Her Heart

by: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters

Ch. 1: Follow the Evidence

It had been a quiet night at the lab for all staff, which made a change. But they knew better than to appreciate it. Although the quietness helped complete paperwork, it also meant things could get manic any second and now was one of those moments.

"Cath, Sara. Call out to the Old West Town saloon. Attempted murder," Grissom said, handing Sara the details.

"Attempted?" Sara said.

Grissom nodded. "That's all I have. Suspicious circs. Cops said they think rape may have been a factor too. I need you to head down, survey the scene and process accordingly."

When they got out to the car, Catherine leant over to kiss Sara's cheek. "You ok? You seem a little edgy today."

Sara sighed. "Yeah, it's just we haven't had any quality time in a while and...I miss you."

"Well, if we get this case wrapped up quickly, I'd say we've got a fairly good chance of some quality time in the not so distant future," Catherine smirked.

Sara smiled. "That would be nice. Hey Cath, look. Isn't that...?"

"Lady Heather..." Catherine said, quickly parking and jumping out to run over, "Heather..."

Sara followed her quickly. "Heather..."

She went to speak, but couldn't find words, strangulation marks evident on her neck.

"It's ok, don't talk. You're going to be ok," she said, stepping back. "Sara, can you go with her to process her and I'll start here then meet me back here?"

Sara nodded, offering her hand to Heather. "Come on. It's ok."

Catherine stepped inside to work the scene.

At the hospital a nurse appeared to speak to Sara. "You can see her now, but she's refusing the rape kit."

Sara nodded, knowing that the fact that Heather refused was odd. She walked into the room, pulling up a chair to sit by her. "Hi."

"Sara," she croaked.

"Is it ok if I take some pictures and scrapings from under your nails?" Sara knew that asking her about the rape kit wasn't the best option at the moment. "Maybe you can tell me what happened?"

Lady Heather held her right hand out to Sara. "I don't know."

Sara bit her lip a second. "Well, if you would let me, maybe it'll help."

"There was one guy. It's all a little hazy."

"Any distinguishing characteristics? A tattoo? Piercings? Odd hair color?"

"I really don't know," she replied, watching as Sara scraped her nails.

Sara nodded. "Do you know why you were there?"

"I was checking the place out for a party."

"One that you were going to or going to oversee?" she asked, photographing her bruised wrists. There looked to be teeth marks in one.

"I was going to hire it."

"Ok. So you remember nothing of your attack then or just bits and pieces?" Sara asked, taking pictures of the strangulation marks.

"Bits and pieces, I guess."

Sara sat back in the chair. "Can you tell me what you do remember?"

"I was looking around, the next thing I know someone had a rope around my neck."

She nodded, continuing to write.

"Are we done?" Lady Heather asked nervously.

"Is that all you remember?"

"I... I..."

"It's ok. You can go slow. But we need all you can remember."

Heather went to reply, but eyes rolled as she passed out.

Sara ran out. "She passed out."

The medical team ran back in to treat her as Sara's phone rang, displaying Catherine's number.

Sara passed a card to a nurse. "Please let me know what happens or if she wants to get a hold of me," she said before answering. "Yeah Cath?"

"Did you get much from her? This scene looks a little confusing."

"She said she was there because she was looking to hire it for a party. She walked into a room and the next thing she knew, a guy had a rope around her neck. Before she could tell me anything else, she passed out. I collected scrapings and took pictures of her injuries. Oh and uh, there's one more thing..."

"What?"

"She refused a rape kit."

"Refused? But... that's odd."

Sara nodded. "I know. I'll head back to you, ok?"

"See you soon babe."

"See ya," she said as exited the hospital and got into her car, heading in that direction.

Catherine smiled when Sara walked into the room. "Hey, missed you," she offered softly.

"Hi, missed you too," Sara smiled. "What've we got?"

"A rope, fingerprints from goodness knows how many people and a few fibers."

"How much do you want to bet we'll find her skin on that rope?"

"And no one else's. I don't get why she won't talk. She's always been so... cooperative."

"Unless there's more to the attack that she can't remember? She's having a bit of memory trouble. Or she could've been threatened..."

"Let's finish up here and get back to the lab," Catherine smiled.

Sara nodded.

They'd just got back to the lab Sara's cell gave another ring.

"Sidle."

"Hi, it's the hospital. Just to advise Heather Kessler is now stable. She passed out because she neglected to tell us she was diabetic. We're holding her for a while longer."

"Has she said anything else?"

"Still refusing the rape kit. We're reluctant to ask again."

"I wouldn't," Sara advised.

"Ok. I'll let you know if there's anything she wishes to pass onto you."

"Ok. I might stop back by in a little while if she stays stable."

The nurse ended the call as they entered Catherine's office.

"Is she ok?"

"She's stable. Neglected to say she was diabetic which was why she passed out. Still refuses the rape kit."

Catherine frowned, pacing as she tried to think. "Something doesn't feel right..."

"What do you mean? And how do you seem to know her?"

"We've seen each other around a few times. Had tea."

"Socially? Oh wait...that's right. Her daughter..."

Catherine nodded. "She looked... upset so I asked her to join me for a drink and we talked."

"Does...she have any other family who could help her?"

"A granddaughter. But she's only young, and Heather lost custody."

"That must be tough for her. But, at the same time, I can see why the judge wouldn't give her custody. Not that I believe she couldn't do it."

Catherine nodded. "Can you get this stuff to DNA and trace? I'll be back in a while."

Sara nodded. "Tell her she can talk to me too if she needs to, ok?" she said.

Catherine kissed Sara gently. "I love you."

Sara smiled, kissing her back. "I love you too."