Crime Scene Kitchen
Chapter 2, The Rules
The Mayor's office had arranged with Boston Cambridge University (BCU) to let BPD use their Culinary Arts Department's kitchens for the Crime Scene Kitchen competition. The current students would be assisting with the competition and would be receiving credit for their participation. It was set up as a class project for them. They watched the television series and came up with the recipes and clues that would be left out for the BPD teams to find.
The students were very excited about this project. It was the first time the university had ever taken on such a project. The Culinary Arts Department had approached the Dean about the project and after a very thorough presentation to the Dean and Director of Public Relations for the Police Department, Fire Department, and a few other city departments and the Deputy Mayor, it was received well and they decided that the project was approved. The Police Department agreed to it right away and the Fire Department and a few other city departments were a little hesitant and wanted to see how the project went with the Police Department and then they would respond.
Jane, Maura and Frost set out to watch all the episodes that were available so they could work out a game plan. They had to meet at Frost's apartment because Angela was constantly over at Jane and Maura's and now that she was on one of the opposing teams, they didn't want their strategy to be revealed. Angela was persistent and always trying to find out what they were doing and where they were going.
They watched part of the episode on mute and paused at certain points. They had a timer set so they could time their time in the crime scene kitchen. After the kitchen time had expired, they brainstormed as to what they thought the dessert was. Then they set out to make what they thought the dessert was. They needed to discover what each team member's strengths and weaknesses were. Jane and Frost both agreed that Maura's strength was her ability to sniff out ingredients and remember recipes, that would help them.
Frost freely admitted that he felt like the weakest link on this team but he would gladly participate and do whatever he needed to do to win. Maura told him, "Barry, you are an excellent detective and cook."
"Yes, Frost, if anybody is the weakest link it's me. Together though we are strong and that is what we need to concentrate on, okay Frost?" Jane told her partner as she slapped him lightly on the arm.
They had two weeks before the first competition. They were going to practice every night they could until then. Maura and Susie had talked at work. "Dr. Isles, I hope that you are not mad at me for agreeing to be on Detective Cooper's team." Susie stated. She was a little worried. Her friendship and working relationship with Maura was very important to her and she didn't want to jeopardize that.
"Heavens no, Susie. It sounds like a fun competition. If we could have had four team members, we would have asked you to be on our team." Maura reassured Susie.
"Oh, thank goodness, I was worried that this might affect our working relationship. I respect you too much to let that happen and I would have withdrawn my name from the team if that were the case. I am also really looking forward to cooking with Mrs. Rizzoli." Susie stated.
"Yes, Angela is quite the cook. I'm not sure of yours or Detective Cooper's ability but at least there is one great cook on the team." Maura stated.
Susie commented, "Yes and we probably shouldn't talk about people's abilities and such being as we are on opposing teams."
"You are correct. Let's promise each other not to let this competition affect our friendship and working relationship." Maura stipulated.
"I agree with that." Susie said.
Maura wasn't worried about her mother-in-law being on Riley's team. She knew Angela could cook but she was just as good as Angela so the real competition would be the detecting of the ingredients. She had two of the best detectives on the force on her team so she thought to herself, 'game on Angela, we'll see who wins this one.'
After having watched the first episode the night before, Jane and Frost were sitting at their desks at work trying to come up with some procedures for them to follow during the competition. Frost said, "Jane, if we look at our Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Handbook, Section A, 1. Initial Response, some of those items will apply here and we can modify this section for our use." Jane thought for a moment and then opened her desk drawer and pulled out her handbook and looked at Section A, 1. Initial Response.
Jane said, "Under Procedure item a. would fit." She read item a quietly to Frost. "a. Note or log dispatch information (e.g., address/location, time, date, type or call, parties involved). We can modify it to say, 'note all clues provided, (e.g., items used, items out but not used, etc.)" Frost nodded in agreement.
Jane continued, "The second part of item c could apply, 'scan the entire area to thoroughly assess the scene.' Most of item e applies, 'make initial observations (look, listen, smell) to access the scene.' The first sentence of item f applies, 'remain alert and attentive."
Frost summed up what Jane said, "So following your train of thought we have four procedures to follow: 1. note all clues provided, (e.g., items used, items out but not used, etc.), 2. scan the entire area to thoroughly assess the scene. 3. Make initial observations (look, listen, smell). 4. remain alert and attentive."
"That sounds great Frost. Maura knows quite a few recipes by heart and if we give her enough clues, she can tell us what we are baking. So, we need to perfect our clue finding mission. We need to give her as many clues as possible. Three minutes of observation can make or break what information we provide each other to make our decision of what we are making." Jane informed Frost.
"Ya, three minutes isn't much but there will be three of us in there. Maybe we should come up with a plan of attack for observations in the kitchen. On the show they only had two people going into the kitchen and each group seemed to have one team member go each way when they entered the kitchen. Maybe we should make a list of what we need to check so we can see if we need to divide it up or maybe just by memorizing the list, we won't forget to check something." Frost said.
"I can think of a few items we need to check: Counter tops, Sink, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Garbage can, Oven, Drawers, Microwave. Is our kitchen going to be set up the same way as the kitchen on the show? Will there be a walk through prior to the start of the competition so we can we see the kitchen setup before the competition starts?" Jane asked.
"Those are great questions Jane, who can we ask them to?" Frost asked.
"Why don't we run them by Maura and see if she knows. She knows the lady in PR who is handling this for us. Maybe she can check with her." Jane said as she picked up her cell phone and sent a text to Maura.
J: Maur, Frost and I have a few questions. Can u contact me when u have a minute?
A few minutes later Maura responded.
M: I will be up in a few minutes. I have to bring some tox reports up to one of the detectives.
J: k babe, c u soon.
Five minutes later Maura walked into the bullpen. She dropped off her tox reports first and then came over to Jane and Frost. They huddled up and Jane asked Maura the two questions that they had. Maura said she will go check with PR. Maura left a few minutes later and went to the PR rep and asked the questions. She didn't know the answer right away and said she would check with the teacher at BCU and get back with her.
The next morning the PR rep got back to Maura and said yes there will now be a walk through as the students were excited to be able to meet the participants prior to the competition starting. That would give them an opportunity to go over the procedures as well.
Later that day the teacher sent out an email to all participants inviting them to an Open House a few days later. They had to RSVP. The teacher actually set up the open house type event where the students would cook for their guests.
All six teams from BPD agreed to attend and RSVP'd appropriately. When they arrived at the event, they were seated and the teacher introduced herself and then the students. Each team was randomly assigned a student liaison. The teacher drew the names out of a bowl and once assigned the student went and sat with their team. There were 25 students in all and all 25 would be participating in the competition. The students had cooked a dessert and didn't cleanup the kitchen, they left clues as to what the dessert was in the kitchen just like the show. Each team was allowed to visit the crime scene kitchen.
When Jane, Frost and Maura observed the kitchen. They tried to memorize the layout so they could use that information for their plan of attack during the competition. They each took notes when they arrived back at their seats.
Because the BPD employees were not chefs like on the real show some modifications needed to take place. The first major change was once they declared what they thought the dessert was they would tell their student team member and they would provide them with several recipes to choose from. They would tell their student team member what ingredients they needed and the student would get the ingredients for them. The kitchens they would use would not be fully stocked due to expense. The student was not allowed to step into their kitchen area during the competition.
Maura knew that she and Angela probably wouldn't need recipes but they would be useful for their teammates. Recipes provided the steps necessary to complete the baked dessert. Jane and Frost still used recipes or followed what Maura had told them to do. By having the recipe Jane and Frost would be able to read it and work to help Maura so she didn't have to keep telling them what to do.
The teacher ran through the kitchen pointing out the different items that were present. The Audio-Visual Department had set her up with a camera, microphone and a projector so she could project what she was seeing onto the big screen. She did her investigation of the 'crime scene kitchen' in under three minutes. When she finished, she asked each team what they thought the item was. They had to write it down so that after the first team gave their answer everyone didn't follow with that answer.
The Headquarters team answered first. Their team consisted of Penny Nelson, the Chief's secretary, Shea Bentley, his executive officer and Sergeant Detective Lisa Carter, his aide. Penny was the spokesperson for the team and she held up their answer: Chocolate Chip Cookies.
The Drug Unit responded next. Their team consisted of Detective Riley Cooper, Drug Unit detective, Susie Chang, Senior Criminologist with the Crime Lab and Angela Rizzoli, mother of a BPD detective. Riley was the spokesperson for the team and she held up their answer: Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Homicide answered next. Maura was the spokesperson for the team and she held up their answer: Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Major Crimes stated their answer next. Their team consisted of Captain Mike Carrillo, Lieutenant Sally Finch and Lieutenant Cami Xavier. Mike was the spokesperson for the team and he held up their answer: Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Patrol went next. Their team consisted of Sergeant Killian "Sam" Samuels, Sergeant Hailey Cooke and Officer Gwendolyn Rice. Sam was the spokesperson for the team and he held up their answer: Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Vice answered last. Their team consisted of Lieutenant Genevieve "Gen" Booker, Lieutenant Clarence Richards and Sergeant Detective Robert Dylan. Gen was the spokesperson for the team and she held up their answer: Chocolate Chip Cookies.
The teacher said, "Now this doesn't happen often on the show and we didn't make this crime too hard to detect as we just wanted you to get a feel for what the competition would be like, you are all correct." She unveiled a pile of chocolate chip cookies. The students presented a plate of cookies and some milk and water to each team.
"You would have come to this conclusion based on the eggs shells in the sink, the opened chocolate chip wrapper in the garbage, the Vanilla bottle slightly opened with a spot of vanilla spilled in front of it and the one teaspoon measuring spoon left in the sink. These are just a few of the clues that you should have noticed as you looked around in the kitchen. To win this competition you are going to have to work as a team and discuss your findings and then choose what you think the dessert item is. I wish you the best of luck. My students are looking forward to working with you over the next five weeks."
She discussed the judging and scoring and then opened up the floor for questions. About ten questions were asked clarifying some points and the dates were announced for the competition. Basically, each Thursday night for the next month a crime scene kitchen would be revealed. She then concluded the evening by stating, "I hope you all have enjoyed our presentation and thank you for taking the time to come to our campus and we look forward to working with you. See you next Thursday night at 5 PM." Everybody gathered their belongings and left within a few minutes.
When Jane, Maura and Frost arrived at their car. They quickly entered and then took a few minutes to review the sketch of the layout of the 'crime scene kitchen.' Jane took a photo of the sketch and sent it to each of them so they would have it on their phones.
Several teams decided it would be nice to have a relaxing get together so they ventured to the Dirty Robber. Jane, Maura and Frost were having a great time socializing with the other teams. Jane was enjoying herself until Riley walked up to her and said, "So you think you're going to beat me this time? I have your mother and we know what a great cook she is."
"Ya, ya, whatever. I have a great team and we'll see in five weeks who has the better team." Jane wasn't taking any shit from Riley. She just glanced at her wife and went back to her conversation. Riley walked back to her table and continued to talk with the people at her table. She would think of some ways to get at Jane. She enjoyed egging Jane on and getting under her skin. It was fun for her. She didn't know why she treated Jane like that, but she enjoyed it so much she did it every chance she got.
Cavanaugh hated doing this but he took Jane's team off of the active rotation until this competition was over. They were more than able to assist on any case while they were at work but they were working 8 AM until 5 PM Monday through Friday until the competition or their participation in the competition was over. On Thursdays they would leave at 4 PM so they could drive to BCU.
Jane drove them home and Frost spent the night in the guest room. They had been working on their strategy every night and they were exhausted. The competition would start in three days. Cavanaugh had started their new work hours that morning. Jane and Frost had spent the day closing out as much of their paperwork as possible so that they had nothing pending on their desks.
Cavanaugh had given them two options: work on cold cases or help another team with one of their active cases. Jane wanted to help with active cases but she wasn't sure if she would be able to pull herself away from it so she chose to work on a cold case. Frost worked on the cold case with her. They were a team after all and they should continue to help each other out.
Maura worked on reports and made sure all of her administrative paperwork was up to date. She was sure it was but it never hurt to double check. She made sure Susie's hours were the same as hers and that Susie would not fall behind on any of her training or cases while they participated in the competition.
Jane had never worked straight hours like this without being injured. The Governor had authorized a replacement ME to assist. Maura said as long as the autopsy could be completed during her working hours, she would do them. All other employees were working similar hours with restrictions as needed, such as no undercover work or field work. Jane, Maura and Frost couldn't go to active crime scenes.
Jane laid down some of her own rules, "So Maur, if we advance each week can we celebrate?"
"Of course, Jane, we can go to the Dirty Robber or wherever you or Barry want to go." Maura replied with a huge smile.
"No, Maur, just you and me like when we won the Pumpkin Carving competition. Just you and me naked in our bed." Jane suggested as she winked at Maura.
"Yes, Jane but we can do that anytime. You don't have to win a competition to get me naked in bed with you." Maura responded a little confused by what Jane said.
"I know but maybe there are some new toys I want to try with you and I figured they could be rewards." Jane said as she winked at Maura again.
"Oh." Maura said surprised as she is the one that is normally suggesting new things. Jane had learned a great deal about making love to a woman since falling in love with Maura. She had never been with a woman before Maura and yet she never seemed to stop amazing Maura with her abilities. Maura loved Jane so much and would never stop loving her. If this is what Jane wanted as a reward who was she to deny her.
They continued their practice sessions with the last one the Wednesday before the competition began. They felt ready. They had mapped out a plan and felt confident that even if they didn't win the first night, they would be good enough to not be eliminated.
The cut their last practice short so they could go home and get some sleep. They would have to work until 4 PM and everyone was a little nervous. The Open House practice helped but they still felt nervous and probably would until after completing the first night of competition.
Before Jane fell asleep Wednesday night she told Maura, "I truly hope Riley doesn't give me anymore shit. I just want to have fun and enjoy the competition."
"If she does love, just ignore her and remember Barry and I are on your team and the three of us as a team can beat her." Maura said as she snuggled up to Jane.
"Thanks, Maur you always know what to say." Jane stated as she kissed the top of Maura's head and closed her eyes. She would worry about Riley only if Riley started something, for now she would enjoy the comfort of her wife sleeping in her arms.
A/N: The competition will begin in the next chapter to be posted on Tuesday January 25th.