Tangled Webs
Chapter 2
Rating: PG-13
The Crossing Jordan characters totally aren't mine ~ they belong to Tim Kring and Tailwind Productions.
Kaidlyn and her mom are my own creations and therefore they're mine.
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Author's note: Although I first introduced Kaidlyn in "Endgame," she subsequently appeared in person in "That Night" and in name in "Running." The timeline here basically follows after "That Night" and before "Endgame" though there will be some overlap and inconsistencies with "Endgame" ~ but since that one's so far from show cannon now, we can just pretend, for the sake of this story, that it doesn't exist. :0)
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In the car on the way back to the morgue, Jordan and Kaidlyn talked about life, school, the family, all kinds of things. At one point, Kaidlyn looked at Jordan and asked a question that almost made her crash the car.
"Jordan? Are there things that Uncle Max kept hidden from you while you were growing up?"
"What do you mean, hidden?" Surely her cousin didn't know about James!
"Just. . .family secrets or something. Never mind. I'm probably just being weird. Seriously. Never mind." And Kaidlyn turned and looked out the window, avoiding any new questions from Jordan by asking about various buildings and so forth.
When they got to the morgue, Jordan and Kaidlyn got off the elevator and started towards the locker room for Jordan to change into scrubs and find some for Kaidlyn. Garret turned from the front desk and stopped them.
"Everything ok, Jordan? Who's. . .wait a minute. I know you from somewhere."
"Garret, this is my cousin, Kaidlyn. I think you met her before briefly. She's doing an internship with the police and Eddie agreed to let her come and watch the autopsy."
"Oh. Ok. It's nice to meet you again." He shook Kaidlyn's hand, then looked at Jordan. "So what's up with the body?"
"I'm not sure. It looks like an allergic reaction to something."
"Pretty straightforward."
"Well, yeah. Except for something Kaidlyn found."
"What's that?"
Kaidlyn reached into her bag and produced the item the cops had missed in their search for identification. "An epi pen. So whatever it was that brought on the attack, it was fast."
"Your internship is in what?" Garret blinked at this girl. To look at her. . .but he knew that wasn't fair. Just because she was bubbly and looked young as hell didn't mean she wasn't intelligent.
"Forensic criminology."
"Wow! Impressive."
"It's not too bad. Course after a few years in Kenya it's weird being in the big city again. Kenya was amazing."
"Garret, do you know if we have any extra scrubs? I was gonna let her watch the autopsy."
"Yeah, I think we do. Go check in the closet at the end of the hall closest to the locker rooms."
"Thanks." Jordan took off and promptly ran into Nigel, who had come into the hallway upon hearing a semi-familiar voice. "Nige, sorry. I. . . What the. . .?"
"Kaidlyn? What are you doing here?"
"Hey Nige!" Kaidlyn ran and threw her arms around him.
"Oh yeah. I forgot you two met before," Jordan muttered to herself as she went towards the closet.
"What the. . .I thought you were going to Chicago for an internship." Nigel and Kaidlyn had been in touch by e-mail and a few phone calls ever since meeting when she was on a layover in Boston on her way back from Kenya.
"I was. I guess my last email didn't go through."
"Then what are you doing here?"
"Last minute change of plans. Something fell through in Chicago, but one of my profs had connections here and got me into the PD in Boston."
"Well, that's very cool. It's so good to see you. Maybe we can. . ."
"Slow down cowboy. She's staying with Dad. You think a rottweiller's protective? You ain't seen nothing yet." Jordan tossed a pair of scrubs at Kaidlyn. "Here kiddo. They might be a little big, but they'll do. Come on, the locker room's this way."
Jordan guided her cousin to the locker room where they changed into scrubs for the autopsy. She considered lecturing Kaid on the dangers of fraternizing with Nigel, but decided to let it slide for a while. After all, for all she knew they talked about computers and science and stuff. When they were both ready, Jordan led the way into Autopsy One.
"Now, when I open him up. . ."
"Jordan? It's ok. I'm not like gonna get sick or pass out or anything."
"Oh. Ok." Jordan did the preliminary examination before opening him up. She had to admit, Kaid did remarkably well. You'd almost have thought she was pre-med or had taken an anatomy class. Hell, maybe she had. Nothing unusual seemed to be indicated in his death. She found the puncture wound from an insect sting, but that was it. Kaid was so quiet, Jordan almost thought she was alone. She jumped as Garret came into the room, followed by Eddie Winslow.
"Find anything unusual?"
"Nope. Looks like he got stung here," she pointed to the place on the back of his neck, "and things went from there. I can't find evidence that it was anything more than a massive allergic response to an insect sting. We're running a tox screen just to be on the safe side, but unless that turns anything up, I think we're looking at a tragic accidental death."
"That's good," Eddie said. "We made the identification. John Mitchell, sophomore at BC. His parents are on their way up from Raleigh, NC. It won't take their loss away, but at least we can tell them it wasn't anything crime-related."
"Alright. Everything under control?"
"Yeah Garret. I've got it."
"Good. I've got a meeting with. . . Never mind. I've got a lunch meeting. I'll try to be back around 2. Until then, you're in charge, Jordan." Garret left before Jordan could make any comments. Her look had been enough. As the door shut, he heard her laughing, and decided to ignore her.
"Alright, kiddo. It looks like I'm stuck here ordering in. Want me to get you something, or. . ."
"I could take her to get some lunch," Eddie volunteered, just as Nigel was coming in the room.
"Lunch time already is it? Kaidlyn, luv, you're still hungry after watching an autopsy?"
"Oh yeah. That kind of stuff doesn't bother me. Well, not much anyway." Kaidlyn moved towards the door to go and change into street clothes. Meet you at the elevator bay, Eddie?"
"Sure." Eddie turned back towards Jordan, who had been joined by Nigel, who was standing there with his mouth open. "What?"
"You're taking her out to lunch?" Nigel felt his heart sinking.
"She's my intern, Townsend. That's it."
"Oh. Ok. So I can still. . ."
"Watch what you say there buddy. That's my cousin you're talking about." Jordan's elbow caught Nigel square in the ribs.
"Yes, I know. But Jordan, she is of age to make her own decisions."
"I know, I know. I just. . . We'll talk about it later. You're gonna run the tox screen now?"
"Yeah. I'll bring the results to your office."
"Thanks." Jordan and Eddie walked out into the hallway, where Kaidlyn was waiting. "Have fun."
"Want me to bring you something, Jordan?"
"Sure ~ whatever is fine."
"Ok." She gave Jordan a hug. "Oh! I almost forgot. Has Uncle Max called you?"
"Um, I got a message from him this morning, but I haven't had a chance to return the call yet. Why?"
"He wants you to come to dinner tonight. His house for dinner. Then we're going to the Pogue."
"Alright. I can be there. What time?"
"Ummmm. . .I think he said around 6:30? You'd better call just to make sure."
"Will do. See you later. Bye Eddie." After the doors shut, Jordan turned to see Nigel standing behind them. "What?"
"I have to say, luv. Looks definitely run in your family."
"So does a sharp tongue and impeccable accuracy in kicks, Nigel." Jordan watched him, amused. "Seriously, Nige. She is a great girl. I just don't want to see anyone get hurt. Just take it slow."
"Alright, luv. I will."
Jordan walked down the hall, thinking about the events of the morning, and specifically the ride she and Kaidlyn had on their way back to the morgue. Those questions Kaid started asking were really eating away at Jordan's mind. Was it possible that there are even more skeletons in the Cavanaugh family closet? Maybe they'd get into that tonight.
. . .to be continued. . .