Chapter Ten: Such Great Heights
I yawned and made what was probably an unintelligible mumble as I rolled over and tried to swat my alarm clock off the nightstand. Good morning New York! I hope you all are having a wonderful start to your day! Today's weather forecast is expected to be a bit chilly this morning, warming up to around 60 during the day, with snow flurries expected later on tonight. Today is going to be just wonderful, isn't it Tom? I think…
Smack.
Static.
Silence.
"It's too early in the morning to be that peppy; shut up," I replied curtly to my damaged alarm clock lying on the floor. And then I remembered something. Bolting upright in my bed, I smiled inwardly. Today was January 26th.
Pulling on my bathrobe, I knelt down to pick up my alarm clock, gingerly placing it back on my nightstand. It hadn't broken in the six years that I had chucked it on the floor on mornings like this. Walking into the kitchen, I made myself a cup of coffee and some toast before opening up my apartment door. Usually my neighbor Andrew would leave me the morning paper, because apparently reading it depressed him. I smiled as I not only found my morning paper, but a plate covered in tin foil. Opening it up, I saw that I had fruit, a muffin, and freshly made pancakes and eggs.
Elsie was the best.
I returned into my apartment, sat down and ate my meal. Glancing at the clock, I realized that I had enough time to take a nice warm shower before heading off to work for the day. I hadn't asked for the day off, but Mac assured me that there would be plenty of time for everyone to go back to their homes, get ready, and then return to the lab at 8.
I arrived at the lab, not at all surprised to find the usual bustle of people, but more or less surprised as I opened my locker. For, inside was a single white lily, my favorite flower. I smiled and looked for a note, but didn't find one. I gently put my personal items around it and shut the locker door, and nearly collided (I seem to run into people a lot, I suppose) with Danny.
"Hey Price. Happy 24," Danny said with a cheery smile. I returned the smile.
"Yeah, I'm getting old now…like you!" I replied with a grin. Danny pretended to glare at me.
"Ha-ha Price. You're just lucky I don't hit girls," he said with a smirk, but ruffled my hair. I slapped him playfully.
"Jerk! A woman's hair is the essence of who she is, and you just ruined my essence, Messer! Come back here!"
Danny laughed loudly and walked out of the locker room. I rolled my eyes and went off in search of Mac. Even though it was my birthday, I guess I still needed to work. Wandering into the break room I heard shouts of "Happy Birthday Anna!" and saw the CSI team assembled in there, grins on each of their faces.
"Happy 24th birthday," Lindsay said with a smile, handing me a small wrapped box.
"Oh, Lindsay, you didn't have to get me anything…"
"No, no. I insist. Open it up," she said with sincerity. I tore off the wrapping paper and opened the box. Inside was an emerald colored necklace—perfect to go along with my dress. I smothered Lindsay with a hug. I was informed that the presents from the other members of the team would be given to me at my party. I picked up a cup of coffee and sighed. It was going to be a long day.
As if reading my mind, Stella picked up her Styrofoam cup of coffee and raised it. "Here's to surviving today!" she said with a smile. We all raised our cups and touched them together in the center.
"No day but today," I replied under my breath, smiling.
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There's only us, there's only this
Forget regret, or life if yours to miss
No other road, no other way.
No day but today.
I photographed my crime scene, singing Rent songs under my breath as I went along in order to keep my mind occupied. Ironically enough, we were examining the Romeo-Juliet style murder of two high school actors. The pair was found in the wings of the stage, and Mac was interviewing the student who found them.
"Andrew Gregory and Marion Hill," Mac stated, glancing at his notepad. "They were apparently cast for the leads in none other than Romeo and Juliet. Sound ironic enough for you?"
I raised my eyebrows. "You're kidding me. So, a guy and a girl are found dead, the girl with a dagger in her abdomen, and the guy with no outwardly evidence of trauma, and you're telling me that they," I motioned to the dead bodies, "are playing a Montague and a Capulet? Unbelievable."
"It's sad, isn't it?" Lindsay asked, kneeling down to collect trace evidence.
"But it's out job," Mac replied.
"Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes," I answered. They both looked at me, puzzled.
"Romeo and Juliet, Act 5, Scene 3."
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I hailed a cab and sat down in it, exhausted. Our high school students had been murdered by another pair of teenagers who had wanted the roles of Romeo and Juliet. It was sad, I thought, what people were driven to do out of jealousy.
Arriving home, I glanced at the clock which was reading 6:55. At least Mac had allotted us enough time to get ready. Kicking off my shoes, I noticed that I had messages waiting for me on my answering machine. As I ambled around my apartment, I listened to them.
Hey Anna, I know you are probably working cases today, but we just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. It seems like just yesterday that you were a young girl. We know that you are making your mother proud, and we're proud of you as well. Take care, and have a great birthday!
I smiled and thought of Aunt Claire and Uncle Jacob. Although they were technically my second-cousins, I had always referred to them as my aunt and uncle. I was thankful for the support and love that they had given to me after my mother's death.
Have a wonderful birthday, Anna. I have no doubt in my mind that you're making your mother proud by doing what you're doing now. Tell Mac that I said hello.
That one was from Horatio. I was surprised that he even remembered that it was my birthday. I glanced up at the ceiling. Was I making my mother proud?
"I sure hope I am Mom," I said, eyes growing misty.
Anna! Hey there. I just wanted to let you know that I will be at your apartment at around 7:45ish tonight. Then the fun can start! Woo-hoo! Anyway, I should get back to work now. See you soon!
I laughed out loud. That was undoubtedly from Elsie.
I allowed myself plenty of time to get ready, applying my make-up carefully and precisely and checking my appearance in the mirror plenty of times. My stomach was in knots. What did I have to worry about? Well, besides the plan. But that was mainly Elsie's department, I thought, calming my nerves.
At promptly 7:45, I heard a knock on my door and answered it. Elsie stood there in her sleek black dress, diamond necklace glistening on her neck. She beamed, and complimented my appearance.
"Ready to go?" she asked, jingling car keys.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I stated.
What's going to happen in the next chapter? You will just have to wait and see! I know you all LOVE cliffhangers, so I am drawing out the wait until the party as long as I possibly can. Haha.
