Chapter 4:
Half an hour later, DB and Sara arrive at the laboratory, their arms full of clues that they just collected on their latest crime scene, they've had a double tonight.
They knock on the door of the ADN service, where is Wendy.
-Enter! she responds with a certain tone that surprises her two colleagues.
-Have you a problem, Wendy? DB asks quietly.
The lab technician turns, visibly upset.
-Indeed... We have a big problem on the arms... she begins, seeking her words.
DB notes that she was analyzing something.
-You are still working at this hour? he asks, confused.
-Yes, as you can see ... I found a hair on the scene...Uh... she says, trembling slightly.
She doesn't dare to announce the sudden disappearance of the Christmas gifts under the fir tree in the conference room.
-Wendy ... You can't have been on the crime scene without us having been informed... Sara intervenes, surprise.
-Sara, DB ... The laboratory was burgled...! Wendy then releases, very bored.
-What! DB and Sara exclaim simultaneously.
-I know, it's totally crazy...but impossible for the moment to explain why and how ... The tests give nothing... Wendy then explains.
-Wendy ... What could be stolen here? DB asked, puzzled.
-Our Christmas gifts! They have all mysteriously disappeared! Wendy responds, visibly relieved to have finally emptied her bag.
She explains the situation in details then accompanies them to the conference room.
DB passes his hand under the chin, thoughtfully.
He can't believe that the gifts have could disappear like that from the laboratory while there were still full of people.
-And the surveillance cameras? DB asks.
-Nada. They seem to be suddenly broke down at the time of flight... Wendy responds.
-It's incomprehensible, we are in a reputable laboratory secure! DB exclaims, taken aback.
He decided to go see his other colleagues of the night shift with Sara.
They quickly assess the situation but it seems hopeless.
-I'm afraid that our little game of Secret Santa is fallen into the water this year... said Catherine, very disappointed.
-Oh, what's a pity! others groan, frustrated.
They had only to go home stupidly, they were dressed up beautiful for nothing.
For a time the night was calm, proof that it wasn't Christmas every day!
Sara tries to join Grissom, that she hasn't seen since her return at the laboratory.
Yet, he should be there since at least several hours, they planned to meet at the laboratory once she would be returned from her crime scene.
She finds this absence strange, he has never missed a single appointment with her since their first official date.
Grissom doesn't answer the phone, Sara falls on his voice mail twice.
She leaves a message to the third try then decides to shower and change clothes in waiting for him.
Then she finds again her colleagues in the break room.
Seeing the sad face of their colleague, they understand that something's wrong.
Catherine approaches her and asks gently :
-What's wrong, Sara?
-Well ... I thought Gil was already here but it is not the case... I try to call him by phone since a while but I fall immediately on his voice mail... He hasn't sought to call me, I worry a lot, it doesn't look like him... Sara says, slightly nervous
-Yes, it's bizarre, that... Catherine responds.
The two women send a questioning look to their colleagues but they know no more about it.
They finally are ready to leave when suddenly, the voice of Judy makes itself hear in the speaker :
-All members of the laboratory staff are invited to come in the conference room ... I repeat : all members...
They go out and run to the conference room, curious to know why they are summoned there.
There is a small crowd at the entrance.
Catherine and her colleagues, who see nothing, succeed to build a way and remain astonished and prohibitions face to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes.
Santa Claus is installed in the middle of the room, he is more true than nature and has his arms full of gifts.
-Ho ho ho! he said in a voice very hoarse after coughing for a while.
No one recognized in no way the poor Grissom, that someone has convinced to play this role at the last minute.
Not only his hair and beard reminds those of Santa Claus but he also suffers from a good tracheitis ...
To be continued...
Author's note :
But ... who had the bright idea to convince Grissom to dress up as Santa? From where do the gifts he brings? Explanations in the chapters to follow ...
Keziah. ;)