Chapter 12.

"So you want to take my blood?" Jess asked Chase, ignoring me. I could see I'd been right. She was fascinated by his accent, or maybe it was his boyish good looks. Women went for that, right?

Chase nodded. "The sooner the better. Is there somewhere nearby where we can have some privacy to do this?"

"There's a sort of apartment at the back of my sister's dress shop." Jess sighed. "I suppose you'll be able to convince her to give you a sample, too, or Dr. House can." She gave me a strange look that I couldn't begin to interpret. "This way." She started walking towards the shop, certain that we would follow.

I'd been in the shop before. It wasn't as crowded this time, and there was no sign of Nina, or Thirteen, either. We followed Jess straight past the racks of dresses and other clothes. The scent permeating the area was flowery sweet, almost cloying. I was happy when we walked through a doorway into the back of the store where it wasn't so overpowering.

"Nina!" Jess said, although why she should be surprised to find her sister in her office I'll never know. Then she stared at Thirteen. "Who are you?" she demanded.

Thirteen decided not to answer her. She turned to me and said, "Nina's agreed to let me take a blood sample."

I nodded.

Jess asked Chase, "Is she the one you call Thirteen?" at about the same time Nina asked me, "Did you think you needed to bring in reinforcements to get us to cooperate?" She was almost as annoyed as her sister.

I didn't have to explain myself to either of them, and hoped Chase wouldn't bother. I knew Thirteen wouldn't. In fact, she pulled on a pair of gloves and prepared to take Nina's blood. I couldn't resist an attempt at a Bela Lugosi laugh, even though I was sure Chase would roll his eyes. He didn't disappoint. Next, it was Jess' turn.

As Nina rolled down her long-sleeved silk blouse, she asked me, "Have you gotten samples from Ellie's parents?"

"Just Ellie and her mother, so far. And Christopher, of course."

Jess nodded her head. "Jake just told us they're back in town. Ellie and the baby, I mean."

"Yes. I just talked to Ellie over at Boomer's. She's got her old job back," I added.

I was surprised when Jess smiled at that, but then she explained. "She's the best waitress Jake ever had," she said. "It'll be good for business, which will make Dad happy."

So it was just because she was a good waitress and good for the Giordano's business. I should have known she didn't care a fig about Ellie.

"Speaking of Dad," Nina said. "How do you propose to get a blood sample from him?"

"We haven't decided on that yet," Chase answered for me. He was right. I hadn't come up with an approach for the man. I glanced at Thirteen, wondering if he was into gorgeous bisexuals.

"Our next stop is Ellie's father," she said, confused by the look I was giving her.

"He's home with Christopher," I added, mainly to see whether either of his aunts was interested in seeing the baby.

Jess' face was impassive, and Nina suddenly started rushing around. "I've got to get back to work," she said.

Chase nodded. "We won't keep you any longer."

"Nice to meet you," Thirteen said, but none of us believed she meant it. She and Chase gathered up the samples they took and all their equipment and we walked back through the store, out into the now hot street.

We stowed the samples in the cooler in the trunk of my car. I opened the doors, but my passengers wouldn't get into the car until I'd opened all the windows and started up the air conditioner. Once it started to cool down, we closed the windows and took off. I drove south.

"Where are we going?" Thirteen asked. It's true I hadn't fully briefed my minions on the logistics here.

"Ellie and her family live in a mobile home park south of town," I replied. "That's where Pat Cleary and Christopher are."

There were even fewer people out at Lazy Acres than the last times I was there. I chalked it up to temperatures in the low nineties and humidity that might be higher. I parked in front of the Cleary home, and looked to see what Chase and Thirteen's reactions were. They were both curious, but not contemptuous. I led the way up the few steps to the landing in front of the door and knocked.

Mr. Cleary came to the door much faster than the first time I'd visited him. I idly wondered when he was getting any sleep now that he was doing daytime baby-sitting duty.

"Dr. House, I've been expecting you," he said, stepping back so I could enter. He looked curiously at Chase and Thirteen.

"These two are part of my team," I explained. That would have to be enough explanation for their presence.

"All of you, come in." He looked around as we did. I think he was belatedly wondering if the house was neat and clean enough for company, but of course, that wasn't why we were there. "Chris just went down for a nap," he said. "He doesn't seem to sleep for long periods of a time, though."

"Yes, I think that may be a symptom for whatever is wrong with him," I said.

"I'm Remy Hadley," Thirteen told him, holding out a hand to shake his. "And this is Robert Chase. We're both doctors who work for House."

"We're not here for a social call," I said.

"Actually, we're here to get a blood sample from you," Chase said, unpacking everything he needed.

"And we might as well get it over with while the baby's asleep," Thirteen added.

Cleary was wearing a short-sleeve summer shirt. "Which arm do you want?" he asked, quite willing to let them have his blood if it would help find out what was wrong with his grandson. It had taken just a short time for him and his wife to fall in love with the little boy. There was obviously something wrong with him, but he was sweet and loved to be hugged.

Chase took the sample quickly and said, "That's it. Thank you."

Cleary nodded. "Now can I get you some iced tea or lemonade?" he asked, making an attempt to be hospitable.

"Iced tea would be great," Thirteen said. She was curious about the baby and wanted to stick around until he woke up again.

"Yes, I'll have the same," Chase said, making himself comfortable on the couch.

I frowned. "You know this isn't a social visit," I repeated.

"For once we've been invited into our patient's home," Thirteen told him. "Might as well make the most of it."

I had to admit she had a point. I'd been here before and I'd seen the baby, but Chase and Thirteen hadn't. If they were to help me, they needed to see Christopher in person.