Thank you for reading and reviewing this story. I appreciate it. It is fun to think of someone other than myself taking a peak into my personal CSI world. Beaujolais, I am sorry that you had a bad day earlier in the week. It was a bad day for me too. We had to put our German Shepherd, of 11 years, down. Being able to do some writing helped to keep some of the initial sorrow from stinging as much.
Chapter Eight
The opportunity Cecilia had been waiting for, presented itself just over a week later, at a Saturday evening dinner party at the home of Janice and Ron Kellerman.
The car that the Kellermans had insisted on sending for her, turned out to be a sleek, black limousine. Feeling out of her element, Cecilia had glanced one last time at her reflection in the mirror to the right of the apartment's door. When Janice Kellerman had phoned Cecilia with the suggestion of joining them for an intimate, informal dinner party, Cecilia's first thought had been that she would need to go shopping.
She had packed only sensible clothes, and casual summer wear for her stay. Cecilia knew from her agent, Sally, that the Kellermans lived in a beautiful mansion in the prestigious Lakes area. She suspected that Janice Kellerman's idea of informal might be vastly different from hers. So, Cecilia had gone shopping, checking out some of the fine shops and boutiques that Las Vegas had to offer. In a small store near the University Medical Centre, she had found the dress that she hoped would be appropriate.
Cecilia smiled at her reflection. The short-sleeved, black cocktail dress, with its sweeping, beaded vinework in sequins and silver jewels which refracted the light, and it's asymetrical, ruffled and beaded hemline, had been worth the expense, she decided. She had thought at first that the soft fabric might cling too much, over accentuate her generous curves, but it fell nicely.
She had brushed her dark waves til they gleamed, then swept them back with silver combs, allowing her hair to trail in a narrow cascade down her back. Small diamond studs graced her earlobes. Cecilia had used a minimum of make up. A shimmering, bronzed blush, a claret lipstick, a bit of mocha shadow and some mascara on her long, smoky lashes. She subscribed to the adage that as a woman aged, less was more.
Picking up the beaded, black purse, and locking the door behind her, Cecilia descended to the waiting car.
The sun was still hovering above the horizon, when the limo pulled into the curving, interlocking-brick drive of the Kellerman mansion. The creamy, stucco walls of the three-storey, Spanish style home glowed orange. Window boxes dripped with greenery and colourful tropical flowers. The driver alighted and came around to open the door for Cecilia, and as she thanked him for the ride, he wished her a good evening. Turning away from the vehicle, she advanced nervously towards the house. Two enormous palms, potted in glazed, turquoise planters, graced either side of the low, sweeping steps to the front entry.
Both the Kellermans greeted her at the door. Cecilia was grateful that she'd listened to her instincts and dressed well. Janice Kellerman, a tall, striking brunette, wore a dress of ruby georgette, low cut and with spaghetti straps, that showed off her beautiful figure. Ron Kellerman's attire consisted of neatly pressed. charcoal grey pants, and a fine, dove grey linen shirt. Mayor Kellerman was a few inches shorter than his six foot wife, with a thick but muscular build.
Neither of them looked their age. While Ron Kellerman, pushing sixty, had allowed his curly brown hair to show the grey at his temples, his tanned features were youthful, with only a few tell-tale crows' feet at the corners of his friendly, brown eyes. Janice Kellerman, though Cecilia knew the woman to be in her mid-fifties, had the smooth, taut skin of a much younger woman. Almost too smooth, Cecilia thought, and a bit too taut around the eyes. She suspected Mrs. Kellerman had had at least one cosmetic surgery in her lifetime. She was a beautiful woman, with high cheekbones, and finely arched brows above eyes of china-doll blue.
"Cecilia!" Janice Kellerman enthused. "Welcome to our home. We're so happy to be meeting you at last!" She pulled Cecilia close for a quick embrace. "Sally has told us a lot about you."
"Cecilia, good to meet you," Ron Kellerman echoed. "And to add to what my lovely wife said...welcome to our city, as well!" He reached for her hand, giving it a firm, sincere shake.
Her first impression of the Kellermans was one of sincerity and good-will. As the couple lead her through the immaculate foyer, with gleaming marble floors, and more potted plants, and through to the back of the house, Cecilia glanced at the tasteful decor, and the interesting architecture. Everywhere there was greenery. Some of them, Cecilia imagined, were exceptionally well-done silks, but many of them were living flora. And there were flowers everywhere. Crystal bowls of coloured water with cut blooms floating on their surfaces. Elegant vases with chic arrangements of cut florals. Adding colour and texture to the exquisite and stylish decor.
They stopped at a small alcove, with a long, narrow table against the back wall, beneath a large mirror in a gilded frame. There were a couple of antique armchairs, covered in gold jaquard. A door on the right led into a powder room. Janice Kellerman suggested that Cecilia could leave her evening purse on one of the deep, narrow shelves on the wall opposite the bathroom.
The continued along, through a Great Room with vaulted ceilings, beamed in a pale, washed oak. A large family portrait hung on the wall above a gas fireplace. The Kellermans stood on a sandy beach, two good-looking young men...obviously their sons...whose features reflected the best of both parents, stood on either side of them. Ron Kellerman followed Cecilia's gaze to the portrait. "Those are our sons, Logan and Josh. Logan just started his second year at UNLV, and Josh is in his senior year of high school." His eyes shone with pride.
"They're fine looking young men," Cecilia complimented, and the mayor beamed.
Double, French doors opened onto a stone patio and multi-level pool, looking out over the Lakes community and the water ways themselves, dappled now with crimson and gold. Cecilia stepped out onto the patio enjoying a light breeze that seemed to sweep up from the water. It had been a typical early July day in Las Vegas. Temperatures had hit the high eighties, with moist winds contributing to the humidity. This backyard breeze, fragrant with the abundance of multi-hued flowers that graced window boxes, filled planters, and tumbled over rock walls, heralded the promise that the heat would begin to dissipate as the sun went down, until it settled for the night in the mid-seventy range.
The lyrical sound of a waterfall caught her attention, and Cecilia stared enraptured at the pool. It was integrated into the landscaping, ringed with stone, the walls and bottom of the pool painted dark to mimic a natural body of water. There were three levels; a smaller pool at the top with an outcropping of slate, over which the clear waters tumbled, the middle and largest section, where now floated dozens of white candles, and then another small waterfall, beyond which the structure narrowed and elongated, to curve along the property as a serpentine lap pool.
"I'm glad that we could get together this way," Janice's voice broke into her thoughts. There was a small group gathered around a curving, stuccoed bar, where a young, blond man was pouring drinks. "I thought it would be nice to include some of the people you've been getting to know, and some that you would eventually meet during your time here."
Cecilia had known that Conrad Ecklie and his wife would be in attendance this evening. He stood closest to them now, grinning over the rim of a glass that contained a pale, amber liquid. "Good evening," he greeted. Ecklie was wearing monochromatic cream-coloured pants, a similiarly coloured dress shirt, and a cream tie of raw silk. He looked more relaxed than Cecilia had seen him thus far. "This is my wife, Andie. Andie, Cecilia Laval."
Andie Ecklie was in her mid-forties, average height, slightly plump, with shoulder length light brown hair streaked with golden highlights. A teal-coloured dress made her hazel eyes appear more blue. "It's nice to meet you," she smiled, extending her hand to shake Cecilia's. "How interesting to be here researching a novel! I know that Conrad's happy to be able to help in any way he can."
"It's quite an opportunity," Cecilia said. "And I really appreciate how incredibly helpful he's been. I never expected to be welcomed so openly. I truly admire the job he does." That much at least was true.
Ecklie's eyes went beyond the novelist to the Kellermans, eager to make sure they had heard Cecilia's complimentary remarks.
"Have you had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Robbins yet?" Janice Kellerman was inquiring, gracefully moving beyond the Ecklies to where another middle-aged couple stood. A balding, beared man was passing a glass of white wine to his companion with one hand, while the other leaned on a metal cane for support. Cecilia shook her head. "Dr. Al Robbins is our medical examiner. And we're very fortunate to have him. This is his wife, Elaine. Al, Elaine, this is Cecilia Laval."
Dr. Robbins had greying hair and frank and inquisitive blue eyes. "David was telling me that you and Sophia stopped by, oh, I guess a week or so ago. I'm sorry that I missed you. I'm sure you'll be back again though. Unfortunately, I've got no shortage of work here in Las Vegas." He winked.
Cecilia immediately liked the coroner, with his direct gaze, and gentle, mellifluous voice. His wife, Elaine, a silvery blonde, had an open and honest countenanace. Cecilia had a sense that the Robbins were the kind of people who enjoyed life.
"Now, Al," Ron Kellerman interjected with a hearty laugh, "don't be giving Cecilia the wrong impression of our city! Las Vegas is a wonderful place, to work in, to play in, and to live in. And we've done a lot in the past two years to decrease the crime rate."
Cecilia resisted the tug at the corners of her mouth. Even at a small dinner party in his own home, Ron Kellerman was still aware of his role as mayor. He touched Cecilia's elbow. "May I get you a drink, my dear?" Cecilia requested a glass of dry, red wine.
"I believe you've met our good Sheriff," Ron Kellerman spoke on his return, passing Cecilia a crystal glass, Sheriff Mobley in tow."
"Just once," Cecilia stated lightly. The Sheriff, a gruff man with thinning reddish hair, had come to the lab one day to speak with Conrad Ecklie. Though the interaction had been brief, Cecilia had been left with impression that the sheriff and the day shift supervisor had a lot in common. And none of it good. "Sheriff," she murmured.
"Brian, while we're here among friends," Mobley insisted with an oily grin.
Cecilia stood with the group, sipping her wine, expressing her appreciation for the lovely home of her hosts. She responded to questions about her other novels and her life prior to her appearance in Las Vegas. Cecilia hadn't realized how much she had missed spending time with people in a strictly social atmosphere. Not long after her arrival at the Kellermans', the mayor reached for the pager clipped to his belt and catching his wife's eye informed her that other guests were arriving. Cecilia realized that someone from the gate house was notifying the couple, so that they could greet people at the door.
The Kellermans returned with three guests in tow. Two of them were attractive women in their thirties, one whom Cecilia recognized as the swing shift supervisor Helen Chang. The third was Captain Jim Brass. "We found this suspicious looking character lurking around the grounds," Helen laughed, jabbing a playful elbow into Brass's ribs.
The detective looked like a different person without the suit and tie that Cecilia was accustomed to seeing him in. Dressed casually in olive khakis and a brick red shirt, his attire seemed to lift the sombre veil that normally settled over him.
Cecilia was introduced to the second woman, Helen's partner, a petite red-head named Jennifer Burnham. Brass exchanged a quick greeting, then excused himself to get a drink. Cecilia had spoken to Helen Chang on several occasions in the break room, when shift changes had taken place. She had found that the woman possessed a quirky sense of humour and her boisterous laugh often echoed through the halls of the lab. Her partner, Jennifer, was much shyer than her social butterfly mate.
"Well now, we're just waiting on Gil," Janice Kellerman said lightly. Cecilia raised a dark brow. She hadn't known that the night shift supervisor would be joining them for the dinner party, though it did make sense. She supposed that she had just assumed he would be working. But even supervisors got an occasional night off, she chided herself.
Cecilia had complimented her hostess on all of the flowers, inside and out, and Janice Kellerman had explained modestly that she had a floral business that had branched into a landscaping business as well. Cecilia recognized the name of the franchises, Stella Flora, the florist shops, and Buy the Yard, a gardening and landscaping business. They were highly successful throughout Nevada and California.
Janice Kellerman spoke proudly about her husband's car dealership. Before he was elected Mayor of Las Vegas, Ron Kellerman had devoted all of his working hours to the success of Kellerman Motors, which dealt in high end, luxury vehicles. Cecilia recalled Sally mentioning that Janice Kellerman was a marketing genuis, and a highly motivated and success driven woman. Sally had hinted that Janice was responsible not only for the success of her own business, but for her husband's as well. And that she was the driving force behind her personable spouse's political advancements from city councillor to mayor.
Three quarters of an hour had passed, and the skies had darkened considerably by the time Ron Kellerman received the page that Gil Grissom had arrived. Cecilia was on her second glass of wine and had been enjoying canapes and other appetizers from a tray passed around by a handsome server who could have been the twin of the man staffing the bar.
The night shift supervisor was apologetic for his lateness. "I was on a conference call with a lab in California. There was a situation with a decomposing DB that required some information regarding the larvae and puparia of Calliphora. Apparantly, the putrification process..."
"That's quite all right, Gil," Janice Kellerman cut in with a wave of a well-manicured hand, trying valiantly to hide the look of distaste in her big, blue eyes. "No apologies or explanations necessary." She smiled broadly.
Cecilia was amused by the bewildered look on the scientist's face. It had been apparant that he was eager to share the story. Gruesome Grissom indeed! He stood on the top level of the patio for a moment, hands on his hips, shrugging his shoulders before going to stand near Jim Brass.
She overheard the detective's murmured greeting to the CSI. "Conference call. Larvae and whatever the heck that was. Nice one. Wish I'd thought of that," Brass complimented in a hushed voice. Cecilia couldn't resist looking at them over her shoulder. Brass was grinning and Gil Grissom was looking back at him reproachfully.
Dinner, served in a monochromatic dining room with creams and crystal, was excellent. Cecilia enjoyed all kinds of foods. The peppery arugula salad with the citrusy dressing was a wonderful start to the meal. An apple and squash soup followed the salad. The main course was creole shrimp and rice, with tender asparagus on the side. Cecilia found herself seated to the left of her hostess, and next to Helen Chang. The food was fabulous, the conversation was enjoyable, and two glasses of wine had tempered any social unease Cecilia might have found in a group where she hadn't known anyone for even quite two weeks.
After a couple of drinks, Brian Mobley, seated across from Cecilia became quite animated. He laid his elbows on the table and leaned towards her, sharing some of the more important or interesting aspects of his job over the years. She listened attentively and nodded politely, though the way his eyes kept dipping to the neckline of her dress, during their dessert of baked Alaska, made her uncomfortable.
"Hey Gil," Jim whispered behind his napkin, stifling his laughter, "the good Sheriff is hitting on the writer."
Grissom looked down the table disinterestedly. He watched the pair for a while. At last he said, "I don't know, seems like he's just being friendly."
Sheriff Mobley had just volunteered to take Cecilia on a guided tour of Las Vegas, any time she wanted.
"Gil, Gil, Gil," Brass shook his head. "With you being so attuned to the intricacies of male-female relationships, it's hard to believe that you've never been married." He rolled his eyes.
Janice Kellerman had pushed back from the table, signaling that dinner was over, and inviting her guests to join her for coffees or apres dinner drinks outside on the patio again. Brass stood up, looking down at Grissom. "Well, as the only other two unattached males, I think one of us has to go rescue the poor woman," he sighed.
Jim strode around the table, stopping behind Mobley's chair. Laying a hand on the other man's shoulder, and leaning towards him, Brass said, "Gil was just asking for some clarification on that last memo, detailing the changes to the release of personal items that had been entered into evidence. You're much better at explaining those kinds of things," Brass flattered the sheriff.
Mobley gave a self-important smile and said to Cecilia in a voice tinged with just the right touch of regret, "You'll have to excuse me, my dear. Duty calls. I think that it's important to always be there for my people, even when I'm not technically working." He set his napkin on the table, then rose to pursue the unwitting Grissom who was heading outside.
Jim winked at a relieved looking Cecilia. She thought that his dark eyes were full of knowing amusement. He said nothing about Mobley though, as he accompanied her back outside.
The opportunity to suggest that she would be interested in working with the graveyard shift, came just as the evening was winding down. Janice Kellerman was telling Cecilia about Gil Grissom, and what an asset it was to the lab to have a forensic entomologist. She mentioned that it added a great deal of prestige to the Las Vegas CSI unit.
Cecilia took the opening to express the idea that she had become more and more certain she wanted to follow. "It's been wonderful, being able to observe Conrad and the others. I've learned a tremendous amount. I have to say, as much as I detest most bugs, Dr. Grissom's expertise, especially as it applies to forensics, is intriguing. I would welcome the opportunity to observe the graveyard shift some time. I would imagine they get some interesting cases in the wee hours, as well. And coming from a Monday to Friday, nine to five job, I think it would be interesting to see what the shift work is like too."
Janice smiled understandingly. "Gil's a bit of an...introvert, and kind of stuck in his ways, but I think that can be arranged. Let's go talk to him." She linked an arm in Cecilia's and they made their way to where the scientist was talking with Captain Brass, Dr Robbins, and Al's wife, Elaine. "Gil, Cecilia was just saying that she doesn't see how bugs can possibly help solve crimes. I think that you're much better qualified to explain that than I am." She smiled brightly at the scientist, and gave the novelist's arm a small squeeze of apology for her duplicity.
Grissom turned his body to include the women into the group. He stared at Cecilia for a moment, one eyebrow raised, while his nostrils flared. "They aren't bugs, they're insects and other arthropods," Gil corrected. "And if you understand them, and their life cycles, they can help you solve not only cases of murder, but suicide, rape and abuse. You might not see them all, or often, but it's important to understand that our world is really an arthropod world. We come into contact with them all of the time, but where this becomes important for forensics, is that they're carrion feeders."
Cecilia watched, entranced at the scientist's blue eyes glinted and his movements became more animated, as he warmed to his subject. She tilted her head inquisitively to encourage him to continue.
"Insects and arthropods have a predictable life cycle. Calliphoridae, blowflies, usually arrive first. We can use our knowledge of them to learn a lot about a corpse. How long it's been there. Whether or not it's been moved. Of course, there are lots of variables that need to be taken into account, such as season, temperature and climate, whether or not the corpse has been exposed or covered by soil or water.
"We can sometimes tell if the corpse has been moved if we find insects or arthropods that are specific to locations other than the dump site.
"Sometimes," he continued, "we can track suspects, vehicles, or goods, with the help of insects. If we find insects, or pieces of them, and we know the biology of the species, especially if there are more than a few and there is some overlap of the areas they are indigenous to, we can narrow down the locale they were picked up in."
"That sounds fascinating in theory," Cecilia said sincerely. "It's kind of hard to imagine though, how that would actually apply to real cases."
"Listen," Grissom suggested, "if you want to come in a bit earlier one morning before shift change, I can better illustrate what I mean. I've got some wonderful books and magazines you could borrow..."
"I know," Janice Kellerman put in smoothly, as though the idea had just occured to her, "why doesn't Cecilia just spend some time with the night shift!"
Grissom struggled to maintain his composure. "Oh...well..." he mumbled uncertainly.
"That sounds wonderful!" Cecilia enthused.
"What sounds wonderful?" Conrad Ecklie asked, senses alert, moving closer to the group.
"Cecilia's going to be following night shift for a while. Gil's going to show her his bugs. Just for a change of pace," Janice said lightly, to ensure there would be no perceived snub from Ecklie's end.
"Well, the hours are horrible..." Gil stated, then his voice trailed off again.
"I'm sure I'll adjust," Cecilia assured him. "Thank you, I appreciate how co-operative everyone has been!" She beamed, making sure to include Conrad Ecklie with her words and her smile. She did not notice that after her gaze shifted, Ecklie's eyes blazed at the other supervisor.
"Well, you might as well start next week then," Janice Kellerman said with finality. "You're off for the weekend, and back in Monday night, Gil?"
"Uh...yeah," Gil told her. He had a slightly befuddled look on his face, created by the tight knitting of his salt and pepper brows.
Then Janice Kellerman was leading Cecilia away to admire the night time view, and the way the lights of the surrounding abodes shimmered in aquatic rainbow on the water's surface.
Al Robbins looked at Jim Brass, and Jim looked back at him, and then the two of them were grinning broadly. "You walked right into that one, old buddy," Brass chuckled. "You never even saw it coming."
"Janice Kellerman is one smooth operator," Al Robbins said, in a voice laced with respect. "And Miss Laval is no slouch either. You got tag-team hornswoggled!" His blue eyes twinkled with merriment.
Gil looked defeated. Not only was Ecklie ticked, and probably already scheming some way to 'get even', but now Gil and his team were saddled with the pesky novelist. "I guess it's too late to put in for those fourteen weeks of vacation I have owed to me," he sighed miserably, as Jim Brass rubbed his shoulder consolingly.