post-Operative Unit and Surgery to the right," she said, pointing a finger.
Grissom nodded and off they went, following the signs until they reached Surgery. Moving past the waiting area they reached the reception desk, Catherine flashing her ID to one of the women sitting behind the desk.
"Good morning, my name is Catherine Willows. We're here from the LVPD to speak with staff regarding the murders of Meryl Jones and Lucas Henry."
After checking the ID, the woman nodded.
"Of course. We were told to expect you," she replied as she picked up the phone. "Give me a minute to get someone to take you through."
"Thank you," Catherine replied, stepping back to join her colleagues. "Well, that was even easier than I was expecting," she said.
"The joys of government run cooperation," Grissom remarked. "I'm sure they are keen to be shown in a good light especially once this hits the press."
Folding her arms, Sara turned to him. "I wonder when that's going to be."
Grissom shrugged. "Either when we have something positive we can announce with the bad news or when someone leaks it."
"Well, let's hope it's not the latter because Nora Cross will have kittens if that happens."
He smirked as he nodded.
The group waited for a couple of minutes until a man wearing a Doctor's coat came through a set of double doors in the back of reception and headed their way.
"Good morning," he said as he walked up. "Carlton Croft, surgical manager," he extended his hand to Grissom who shook it.
"Gil Grissom," he said nodding to each of his colleagues in turn. "Catherine Willows, Sara Sidle, Josh Folsom and Detective Chavez."
"Pleasure to meet everyone," Croft responded. "Your Director tells me you wish to speak with staff from both surgery and post op, correct?"
"That's right," Catherine chipped in. "Well, those who would have been here when Meryl Jones and Lucas Henry were."
Croft let out a gloomy sigh. "Very sad what has happened, and I sincerely hope no one here is involved. Please follow me."
Doing just that, everyone followed until they came to a locked door which Croft opened with his security badge.
"Off to the left is surgery," he said, "and post op is to the right. We have allocated two offices for you we thought might be helpful. Of course, you can walk around but certain areas are off limits."
The four CSI's who were looking around all nodded their understanding.
"I think we'll be happy with an office if staff can come to us," Catherine said. "Save us getting in trouble."
Croft gave her a smile. "I'm sure we can sort that out." He waved a finger between the group. "Are you all staying together?"
"No, we're going to split up. We should be able to get out of your hair sooner that way."
"All right then," Croft agreed. "Come this way and I'll go over the rules."
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The rules:
Don't enter areas that say 'medical personal only.'
Don't go into the post op ward, surgical prep rooms or the main surgical suite.
Don't touch medical equipment.
No food or drink outside of the office or breakroom.
Staff co-operation is voluntary at this point in time.
Confidential records are off limits without a warrant.
With that out of the way, the group split up and Croft introduced each duo to a department supervisor who would be available to them during their stay. Nurse Hanna Martin for Grissom and Sara and Doctor Jason Davis would assist Catherine and Folsom.
In post op, Grissom and Sara, along with their two chaperoning officers were led past the ward to an office. Their short journey certainly caught the attention of onlookers who curiously looked their way as they passed them by.
"Here we go," Martin said as she pushed open the door to the office. "It will certainly be more peaceful for you in here."
"Thank you," Grissom said with appreciation as they stepped inside.
Sara was thankful for the provided space. The hospital was busy and noisy, as hospitals were, so questioning people out in that work environment would be a serious pain in the ass. She looked around the room. Large table in the middle with a file, paper and pencils upon it, several chairs surrounding it, projector on the wall (not that they'd be needing that), a writing board with pens, water cooler with glasses on a table and off to their left a large window covered with an open blind.
Moving to it, she peered out. "Hell of a view from up here," Sara remarked, being able to see pretty well over the city in the distance.
"You should go up to the roof," Martin replied. "We're only on the 4th floor. I'd say you can probably see the entirety of Nevada from up there."
"How many floor are there here?" Grissom asked.
"13," the nurse told them. "And then the roof. Not including the lower underground levels."
"Wow," Sara said, eyebrows rising. "Unlucky for some, huh?"
Smiling, Martin gestured to the water.
"Water has been provided but if you would like coffee or anything just let me know." Grissom nodded as she continued. "On the table is our staffing list. Basic details of what we are allowed to provide. We have 17 staff who work in the post-op ward. Of course, they work on a rotation basis so not everyone is here."
"It would be helpful to know when people started working here," Grissom pointed out. "There may be people we don't need to speak with."
"That information is provided. Start and leaving dates."
Grissom nodded again as Sara picked up the file and glanced over the list.
"We appreciate that staff here will be on duty," she said. "So, I think the best way to do this is see who is available and ask them to join us?"
"Yeah, I agree," Grissom said.
"Okay," Martin replied. "I'll go and see who is free."
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The morning for both CSI parties was reasonably uneventful. Staff so far had been cooperative, yet provided little that would help the investigation. All, in their respective departments, considered the victims as colleagues and nothing else and could offer no information as to whom may be responsible for their deaths. Not all staff were 'friends' with Meryl or Lucas but none seemed to hold any malice either.
So as lunch time drew closer, nothing had been achieved.
Blowing out a sigh, Sara picked up the paper cup of coffee they had been provided with and took a sip.
"We're not getting very far here, are we?" she complained.
Rubbing a hand over his beard, Grissom glanced over the staff list.
"Well, considering there are only two men currently working in this department and one of them started after Meryl left, it's likely her stalker isn't here."
"And the other guy isn't at work today so we can't even try and confirm that."
Grissom let out his own sigh. "True."
Sara thought for a moment. "We should ask Doctor Croft about the staff who aren't here before we leave. Maybe he can ask them to contact us or we're going to have to come back when they are on duty."
"Good thinking," Grissom agreed. "And hopefully they will co-operate."
"Yeah. Although everyone has so far which does surprise me. There is usually at least one asshole."
Smirking at his wife, Grissom tapped his pencil against the list.
"Well, we have one lady left to talk to. Maybe she's the asshole."
As Sara took another sip from the coffee, she almost spat it out at her husband's words.
"Thanks, Gil," she griped, putting the cup down.
Leaning close, he smirked at her. "You started it."
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Catherine sighed as the next surgeon they'd questioned left the room and she crossed him off the list. Not many left to speak to now.
"Seems no one disliked Lucas, huh?" Folsom remarked.
"Not that they're admitting," Catherine returned. "But I will acknowledge that no one is giving me crazy killer vibes. Yet."
Folsom gave her a look. "What do you class as crazy killer vibes?"
Just as he said that, a sudden shouting emanated from outside the room.
"You've really got it out for me, don't you? You son of a bitch …"
Catherine raised her eyebrows at Folsom then pushed her chair back, moving toward the open doorway. As she stepped out, followed by Folsom, Serena and the cop, they saw two doctors having an argument.
"You're an idiot," the younger of the two spat with venom, thrusting a finger into the older man's chest. "If I lose my spot because of you, you're going to regret the day you were born."
Swiping the finger away, the older man's face suddenly contorted in anger. "Now you listen to me, you little shit…"
Rolling her eyes, Catherine loudly cleared her throat. "Excuse me, gentlemen!" she almost shouted but not quite.
Both men's attention sprang to the direction of the vocal intrusion just as Serena thrust hands onto her hips which opened her jacket to reveal her police badge.
Each taking a step back, the two men looked at each other before returning their attention to the trio.
"Is this appropriate behavior for a hospital?" Catherine asked, noticing a small crowd of Doctors and nurses had gathered and were watching the argument unfold.
"Ask this asshole," the younger doctor growled, glaring again at the man beside him.
Catherine looked at Folsom who stepped forwards.
"Give me your name and shut up unless you'd like to be introduced to a nice set of shinny handcuffs."
The young man blinked and then cleared his throat. "Braddock Gildroy."
Folsom smiled then gestured behind him. "If you'd like to follow my colleagues into the office please, Mr. Gildroy, so we can have a chat."
Gildroy frowned. "Chat about what?"
"Murder," Folsom said flatly.
As Gildroy looked back at his colleague, the older man folded his arms and smiled. "Off you go."
"This isn't over, Owen," Gildroy threatened before doing as he was asked and headed into the office.
"And what's your name?" Folsom asked the man.
"Dr. Owen Baxter."
Folsom nodded. "Don't go far, okay? You're next."
That said, Folsom walked back into the office and closed the door behind him.
"So, what was that all about?" Catherine asked Gildroy as Folsom sat beside her, Serena looking on.
Gildroy stared at Catherine with very little love. "It doesn't matter."
Catherine and Folsom looked at each other.
"For you to act like that," Folsom argued, "it clearly does matter."
Sitting back, Gildroy gave a fake smile. "What do you want?"
Pursing her lips, Catherine studied the man before her. Handsome, probably between 25-30 years old, so she assumed he was likely an intern. Pity his looks didn't match his temperament. She noticed as he tapped his fingers upon the table which was a telltale sign of nerves.
Had they finally found someone of interest?
"We're from the crime lab investigating the murder of Lucas Henry," Catherine told him. "I'm sure your boss informed you we were coming."
Gildroy leaned forwards. "He did. And I don't have anything to say to you."
Again, Catherine and Folsom shared a look as Serena walked around the table.
"What's your role here, Mr. Gildroy?" she asked.
"Doctor Gildroy," he corrected. "I'm a surgical intern."
Serena nodded as she placed her hands onto the table. "And how long have you worked here?"
Letting out a loud sigh, Gildroy folded his arms. "Just over a year."
"So, you knew Lucas Henry?" the detective continued.
Gildroy's eyes narrowed at her. "Oh, no. I tend to come to work with my eyes closed."
"Smart ass aren't you," Catherine accused.
His head tipped in Catherine's direction.
"In this place you have to be otherwise you end up on the cutting room floor, just like Lucas did.…"
A/N: Hmmm…