Sara got to the office before Gil and she put the coffee on. A few minutes later Gil shuffled in; his head down.
“Good morning Sara.”
“Good morning Griss.”
“Sara, I want to apologize for last night, I was out of line.”
“It’s okay Griss. I was too. It’s just that I like you and I know that you like me...”
“Sara, it’s just wrong. I wish it wasn’t. Yes, I have feelings for you too.”
“Gil, why can’t you just act on them? My age isn’t a big deal.”
“You called me Gil!”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“No, it’s heavenly. Please keep calling me that.”
“Okay. Although I prefer calling you Griss or Grissom.”
“Whatever is more comfortable for you.”
“I’ll call you Gil, it’s not a problem. Now are you going to answer my question?”
“Yes. I would, but the age is a big deal.”
“Unbelievable, Gil. This all makes me wonder why I am your girl Friday.”
“Don’t leave Sara. You are an asset to this place.”
“I won’t leave Griss. I just wish you would reconsider.”
“Honey, I can’t.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
“Grrrr! Fine.”
Just then, the phone rang.
“Gilbert Grissom Detective Agency. This is Sara Sidle speaking, how may I help you?”
“Hello Sara, this is Georgia Cummings. I have the shirt for Dr. Grissom to check for fingerprints.”
“Okay great, Mrs. Cummings. When can you bring it down for analysis?”
“In a few minutes. My husband is off to work.”
“Wonderful. We will see you then. Bye Bye.”
Sara hung up the phone.
“Does she have the shirt?”
“Yes. We can analyze it after she leaves and check the database for any leads.”
“Okay. I’ll be in my office. Send her in when she gets here.”
“Fine.” Sara was starting to cry.
“Sara, are you okay? Please don’t cry.”
“Gil, just leave me alone. I have to run and drop off my film from the concert at the drug store.”
“Okay, I’ll wait for Mrs. Cummings.”
Sara went downtown to the Rexall and dropped off her film for developing. It would take three days; she figured she could wait. She got some great pictures of Sara and Melody with Micky, Mike, Davy and Peter backstage and at the malt shop. She got back a half hour later and Gil was already processing the shirt for fingerprints.
“What did you find?”
“This shirt has a ton of fingerprints! Hopefully we won’t just find Mrs. Cummings or her husbands’ prints. I’d like this to be an open and shut case.”
“Me too. Did you take Mrs. Cumming’s prints?”
“Yes I did.”
They got three different sets of prints, which was great. They went through the database down the hall on the half-room sized computer and found a name. Gil called Mrs. Cummings.
“Mrs. Cummings, do you know a Misti Macintosh?”
“I knew it! That’s Dave’s secretary! Wait until I get my hands on him! Thank you so much Dr. Grissom.”
“Hold on. Do you know if the lipstick is hers?”
“Oh yes. That’s the color she wears daily. I had inkling it was hers, but I didn’t want to believe it.”
“You’re welcome. You can pay Miss Sidle for services rendered.”
“Okay great. Thanks once again Dr. Grissom.”
Mrs. Cummings came to the office and paid Sara the $40 for the fingerprinting and database research.
“Have a wonderful day!” Sara said.
“Oh I sure will Miss Sidle.”
She walked out the door and the phone rang again.
“Gilbert Grissom Detective Agency, this is Sara Sidle speaking, how may I help you?”
“You sure sound professional!”
“Girlie! What’s going on? Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready for a date at Micky’s?”
“Yes. Sara, I’m so nervous, I’m going crazy!”
“I know, honey, just calm down. What’s the problem?”
“What if things don’t work out? What will happen then?”
“Don’t think that way. Things will be great. This is our mega crush we’re talking about. He likes you, that’s just so cool.”
“You’re right. So how did it go with the doc last night?”
“Not good. He says he’s too old for me. But he has feelings for me.”
“What a cad! Age is nothing! I’m sorry girlie.”
“I hope to change his mind.” Sara whispered.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll think of something. Hopefully he won’t be too resistant.”
“Well good luck. I must run. I have a half hour to get there. I’ll let you know how it goes, okay?”
“Okay. See you later and have fun!”
They hung up and Gil walked out of his office. “Who was that?”
“Melody. She was nervous about her first date with Micky so I talked her out of being nervous.”
“Ah okay. Do you want to go to lunch?”
“Sure. Where are you taking me?”
“How about the Shanghai House?”
“Okay, I hear they have great Vegetable Lo Mein!”
“Are you still on that vegetarian diet?”
“Yes, it’s a lot healthier. You should try it.”
“No thanks. I’ll stick to my meat.”
“Fine by me.”
They went in Gil’s Mustang to the restaurant. Once they got in and got seated, they placed their orders and talked.
“Sara, after work would you like to go dancing with me?”
“Is this another date Gil?”
“No. Okay, I can’t lie to you. Yes, it’s a date. My heart is ruling my mind and it’s bothering me.”
“Don’t let it bother you, just go with the flow.”
“Sara, you are just too young for me, this is so wrong isn’t it?”
“No. You need to think positively. This can work out, we are made for each other.” Sara thought this was great, she didn’t have to change his mind.
“That we are. I guess I shouldn’t fight it any longer. We’ll have a great time dancing!”
“I’m sure we will! You don’t know today’s dances though do you?”
“No, this is ballroom dancing. Do you know how?”
“No, but I am a quick learner. I didn’t know you knew how to dance.”
“I know a few moves.”
“Great! This will be fun!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the beach house, Micky and Melody were on the beach playing volleyball with a bunch of kids and laughing.
“Micky this is so much fun! We’re winning too!”
“Yes we are! Hey, you want to go back and watch us practice? It starts in a half hour.”
“Do I ever! This is like a dream come true babe!”
They skipped hand in hand up to the beach house. It was on the back patio that Micky gave Melody her first kiss. Their tongues explored each other’s, and it was smoldering.
“Whoa, that was fireworks babe!” Melody said in a daze.
“It sure was! Would you like another one?”
“Yes.”
They passionately kissed again, seeing more fireworks.
“Mmmm, that was heaven.” Melody breathed huskily.
“It sure was. If the guys weren’t here, I’d take you up to my room and make love to you.”
“Oh, that would definitely be heaven. Maybe later?”
“Maybe. We’d have more privacy at your place...”
“That we would. I don’t have a roomie and I have a full sized bed. How about around seven?”
“That would be great!”
They walked up into the main room and waited for everyone to show up. They decided they would make out until they got there.
Fifteen minutes later, Davy entered to find the two necking on the couch. “Get a room!”
“We plan to greenie.” Micky only called him that when he was annoyed. He didn’t need the distraction.
“You don’t need to call me that Dolenz. I’ll be in my room.” Davy stomped into his room on the 1st floor.
“Now that he’s gone...” Micky said and then placed a sweet kiss on her lips.
Just then Mike came in with Peter. “Okay shotgun, time for the make out party to stop! Where’s Davy?”
“In his room sulking.”
“Davy! Time for practice!”
Davy flung open the door. “Tell Dolenz to stop calling me a greenie!”
“Dave I was annoyed. You have to understand that I’m spending time with my girlfriend.”
“I’m now your girlfriend?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t formally ask you.”
“It’s okay, I say yes.”
“Great! Let me kiss you one last time before I have to take my place at the drums.” He planted a passionate kiss on her lips and he then got up from the couch.
“Mmmm.” She was in a hazy state, and she knew that she would have to give Sara every last detail later tonight after their rendezvous.
The practice lasted two hours and they played “Sometime In The Morning.” Melody swayed back and forth to the song, it was her favorite. Micky winked at her three times while he sang.
Later on that night, they went back to her place and they made mad, passionate love to each other.
Micky left at ten because he had to get back to the pad. “I’ll see you Saturday?”
“Yeah, at the cookout! I’m looking forward to it babe!”
“Great! Until Saturday then.”
They kissed each other goodbye, and after he left, Melody called Sara.
“Hello?”
“Sara, I have to tell you about today!!!”
“What happened girlie? I want details.”
“Well, we hung out on the beach and played volleyball. We won against a bunch of kids on the beach. Then Micky and I made out before practice. We saw fireworks! Then at seven he came over to my place and we made love for the first time! Oh and we are officially a couple!”
“Omigosh, that is so fab! I told you things would work out! Gil took me out dancing tonight, and it was a date!”
“It was? Oh wonderful girlie! So you changed his mind?”
“I didn’t have to. His heart is ruling his mind. We went ballroom dancing, and I learned rather quickly. Then he took me to dinner afterwards and we kissed on my doorstep. I too saw fireworks. Man, he is an excellent kisser! Oh Mel I’m in love!”
“That’s just wonderful Sara. I’m so happy for you! Isn’t it hard to believe that two girls from the Catholic home are on their own and have fabulous boyfriends?”
“I know, isn’t it surreal?”
“It sure is! I can’t wait to see you guys at the cookout Saturday! We should play volleyball!”
“Yes we should! We’ll whoop Davy, Mike, and Peter’s butts!” Sara laughed.
“We sure will! I remember when we played all through high school, wasn’t that the bee’s knees?” Melody reminisced.
“It sure was! We whooped St. Mary’s all the time, remember?”
“I know! Those darn cheerleaders were so stuck up!”
“Oh I know. I would have loved to clean the floor with them.” Sara stated.
“That would have been groovy.”
“Oh it would’ve been. Hey girlie, I’ve gotta split. Work calls early in the morning.”
“Okay Sara. Hey, do you want to meet for lunch? I have a half hour break from Stern’s.”
“Sure! Gil will probably be with me if you don’t mind.”
“Hey, the more the merrier! Do you want to meet at that new sushi place on Sunset?”
“Yeah. I love sushi. I wonder how the good doctor likes it!” Sara giggled mischievously.
“Hmm, I don’t know. We’ll have to see. I’ll see you tomorrow girlfriend.”
“Okay, till tomorrow Suzie Q.”
“You haven’t called me that since our days at the Catholic home. 'Till tomorrow Manda Banana.”
They both giggled as they hung up the phone.
Sara decided to call Gil to let him know about their plans.
“Hello?”
“Hey Gil.”
“Sara? What are you still doing up?”
“I just got off the phone with Melody. We have plans for lunch, at the sushi house on Sunset.”
“I like sushi.”
“Oh great! We were giggling wondering how you would handle it.”
“I handle it rather well.”
“Great! Oh her and Micky are now boyfriend and girlfriend. They made love tonight.”
“They did? Don’t you think that’s awful fast? They just met two nights ago.”
“Yeah but you have to understand that Mel has had a thing for him for a couple years now. So for her it isn’t too fast.”
“True, but she has to be careful that she doesn’t get pregnant.”
“I am sure they are using precautions. So Gil, are we a couple now?”
“I still have to think about it. Perhaps another few dates will change things. I am still getting used to the fact that I am dating you.”
“Is the age still bothering you?”
“Yes. It will take some time for that to subside.”
“I hope it does soon. Gil can I tell you something?”
“Sure sweetheart.”
“I love you.”
“Oh, Sara.”
“Gil do you love me?”
“I can’t say that.”
“Gil? Come on. We are at least dating, give me some credit here.”
He wanted to tell her so badly but he was afraid. He is just too old for her, why can’t she see that? He didn’t even know if he would be able to let it subside. He was hoping with all his heart that it would, but he wasn’t sure.
“Gil?”
“I’m sorry Sara, I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s too soon. Give me some time baby.”
“Okay. I’m sorry. I better go now.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in the morning. Get a good night's sleep.”
“I’ll try. You do the same.”
“Okay. Until tomorrow my sweet.”
"Gil you address me like you love me. You need to make up your mind.”
“I know. I’m sorry Sara.”
“Well you better get some sleep Gil. Good night.”
“Good night.”
They hung up and neither Gil nor Sara could get any sleep. They kept thinking about each other.
The next morning, work was uncomfortably silent. Sara was at her desk, reading a fashion magazine and Gil was at his desk, reading a science journal. Just then the phone rang.
“Gil Grissom Detective Agency, this is Sara Sidle, how may I help you?”
“Hi Sara, it’s Jim. Gil in?”
“Yes he is, just a moment. Gil, it’s Jim Brass on line one.”
Gil picked up the phone and wondered what the police Captain needed. Jim gave Gil cases to work on when there was a heavy workload. The LAPD’s crime lab was overworked so any overload went to Gil.
“Hey Brass, what’s up?”
“Hi Gil. I have an interesting case for you to work on. It’s a homicide on Vine. It involves a prostitute.”
“Ah, I haven’t had a prostitute investigation in quite a while. I’m up for it.”
“Great! The body is already at the morgue; it’s been processed. We found some fingerprints on the victim’s neck. It apparently was a choking death.”
“Sara and I will be down in a few minutes to have a look. Was anything found at the scene?”
“No, but you can go back there and have another look. The girl was stripped naked. The coroner is running a rape kit on her as we speak.”
“Okay.”
The two men hung up. “Sara, we have a homicide.”
“Okay."
Gil grabbed his keys and the two walked to his Mustang.
They drove down to the morgue, where Jim was waiting.
“Hey you two, I’ll go get the body for you to process.”
Gil took his kit and walked over to where the body was. Jim pulled it out and Gil went to work fingerprinting the victim’s neck. Sara meanwhile took photos of the body for further evidence.
They went back to the office and Gil processed the fingerprints. He ran down the hall to the computer and ran the prints. It belonged to Robin Hasselbeck; he just got out of prison for a homicide in Beverly Hills. He murdered another prostitute and served five years. He got out, believe it or not, for good behavior.
Sara was done developing the photos when he returned. “I noticed some black and blue marks on her abdomen.”
She showed him the photos, which were enlarged.
“I see. We’ll give the information to Jim and he’ll bring in Mr. Hasselbeck for questioning.”
Gil called Jim and he brought the suspect in. Turns out he lawyered up, so they would have to question him again with his lawyer there.
It was lunchtime and Sara and Gil made their way to the restaurant, where Melody was waiting for them.
“Hey guys! You’re just in time, remember I only have a half hour for lunch.”
“No problem Mel. So how are you doing?”
“Great! Oh Sara, I’m in love.” Melody was grinning from ear to ear.
They got their seats and they ordered lunch and drinks.
“That’s great Mel. When are you seeing him next?”
“At the cookout tomorrow. We are going to have so much fun!”
“That we will! I can’t wait for that volleyball game!”
“We are going to play volleyball?” Gil asked.
“Yes, is there a problem?” Sara asked back.
“No, I like volleyball. It’s just I haven’t played in years, so I will probably be a bit rusty.”
“We’ll be okay. We’re gonna beat the tar out of Mike, Davy, and Peter!”
“I hope so.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, Gil.”
“Yeah, Gil, it’s gonna rock!” Melody exclaimed.
“I’m glad you girls are so confident.”
“We are. You should be too.” Sara stated.
“You’re right. We’re gonna kick some butt.”
They ate their lunches and Gil paid for them. “It’s my treat. We’ll see you tomorrow Melody.”
“Okay, see you guys!"
They went off their separate ways. Gil and Sara talked on their way back to the office.
“I really like her Sara, she has a lot of spunk.”
“I know, isn’t she great? That’s why she’s my best friend.”
“I can see that.”
The rest of the day was uneventful.
The next day, Gil met Sara at her apartment. They were going to go together to the cookout. As they arrived, Gil grabbed Sara’s hand.
“Gil, you are holding my hand.”
“Yes I am; is there something wrong with that?”
“You are giving me mixed signals again...”
“Oops sorry.”
“Gil you are going to have to admit you love me sooner or later. I am not going to bite you know.”
“I know. I still need more time. I like holding your hand though, can I keep it there?”
“You won’t hear any objection from me.”
They went around the back to the patio and everyone was there.
“Hey Gil and Sara! You want a beer?” Mike called to them.
“Sure!”
Mike handed them each a Yuengling and they sat down on the patio chairs. Melody was sitting in front of Micky on the lounge chair. He was rubbing her back and she was closing her eyes, obviously in a daze.
“Hey Mel, you gonna come out of your daze to say hi?” Sara joked.
“Hey Sara. Micky’s rubbing my back and it feels so good.”
Just then Gil started to rub Sara’s back. He was getting dangerously close and it scared him.
“Gil what are you doing?”
“Do you want me to stop?” “No, it feels good. Hey Melody, I’m getting a back rub from Griss.”
“Hey alright! Doesn’t it feel good?”
“It sure does.” Sara closed her eyes and pictured them making love on the beach. She shook the thought from her head. It was too much, too soon.
Gil thought of them having fun at his house later on, but he knew that would not work out. Too much would be revealed. He even considered not even getting close to her. If she really loves him like she says she would be okay with that.
They all had fun playing volleyball. Sara, Gil, Micky and Melody beat the tar out of the others. They had hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill, and Mike let them in on a new song he wrote, called Carlisle Wheeling. Everyone liked it, and clapped along to the music.
That night, they played charades. Gil was puzzling everyone but Micky with his quantum physics charade.
“I figured you’d get it Micky.” Gil grinned. “I’m surprised you didn’t get it Sara.”
“Why do you think I would possibly get what you were doing? I know nothing about quantum physics.”
“I’m surprised.”
That night, Melody spent the night at the pad. She stayed on the couch, since she didn’t want to put Mike out by staying upstairs with Micky. Gil took Sara home and he kissed her passionately on the doorstep.
“You are a good kisser Gil.” Sara sighed.
“Thanks Sara. Well, good night.”
“Wait, would you like to come in? I have some wine we could have.”
“Okay but for a few minutes.”
Gil came inside and liked her apartment. She had photos from the concert in frames. He noticed the one of them in a heart shaped frame that said ‘I love you.’
“Sara, I see you already framed a photo of us.”
“Yes. Do you like the frame?”
“Actually, yes I do.” He leaned over on the couch and kissed her again.
“Mmmm, what was that for?”
“For being such a beautiful person.”
“Gil, would I be too forward if I said I wanted to make love to you?”
“Sara, it’s too soon. I really think we should wait.”
“Yeah, you are right. It’s too soon. I’m sorry I asked.”
“It’s quite alright.”
They sipped their wine and he stayed there the whole night. It felt so right, and it felt even better that they didn’t do anything.
“Morning sleepy head.” He turned to Sara, who was sitting next to him on the couch.
“Morning. Omigosh, we didn’t did we?” Sara looked alarmed.
“No. We fell asleep after drinking our wine.”
“Whew. What a relief, eh?”
“Yes. So what do you want to do today?”
“I usually just hang out. Would you like to stay and hang out with me?”
“Sure, it’s a good excuse to be with you.”
“Hey Gil, are we a couple now?”
“Yes Sara, we are. I am ready to tell you that I love you.”
“I knew you did.”
They spent the day hanging out together, just sitting, talking and reading some science journals.
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
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