*Chapter 5*

 

Conrad Ecklie had never liked cases which involved their own forces. And yet he had had to deal with them more often than he cared to count.

 

This case was different though.

 

Normally when they accused a police officer of a crime, they faced anger and hostility from the corps. Insults and thinly veiled threats were not uncommon and yet as he walked thought the precinct to get to the interrogation room where Officer Michaels was held, he saw no hard looks no cold assessing glances. Instead there was something akin to shame and sadness in the eyes of the men he encountered.

 

They all had searched for Nick Stokes that night, they all had prayed for the young CSI and although not all of them had seen the feed or the rescue, they certainly all had heard stories about it.

 

Nick Stokes had become a hero for his will to survive, for his mental strength that had prevented him from snapping and simply for being saved.

 

Ecklie turned around the corner and tensed when he saw the man standing at the window.

 

“Excuse me”

 

The uniformed officer turned around and looked at him. Ecklie and Officer Fromansky had clashed several times openly. Fromansky was homophobic and had made life hard for Gil and Nick, so hard that Conrad had finally done something he had promised he would never do again. A shiver ran through him and he pushed the memory aside forcefully while he watched Fromansky closely.

 

“Was he really a part of Stokes’ abduction?”

 

Ecklie shrugged and gave the usual comment.

 

“I can’t talk about an ongoing investigation.”

 

The dark eyes fixed him for a moment, before he turned back to watching Michaels.

 

“Just let me alone with him for five and I’ll tell you afterwards.”

 

Ecklie was surprised at the words and it must have shown in his face, because Fromansky shrugged.

 

“Grissom proved my innocence although he had no incentive of doing so. I still don’t like him or the fact that he’s queer and doing Stokes, but what happened to Stokes was something I would never wish on anybody.”

 

Cold hard words and silently Ecklie wondered what he should do with that, wondered how Nick would react if he knew that his abduction had turned a homophobic enemy like Fromansky into a reluctant ally. Sighing lightly, he opened the door and walked inside just as Brass finished his sentence.

 

“So why did you get involved?”

 

Michaels was pale, but his eyes met Brass’ straight on and his posture was full of arrogance.

 

“I have not done anything wrong.”

 

Ecklie sat down next to Brass and looked at the officer.

 

“Actually I disagree. You were part of the plan to abduct a CSI from a staged scene, you knew what was going to happen and you purposely left the scene. I think that classifies as something wrong.”

 

Shaking his head, Michaels denied once more, but Ecklie just showed him the evidence.

 

“We compared the voice on the tape we found in the box where CSI Stokes was held with your voice and we got a match.”

 

Michaels paled even more and immediately Brass jumped in which, despite the dire situation made Ecklie smile, Brass was a blood hound if it came to interrogating suspects and watching him was something he loved.

 

“You don’t have to say anything, we’ve got you. So now why did you kill her?”

 

Ecklie saw how Michaels looked up in shock and shook his head frantically.

 

“No, you can’t pin this on me...”

 

Sharing a glance with Brass, Ecklie harshly asked the now visibly distraught officer.

 

“Talk”

 

Michaels shivered but finally broke down and started to speak in a low voice.

 

“I didn’t know what he planned. I knew he wanted to get revenge for his daughter, but I had no idea that he wanted to kill Stokes. Please you have to believe me...”

 

Ecklie heard the sincerity in the words, but still needed more to believe him.

 

“Was Stokes a random target?”

 

The silence that followed was telling and Ecklie felt how he started to tense as he thought about the ramifications of Nick not being a random victim.

 

“He was random, but Gordon... He had someone in mind, I think. He hoped for someone else, but when Stokes was there, he said that he would do. I don’t know who he wanted. I... He told me, he would just ask for money and then let him go.”

 

Cold replaced the tension and Ecklie repressed a shiver as he realized who Gordon had wanted to capture. He felt Brass look at him but forcefully contained any emotions and blandly looked at their suspect.

 

“How much did he pay you?”

 

Michaels looked up, his face pale, drawn and full of fear. He knew that he had lost; Ecklie realized and wondered if Michaels had understood that no one would help him once he was in prison. Michaels would be a pariah for both sides.

 

“50,000”

 

Fifty thousand dollars... Brass shook his head and getting up, he looked at the uniformed officer at the door.

 

“Take him away”

 

Then as they were alone, Ecklie saw his lover look at him.

 

“I remember a case where we were hunting three guys that had robbed a casino. In the end we found them all dead and realized that a cop had killed them and stolen the money.”

 

Ecklie remembered the case faintly but didn’t see the connection.

 

“Catherine said back then that 250,000 had turned a good cop bad and I still remember Grissom’s comment.”

 

Brass shook his head sadly, his eyes following Michaels as he was led away.

 

“Everybody has his price.”

 

They were silent when they left the building and walked to their respective cars, but as soon as they were out of sight and ear shot; Brass stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

 

“Conrad what’s wrong?”

 

Torn between relief and anger at his insightful lover, Conrad repeated the words Michaels had uttered during the interview.

 

“He had someone in mind. I think, he hoped for someone else, but when Stokes was there, he said that he would do...”

 

Brass paled as he made the connection and a shiver ran through him.

 

“He was talking about...”

 

Hearing Jim’s voice trail off, Conrad finished the sentence for him.

 

“…me”

 

---

 

Nick knew that he couldn’t stand it anymore, knew that the waiting was going to kill him and with a glance at Gil sleeping peacefully on the couch, he got up and grabbed his car key. He needed to do something or he would lose his lover.

 

Brass was not in his office, but Nick just sat down and waited for him to come back and hopefully talk to him. He looked at the few personal items on the desk, noted the picture of Ellie and wondered where Brass’ daughter was right now. At the other end was a large pot plant that desperately needed some fresh water and right underneath the plant was a metal plaque. It looked like an old badge and for a moment Nick wondered whether the badge was Brass’ old one from New Jersey. The picture on it didn’t fit though as it was not the NJPD symbol instead some intrinsically woven sign. Curious now he reached for it, and turning it around read the inscription.

 

C.D.E.

 

Once and forever

 

CDE? Nick frowned then suddenly his breath stopped for a moment. Conrad Daniel Ecklie... Nick swallowed hard as he understood that Brass had some kind of honor medal of Ecklie in his room. He had known that the two of them were together, had seen it and heard it when they had come over to talk to him and Gil and still to see the tangible proof of it was different.

 

“I guess I should not have had it lying around like this.”

 

Nick jerked around as Brass spoke next to him. He saw that he was looking at him with silent reproach but also with understanding and lowering his head he apologized.

 

“No, it’s ok. I...”

 

Brass sighed and then got up and closed the door. Only when that was done did he continue speaking and with a wistful look he told Nick the truth.

 

“I just sometimes wish that we wouldn’t have to hide it.”

 

He understood what Brass meant and once more was glad that Lower had forced them out. Shaking his head he changed the topic and looking Brass straight in the eyes asked the question that burned in his heart.

 

“Is Gil still a suspect?”

 

Nick could see that Brass didn’t want to respond and leaning forward in his chair he captured his eyes and held them as he pleaded with the friend not the police officer.

 

“Please Jim, just tell me if he is or not. Just tell me if there is anything I can do to make this accusations go away, please Jim, I am a CSI and just because I am personally involved that doesn’t mean that I lost my ability to think.”

 

He was making an impact he could see it in the deep breaths that Brass took, but still Brass remained silent and so he continued.

 

“Look you told me you found gloves from the lab, his DNA and his prints at the scene, you have a recorded message where he basically threatens her. He has a motive and although I know that I would have woken up despite the tablets, I can’t prove it.”

 

Just reciting the facts in the way he was used to and looking at them professionally made Nick tremble and his hand shook as he reached for the coffee.

 

“Jim, tell me something, anything... I can’t lose him.”

 

Now Brass looked guilty and finally Nick could see him give in.

 

“We have nothing new, I am sorry Nick.”

 

Fear swamped him shortly and he shook his head.

 

“He didn’t kill her.”

 

Brass lifted his hands almost as if to show how empty they were and Nick understood.

 

“How much longer?”

 

This time Brass didn’t even pretend not to understand and not meeting Nick’s eyes he swallowed hard.

 

“Conrad has kept it under wraps for as long as he could, but if we don’t get any evidence pointing towards someone else... A day or two...”

 

Nick closed his eyes and shook his head. He felt as if he were stuck in a bad dream, a nightmare worse than the one he had endured while being buried.

 

A day or two and then they would come and arrest Grissom.

 

“What can I do?”

 

He knew that his voice sounded hollow and that probably his eyes matched the sound and the look Brass gave him told him everything. Brass felt as bad about this as he did. Looking at the silver badge in front of him, Brass seemed to think about what he could say, then finally shook his head.

 

“Go home Nick, go home and talk with Gil, hold him, love him... Be with him.”

 

Nick heard the unspoken words, the words that Brass didn’t dare to say and another shiver ran through him.

 

Be with him... for as long as you have the chance...

 

He forced the tears back and looked up to meet understanding eyes.

 

“Thanks”

 

Brass reached out and clasped his hand.

 

“I’m sorry Nick.”

 

---

 

Sara, Greg and Hodges all stood in the lab looking at the glasses with both shock and joy in their eyes. Two glasses were identical the others varied in size and shape. Two glasses and one of them had had Grissom’s prints on it. They had found it in Kelly Gordon’s flat and it had been their first clue that had pointed to their supervisor, the first shock as Greg called it.

 

“It should have been the first wake up call.”

 

Sara’s words were harsh, but she scolded herself as much as the others and Greg and Hodges nodded.

 

“Grissom would never leave evidence like this behind.”

 

Greg agreed with her and still Sara could see that Hodges didn’t.

 

“Why not? I mean the guy is not perfect you know, and we all know that had he been the one who killed her, it would not have been a planned murder but something just happening because he wants to protect Nick.”

 

Sara felt annoyed at Hodges comment and yet she knew that he was right.

 

“He’s not cleared yet by the way.”

 

Yes she knew that too, Greg shook his head though.

 

“But if the glass is from the lab, come on Hodges, why would Grissom bring a glass with his fingerprints to a place where he then kills someone?”

 

Sara saw a shrewd smile in the lab tech’s face and before he even answered she understood what he was thinking and answered for him.

 

“Cause Grissom would know that such a twist would change the way we look at all our evidence.”

 

Her heart was heavy, five minutes ago she had been elated at the fact that Grissom was in the clear and now it seemed as if she had been wrong. With a wry grin she remembered that Grissom had always told her not to assume anything, not to look any further than to the evidence and with a sigh she did exactly that.

 

“So if the glass was moved from the lab to Kelly Gordon’s flat, how did it get there?”

 

Greg looked at her and she could read the disappointment in his eyes saw it and understood it and still had to press down on any comforting feeling because right now Grissom relied on them doing their job.

 

“Anyone in the lab could have brought it there.”

 

Nodding slightly, Sara looked pensive; something was nagging at her mind, something that had not been right from the start of this investigation.

 

“Including Kelly Gordon”

 

Greg’s words were like a slap in her face and she looked at him. Greg shrugged and easily explained what he meant.

 

“She was here at the lab to see Nick only a few nights ago. They gave her a visitor’s pass and called Nick, but when she left the room Nick didn’t accompany her out because whatever she had said made him collapse. I saw the new receptionist escorting her out.”

 

Sara still stared at Greg while his last words were dancing in her ears.

 

The new receptionist was escorting her out

 

And suddenly the wrong thing that had been so much in her face that she had not seen it was there, right in her face.

 

“The new receptionist”

 

Hodges and Greg stared at her as if she was talking in Chinese. But Sara knew that she was right and she suddenly understood that it had not been the case which had seemed wrong but the drama before, it all had seemed so staged and looking at Greg and Hodges in front of her she knew that she had to call Warrick and Ecklie, cause this was going further than they had thought.

 

“It was all staged...”

 

Hodges and Greg exchanged glances as she reached for her phone and she could clearly see how they were shaking their heads at her behavior.

 

“Warrick, can you come to Ecklie’s office? I think we have found something.”

 

She didn’t wait to see if Greg and Hodges were following her as she strode out of the lab and towards Ecklie’s office. Weird she suddenly thought how her relationship with Ecklie had changed, how his actions to protect Nick and Grissom had somehow changed her opinion of him. She still didn’t trust him completely but she had understood that he was on their side.

 

For now at least.

 

Ecklie was looking up as she knocked and walked inside followed by Greg, Hodges and Warrick. His eyes were alert but wary and Sara realized that he was both hoping for good news and simultaneously bracing himself for bad ones. Waiting until Warrick had closed the door; she remained silent then started to speak.

 

“Hodges found out that the glass we retrieved from Kelly Gordon’s flat; the one covered with prints was not from Kelly Gordon but from the break room here at the lab.”

 

Her words had the impact of a bomb, but before anyone could say anything she continued to speak.

 

“I had a bad feeling about something right from the start. It just all seemed so staged.”

 

Warrick nodded and she could see how he too was beginning to see the light.

 

“Then Greg told me that Kelly Gordon had been accompanied out of the lab by the new receptionist.”

 

Now Warrick gasped and she smiled as he shook his head.

 

“Of course, that’s what was wrong all the time.”

 

Looking between them, Ecklie shook his head and Sara realized that he needed more explanations.

 

“Grissom specifically asked everyone at the reception to contact him if someone was coming to see Nick specifically. He was afraid that one day some reporter would show up and they promised him to watch out.”

 

Warrick took over and continued for her.

 

“But when Kelly Gordon came to visit Nick, it was us who contacted him. The receptionist did not.”

 

Ecklie didn’t seem convinced but with a deep sigh he nodded slowly.

 

“She had access to the glass but what’s her motive? Why kill Kelly Gordon?”

 

Sara exchanged a look with Warrick and silently suggested.

 

“Maybe we should ask her that?”

 

Ecklie looked at her and then picked up the phone, but before he made a call he looked at Warrick.

 

“Brown, go down to the reception and ask her if she could help us with anything. We don’t have enough to hold her, but we can always ask her for help.”

 

He dialed and Sara watched how he rolled his shoulder as if to remove tension, listening to the one sided conversation she could feel her respect of Conrad Ecklie grow.

 

“Judge Morrison, how are you?”

 

“I need a warrant for the search of an apartment. No, it’s a bit delicate...”

 

“You have heard that Kelly Gordon has been shot, haven’t you? It concerns the investigation into her murder.”

 

Sara watched as Ecklie listened to whatever the judge said, then nodded and made some notes and finally spoke again.

 

“You know that.”

 

Again he was silent, then smiled.

 

“Robert, I still am what I am. You know that too... Once and forever...”

 

She frowned and shared a look with Greg who shrugged. It sounded so mysterious almost as if Ecklie was speaking in a coded language. Once more she looked at him and saw a relieved smile in his eyes.

 

“Thanks you honor”

 

He nodded at the phone as Warrick came back and announced that the receptionist was ready to talk to them.

 

“Brown, I want you to observe the interview. Sidle, Sanders, you go to her flat while we question her and take a uniform with you. Judge Morrison is currently issuing the warrant.”

 

He got up and looked at Sara before a smile crossed his face.

 

“Good work, Sidle”

 

Surprised as she was at the compliment, she was even more surprised how much it pleased her to get it. Still as she walked out of his office, she shook her head.

 

She had just watched Conrad Ecklie getting a warrant on the basis of nothing but a promise.

 

How had he done that?

 

---

 

Brass had not moved from his chair since Nick had left him. Nick’s almost tangible pain had shaken him to the core and while he stared blindly ahead, his fingers traced the inscription on the silver plate.

 

Once and forever

 

Conrad had blushed when he had given it to him and told him that it was the code by which the Delta’s lived and that his CO had given it to him when he had left the corps. Just a reminder, Conrad had said, just a reminder that no matter where he was going, no matter what he was doing with his life, he would always remember that he was a Delta first and foremost.

 

Once and forever...

 

How would he feel, if he were in Nick’s shoes right now? How would it be, if Conrad were the one accused?

 

Brass knew what Nick feared, knew he was not only afraid of what could happened in a trial, but even more what could happen to his lover if they were to throw him in prison. Grissom had put too many men away, had too many enemies in those prisons. Nick knew that for Gil Grissom the death penalty would be decided by the other prisoners and not a jury.

 

Another shiver ran through him, but before he could decide on moving or doing anything, his phone rang.

 

“Brass, I need you to send a couple of uniforms to this address and then come over and prepare for an interrogation.”

 

Conrad’s voice was hard, short and clipped. It was the AD speaking and not the lover and a shiver ran through Brass.

 

“What has happened?”

 

He expected the worst, but instead Conrad’s answer made him relax at least slightly.

 

“We might have found the person who planted the glass with Grissom’s prints.”

 

---

 

Warrick watched through the tinted window as Ecklie and Brass interrogated the receptionist. Marion Delaney had a cocky appearance and he knew that right now she had every right to be.

 

They had nothing.

 

No evidence, no facts pointing towards her.

 

They weren’t even holding her; she could walk right out of the interrogation if she wanted to. They were talking to her on the bases of an assumption and the desperate hope that Greg and Sara would find something in her house. Warrick didn’t feel good with what they were doing, but it was their only lead that didn’t point towards Grissom.

 

They were grasping at straws.

 

How much longer, he wondered, how much longer could Ecklie keep the evidence under wraps, how much longer until someone notified the sheriff or the mayor?

 

How much longer until Grissom would be sitting on that chair?

 

Cursing at himself for getting distracted, Warrick focused on the interview that was unfolding in front of him.

 

“Why did you not call Dr. Grissom like he asked you to?”

 

There was a slight sneer in her face as she shrugged carelessly.

 

“They all treat Stokes as if he were something special, I mean come on, the guy got out there alive, so what’s the big deal?”

 

Brass leaned forward a bit and Warrick could see how Brass was having a hard time to keep composed.

 

“Did you know Kelly Gordon?”

 

She seemed surprised at the question and for a moment Warrick could see how her eyes narrowed almost as if she was thinking about something, then though the arrogant mask fell once again and she shook her head.

 

“Never heard of her before she walked in and wanted to see Stokes.”

 

His phone beeped and without taking his eyes from the interview, he answered it. Sara’s voice came through sounding both excited and defeated.

 

“We found nothing pointing towards Kelly Gordon, but she has a huge collection about Grissom in her flat.”

 

Confused, Warrick shook his head.

 

“What do you mean huge collection?”

 

Sara laughed and Warrick easily heard the light embarrassment in her voice as she explained.

 

“She’s worse than I... I mean I have every article he wrote, but she had like every newspaper clip where his name is mentioned. There are even some videos with him giving statements and everything... We haven’t looked at everything yet, but will take the stuff with us. Anyway, I just wanted to give you this as a heads up.”

 

Was she a groupie? Warrick looked at the young woman through the window. She was probably twenty-eight, twenty-nine, tall, slender with dark hair. She was pretty, not handsome in the common sense, but there was something alluring around her, her confidence and arrogance melting into a very sensual combination.

 

A thought suddenly struck him and Warrick looked at her once more.

 

Had Grissom rejected her? Was this entire set up a revenge?

 

Something Brass had once told him came to his mind.

 

There is nothing scarier than a rejected woman.

 

It opened up other possibilities and Warrick sat down still watching the interview, but at the same time thinking about the new angle he suddenly saw. They had assumed that Kelly Gordon had been killed because of who she was, maybe even because of what her father had done to Nick.

 

Had they been wrong right from the start?

 

Warrick saw that the interview was over and he walked out to catch Ecklie and Brass before they went separate ways again.

 

“I got a call from Sara.”

 

They looked at him expectantly and he pointed towards the meeting room next door and once they where there, he started explaining what Sara and Greg had found.

 

“Here’s my theory and yes I know we don’t work them, but hey Gris’ time is running out isn’t it?”

 

He didn’t wait for an answer, instead just looked at them intently.

 

“What if we were looking at it from the wrong angle? We found Kelly Gordon and thought her to be the victim, but what if she wasn’t the ultimate target? What if she was just means to an end?”

 

Brass was looking at him as if he had gone mad, but Warrick could see that Ecklie saw his point and nodded slowly.

 

“What if Grissom is the ultimate target?”

 

Looking at Brass and then at Ecklie, Warrick could see that they understood what he was trying to say and as if to prove him right, Brass nodded too.

 

“He rejects her, she wants revenge, and then Kelly Gordon shows up asking for Nick. She sees Nick break down or hears about it, hears about the comments Grissom made in public and decides she has found the perfect person for her revenge.”

 

Ecklie frowned a bit, and then asked the one question that Warrick couldn’t answer either.

 

“But even if all that is true, how did she get Grissom’s spare gun? And where is that gun?”

 

And once more they were back to square one, Warrick thought and he cursed the fact that they still didn’t have the gun. There was however something he could do.

 

“I’ll dust Grissom’s locker inside and outside.”

 

Maybe, maybe they would find something that made sense.

 

---

 

*Chapter 6*

 

Grissom had felt Nick leave, but didn’t move until his lover had left the house and driven away. He knew what a toll the entire disaster was taking on Nick and he felt guilty for putting his partner through this. Of course he knew that rationally there was nothing to feel guilty for but still he hated being the cause of Nick’s worries and fears. Sighing lightly, he got up and walked over to the room that housed his insects. He watched them feed and while he made sure that the light and the temperature were ideal for the little crawlers, he tried to make sense of the case.

 

If it weren’t him involved, he would have said it was a straight forward case.

 

A dead woman, DNA and prints at the scene and a matching bullet found inside her body, even better the suspect had a motive and left a threatening message on the victim’s phone...

 

He closed his eyes against the onslaught of pain as his head suddenly pounded violently. Groaning he walked back to the living room and lay down on the couch.

 

He had not killed Kelly Gordon.

 

But everyone would believe he had.

 

How much longer until they came to take him in for questioning first and then?

 

“Gil”

 

Nick’s voice seemed to be far away and as he opened his eyes he saw his lover as nothing more than a blurry form. His eyes watered from the effort of looking at Nick and he made a pained sound. Nick was immediately at his side.

 

“Love, have you taken anything?”

 

He waved with his hand, knowing from experience that shaking his head when the migraines were this bad was not a good idea.

 

“Hold on, I’ll be right back with some drugs and some water ok?”

 

Nick disappeared and was back in what seemed only seconds. He held him up softly and helped him swallowing some pain killers, then gently held him as they moved towards the bedroom. Settled in bed finally, Grissom was surprised to feel Nick slip under the covers next to him.

 

“What?”

 

Nick’s finger on his lips stopped him.

 

“Shh... I just want to hold you, be close to you ok?”

 

He heard the fear in his lover’s voice, but he was too weak to say anything and so he just let himself being held soaking up the warmth and love coming from Nick.

 

“I won’t let you go; I won’t let them take you away.”

 

He wasn’t sure if he had heard correct, but then Nick kissed his temple and Gil heard him murmur the words again and he understood that Nick was making a promise.

 

“You will never be alone again.”

 

---

 

Ecklie was exhausted, glad that the day was over and yet at the same time apprehensive at how fast it had passed. He was no fool; he knew that they were running out of time. Soon enough, he would have to answer to someone why he had not brought Grissom in for questioning. Soon enough, someone would ask why he had consciously overlooked evidence while following up on Kelly Gordon’s murder.

 

What was he supposed to say then?

 

Looking at the watch he got up and shut his computer down.

 

Time to go home... time to shed the masks and become Conrad again, but before he could even get up his phone rang.

 

“We’ve got the gun.”

 

Nothing could have woken him up like this and with a deep sigh, he nodded.

 

“Well done Sidle, where was it?”

 

She sounded as excited as he felt and with a dry smile, he noted that they might have more in common that he wanted to know.

 

“It was hidden underneath a stack of newspaper articles about Grissom. I’ll have it analyzed as soon as we get back to the lab.”

 

She disconnected without saying goodbye and he sat back for a moment. This was the break through he had hoped for. It gave them a reason to talk with Marion Delaney once again and this time they would have the advantage. The ringing of the phone made him freeze and for a moment he contemplated not answering it.

 

He knew better though and so he turned around and picked up.

 

“Mr. Ecklie, can you explain to me why I get an anonymous phone call telling me to ask you about the Kelly Gordon investigation?”

 

Sinking into his chair, Ecklie knew that the dreaded moment had come.

 

They had run out of time.

 

But at least he had a basis of arguments that spoke for Grissom.

 

---

 

Archie looked up as Ecklie walked into the room. His entire body language screamed of anger and frustration, but to Archie’s surprise, his voice was friendly as he put a tape down.

 

“That’s a record from an anonymous phone call that the sheriff got not even three hours ago. In it someone accuses us to purposely slow down the Kelly Gordon investigation because our only suspect is Gil Grissom.”

 

A second tape landed on his desk.

 

“This is the tape of an interrogation Brass and I had this morning with a potential suspect. Can you compare them?”

 

He nodded and started to work when he noticed that Ecklie hadn’t left. Throwing a glance over his shoulder, he saw him grin and shrugged.

 

“I’m not checking on you, I just need this analysis quickly.”

 

Oh, of course and no pressure at all, Archie grinned, but then concentrated on the task at hand. Fifteen minutes later, he looked up again.

 

“It’s the same person.”

 

Ecklie grinned darkly and nodded.

 

“The net gets tighter. I like that.”

 

It was a cryptic comment, but Archie understood what Ecklie meant and smiled as he left, then though he looked up surprised as Ecklie returned again with a rueful smile on his face.

 

“Thanks”

 

And he was gone again. Archie shook his head, who was this man and where was the real Conrad Ecklie?

 

---

 

It was one of the very few times when Hodges despised being a trace expert. He felt useless sitting in the lab, examining some random samples for Catherine’s case while at the other side of the town Sara and Greg were running out of time.

 

“Hey”

 

Nick was the last person he had expected to show up in his lab, but one look at the haggard face, the haunted look in his eyes told him enough.

 

“Tell me you have something.”

 

There was nothing of the usual Texas brawl in Nick’s voice, nothing but hoarse pleading and once more, Hodges cursed himself and his job. Nick was one of the few people that had always treated him decently right from the start and he hated not being able to help him.

 

Not that he would ever say that out loud, he had an image to protect after all...

 

“Nick, you now better than to ask me. You’re not on this case and I can’t tell you anything.”

 

He felt as if he were kicking a puppy as Nick closed his eyes and nodded silently.

 

“I know Hodges, but... I can’t just sit at home and wait for them to arrest Gil.”

 

Nick’s voice trembled and Hodges felt his walls crumble. He reached out and patted Nick’s hand in an awkward fashion before he assured him or at least tried to.

 

“Nick, everyone tries their best to make sure that doesn’t happen. Have faith in us...”

 

But Nick just shook his head and walked out slowly.

 

“How can I have faith in the evidence, if it is leading everyone to Gil?”

 

---

 

“Why did you try to frame Gil Grissom for Kelly Gordon’s murder?”

 

Jim’s voice was cold but the anger and rage could be seen in his eyes. Conrad watched him closely, they had agreed to Jim starting the interview but his partner knew that he was close to snap. He didn’t feel much better himself; he wanted to scream at Marion Delaney whose cold composure rattled him. It made him wonder whether or not she had a secret weapon they didn’t know about.

 

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

 

Jim fixed her and took a picture out of the file on the desk; Conrad saw the small tremble in his hand as he put it in front of her.

 

“You called the sheriff not even three hours ago and we found the murder weapon in your house. Do you have any idea how it got there?”

 

For the first time since Marion Delaney had walked into the interrogation room, she seemed tense, then she shrugged.

 

“Maybe one of your CSIs planted it there? I am pretty sure you are willing to do anything to get Mr. Grissom cleared. Why do you think I called the sheriff, this lab has a good reputation, but you are holding back evidence...”

 

Conrad raised an eyebrow and held his head slightly to the side as he studied her. Jim saw his look and nodded quietly, giving him the ok for asking a question.

 

“What are we holding back exactly?”

 

She shook her head and sneered at him.

 

“His gun obviously, the fact that he shot her...”

 

Her voice trailed off as Jim jumped up and glared at her, Conrad put one hand onto his lover’s shoulder and Jim sat down again, their eyes met quickly and Conrad took over.

 

“How did you know that it is Gil Grissom’s weapon?”

 

For a moment, there was silence then she glared at them, her eyes burning with emotions and Conrad felt a shiver running through him as he read the anger and hatred in her entire aura. It always surprised him how a recluse like Grissom managed to draw such extreme reactions from others. Smiling wryly he acknowledged that he had been no exception. His reaction to Grissom had been almost as extreme as Delaney’s. Grissom had without doing or saying anything managed to antagonize him right from the start and even now that they had a certain understanding, he still didn’t know what had caused him to dislike Grissom.

 

Now wasn’t the time to think about it though and with a hard look, he prompted Delaney as she didn’t answer.

 

“Miss?”

 

Her eyes were on him again.

 

“If you know it’s his weapon, then you know he killed her... So why am I here?”

 

Jim leaned forward again, but with a warning look at him Conrad told him to keep silent, while he leaned back and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

 

“We know that he didn’t kill her. We know you did. We just don’t know why.”

 

She jumped up but the guard in the room restrained her effortlessly, while she glared at Conrad. He could feel Jim’s surprised look on him at the blatant statement, but his lover remained quiet. Conrad had a different method of interrogation than any of the other CSIs, but that had nothing to do with a disregard for the evidence as Grissom had once put it. On the contrary, Conrad valued the science of forensics highly, and still he had learned his interrogation techniques in a different place and he knew that while unconventional, they were highly effective.

 

“We know that you took the gun from Gil Grissom’s locker. You knew exactly that he would not miss his spare gun for a long time; you had researched him for a long time, haven’t you? You took the gun, wiped the locker clean and waited. Waited for the chance to get a second piece of evidence and you got your chance as one day Mr. Grissom left his glass in the break room. You took it, kept it pristine and once again you waited.

 

I think you waited for the perfect opportunity, the perfect victim and when Kelly Gordon showed up that afternoon you knew that this was your moment. You didn’t call Mr. Grissom instead made sure that Nick Stokes spoke to her. You knew that he would break down, and you knew that his break down would cause Mr. Grissom to react emotionally.

 

And then you went to her, I don’t know how you got into her flat, but once there you shot her and then wiped everything down. You knew that the clean scene would be noted by our investigators, you knew that we would draw our own conclusions... you planted the glass and left.

 

Now all you had to do was wait for Mr. Grissom to get arrested and when nothing happened, you called the sheriff.”

 

She had paled while he had spoken, but as he just continued speaking without presenting her any evidence, she regained her composure again and as he had finished, she leaned forward and locked her eyes with his.

 

“Prove it.”

 

Conrad kept his eyes locked, he knew that right now his eyes were as blank as if he were not thinking or feeling anything and he could see the moment when her smile started to fade, saw when she became the captive in their staring contest and he still held her gaze until she looked away.

 

“We will.”

 

Nodding at the guard, he watched as the two officers led her away and then sighed.

 

“Now we better get some bullet proof evidence...”

 

---

 

Grissom’s locker was full of fingerprints, but that was no surprise to Warrick. The outside of any locker would look the same and even though it would raise questions why a lab worker’s fingerprints were outside Grissom’s locker, it would not prove anything.

 

He was tense as he started to dust the inner wall of the door. This was their last chance he knew, and his heart fell as he saw how clean it was. Too clean, some part of his brain said, too clean for a locker which had been opened and closed several times a day.

 

Someone had cleaned up after them.

 

It was the first sign that spoke for Grissom.

 

The first piece of evidence that spoke of a third person and still Warrick knew that it was not enough. They needed more, they needed real, hard evidence and as he continued to dust the door, he suddenly tensed.

 

There...

 

A clear, large thumb print

 

Warrick’s heart was thundering as he carefully lifted the print and closed the locker again. He wanted to run to the lab, but he forced himself to walk, tried to clamp down on the hope he felt until he had confirmation, but his gut told him that this was their break through.

 

The scanner seemed to take forever, and the search seemed to be even longer. Then though finally the system beeped loudly and with a shiver Warrick realized that this entire nightmare had started with exactly this sound. Looking at the open lab door he sent a little prayer that no one would see what he was doing and clicked on the selected thumbprint.

 

Marion Delaney

 

Warrick punched the chair with his fist and suddenly felt his legs starting to tremble. He had never really realized how tense he had been and now as he had the first real proof that Grissom had not killed Kelly Gordon. His hands shook as he reached for the phone and called Ecklie.

 

---

 

Sara felt excitement flow through her as she looked at the information she had just gotten from the background search she had performed on Marion Delaney. It had been a hunch nothing more that had made her look closer at the receptionist and when the first question mark had appeared she had been surprised.

 

Now three hours later, she wasn’t surprised anymore, but shocked and yet elated. She knew about Warrick’s findings and it matched what she had found. More even it matched the theory that Warrick had formulated when he had said that Kelly Gordon had just been a means to an end and the real target was Gil Grissom.

 

Her eyes flew over to the printer and she played nervously with the band of her watch. The printing took longer than ever, but finally the papers were out and she grabbed a marker as she began to read the results of her search.

 

“Sara?”

 

Greg stood in the door, his eyes large and excited.

 

“I’ve got something you need to see.”

 

Frowning, she marked the page she had been on and got up. Greg was working in the lab next to hers, going through the evidence they had found in Marion Delaney’s flat. He had sorted the dozens of newspaper articles into different piles, but it was the one paper that lay on the table that caught her attention. It was an older article from a forensic journal. Grissom had written about some bug and Sara was sure that she had read the article too. Still, the article wasn’t what had caught her attention immediately.

 

It was the word that was written across the article in red letters.

 

‘Murderer’

 

She swallowed hard and looked closer. Greg watched her closely and as she saw what he had wanted her to find, she paled. On the side of the article, Grissom’s picture was printed along with some of his biography, it was a younger Grissom that smiled politely on the black and white photo, but it wasn’t the picture itself that had made Greg call her.

 

It was the target mark that had been drawn over his face.

 

“We worked on the assumption that she developed a crush on him while she worked here, but I think we’re wrong.”

 

Greg’s words made her smile and nod. She already knew that but it was reassuring to see that Greg had come to the same conclusion from a completely different way.

 

“I know that we’re wrong.”

 

He looked at her and frowned.

 

“Why?”

 

Sara shrugged and walked back to the lab she worked in.

 

“I did a background search. Marion Delaney’s real name is Janice Marion Cooper. She got married and divorced a bout a year ago and kept the name. She knows Grissom.”

 

Pointing at the papers, Sara gathered her findings and left the office again.

 

“Greg, get your stuff and meet me in Ecklie’s office. Warrick’s going to be there too. We’ve got her.”

 

Greg gaped, and ran off, yet stopped again and turned around.

 

“How did she know Gris?”

 

Sara smiled bitterly.

 

“She was his student.”

 

---

 

Nick had been sitting like on hot coals for the entire day. Jim’s words seemed to be stuck on repeat in his memory and they were all he could think.

 

“Conrad has kept it under wraps for as long as he could, but if we don’t get any evidence pointing towards someone else... A day or two...”

 

They were fast approaching day two and he knew that soon enough their door bell would ring.

 

He looked around and at Gil who sat on his laptop and typed something. His migraine attack had ebbed down and he looked better, still Nick wanted to wrap him in cotton and hold him close. Gil had looked so fragile yesterday, so vulnerable and, Nick swallowed hard, so old. The age difference between them was rarely an issue, not after they had gotten together at least, but there were moments when the fifteen years between them hit Nick like a slap in his face.

 

Gil was fifteen years older than him. Nick shivered and pushed the thought away, he didn’t want to think about what it meant for them, couldn’t face the statistical facts that said that Gil would die several years before him and like he always did when those thoughts crept into his mind, Nick got up and walked over to Gil.

 

“Hey, you feel better?”

 

He wrapped his arms around Gil’s body and rested his head on his shoulder. Gil reacted by leaning back himself and resting his own head against Nick. It was a tender, loving hug. There was no passion in this moment, just a sharing of peace, a mutual giving and taking of strength. Nick closed his eyes and took a deep breath, breathing in his lover’s scent. Gil never wore aftershave, but he used a lightly scented soap and Nick had long ago learned to associate the unique scent of skin and soap with his lover. The warmth between their bodies made him relax and for a moment he forgot everything and just felt.

 

And then the door bell rang.

 

“No”

 

Gil opened his eyes at his whispered exclamation and turned around in his chair. Seeing the calm, resigned face, Nick wanted to scream at him, wanted to shake him, but he didn’t. He knew that the calm was a mask and as their eyes met, he saw the naked fear in Gil’s eyes. Leaning down, he caressed Gil’s face and kissed him softly, and then he got up and walked to the door.

 

“Nick”

 

There was something in that one word, something so raw and naked that it almost broke him and he stopped in the middle of the hallway. Gil walked over to him and then they held each other tight and almost desperate and Nick shivered at the tension he felt in Gil’s body. He wanted to say something, but had no words and so he could only meet Gil’s eyes helplessly. The fear he had seen before had been pushed down and all he saw now, was love and determination.

 

“I’ll be back soon. I won’t leave you alone ok?”

 

Nick nodded, but Gil didn’t let him go, held onto him despite the doorbell ringing once more, despite the knocks that came from the entrance. Gil still held him and his gaze never wavered as he repeated his words.

 

“I won’t leave you alone.”

 

They separated and Nick swallowed hard, his hand rose to caress Gil’s face and with a sad smile he nodded.

 

“I know.”

 

He stood back and watched as Gil opened the door and Detective Vartaan stood outside. He smiled friendly, but sadly as he showed his ID and asked Gil to accompany him to the station. Nick swallowed against his tears as Gil left the house. He felt helpless, hated it that he was unable to help his lover, that he was unable to do anything but wait. Gil turned around once more and they exchanged another look. He got into Vartaan’s car and Nick was alone.

 

The silence in the house was deafening and shivering he looked at the white walls, feeling them close in, come nearer until he was trapped only this time, he was awake. He knew that he wasn’t dreaming and that there would be no one to hold him if he woke up screaming and a shiver ran through him. Desperate, feeling caged he started to pace the room back and forth like a trapped animal as he wracked his brain to find something that could prove Gil’s innocence until he finally sank down onto the floor with a sob.

 

If he hadn’t taken the sleeping pills...

 

If he hadn’t spoken to Kelly Gordon...

 

So many ifs and none of them could help Gil now.

 

Nick got up and studied the picture that hung on the wall. It had been taken in Iceland and showed one of those endless lava fields. It should have been a depressing and dark image, but instead it seemed calm and serene and he remembered something Gil had told him when they had visited the island.

 

“If you ever feel down or like you are not good enough or if you just can’t go on anymore, think back to this place and how perfectly you fit into that majestic setting.”

 

The hot pool underneath the glacier, the sun that had filtered through the ice... Nick closed his eyes and was there again. He felt the peace of the magical place flow through him and he remembered the love he had felt then, remembered how loved he had felt. Taking a deep breath, he got up and walked over to Gil’s laptop. He still shivered, but he felt calmer and more determined.

 

He had to find a way to clear Gil.

 

---

 

*Chapter 7*

 

“That’s not the way to the station.”

 

Grissom kept his voice calm and neutral. It took an effort to do so, just as it was hard to make sure that his hands didn’t tremble. He had tried to prepare himself for this, but as he had opened the door he had realized that no one could prepare for the moment when they were taken away from their home.

 

“We’re going to the lab.”

 

Vartaan’s voice bore through his thoughts and Gil frowned at him.

 

“You arrest me and then bring me to the lab?”

 

For a moment, there was silence then a smile crossed over Vartaan’s face before he spoke again.

 

“You’re not under arrest Grissom; I didn’t read you the Miranda right. Someone tipped the sheriff off about the evidence against you. He wanted you arrested, but Conrad and your team have found some other evidence and the sheriff gave them another twelve hours. He still wants you under constant surveillance and since we didn’t think you’d appreciate a uniformed officer in your house, Conrad called me to pick you up. You can work in the lab and no one will think much of it.”

 

Twelve hours... He guessed that Ecklie and his own team had already bent the rules for him, and he was sure that if they couldn’t prove his innocence within that twelve hour window, he would go to prison. A shiver ran over him at that thought and he forced himself to focus on something else.

 

“What is with Nick?”

 

Vartaan looked at his watch and smiled.

 

“He should get a call from Warrick about now.”

 

Despite his fear, Grissom couldn’t hold back the smile and some of the dread he felt lessened. His curiosity came back and he replayed the conversation with a smile.

 

“Conrad?”

 

Vartaan laughed easily and shook his head.

 

“Don’t worry; Brass doesn’t need to get jealous. We’re good friends, have been for a while.”

 

Curious cause so far Grissom had never heard about Vartaan and Ecklie being friends. Of course he didn’t listen to rumours, but he was sure that he would have heard and remembered something like that. Sensing an opportunity to find out more about Ecklie, Grissom looked at Vartaan. Conrad Ecklie was a mystery to him from his bitter behaviour at the beginning to his 180 degree turn during the Lower investigation. Even more intriguing were the things he just did; things like taking a sniper’s rifle and hold a woman at gun point, things like being ready to cut his budget in order to save Nick’s life...

 

Grissom had learned in the past two years that there was more to Conrad Ecklie that met his eyes and yet he didn’t know anything about him.

 

“Where did the two of you meet?”

 

He was watching Vartaan closely and caught the moment of pain and memory that crossed his face. It was just a fleeting expression and immediately replaced by the neutral look in his eyes as he shrugged.

 

“A long time ago... So long that it was almost a different life.”

 

He wanted to ask more, but they had arrived at the lab and as the car stopped he knew that he had to face reality. His hand was at the door handle, as Vartaan put a hand onto his shoulder.

 

“It’s soon over.”

 

Apprehensive and at the same time annoyed Grissom walked into the lab, where no one seemed to notice him or at least it felt like it. Lab techs looked up briefly some nodding, some saying hi, but none of them saying anything else. He reached his office and sat down shaking. Everything was as if it were just another day in the lab, as if nothing major had happened.

 

I was a ghost.

 

He remembered telling Warrick this and a shudder ran through him. Had he become a ghost here in the lab too?

 

“Grissom, great to see you.”

 

He had barely finished his thought, when Catherine strolled in. She looked at him critically and sat down. He could see that she had something on her mind and waited for her to speak. One minute passed, another one and just as he was about to lose his patience, she cleared her voice.

 

“I wanted to apologize. When we found some evidence, I doubted you. Ecklie took me off the case... I... I just thought you should hear it from me...”

 

Her eyes were clear as she looked at him, still her words wounded him and he had wait until he was calmer before he could respond.

 

“You still believe that I am guilty?”

 

Shock registered on her face and she shook her head.

 

“No, honestly no! I guess I never really did believe it. I was just angry and felt guilty and then the entire mess happened and it was easier to blame you than be honest and admit that I was angry at myself...”

 

Somehow he had waited for an outburst ever since Nick had been abducted. He knew that Cat felt guilty because she had sent Nick to the scene. He also knew that it was more and that they had had issues before. The longer they worked together, the more Catherine had developed a problem of accepting him as her boss and it seemed as if everything had exploded at the worst possible time.

 

He glanced at his watch and shivered as he saw that three of the twelve hours had already passed. He forced his thoughts away from the case and focused on Catherine.

 

“It wasn’t your fault and I never blamed you for anything.”

 

Catherine wanted to respond, but before she could the door opened and Nick walked into the office. Grissom saw the excitement and joy in Nick’s face and got up instantly. He was almost next to his lover, when he noticed Sara and Warrick.

 

“Gris, we thought you might want to watch the interrogation of Kelly Gordon’s killer.”

 

Warrick smiled and Grissom looked at Sara for confirmation. He saw the smile in her eyes, noticed how she seemed more relaxed and he felt himself relax in turn.

 

“Yes, I would love to.”

 

They walked to the door, but he held Catherine back and looked at her.

 

“Are we ok or do you have other issues you want to discuss with me?”

 

She studied him for a moment, then smiled.

 

“We’re fine.”

 

No, they weren’t, Grissom thought as his eyes followed her, but there was nothing he could do about it now and turning around he smiled at Nick who had waited for him. They walked to the interrogation room together and he felt himself relax even more. They didn’t touch, didn’t even look at each other and still he was aware of Nick and just as he entered the observer room, Nick stepped up next to him and smiled.

 

“It’s going to be fine.”

 

Grissom nodded silently, knowing that Nick’s choice of words was not an accident. He had purposely not used the word ‘over’. The entire ordeal might end fine, but it would be a long time before it really would be over.

 

---

 

Ecklie smiled as Marion Delaney was brought in once again. He knew that she still felt as if she held all the trump cards in her hand and he would let her belief it for a moment.

 

“Why are you holding me? You have nothing against me!”

 

He looked at her for a long time and saw how her composure faltered for a moment. He nodded as if to acknowledge her statement before he spoke himself.

 

“You asked me to prove my theory and you know what? I can prove it.”

 

She paled, but had herself under control within seconds, Ecklie however didn’t intend to give her enough time to find her cocky self again and showed her the printed pictures of the thumb print Warrick had found.

 

“We found a thumbprint on the inside of Gil Grissom’s locker. We ran it through the database and got a match. It’s your print. Can you tell me, what you were doing at Mr. Grissom’s locker?”

 

She swallowed and looked first at him, then at Jim, but she remained silent. It was alright with Conrad as he took another picture from the folder.

 

“This is a photo from a surveillance video. It shows you taking a glass that had been used by Mr. Grissom. You took it with you to the reception and put it into a bag. It’s the same kind of glass we found at the crime scene.”

 

Fixing her, he leaned over and shook his head.

 

“You asked me to prove your story. Now you better answer my questions.”

 

His voice had become hard and cold and he could see that it affected her. Still she didn’t give in and he silently congratulated her for her stubbornness. Conrad preferred to interrogate stubborn people, it was more fun.

 

“Everything you have is circumstantial. You can’t place me at the crime scene, I didn’t know Kelly Gordon, never spoke to her before she came to see Stokes, so why would I shoot her?”

 

A smile threatened to show on his face, but Conrad kept the calm mask. Marion Delaney had just made her first mistake and as she looked at him he met her eyes blandly knowing that it would provoke her to speak again.

 

“If this is how you want to save your friend, then you will fail. Gil Grissom had the motive, the opportunity and the weapon. Why don’t you ask him about the murder?”

 

Once again he smiled inwardly and looking at Jim he nodded silently. Brass saw the nod and attacked like the blood hound he was.

 

“You had no motive to kill Kelly Gordon that is correct. But she was never your target was she? Kelly Gordon was just the perfect set up. She presented everything you had been looking for didn’t she? We both know who the real target in your plot is, but what I don’t understand is, why do you hate Mr. Grissom so much?

 

Did he reject you?”

 

She laughed at that and Conrad nodded relieved.

 

They had her; she just didn’t know it yet.

 

---

 

Sara had been watching the entire interrogation and as Marion Delaney started to laugh at Brass’ question she saw how Ecklie’s shoulders relaxed. It had been weird to watch him question her.

 

“He’s good.”

 

She said it almost reluctantly, but to her surprise no one contradicted her instead she saw Grissom nod.

 

“Yeah, he is.”

 

Warrick snorted a bit and as she looked at him, he shrugged.

 

“Once a bully, always a bully.”

 

It made her smile, but to her surprise Greg shook his head next to her.

 

“He’s not bullying her, he’s just using the evidence differently than we do in an interrogation.”

 

Grissom had turned away from the window and looked at Greg intrigued.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Greg shrugged and pointed towards the interrogation room once again.

 

“Ecklie’s conducting the interview like a dance and not just a dance, it’s like a valse. He’s leading her somewhere without her realizing it. Delaney still thinks that she’s got the upper hand... We would have put all our facts on the table immediately and tried to pressure her into a confession

 

Our message to her would be: We know you did it, we can prove it, so you might as well tell us.

 

His message is: I have enough to convict you, but there are still loopholes for you to escape.

 

And I promise you, she sees those loopholes and as soon as she tries to escape, he’s got her.”

 

It was a surprising analysis, but as Sara turned back, Ecklie had just leaned back in his chair and looked at Marion Delaney.

 

“Your knowledge of the juridical jargon is amazing, Miss Delaney. How does a receptionist pick up all those terms?”

 

Greg’s description of a dance wasn’t accurate in her opinion and she shook her head.

 

“It’s not a dance, it’s like watching a cat stalk a mouse.”

 

“I read a lot.”

 

Ecklie nodded at Delaney’s comment and shook his head.

 

“We know you do or should I say did? You know you almost had us fooled, when Ms. Sidle told me about the shrine to Grissom that you had in your flat, I was sure you had a crush on him, but that’s not it, isn’t it? You didn’t collect all those newspaper articles about him because you’ve fallen in love with him. You collected them because you hate him.”

 

Delaney had tensed and Sara saw that she was ready to attack Ecklie if he would continue speaking. Looking over to Ecklie, Sara noticed how he looked relaxed, but he too had tensed and with a start she realized that he was prepared to fight. His voice hadn’t changed though.

 

“You were one of his students, weren’t you? And not just some random student, no, you were one of his best students, one of his most prized followers. Tell me, how come he didn’t recognize you?”

 

Sara kept her focus on the drama unfolding in the other room, but from the corner of her eyes, she watched Grissom. He had paled and walked closer to the window. A shiver ran through his body as Marion Delaney laughed harshly.

 

“I dyed my hair, bought lenses and trashed my glasses. But more important, do you really think, the mighty Gil Grissom would ever look twice at a receptionist? Forget it, unless one of us dies, he will never notice us.”

 

Grissom stood still. He was tense and his hand trembled as he put it at the cold glass of the window.

 

“Janice Cooper”

 

He looked lost and Sara wanted to go to him and offer some comfort, but Nick was already there. She watched as he simply put a hand on Gris’ shoulder. It was a simple touch and yet Grissom relaxed. He removed the hand from the window and covered Nick’s with his. Sara smiled and turned her attention back to the interrogation.

 

“Tell me one thing Miss Delaney, did you marry Alex Delaney for his name or did you really love him?”

 

She shrugged carelessly.

 

“We got married, but it didn’t work out. It’s not a crime to get divorced, is it?”

 

Brass grinned at the comment, but Sara saw how Ecklie remained cold. He looked at something in his notes, and knowing all about Janice Cooper, Sara expected his next question.

 

“Why did you start to work for the man who had rejected your thesis and thus ended your career in forensics?”

 

Marion Janice Delaney tensed and Sara saw how her hands twisted into fists. They had her, and once more she remembered Greg’s metaphor about the dance. It was true, she thought, as Ecklie didn’t give Delaney time to recover but merciless continued.

 

“He rejected the thesis, but that wasn’t all, was it? He publicly accused you of corrupting the science of forensics, branded you a traitor. You didn’t get a degree and no college would have accepted you after his article. And all that after you had been his best student for such a long time. It really must have pissed you off.”

 

He wanted to continue, but he had already said enough. Janice had been pushed too far and she jumped up. Her eyes burned as she tried to lunge at Ecklie, but the guard and Brass quickly subdued her.

 

“He’s the one corrupting forensics; do you think I don’t see what you’re doing here? You’re twisting evidence to make sure that he won’t go down for Kelly Gordon’s murder. You know what? You won’t get through with this. What do you think a jury will say when I tell them about the hidden evidence?”

 

Sara had watched Ecklie, had noticed how he’d tensed even more as Delaney had jumped up, but still she startled as he slammed his fist on the table and leaned over to fix Janice Delaney.

 

“You should have accepted the offer to call an attorney. But you rejected and now I will spell it out for you. We have enough evidence to go to trial and believe me; the jury will convict you.”

 

His voice was resonating through the room, but as if he had noticed that he had lost his control, he sat back again and spoke on calmer, his voice quiet and deliberate.

 

“It’s almost ironic, you know. You wrote a thesis about the perfect crime and how the use of forensic knowledge makes it possible to commit it. Gil Grissom called the thesis unethical and rejected it, worse though he probably told you that you were wrong and that there is no perfect crime. You wanted revenge, but even more you wanted to prove him wrong.

 

You almost pulled it off. We had a murder, found the planted evidence and examining it, we had a perfect suspect. Gil Grissom had a motive, and as you said it was his weapon. You didn’t know that Nick Stokes was still taking sleeping pills, but I guess you assumed it. It was the perfect crime, but for one thing...”

 

Sara saw the smile that now crossed Ecklie’s face and there was something sarcastic in it, something hard and yet easy. It made her wonder what his next words would be.

 

“Processing evidence is just one part of the story; the other part is putting it in context. Processing alone will never get you to the right place, and you’re evidence didn’t fit the context we knew.”

 

Seeing Grissom shake his head, Sara understood the smile. It was one of the ongoing arguments between Ecklie and Grissom. Grissom who believed unconditionally in the evidence and on the other side Ecklie who never just saw the evidence, sometimes even purposely overlooked it, if it didn’t fit in the context. Sara could see the irony in the fact that it was Ecklie’s way of seeing things that had in the end saved Grissom.

 

“Bastard”

 

The word was harsh, but Grissom’s voice was amused and as she looked at him she saw a smile in his eyes. A light sob from the interrogation room made her turn back and she watched as Janice Delaney pointed at the picture of Grissom’s gun.

 

“He always said that evidence never lied.”

 

An amused smile was the only reaction and Ecklie managed to keep his voice easy as he answered.

 

“He was right, it doesn’t lie. Your fingerprint inside his locker, his gun in your house, the glass you took from the break room... none of those pieces of evidence lied to us. But they didn’t tell us the complete truth either.”

 

He made a movement with his head and the guard cuffed Janice Cooper. Sara watched as she was led away and then turned her head towards Grissom. He was pale, but as he turned around and looked at each one of them, she saw that his eyes were calm.

 

“Thanks for believing in me.”

 

For a moment she didn’t know how to respond, because she heard the many things he didn’t say. They were saved by Ecklie who opened the door and walked inside with Brass at his side.

 

“We got her.”

 

Grissom walked over and Sara saw him and Ecklie exchange a look. They both smiled as they shook hands and as Grissom smiled once more, she had the feeling that there were many undercurrents in the simple gaze they shared.

 

“Thanks Conrad”

 

Yeah, she thought, definitely more than meets the eye.

 

---

 

He was cleared.

 

Grissom wasn’t sure what to feel. He was relieved, but the fact that one of his students had set the trap made his victory look shallow. Worse even, had his team conducted the investigations in the way he had taught them...

 

“Nick, Grissom, one more thing; we have arrested Officer Michaels.”

 

Brass’ words stopped him as if he had run against a wall. Nick stopped too and frowned.

 

“Why?”

 

Looking at Brass, Grissom knew why and cursed his bad luck. He had still not told Nick about the tape, had never found the courage and now? Now he would find out that Grissom had betrayed his trust. His heart was beating faster and he instinctively made a step forward as Brass began to speak.

 

“He knew of Walter Gordon’s plan and he purposely...”

 

“Brass, not here. In my office please!”

 

Ecklie had given Grissom another moment of relief, but as he followed Nick to the corner office, he had a feeling that he was walking to his own execution.

 

‘Don’t make me lose Nick.’

 

‘You should have told him long ago.’

 

Two voices in his head, but he managed to keep the calm façade as he sat down next to Nick. Brown eyes looked at him concerned and a hand stole into his. He looked at Nick and smiled.

 

“You ok?”

 

Nick nodded, but before he could say anything, Ecklie cleared his voice.

 

“During the investigations into Kelly’s murder, we examined the tape from your box. We found evidence of a second voice on it and managed to prove that it was Officer Michaels’ voice.”

 

Grissom felt Nick tense next to him, but he was too stunned to react immediately. His eyes met Ecklie’s and he saw understanding in them. Flashing back to a couple of days back, he remembered something Ecklie had said.

 

“He would kill for you Nick, just as I would kill for Jim.”

 

It made sense, he thought. Ecklie and he were very similar in this aspect, they both would do anything to protect the one they loved. Ecklie understood why he had not told Nick, because he would have reacted the same way in the same situation.

 

“He admitted to having been a part of your abduction. Gordon paid him 50,000 USD.”

 

Nick shivered and this time Grissom reacted to it by putting an arm around his shoulders.

 

“50,000...”

 

Nick tried to laugh, but it came out as a sob and Grissom pulled his chair closer to Nick, pulled him towards his chest and tried to soothe him.

 

“I’m not worth much, am I?”

 

He wanted to reply, when Ecklie took a deep breath and spoke again.

 

“There’s something else and I think you should know it Nick.”

 

Ecklie’s voice was tight and Grissom looked up concerned.

 

“Michaels confirmed that your abduction was a random hit, but he also said that Gordon had hoped for a specific CSI to get caught. That CSI am I.”

 

The words were spoken so calmly that they took a moment to register, but as they did, Grissom tensed. He wasn’t sure whether he was glad, that Nick really had been a random victim or whether he was angry at Ecklie for... for what?

 

“Why?”

 

It wasn’t Nick who had asked, it was Jim. He was pale and his voice wavered as he continued.

 

“You’ve said that right after we arrested Michaels, but why would Gordon...?”

 

His voice trailed off and Grissom saw the moment as Ecklie’s hand moved towards Jim, saw how he stopped and withdrew. His own hand was still clasped tightly with Nick’s and once more Grissom was glad that he and Nick were out.

 

“He came to me after his daughter had been arrested. Swing shift had worked the evidence on it and he felt that they had not done a good job. He was sure of her innocence and pleaded with me to go over it once again...”

 

Ecklie’s eyes were troubled as he looked down as his table. Grissom felt that he was reliving the scene again.

 

“He begged and in the end threatened me, told me that all CSIs were corrupt and that we would pay for it. When you were abducted, I didn’t think of him. It was over three years ago and I had just forgotten about Gordon.

 

Only after we had rescued you, I remembered.”

 

He stopped and the silence in the room was heavy, Grissom saw that Nick wanted to say something and held him back with a look. Ecklie was not done yet, he knew.

 

“I just wanted to say sorry Nick.”

 

Shaking his head, Nick removed his hand from Grissom’s and leaned forward.

 

“No, it wasn’t you who put me in there.”

 

A smile appeared on Ecklie’s face, but he shook his head.

 

“I know, but still. Had Kelly Gordon’s case been Grissom’s case, I would have looked into it.”

 

Of course he would have, Grissom smiled and shrugged.

 

“Yeah, and I would have done so too. Nick is right Conrad.”

 

Ecklie startled and looked surprised, but Grissom continued.

 

“We all know by now, that Kelly Gordon was guilty. You could not just reopen a case because someone asked you to do it. It is not your fault, that Walter Gordon did what he did. It was his decision, his fault...”

 

Brass grinned and shook his head.

 

“I wish I had a camera with me.”

 

His joke broke the somber mood and Grissom smiled as he got up. They were almost at the door when he remembered something.

 

“I’ll need a couple of days off, is that ok?”

 

Ecklie looked at him for a long time and then nodded.

 

“As long as you want, but Gil? Come back ok?”

 

Grissom bit back a curse. Ecklie had certainly learned to read him.

 

---

 

*Epilogue – 12 months later*

 

Nick smiled as he watched Gil sleep. They had worked a hard shift, had not gotten a good night sleep for almost a week and still he couldn’t sleep. The events a year ago, had taken their toll on them. The fact that Gil had almost been accused of a murder... It had been a long time until Gil had come to terms with it. Nick knew that he had been close to give up several times, and even now, Gil tended to question the evidence more often. Janice Delaney had not gotten her revenge, but she had made an impact. Nick knew that Grissom would never look at evidence the same way he had before Kelly Gordon had been shot.

 

Nick had read a lot while recovering from the abduction and one day he had come across a sentence that had made him smile.

 

'Who of the wise would have believed when we had told them then, that everything would come to such an end.’

 

Sometimes when he was looking back at the last three years, at his life with Gil he wondered whether the sentence had been written for them alone.

 

Who would have thought that it would take a mad killer to make him and Gil confess their love?

 

Who would have thought that they could make it work both in and outside the lab?

 

Who would have thought that their love for each other would change their relationship with others so much?

 

Who would have thought that Conrad Ecklie and Gil would become friends?

 

Nick shook his head, when he had believed that he was dying in the box, he had wished for more time with Grissom and he had gotten it. His hand moved caressingly over Gil’s face and he thought of all they had gone through together, of all the things they had experienced and seen.

 

Gil murmured something in his sleep and Nick smiled as he whispered softly.

 

“Sleep, everything is fine.”

 

But Gil only smiled and opened his eyes. Nick drowned in the blue eyes and the love he saw there.

 

“It’s over, isn’t it? The nightmares and everything... it finally is over.”

 

For a moment, he tensed, but he couldn’t deny the truth of Gil’s statement. They both had slept without nightmares in the last couple of months, no screams at night, no fears of the darkness anymore... Nick smiled kissed Gil’s nose gently.

 

“Yes, it is over.”

 

It was as if a weight had lifted from his soul and with a sigh he let Gil pull him close. He felt light and at peace. Fifteen months after the abduction, they had finally gotten out of the box completely.

 

They had finally gotten their lives back.

 

---

 

THE END