Episode 2.5: After The Rain Has Fallen

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

Previously on CSI: Excolo...

Close up of DANIKA, eyes welling up.

"Tez, I'm pregnant."

Cut to: heavy rain, voice over by TESS: "But my kind 'a reportin' is hell in bad weather."

Cut to: KATE leaning in and smiling at Tess. "And I'd be glad if you'd help me relax."

Cut to: the SHAIRANS, GLASS and DORIAN at a table in the Diabolique.

"Come Dorian,if you show me yours, I'll show you mine."

CLOSE UP of AL writing on a business card that says
Beddau.
Gray.

Three weeks later. The floods have subsided, but there are a lot of messes to clean up... And not all of them watery. Prominent local politician Herbert Adams was found with his head in a gas oven and a suicide note claiming responsibility for Robert Reaves' murder. There are "financial irregularities" in Adams' affairs... and a naked photograph of Reaves' grieving widow in the breast pocket of the suit he was wearing when he killed himself. If he killed himself. The police are under pressure to close the case - but is everything what it seems? Meanwhile, extensive damage to the courthouse and City Hall is making business difficult. At least the temperature has dropped a little. Small mercies, right?

Location: HYPOTHERMIA, a hip new bar - doing well with the well-heeled because the Diabolique has been forced to temporarily shut to repair its roof. And doing well with everyone else because of the introductory offers on frozen cocktails. Inside it's sleek, white and silver. The lights are flattering and the aircon is cranked high.

This bar has only a small VIP area. Instead of a velvet rope it has a small chain of crystal icicles separating it from the rest of the bar. It's an amusing enough conceit. I am distressed by the number of Versace-wearing, Cristal-drinking trophy wives in here... But there's a good enough mix of people to drown out their inane chatter. The music is something fashionably Scandinavian, but I am saved from complete boredom by the excellent martini I am drinking. It might even be better than the Diabolique's.

It is pleasant to be back in the city. Lily and I escaped some of the dreary annoyances of the flooding by going away for a couple of weeks - although of course I made sure Water Tower Industries donated a six figure sum to a local disaster relief fund. The newspaper carried a photograph of me shaking hands with Herbert Adams outside a shelter as I handed over the cheque. Of course only a couple of days after that he was dead. But Lily and I were in the Hamptons then. It is funny how these things turn out.

I would rather have gone abroad, but I know that Lily hates to travel too far if Fiona isn't with us. We did have a good holiday, although Lily has been more subdued than usual, and a little more pale. I even wondered... But I am not sure yet, and so I have said nothing. I will have to catch up with Leah and see what her surveillance has pulled up. I told her to keep watching Johnny whilst I was away. I don't think Lily called him when we were away... But my wife is clever, and can often find ways around things.

As for myself, I also have business to attend to. I should really see Tez. I have found myself thinking of him quite often since we fucked. I am almost piqued that he has not called me, although I suppose a man like him would expect me to make the first move. And what move would that be, precisely? There's a question.

I sip my martini, and I think.