Writer's notes: I took the Forensic Entomology course in grad school. Very cool in a gross sort of way.

CSI Hawaii

McCoy Pavillion – Ala Moana Park – Tuesday

The conference had convened again and another presenter was speaking, this time about forensic entomology. The snowy haired man used an old slide projector to put images of various bugs up on the screen.

Maggots, beetles, spiders, and ants were emblazoned on the white screen in washed out colors. "The temperature of the maggot mass will be much hotter than the temperature of the body. The little guys will dig down to feed and then will have to squirm back up to cool off," informed the instructor.

In the audience, Gil Grissom sat, nodding his head. He had a fascination with insects and he was certainly getting his appetite sated. With eyes glued to the new slide, he wrote down the growth rates of Chrysomya Rufifaces according to different temperature bands.

"The main criteria for working in this field," added the instructor, "is the ability to eat Italian food while discussing case work."

Gil gave a chuckle at the humor and the lights in the auditorium came on. The end of the day was at hand and the group at the table gathered their belongings up to depart.

Detective Rob Taniguchi motioned Gil over. "Okay, are you going to tag along with us tonight? You have to at least see the sights before the week is finished."

Special Investigator Hank Kainahui, a heavily tanned man with a lean, angular build and curly hair gave some encouragement. "We promise to make your stay here memorable."

They filed out of the auditorium behind numerous other agency representatives, an Army CID agent, a Maui PD detective, and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent among them.

On the short walk to the car, Wesley and Lisa caught up to them. "Mind some company?" asked Wes, a young, freckled man with glasses and a round belly. "I've been starving all day."

"Believe me," interjected Lisa, a thin, dishwater blonde in her middling thirties, "He's been yapping about food non stop."

Together, they hopped into the detective's car and headed Diamond Head into Waikiki.

Gil raised his eyebrow with curiosity. "Diamond Head? Is that a direction?"

Lisa tapped him on the shoulder from the back seat. "Don't feel bad, it took me a year to get directions and street names down. Diamond Head is east, Ewa is west. Mauka is toward the mountain and makai is toward the sea."

Gil pointed toward the dormant volcano, Diamond Head. "What if I'm east of Diamond Head?"

Rob rolled his eyes. "Don't make it so complex, my friend."

They pulled into a large parking garage in the bustling city, full of tourists, and walked to the grand dame of Waikiki, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Japanese tourists in their ubiquitous floppy hats filled the walkway along with groups from the mainland in their gaudy aloha attire.

The beach restaurant quickly gave them a seat overlooking the crashing surf. A sea turtle was hovering nearby in the water, giving them the eye.

As they dined, Gil was able to find out more about his hosts. Hank was in his mid fifties and had grown up in Lihue, Kauai where he started with the Kauai County PD. He later transferred over to the Honolulu PD where he served with Rob for many years before retiring as a lieutenant. As a retirement job, he was picked up by the State.

Wes was the youngest of the group, closing in on thirty and worked in the lab at the main precinct on Beretania Street. He was an avid computer gamer and rabid Star Wars fan, raving about the game, 'Knights of the Old Republic.' One thing was for sure though, Wes knew his job and loved every minute of it.

Lisa was a married mother of two, a boy and a girl. She had been with the FBI for nine years, starting in the vast New York Division and transferring to Hawaii in 2002. Part of the task force, she brought an array of skills to the table to help solve a number of crimes across the State.

With the sun set and the stars beginning to twinkle, the dessert menu arrived. Just as Rob was about to order the crème brulee, his cell phone chimed. With a shrug, he popped it open.

"Taniguchi…. Hmmm. Okay, hold the scene. You know what to do, I'll be there in twenty minutes."

Gil pursed his lips. "Trouble?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"A body has been discovered. Care to join us?"