Vacation was cut short after Gail got the call that her aunt has passed. She, Steve and Holly packed up and went back to Toronto. Holly went home and Gail and Steve went to her aunt's house. Pecks and the rest of the friends and family were there preparing for the wake and the funeral. Mama Peck gave them all assignments and sent them to do it. Holly gave her best to be there for Gail and help with all she could. Gail hated being bossed around by her mother and she hated even more the fact she would have to spend time with her family. She didn't love them. She asked Holly to come and Holly had to say no.
''You know I would love to be there for you, but I can't come. My parents will be there and I don't think I am ready to see them and I am afraid what our encounter could turn into. Funerals are not place for tantrum my dad could create.''
Gail was silent for some time. She just cuddled up to her naked girlfriend. Holly was right. Her parents were capable of making very bad scene. And her mother would go insane if something like that ever occurred. Gail turned towards Holly and kissed her. She rolled them so she was on top and then she ended the kiss…
''Enough talking about my mother and those idiots of your parents. Let's go back to where we were an hour ago…''
Holly smirked at her girlfriend.
''And where is that detective?''
''Me….naked…on top of you… Doing all those things you love…''
''I like that idea…''
''Just like? I am hurt Holly…''
''Shut up and put those hands and mouth into good use detective…''
And she did. They spent most of the morning and afternoon in bed avoiding Gail's phone that was ringing all the time. After some time Holly got tired of hearing the Imperial march every time Mama Peck called.
''Answer that phone. I am really tired of hearing her call…''
''Nooo… I can't talk to her… I am so sick of my mother…''
''I know…''
Gail got out of bed and left the room with the phone in her hands. Holly heard Gail saying a lot of not so nice things to her mother, but decided to keep her comments to herself. After some time, Gail came back to bed with a phone switched off.
''Now, where were we?''
Since mama Peck insisted Gail comes that evening to family dinner, she had to leave Holly's a bit early. She had to go home and get ready. As she expected, there was her entire family very happy to see Steve. All Pecks were in the service and extremely proud of Steve and his undercover work. To them, Steve was amazing cop and they all believed he will reach even higher than his parents. There were Stewarts and also her perfect ''date'' Holly's cousin George. Gail could sense the setup from the door. He was there to be with her and her mom hoped he will manage to convince her this time to date him. Gail took her place at the table and Elaine seated him beside her. Holly's parents sat across from her. Thad definitely killed her appetite. Seeing her father being so nice to George and telling he is his son, made Gail's inside turn. Some of the people asked about Mr. and Mrs. Stewart's child and they said they lost their child long time ago.
''Our son is dead… You know… One of these faggot diseases…''
That made Gail even angrier. She couldn't wait for her chance to tell them what she really thinks and feels about them. Some conversation started over dinner. One of her aunts turned conversation towards Gail.
''Gail, we heard about that case you are working on… Oh, such a dreadful thing. Do you have any leads?''
''We have some, but you all know I can't discuss any of it here…''
''Gail, we are family and in the force…''
''Then, on Monday, send official request and I'll come to your office and give you the facts. Here, we are just family, not cops…''
Some of the cousins praised Gail's work and said they are very proud of her. Steve didn't like it very much. He loved being the only good child and cop in the family. One aunt gave him opportunity to make Gail bad guy again.
''Oh, I see your mother found you a nice young boy… It's time Gail to marry and have family…''
Before she could speak, Steve spoke…
''Oh, boy… That's a good one.''
Elaine gave her son a look…
''You have something to say Steven?''
'' My sister apparently bets for the other team…No boy will get her to settle and have a family….''
Pecks turned pail and Gail's blood was boiling…
''What are you talking about Steven...?''
Before Steve had a chance to say something, Gail spoke.
''I am gay… I am dating a woman…for some time now…''
They all turned towards her and entire room was silent. She saw the looks and the way they all looked disapproving, especially her parents and Stewarts.
''And who is she?''
But instead of her speaking, her brother did the honors….
''A doctor… She works for our division as pathologist…. Stewart or something….''
When Steve said her last name, Holly's parents looked at Gail.
''Yes, she is pathologist working for the fifteenth. We worked the case together...''
''Worked?''
''Yes, she stepped off for some personal reasons…''
''What personal reason could she have to step of the high profile case?''
''Mother, it's personal for a reason….''
''I am superintendent….''
''Then call her superior to your office or call Dr. Stewart there… I am in no position to talk about her reasons.''
''But I must say she is hot… But she has an attitude…''
''She just doesn't buy your crap…''
''Gail, watch your tone…''
Gail knew it was lost cause. Her parents would never stop Steve from saying negative things to her. Especially now when she came out. Now he could speak in their name, so they could wash their hands of any insult. He got out his phone and showed his parents picture of Holly and Gail at the beach. They looked very hot. Her mother looked at picture and was a silent for few moments.
''I saw her… She is the one that broke the cup in your house…''
''Yes, mother…''
''She is pretty…''
She gave phone to her husband who agreed that Holly looked pretty. Phone circled the table and reached Stewarts. Before they saw the picture, Gail took the phone and deleted it.
''That's enough. You are all so disgusting. Beside the amazing body she has, she is one of the best in the field she works at, she is smart, funny amazing in all the ways and you all just stare and droll over her body. ''
Gail was very angry at Steve.
''And you Steven are pig. No wonder you are single.''
''Gail, that is not the way to speak to your brother…''
''Really mom? After what he said and did, you are on his side?''
''And what did he do wrong?''
''First of all, he outed me and my girlfriend before I had a chance to talk to you. Maybe we didn't want anyone to know we were dating. Some of these people in the room know her and might treat her differently. Maybe she doesn't want her name to be tied to the Peck name?''
''She should be honored to be associated with a Peck.''
''Not everyone thinks we are good guys mom…''
''That is nonsense… We are Pecks, we are police royalty…''
''And laughing stock too…''
''Why?''
''People know how you solve Steven's problems…''
''How?''
''Making me take the blame…''
''Gail Peck, apologize now!''
''No! You know I am right.''
''Gail, this is not time and place.''
''It never is mother.''
And with that Gail left the house and got back to Holly's. Holly didn't expect to see her that soon.
''Hey stranger… You came back way too early…''
''Steve just outed us…''
''And by that you mean…?''
''That I am dating a woman….''
She sat down on the sofa and nodded…
''Ok, and he has no idea….''
''About James? No…''
''Ok… Good… Let's keep it that way for some time… We have to talk to people you work with… If we are leaving the case…we have to tell them why….''
''I know…''
There were few minutes of silence.
''Baby, what happened with you and Steve?''
''There was some mess in the station during the questioning. Two cases were related and Steve took the old file and he didn't notice that name of the detective working undercover and name of the star witness were visible. So when they brought witness for questioning few days later, some armed men got into the station, in police uniforms and started shooting. My partner died and star witness died too. But the problem was about the folder with confidential information that was gone from one of the tables. It was signed out under detective Peck, no name. So my mom made sure to give him an alibi so I got accused of not taking care of the fine and data in it. Mama saved his ass and regardless of the fact so many people knows what happened, I am the one to take the blame. And he will get promoted.''
''I sort of hate him now.''
'' I hate him very often. I could even say, every day.''
Just as Gail sat by Holly and leaned in for the kiss, their phones started to ring….
''Peck…''
''Stewart…''
They exchanged looks and got off the sofa…
''Another one…''
Holly picked up her purse and put on warm boots. This body was found in the woods, place where some girls brought their…Johns, so there will be a lot of condoms, mud, confusion and she will need to keep warm. She and Gail got out of the car. She got her kit and took a deep breath. Here we go again! There were million cops. Tapes, dogs forensic crew. Holly had a feeling about this one. This will not be pretty. When she got to the body, Holly felt sick.
''Oh, my god! Baby!''
Gail blushed a bit. She and Holly had agreement not to use pet names at work.
''Holls, not now…''
''Not you, her! She is Baby, or at least how we used to call her. Us, older girls who completed the transition. She was just starting. She had few appointments with doctors. She just got her hormones few months ago.''
''Oh… So, Baby, no other name?''
''I don't know. She was new. She was trying to figure out her new name and start using it.''
Sam came to them.
''Doc, what can you tell us?''
''I know her. We called her Baby. She still had no name.''
''And what about her ma…given name?''
'' No idea. She never used it in front of me. But, you could talk to Bell. She would give it to you and maybe get you connected to the family too.''
Holly did her exam and concluded that Baby was hit five times on the head with a rock there was struggle since she found some skin under her nails. Baby was left with empty purse, but Holly was not sure if the same person did it. Since it was the place where prostitutes would bring their clients, this could have easily be just a case of trick gone wrong.
''Is it a same guy?''
''I don't know. Trick gone wrong is also an option. I will know more after I do the complete autopsy.''
They took the body and Holly got ready to leave.
''Are you ok?''
''I will be. It was just such a shock.''
''I know. Want to work on her now?''
''Yes, I have to.''
''Ok, see you later…''
Since they were alone, Gail kissed her and went with Sam and Holly went to morgue. Nothing on the body indicated that it was the same person. Holly was sick to her stomach to be working on someone she knew, but she had to do this in order for this murder to be solved. As her work progressed, Holly actually started going back to the idea of this being part of the murders they worked on. There was small detail that got her attention. She found that some of the hair was missing. That was killer's signature. She called Gail right away.
''Gail, it's him. Hair is missing and I recovered some semen.''
''Do you think it's killer's?''
''I don't know. Baby did tricks.''
Gail came to the morgue and she was very quiet. Holly noticed that and turned towards her.
''You are very silent.''
''Holly, do you think this is personal?''
''In what way?''
''Something about the doctor? Some patient she said no to or something like that?''
''I have no idea love. We never talked about it. I am her patient too and she has to keep secrets about us.''
''She never mentioned anyone causing problems?''
''No, I don't remember.''
''Maybe we should talk to her.''
''I can't go.''
''But Sam and I can.''
And with that Gail left. Holly didn't like the fact two of them will dig through someone privacy. She knew dr Bell was very protective of her patients but a warrant would force her to speak and answer all the things they ask.
