Chapter Nine
As Max opened the door, Iris lunged forward in a classic fencing move with the umbrella held like a sword. The blunted end of the umbrella went into Max's mid-chest with all the force Iris could put behind it. He grunted as he fell backwards to the floor unable to keep his balance. Before Max could get up to come at Iris, she followed the blow with a roundhouse kick that caught him under the chin and would have made Jackie Chan proud. He was out cold.
After waiting several moments to make sure he was truly unconscious, Iris went to the phone in the living room to call 911, all the while keeping a close eye on Max. She kept guard with the umbrella as she waited for help to arrive. Max never moved a muscle. Iris wondered how she was going to feel after the adrenaline rush was over.
One week later…
Iris returned to the lab after taking a few days off from her harrowing ordeal. Max Schneider remained in custody facing multiple murder charges, kidnapping and false imprisonment of a law enforcement officer, attempted rape, and a host of other pending offenses. She had also made herself scarce with the media, only availing herself if absolutely necessary. In the few days away she had had time to reflect and make some decisions.
Max had been questioned by Jeri herself with another detective as the story unfurled on the genesis of the FTD killer. Max's mother had been a florist and after school Max would go to the flower shop to stay with his mother until closing. If his mother had to leave to make deliveries, she had another employee watch Max until she got back. This was a female employee who began to sexually abuse the young boy in the greenhouse and this continued for several months until she was fired by his mother for stealing money. However, his mother never knew of the abuse or suspected it and Max never told her out of shame and guilt. Max's rage had built over the years until it had become an overdriving force that now drove him to rape and kill, the names of the flowers in his mother's greenhouse where he was abused now becoming one with his victims. He had become obsessed with Iris and believed he could lead a double life where he saw her as being his forever while he eventually planned to kill a woman for every letter of the alphabet and with the flower first name. His branding of the flower name above the left breast was symbolic of the burning hatred he carried within.
Angie met Iris in the locker area with a bear hug and nearly crying at seeing her return safe and sound. "Whatever little voice was telling you to not get hooked up with Max, I'm so glad you listened to it! Dear God, who'd have thought this would happen… we nearly lost you! Can I see what you had done?"
Iris raised up one pants leg of her jeans above her right ankle which now bore a tattoo of a parrot riding a motorcycle with the motto "Born to Burn" as the entire tattoo was ringed in fire. Though Iris had never had it done before, after the recent events she found she wanted something unique to commemorate it by. The parrot symbolized her adoration of Jimmy Buffet's music, the motorcycle her love of riding, and the "Born to Burn" her faith.
"That is just simply awesome," Angie said with a grin.
"I've gotta go meet with Jeri, but I'll see you later!" Iris told her friend.
"Call me after you get home and then come over for dinner tonight before shift!" Angie made her promise.
Iris knocked on Jeri's office door. Jeri looked up from her desk and a wide smile came to her lips. "Iris, welcome back, dear. How are you?"
"None the worse for wear all considered. Can I talk to you about what we've been discussing via email?" Iris asked.
"Absolutely. Are you sure about this and that I can't talk you out of it?" Jeri countered in a sad tone.
"Well, my family wants me transfer up to Indy like yesterday but I find myself wanting to go in a different direction just not sure where though." Iris replied honestly.
"Listen, Iris, I took the liberty of contacting a CSI friend who's a supervisor to see if there might be an opening where he's at." Jeri started as she saw Iris's surprised expression as she the continued. "As it turns out, another CSI who works with him also worked here under me before he transferred out. You've heard me talk about Nick Stokes more than once. Well, I have given you the highest recommendation possible and I am going to be sorry to lose you."
"Nick who went to work for the Vegas CSI lab, where Gil Grissom is graveyard supervisor? Jeri, are you serious? They'd take me, just a level one? There has to be a mistake for someone of Grissom's caliber to consider me!" Iris said in a rush, as she did when she became a bit nervous.
"Gil thinks you could be a fit and he's flying here tomorrow to interview you. That's how sure he is about you, Iris. Why not you? You're not going to be a level one forever and I think the Vegas lab would suit you. They need someone who can work night or day shift and as you're not married or have children, I think you'd be the perfect candidate." Jeri replied with a faint smile.
"He…he's flying here?" Iris stammered, incredulous. The news was too much to take in nearly. Someone whose career she idolized was actually taking time out of his busy schedule to come interview her and not the other way around.
"You're going to be missed more than you know, dear. I think you better go tell Angie what's up." Jeri advised.
A little later in the locker area, Angie received Iris's news with dismay. "Why do you want to transfer and to Vegas of all places? I would have thought at least you'd go back to Indy where your family is. You up and decided this without even talking to me, your closest friend here?"
Iris looked at Angie fondly. "I've been debating this for a while, Angie, so it's not a snap decision. I thought about going back to Indy, but when Jeri mentioned Vegas something just clicked inside. For me, I want a fresh start and while Dallas holds a lot of great memories and friends here, it's time for a change. Who knows what awaits me there, the very least being the chance to work with Gil Grissom!"
The next night…
Iris found herself fidgeting a bit as she sat across from Dr. Gil Grissom. She had taken him to dinner at the Reunion Tower Restaurant that slowly revolved showing a panoramic view of the Dallas skyline at night. Grissom gave her a reassuring smile as the conversation flowed between them. "Iris, I think you would be an asset to our Vegas lab. You have the qualifications and those recommendations from Jeri and Frank are sterling. Our shift coverage needs you are agreeable to. The day-shift CSI you would be replacing has decided to stay at home with her newborn. It looks like a win-win situation to me. So, what's your decision?"
Iris didn't need to think a moment about it. "When can I start?"
Grissom smiled broadly at her lack of hesitation. He noted that in spite of the recent trauma she'd gone through as well as the death of her husband years ago in a convenience store robbery that she was not jaded or cynical. Her attitude was positive and her demeanor while somewhat shy and reserved were not negatives in his eyes. Though she was still only a level one CSI, her prior work experience could also be utilized at the Vegas lab if needed. He had to admit to himself his surprise at hearing of the hobbies she enjoyed which seemed so atypical – ballroom dancing, horseback riding, fencing with swords, and singing in church choir.
"How about two weeks from today? Will that be enough time for you to get moved?" Grissom asked.
"No worries, Boss, I'll be there with my dancing shoes on," Iris replied with a grin.
"What about former detective Max Schneider? I know he had been your friend." Grissom suddenly asked, wanting to see how Iris would respond.
Her brow furrowed for a moment as a reply framed itself in her mind. "Tis but thy name that is my enemy; what's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Iris said thoughtfully.
Grissom cocked his head slightly at her and gave her an intense stare, as she flushed slightly under his scrutiny. He loved quotes. "Romeo and Juliet, very good, Iris. Welcome aboard!"