Chapter 3

Two hours later Alexx was still on the job. However, she wasn't at the scene or at the morgue. To her dismay she was instead sitting before the Review Board consisting of Dr. Joshua Hines, the Review Board Chief and Dr. Sylvia Marton, his Second in Command. Neither of them looked too pleased at having their beautiful Sunday afternoon interrupted.

Welcome to my world, Alexx thought to herself as she snatched a tissue from the box in front of her. She wiped a piece of ash from her cheek and carefully wrapped it in the tissue for possible examination later. One could never tell. It might be evidence.

Her lips were dry and her throat was parched. What she wouldn't do for a cold glass of sweet tea and a cool shower.

Horatio came in and set a glass of ice and a can of instant tea before her.

Alexx smiled at him gratefully. It wasn't the real thing but it would do for now.

"This isn't a social call, Mr. Caine," Dr. Hines announced.

Horatio took off his sunglasses, laid them on the table, and sat down beside Alexx. "With all do respect, Dr. Hines. Dr. Woods has just been through a very harrowing experience--"

Dr. Hines was apparently unsympathetic. "Brought on by carelessness and failure to follow proper procedure or at least common sense to make sure there were no flammable substances around."

While outside the condo where she had been treated for smoke inhalation, Alexx had learned that the condo was a meth lab. Glue from the fuming tent had ignited ammonia somewhere on the premises. She and Ryan were lucky to have escaped with their lives.

There was no way they could blame her for this. Alexx couldn't help but wonder why she was on the hot seat instead of Ryan.

There was a knock on the door. As if she had conjured him up, Ryan came in and sat down beside her.

"This lab is already under review," Dr. Marton announced, looking directly at Horatio. "This latest fiasco doesn't help."

Although she was fuming, Alexx struggled to maintain her composure. "I'm the medical examiner, there to examine the body, not investigate the scene."

"So you're saying this was my fault?" Ryan asked her.

"Tenting the body was your idea, honey."

"I think we all need to just step back and process what happened," Horatio suggested.

"We know what happened," Dr. Hines said. "These two are responsible for setting off an explosion that destroyed a crime scene and burnt the victim beyond recognition."

"Neither Dr. Woods nor Mr. Wolfe set up the meth lab," Horatio said. "Now is not the time to be pointing fingers, at least at them."

"When is the right time?" Dr. Marton asked him.

"Alexx, I mean Dr. Woods is right," Ryan admitted. She had her job to do and I had mine. I should have been more careful."

Such a dear man, Alexx thought.

"You understand this latest transgression will go into your jacket, Mr. Wolfe?" Dr. Hines asked him.

Ryan sighed heavily. "Yes."

Dr. Hines turned his attention to Alexx. "Dr. Woods, you understand that a notation will also go in your jacket?"

Of course she knew. What did they take her for, a simpleton? But should she demand the notation exonerate her from blame? How would Ryan take that? And Horatio? She didn't want her exemplary record smudged by someone else's carelessness, including CSI Ryan Wolfe. However, he had saved her life. Well, damn, that's what he should have done since he was the one responsible for causing this mess.

Dr. Marton crossed her arms. "Is there anything further you'd like to add, Dr. Woods?"

"No," Alexx said. She simply wouldn't throw Ryan further underneath the bus.

"I just want to reiterate that any fault lies with me," Ryan insisted.

"We suspected as much," Dr. Marton said.

Dr. Hines looked from Ryan to Alexx. "You two may be excused."

Alexx opened her mouth to speak but Ryan raised his hand to stop her. He stood up and offered to help her with her chair. She wanted to say something but didn't she want to make the situation worse.

Alexx stood up and she and Ryan left the conference room.