continued...
In an executive business office somewhere in town, a middle aged, dark haired man in an expensive business suit was seated behind a desk. Standing before him was a younger man in a nice suit."Our recent efforts are being noticed," the younger man said.
"Very good. How are the other things proceeding?" The older man asked.
"They're about the same," the younger man said.
"I want to see an increase by this time next week."
"You will."
Natalie wound up working late as there was a bus accident. A bus and a full cement truck had collided head on. The bus driver had been decapitated. There were three other deaths, several severe injuries and many minor ones. Most of the minor injuries were cuts, bruises and broken bones.
"I'd hate to be the boss of either company," Schanke commented. "I see enough lawsuits against both companies to make several lawyers extremely happy.
"I know," Nick said.
Nick and Schanke set out to interview as many as they could and keep tabs on the rest of the crime scene. The cement truck driver had a gash on his forehead and had been taken to the hospital for treatment and observation.
The next night, Schanke and Nick stopped by the morgue.
"Hi guys. What's up?" Natalie asked they entered.
"The cement truck driver was high on heroin at the time of the crash."
"That's just great," Nat said quite sarcastically. "I've got equally good news for you. The bus driver's blood alcohol level was .7."
All three are disturbed by this as it could've easily been prevented.
"In a way, it's fitting. Two impaired drivers hurting each other. Too bad a bunch of innocent passengers had to be caught in the middle," Schanke said.
Nick and Natalie agreed.
The accident caused Nick and Schanke to VERY briefly wonder if Nat's recent "not quite herself" behavior could have another reason. Both men looked at each other, having the same thought, and subtly shook their heads discounting the thought because they knew Nat was too smart to get hooked on drugs. They knew it happened, but couldn't see Nat being one of those. They both knew she did work too hard and didn't get much time off.
The next week was a busy one for Nick, Natalie, Schanke, and Grace. At the end of it, Nick and Schanke figured they worked at least eighty hours, and figured Nat probably worked a few more than that. They were tired and in desperate need of a good night's sleep and a day off.
Natalie spent two days in court and had done at least a dozen autopsies.
Nat drank more coffee during the week in an attempt to stay awake and alert but it didn't seem to help. One night she wondered if they'd given her decaf by mistake.
She and Nick had to cancel their movie night due to their heavy work load, much to the disappointment of them both. They really enjoyed watching movies together.
Nat hadn't found anything noteworthy in her recent cases, at least nothing of the same oddness as those she'd made the separate file on. She wasn't sure where to go for the next lead on the slim clue she already had. She didn't want to ask Nick because it probably wouldn't lead to much and she didn't want him going off like he did on the Catherine Barrington investigation as well as one or two others. Nick had nearly gotten himself and Schanke in serious trouble, mainly career wise, those times and she wasn't about to be the cause of the next such problem.
The next week was a little slower, much to the relief of Nick, Natalie, Schanke and Grace. Natalie's friends were able to notice that she was a little more "not quite herself" but they still couldn't quite put their finger on it. Others at both the Coroner's Office and the precinct started to notice it as well. They had no better luck at figuring out what was different. Natalie spent another two days in court and did about seven autopsies.
Late that week things slowed down a little more, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath. They were relieved when they figured out that barring any major disaster, they'd be working closer to 40-45 hours that week.
Late one shift, Grace got both her and Natalie coffee. Once again they switched cups before either could drink out of their cup. Before they could actually drink their coffee they got busy. They couldn't drink it as fast as they usually did. Grace was tired by the time her shift was finished.
"I might be coming down with the latest bug," Grace said as she grabbed her jacket and purse.
"I hope not. Go home and get some rest. Don't forget the vitamins and dark chocolate."
"They all sound great. I'll see you tomorrow," Grace said before she left for home.
Natalie finished the report she was working on and headed home. She stopped by the diner as she was too tired to cook, and it was the closest she was going to get to home cooking, at least that morning.
Natalie went home, changed and ate dinner while watching her favorite show. Afterwards she took a nice long, relaxing, hot shower before crawling into her covers for a full night's sleep. Her first in nearly two weeks.
The next night Grace came in and Natalie noticed her friend was in a great mood.
"I see you're feeling better," Nat cheerfully said.
"Yeah. I followed doctor's orders," Grace said teasing Natalie.
Grace headed out to see if some of the test results Natalie and others were waiting for were ready.
Natalie didn't have any pressing work at the moment. No files to work on, no bodies to autopsy, and didn't have to prepare for court until the end of her shift. She pulled out her file with all the notes she'd been making on any oddities in her cases. After she reread her notes she pulled a file from her records and realized there was a connection there. Both men had similar gunshot wounds. She knew she'd have to check and see if the caliber and rifling patterns matched. If so, she could link two more of the "odd" cases together.
Natalie was about to call and see if the ballistics were in but was called to the field.
While Natalie was at the crime scene, someone entered her office, again, and went through her files and notes. They also downloaded her hard drive and left without anyone knowing they had been there.
Natalie met up with Nick and Schanke at the crime scene. The three of them arrived at about the same time. They walked over to the victim together. After taking a look Nick and Schanke went about their other duties while Natalie examined the victim.
Natalie squatted down by the victim to do her examination, jotting down required information and notes on her clipboard. Nick and Schanke talked with the officer in charge for a few minutes. Schanke headed out to check out the crime scene area and talk to the various police and forensic people there. Nick talked with witnesses, giving the crime scene a once over as he moved around it. When he was finished with the witnesses he headed over to Natalie.
He stopped beside her and noticed that she seemed to be a little sore, as well as her usual tiredness.
"You okay?" He asked a bit concerned.
"It must be all the hours catching up, my sleeping wrong, lifting something heavy or moving wrong," she offered as possible explanations.
"Stop by later and I'll give you a massage," Nick said with a playful grin.
"Sounds wonderful. I'll be by after my shift." She returned his playful grin.
"I'll even provide dinner." He loved the smile that brought to her face.
Schanke approached causing Nick and Natalie to be a bit more businesslike, not in the mood to hear his teasing them about their relationship.
"The victim is a female, mid twenties. She was strangled and probably sexually assaulted as well. TOD is about two hours ago. I'll know more after I get her back to the lab."
When the bagged body is wheeled by and put into the back of the Coroner's Office van, Natalie heads for her car. Nick and Schanke see if there's anything else they need to do before heading back to the precinct to start the paperwork.
Natalie stopped by the coffee shop on her way back, needing a cup of coffee, and got one for Grace as well. She was hungry and picked up a snack for them both as well, knowing she worked better when her stomach didn't start growling in the middle of the autopsy.
When Natalie had finished the autopsy and the paperwork, she called on the ballistics she'd meant to call about earlier. She was, yet wasn't, surprised to find the ballistics from the two gunshot victims matched. She was glad to be able to link two of the cases in her oddities file together. She had a hunch there was still more to it but anything else eluded her at the moment.
In the same office building as earlier, the younger well dressed man stood before the older one in the more expensive suit.
"Several problems have come up." The younger man wasn't happy to see his boss's displeasure. "First off, there's a union problem at the Alberta factory. Sales are down in the Halifax region. And we might have to push up the time table on the other project."
"Problem?" asked the other man, wanting to know the details.
"Yes."
Natalie was in her lab sipping her coffee while waiting for the most recent victim to arrive. She was in her scrubs and gown. Moments later the body arrived and she helped the orderly transfer it to the steel table. She gloved up, slipped on her apron and started her external examination, making notes into her tape recorder as she went. When she finished the external exam she started on the internal one.
Her last important task before she headed out was to review the case she'd finished two weeks ago. It was a murder for life insurance case. Natalie pulled the file and read it over. She remembered most of it, needing to refresh her memory on a point or two. She figured she'd be on the stand most of the day, especially with that particular defense lawyer. When she felt secure about the next day's testimony she headed for Nick's loft.
Nick arrived home and unpacked dinner, hoping she liked it. He saw that her food had cooled during the trip and was in the process of reheating it in a frying pan when Natalie walked in.
"That smells great. Did you make it?" She asked. She didn't think he cooked, but he had surprised her before.
"No. I'm just reheating it for you. I hope it's good."
"Fettuccini Alfredo. One of my favorites. Thanks."
Natalie headed into the bathroom to change into something much more comfortable. When she came out, she was dressed in sweats and socks.
When the pasta's hot, Nick transferred it to a plate and handed it to Natalie.
"Careful. The plate might be hot. Would you like to watch a movie while you eat?" Nick asked.
"Sure. Why don't you set it up while I fix myself something to drink."
Natalie set her plate down on the counter while she fixed herself a soda, grabbed her silverware, napkin, plate and glass and headed for the couch. She set the glass and plate on the coffee table, then settled herself onto the sofa.
"Are you sure you're okay? You seem really tired." He didn't know how to mention that she didn't seem quite like herself. He smelled something different about her scent but couldn't identify it.
He stuck the tape in the machine and joined her on the couch.
"I've retested myself for mono, strep throat, anemia, and urinary tract infection. I checked my heart, blood pressure and blood sugar level. All come up negative. If I don't feel better soon I'll take a few days off. Okay?"
"Okay." He knew that was the best he could hope for from her.
She picked up her plate and started eating as he started the movie.
"Luigi's, right?"
"How'd you'd know?"
"He's the only one that makes it this way. I can't figure out what his special ingredient is."
Nick playfully wiggled his eyebrows.
"No whammying," she said playfully.
"Okay."
They watched the movie, enjoying the chance to spend some long overdue time together. When the movie was over, Nick rewound it and turned off the equipment.
"Stretch out on your stomach."
Natalie did as told, stretching out on her stomach on the couch. Nick gave her a full massage starting at her neck and working his way down and across her shoulders. Her sighs of contentment were music to his ears. He noticed all the knots in her shoulders and carefully worked each one out before moving on to the next one. Once that was done he started on her back, finding it just as tight and full of knots. He slowly worked them out one by one, feeling her body relax further with each touch.
He could tell from her slow, easy breathing that she'd fallen asleep. He didn't mind, knowing how much she needed it. He still couldn't believe the trust she had in him. When he had worked his way down her back to her butt, he continued down her legs and the last thing he did was massage her feet.
Nick gently turned her over when he was finished, not wanting to accidentally wake her. He covered her with the blanket from the back of the couch.
He very quietly got a bottle of cow blood from the fridge, drinking it straight from the bottle, not wanting to risk waking her by clinking the bottle and a glass. Afterwards he sat down and watched her for a few minutes before he was inspired to go over to his painting corner. He picked up the brush and painted a picture. When he tired he went upstairs, fetched his alarm clock and set it up on the end table. He reset the time and the alarm time so that it would wake her in plenty of time to get up, go home and shower and change before she was due in court. When he was done, he headed upstairs to sleep.
A few hours later, Natalie was awoken by the alarm clock and reluctantly opened her eyes to hunt for it, not wanting to accidentally knock something off the table and break it. She saw it on the end table behind her head and turned it off, resisting the impulse to hit the snooze alarm. She sat up and stretched, feeling great, yet she was a bit disappointed that she still felt tired. Her muscles felt wonderful.
She stood and folded the blanket, hanging it over the back of the couch where it belonged. As she was leaving she saw Nick's painting. She was quite surprised to see it was a beautiful portrait of her. She's stunned by how perfectly he captured her. His love for her clearly evident in the painting. She knew she could spend quite a while staring at the painting but that voice in the back of her mind reminded her that she had to get home and get ready for her day in court.
As Natalie entered her apartment she knew she had to do something nice for Nick but couldn't think of what. She slipped out of her sweats and stepped into the shower. It felt good, soothing. After her shower she slipped into one of her suits and headed out.
She arrived at the court house and found her way to the right courtroom. She was met outside the courtroom by the prosecutor. After a quick briefing, she went to the waiting room while the prosecutor went inside to present his case. About two hours later Natalie was called to the stand, sworn in and testified. She knew it wouldn't be easy knowing the two lawyers involved in the case. Natalie gave her testimony and the defense lawyer tried to rip it to shreds, and not too nicely either. Natalie was annoyed and frustrated but kept her cool.
As court adjourned for the day she was quite relieved that her part was done. She called in to work to see if they needed her for any autopsies and was relieved when they didn't.
The next night she reported in for her shift, still tired. Schanke and Nick arrived a few minutes after she did. Grace came in to give Natalie some files. She saw Nick's expression change, but he quickly hid it. "What did you want to see me about?"
"Here are the preliminary results on the Marcos and Parker cases," Grace said as she handed Natalie the files.
"We came to see if those reports were ready."
"Maybe later." Natalie quickly flipped through them. "Nothing too unexpected. Juan Marcos was killed by a .38 through the heart at close range. Jane Parker was killed by the knife wounds. The fatal one was the one to her chest as it nicked the aorta."
"Thanks, Nat. We'll be by later for the reports," Schanke said.
"Nick, can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Sure, Nat. Schanke, I'll meet you at the car."
Schanke nodded and left them alone. Grace left to go about her own duties.
"Nick, about what I said earlier..."
"Do you regret it?"
"No. If I did, I'd do something about it. I want to be with you, even if it's just like we are. You give me more love and attention than many mortal men do."
Nick looked at her confused.
"The looks you give me, the gentle touches, the little things you do to make me feel special. The way you always know how I feel and what I need. As well as other things. The playful kisses. One doesn't have to be having sex to be loved."
Nick could tell she meant every word she said and his mood greatly brightened. "I feel the same way. You'll never know just how much I care for you." He gently caressed her cheek bringing a smile to her lips.
She knew her words had had the desired effects.
He gave her a quick kiss on the lips as he left. She smiled.
Nick, Schanke and Natalie get called to a building site. There they find a victim. He's in his thirties with a gunshot wound in his shoulder, abdomen and knee. Natalie tells them that the guy was left there to slowly bleed to death, that he was probably conscious the whole time. All three of them are a bit repulsed by the sheer brutality and lack of regard for human life.
Nick and Schanke are at the precinct doing their paperwork, typing up a few statements, wishing they had an eyewitness.
Natalie was at the Coroner's Office, in her lab doing the autopsy. She found a few oddities which she'd note in her other file later.
Later, Nick and Schanke stopped by the morgue to exchange information on that case and a couple more. The most recent name was Gerald Brown. He worked for the same company as one of the other dead guys, but a different branch. Natalie told them about the three bullet wounds in the victim and that if he'd been found sooner, he might've survived. She comments that the abdominal wound injured the spleen causing him to slowly bleed to death.
Schanke comments that the guy had no criminal record and from the little information they have, he was a nice guy who had never caused any trouble.
They share a little more info.
After the guys leave, Natalie writes down the new info into her notes, some going only into the oddities notes. She rereads all her notes and finds some even more unusual connections. She gets a really odd feeling, one that'd not quite a hunch, and knows that there could be trouble ahead.
Natalie's called away from her office for a while. While she's gone, it's searched again.
Natalie's working on the first of two files she has to finish that shift.
Meanwhile across town, the younger well-dressed man is telling the older one that the trouble's even worse than they thought. The older man tells him to solve it, but to be creative.
Natalie finishes the last of the urgent paperwork for the two files. She tidies up her desk and sticks the files into her out box. She slips into her suit jacket, grabs her purse and leaves.
Natalie stops off at the diner to pick up some dinner. She orders lasagna and talks with the staff as she's waiting. When her food's ready she pays for it and leaves.
As soon as Natalie entered her apartment she kicks off her shoes, sighing with relief. She sets her purse and keys on the table by the door. She drops the plastic bag holding her dinner onto her kitchen counter and goes into the bedroom to change.
Natalie comes out of her bedroom dressed in a long sleeved T-shirt and knit slacks. She heads straight for her dinner, which she unpacks and transfers to a plate. She grabs a glass of soda and heads into the living room. She sits down on the couch and flips channels, stopping when she finds the beginning of MacGyver. She watches him while she eats.