�Dean. DeWitt can see you now, Dr. Grissom.� The secretary replaced the telephone receiver in its cradle as she gestured toward the door to her left.
Grissom rose from his seat and walked toward the door, only to have it open as he reached for the knob. A robust man in his mid-fifties appeared on the other side.
�Gil, it�s good to see you!� The Dean of the School of Science at Western Las Vegas University pounded Grissom on the back with his left hand as he pumped Grissom�s right hand up and down. �What can I do for the Las Vegas Crime Lab?� he asked as the men moved into the office. Grissom sat in the chair in front of the desk while the office�s occupant returned to his own seat behind the desk.
�Actually, I�m here on personal business.�
Dr. Kevin DeWitt raised a perplexed eyebrow. Grissom continued.
�I�ve come to a crossroads in my life, Kevin. My job at the lab doesn�t fulfill me like it used to. In addition, the job is not compatible with recent developments in my personal life.�
A smile spread across DeWitt�s face as he leaned back in his chair. �So someone has finally corralled Gil Grissom! It�s about time. I didn�t think it would ever happen. I�m surprised you were able to find anyone who is willing to put up with you and your bugs. I hope you are worthy of her.�
Grissom, returning the smile, shook his head. �No, I�m not. But for some reason, she loves me. So I�m going to do my best to make her happy.�
Kevin DeWitt nodded. �I hope you have better luck than I did.�
�You might have succeeded better if you had stayed away from nubile teaching assistants,� Grissom smirked.
The older man shrugged in acquiescence. �Perhaps. But I�ve successfully managed to avoid that obstacle for the past several years. If I had learned that lesson sooner, I may have kept my wife and made dean in a more timely manner.
�So how can I help you in your quest to bring happiness to the fair maiden? I�m pretty sure you�re well versed in all the biological means to ensure her happiness, so I doubt if that�s why you�re here.�
Grissom ignored the remark and went straight to the point. �I was hoping you might have a teaching position available.�
DeWitt�s head snapped to attention. He tried to hide his excitement. �As you know, WLVU does not have an entomology division. Any position would be as general biology faculty. WLVU is not one of the more prominent schools, either. I would expect you to approach a more prestigious university looking for a position in your field of expertise.�
Grissom had expected the question and was ready. �Since WLVU has no entomology department, I could apply for grants to begin to establish one and build it from the ground up. The university has a strong research program with well-maintained facilities. Additionally, there is much work being done in conjunction with the bigger schools, so I would have access to their resources as well. The reputation of the biology department is impeccable. And I don�t really want to leave Las Vegas.�
DeWitt grinned. �The last being the real reason you came to me.� Grissom shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head in a gesture implying the dean may come to his own conclusions.
Kevin DeWitt sighed. �We do not currently have any openings. Creating a position for you will take some effort and diplomacy. I don�t want to invest the effort to hire you now just to see you leave for a more lucrative or prominent position later when you decide you can leave Las Vegas.�
�Kevin, I�m not going to tell you I�ll never leave here. I don�t know what events may transpire in life that might require I do just that. But I can promise you that money and prestige have never been my goal. If I have either of those, it is subsequent to the true goal of my life � seeking knowledge and truth. WLVU provides a vehicle for my tireless quest for knowledge. And I will be loyal to the best of my ability.�
Kevin DeWitt had known Gil Grissom long enough to know he was sincere. And Grissom�s veracity was never a matter for conjecture.
His excitement no longer contained, DeWitt rose to his feet and began to pace. �I�ll have to draw up a proposal to add the new position. I�ll present that at the chairs meeting next month. The budgetary concerns will be tough. But I�m sure we�ll get enough support from the Board of Directors to get you added into the budget. Brad Summit in particular has often commented on how lucky Las Vegas is to have you here locally as a resource. I�m sure he�ll push it through for us. I�m having lunch with him in two weeks. I�ll approach him then about the best options for success. If we�re lucky, we�ll have you here by next fall.�
Grissom grimaced. �I was hoping for something this semester.�
DeWitt shook his head vigorously. �No way can we get a new position in place this semester, Gil. You know how bureaucracy works.�
Grissom had wanted to avoid exposing the intimate details of their lives. But he also needed to be frank with this man who was offering him the chance he needed for a healthy, mostly normal, life with Sara.
Grissom took a deep breath. �Sara, my fianc�, and I work together. Our relationship, although it doesn�t specifically violate departmental policy, could be construed as� inappropriate. The simplest thing to do is resign before the relationship becomes public. I�m sure you understand that this is confidential. Time is my enemy, Kevin. I need to leave the lab very soon. We�re expecting a baby.�
�So you�re trying to avoid a scandal at the lab and you need to get established in a job before that happens. And to get medical coverage before the baby arrives.� DeWitt seemed disappointed.
Grissom�s mouth dropped and his eyebrows rose. �Actually, I hadn�t thought about the insurance. I guess I assumed that would fall into place if our plans work out as I hope.
�My main concern is Sara. The job is still important to her even though it�s lost the magic for me. If I resign before our relationship, and specifically the pregnancy, becomes common knowledge, I may be able to safeguard Sara�s position in the department. There�s no controversy if I�m gone. Sara�s pregnancy becomes nothing more than sick leave.� DeWitt nodded his head in agreement.
�Although I come to you out of convenience, I want to assure you that I am very much excited at the prospect of teaching and broadening my research interests here at WLVU. It is an exhilarating prospect that I hope will benefit us both.�
Grissom was impelled to add, �And as much as I want this for myself, I want it more for Sara. She�s made me happier than any man should expect to be. Personally, I�d prefer a loud and proud announcement today that we�re in love and having a baby. But I don�t ever want Sara to feel that she sacrificed her job for me and our child.�
DeWitt nodded his understanding, then smiled, his respect restored. Turning jovial again, he jabbed, �I guess she�s sacrificing enough if she�s planning on spending her life with you, eh?�
�Exactly,� concurred Grissom, now in a lighter mood himself.
DeWitt scrunched up his face in thought for a few moments, then picked up the phone and dialed. After a few rings, a voice could be heard answering. �Henry, when you begged for help teaching your graduate classes, how serious were you?�
A murmur from the other end brought a smile to DeWitt�s face. �Very qualified. But I�m not revealing any names yet.�
A droning voice hummed through the receiver and Kevin listened intently. �I�m sure he could handle that, Henry. But I�m not sure when we can get him. I have to look over the budget and do some negotiating. It may mean holding off this semester on that equipment you wanted.� More mumbling as DeWitt rolled his eyes. �Yes, it would mean you�d still have time to apply for a grant for it. But let�s get him on board first. Keep your fingers crossed and I�ll get back to you.�
DeWitt hung up the receiver and looked at Grissom skeptically.
�It would be part-time, teaching two graduate lectures. Starting as soon as you can arrange it. No health insurance, I�m afraid. The university only provides insurance for full-time faculty. The pay�s not enough to support a family. But it would be some income until we can get a full-time position for you approved. And it would get you out of your current predicament. Can you live with that?�
Grissom smiled broadly. �I can live with that.�