What The Eyes Can't See

AN: I know that the last few chapters (okay, more than a few) has dealt solely on Emily’s background. The plot bunnies forced me to tell her story in detail when I had original planned on it being a quick flashback (not even a chapter long). The bad news is that there is 3 more chapters regarding Emily’s past…The GOOD news is that the 3 chapters following that will solely focus on the cast of CSI and three individual cases that they will be solving. Please bare with me as I set the stage for the rest of the story. Everything is connected and there is a reason for my madness…hopefully.

A Special Thank You to my two reviewers this last chapter. Just Me and Mythres from fanfictiondotnet. I hope you continue to enjoy this story and don’t worry there is lots more to come.

The plot bunnies are feeling particular lethargic lately (perhaps due to massive quantities of turkey ingested) so any reviews would be greatly appreciated.

As always, these chapters and this story would be riddled with grammatical errors without the ever viligant Elfmaiden25. If you enjoy this story or even if you don’t, I highly recommend reading her stories at www.mystifyingdreams.com

Chapter 13

Emily had been depressed over her best friend moving away and Brian was trying to cheer her up with a game of Monopoly. Brian sat on the edge of the sofa and Emily sat on the floor with the game board resting on the coffee table between them. The two siblings attempted to get the most money and properties, arguing over rent, and basically enjoying each other’s company, when the doorbell rang.

Brian glanced at the hanging clock on the wall and frowned at the time. It was after 8 pm and he hadn’t been expecting anyone.

He heard the dice hit the game board and looked down at his sister who was currently counting out spaces with her miniature dog.

“Keep playing while I answer the door.” He stood but before moving out of eyesight, he turned back, “And NO cheating, Emily,” he said jokingly.

The little girl giggled behind him as he strode towards the front door.

Looking through the glass atop the door, he was slightly taken back by the face of Dan Johnson along with two other faces. Dan usually called ahead before stopping by and he had never brought along anyone with him before.

“Dan,” Brian greeted after he opened the door.

“Brian, I would like you to meet Detective Jim Brass and Gil Grissom. Both are working at the new Crime Lab that just opened up,” Dan said.

Brian shook hands with both men, as they were being introduced, still unsure of why Dan had stopped by.

Once the introductions were over, Dan looked intently at Brian, “I’m sorry to bother you so late but it’s important.”

Brian nodded and opened the door a little wider, letting the trio into his home.

He guided them to the living room where Emily sat patiently. She had moved off the floor and onto one of the sofa chairs that was nearby. The Monopoly game remained on the coffee table, as if waiting for its players to resume. She gave Dan a brilliant smile before her gaze turned to the two strangers.

Dan broke the silence, “Emily, I want you to meet two of my friends from work.’ Dan motioned to each man as he said their first names, “This is Gil and Jim. Gil, Jim, this is Emily.”

Unsure of what to do around the little girl, the two men simply nodded in her direction. Mimicking their actions, Emily returned the nod.

As the two men stood uncomfortably in the living room, unsure of what to do next, Dan turned toward Brian, “We need to talk.” He lowered his voice, “in private.”

Seeing the intense gleam in Dan’s eyes, Brian said, “Kitchen?” Once he saw Dan’s positive gesture, he turned toward Emily, “I’m going to go talk to Dan for a moment, sweetie. Be nice to Gil and Jim, okay?”

Emily continued to stare at the two strangers; her only response to her brother was a nod.

Since Emily didn’t seem too disturbed by the visitors, Brian felt confident in leaving Emily with them for a moment. Dan followed him into the kitchen.

Without any niceties, Dan started, “You’re not going to like what I have to say, Brian but I’ve come to…beg…for your and Emily’s help.”

Brian had a bad feeling about the direction of the conversation, but he waited for the man to continue.

“The Desert Pedo took another child, last night,” Dan said.

Brian closed his eyes and sighed in emotional despair. Despite what he had said several years ago to the man in front of him, the guilt slowly ate away at him. Every time he heard news of another child being taken and than found dead days, even months later (if found at all), the emotions that spiraled through him almost left him paralyzed. But it only took one look into Emily’s bright and happy eyes, to make him stand firm on his decision despite the nightmares it inevitable brought about.

“This is the fifth child in less than eight months. He’s escalating, Brian. And it’s only going to get worse until someone stops him. The LVPD doesn’t have anything. We have no idea who this guy is, where we can find him or when he’ll take another child.”

Brian leaned against the kitchen counter, rubbing his face in desperation.

“Ken Eden,” Dan said.

Brian looked over at Dan, waiting for him to explain, although he suspected that he already knew whom the name belonged to.

“Ken Eden, the three-year old boy that was kidnapped from his front yard yesterday,” Dan finally said.

The news only got worse when Dan continued in a whisper, “And my sister’s grandson.”

“Ahh, Damnit. Dan,” Brian sighed, “don’t do this to me.”

Dan continued before Brian could gather his whirling thoughts, “Their taking me off the case, Brian. I’m too emotionally involved now.” He scoffed slightly, “Like I was never emotionally involved before. For over ten years I have done nothing but work this case and anytime a kid was taken, it felt like one of my own. My fault for not catching this guy sooner.”

Brian could easily see the intense emotions from the older man as his eyes welled up with tears. His own emotions were in turmoil; sympathy for Dan, sadness for Ken, guilt for the other missing and dead children, confusion on how to help and despair on trying to keep Emily safe.

Dan took a deep breath; “It could take weeks, if not months, to get the new detectives up to speed on this. Not only will it be too late for Ken, but at the rate this guy is going, several more children could die as well.”

Brian stalled his final answer by nodding toward the living room, “What about them? You didn’t bring them for a social visit and you obviously trust them enough to introduce us. Why did you bring them here?”

Dan paused, “I’m retiring. I don’t think I could work other cases proficiently with the Desert Pedo still at large. And since they won’t let me at least consult, I think it’s best just to leave the force now.’

“I trust Jim. I’ve worked with him for years, we even worked on some cases together, and you couldn’t find a better detective,” he smirked, “except for me that is.”

Brian smiled and shook his head at Dan’s egotism.

“Gil’s new. He’s actually an entomologist but he’s smart and is starting at the new Crime Lab. He’s consulted on several cases around Nevada and his findings have helped them all find the perp. I’ve read his file and with Jim’s input, Gil is someone we can trust as well,” he explained.

Brian frowned, not sure where Dan was going with this.

“I…I thought that maybe we could let them know about Emily.”

“Are you CRAZY? I thought we decided that we don’t let anyone…ANYONE… know about this.”

“I know, but I’m retiring, Brian. What if Emily was to project and find another missing person, like she did with Mike Taylor. Are you going to ignore it? Or will you call it in as an “Anonymous” tip.

“If you do call it in, the police will investigate…”

“I thought you said that if I called the anonymous hot line, it would remain anonymous.”

Dan shook his head, “If they think you’re involved, they will investigate. If you don’t have someone on the LVPD who knows about Emily, than you could be in a lot of trouble. I followed a hunch with you but most officers won’t and when they learn about Emily, they won’t believe you. They’ll either think you are involved in the kidnapping or crazy and possibly endangering Emily. They’ll arrest you and take Emily away. Do you want that?” Dan stressed.

“Damnit…Damnit…Damnit, Dan. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Emily was supposed to stay out of this. No one was supposed to know about her or her abilities. What kind of life will she have, if word of this gets out? She’ll be labeled as a freak…Media hounds from the Enquirer and…and the Star will follow her around looking for a story. People from all over will probably be showing up on our doorstep…either to ask for help or…or worse, to hurt her. Quacks stalking Emily as she walks home from school. Scientists would be calling and wanting to experiment on her. She’ll never have a normal life, Dan…Jesus, she’s only ten years old.”

“I would never do anything to hurt Emily, Brian. You have to know that. I trust these two…Jim from experience and Gil due to a hunch…the same gut instinct that let me believe in you.

You need someone on the LVPD to watch out for you. If Emily was to project without provocation, you need someone that will filter the information to the right people without involving Emily in any reports.”

Brian leaned forward onto the counter and in frustration, lightly banged his head against the flat surface. After a moment, he looked back at the man across from him, “What have you told them so far?”

“I told them everything on the car ride over.”

Brian quirked an eyebrow and gave a small smile, “Did they believe you?”

Dan laughed softly, “No, I’m pretty sure that they think I’ve gone a little senile in my old age. Though they hid it really well. Gil practically interrogated me with endless questions.”

The two men laughed softly not wanting the occupants of the other room to be aware of their humor. Brian’s laugh slowly died, “So what are you suggesting now?”

Dan’s humor also expired, “I want Gil and Jim to witness one of Emily’s projections. I think once they actually experience it for themselves…they’ll be more likely to believe. And if they even believe a little, than they will at least take any future information you have and investigate it.”

Brian exhaled swiftly, “So you want Emily to find Ken in front of an audience.”

Sadness entered the older man’s eyes as he slowly shook his head, “I want Emily to find the Desert Pedo.”

Brian’s eyes widened, “What? Are you serious?”

After Dan nodded, Brian continued, “First of all, Emily’s never attempted to find a grown adult. I’m not sure she can. Second, ARE YOU CRAZY?” Brian didn’t even try to keep his tone down this time. He was sure that the living room occupants heard his last three words but at this time he had other things on his mind.

“How can you expect me to allow this? I got lucky when Emily barely remembered her first encounter with this sicko and now you want her to actively look for this guy?” A hint of hysteria began to enter his voice.

“Brian, please listen to me…As much as it pains me, finding…’ Dan paused, clearing his throat that had tightened with emotion, “finding Ken will only put a band-aid on the problem, we need to find the man who took him. If Emily finds Ken, but isn’t able to give us any more information on the identity of his kidnapper, she’ll be too tired to go back and project to find him. By than, he could be gone and already have another kid

But if she starts out looking for the DP, than maybe…maybe we can kill two birds with one stone. Finding Ken AND finding the perp.” Dan explained.

Brian was torn between wanting to help and continuing to protect Emily. There was no telling what Emily would find if she attempted this. Images of nameless children flashed through his head, children that had been hurt and killed by the pedophile.

Brian remembered the way Heidi had looked at the hospital. The cuts and bruises testament to the trauma she had suffered and while she had been one of two that had been lucky to escape the DP’s clutches, there were scars both physical and emotional that would follow her throughout her life.

As Brian remembered his visit to hospital to see Heidi, her face began to change. Suddenly it wasn’t Heidi lying on the hospital bed, looking so small and helpless, but Emily.

Brian looked over at the man who waited patiently for him to come to a final decision. He slowly nodded his head but as Dan sighed in relief, he whispered, “But only if Emily agrees as well. If at any time she changes her mind, we walk away from this and you never ask about it again.”

Dan motioned his agreement.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Dan? This guy could be…already hurting Ken.”

Pain filled Dan’s eyes but he said, “Yes, if we find this guy quickly than we could still save Ken.”

“Dan, I hate to say this, but if the Desert Pedo is hurting Ken…I’m pulling Emily out of it. I don’t want her to witness it.”

Dan once again nodded, “I understand, Brian.”

Quietly, both men contemplating what was about to occur, they left the kitchen to rejoin the three occupants in the living room.

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