Criminal Minds International

#1

I sighed at the view of my new workplace. It was almost 8am, I was standing in front of the Washington Medical Examiner's office where I was about to start my first day as Medical Examiner Assistant. I wasn't really excited about the idea since I've never opened dead bodies, only seen a few before due to my past, but I had to start somewhere and it was the only place that accepted me without wanting to call my school, which actually doesn't exist because all my degrees are fakes. A little gift from my father on my 21st birthday.

As I was about to go inside, a brown-haired woman came out of a car parked on my left. She was wearing a white t-shirt, black jeans and black sneakers. She was also carrying a brown bag.

As she walked towards the door, I stared at her.

CJ: "God, I hope she's my boss..."

That woman looked like a main character in a book I used to read as a kid. No matter what, she would look like the world revolves around her. But she also looked like someone you easily talk to. I don't know why but just like that I wanted to tell her everything. I knew I couldn't say a word about my problems though, it would only get her in trouble.

When I opened the door the only thing that was different from last time was the lady at the counter who welcomed me. She was the receptionist and the person who was answering calls. Her name was written on a badge she was wearing on her pink cardigan.

« Tatiana : Hi! You're CJ, right? The new assistant?
CJ : Yes. »

If you didn't know me, I would look like a cold bitch. Straight face, gathered eyebrows, not smiling at all and my hair was always attached in a high ponytail. I was avoiding eye contact most of the time and would not shake a single hand. Nobody could touch me. I think that's why it was hard for me to keep a job.

« Tatiana : Okay... great. Um, well... Doctor Jarvis is in her office right now. Third door on your left, this way. »

I nod and start walking in the hallway.

CJ: "Doctor Jarvis... her... so, could it be the woman I saw? God, I hope it's her."

I take a last step and find myself right in front of her door. I knock and wait for an answer.

« Mae : Come in. »

I open the door, take a step inside and I immediately recognize her. Mae Jarvis, the looking confident woman I saw on the parking lot. But, yet, it looked so much different right now, like another person was standing in front of me. She looked... anxious.

« Mae : Hi?
CJ : Hi. I'm CJ Miller, your new assistant. »

As I said that I kept my serious face on, eyebrows still gathered. She looked at me, quickly, from head to toe before looking at me in the eyes. I immediately started staring behind her not wanting to look at her in the eyes but also not wanting to seem disrespectful if I looked at the floor.

« Mae : Right! CJ. You look a little young to already work in a M.E.'s office, how old are you?
CJ : Uh, 23.
Mae : Did Merton call your school?
CJ : Merton? Uh, the old guy? »

CJ: "What the hell? The old guy? Why did you say that?!"

« Mae : Uh, yeah, Doctor Paul Merton, the Chief Medical Examiner. Did he call your school? »

Of course not, he didn't. That was, legit, the only reason I was standing in front of her, but I couldn't tell her that. I had to lie.

« CJ : Yes, he did.
Mae : What school did you go to?
CJ : Does it matter? »

She looked at me, surprised of my answer. The fact is I never read the file my father made up for me so, I don't know what school I went to.

« Mae : Well, no, it was just... out of curiosity. ... I have an autopsy to do this morning, I want you to assist, don't do anything unless I tell you, don't say anything unless I ask you something. Sounds good?
CJ : Yes. »