Chapter 3 : Beginning

Gil thought he could have recognized the building without the address. He slowly turned his rented Taurus into a parking space right near the entrance. He slowly emerged from the car and drew a deep breath as he took a look at his temporary place of work.

The Seattle Metropolitan Police Department was similar to that of the one back in Vegas and Gil felt strangely at home. As he walked in, he almost expected Greg to jump out at him and rant about the newest findings on the case and his personal opinions as to the outcome. The blond, petite receptionist sitting behind the huge counter directly in front of Gil smiled at him as he nervously walked down the hall.

“How may I help you?”

“I’m Gil Grissom from…”

“Oh you must be the one from Vegas, right?” He was uncomfortable at the fact that she knew him. He guessed that the whole lab was informed about his visit.

“Yes.” He smiled as the receptionist grinned and he almost expected her to scream in joy at seeing him. “Is Det. McMullen in?”

“Yep. I’ll page the detective now, please have a seat. Would you like some water or anything?” She asked, genuinely concerned. Gil politely shook his head and stood gingerly around the area and waited for someone like Brass to walk around the corner.

“Mr. Grissom?”

He turned around towards the feminine voice that called him and saw a woman in her early thirties, dressed casually in black slacks, white blouse and a navy blazer. She had dirty blonde hair and reminded him too much of Sofia.

“Detective?” Gil asked, tilting his head.

“Jennifer McMullen. Honor to meet you, doctor.” She held out her hand and he nervously took it and gave it a firm shake. Her voice was almost husky, but it had a very feminine asset to it. He flashed a smile and for a moment he forgot about his ghosts. “So where are you settled?”

“At the Sheraton.”

“Ooh, fancy. Department paying for it?” She asked, as she crossed her arms and raising an eyebrow.

“Well, they want the case done quickly and quietly.” He told her and she chuckled.

“The director told me about your reputation. Quite the man I hear.” She added and Gil’s heart skipped a beat.

“The director?”

“Yes, you haven’t met him yet?” She asked, and Gil smiled in relief.

“No but I’ll do that shortly. For now, I’d like to get started on the case.” He replied slowly, fixing his glasses.

“To the morgue then.”

-----------------------------------------------------------

The coroner was not like Dr. Robbins; not at all. He was in his late twenties, looking like he was fresh out of university. Gil doubted his credibility at first sight but as he heard Matthew Hawthorne report his findings, Gil was once again reminded that assumptions were not the best way to judge a person’s character. He spoke with great intelligence and a crispness that his hair paralleled. He did not stutter for a second and Gil smiled to himself.

“TOD seems to be around a week ago, but of course we can’t be certain as you both know after it’s been this long. The body was covered in a thin layer of ice with frost when the guys found her. COD was positioned asphyxia,” Matthew added, “found trace elements in her mouth and nose, sent her stomach contents to the trace lab, blood to tox for screen.”

Gil tilted his head, trying to take in the abundance of information in a relatively short period of time.

“Anything else?” Gil asked, and Matthew smiled.

“Just that the blood was pooled towards her back but she was found face down. Body dump, I guess and…one of her fingers is missing.”

“Cut?” Gil asked, frowning.

“Well it doesn’t look like it. I’m guessing it might have broken off during the transportation, but I can’t be certain as to why and how it broke off or where it is for that matter.”

“Well…thank you.”

“Pleasure, Dr. Grissom.” He turned to Jennifer, gave her a wink and she giggled. As Gil and Jennifer headed out, a male voice called out to them.

“Detective McMullen!”

Jennifer’s giggle was cut short by her smile.

“Good morning, sir.” She said, turning around with a brilliant smile. The man was in his mid-fifties, sporting a clean shaven face and graying hair. He was just slightly taller than Gil with a fit, toned physique. He was wearing a black suit with a navy blue dress shirt.

“You must be Dr. Gil Grissom.” He said, and Gil took the offered hand. “Ian Gates. I’m the director here at Seattle PD.”

“Pleasure.” Gil replied as he showed off his professional smile.

“Is Jennifer treating you well?” Gates asked. Gil observed Gates’s slight Scottish accent and his deep tenor voice along with an immediate sense of charisma. Gil pulled his hands out of his pockets.

“She is, without a doubt.” Gil replied as he nodded.

“I should hope so. You’re a respected man, and should be treated as such, right Jen?” Gates turned to Jennifer and she nodded as she saluted him. “This is an important case, no?”

“We’ll do our best.” Gil promised. He wondered if it was just Vegas that had the off-beat directors and every other lab had someone like Gates.

“I know it, too. Well, I have a meeting to get to if you both will excuse me. I will see you soon.” Gates announced as he nodded to them. He strode down the hall and Jen let out a sigh as soon as he was out of sight.

“He is so Sean Connery, don’t you think?” She exclaimed as she led the way, and Gil hated to admit that she was right on.