As Gil opened his eyes, he realized that he was not at home. Not only that, but he was not alone either. Looking down and rubbing his eyes he saw Cyan, still snuggled up to him, her arm wrapped around his knees. Slowly and carefully, he lifted her arm up and set it on top of the covers beside her. Raising himself up off of the bed, he hobbled to the bathroom for a much needed bladder draining. Having finished his business Gil stepped out into the living room to find Jim on the couch watching a recorded hockey game. Plopping down beside him, Gil sighed.
"She slept most of the afternoon, save for when she woke up from a nightmare. She was frantic, man. I thought she was gonna cry, but she just asked me to keep her company and she fell back to sleep about 45 minutes later." Grissom explained
"Did she say what it was about?" Jim asked
"No, and I didn't pry. I just sat down and kept her company. Sorry bout' falling asleep. I realize that it must have looked rather suspect, but I assure you, all we did was sleep."
"That's alright. I'm not gonna grill you. You're a good friend, Gil. She's lucky to have you." Jim said
"Its you that she wants. After she woke up this last time, she kept asking after you"
"Well, I'm home now. Did she eat or drink anything"
"Nope, just some water."
Suddenly, there was a crash in the master bedroom. Jim and Gil jumped up and went to see what was wrong. Entering the room they didn't see her in bed like she was supposed to be. Crossing the floor and looking beside the bed on the floor, there she was; flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling, laughing uncontrollably. Rolling over and taking Gil's outstretched hand, she got to her knees and stood up.
Hobbling out of the bedroom and into the living room, she dropped down on the couch and held her side from her laughing. Following her, Jim and Gil stared at her with looks of complete and utter dumbfoundment on their faces. Sitting beside her on the couch, Jim placed a hand on her knee. Looking down, she smiled.
"Is there anything I can get you?" he asked
Looking up at Grissom, she didn't say what she wanted to say, in that she just wanted to curl up with Jim and be wrapped in his warmth, so she quickly thought something up.
"No, I'm cool. I just need to wake up is all." she said, rubbing her eyes
Just then, Gil's phone went off. Fishing for it, he growled.
"Its Catherine. There's been another one." Cyan said, looking up at him
Jim and Gil just stood in stunned silence. How could she know who it was, much less, what they wanted? As the phone kept ringing, Gil searched more furiously. Finally, he found it on the coffee table, just where he had left it. Flipping it open, he answered.
"Grissom"
"Gil, this is Catherine. Even though you're on leave, I thought I'd let you know that we have another one." she said in quick breaths
"Where is it?" he asked
"At the body farm of all places." she said
"I'll be there in an hour." he said, closing his cell
Jim and Cyan looked over at Grissom with baited breath. After a few seconds, she spoke up.
"Well, was I right?" she asked
"Yeah, you were. Do you mind telling me how you knew who it was?" he asked with suspicion
"Its a gift." she said simply
"No shit." Jim stated
"Do you know where it is, too"
"No, but its out of the way, isn't it?" she asked
Saying nothing, Grissom just snatched up his keys from the coffee table and made for the door. Seeing the look on Jim's face, Cyan knew that he wanted in on it. He was shifting his weight from one foot to the other and twiddling his fingers reflexivly. His eyes were wide and he looked like he was bursting at the seams.
"Go and play with your friends, Cappie." she said
Surprised, he looked down at her.
"Are you sure"
"Yeah. I'm just gonna make something to eat and then lay back down. You got any dvd's around?" she asked
"Yeah, they're here." he said, walking to the entertainment centre and opening one of the glass doors "You're sure you'll be ok?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine." she said, standing and ushering the two of them out onto the front porch
"Ok, we'll be back later." Jim said, halfway out the door
"Ok, have fun, and remember to play nice with the other children." she called to them
Unlocking the driver's door, Gil was about to hop behind the wheel, but Jim stopped him.
"How're you gonna drive, man? You gonna use your left foot?" Jim asked, taking the keys from Gil
"Good point. You drive." he said, hopping around the front of the truck
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Arriving at the scene Jim and Gil jumped out of the truck and while Grissom hobbled down the trail, Jim grabbed Gil's kit from the boot of the truck. It was no challenge at all to catch up with Gil, as he was slower than molasses in the winter time. Coming up behind him, Jim chuckled.
"Slow down, man. They're not going anywhere"
"I know, but I have a bad feeling about this one. That and I'm still trying to figure out how Cyan knew it was Catherine on the phone." he explained
"Well, there are only a few people that even use your cell number. But, maybe some things are just best left to the imagination." Jim replied
As the site came into better view, Jim and Gil could see that their mystery man had taken a great deal of care in how they left the body. It was nearly completely buried and that which was sticking out of the ground was mostly clean and fresh, almost as it had been cleaned post mortem. The victim was a near perfect example of the partial burial.
Kneeling beside the body, Gil watched as Nick and Greg brushed the dirt away from the corpse and as they completely uncovered it Gil swallowed hard. The victim was a young boy, no more than 13 or 14 years of age who looked as if he had been in a bit of a scrap as his knuckles were bloody and his face was a bit battered.
As David escorted the body back to the coroner's van, Jim turned to Gil who seemed to be in pain. Seeing that he was in a good amount of discomfort, Jim offered to take him back to his place. Ever the work horse, Gil declined the offer stating that he would be fine. Looking down at his watch, Jim sighed. It was well after midnight and given that he had spent most of the last two or so days either on his feet or driving, he decided to bail.
"Gil, I'm gonna head back home. I'm tired like you wouldn't believe." he said
"Ok. Get some rest." Gil replied
Heading back to the truck, Jim flipped open his phone and called home. There was no answer and Jim was a bit concerned. Hopping behind the wheel, he yanked the ignition and gassed it out of there. Driving the streets, he took notice of several buildings that were going up as well as some that were closed or vacant. He thought back to the little Italian place that he wanted to go to on his and Cyan's date and how he didn't realize it had closed down. Perceptiveness was part of his job and he didn't even notice that one of his joints was closed. What sort of detective would overlook something like that, he wondered.
Pulling the keys from his pocket, Jim slid it into the lock and turned. As he stepped inside, he saw that all the lights were off and everything was very, very silent. Crossing the living room, he took off his tie and tossed it on the couch. Heading for the bedroom, he could hear a slight breathing and he smiled as he looked down on her. Jim thought that she looked kind of Angelic when she slept. When she slept she glowed and the way she mumbled in her dreams was something that Jim thought was just entirely cute.
Untying his shoes and sliding them under the bed, he wiggled out of the rest of his clothing and threw it in the laundry hamper. Quietly padding across the room, he closed the bathroom door behind himself and went potty. Having relieved himself, he brushed his teeth and smiled at his reflection in the mirror. Giving himself a slightly lopsided smile, Jim turned the light off and walked over to the bed and the warm body awaiting him.
Lifting the covers and gently sliding beneath them, Jim thanked his lucky stars that his feet were not cold. If there was something that he hated in a partner it was one that climbed into bed with cold feet. Many a time had he been frozen out by cold tootsies and Cyan was a very warm sleeping companion. Jim snuggled up to her and as he inched his way closer, she rolled over and mumbled something that Jim couldn't quite make out. He lay still and waited for her to stop moving before he adjusted his position. Much to his pleasure, she had cozied up to his left side, wiggled her head to rest on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his abdomen. As she settled herself in, Jim raised his arm to rest his hand on her shoulder. Warm and tired, he fell fast asleep.
Back at the lab, Grissom was in his office looking over evidence from the past few cases. He had Nick's notes about the mystery tattoo guy and as he read over them he got more and more frustrated. Taking his glasses off and setting them on his desk, he pinched the bridge of his nose and yawned. Leaning forward and resting his forehead on his desk he closed his eyes and told himself that it would only be for a few minutes...just a few minutes.
"Grissom. Hey, Griss."
Lifting his head and looking up, he saw Greg in his doorway looking as if he had ants in his pants.
"What's the matter, Greg?" Gil asked sleepily
"Its not a problem. Doc wants to see you. He found something in the vic." he said breathlessly
"Um, don't you mean on the vic, Greg?" Gil asked, standing up and yawning
"No. Doc was autopsying him and when he was under the imager, he found something lodged in his esophagus." Greg explained
Gil and Greg walked down the hall and when they hit DNA, Greg turned to Grissom.
"Oh, I forgot. I ran his prints through CODIS and came up with a sheet for one Ryan Deauxtreve. He's got a few counts of possession as well as some for petty theft and one for strong armed robbery." he stated
"Thanks, Greg." Gil said continuing down the hall
In the morgue, Gil had just entered and approached the slab when Robbins looked up and gave his usual cheerful smile. Reaching to a shallow dish beside him, Robbins handed it to Gil.
"I thought you'd like to see this. I have no idea what it is, but I know that this guys been leaving you little clues and such, so I thought this might be one of them." he explained
"Thanks, Doc." Grissom said, moving to another part of the room
A pair of tweezers in his hand, Gil placed the item under the lit magnifying glass and turned it over a few times. It was a narrow glass tube like those you get at gas stations with little silk roses in them. A lot of the time, people buy them, remove the roses and use them as crack pipes. Grissom thought about this as he looked into the glass tube. Inside, he could what looked like a small wad of copper Chore-Boy and some resin, as well as a slip of paper. Carefully, he inserted the nose of the tweezers and removed the rolled up slice of whatever. It was, indeed, a slip of paper, and as he unrolled it, he removed his glasses. Looking down at the note, he gave a growl.
"I need a vacation."
Picking up his cell phone, Gil dialed Greg.
In DNA, Greg was processing the second sample of blood from Cyan's house . He watched the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer and anxiously tapped his pen on the table before him. Suddenly his phone rang and he flinched. Picking it out of his pocket,
he coughed.
"Sanders"
"Greg, this is Grissom. Can you process something for me"
"Yeah, sure"
"Good, I'll be by in a few minutes."
Just then, the GCMS spit out it's results. Picking the sheet of paper from the printer, he smiled.
"Oh, hey, Grissom?" he asked not sure if he'd hung up yet
"Yes, Greg"
"We've got a hit on that second sample from Cyan's house. Its a guy named Alcott...Astor Alcott"
"That's great. Do we know anything about him yet?" Grissom asked
"Give me a few minutes and I'll have everything from his rising sign to the colour of his jockey shorts"
"That's what I like to hear, Greg." Gil replied
Minutes later, Grissom appeared in DNA and Greg took the note from the crack pipe and set it in a small dish. Carefully unfolding it, he proceeded to dust it for prints. Gil watched as Greg worked his magic and when he had lifted the only print that was there, he placed it in the scanner and leaned back to wait for the results. Grissom paced back and forth as the results were being processed and when the printer spit out the paper, they both jumped. Snatching it out of the tray, Greg read it. Grissom's face lit up as he read the sheet of paper in Greg's hand.
"We have a winner. The print matches the second blood sample from Cyan's house. It looks as if this guy has been living under a rock. He's got no record and the only reason he's even in our system is probably because he's a tech over at Desert Palms" Greg explained
"Good, let's get someone over there to pick this guy up." Gil said pulling out his cell phone
Dialing rapidly, he punched in Jim's number and waited while it rang. He was a bit surprised when no one answered but kept calling.
Jim was awakened by the shrill sound of his cell ringing and as he fumbled for it, he heard Cyan speak.
"Its 04:00. Who's calling." she asked
"Oh, I'm sorry, is Jim there?" Gil asked
Rolling over and plopping the small phone on Jim's chest, she snuggled closer and placed a peck of a kiss on Jim's cheek. She ran her fingernails through his chest hair while Jim took the call.
"Brass." he said sleepily
"Jim, this is Gil. We have a positive ID on the mystery man"
"Really? Who is it?" Jim asked, sitting up in bed
As Jim sat up in bed, Cyan attempted to hold him down, in a loving sort of way, but he tapped her hand and made it known that the matter was urgent. Rolling over, she pouted as Jim carried on with his conversation.
"What's the guy's name"
"Astor Alcott. He's a tech over at Desert Palms." Gil stated
"We're sending someone over to pick him up now. But,
Jim..."
"Yeah?" he asked, sitting a bit straighter and turning on the bedside lamp
"I don't believe we're gonna find him. He left me a note saying he needed a vacation"
"Agh, shit. I'll be there in half an hour." Jim replied, flying out of bed
Rummaging through his closet, he pulled out a rugby shirt and a pair of jeans. Hastily jumping into them he looked around for a pair of trainers. Finding them under his bed, he went without socks as he sat on the bedside and fiddled with his laces. Sensing the urgency, Cyan sat up and asked after the matter.
"They identified the guy." Jim said flatly
"That's good, and you're going back to the office"
"The sooner we get this guy, the sooner we can prosecute him." he replied
Turning on the lamp by her side of the bed, she sat up and placed a hand on Jim's shoulder. Looking over at her, he offered a half grin and sighed. Swallowing hard, she peeled back her covers. Kneeling in front of him and helping him with his knotted laces, she looked up into his frustrated face while she undid the knots.
"He's around 6 foot, jet black hair, green eyes, average build and he's got a tattoo on the back of his left hand" she explained
Jim stared at her for a brief moment and when he did manage to speak, his tones were soft but assertive.
"Is there anything else you remember?" he asked
"Oh, yeah, I bit him; hard." she replied, smiling a bit
"You bit him? Where"
"On the left hand. I tasted blood, so I know I broke the skin. It was in the bedroom when he came up behind me. He put his hand over my mouth and I managed to shift some of his digits. That's where the second sample of blood came from; it's his" she said
Leaning over, Jim wrapped his arms around her and hugged her for dear life, whispering to her.
"Get dressed. I'm taking you to the lab"
"That's ok, Jim. I'll be fine." she replied
"No, I'm not leaving you alone here. You're going to the lab where its safer." he asserted
Realizing that Jim would not be dissuaded, she finished his laces and slipped into a pair of his jeans. As she pulled off her shirt while searching for a bra, Jim turned to look at her nearly naked form. Her front and back were covered in bruises and welts as well as scratches. He tried to shake the images of her being attacked from his head, but the more he tried, the more he became infuriated. Turning around and throwing her hands up in frustration, Cyan growled.
"I can't find my friggin bra."
Frozen and staring at her magnificent breasts, Jim was momentarily speechless. She smiled at him and chuckled.
"Earth to Cappie"
"Huh, what"
"Stop gawking." she said laughing
"Oh, I'm sorry"
"No you're not." she replied
"I need a bra and I can't find it"
"Oh, there's one in the dryer." he said, jumping up
Returning seconds later, he handed her one of the lacy numbers that he had picked up the previous day and as she struggled with the clasps, Jim helped her. The thoughts that went through his mind at that moment were less than pure as he envisioned what it would feel like to cup her perfectly round and ample bosom in his hands, but as this was no real time to be thinking such thoughts, he blinked them out of his head and picked up her shirt, holding it ready for her to slip into.
During the drive to the lab, Jim called Gil and as the phone rang, he looked over at Cyan who was busy fiddling with the bandages on her fractured wrist. Reaching into the glove box, she pulled out a pen and slid it under the bandages, scratching her hand. Finally, Gil picked up.
"Gil, is there anyone at the lab"
"Yeah, Greg is there. Why?" he asked, confused
"Ok, I'm dropping Cyan off. I want him to keep her company until we're done." Jim asserted
"Ok, I'll let him know." Gil replied, hanging up
Moments later, they pulled up in front of the lab and Jim and Cyan hopped out. Heading inside, Jim showed her to the break room where Greg was seated on the couch reading an issue of National Geographic. Looking up, he saw Jim motion to him, directing him to meet him in the hall. Handing the magazine to Cyan, Greg stood and followed Jim into the corridor. Placing his hand on the young man's shoulder, Jim looked directly into his eyes and whispered.
"Until we get back, the care and well being of that woman is your mission in life. Unless she goes to the bathroom, I want you with her at all times. Is that understood?"
"Yeah. Don't worry, we'll find something to do." Greg assured him
"Good. We'll be back in a bit." Jim said, turning back to the break room
Cyan was still seated on the couch flipping through the magazine as Jim came back in and sat beside her. Taking her hand in his, he turned to face her and gave a lopsided grin.
"Greg, here, is going to keep you company until I get back." Jim said
"I appreciate your concern, Jim, but I really don't need a babysitter." she protested
"Don't think of me as a babysitter, but more like your shadow." Greg said, grinning heavily
"Well, since you put it that way"
"Good, then let's make some trouble." he replied, taking her hand and dragging her from the room
Jim watched with a smile as Greg and Cyan walked down the hall towards DNA. He fished out his cell phone and dialed Gil as he walked out of the lab and back to his car. He had just climbed back in when Grissom picked up.
"Gil, where are you?" he asked
"We're at the hospital. Where are you"
"I just dropped Cyan off at the lab. Greg's playing keeper"
"Good. They should have fun, then." Gil commented
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, turning the ignition
Pulling out onto the main road, he reissued his question.
"Gil, what do you mean"
"Oh, just that I know they're similar in age and interests, that's all"
"Oh, ok. Anyway, I'll be there in a few minutes. Is he there?" Jim asked hastily
"We don't know. We're waiting on you." Gil replied
"Ok, I can see your lights now." Jim said, hanging up
Pulling up right in front of the hospital, Jim checked his weapon and climbed out. As he met up with Grissom, Nick and Sara, Jim fielded questions about Cyan and her state.
"How's she doing, Jim?" Sara enquired
"She's fine. She's with Greg." he replied
"Why'd you bring her out?" Nick asked
"Better safe than sorry. Gil, can I talk to you?" he asked, steering Gil away from the rest of the group
Out by the bushes in front of the building, Brass told Gil what Cyan had told him.
"She said he's around 6 feet with jet black hair and green eyes. He's of average build with a tattoo on his left hand."
"What made her tell you?" Gil asked
"I don't know, but she said she bit him, too. She bit him on the left hand. She said she drew blood and that's where the second sample was from." he explained
"That's good, Jim. At least we have something to go on, now."
Heading inside, Jim and Gil came to stand with the others at the nurse's station. Jim pulled out his badge and asked after the on call chief of staff. As the nurse picked up a nearby phone, everyone chatted amongst themselves.
"So, how's she coping"
"She's doing pretty well for someone that was just attacked." Jim replied
"That's good. So, she's in good spirits, then?" Sara asked
"Yeah, this afternoon, she woke up on the floor laughing her ass off"
"That's good to hear." Nick commented
Just then, the ranking doctor appeared and approached the group. Pulling his badge back out, Jim spoke up. Squaring his shoulders and widening his stance, Jim projected an image of authority and respect as he questioned the physician.
"We're with the Las Vegas Crime Lab. We're looking for a guy named Astor Alcott. Does he work here?" Jim asked
"He's no longer employed by this institution. He was terminated a couple of days ago." the doctor explained
"What, if you don't mind, were the conditions of his termination?" Gil asked, hobbling closer
"He was caught pilfering from the pharmacy. He was turned out immediately"
"Would you happen to know his whereabouts?" Jim enquired
"Last I heard, he had moved back to California."
Turning to Grissom, Jim frowned. Not missing a beat, Grissom asked another question.
"Can we see his locker"
"Sure, it's this way." Doc said, leading them to the lounge
In the lounge, there was a row of lockers against the wall. Kits in hand, Nick and Sara began to process it while Gil and Jim chatted back and forth. Nick and Sara had found several good prints and when they had finished, they closed up their kits and stood ready to leave.
Back at the lab, Cyan was getting kind of stir crazy, since she and Greg had not really found anything to occupy themselves. Finally, she got an idea. Taking Greg by the hand, lacing their fingers together, she led him out of the lab and to the parking lot.
"Let's go for a walk." she said
"Are you sure you're up to it?" he asked
"Its either that or sedate me, man." she replied
Hand in hand, Greg and Cyan walked down the street and towards the strip. They had just reached the MGM Grande when Cyan stopped in her tracks. Looking over at her, Greg was a bit confused.
"What's the matter?" he asked
"We're being followed. I can feel it. Tell me what you see. Do a quick visual sweep; no more than a few seconds." she directed
As Greg turned around, he saw lots of things. He saw winners and losers alike. He saw men wearing advertisement boards on their fronts and backs. He saw a meter maid issuing tickets and he saw a man standing by a newspaper vending machine looking as if he was reading. Turning back to her, he said that he didn't see anything suspect. Continuing down the promenade, they kept close to each other and after a couple of blocks, they stopped again; and again, Greg did a sweep.
"I see the same guy from last time. He's got a newspaper, but now he's standing around doing nothing"
"What does he look like?" she asked
"He's about 6 foot, black hair, average build and he's got a bandage on his left hand." he explained
Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her cell phone and called Grissom. While waiting for him to pick up, she saw Astor out of the corner of her eye. Just then, Gil picked up.
"Grissom"
"Gil, this is Cyan"
"Oh, you want Jim"
"Um, no. Greg and I are on the promenade in front of Caesar's and we're being followed." she explained "By who"
"As if you need to ask. He wasn't at hospital, he was waiting for me to come into the open." she stated "Who is he to you, and tell me everything." Gil demanded
Jim looked at Grissom and as they turned onto the strip, Gil's expression changed as he listened to Cyan.
"He's an ex of mine. I thought I'd lost him back in DC, but he found me. We're right in front of Caesar's."
"Where, I can't see you." Gil shouted
In an attempt to create a display to be recognized by Grissom, Cyan took Greg by his shirt collar and kissed him on the lips. Caught off guard, Greg was not exactly sure what to do, but having been lost in the moment, he placed his hand at the base of her neck and tilted her chin up to maximize the kiss. Her good hand still held the cell phone as she and Greg carried on.
Driving slowly, Jim watched traffic as he listened to Grissom's side of the conversation. Finally, Grissom called out.
"There, the couple kissing. Stop the truck, Jim." Gil demanded
"Why? Its a bit late to people watch." Jim joked
"No, its Cyan and Greg. They're being followed. They're the ones kissing." he shouted
"Why are they kissing?!?" Jim asked in harsh tones
"I couldn't see them. They needed me to see them." he replied, hopping out
Hobbling up to them, Gil had to virtually pull Greg from Cyan. As they separated, he caught his breath and blinked his eyes several times. Clueless as to what was going on, Jim just stood by and watched as Gil and Cyan spoke.
"He's back by the Bellagio. 6 feet, black hair and bandage on his left hand." she explained
"You mean he was waiting for you to leave the lab?" Gil demanded "Evidently."
Jim listened to her description and as he looked around, he spotted the man. Turning to her, he snapped.
"Black pants and hooded shirt?" "Yeah, that's him." she replied
No sooner had the words escaped her lips that Jim and Nick walked towards Astor. Having made them as cops, he dropped his paper and ran. Nick and Jim gave chase, all the while shouting that they were with the police department to people that they were bumping into and nearly knocking over. Watching as the two chased after Astor, Cyan leaned against the side wall of a bus kiosk.
Grissom questioned her as to her relationship with him. They found a bench and sat down. Grissom took her hand in his and softly stroked the back of it with his thumb as she spilled.
"We dated for a little while back in DC, but he started to creep me out, so I broke it off. He started following me, so I moved out here. I haven't heard anything from him in over six months, so I figured he was gone, but when he attacked me the other day, he said that I was his and that I always would be." she explained
"Ok, I understand that, but why was he killing dealers and leaving us clues? I mean, he knew me and even left me messages. What do I have to do with this?" he asked, confused
"Just before we broke up, I was reading an article you wrote for Applied Psychodynamics in Forensic Pathology and how various types of insects present themselves at a corpse during the decaying process. He must have gotten it out of a friend of mine that I moved out here and put two and two together. He's no idiot. And as for the dealers, his younger brother died of an overdose when he was around 15. Since then, he's had it in for drugs and dealers." she continued
Just then, Gil's phone rang and as he fished it out of his pocket, Greg took over with the hand holding. They could hear Grissom getting heated over his conversation.
"What do you mean you lost him? How could you lose him? Ok, where are you, we'll pick you up."
Standing up and piling into the truck, Sara drove to the intersection of Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard. Just as they came to a stop, Jim and Nick came running up to the truck. As there was little room in the back seat, Sara popped the boot and Nick jumped in, slamming it closed behind him. They drove back to the lab and when they arrived, they all hopped out and headed inside, save for Jim and Greg.
Out front, Jim could be seen shouting at Greg, and as the skinny young man tried to defend himself, Jim only became more animated.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Jim shouted
"She said she wanted to go for a walk. You told me to stay with her." he stated
"I also told you that her care and safety was on your shoulders. I swear..." he yelled, walking away
Inside, Cyan and Grissom were in his office and as Gil sat at his desk, he noticed that his voice mail indicator was blinking on his desk phone. Picking it up, he depressed the button and listened to the simple message. After listening to it a couple times, he pressed speaker phone and placed the handset back in the cradle. Everyone listened to the message.
"I just wanted to say see you later." came the voice
"Is that your ex?" Gil asked
"He's your ex?" Jim asked, shocked