Chapter 4
"So, as you can see, there is much that can be learned from this forgotten science. By using forensics in crime investigation, along with traditional tactics, the solve rate increases exponentially. Anthropology is just one piece in the larger puzzle of forensics." Grissom concluded his lecture and was met with raucous applause. The auditorium was packed with wide eyed students, faculty, and community members, all standing and clapping. "How'd I do?" Grissom asked as he exited the stage.
"Great! I don't think I've seen such a fantastic response before. You really had them. I, uh, have a question." Sara handed him a bottle of cold water while she spoke.
"Mmm?"
"I was wondering how you can tell a male from a female by only looking at the bones in the leg."
"The hood on the femur is larger in males than females."
"Ah, and you can tell whether a woman gave birth or not by...?"
"Scarring on the pelvic bone."
Sara nodded and said, "The age of a victim is estimated by what method?"
"Several, actually, arthritis, bone density, the number of bones and how they are fused, or not fused together...anything else?"
"Sorry." Sara blushed. She knew she was just stalling for some courage before he left for the night.
"Its alright, I don't think I've ever met someone without an anthropology degree this interested in it. Why don't we continue this tomorrow?"
"Aren't you going tonight? To the social?"
"No. I wasn't planning on it."
"I hate to tell you, but you have to go. There are only two things that the University requires when you lecture for them: a lecture and subsequent smoozing of the people in charge of the money. You have to go, even if just for a little bit."
"I hate politics."
"Sorry. See you tonight?"
"I guess so. What do I wear?"
"Something formal. There is going to be a dinner and dancing thing."
"Ah. Great" Grissom rolled his eyes and left.
Sara and Jason arrived at the social a few minutes after seven and took their seats at the table. Sara had assigned seats with the three speakers, the chancellor, and a few other important people at a table that seated 12. Dr. Woodbourne and Dr. Miller arrived a short while later with the other TA, and soon the table was filled and the dinner began. Grissom arrived after soup and took the only seat left, next to Sara.
"Sorry, I had to go find something to wear." Grissom began to eat his soup without another word.
"As I was saying, I hope to have a master's in Forensic analysis soon, here at the school. The undergraduate degrees have taken off and our enrollment in the sciences has taken a huge upswing since we opened the program." The chancellor was trying to impress the guests, as usual. Jason began fall into a stupor and were grateful when the main course arrived and they began to eat the baked salmon.
"Dr. Grissom, does anthropology or entomology help you more in the field?" Sara asked.
"Well, I guess," Grissom began to ponder the question as all eyes turned to him, "probably anthropology but I enjoy the bugs more."
"Why?" Sara pressed on, trying to get him to talk and simultaneously keep the chancellor quiet.
"I like the cycle the insects represent. It is methodical and rhythmic. I like methods and rhythm." Grissom explained this at his plate with his lips pursed.
"I like rhythm, too, but it usually involves a woman, if you know what I mean?" The chancellor chuckled. He was an older, rather crass man who made these kind of comments often.
Sara raised her eyebrow and Jason coughed into his napkin. The rest of the table began to laugh politely. Sara finished her food and excused herself. Jason soon followed. They went to the kitchen to make sure dessert was on its way and then visited the band to see if they needed anything. When they returned, arm in arm, Madeline, the other TA, raised her eyebrow and said, "Where did you two sneak off to?"
The table glanced at the pair and they blushed. "You know Sara's not my type." Jason began to get a little angry. "She's wearing a dress."
The people at the table looked at each other inquisitively. Jason pulled out Sara's chair and seated himself. "What? The pink napkin in my suit pocket didn't tip you all off?" Sara giggled and the whole table, including Jason, dissolved into laughter. Madeline looked a bit confused.
"I thought you two were together. You always hang out and he stays at your place all the time." Madeline said accusingly to Sara.
"Well, I suppose I have to have someone to spend my time with, since I stopped dating a few years back." Sara said to defend her virtues.
"Why would a pretty girl like you do a thing like that?" The chancellor had found his voice again. It was well known that he often hit on his students.
"I—well, um." Sara had been blindsided by this last comment.
"People who love their work often don't have time for romance." Grissom was the one to answer this time. "I haven't been on a proper date in almost a decade." He folded his napkin and made to get up. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my hotel room to get some sleep before tomorrow's lecture."
"Wait just one minute, sir. You must stay for a little of the dancing, I know my daughter would love a chance to dance with you and Dr. Woodbourne. I, myself, would like to dance with Dr. Miller." The chancellor was known for his love of rubbing elbows with people he thought were respectable.
"Uh."
"Just one, maybe two dances, I'll save you half way through. His daughter steps on people's feet." Sara whispered to Grissom.
"Alright."
The music began, a vintage 1960's band complete with crooner, and everyone took to the dance floor. Sara and Jason always began these functions and did so tonight. Jason was an accomplished ballroom dancer because his mother owned a studio back home, and he twirled and swung Sara around like a pro. Soon the Chancellor and Dr. Miller, Grissom and the Chancellor's daughter, Cloe, and several others from the table began to dance. Before a few minutes had passed the entire room seemed to be on the floor and it was getting crowded. "I'd better go save him, you wearing your steel-toed shoes" Sara said to Jason.
"Yup." They split up and approached the couple. "Excuse me Mademoiselle. I believe that you owe me a dance!" Jason swiftly stepped in and took a giggling 16 year old girl in his arms and began to gracefully swing her about.
"Thanks." Grissom said as he took Sara's hand. "My toes might be swollen all week. I should buy your friend some new shoes for saving me."
"He's got a pair of steel-toed dress shoes just for the Chancellor's daughter." Grissom raised his eyebrows and Sara laughed. "I know. We make quite a team."
"It certainly seems that you do. And there's nothing going on between you two?" Grissom was reaching for any small talk as he waited for the song to be over.
"Nope. We are just best buds. He stays the night a lot. We even sleep in the same bed, but it is completely platonic. I'm like the sister he never had, can sleep next to, shower with, shop with, and check out guys with," Sara said playfully.
"Wow. Lucky guy." Grissom was not a very good dancer and he awkwardly tried to spin Sara, knocking her into another couple. "Uh, sorry. He's also your dance partner, huh?"
"Don't worry about it. You're a scientist, you're polite, and if you could dance well too, I'd have to fall in love with you." Sara joked. The music ended and she dropped her hands. "It's been lovely. If you want to make your exit, now would be the time. The Chancellor is busy with the other two speakers."
"Thanks."
Grissom left without another word and Sara and Jason met back up. They rarely danced after the first one but tonight Jason scooped her up and they waltzed around the room.
