| Grissom drove the black SUV through downtown traffic and checked his watch for the third time. 'It's only 6, stop worrying,' he chastised himself before turning into the residential part of Las Vegas. 'Besides, it seems too soon after Sara to be involved. I didn't even see how old she was.' Coasting up into the drive way, Grissom put the car in park and got out, camera and bag in hand. The crime scene was only about 20 yards away. 'She didn't lie when she said she could see everything,' he considered and rang the doorbell. A splash and then scuffling before the door opened. "Mr. Grissom?" Steward replied, holding a towel to her body and he found himself blushing slightly. "Uh...Ms....I mean, Steward, I came by to take the pictures," he inquired and she smiled. "Come in, I was just getting out of the shower." Inside the place was furnished spartanly but with several things he found out of place. "Antiques?" he asked, pointing at the ceramic dogs on her table. "They're my grandmother's," she said, wrapping the towel tighter. "She lives here too." "How old are you, Steward?" A smile. "That depends on how old you are, Mr. Grissom. A true lady never tells her age, excuse me briefly," Steward replied before disappearing in a back room. Grissom took the time to look around as he set up. Awards from Band, JROTC, and the Entomology Club were on the walls and dated within the past four years. 'That's her name. She's about 19,' he thought, sighing before smiling. 'Ah well, you can't win them all Gil; that's pretty young bait to be considering. More like Warrick's range.' The tripod clicked into place just as Steward returned from the room, dressed in a black jump suit littered with patches from JROTC that was unzipped just below her bust line, sports bra in plain sight. "Hard at work, I see, Mr. Grissom," she said, smiling before going in the kitchen and pulling out a V8 drink. Click. The first flurry of pictures were taken. "Yes and please, no 'Mister', just Grissom. Is this where you were standing?" 'God did she have to come out here wearing...' "Yes, although I was about two inches from the left; my frame is smaller than yours," Steward said and walked past him into the living room. "I read your paper on the life cycle of Bowel Weevils, Grissom. Nicely done." As Grissom moved the tripod, he fired off another round of pictures. "Thank you. It's rare that someone your age reads my work," he replied and adjusted his focus. "Do you wish to work in Entomology?" A small chuckle. "As a hobby, however my fate lies among the stars; I wish to be a physicist." "Inner space, Steward, can be just as good as outer space," he replied smiling over his shoulder and the younger girl smiled in turn. "Granted, but the stars call to me." "Just like music?" he asked. Click "Yes...how did you know?" "Band Captain, '03, '04, section leader '02, '03, '04, trumpet player for 6 years," Grissom quoted. "Your awards and skills are infamous." Steward got up and set next to the table that he was taking pictures. Click. Change roll. "I see that you have been talking to some band geeks around," she said, smiling and Grissom moved the camera slightly. "I always do a through background check on my suspects. That, and they were on the wall, next to your baby picture." "That's a mutant, not me," she laughed and Grissom shook his head. "You were quite an adorable baby," he said. Click. "'Were'?" Steward smiled, crossing her legs. "You sting me, Grissom." Click. 'I'm going to lose control if I don't get out of here,' he thought silently but the rest of him wasn't listening to reason. "Well, perhaps adorable can't be used to describe you now. Done." "Hmm, well fenced Grissom. I take it that I am still a suspect?" she inquired and he shook his head, taking apart the tripod. "Not anymore. You never answered the question of how old you were." "I am...older than one and less than one hundred," Steward replied before shrugging. "What does it matter?" "Just curious," Grissom said quickly as he zipped the lid closed. "You might have to testify in court." A sigh. "I understand. I am definitely old enough to do that. There is a showing by the Berlin Philharmonic tomorrow," she said suddenly, guiding him to the door and Grissom blinked. 'She is not asking me out, she isn't,' he thought furiously. "Really? If I finish in the lab, I'll be sure to attend," his mouth said, while his brain was busy jumping up and down going 'STOP!'. "Ask for Jane. She'll give you the best seats in the house," Steward smiled and Grissom stepped outside into the dusk. "I'll be sure to do that," he answered before turning away and walking towards his truck. Next |