she added, 'That's just terrible.'
Sara shrugged and rose. 'Most of it was pretty hard, actually. Snowed in for two days. Froze our butts off guarding, then working the crime scene, had gallons of blood at the suicide, had to find the killer and watch her till the local cops showed and then catch a redeye to get back, so we could be home to work tonight.'
Catherine said, 'Tough,' but couldn't repress the smile any longer. And Nick, arms folded, rocking back, was grinning openly.
Sara paused at the door. 'Last day-Sunday? That was nice and cozy, though. We spent the day reading by the fire.'
She slipped out, leaving behind two co-workers who were looking at each other with wide eyes and open mouths.
'No,' Catherine said.
'No way,' Nick said.
In the hallway, Sara was smiling to herself. Nick and Cath didn't know that she and Grissom had separate fireplaces in their separate rooms.
And they didn't need to know.
Let them wonder.
Author's Note
I would again like to acknowledge the contribution of Matthew V. Clemens.
Matt-who has collaborated with me on numerous published short stories-is an accomplished true-crime writer, as well as a knowledgeable fan of CSI. He helped me develop the plot of this novel, and worked up a lengthy story treatment, which included all of his considerable forensic research, for me to expand my novel upon.
Criminalist Sergeant Chris Kaufman CLPE-the Gil Grissom of the Bettendorf Iowa Police Department-provided comments, insights and information that were invaluable to this project, including material from his own forthcoming book on winter crime scenes. Thank you also to Jaimie Vitek of the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center for sharing her expertise.
Books consulted include two works by Vernon J. Gerberth:
Again, Jessica McGivney at Pocket Books provided support, suggestions and guidance. The producers of CSI were gracious in providing scripts, background material and episode tapes, without which this novel would have been impossible.
Finally, the inventive Anthony E. Zuiker must be singled out as creator of this concept and these characters. Thank you to him and other CSI writers, whose lively and well-documented scripts inspired this novel and have done much toward making the series such a success both commercially and artistically.
