"He's flirting with her! I'm gonna kill him!" Catherine exclaimed as she peered through the branches of a hedge.

"Catherine, We're here to rescue him." Brass reminded from his hiding place, behind a column, to her left.

"As soon as he's safe, I'm gonna kill him!"

"You know, I'd have thought you wouldn't mind a little harmless flirtation."

"Harmless! She IS a serial killer! He IS flirting with a serial killer!"

"Keep your voice down. I'm gonna call for backup."

"He has seen her picture, for Christ's sake." She muttered, punching the speed dial on her cell for the third time since they arrived. "Gil, stop flirting and pick up your damn phone!" She could see it, vibrating away, attached to his golf bag.

"Vega is on his way with a couple of undercover guys and we'll have some uniforms in the parking lot."

"He never pays attention, unless it's some damned bug!" She watched closely, when it appeared Gil was going to exchange clubs she hit the speed dial again.

"Grissom."

"Don't say my name. Listen to me carefully, you're in serious danger."

"Yes, I realize that."

"You recognized her?"

"Ah, yes." He replied then pleasantly addressed the woman standing nearby. "Excuse me, for a moment." He waggled the phone at his ear and smiled his most charming smile. "Business. I'll be right back." He walked several feet away then spoke softly into the phone. "My Dear, you have no idea how happy I am to hear from you. Where are you?"

"Look to your left." Gazing at the ground, he shifted his golf club to the left as though he'd found something of interest hidden in the grass. Turning his body to further investigate his imaginary discovery, he glanced up to see Catherine and Brass hidden behind a column.

"And, you brought the Calvary. How considerate. Have I told you how much I love you?"

"A couple of hours ago, and I return the sentiment; but, you better tell me again when this is all over."

"Umm, there are a lot of people here. I'm not sure how she'll react or if she's armed. I don't suppose, we have a plan?"

"I'm gonna put Jim on."

"Gris?"

"Jim, glad you could make it. I was having a helluva time trying to figure out what to do."

"Vega is on his way. I have the staff arranging to distribute complimentary beverages to the players. Two guys, undercover cops, will come out with trays and they are going to get the people closest to you away with excuses. Then, they'll warn the other people and have as many as we can trickle away. You need to keep her distracted. Hopefully, we'll take her down without a fight."

"I'll do my best."

The minutes crawled by to a half-hour elapsed before the two undercover cops exited the shop, carrying trays of refreshments. Catherine was glad four of the players had packed up and left, finished for the day. The management had allowed no new customers on the range. However, watching Gil flirt was growing more irksome by the minute.

"Okay, we got Peters and Landrum. They're good guys."

"He's hugging her! I'm gonna kill him!" Catherine blurted in shock when Gil slid his arms around the woman, placing his hands over hers on the driver shaft.

"Calm down, he's adjusting her grip. And, if you notice, he has her back to the undercover guys. He's doing a good job of keeping her distracted."

Landrum approached the couple, smiling and offering a drink while surreptitiously slipping his hand under his shirttail to draw his weapon. In that moment, Mantis sensed something. She viciously elbowed Grissom in the solar plexus then brutally swung the driver into Landrum's right knee with a sickening crunch. Both men went to the ground in agony. Diving for her golf bag, she retrieved a handgun, which she immediately thrust into Grissom's face.

"Give it up, Lady! You got no where to go!" Peters threatened, covering her with his weapon. Vega hurried the remaining golfers out of the line of fire while Brass and Catherine rushed in with their weapons drawn.

"Shut up! Asshole! I've been on borrowed time for years!" Eyes glaring with hatred, she grabbed a handful of Grissom's hair to pull him toward her but he began coughing and gagging harder.

"Please? …..Just give me…..a minute, I can't breathe!" He hoarsely whispered, desperately drawing in a ragged breath. Rage dissipating, she relaxed her grip on his hair.

"Gil?" Catherine called.

"You, Bitch!" Mantis screeched, bringing her gun around to aim at Catherine. Brass shoved Catherine to the ground while Peters fired two rounds. One hit Mantis in the chest, the other her right shoulder. Time froze for an instance as they watched Mantis stare at the gun, slipping from her grasp. When her body refused to bend to her will; her eyes found Grissom's and pleaded sorrowfully. He caught her as she slumped over, laying her down carefully.

"I loved him." She rasped.

"I know." He whispered as the wet gurgles and wheezes of her attempts to breathe ceased.

"You alright?" Brass grabbed his shoulder.

"Yes. She's gone." He replied and placed his hand on her forehead. For a moment, he gazed at her sightless pale blue eyes before swiping his hand across her lids to close them forever. "How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it." Catherine touched his arm as he stood. He slipped his arms around her waist, enfolding her in a gentle hug, resting his cheek against her forehead.

"Shakespeare?" Brass inquired.

"Marcus Aurelius."

TBC