Flu

Chapter 75

Alexis is anxious enough to return to the lab that Chief Osnitz's early summons seems more like a gift than a burden. She has at least a start on her Christmas shopping and can finish most of it online. With her dad, Kate, and Gram still asleep, she rushes through an early breakfast, leaving a pot of coffee behind for groggy stay-a-beds.

Propped on one elbow, Rick studies a still-slumbering Kate. The soft hair splayed on her pillow is in tangles. Her lips are slightly parted, with a dot of moisture on an upturned corner of her mouth. She's never looked more beautiful. Perhaps she's dreaming about yesterday's afternoon delight. His mind had been replaying their adventures in loving before the aroma of caffeinated brew jerked him into the conscious world. He leaves the bed as quietly as he can. Kate gets very few undisturbed mornings. She has every right to enjoy this one – and it is Sunday.

Ambling barefoot into the kitchen, Rick finds Alexis' note next to the coffee maker. She must have correctly figured that he couldn't miss it there. Muscles pop along the hinge of his jaw. He gets little enough time with his daughter. Osnitz couldn't wait another day? Other than storming down to C.S.U., which would further lower Osnitz's opinion of him and infuriate Alexis, he can't think of much to do about it.

On the other hand, his daughter's absence will give Rick a chance to wrap presents he's been gathering for her since last Christmas and stow them under the tree. He might even get some help from Kate. And there are other ways they can enjoy the morning. With a brightening mood, he sets to work making pancake batter.


Alexis regards her assignment from Chief Osnitz. She needs to extract the thin strips of leather with both water and an organic solvent, so any chemicals in them can be analyzed by multiple methods. From the appearance of the cords, they come from more than one animal. She can't choose a representative sample. For a full picture, she'll have to process all of them.

Following that protocol means she'll be spending a lot of time sitting on a lab stool in front of a hood, making sure nothing overheats. The most effective solvent she can use catches fire if you look at it funny. Her work will be tedious, but she can cope. The last time she did anything like this, she went through the manuals for almost every piece of equipment in the lab.

During this slog, she can read up on any changes in analytical procedures. By the time she's done, she'll be more up-to-date than any tech in the lab, maybe even the chief. Humming to herself, she gathers the glassware she'll need to get to work.


"These are great," Kate sighs, sticking one of the chocolate chips forming the smile on her pancakes into her mouth. "Too bad that Alexis had to miss out on the fun."

"More for us, and I can always make her a batch on another morning. She reminds me of you, rushing into work, hoping to find the clue to break open a case. And you did it, too."

"I did it even better after you upgraded the coffee in the breakroom and brought in doughnuts less than 48 hours old. Alexis will settle down a little. But if she has found her passion in forensics, nothing is going to stop her."

"You've got that right," Rick agrees. "Nothing ever has." He sorts through the sections of the Ledger's Sunday edition. "You want Metro?"

"Sure, but that's usually your first read. What are you looking for?"

"The T.V. magazine. It has a listing of all the movies, even the old ones, on every channel. I'm collecting showings of Mother's triumphs in small but essential roles. I'm going to do screen captures for a celebratory Martha Rodgers Retrospective Album. She's been dropping hints for a faux leopard coat, and I'll get it for her, but the collection should come as a surprise."

"Babe, that's so sweet."

"I am sweet." Rick pops a chocolate morsel between his lips. "Especially now."

Slipping from her stool, Kate wraps her arms around his pajama-clad waist. "As a detective, I'll have to check that out for myself."


Ketimer Jewelers isn't usually open on Sundays, but fearing that a possible storm may decrease foot traffic, Jacob Ketimer decided to expand its hours through the holidays. So far, it's been working out well for him. Patrons of the popup down the street stroll by his window to take in his wares. He's detected the scent of pumpkin spice on more than a few of his customers. Some have wandered in still holding fragrant lattes.

When Mark Newhouse comes through his door, Jacob recognizes him immediately as the new restaurant's manager. Mark's feet shuffle nervously against the hand-laid mosaic tile on the floor. "I'm looking for a ring."

Jacob detects the signs of a nervous would-be fiancé immediately. He's seen enough of them. But he inquires as if he doesn't notice. "What kind of a ring, Sir?"

Mark shoves his hands in his pockets. "An engagement ring. And I'll need it before Christmas."

Jacob smiles his understanding. "I can cut, mount, and size on the premises. Timing won't be a problem. Do you have a price range in mind?"

Having previously sat with a spreadsheet of his resources and a calculator, Mark knows exactly what he can afford. But at that moment, the cost doesn't seem to matter much. "I just want to make her happy. But there is one thing. She's an incredible violinist. She may want to take the ring off when she plays. Can you match it with a chain so she can put it around her neck?"

"Very wise question," Jacob notes. "Some of my other customers have encountered issues of that kind. We can pair a chain to a setting. Come, I'll show you what I have."

Mark takes a deep breath as Jacob unlocks a case and pulls out several velvet-covered trays. He's going to do this. He's really going to do this.


Seeing the caller I.D. on her phone is the best thing that's happened to Lanie all day. "Lorne! What's going on?"

"I'm in New York. My mother has a thing about Broadway."

"I remember," Lanie acknowledges.

"Anyway, I promised I'd take her to see 'Wicked' for Christmas and last night was the closest to the holiday that I could get tickets. She's doing some shopping before we go back and doesn't want to drag me along. So, I was wondering if you'd like to catch an early dinner, maybe an anti-autopsy special."

"Sure, a meal which can't include anything that looks like it came off any kind of a body. But not chicken nuggets," she adds.

Lorne chuckles. "These days, when you want a meal like that, you just ask for vegan. Way back when, we had to get more creative. So what do you think? Want to experience an improved version of old times?"

Lanie glances back at her table. "Look, I've got about a half-hour's work left here, but if that won't make you too late driving your mom back, I'd love to."

"The timing will be perfect," Lorne assures her. "There is a vegan restaurant, Terra Potta, down the block from the Grenadier. Mom and I stayed there last night. You know the place?"

"I do. Someone dropped dead in one of the rooms a few months ago."

"It wasn't from food poisoning, was it?" Lorne queries.

"Not any type a vegan would get. C.O.D. was a heart attack, and he had a cheeseburger in his stomach. It didn't look like they were the only ones he ever ate. That'll keep you off fast food for a while."

"At least until I get a good whiff of French fries. They pull me in every time. But anyway, meet you at Terra Potta in an hour?"

"You're on.