Chapter Six
VEGAS
Grissom had never conducted an interview via the Web but there was a first time for everything. Nick had shown him pictures from when Iris had visited so Grissom already had a preview of Iris' appearance. After the conference software had synced between them, she found bespectacled blue eyes with a benign facial countenance looking her over that she returned similarly behind her own wire-rimmed glasses.
"Dr. Grissom, I presume, a genuine pleasure to make your acquaintance," Iris broke the momentary silence between them. Her voice had a much younger sound to it than he had expected. Her phrase amused him as he was sure she was utilizing the famous quote similarly of "Dr. Livingstone, I presume." Years of living in Texas hadn't caused her to adopt something of a southern accent with her neutral Midwestern one still holding true.
"Iris, the pleasure is mutual," Grissom smiled slightly. "I'm afraid time is a harsh task master and I don't have much to spare this morning."
"Dr. Grissom, I understand and appreciate this opportunity that I wish was taking place under better circumstances," Iris said with heartfelt sincerity.
"Please, no formalities are needed here, Iris. Nick wouldn't endorse just anyone and I didn't need convincing to do this interview. I trust his judgment of character and there aren't many people he holds in much higher regard," Grissom told her as he briefly glanced over her emailed resume.
"Is he doing okay? We haven't spoken in a few days," Iris asked and her concern was clear.
"He's dealing with this in his way, as we all are, but I think once McKeen's trial is over and he's in prison it will start to assuage the pain," Grissom replied.
"Closure is a term I don't think is ever adequate," Iris commented and Grissom saw a distant look in her eyes.
"I agree. When Nick and Sara were kidnapped, when Brass was shot, when Warrick was murdered, those have been life-changing events for me," he concurred and added further. "You have your own, don't you?"
Her eyes dropped for a moment before meeting his gaze squarely again. "You have those who come into your life who you think you know and like the Roman deity Janus have two opposite faces. It haunts me still that if I could've somehow figured Max out and stopped him before another woman died at his hand."
"Max Schneider was able to conceal what he did but for only so long. Even though the pathology of his childhood sexual abuse was contributory, evil has a way of being found out, perhaps not right away, but the truth and evidence will bring it to light," Grissom said firmly. "If you hadn't been resourceful in the unique way you stopped him, then his evil might have continued. I understand it haunts you and drives you to be an even better criminalist. These are qualities I need for the next person on our team."
Iris' eyes grew huge as the import of Grissom's words hit home and that what he said echoed Jeri's to an extent. Her stunned expression caused him to give her a slight grin. "When can you start?"
"Could I have give Jeri a two-week notice? I don't want to leave her in too bad of a lurch?" Iris finally stammered with a shaky laugh.
"Yes, I can agree to that caveat and I admire your wish to leave your current post properly," Grissom observed as he added. "Welcome to the team, Iris, you'll do well I know."
DALLAS
In her office, after Iris broke the news she was transferring, Jeri Church shook her head in disbelief as she looked over Iris' formal written HR request for a transfer to Las Vegas to work for the same renowned CSI supervisor the DPD crime lab had lost Nick to. It gave her an ironic sense of déjà vu. "I can't talk you out of this? Offer you a long vacation or leave of absence?"
"No, Jeri, it goes way beyond that to change my mind. I want to start fresh and new there. You know, go west young lady," Iris was emphatic.
"But the economy there is in the toilet, let alone real estate, besides Nick you don't know anyone there. The Dallas area is by far the better choice of where to live!" Jeri protested stubbornly.
"I'll be fine, Jeri. I've got a decent nest egg to add the liquidation of my remaining vacation time to. Finding a good deal on a place there is a no-brainer. The climate's similar to Dallas so adjusting to the heat is no biggie. It's just a matter of moving my dogs and horse with my house stuff as the logistical challenges," Iris replied in a matter-of-fact way to soothe her worried soon-to-be-ex boss.
"That should be some nest egg given the fact you hardly ever took time off. You know Jake Pruitt thinks you should have your head examined and mentioned you're missing out on meeting a doctor Wanda knows for crying out loud," Jeri lamented. "If you had a man here you'd stay, right?"
"It takes more than a man, Jeri, it takes the man. Don't give me that cross-eyed look either. My reasons to go there don't add up to finding whoever that might be but if he were then that's the cherry on top I guess. I'm realistic about it just the same," Iris shrugged.
"You just seem to be hasty about all this, Iris. I don't begrudge your chance to go work with Gil Grissom but for pity's sake you seem to be rushing out of here. I wish you'd think this over," Jeri tried one last time to dissuade her.
"It's not hasty, Jeri, I've wanted to go for some time, I just didn't know where until now," Iris disclosed, her hands clasping Jeri's. "You've encouraged me and my skill set has grown in the time I've been under your direction, but my mind is made up."
"Okay but you tell Gil he owes me large now that two of our brightest CSI's have gone his way," Jeri said with sigh of capitulation. "We're going to throw you one helluva going away party."
"I know you wouldn't have it any other way but I'll be back to visit. I've still got family and friends here," Iris promised as Jeri wrapped her in a big hug.
Iris had already had to field a sea of questions and frank disbelief from her sister and brother-in-law there in Dallas as well as the rest of the clan back in Indianapolis. They all collectively felt that she was making an impulsive decision and, if anything, she should move back to Indy. As a leverage move, they'd all threatened to tell their father, a retired dentist living in New York City, of her plans. Iris was unmoved at their attempts to persuade her to change her mind while there was still time.
VEGAS
Nick had gotten a text from Grissom to come early before shift to his office. He knew that Iris had been interviewed although she hadn't contacted him about the outcome. Grissom's nose was buried in an entomology reference book as Nick cleared his throat.
"You wanted to see me, Griss?"
"Yes, I thought you'd like to know that Iris is coming on board in two weeks," Grissom casually informed him while he closed the book.
"You'll find she's totally solid, she'll be a real asset, she'll…," Nick rambled happily.
"I get it, Nick. Your recommendation was enough. I'd of taken her just on that," Grissom interrupted with an upraised hand.
"So you said two weeks, right?" Nick asked to clarify. He wanted to make his house ready in case Iris needed a temporary place to stay.
"She insisted on two weeks so she can get Jeri time to make what adjustments she can. I appreciated hearing that from her. It's sort of rare these days," Grissom remarked.
"Wait till you get the chance to eat one of her spreads, Dallas' loss is Vegas' gain," Nick chuckled.
"Something to look forward to," Grissom said yet there was an absent quality in his voice.
Nick deduced that it was as close as Grissom could get to saying how much he missed Sara.
"Iris'll help to bring good vibes back to us," Nick said firmly.
"We've been in need of that these last weeks," Grissom allowed with a slight head nod.
"Is Ecklie cool about your hiring her?" Nick had to ask.
"He's aware of my choice. The only thing he had to say was he felt it was better to go with someone who was available now. I responded I understood his take on this subject but this was how I wanted it," Grissom shrugged.
"You diplomatically said to shove it," Nick grinned.
"Yes, more or less," Grissom concurred with his own wry smile.