Here’s part four. Just one more, I think, after this. Again, any criticism pro or con would be greatly appreciated.

“Ten Mistakes”

Part Four

***Brass***

Brass was swearing steadily and colorfully as he scrambled for hand holds. He cursed the unknown suspect, Greg, trash calls in general and the irreparable damage to his slacks and dress shoes. He knew he could have sent Warrick with Nick. They were tough, and looked out for each other. Perversely, he wanted to be where he was. He wanted to be the one to bring this guy down. That desire didn’t stop him from cursing.

Brass stayed as low as possible while still able to aim uphill. He wished mightily that Nick were below him on the rise. He didn’t want him caught in any crossfire. He noted with approval that Nick’s weapon was also out and that he’d gone completely still.

Just above him, Nick suddenly ducked down, hugging the rock wall, “Jim, get down!” he hissed.

The skittering of small stones heralded someone working their way down towards them. As much as Brass wanted that someone to be Greg, he didn’t believe it would be. Sure enough, the litany of profanity preceding the arrival of their unknown was most definitely not coming from Sanders.

“Las Vegas P.D.! Stay right where you are! Put your hands where I can see them and sit down. Spread you feet out in front of you. Do it!”

For a moment it looked like the big man would reach for the gun tucked into his waistband. He saw Nick backing up Brass and decided the odds weren’t in his favor. He sat.

Brass approached cautiously. “Don’t move, not even a twitch. Nick, get the gun…carefully!”

Nick retrieved the gun checked the clip. “Jammed.”

“Aw, that’s too bad! Where’s my CSI?” Brass demanded harshly. He kicked the suspect’s feet further apart; taking away any opportunity he had to rise without warning.

“You mean Pretty Boy? He’s dead. We had some fun, then I got rid of him. Somewhere over there.” He gave a vague gesture off the side of the mountain.

The laughter that followed that horrible statement cut off with a choke as Nick lunged for him, squeezing his hands around the suspect’s neck.

“Nick, Nick. Let him go! He’s lying; he’s trying to jerk your chain! Settle down! Let’s just get him back down and turned over to some uniforms. We’ve got lots of daylight left. We’ll keep looking until we find Greg. We’ll find him! Calm down!”

Nick nodded. With his white-hot rage fading, he felt a little foolish. He seemed to be reacting to everything with anger lately. Greg had tried to get him to see the therapist he had used after the lab exploded around him. He’d been angry at that suggestion, too. Maybe it was time to rethink that position. He had to gain control of himself or he’d be no use at all to Greg.

“Okay. Let’s get this scumbag locked up. I don’t want to waste any more time on him. Greg’s waiting on us.”

***Greg***

Greg woke reluctantly. It was so easy just to sleep, to just wait without moving. He wasn’t even shivering anymore. Part of him knew that was a bad sign, that he was in serious trouble, but it didn’t seem important. What was that shouting?

“Nick, Nick. Let him go!”

Nick! Nick was here! He knew Nick would come for him! Greg tried to get to his feet, but when he pressed his palms onto the rocks to push himself up, intense pain lanced up his arms. He fell back to the ground, sick and dizzy.

“Fuck, oh fuck. Oh God, oh Nicky, help me! Shit!” He knew he had to move, he had to do something to let Nick know where he was, but the roaring in his ears was making it hard to do anything at all. Gathering what breath he could, Greg began to shout.

“Nick! Nick, I’m here! In the cave! Nick!”

He kept shouting until his throat was raw and all he could muster was the barest of whispers.

“Nick, don’t leave me here,” he sobbed, broken and alone.

***Nick***

“This is taking too long! I can give you a statement later! I need to get back up there!” Nick was beside himself with frustration and worry. The State Police were getting all territorial, and then Ecklie had to get in his two cents…and daylight was fading while they all stood around having a pissing contest!

“Look! Bottom line…I’m going. Greg’s hurt, alone and waiting for us to get help to him! You can do what ever you need to do to me later. I’m out of here.”

With that, Nick picked up his gear and headed back towards the slope they had found their suspect on. He was surprised to find Brass and even Ecklie heading out with him.

“There’re cadets all over the mountainside, Nick. We’ll find him.”

He knew Ecklie was right. He just had to get out there himself. He had to help. He had to get Greg back. He prayed he wouldn’t be too late.

“I said I was coming, Greg, and I still am. Just hold on a little longer.”