"Crawford" The voice on the other end of the phone said.

Grissom was sitting at his desk at the LV Crime Lab. He'd been studying the curious insects and the case file that Jack Crawford had given him the day before.

"It's Gil. I have managed to identify the second insect within the Wolf Beetle." Gil pauses and removes his glasses.

"...And...?"Jack prompts.

"It's a type of parasite insect found in the Amazon, called a Devil's Curse. It attacks mammals, burrowing in through the skin. Once under the skin it releases thousands of larvae into the bloodstream. The larvae then develop, basically all through the body, feeding on the internal organs."

"Sounds nasty" Crawford responds.

"Yes, well, it gets worse. As the larvae develop they have to borrow their way out of the host in order to infect another victim."

"What happens to the host?" Jack inquires.

"Usually after a long and painful couple of weeks of being eaten from the inside out, the host dies. The length of time depends upon which organs are affected. Madness is frequently experienced for infected brain tissue"

"Lovely" Crawford says sarcastically, then adds "And do you have any theories as to what Lector meant by all this?"

"Well I see from the file that Lector had a summer house in mountains in Nevada near a place called Wolf Creek, it's about 2 hours drive from Vegas"

"That is interesting. Maybe it is worth a visit?" Crawford concludes.

--------------

Conrad Ecklie is holding his pager as he walks up behind Hodges in the Trace Lab.

"Ok Hodges I am here. What did you want to talk about?" Ecklie demands.

"Conrad. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your so busy timetable. I know this is just a small matter but I do so like to ensure everything is totally proper and above board. It's just me I guess, but it is part of the methodical dedication to duty that this lab has come to expect from David Hodges."

Growing a little impatient, Ecklie interrupts him somewhat abruptly "Yes what is it?"

"Well it just I need to know the lab policy decision on such matters so I thought I'd go to the man whose word is the lab policy..."

Even Hodges starts to sense Ecklie's irritation and he does not want to spoil his tale-telling opportunity by over doing the flattery.

"It's just this trace work for Grissom..." Hodges can see that Ecklie becomes completely attentive at the mention of Grissom. Hodges feels a warm glow of satisfaction. "You see there is no case number, and when I naturally queried this with Grissom he said he'd deal with it and not to worry." Hodges pauses for effect "But that is just not the David Hodges way"

"Your saying Grissom has been running evidence without a case file?"

"Huuumm" nods Hodges in reply "and not just with Trace but also with DNA. So Mia was saying to Wendy at break time." Hodges pleased at the reaction he was getting from Ecklie, as he warms to his subject. "Yes Grissom has been acting very odd recently don't you think? Could it be the stress of the Medici case?" Hodges rolls his eyes in a manner indicating he was unconvinced by that explanation himself.

"You know I heard Catherine saying he had asked her to cover for him for a couple of days. I did happen to notice him leaving the lab early tonight. Maybe he is taking a break? Mind you he was carrying rather allot of files and a fresh kit... ".

"Was he?" Ecklie smiles a self satisfied grin. "Thank you, David".

Hodges almost glows with delight at his boss's use of his first name.

"Always, Conrad, you know I am there for you whenever you need me".

Ecklie leaves to go find Detective Ortaga.

TBC

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Disclaimer: I know nothing about bugs or insects. I just made it up. Also I have not read any of Tom Harris' books on Lecktor or Lector so don't pick me up on that! I haven't the stomach to read them! This is a flight of fancy.