Darkness and Light

Sara and Greg drove to their scene in silence. She glanced over at Greg, who had remained silent since Kristine’s appearance in the building. She could kill the woman for tormenting him.

If I could get my hands on her, I’ll make her wish she had never laid eyes on Greg, she thought as she pulled behind Brass’s car.

They climbed out of the SUV, grabbed their kits and headed up the walkway. Brass greeted them as they headed into the house.

“Neighbor came by to invite them to a party. He found the door open and was suspicious. He went inside and found this.”

Sara stopped in the living room and stared in shock at the carnage before her. She swallowed wondering what kind of monster had done this.

Blood was everywhere, coming from three people. One laid on the couch, her throat slashed. An adult male laid on his back, his blood darkened the plush blue carpet. Her eyes fell on the third victim, a child, as David took the liver temperature.

“All their throats have been slashed,” David said, his voice somber.

“It’s a blood bath,” Greg said, beside her. “Are you all right?”

Sara swallowed as she nodded. She looked over at him, his eyes worried for her. She offered him a small smile to reassure him.

“Let’s get to work,” she said as she set her kit down and opened it.

Greg took pictures as David finished with the bodies. Sara swabbed the wounds on the three bodies, placing the swabs in her kit. She then scrapped out the dirt under their fingernails, hoping one of them might have fought back.

“They’ve been dead five hours,” he said as he nodded for the bodies to be taken away.

Greg dusted the doorknob of the front door for prints. She wondered if the victims let their killer inside or if he let himself in. Either way it showed the family knew their killer.

“I have a print,” Greg announced as he took out the tape and lifted the print.

“Let’s hope we get a match,” she said as she plucked a hair from the couch. It looked to belong to the mother, but DNA would tell her for sure.

“No forced entry,” Greg observed as he came over to her. “They probably knew the killer or he just let himself in.”

Sara nodded as she closed her kit and stood. She smiled to herself at his observation. It was as if their minds were one and a tingle of delight went through her body. She pushed it back down, though, the grim surroundings telling her this was not the time for sensual thoughts.

“Doesn’t look like a robbery,” she said as she glanced around the living room. “Nothing’s missing.”

“Nothing appeared to be taken from the bedroom,” Brass mentioned from the foyer.

“The purpose was murder,” Greg said softly. “Why, though?”

“We’ll figure that out once we figure out the who,” Sara told him as they made their way toward the door.


~*~


They returned to the lab thirty minutes later and dropped off their evidence. Sara confronted Greg in the corner of a hallway. She wanted to know how he was doing after Kristine’s appearance. She also wanted to make him tell Brass about Kristine.

“Can’t wait for tonight?” Greg asked, his eyes sparkling. “Shouldn’t we find a more private place?”

“Greg,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I want to talk to you.”

Greg continued to smile, but he raised an eyebrow.

“About what?”

“Kristine. You need to tell Brass, Greg. She’s dangerous.”

“I know, Sara, but they can’t keep me safe from her. She’ll find a way to get to me.”

Sara placed a hand on his shoulder, wanting to do much more. He looked at her, worry in his eyes.

“I won’t let her get you, Greg,” she said softly.

He smiled, her heart racing. It amazed her how he affected her so.

“You don’t have to, Sara. I can take care of myself.”

“Nothing will happen to me,” she said, knowing he thought that. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, either.”

Greg put his arms around her, kissing her temple. She wrapped him in her embrace as tears stung her eyes. She didn’t want to lose him, but she was afraid she might. She held him tightly against her as she fought back the tears.

“Please tell Brass,” she whispered. “You tried to get me to do the same. Don’t make it too late.”

“Sara,” Greg’s voice was concerned and he tried to pull away, but she held tight.

“Come with me to Brass. Tell him about Kristine. I’ll make them watch you.”

“All right,” he said, relenting. “We’ll tell Brass.”

“Thanks,” she whispered, relief flowing through her.

She pulled back and saw the concern in his eyes. She smiled at him and led him to Grissom’s office.


~*~

Greg fidgeted in his chair as he told Brass about Kristine. He had never felt more exposed or vulnerable in his life. He was glad Sara was with him or else he wouldn’t have gone through with his.

“So she followed you here and wants you back,” Brass said.

He sighed and nodded, “I’ve told her I don’t want anything to do with her. She didn’t take it very well.”

Brass remained quiet causing Greg to squirm some more. He wished the man would say something, anything to put him at ease. It was bad enough he had to tell Brass the entire terrible story, but to sit here and wait on a response was even more nerve racking.

He wanted to shout for Brass to say something, but he decided to hold himself in check. It wouldn’t do him any good anyway.

“Sara’s right,” Brass finally said. “This woman is dangerous and you shouldn’t be left alone. She might decide that waiting for you to bend to her wishes isn’t enough and force the issue.”

“You mean kidnap me and beat me into submission?” Greg translated. “I wouldn’t put it past her.”

“Which is why he should be watched,” Sara put in, her voice full of worry, but her expression calm.

He smiled to himself, knowing she was trying to put up a brave front, but he knew she was shaking inside. He was always able to read her moods even when no one else could or would.

Brass sighed and leaned back in his seat, watching them. Greg grew even more uneasy, but he forced himself to remain calm.

“I’ll have a couple of officers looking for her,” he said. “I’ll speak to Grissom about keeping you at the lab until this woman is caught.”

“What about at home?” Sara asked, suddenly angry.

Brass glanced at her, his expression calm. Greg almost smiled, knowing that not everyone fled at her anger.

“He’s a big boy, Sara,” Brass said calmly. “I think he can make it from the car to the building without someone grabbing him.”

He then smiled as he added, “You can watch him, can’t you? You have the same hours, don’t you?”

Sara glanced at Greg then and he couldn’t help, but laugh. Her expression was one of irritation and concern as if she couldn’t make up her mind on what she felt and decided for both. She narrowed her eyes at him, which only made him laugh harder.

“I’ll be fine, Sara,” he told her, hoping to ease her fears. “I’ll even let you drive me to and from work if that will help you.”

Sara shook her head and sighed. He reached over and took his hand in hers, wanting to comfort her. He knew she was scared for him and for good reason. Kristine was dangerous and was becoming desperate. It wasn’t a good combination in any situation.

“I just want you safe,” she whispered.

“I will be,” he told her, leaning close to her. “Don’t worry.”

“Can you please take the mush outside,” Brass said, bringing their attention to the present.

Sara smiled then and Greg relaxed.