Tampa Orion Institute Monday Morning October 24

Vienna rose from her desk chair and greeted Javier and Hayley as they arrived for the meeting. She would admit to being more than a little curious. Hayley's text earlier had given no details; simply requested the meeting and said that it was life or death important. Vienna also noticed that Hayley was carrying a small, insulated cooler.

"I don't suppose you have any news from Rick."

Hayley shook her head sadly. "I do think I know where Kate is though. I think she's either looking for Rick or already with him."

Javier swiveled his chair toward her, "When did this revelation occur?"

"Last night while I was trying to get to sleep."

"Do you think he'd actually take her back?" Vienna fairly dripped skepticism.

"I don't know," Hayley admitted, "But I do know that those two are head over heels in love and that can't be turned off like a light. Kate can't live without Rick, she's a different person when he's around, the real Kate.

"May I ask what this meeting is about, Hayley?"

"We, Javier and I, found some evidence over the weekend that we believe may help explain Kate's behavior at the charity auction. She handed her phone to Vienna, who looked skeptical. Never the less, Vienna sat back in her chair to watch the film.

After the third viewing, she carefully placed the phone on her desk. "I think we can agree that there was a radical change in Kate's behavior as the night progressed. I also don't see that any of the events that transpired were in any way planned in advance or even expected by her. However I didn't see anything to suggest she was coerced in any way. So where does that leave us?"

"Drugs?" Javier replied.

"I suppose that could explain it, but Kate's blood was tested immediately and nothing was found."

"The only tests that they performed were the standard toxicology screen." Hayley supplied. "We think we also need to look outside the box."
"I agree." Vienna stated, turning to her computer "Give me a moment." She typed in the proper code and in less than thirty seconds, Lainey Parrish appeared on the screen.

Good morning Vienna. How may I help you?"

"Good morning, would you come to my office, please, Asap?"

"On my way, be there in five."

Vienna turned back to her guests. "While we're waiting for Lainey, is there anything new on Rick's case?"

"There's some new evidence, but I still have a lot of work to develop it before I can release any details." Hayley announced. The FBI had a very low tolerance for agents who leaked critical information about an ongoing investigation.

"Can you at least tell me if it's hopeful?" Vienna asked softly without lifting her eyes from her desktop. My greatest fear is that you'll prove his innocence, and we'll find that he died of his injuries a week prior.

Hayley felt as if a steel band was constricting her throat. She tried to speak, but no words could force their way through. So she simply nodded, yes it's hopeful. To my last breath, she added.

A soft knock heralded Lainey's arrival. She was bit surprised to see Hayley there. "What's going on, am I under arrest?" Lainey asked. Then, seeing that no one had responded to her attempt to lighten the mood, she seated herself at Vienna's conference table and placed her hands face down on the table in front of her.

The agony etched on the faces of the three others was almost unbearable, but she plunged ahead. "Is somebody going to tell me what's going on" She demanded. "Did we get some word about Rick?"

"Agent Shipton has requested that you perform some analyses relating to the case she's working. I've already approved it, but we wanted to get your thoughts before we announce it to the rest of your section. "Lainey nodded her agreement.

Hayley reached for the cooler sitting beside her chair and placed it on the table. "Lainey, there are two samples in here. One is a blood collection tube and the other is a plant, a rare orchid to be specific."

What's the context for these samples? Lainey asked, starting to be a little concerned.

Hayley and Vienna traded glances for a few seconds, then Vienna nodded, "Give her everything"

Hayley passed the cooler across the table. "The blood sample is from Kate Beckett, it was taken at 22:19 hours immediately after the incident. There were a total of four vials collected. One was used around 23:00 to perform a standard toxicology screen and the others were placed in liquid nitrogen for long term storage in the evidence room. This one was retrieved from storage at 08:15 this morning.

"The second sample is an orchid corsage that was found on the floor of the bedroom in the suite where the incident occurred. POI Beckett was observed to repeatedly inhale the scent of the flower from very close range. The sniffing of the flower seemed to coincide with radical changes in POI Beckett's behavior that may have contributed to the death of Sergei Alexyev."

Hayley sat rigidly upright, face impassive, arms clasped tightly. Javier leaned over and whispered, "Let's get out of here." Hayley managed to nod and Javier helped her to her feet. "I think she needs a few minutes of privacy. She's had a rough week."

Vienna gave her a sympathetic smile as she met Hayley at her office door. "Hayley, you've convinced me. Now I need a name. You give me a name and Lainey gives me a smoking gun and I will end this. They will pay."

Lainey also stopped for a few words and a hug . "Hayley, I'm not one for making wild promises. But I promise you this – If it's there, I will find it." And then she was gone, striding purposefully toward her lab and already texting her key staff: 911 My Office – NOW.