Title: Don't Hold It All Inside Disclaimer: If I post more will you buy me CSI? Not mine (
A/N: Pt12…not bad going considering the length of writers block I had. Guess we're getting somewhere at last. So without much ado, here's the next part…
Previously on ISBY:
"I'm sorry Sara but I'm sending you home again, Greg if you can take her please, you both have the night off. I'm calling in two CSI's from Days." Grissom's voice left no room for debate. "Nick, if you're case doesn't seem to be going anywhere then close it or put it to one side for now, you and Catherine have a new case"
"Grissom, what's happened? Why are you bringing in Days?" Greg asked sounding annoyed. Grissom looked at Sara then back at Greg.
"Another attack has been called in. It has the same MO as the Stevens case"
"I can't believe that he is sending us home," Greg vented as the pair left the Crime Lab.
"Clam down Greg," Sara said softly as they made their way to their car. "Grissom knows what he's doing"
"But I want to help, I want the bastards' that hurt you put away," Greg sighed then walked around the car to where Sara stood next to the passenger side door. "I'm sorry Sar, are you okay? This can't be easy for you"
"I'm fine," Sara said quietly as she accepted the embrace he offered her, pulling away slightly she said. "Take me home Greg""The vic is a Miss Emily Buxton, 37. She was a casino host at one of the smaller casinos, carpools with a friend to work, Miss Jessica Haye. Miss Haye found the body and called it in. She's on the way the hospital for shock, I've got an officer with her." Jim Brass briefed Catherine and Nick as they arrived at the scene.
"Nick, take the parameter, I'm taking the inside. Brass, two from Days are on their way, can you call me when they arrive." Catherine said grabbing her kit from the trunk.
"Sure Cath," Brass said before moving away to issue instructions to the officers waiting near by, leaving Catherine to process the scene.
Catherine made her way though the surprisingly unharmed door to the chaos that hid behind. Glass littered the floor, crunching underfoot as she surveyed the other rooms quickly. The kitchen was relatively clean compared to the living room that was trashed. Pictures had been swiped from the mantle place, CD's collapsed next to the stereo player, cushions from the simple cream two seater across the other side of the room. Catherine took several pictures and then made her way to the master bedroom.
The body lay on the floor, brunette hair was covering her face. Catherine closed her eyes but knew that the image would stay with her, only with another tall brunette in its place. Sighing Catherine got to work.
"Hey Cath, have you found anything in here?" Nick asked when he came into the bedroom over an hour later.
"A few fibres, not much. I scraped under her nails as well. Did you see the living room?" Catherine asked looking up.
"Yeah. Dean Holt from Days is about half way though processing it." Nick replied.
"I reckon she was in the living room when they come in, she yelled, threw things and ran into here. There's a lock on the door. Splintered. They broke in here, abused her and left though the back but not before they left their signiture on the bathroom mirror. What do you think?" Catherine sighed as she stood up taking a last look at the room she had finished processing.
"Good theory. Holt found a picture frame by the door, wrong side of the room to be placed there, it had blood on the corner." Nick smiled.
"Well she fought back, bruising on her wrists and cheek as well as some small abrasions. Hopefully it'll give us something." Catherine smiled back hoping they were right; hoping they finally had some clue to who was doing this.
"It better do. I want Sara safe," Nick said with conviction.
"We all do Nicky, why don't you take the sample we have so far to the lab. I'll finish up here and see you back there in a bit." Catherine said as she passed him several evidence bags.
"See you later then," Nick said before collecting his kit and heading for the Crime Lab.
"How is she man," Nick asked several hours later as he rang to give Greg an update knowing how agitated the young CSI would be.
"Sara says she's fine but I don't know, she's only said about three words since we got in. She's in bed but she's not asleep, just sat there in the dark. I can't get through to her Nick, I've never seen her like this." Greg admitted.
"Hang on in there Greg, she'll talk to you when she's ready, you know that. We're rushing the results, I'll ring you if we get anything." Nick said.
Thanks Nick. I'd better go see Sara," Greg said glancing at the closed bedroom door.
"Talk later." Nick finished before calling off.
Greg put the phone back in its holder and made his way to the bedroom; opening the door he slowly watched the light catch across Sara's pale tear streaked face.
"Oh honey," Greg breathed as he made his way to Sara's side wrapping his arms around her.
"I'm fine Greg," Sara said wiping the tears away with trembling hands but giving up when they continued to flow. "I was just trying to put it behind me and now there's been another attack," Sara spoke quietly moving closer to Greg. "What if they find out about the baby"
"They won't darling, they don't know where you live anymore, and even if they do, you're living with me and you're not half as big as you could be for eight months pregnant. Most people put two and two together and come up with seven when it comes to us. Even Grissom's first thought was that the baby is mine. Eve if they do know where you are they'll also know you're living with me and I'll be around. It'll be too risky. "
"But what if they come again?" Sara still sounded scared.
"Their MO is single women, no kids, living alone. You don't fit that profile anymore. And I'm not letting anyone hurt you or Bump. I promise." Greg said with determination.
"I love you," Sara smiled relaxing slightly into Greg's embrace.
"Love you more," Greg replied kissing her forehead. "Try and get some sleep for me"
"What did Nicky want?" Sara asked as she relaxed more against Greg.
"To see how you were, he'll call back if they any results." Greg said giving Sara a quick rundown of the conversation.
"Do you think they'll find anything?" Sara opened her eyes and looked at Greg.
Greg sighed, "I don't know honey, but I hope so""Have you got any of our results back yet?" Catherine asked Nick when she found him an hour later.
"No, all are on a rush though so it shouldn't be too much longer. I found two different sized footprints 'round the back of the apartment, one size ten-and-a-half, the other a twelve. Both sole prints have come back as popular everyday trainer brands. Not really a lot but better than nothing," Nick said showing Catherine.
"That's great Nicky, let's just hope…" Catherine and Nick's papers both went off cutting Catherine's response. "That'll be our results." Catherine said leading the way to the labs. "Hodges, tell me you have something"
"Hello to you to Catherine, yes I had a lovely weekend, no I didn't"
"Hodges!" Catherine snapped. "The results"
"There was DNA in the fingernail scrapping but no match in AFIS." Hodges said grapping the sheet from the printer.
"What about the blood?" Nick asked impatiently.
"Different from the fingernail scrapings. Not the vic's but belonging to a Mr Alexander James, in AFIS for abuse." Hodges finished.
"We have a suspect," Catherine smiled as she flipped open her phone and hit the speed dial. "Gris, we got one of them""Greg, grab the phone," Sara mumbled, eyes still closed, refusing to heave herself out of the warm bed to stop the persistent ringing. Greg untangled his arms from around her and shuffled around to grab the phone off his bedside table.
"Sanders." Greg said as Sara opened her eyes to watch him, eyes still closed as he listened to the caller. Suddenly Greg's eyes flew open and he sat up, looking shocked as he shoved the covers away from him. "You've what? We're on our way in now. Don't start without us. Yes, yes I know that Grissom. See you soon." Greg hung up and looked at Sara.
"What's happened?" Sara asked feeling worried.
"They have a suspect, Brass is picking him up now. Grissom said we could listen to the interview." Greg said seeing Sara tense after that bombshell. "Do you feel up to it Sara? You can stay here if you want"
"No. I'm going too." Sara said with a shaky smile. "I need to do this"
"I'll be with you. You won't have to do this on your own." Greg said slipping his arms around her and kissing her temple softly.
Sara smiled as she pulled away to get ready. "I know"
Greg and Sara made it to the Crime Lab in record time, Grissom met them both at the entrance and led them though to one of the interview viewing rooms.
"As I said on the phone, no interfering." Grissom said to the pair. "If you do you could jeopardise everything, we have little enough to go on as it is. His names Mr Alexander James"
"As I said Grissom, we know." Greg said before turning his gaze to follow Sara's whose eyes were locked on Brass as he opened the door and made his way into the room, followed closely by Catherine and another man. Greg's eyes scanned the man. He was about 6''2, slim but Greg could see the muscles moving under a dirty back tee shirt, stubble graced his face giving him a dangerous look. Greg felt Sara's shaking hand grip his and blind hate for the man in the other room filled him."Take a seat Mr James," Brass said as he moved around the small room until he was opposite the other man. "This lady is Ms Willows, she's a CSI. Mind if we have a little chat? Good then," Brass said not letting the other guy get a word in. "Mind telling me where you were last night"
"Why do ya wanna know?" Alexander James asked, his face closed off and voice suspicious. He rummaged in his jeans and pulled out a cigarette and proceeded to light it.
"No smoking, sorry," Brass said sounding anything but sorry. "And what can I say, call me inquisitive. Now where were you?" Brass asked as he sat down next to Catherine.
"At home." Alexander answered stubbing out the cigarette with a frown.
"Anyone with you?" Brass questioned.
"No," Alexander said bluntly.
"Now Mr James, it would be in your best interest to tell us the truth. I'm a nice guy," Brass said sweetly. "I can influence a few people. Would you like to revise that story before I decide to stop being so nice"
"I was at home, alone" Alexander repeated looking at Brass.
"Fine, how do you know Emily Buxton?" Brass fired the question at him, his tone growing cold.
"Who's that?" Alexander said still lacking the expression that went with the words.
"Okay Mr James, I've had enough of the games. How did your blood end up at our crime scene if you were at home and didn't even know the victim"
"Maybe it was placed there." Alexander answered.
"And maybe you're lying." Brass countered.
"Are you going to arrest me because if not, I'm gone." Alexander said standing up.
"Mr James," Catherine interrupted. "What shoe size are you"
Alexander looked at Catherine as if he had just noticed her. He gave her a smile before answering. "Twelve, and you know what they say about big feet, so you know who to come to if you fancy some fun. Now any other questions, talk to my lawyer"
"We'll be in touch." Brass said as Alexander James left the room.
"You're letting him go?" Greg fumed turning on Brass as they exited the room.
"We need more evidence to accuse him of murder Greg. I'm sorry." Brass sighed looking at the young man in front of him.
"He's scum Brass, you know it, I know it. Anyone who saw that would know it, and you let him go," Greg yelled getting more worked up.
"Greg, calm down," Grissom instructed worrying what Greg would do this worked up, Grissom had never seen him so angry.
"Come on Greg," Sara said hugging him. Greg sighed and wrapped his arms around her.
"I can't stand the thought of that guy touching you," he whispered softly so only Sara could hear him.
"We'll get them," Sara replied and then looked at Grissom. "Can we go home now"
"Did he bring back anything?" Grissom asked her.
"He smoked, I guess he was the right height, umm I…I guess it could have been him but I can't make a positive ID, as much as I want to." Sara admitted.
"Okay, you and Greg get home." Grissom dismissed them both. "Someone will let you know if anything else pops up"
"Thanks Gris," Sara said before grabbing Greg's hand and heading back towards the entrance.
As they got to the car park Sara spotted Alexander James getting into a blue Jeep, seeing her Alexander's face flashed with shock before filling with a smile. He waved at her as he slid into the jeep and cold fear filled Sara.