Character Death

Chapter 3

For a full minute after Crete left the room, they sat in silence.

Sofia was the one to speak first, blinking back tears. "He saved my life."

"What?" Brass asked.

"If I hadn't been assigned to Officer Morrow today, I would've been the one to die."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, think about it," she said miserably. "I was the only person he knew here. So out of the group, who was he closest to? Me. And how many votes did I get? One. So if he hadn't been here, nobody would've voted for me, and Crete would've shot me instead."

No one could argue with her logic. They sat in dull shock, trying not to stare at Morrow's body.

"Okay, here's the plan," Grissom said suddenly. "We're supposed to say who we like least next, right?"

Sofia paled.

"What, are you going to ask someone to volunteer?" Warrick asked incredulously.

"No. It's simple: We all need to vote for ourselves."

The looks on the others' faces were less than enthusiastic.

"So then won't we all get shot?" Greg sputtered.

"No. It's a test of character, remember? So if it's an even tie, then he can't kill anybody."

"I think it's a good idea," Sara said finally.

Nick nodded reluctantly. "I guess it does seem like the best option."

They waited tensely for Crete to return. Morrow's body shifted slightly in his chair, and Sofia looked away, overcome.

"You hear the one about the blonde and the brunette in the elevator?" Greg asked suddenly.

Seven heads swiveled toward him. "What?"

"Well, this blonde and this brunette are riding in an elevator, and a man gets on. He's got really bad dandruff, and the women both notice it. The brunette whispers to the blonde, Somebody needs to give him Head and Shoulders. The blonde looks confused for a minute and finally says, I know how to give head, but how do you give shoulders?"

Brass let out a loud, appreciative guffaw.

"Inappropriate," Sara muttered, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling.

"Not the right time, Greg," Grissom said, shaking his head.

"Oh, please, there's no bad time to tell that joke," Greg retorted.

Nick bent his head over, laughing until he started to cough.

Just then, the door opened. They froze, as the taste of fear returned to the room.

"Hello again, everyone."

Crete was back, carrying a pen and more of the blank flashcards. His right pocket bulged, and all eyes were upon it. "Nice to see you all in such a good mood. Now, the next question in the test, if you're having trouble remembering, is Who do you like the least? Mr. Brown, if you please."

Warrick took the pen in his mouth, glancing over at Grissom before writing on his card carefully. Crete nodded, then gave the pen to Sofia for her turn.

There was no way to avoid looking at Morrow's body as Crete walked to the next chair. He pretended to stick the pen in Morrow's slack mouth, chuckling at his own humor before giving the pen to Brass. Then it was Nick, then Greg. Catherine was shaking so badly that she had trouble writing. Sara and Grissom finished up in turn, and the group watched nervously as Crete shuffled the cards.

It was possible, they knew, that Grissom's plan would backfire.

It was possible that Crete would shoot each of them in retaliation.

But it was also possible that this could save them all.

Crete pulled the first card out of the pile. "The first person who is liked the least is... Greg."

Greg paled visibly as the card dropped in front of his chair.

Nick coughed again, clearing his throat twice as he looked at Greg's card.

Crete pulled the next card out. "Warrick."

The card fell in front of Warrick, who glanced back at Grissom. Grissom just nodded at him reassuringly.

"Nick," Crete read next. "Sofia."

The tension in the room grew thicker as the pile grew smaller.

Crete pulled out the next card. "Brass."

The card landed in front of Brass, and he stared at it. "Wait."

"Grissom," Crete continued, undeterred, then flipped yet another card. "Sara."

"Wait," Brass said again, his eyes wide. "Wait."

"One last card," Crete said, smiling mirthlessly. "Who could it be?"

They waited anxiously, wondering what his reaction would be. Catherine was still trembling.

He flipped the last card.

"Jim."

The second card landed in front of Brass, and the shot came just as quickly.

Sofia burst into tears.

"Wait," Brass said again, shaking his head. His breathing grew louder, and he wheezed out slowly, "Just, just wait a second." The blood seeped from his chest, darkening his shirt. He licked his lips, a trickle of blood trailing down to his chin. "Wait."

And then he was still.