Chapter 9.

  Here Hank was, Friday night, almost Seven O’Clock, at the Olive Garden. Eleanor would be here soon. He tried to calm himself down. They were just here to talk about work, nothing more. Talk about work in a romantically lit, faux Italian setting that beckoned relaxation and good times, but they were just here to talk about work.

  Hank was wearing one of his nicer shirts, he had a jacket on as he would when he was at the station, this was one of his nicer jackets though, and he had his cufflinks of course. He took one last look at them before Eleanor arrived, “Strength,” he said to himself.

  He wanted to talk about so much with Eleanor. How do you see your future? Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? Do you want kids? No, he told himself. He couldn’t get that deep, not on a first date, if he could even consider this a first date. For all he knew Eleanor was going to arrive holding another folder full of facts and new discoveries about the blood samples and talk to him all night about their business with the Charlotte PD. This wasn’t a date. As much as Hank lamented that fact, it was just two people talking about work. Damn it, why did he suggest the Olive Garden? Did Eleanor even understand the pretext of a guy taking a girl to the Olive Garden? He cursed at Scott. This was such a stupid idea. He wouldn’t even be surprised if she showed up in her lab coat.

  As he paced around the entrance, he saw her. No lab coat. She was in a dress, a nice dress. Nothing too fancy. It was green, green like her eyes, skirt riding just above her knees. Her legs in black stockings. Damn it, why did it have to be black stockings? God damn, she looked amazing. She was wearing her hair down, bangs framing her face, golden locks hanging behind her neck, not a bun, but Hank thought her hair was pretty no matter what style it was in. She had her glasses, those thick framed magnifiers that made her green eyes even more beautiful.

  “Eleanor, glad you could meet me,” Hank said, awkwardly putting his hand out for a handshake. He resisted the urge to call her Dr. Laterbauch.

  “Good to see you too, officer- I mean, Hank,” she smiled. “I have some big developments we can talk about, but that can wait, I would love to have some breadsticks,” she said.

  “Our table is almost ready. Do you want to get something to drink first?” he asked.

  “I rarely drink, but yeah, a drink sounds nice right about now,” she said as Hank led her to the bar.

  The Bartender came to them, “Welcome to the Olive Garden, what can I do for you tonight?” he asked.

  “I’ll take a Gin and Tonic if you would be so kind,” she said.

  “Gin and Tonic,” Hank smiled, “That was my Mom’s drink,” he said, instantly regretting comparing his prospective paramour with his mother. Changing subjects, he turned to the bartender and ordered his usual going out drink, “Whisky on rocks,” two napkins were put in front of them. The lady’s drink was poured first, of course, followed by Hank’s.

  “Want to toast?” he asked, raising his class.

  “To figuring out what in the devil is going in, yeah, I’ll toast to that,” Eleanor said, raising her glass.

  “Good enough for me,” Hank smiled and clicked his glass to hers, trying to look confident of himself.

  “I’ve wanted to talk with you more,” Hank said, “I’ve been busy the past few days, haven’t found time for the lab, but I’m sure you’re getting us tons of useful information,” he said.

  “That’s the rub, I’m getting information, but I don’t know how useful it is without a suspect to compare it too,” she said.

  “Guess that means I need to be working harder,” Hank said.

  “I have found out more about one of the samples, the RH negative one,” she took a sip of her drink, “I’m finding more about the unique aspects of this blood, I’ve found have similarities with certain samples found mostly in the northern Africa region, mostly near Egypt,” she said. “However, while the African samples of blood close to this type reject RH Positive blood when it’s introduced, it doesn’t outright destroy other blood samples like this one does, but the two are still very similar,” she said.

  “Do you have a name for it, something that we can call this unique sample?” he asked.

  “I need to do more digging, to find out exactly what we’re dealing with, however when I’m making notes on it and need to record what this sample is, I have a name for it,” she said, looking away and shaking her head.

  “What do you call it?” Hank asked.

  “You need to promise me you won’t tell your brother this, because it’s so ridiculous I don’t want him taking credit if it really is a new blood type I’ve discovered,” she said.

  “Don’t tell me,” Hank said.

  “I’ve taken to calling it Vampire blood, Vamp blood for short, it’s easy and quick to write, helps me keep it straight in my journals and studies, Vamp blood, it’s actually a pretty accurate nomenclature, this blood eats and absorbs new blood introduced to it,” she said.

  “Trust me, I’m his brother, I don’t want to prove Scott right anymore then you do, that can just be our little secret,” Hank said.

  The hostess came to them, “Your table is ready,” she said, smiling, holding two menus as she led them to a nice booth on the side of the restaurant. Hank and Eleanor took their seats, a small candle on the table between them. Not really a candle, just a little candle holder with a bright white LED light in it. The hostess gave them their menus and told them their waiter would be here soon.

  “Do you mind if I ask you something?” Hank asked.

  “Of course not, any question regarding research of the case I’d be glad to answer, that’s why we’re here right, to talk about the case,” she said.

  “It’s not about the case,” Hank said, “Let me be frank, you seem brilliant, and I’ve heard about your academic background, you’re known as the best tech we have in CSI, and I believe it. You seem to be a brilliant woman and I’m just curious why you would work in CSI? With your knowledge and skill, you could be a University researcher, I think at least. I’m glad to have someone like you on the force, it just seems like you could do so much more,” he said.

  Eleanor sighed, “I know I’m not exactly fulfilling my potential, had I actually had to pay for the education I’ve received, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing,” she said.

  “What do you mean?” Hank asked.

  “I grew up in California, and my father was in the L.A.P.D. I was young when it happened, about ten. My father took part in the arrest of John David Machin, the Sacramento Strangler. A solemn look came across her face, the look that comes across anyone’s face when reliving a painful memory. He was arrested on fingerprint evidence, flimsy as that is. CSI also had a DNA match to him, but they contaminated the sample by accident. Lost the blood sample from under one of his victim's fingernails because of something as stupid as a spilled drink. She looked away, “They couldn’t introduce the DNA to trial, and he got off on a hung jury,” she said.

  “John David Machin, I remember hearing about that case, we actually did a case study on it in school,” Hank gasped and his eyes went ride with realization. “Eleanor, I had no idea, I’m so sorry,” he said.

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  “After he got off, he decided he was going to get revenge on the officers that tried to put him away. He came after my father, the arresting officer,” she said, “He shot him in broad daylight, that maniac, the only solace I can take was that this time they got him, had an eyewitness, just as good a bit of evidence as any DNA someone in my profession could find,” she said, “He’s on death row, has been for the past seventeen years, I wouldn’t tell my mother, but if the day ever comes when he gets his injection, I’m going to be there, I’m going to see it. I want to look in the eyes of the man who killed my father, not in some sick celebration or victory, but just to see justice being served,” she said, taking a deep breath, “Anyway, my Mother had family here in Carolina, so we moved back after all the nastiness was dealt with. Then I started hitting the books, I asked my mom why someone that they already caught could do what he did, and all she could tell me was that someone made a mistake. The lab made a mistake, and it got my father killed. I knew that if I had been in that lab, that mistake wouldn’t have been made,” she forced a smile, trying to keep the evening happy as she looked to Hank, “So a BA in chemistry with a minor in criminal justice, a masters in medical lab technology, and a doctorate in clinical laboratory science later, here I am, working in the basement of the Charlotte PD doing what I can do to fight for the good guys. I’ve always wanted to work in law enforcement, but I knew I didn’t have the strength or temperament to be an officer, so I focused on the lab side of things. I had a love for science even before my father died. I love my work, as much of a grind as it can be sometimes, I like knowing that I’m doing good for the world, doing everything I can to bring justice,” she said.

  Hank was speechless. He took a drink to cover the fact he couldn’t think of something to say. His mother always told Scott and him to find a girl who fought on the side of light. Being that Mrs. Tavares saw that she had two boys who would most likely devote their lives to that cause, she knew the type of woman they would need, and Eleanor definitely fit that role.

  “That’s very commendable of you,” Hank said, “I’m sure your father would be very proud,” he said, gulping.

  “Thank’s,” Eleanor smiled, “Enough about me, what about you? Why did you decide to be a cop? Not that I have to ask. You would seem like a cop even if I never met you before, and I mean that in a good way,” she said.

  Hank tried to relax, he took another drink, every bit of alcohol gave him a bit more courage in his discussion with her, “Well, my dad was actually an Army Ranger, fought in Desert Storm. After High School I wanted to enlist but my mom just wouldn’t have it, told me I needed to go to college. I heard Criminal Justice was an easy major, so I signed up for it at UNCC. I ended up falling in love with it. After I got my diploma, the only option I could see was the Academy, I graduated top of my class, got a job at Charlotte PD, and never looked back on my childhood wish to join up, and I still get to carry a gun, so that’s a perk,” Hank smiled, trying to put some levity into the conversation after Eleanor’s revelation.

  “My Dad graduated top of his class too, that’s so wild. I mean, everyone in the department knows you’re the best, I’m surprised you’re not already a sergeant,” she said.

  Hank fought back a blush and shook his head, “I don’t know if I’m cut out to be brass, I love the field too much. I love getting out there, finding criminals, even at my rank I have a ton of paperwork to take care of, the idea of having even more on my table? No thanks,” Hank said, “And with someone was brilliant as you working downstairs, helping us out, well that just makes my job all the easier,” he raised his glass in a toast, “To catching the bad guys?” he asked.

  “Catching the bad guys,” Eleanor said, clicking her gin and tonic to his whiskey.

  This was going well, Hank thought. Almost too well, Scott was always the lady’s man of the two brothers. Most girls found Hank a bit too tight wound, but around Eleanor he found it easy to relax, he hadn’t felt this loose on a date since he took Patty Nelson to prom in high school, granted that relaxed demeanor was mostly thanks to the football team's quarterback slipping some rum into the punch. Could this even be called a date? It felt like a date, but what was it? The pretense of their meeting was to talk about work, but that can happen after a few drinks and some breadsticks, why not? For now, he was just going to get to know her more.

  “You seem to always be in the office, what do you like to do outside work?” Hank asked.

  “I know I spend a lot of time at work. I like to be thought of as very dedicated, because I am,” she said as a basket of breadsticks were placed in front of them. Eleanor got a bit eager and grabbed one taking a bite, her eyes rolled back as she swallowed, “I haven’t been to a sit-down restaurant in forever, these are so good,” she smiled as she swallowed.

  “Dig in, they’re infinite,” hank smiled, laughing with her as he grabbed one and she took another bite.

  After finishing one off she looked up, “I usually spend most nights at home, I browse the latest academic papers for our field, I have a few subscriptions and I find research relaxing, but I’m not above taking a night off and just laying on the couch in front of the TV, by the way, how far are you in Bleach?” she asked.

  Hank smiled, at first it was just some silly cartoon he was watching to give him something to talk about with that cute girl in CSI, but she was definitely on to something being a fan, he had actually got really into it, “I just saw the Ichigo-Byakuya fight, I got to say didn’t really see the appeal early on, but that was pretty sick, I can’t lie,” he said.

  “Just wait,” Eleanor said, “That’s a great fight, but it’s only in the top ten, it gets so much better, you can skip episode fifty-six through seventy-five though, it’s just filler, but by episode one fifty the series really hits its peak,” she said.

  “I’m excited, I’m all in, I’m hooked” Hank said as the waiter came to their table.

  “Welcome to the Olive Garden, What can I get for you this evening,” the teenage waiter asked.

  Eleanor looked at her menu, “I will get the build your own pasta,” she said, “I would like fettuccini, and can I substitute chicken for sausage?” she asked.

  “I think that can be done, yes,” he said.

  “Good, now I notice you don’t have alfredo as an option, can I switch out the mushroom sauce for alfredo?”

  “That should be possible,” he said.

  “Perfect, that sounds amazing,” she said, passing her menu back to the waiter.

  “You get all that?” Hank asked.

  “I promise I have,” the teenager who expected a decent tip said.

  Hank gave the menu another once over, “I will have the Shrimp Alfredo, and you know what, can we get a bottle of wine?” he looked to Eleanor, “My treat, we have a lot to talk about,” he said, giving her a wink as his confidence built. “Are you a red or white girl?” he asked her.

  “Oh, wine, fancy,” she smiled, “How about a Merlot?” she asked.

  “You heard the lady,” Hank said, looking to the waiter and nodding before he turned to give their order to the kitchen.

  “That’s really nice,” Eleanor said, “This is so nice, I never get to go out, between work and trying to find sleep, it’s so hard to just find time to unwind,” she took a deep breath and sighed. “I know we’re just here to talk about the case, but I’m having a lot of fun,” she smiled, a sweet, caring smile that Hank had to fight falling head over heels for.

  “The case is important, I know we both want to catch the sick people who did this, and I know talking about it might in usual circumstances not be the best dinner conversation, but we can talk about it later, lets at least enjoy a meal first, then we can talk about business,” Hank said, “Maybe over some chocolate cake?” he said, wondering if this date was going well enough to get to desert level.

  “That sounds good,” Eleanor smiled as their meals were brought to them, “Let’s make a rule,” she said, “We’re going to eat, have fun, and then we’ll get to work, we’ll get to work over a savory slice of chocolate cake,” she grinned.

  Hank’s mom always told him that chocolate could win over any girl’s heart if used in the right way. As he watched the waiter grate some parmesan cheese over Eleanor’s pasta, he remembered his dad telling him the real way to a woman’s heart was spaghetti and cheese.

  “Sounds good to me, with how awful the things we’ve seen lately have been, I think some time to relax will be good for us, taking a break could help us in the long run,” Hank said, “I think we’ve both earned a few hours off the clock,” he smiled as the waiter brought their bottle of wine to the table and poured two glasses of a fine, reasonably priced merlot.

  “Agreed,” Eleanor said as she took a glass along with Hank and clicked it with his.

  “So you’re academic resume is so impressive, you actually have a Doctorate?” Hank asked.

  “Yes, I do technically have a PHD, and before you ask if it was expensive to get, it was. Luckily, my father had a good life insurance policy and my mom saw nothing else worth spending it on,” she said.

  “I’m sure he’s looking down on you, and I’m sure he’s proud,” Hank said, “I know he’s glad he could help you, you’re fighting the good fight. That’s why I love being a cop, I love to fight the good fight,” Hank said.

  “I know, I hope at least, if he is somewhere he could see me, all I want him to know is how bad I hope he’s proud of me, everything I do is to give him something to know that I ended up okay, even with how little time he could spend with me,” Eleanor looked up, smiled, remembering fond memories of piggy back rides and bedtime stories. She raised her glass of wine for another toast, “To making dad proud?” she said.

  “Usually only make that kind of toast with my brother, but yeah,” Hank raised his glass, “To making dad proud,” he said clicking his glass with hers.

  After the toast, a waiter walked by their table, Eleanor beckoned him, “Excuse me, could we get some more breadsticks? They’re infinite, right?” she asked.

  “Of course, glad you’re having a good time,” he smiled.

  “I am,” she said, looking to Hank, “I’m having a great time,” she smiled.