Body of Evidence

Brass said, 'No thank you.'

Actually, Warrick could've used some water….

The mayor folded his hands, prayerfully, and his expression became business-like, almost somber. 'Then what can I do for you, Jim?…Gil?'

Brass fielded the question: 'I told your secretary…that is, Mr. Woo…that this concerned the Candace Lewis case.'

'I am aware of that. And I'm of course aware that you've taken over the investigation, now that it's…' He swallowed, and Warrick wondered if this was acting or actual emotion. '…now that it's a murder case.'

'That's right,' Brass said, and slipped the search warrants out of his jacket and set them on the edge of the mayor's desk. The mayor, himself a former district attorney, looked at them with a steady gaze; he did not need to be told what the documents were. He leaned a bit on his elbows, his clasped fingers tented, providing a slight barrier between him and his guests, as he peered over his knuckles.

The voice seemed flat, now-that melodic friendliness gone. 'Just tell me one thing, Jim. And I expect an honest answer.'

'You'll get one.'

'Is Mobley behind this?'

Sitting forward, Grissom, his voice quiet and authoritative, said, 'This is my doing, sir. I requested these warrants.'

'I see.'

'I hope you do. If you do know anything about me, you'll know I've never been accused of doing Sheriff Mobley any favors, personal or otherwise.'

'I have heard about…certain tensions.'

'Yes, sir. But I will say, Brian has behaved himself professionally, thus far. Starting with recusing himself from this case.'

Harrison's eyes narrowed. 'That's not just lip service?'

'He seems sincere.'

'This…Anthony, this political advisor of Mobley's. He's a bad apple. Did Brian really fire him?'

'He did.'

'Do you know why?'

Grissom shrugged. 'I presume he was dissatisfied with the man's services. Beyond that, you'd have to ask the sheriff.'

The mayor nodded, as if to say, Fair enough.

'My question now is,' Grissom said, in his oddly pixie-ish way, 'are you prepared to be as professional and cooperative as Brian Mobley?'

A smirk dug a small cynical groove in the mayor's cheek. 'Why-have you served him with a search warrant?'

Grissom smiled angelically. 'Yes.'

The mayor shifted in his seat. He laid his hands out on the table, palms down. 'Well, of course, Gil-I'll do whatever I can to help you catch the madman who killed Candace.'

That sounded a trifle rehearsed to Warrick.

But Grissom seemed prepared to accept the response at face value: 'That's what we were hoping to hear, Mr. Mayor. To start with, I'd like you to go over those two warrants on your desk.'

The warrants were just out of reach and Sara picked them up and handed them to the mayor; she smiled, a little embarrassed, and Harrison gave her a small meaningless smile in return, as he took the documents.

He withdrew reading glasses from his inside suitcoat pocket, put the glasses on as he picked the papers up. He read them, then looked from Brass to Grissom. 'My house? Why my house?…Candace worked here, at the office.'

'You can read the specifics in the warrant,' Grissom said. 'But know that the judge, who shared your concerns about the sheriff's intent, didn't grant these lightly…. And if you don't mind, I'd like to send Warrick and Sara over there, to your home, now.'

Harrison sighed. The documents were on the desk before him. He raised a cautious finger. 'A question, first.'

'All right.'

'Is the media going to hear about this?'

Grissom half-smiled. 'You're the mayor of this city, and you weren't aware that we'd served the sheriff a warrant.'

'True.'

Then Harrison's eyes traveled from face to face, stopping on Grissom's. A small smile played on the mayor's lips. 'Gil-Jim…any of you. Do you think your job will be harder, or easier, should Brian Mobley leave the sheriff's office and take this chair from me?'

Grissom said, 'I haven't given that any thought, Mr. Mayor. It has nothing to do with how I approach my job.'

'The sheriff has been a thorn in your side for some time, Dr. Grissom.'

Grissom's shrug was barely perceptible. 'Another politician will replace him. Meaning no disrespect, I will find a way to do my job, and do it well, despite the best efforts of any and all politicians.'

Sara couldn't seem to suppress a smile, and Warrick didn't even try to. Brass looked grave, and Grissom just wore that damn innocent expression of his.

The mayor studied Grissom for a long time; then he laughed. 'By God, you really mean it…. Might I call Mrs. Harrison, just give her a 'heads up,' you're coming?'

Grissom and Brass exchanged quick alarmed looks.

Brass fielded that one. 'We'd prefer that you didn't, sir-the intent of a warrant isn't to give a 'heads up' to anybody, with the exception of the police…. I'm sure you understand.'

Sighing wearily, Harrison nodded. 'I do. I do. I just hate to put my wife…It's just…how do I say this delicately? Mistakes were made.'

Grissom said, 'We know. I have a lab report putting your DNA in Candace Lewis's bed.'

Harrison whitened. 'Oh Christ…. When can I expect the press to get their hands on that?'

Brass said, 'Well, when we do find Candace's killer, a defense lawyer will likely use your relationship with her to muddy the waters, and try to help clear a client. Your Honor, you need to prepare yourself for the day when this comes out.'

'I understand. I appreciate the counsel.'

Grissom, champing at the bit, sat forward again. 'Now about Warrick and Sara…'

Harrison waved a dismissive hand, like the pope granting a reluctant blessing. 'Send them. There's nothing to find. All I ask is that they not intrude on my wife any more than necessary. Jeanne and I are trying to hold the marriage together-she knows about my…indiscretion; but having the media pummel her with it, 24-7, has become a little…wearing.'

'She needn't be present,' Sara said, 'when we do the search.'

'Thank you, Ms. Sidle.' Harrison said. 'She may not be home, at any rate. She's not been spending much time at the house…' His expression turned glum. '…particularly when I'm there.'

Warrick asked, 'It would be helpful if someone's there to let us in.'

The mayor nodded. 'I'll alert our maid.'

Grissom said, 'That's fine.' He paused, and seemed to be making a decision. He was: 'Mayor, you can let your wife know my people will be dropping by. But a mention of the search warrant would, frankly, be a breach, Your Honor.'

'I understand.' And made the call right in front of them, short and sweet, to a servant named Maria.

After the mayor hung up, Grissom gave Warrick and Sara a nod; Warrick already had a copy of the search warrant.

They were at the door when Brass called out, 'Call Conroy,' referring to Detective Erin Conroy, with whom the team had worked on several occasions. 'Have her go with you.'