Chapter 5
Alex got to the diner around quarter till. She tried her best not to be too early. Fifteen minutes isn't so early, she reassured herself as she sat down at an out of the way booth.
She hadn't slept much since the call. She'd been too excited and nervous. And bothered. It bothered her that this meant so much to her.
She had lived a good life. She was raised by her grandmother in a middle class neighborhood. She had always done well in school, graduating at the top of both her high school and college classes. Maybe she had lacked some friends and social events, but it was nothing she had really missed. But now, after her grandmother's death left her alone, maybe it was the idea of family that excited her. She wasn't sure, she just knew she had to meet him, talk to him, even if it was only this one time.
A waitress came by and set down a menu, "Can I get you anything while you look over the menu?"
"I'll take a diet soda and another menu," she said, smiling to herself, "I'm waiting for someone."
Grissom hadn't slept much either that night. To say that he was nervous would be a misunderstanding of who he was. Unprepared would better describe the way he felt and he hated being unprepared.
He had become more accustomed to the idea of having a daughter. It had taken him some deep reflection, but the idea of her was starting to sink in. He had thought about talking to some of his friends at the Bureau to find out more about Alexandria, but decided he wanted to hear about her from her.
He had just stepped out of his apartment and locked the door when his cell phone rang. It was work.
"Grissom," he answered, a little surprised at the annoyance in his voice.
"Grissom," it was Ecklie. "Your presence has been requested at a crime scene." It was not a request.
"I have a meeting," Grissom replied.
"Cancel it. The mayor's niece was found murdered at Potosi and there are some crawling clues that require your expertise. And the mayor requested you personally."
Grissom looked at his watch, "I'll be there in half an hour." He hung up. I'll call her on the way.
As he drove he realized he didn't have her number in his cell. He decided to call directory assistance and get the number for the diner.
Alex couldn't help but be fidgety. She kept checking her watch, then staring blankly at the menu. It didn't really matter, she wasn't hungry. She just kept going over in her head what she wanted to say to him.
At one, the bell over the door rang, signaling someone entered. She looked up, it wasn't him. He'll be here.
At one-fifteen she reached for her cell phone to try and call him, but realized she didn't have his number. I'm sure he's on his way.
At one-thirty the waitress came by for the fifth time. "Are you ready to order yet, hon?" She was more than slightly annoyed.
Alex looked at her watch, then at the waitress and then down to her purse. She reached in, grabbed a five and handed it to the waitress. "I guess I won't be ordering. Sorry to waste your time," she choked out. Then she got up and left.
I'm sure something came up, she tried to console herself as she walked back to her car. I know there's a good reason—at least I hope there is.
Grissom looked at his watch. Damn! It was already two. On the way to the crime scene, Catherine had called to give him some preliminaries. She was the primary on this case. Once he got to the scene, he was all business. I'll just have to call her later, he thought as he gathered another bug into a jar.
