Chapter Five

After a hectic day, Grissom had finally reached his office. Garth Brooks had replaced all classical music in his life. It was now an almost reflex action to hit play as he came through the door. Whether he was working, reading, or eating, it was on. Not merely because of the memories it enticed from the crevices of his mind, but because beneath the lyrics there was hope. The letter still haunted Grissom. Had she gotten it yet? Had she read it or did she simply throw it away? Discarded it like they had both discarded their relationship.

I spent last night in the arms

Of a girl in Louisiana

And though I'm out on the highway

My thoughts are still with her

Such a strange combination of a woman and a child

Such a strange situation stoppin' every hundred miles

Callin' Baton Rouge

It was during a week’s holiday (they now had a reason to take some vacation time). He’d brought her for dinner in the 808 at Caesars. Dessert had been more pleasurable. The door had barely closed behind them when she’d ripped off his shirt and he her’s. The bed had seemed a marathon away and the couch merely a jump. There they had, in his own words, had the best sex in their relationship and in Grissom’s life. But that morning he’d gotten a phone call from the San Francisco Crime Lab. A body with major bug infestation had been found in downtown San Francisco

A replay of last night's events

Roll through my mind

Except a scene or two

Erased by sweet red wine

And I see a truck stop sign ahead

So I change lanes

I need a cup of coffee

And a couple dollars change

Callin' Baton Rouge

The night before still sprinkled his mind. The gentle arousal even thoughts of holding Sara brought still shocked him, though the suppression of such thoughts for years made them even more enjoyable. The drive was littered with truck stops and, at almost every second one, he had phoned Sara. First to apologise, then to simply tell her she was incredible and then to simply tell her he loved her.

“I love you.” The words that for so long Grissom had restricted now sprang from his mouth given any chance.

Operator won't you put me on through

I gotta' send my love down to Baton Rouge

Hurry up won't you put her on the line

I gotta' talk to the girl just one more time

Hello Samantha dear, I hope you're feelin' fine

And it won't be long until I'm with you all the time

But until then I'll spend my money up right down to my last dime

Callin' Baton Rouge

Operator won't you put me on through

I gotta' send my love down to Baton Rouge

Hurry up won't you put her on the line

I gotta' talk to the girl just one more time

The case had proved to be as interesting as the one he and Nick had worked a couple of years before. The ‘Cowboy Case’ as Nick now called it. That boy seemed to endear everyone with his boyish behaviour. He’d forgiven him for flirting profusely with Sara. After all, Grissom had done the same.

Callin' Baton Rouge

Sweet Baton Rouge, my Baton Rouge

A knock on the door shook Grissom from his memories.

“Ruairí, what can I do for you?”

“Well, Grissom its more what I can do for you.” Noticing the music, “I told you that you would like it.”

“Ruairí, it is excellent. Now, what can you do for me?” The curiosity was starting to get to Grissom.

“As you are aware, I am applying for internships.”

“Yes! And??”

“Well, the Washington Federal Bureau hase accepted my application and they’re sending someone over.”

“Well done, but, Ruairí, what has that got to do with me?” Grissom was beginning to get frustrated with his young student.

“Its Sara Sidle.”

“OH!!” The shock in Grissom’s voice said it all. Washington. You really did run far away, Sara.

“I saw her name in one of your case files and figured you guys might want to catch up. Unless…” Ruairí had picked up on how tense Grissom looked.

“No, Ruairí, that’s great. Just let me know when she’s coming. Sara, her face still haunted his dreams, her touch still felt fresh on his skin. “Now, Ruairí, I have work to do.”

“Grand, boss. See you tomorrow.”

Left alone with his thoughts, Grissom could only wonder. Would she come?

Sara couldn’t believe her boss had been so harsh. The Director of the Bureau’s Washington Department was normally very accommodating. Sending her to Ireland even after her protests, however, was far from that. Ruairí seemed lovely, but Grissom… she couldn’t cope with seeing him. Her heart still skipped at the slightest mention of him. Well, it would have to be done. I’ll just play the indifference card, just as he did for so long. Sara’s lip quivered as she recalled that last night.

A storm had hit Vegas. Rain pelted the windows, thunder rolled across the sky, and lightening flashed along the horizon. He still wasn’t home. He had said he would follow her and be home in about an hour, but four hours later, he still hadn’t returned. She’d tried phoning but his mobile appeared to be out of signal or turned off. She paced around his townhouse feeling helpless. Was he in an accident? Was he dead? The thoughts kept bouncing around her brain. The real reason in Sara’s mind at that time was far worse. At around 4:30am his SUV pulled into the drive. Grabbing a dressing gown she ran out to great him, but as she kissed him she could smell something out of place, a scent her brain suddenly registered as that worn by Sofia. No, he didn’t. Pushing away from him, she could see the guilt rising on his face. He knew she knew.

“Grissom, why were you with Sofia? GRISSOM, answer me now!”

“Sara, come inside. Let me explain. You’re getting soaked.”

“No, Grissom. I can’t believe you went with her. I’m…I’m leaving… That’s it, you betrayed me.”

“Sara, stop. I didn’t, Sara, you have to believe me. I couldn’t! I wouldn’t!”

But his shouts were drowned in the wind as she was already in the car driving away from the love of her life.

The letter had explained everything, but the memory of that night still pained Sara. Anyway, it was too late now, way too late. He’ll have moved on, found someone else. With a grimace on her face, Sara picked up the phone and called her boss.

“Winterburn.”

“Boss, its Sara. I’ll do it. When do you need me to leave?”

“ASAP. Can you be on a flight in the morning?”

“Tell me the time, and I’ll be there.”

“Nine tomorrow morning.”

“See you in a few days then.”

“Sara, thank you and good luck.”