Recollection Rick

Chapter 39

The Lee Award has no red carpet. No paparazzi gather at the hotel where the banquet is held. Members of various forensic organizations, the nominees, and any of their family and friends willing to spring for a ticket arrive without fanfare, flashy jewelry, or designer outfits.

Despite the understated atmosphere, Alexis can't remember being more nervous – and she's not the one up for a prize. Still, Dana seems to be fine. Gram took one look at the suit he planned to wear and put in an emergency call to her favorite costume mistress to adjust the fit. At least something is perfect. Alexis had to help him with his tie, but he rarely wears one. She's wearing nail polish, something she'd never do in the lab. Too many of the solvents she uses can dissolve the acrylic base.

Alexis was hoping that her Dad and Kate could be there. Unfortunately, Kate has a case, and Dad is with Lily. The baby's wails pierced the air at midnight, and Dad took her to urgent care with an ear infection. The nurse practitioner prescribed an antibiotic for the miserable infant, but until it takes effect, the only time she stops crying is when someone, preferably Dad or Kate, holds her. As usual, Dad takes his fatherly duties seriously.

Dana's parents are there to support their son, with Ginny Wygard doing most of the talking. Alexis spots Professor Gilly at a full Hudson U. table. Dana will have faculty boosters at the ceremony. Chief Osnitz, sporting his signature bowtie, is in conversation with what Alexis assumes is a group of fellow criminalists.

Alexis consults one of the programs laid atop the place settings. Of course, the award will come after lunch and several speakers. She groans. The organizers would make everyone wait! She's not sure how she's going to make it through eating a meal. However, if it's like the rubber chicken she's had at academic award presentations, leaving it on her plate won't be any great loss.

The servers come around with salads. At least those won't tie her stomach in any more knots than it already has. Concluding that P.I.s must enthusiastically go after a meal whenever they get the opportunity, Alexis watches Bart Wygard attack his plate. As she tentatively spears a piece of her own baby spinach, she overhears a conversation about the effect of the leafy green on blood clotting. Her nervousness retreats as a chuckle rises in her throat. This is definitely not the Oscars. Thank God!


Spooning up dark globs of what's passing for chocolate mousse, Alexis watches as each nominee is announced in alphabetical order and called up on stage. Dana Wygard is summoned next to last, just before Petros Zybos.

The chair of the Lee Foundation congratulates all the honorees on their accomplishments and predicts numerous bright futures. Alexis clicks her newly painted nails against her service plate. "Come on, come on."

The almost mythical Dr. Lee takes the podium, intelligent eyes bright under silver hair. He grins at the audience. "I get to announce the winner. With more years of excellence in forensic science than anyone should have at his age, the award goes to Dana Wygard."

Alexis jumps from her seat, applauding, joined by Bart and Ginny. Gilly rises as well, eventually joined by many of her colleagues. Holding out a certificate and an envelope, Lee gestures for Dana to take his place at the lectern.

Dana gazes out over the room, catching Alexis's encouraging smile and a nod from his father, who activates a professional-grade video recorder. "I'm very thankful for this award, and not just for the money – which as a student I can really use."

Polite laughter ripples through the audience.

"The overwhelming reason I'm grateful is that the answers we pursue are vital. Unfortunately, that work doesn't garner much notice beyond those gathered here. We need the public to grasp what we do. And I desperately need it to understand what I'm doing now.

"I'm a student at Hudson University, one of thousands. Like many of you, much of my time is spent in the lab, which, under the guidance of Professor Gilly, has led to a disturbing discovery." At Dana's mention, curious stares turn toward his mentor.

"My co-worker Alexis Castle and I have detected high levels of toxins in hair samples from Hudson University students," Dana continues. "The source of these appears to be largely unmonitored products imported to fill the demand for low-priced sundries.

"We have no idea how far this problem extends beyond the Hudson student body. But we know one thing, we're going to need a lot of help and support to find out. Illegal drugs aren't the only poisons invading our campuses and our country. We intend to find the source of the others and shut off the flow. I'm hoping that all of you stand ready to help."

Applause rings from throughout the room. Lee claps Dana on the back, and the triumphant teen returns to his table for a hug from Alexis. "That was a great speech."

Dana's mouth tweaks upward in a lopsided smile. "We need to thank your dad. He helped me write it."

Bart raps on his video camera. "I'll get this edited and uploaded and send Rick a link he can pass on to his celebrity friends. I'll email links to you and Alexis to spread around too."

"And my quilters are also getting in on this," Ginny interjects. "We have our own worldwide network, and no one in it wants their kids and grandkids getting poisoned."

Alexis wraps herself around Dana. "Our project is going to work. I can feel it."


Lily is finally and peacefully napping in a portable crib next to her father's desk on a combination of an antibiotic and two drops of infant painkiller. Checking the baby before donning earphones, Rick activates the link Bart Wygard sent. "The kid did good," he mutters softly, mentally kicking himself both for making a sound and doing it with poor grammar. Fortunately, Lily doesn't stir.

Rick's already made a list of link recipients willing to open their mouths, wallets, or both for good works. He sends it to his agent Paula Haas. That woman has contacts beyond belief, or so she keeps telling him. It's time for her to come up with the goods. And cause or no cause, she'll love going after good P.R. Rick's planning to approach George Fleming personally. If there's anyone who reaches a vast audience, it's George. And this is just the kind of cause the indefatigable host loves.


"Got anything?" Ryan asks.

"What?" Kate looks up from the video on her phone. "Oh, yeah. The ATMs' transactions in the stores around the alley where the body was found all have one guy in common. I got his DMV. The address is phony. So is the one he used to apply for his debit card. But we have a picture and a plate number. I ordered the footage from the traffic cams. With any luck, you can do your magic and pick up his trail." She checks the time on her watch. "I'm off in five minutes, and I promised Rick I'd relieve him with Lily."

"Yeah, I hope she's feeling better." Ryan offers. "My sister went through ear infections with her kids. They're tough. Was the video you were watching part of this case?"

"No, but it could be part of another one, a big one. You'll be hearing about it. If I know Rick and Alexis, I think everyone will."