Lassiter's POV

Lassiter could not believe the progress he had made on the Vallery case in so short a time. He still couldn't work out the way a healthy heart could stop on its own, his golfing cardiologist buddy could only offer up the theory of poison. But there was no generic, all-inclusive poison test. To run them all would be ridiculous. The case did have a suspect with motive to cause the man's death: Vallery's astronomer co-worker, Hugo.

Lassiter and O'Hara had gone to where Vallery had opened a safe deposit box and, with a warrant, found evidence that Vallery was going to dissolve the partnership with Hugo and was going to take all credit for their new discovery.

Motive, opportunity, all that was missing was the way in which the man had been murdered. That damnable coroner's report. Natural causes. Carlton so wanted to nail this guy for murder.

He was relieved to have this case to keep him distracted from thinking about the bar incident with Spencer. That night's memory lapse was unsettling and that Spencer knew a secret or two about him was unfortunate. But the irritating consultant hadn't made any off-color comments or jokes in his direction. In fact, he hadn't seen Spencer for days.

Carlton was slightly willing to admit that maybe he missed the man. However, it was nice to know that he could still solve a case on his own with good police work, not showboating or grandstanding theatrics.

"Hey, partner. We just learned that Hugo is giving a presentation at the Science Center to unveil the discovery he made with Vallery."

"Then let's go."

When he and O'Hara arrived at the observatory at the Science Center, he was surprised and slightly amused to see the Wonder Twins in the auditorium. He would at least get to flaunt his case-solving skills in front of Spencer for a change.

It was Spencer who spoke up first, however.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

Carlton tried to be as confident as possible with the man.

"We just got our motive for murder, Spencer. Hugo found out that Vallery was gonna take all the credit for their discovery himself. Cut him out of it entirely." That's right, boys he thought. That's how it's done. Well, sort of. He hated to have a loose-ended how left to figure.

"Because he was on the scope when they made the find."

"Yes. Maybe" He hadn't known if Vallery was on the scope or not. Or did he? Carlton had so many pieces of evidence and witness statements handed to him so quickly the past few days.

He looked at Spencer again. He hadn't seen him in days. Why was he here now?

"What are you doing here?"

"Well we heard you had the motive, so we rushed down here to volunteer our services." His answer was quick, but the hadn't Spencer originally asked why Carlton was the the observatory?

"Thanks, but I'll take this one myself."

"Okay, well at least tell me about the poison."

"What poison? I didn't say anything about poison." He had thought about poison being used earlier, but hadn't said anything about it. Had he?

"You most certainly did."

"I heard it." O'Hara piped in.

"Clear as day." So did Guster.

"Must have slipped out." But when had the other two been around him lately in order to hear that? O'Hara, justified since she was on the case with him. But the other two? Man, his head started to hurt. "I have been thinking about poison as a method, but I can't figure out how."

"Would you like me to read your innermost thoughts?"

Oh. Hell. No. He most likely already told that man some doozies.

"Like deep, deep, deep ones."

Carlton glanced at his partner and she made a face.

Crap.

"Knock yourself out." What else could Spencer really learn? That is IF he could really read his thoughts at all?

"Okay. I just want you to relax. Breathe normally. Close your eyes."

Lassiter took a breath then closed his eyes. Then thought better of that. He wouldn't pull any funny business here, would he? He opened one eye, just in case.

Spencer grabbed his wrists. The warmth that came from the man was overwhelming and Carlton couldn't really focus on what he was saying. All of a sudden his face was smashed between his own hands and Spencer kept hold of his wrists.

"You want to check the house. Hugo's house."

That was true! How would Spencer know that he had submitted paperwork for that very thing? Could he really read his thoughts?

"I am in the process of getting a warrant."

Apparently Spencer couldn't hear his muffled response, though.

"What did he say?"

O'Hara translated for him.

"He's in the process of getting a warrant now."

Spencer pulled hands off his face.

"The garden. Check the garden."

"It's buried there?" Maybe the murder weapon?

"Something's growing. I'm getting something. Prince! No. The 'Artist Formerly Known As Prince.'"

What the hell is he talking about? Was all Carlton thought at this ridiculousness. When he got the warrant he was supposed to look in the garden for something growing and what? Singing? This made no sense.

Spencer continued.

"Wrong again. It's Prince after he was known as 'The Artist Formerly Known As Prince'."

"It's Purple."

"Yes!"

So he was to look for something purple in the garden. A poison purple plant?

"Yes! That's it! You're amazing." As Carlton lowered his hands on his own, his fingers brushed against Spencer's for just a moment. Then the 'Psychic' 's hand went up to his temple.

"Oh. The caverns of knowledge in that thing."

Okay, so there could be a purple poison plant at Hugo's place.

"Here's the problem. We ran the toxicology report. There's no trace of poisoning."

"Of course. Thank you detective. So what you're saying is he would've had to administer it very, very slowly.

That wasn't what he said, but that did make sense to the detective.

"Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. How do you poison someone slowly?"

What was going on? Was he actually brainstorming ideas with Spencer now? Well it had seemed to be working.

"Coffee."

"No. I'm good." He wasn't looking for something to drink. He wanted to get an idea so he could bring Hugo in for murder.

"Tea." Guster was now asking if he wanted something to drink?

"Well, if you're going..." What? These two were confusing the crap out of him.

"It had to be the tea. The leaves wouldn't stand out in the tea."

"Wait. That was it. "Hugo poisoned his tea."

"Every day for six months." Added Spencer.

"Digitalis would cause arrhythmia in a healthy heart." Was completed by the pharmaceutical rep.

Digitalis.

"Which would disappear as soon as someone died." His mind raced around the next steps in this case and he didn't care about the arguing of who solved the case. Carlton would get the collar and Hugo was going away for murder.

"O'Hara. Call the coroner. Tell him to check for even the slightest traces of digitalis. And get me a new pair of handcuffs."

He saw Spencer as the man grinned at him like a loon. He then walked up to the podium and informed Hugo that instead of revealing his big discovery that he was arrested for murder.

Carlton felt confident and sure of himself as he led his suspect out of the building. He sighed with relief with finally getting to close this case that bothered him so much.

He knew he still had to talk with Spencer about that night at the bar. But he now was free from the weight of thinking he couldn't do his job. He was still a great detective. And he had three people he knew would be at his side to back him up. Even if two could get in the way at times, and one of those was damned irritating. They had listened, watched and helped as he solved this case. He was not alone.