Chapter 14: Dr. Julie Grizolli's Genetics lab, Philadelphia

"To test the amniocentesis sample, we use a microcentrifuge to spin and separate the baby's Fetal DNA from the amniotic fluid, and this is what is tested against the DNA of the mom and the dad. We use "STR" analysis which is Short Tandem Repeat analysis. "STR" is a common molecular biology method used to compare allele repeats at specific loci in DNA between two or more samples."

"Julie, I always knew you were the smartest of all of us but you blow me away. Stephanie thought you were a research assistant and you run your own lab."

"The last time I saw Stephanie I was working on my doctorate and was a research assistant. Funny how fast time passes." Julie paused to look at Joe. "You need to give me your samples to run as well."

"Why?"

"I want to be absolutely sure you are not the father of the children involved." Joe felt his face redden. "I know your reputation and I do not want to get in the middle of some crazy family drama, Joe! I moved out of Trenton to get away from all that."

"I can't believe you don't trust me." Joe rolled up his sleeve. "Take whatever you need. This isn't a family thing, I promise you."

"But you can't tell me anything."

"Julie, in all seriousness, there are real lives at risk."

Julie stepped to the door and spoke to the beautiful young woman seated at the first workbench.

"Denise, I need a favor." To Joe she said, "Let me introduce Dr. Denise Hadden. She is a geneticist who is researching non-invasive methods of prenatal genetic testing."

"Denise, this is my cousin, Detective Joe Morelli. He needs some research samples tested and compared, and we need to keep it quiet. Do you have time to run the samples and do the comparisons yourself?"

"I would be happy to. It is a pleasure to meet you, Detective." She held out her hand and as Joe took it, he found himself looking into the most amazing green eyes he had ever seen. "Please call me Joe."

Her smile made his heartbeat race. Holy shit, what was wrong with him. He felt like he couldn't catch his breath. Denise Hadden was beautiful. But it was the tremor that shot up his arm when she touched him that stunned him. Joe was not inexperienced when it came to women. But this reaction was unique. He couldn't keep his thoughts organized. It wasn't lust. It was longing… to talk with her, get to know her. Thankfully Julie was explaining his request, and her desire to add Joe's samples to the set so neither woman noticed he was shaken. When he finally recovered himself, he reminded Julie that his samples were not needed.

"So say you."

"You don't trust me."

"No, Joe, I don't."

Denise interrupted the cousins bickering before it got started. "If this is urgent, I will be happy to call you as soon as the samples analysis is completed. Your cousin is heading to Olso at the end of the week, and the results will likely come in while she is away."

"Oh, I forgot about Michael's award." Julie looked at Joe. "Give Denise your contact details so she can call you. Michael is taking me on an extended holiday after Oslo- London, Paris and Rome.

"Julie, that sounds amazing. It is good to see you and Michael so happy and successful." Joe was so proud of his little cousin. He went with Denise and she collected blood, hair and saliva samples and gave her his phone number and pager.

"Detective, are these samples going to show that you fathered one of these children?" Denise's gaze was intense.

"Absolutely not. I have no children."

"Then would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" She asked the question he had been trying to work up the courage to ask. He felt unsure around her- Something that NEVER happened to Joe Morelli.

"I would like that." Joe was pleased. Denise told him to return to pick her up at six and suggested Vetri Cucina on Spruce Street. "It is a favorite."

They talked over dinner about everything- hockey, world events, her work, his work and the toll it could take, their best memories and funniest stories. It was so easy. Joe couldn't believe it when he looked at his watch and it was after 11pm. "I can't believe they haven't kicked us out yet."

"The owners are friends." Denise smiled at him and Joe felt amazing.

He kissed her softly goodnight and walked back to his car, pleased.

Pleased to be helping Stephanie. Pleased he shared a meal with the young, smart doctor. Pleased they planned to have dinner again. Denise literally took his breath away. If he didn't know better, he would think it was love at first sight. But that was crazy… wasn't it?

The SUV tailing Morelli headed back to Trenton. Joe Morelli got set up with a lab nerd by his cousin. This was a waste of an evening. He thought there might be something after Stephanie and Joe had a conversation at the VFW hall- he had no idea what they spoke of. The bug he planted out back had only captured static. The RangeMan mole thought this Philly visit so insignificant (Morelli didn't even get laid!) that he didn't report it back to the man who sent him. He needed to see if there was anyone else in Stephanie Manoso's life cause clearly the cop was a dead end.