Chapter 1
The new girl was due in at any moment. There was a case he had to hand over to
Stella due to the fact that he had to meet the new girl. And, heaven forbid Mack
Taylor not meet the new girl.
He had heard she was quite spectacular. Went to college and
studied criminal justice. Graduated in the top of her class. She had worked with
a division during college. Kept the job after graduation and had become a CSI.
She worked hard, willing to do what was needed, was always willing to go above
and beyond. Info like that made Mac happy, more like excited, to work with them.
"Amanda Williams." Mac read, looking over the file in front
of him.
"I prefer Mandy." A voice said.
Mac looked up and saw a brunette standing in the doorway.
"Mandy?" Mac asked.
"Too many Amandas when I went to high school." The brunette
said, a smile on her face.
"Well, I guess I should say welcome to New York." Mac said.
"More of a welcome back. I grew up around here, only leaving
for college." Mandy, the brunette, said.
"So you know your way around here good then." Mac said.
"Could possibly even tell you some short cuts." Mandy
replied.
"Well, I'm gonna take you out to help on a case then." Mac
said, as he started out of the office.
****************************************
Mac saw Stella Bonesero talking with Detective Don Flack. He
quickly joined them, as Mandy followed. "Stella, Don, this is Amanda Williams."
Mac said, as the three shook hands.
"Please, it's Mandy." She said.
"Where's Danny?" Mac asked.
"Talking to a witness." Stella said.
"Well then Mandy, I'm going to leave you in Stella's capable
hands." Mac said, waving and then heading back to his car.
"So, what's the deal?" Mandy asked, looking around the empty
residential area park.
"DB found by a couple and their son. They ran back to their
apartment and called the cops." Don said.
"DB had been ID, it's a woman named Angel Markups. She didn't
live anywhere near here." Stella added.
"The witness?" Mandy asked.
"Graham Johnson. He swears he heard something last night."
Don replied.
"Possibly someone dumping the body." Mandy said, looking
around the crowd. One guy in khakies looked very familiar to her. So familiar
that she felt butterflies she had felt back in high school.
She shook it off. "So, let's process the body." Stella
suggested.
"Good idea." Mandy said, looking over her shoulder once more.
It couldn't be him, could it?
****************************************
Danny Messer scratched his head. He had talked with the
couple-The Creightons-and then he talked with Graham Johnson. Both had heard
something, but it varied. What it sounded like varied, even how long the sound
lasted varied.
"Hey Flack." Danny called, coming closer to where Stella was
processing the body. She had somebody else with her, Danny guessed it to be the
new girl they were getting in.
"Yeah Danny?" Don said, as Danny stood next to him. Danny
could clearly see the new girl from this spot. He had to admit, she was
attractive. But, it was attractive in a familiar way, like he had seen her
before. But then, this was New York City, he could have passed her on the
streets before.
"Are there any other possible witnesses?" He asked.
"Not so far. The only one who has said anything about hearing
something was Mr. Johnson." Don replied.
"Okay, great. Thanks Flack." Danny said, as he noticed Stella
and the new girl had stood up.
That was when he realized where she looked familiar from.
Amanda Williams, from high school. She was back, again.
"So, anything?" Stella asked.
Danny tore his gaze away from Mandy, who clearly realized it
was him. "I've got two conflicting stories so far. But, they both heard
something." He said.
"Great." Stella said, sarcastically. "Oh, Danny, this is
Mandy Williams." She said.
"Charmed." Danny said.
"I'm sure." Mandy replied.
Danny could not believe it. His high school crush was
standing in front of him. SHE was right here.
Mandy just wanted to groan. Of all the people to become a
CSI, Danny was who had decided to become one.
She almost though about requesting a transfer. But then, she
decided to take the high road. She would work with Danny, and she would live
through it!
****************************************
"Hey, Mandy!" Danny called, seeing her walk by.
"Yes?" She asked.
"You headed to autopsy?" He asked.
"Yes." She replied.
"You mind if I join you?" Danny asked.
"Of course not." She said nicely.
They started walking. They both stayed silent, debating what
to say, not wanting to be the first to open up a crack from years ago.
"You know, you never did answer me." Danny finally spoke, as
Mandy turned to face him.
"Answer what?" She asked.
"You never did tell me if you' go to the prom with me." Danny
said.
"Did you even ask?" Mandy asked.
"Five weeks before, outside the chemistry class. You had just
aced the test, and I was a point behind." Danny replied.
"Now I remember. I said we'd see." Mandy replied.
"But you never told me what we saw." Danny said.
"Cause we never did see anything." Mandy said, turning a
corner fast. Danny had to speed up to catch back up with her.
"What do you mean?" Danny asked.
"Danny, that was high school. That's been over for a long
time." Mandy said.
"Not for me! At least not where you're concerned." Danny
retorted.
"And why not?" Mandy asked.
"Because I didn't want to believe it was over." Danny said.
"We didn't have anything!" Mandy quickly said.
"Because every time I talked to you about a relationship, you
quickly shot me down!" Danny retorted.
"It was for my own good." Mandy said.
"Your own good? Your GPA and popularity was not going to be
hurt." Danny said.
"Are you really that dense? I was talking about my physical
well being." Mandy said, halting outside of autopsy and glaring at Danny.
Danny's eyes showed confusion, and Mandy shook her head. She
didn't want to jump into old demons now, not right here. "Stella's waiting on
us." She said softly, walking into autopsy.
Danny stood there, amazed. She had walked away from him
again. She had left him, again.
Danny bit his lower lip and smiled. The only difference was,
this time, he was going to get her back. He promised himself that.
****************************************
I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away
It's more than a feeling, when I hear that old song they used to play (more than
a feeling)
I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
'till I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walkin' away
So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet I still recall as I wander on
as clear as the sun in the summer sky
It's more than a feeling, when I hear that old song they used to play (more than
a feeling)
I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
'till I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walkin' away
When I'm tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day
and dream of a girl I used to know
I closed my eyes and she slipped away
She slipped away. She slipped away.
It's more than a feeling, when I hear that old song they used to play (more than
a feeling)
I begin dreaming (more than a feeling)
'till I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walkin' away