Gerri hesitated as she approached the autopsy lab. When they had arrived back at the lab, Grissom had made the comment that 'Everyone should experience an autopsy on their first night.' as he left Gerri standing in the kitchen. Gerri shook her head, feeling that there was some pain beneath that off hand remark, but didn't dig. She had learned that a long time ago, if Gil didn't want to share with her, then she'd better not press the subject. Gerri had quickly drained a cup of coffee and had headed down the hall. Now she stood outside the lab doors, wondering why she was still out here. Before she could move, one of the doors opened and Grissom leaned out, startling her.
"Are you coming in or not, Gerri?" his voice held no amusement, and neither did his eyes as he stared at her.
"Um, yeah." she stepped past him and into the lab, "Sorry."
No reply came from Grissom as he released the door and let it swing shut. Gerri followed in his wake as he headed over to the stainless steel examination table. She looked down at it, completely unfazed by dead bodies after ten years. The deep cuts on the abdomen and arms did catch her attention. She moved close to the table and traced her finger in the air over the wounds, unaware of the stares she was receiving from the two men. She dropped her hand back to her side and stepped back, looking up at them.
"Okay, that was interesting." Grissom said as he handed her a pair of latex gloves. "Gerri, this is our night coroner, Dr. Al Robbins. Al, this is our new CSI, Gerri Simms."
"Pleased to meat you." he nodded to her, and then waved a hand at the body. "What was that whole tracing thing about?"
Gerri blushed, "Weird thing I picked up from our coroner in Cheyenne. It helps me get a feel for the body."
"Interesting. Okay, meet Jeffrey McKnight, age thirty two." Gil raised his eyebrow at the name. "He had ID on him. Driver's license in his sock." Robbins explained, and continued after receiving a nod form Grissom. "Stab wounds and deep cuts on the abdomen and forearms, most likely done post-mortem."
"So this," Gerri waved a hand over the numerous wounds, "Didn't kill him?"
"No. He went into anyphalitic shock."
This piqued Gil's interest. "From what?"
"Probably peanuts. Or peanut oil, it's easier to disguise in a drink or food. He has a Medical ID tag."
Gerri looked at Gil and then back to Robbins. "This is way too easy guys, don't you think?"
Robbins nodded in agreement as Grissom stripped off his gloves and headed for the door, motioning for Gerri to follow him. "Things are not always what they seem."
*****
"Did you and Grissom find anything out from the autopsy?" Sara asked as she sat down at the table in the kitchen with Gerri.
Gerri sipped her coffee before replying. "Well, the guy didn't die from the stab wounds. He went into anyphalitic shock. He was allergic to peanuts."
"Surprise, surprise." replied Sara, grimacing at the bitter taste of the coffee. "I'd say crime of passion. Girlfriend, wife, or…"
"Or fiancee." announced Grissom, walking through the door to the kitchen. "Mr. McKnight got engaged two weeks ago to a Christine Blake. She was the last one to see Mr. McKnight before his untimely demise." He looked over at Gerri as she finished the last of the coffee. "Would you care to join me in paying Miss Blake a visit?"
"I'll be right there." she told Grissom's already retreating back. She looked at Sara who flashed her a thumbs up as she rose form her chair.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Sara called as Gerri walked out the door.
Not a problem, Gerri assured herself as she once again headed out to the Tahoe, Not a problem at all.
*****
His breathing was loud in the darkened room, so close to her face as she struggled against the bonds that held her to the bed. She felt the stubble on his face as he leaned in closer to whisper in her ear.
"Do you know what you did, Christine?" he asked in a harsh whisper, then he traced his tongue along her earlobe as she nodded. "Good." He pulled back to kneel above her on the bed, raising his weight off of her chest, allowing her to breathe momentarily. Her eyes went wide as she watched him pick the serrated knife up off the sheet next to her. He smiled, turning the knife and watching the limited light from the candles flash against it. He stopped and held it so he could see the reflection of her fear in it. He began to laugh softly as she resumed her struggle against her bonds. Useless, futile struggles but she tried anyway. He smiled, enjoying it, enjoying the pleasure that coursed through him. She was a valiant fighter, much more so than Jeffrey. Jeffrey had begged when he realized that he was going to die, Christine had fought back, and he bore the evidence of that fight proudly. He savored that pain as he drifted deeper into his own realm. The hard insistent knocking on the front door brought him crashing back to reality. He looked down and found Christine limp and unmoving beneath him. The monster inside had done it again. He quickly pulled on his clothes and grabbed his knife. He carefully opened the sliding door and stepped out onto the damp deck. He could hear voices below, around the front of the house. He quickly and quietly went down the wooden steps, and made his way across the rain soaked back lawn. He had reached the fence and vaulted himself over as a candle was tipped over in the bedroom he had just left. The resulting fire left a bright impression on his eyes as he turned back for a last glimpse. What was done was done, it was time for him to move on.
*****