CHAPTER 5

When Matt got back to the office, he found CJ still digging for information on the three victims. Chris had already gone to lunch, so the two had the office to themselves. He crossed the office, stepped over the back of the couch and sat down next to his wife.

"Hi, there. Didja miss me?" He put his arms around her and pulled her to him. She put her arms around his neck and the two kissed.

"You know I did. How did it go?" She looked into those big brown eyes with those big eyelashes and found herself having a hard time thinking about the case.

Matt filled her in on the case so far, but was having trouble concentrating on it. She had the most amazing eyes.

"What do you mean the manager had amazing eyes?" She looked at him like he had lost his mind.

"Huh? No, NO! God no!" He shook his head. She was laughing at him. "I meant you've got amazing eyes. Just got a little distracted." Matt curled a strand of her hair around his finger. "You tend to do that to me. Get me distracted, that is."

"Yeah, you kind of have that effect on me, too." She leaned forward and gave him a kiss that completely took his mind off everything else. After a few minutes, they both came up for air and Matt said, in the somewhat husky voice that she really loved, "Maybe we should go downstairs? You know, it's a little more private and…"

CJ grabbed him by the hand and they both took off for the stairs.

Later that afternoon, Matt and CJ were discussing the information that she had found on the victims.

"Okay, let's start with victim number one: Frank Bartholomew." His picture appeared on the screen. "He worked as a mechanic at a service center on Virgil. Apparently he was a good employee: his boss was very upset to learn that he was dead. No wife or girlfriend that I can find. I did however find that he owed the library $6.32 in late fees. Not much to go on I'm afraid." She punched a few buttons.

"Now, victim number two: Elyse Oppenheimer, married 23 years to her husband Joseph. He's a teacher at Westside Middle School. She was a press operator at a plastics plant near their home. Again, apparently a good employee - and no library fines." CJ proceeded on to victim number three.

"And last but not least, Charles Rickman. Twice divorced, and married to wife number three for the past six years. Mr. Rickman appears to have had some problems: namely alcohol and gambling. He was arrested twice for DUI and three times for illegal gambling. He was also between jobs." She sat back on the couch and looked at Matt. "So far, I haven't been able to find any connections between any of our victims."

Matt frowned. "Well, you know, they may not have any connection at all, other than the fact that they were all apparently murdered by the same guy. I sure hope the lab can give us a little more to work with, because right now, I'm not sure which way to go with this case." He stood up and walked to the window. "What about the florist shops?"

CJ punched more buttons. "Okay, there are five florists that carry black roses on a regular basis. First, Natasha's, over on Wilshire. They sold a dozen three days ago – a gift for a Goth singer from her manager. Then there's Blooming Love. The lady there told me that she sold a dozen to a long-time customer – a 93 year old widow who lives in Culver City. Next we have Budding Beauties, also on Wilshire. They sold six dozen to be used in a wedding this past Saturday. Number four on our list is Flowers by Eve, on Santa Monica Boulevard. They sold a dozen to be used on a soap opera set: "Passion and Pride". And the last is Marcia's Miracles on Carson. They used two dozen on a funeral arrangement for – of all things – a cat."

"A cat? As in Sylvester or Tom? You're kidding me." Matt was incredulous. He came back to the couch and sat down.

"Nope. Dead serious." She emphasized the last two words and gave him a big grin.

"Nothing like a play on words, CJ. But then you've always been good at that sort of thing." He reached over and kissed her. Uncle Roy walked in, saw the two newlyweds kissing and cleared his throat. Matt and CJ both waved while they continued kissing. "Guess we've passed the shyness stage in this relationship." He shook his head and went to the bar for coffee.

"Can I pour a cup for anyone else?" Uncle Roy was only pretending to be upset with them, and they knew it full well. "I could go for a cup. How 'bout you, CJ?" Matt got up and walked over to the bar.

"Sure. I never turn down a good cup of coffee." CJ joined the two men at the bar as Matt filled in Roy about the new case they were working on for Hoyt.

"Hmmm…don't think I'll be going to the movies anytime soon." Roy sipped his coffee. "I remember when the original "Don't Look Back" was released. What was the leading lady's name?...Natalie Wycomb. That's it. Funny thing is, she only made about four or five movies and then poof…she wasn't in anymore. I wonder whatever happened to her?"

"Wait a minute…she's one of the stars of that soap opera I was telling you about – "Passion & Pride". They ordered a dozen of the black roses to use on the set." She looked at Matt and Roy.

"Well, now that's sure interesting." Matt set down the coffee cup and looked up at his uncle. "Uncle Roy, I didn't realize you were such a big soap opera fan. Just goes to show you never can tell." He winked at Roy.

"My boy, there are a lot of things about me that you don't know. I'm so mysterious that I didn't even know myself that I liked soap operas." He gave Matt a big smile. "CJ, where are they filming this great contribution to American culture?"

With a snicker she replied, "At the Dominion Studios. Over on Wilshire."

"Guess I better go see what I can find out." As Roy started out of the office, Matt reached out and took CJ in his arms again. Without even looking back Roy said, "Boy, you're never gonna get this case solved if you keep smooching your bride all day." Matt and CJ both had shocked looks on their faces. Matt shrugged and pulled her to him anyway and began kissing her.