CSI Texas

Chapter Seven

Gathering her courage, Victoria Stewart smoothed down her tailored navy blouse and adjusted the strap of her leather handbag. Her beige slacks were a little wrinkled from the move, but she hoped she still looked presentable. She gently knocked on the doorframe, her knuckles grazing the polished wood.
Inside, Alan Cain was on the phone but he turned at the sound. For a long, quiet moment, their eyes locked. His expression shifted slightly, his blue gaze flickering with something unreadable — recognition, surprise, maybe something deeper. A faint sparkle touched his eyes, but it was quickly masked.
“I have to finish; I’ll call you in half an hour. Yes, me too,” Alan said into the phone, his voice clipped but warm. He hung up smoothly, setting the phone down beside a neat stack of papers before rising to his feet. “Hello, Victoria —if I remember correctly?”
“Yes. From Phoenix,” she confirmed, her voice steady, though her hand instinctively gripped her folder a little tighter.
Alan smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting with genuine warmth. “Yes, yes. I remember. How was the trip? I wasn’t expecting you today — I thought you’d arrive tomorrow.”
“I got in just about an hour ago,” she replied, stepping into the room with tentative confidence. “I decided to stop by, check in, maybe get an assignment or some orientation.”
He motioned for her to sit, gesturing toward the sleek conference table in the center of the room. “Spontaneous and efficient. Just like I remembered.” His tone was light, but his eyes lingered on her a second longer than necessary.
Victoria’s movements were calm, but her heart raced. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and eased into the chair, resting her folder on the tabletop.
Alan took the seat opposite her, adjusting the cuffs of his white dress shirt. He wore a slate-gray suit — classic cut, crisp lines — paired with his ever-present air of quiet control. His tousled blond hair was slightly longer than she remembered, but still suited him. He was older, more grounded, but still exuded that magnetic energy. As he opened her file, he glanced up. “Getting settled okay?”
“Getting there,” she replied with a slight smile, brushing invisible lint from her slacks.
Alan nodded, though a flicker of nostalgia passed across his face. He studied her with more than professional interest, as if replaying a memory. Their past hovered in the air, unspoken but thick between them.
She sensed it too — his careful pause, the shift in his posture as he leaned back slightly in the chair.
He tapped the folder lightly. “You’ve built a strong reputation, Victoria. I followed your career, now and then.”
She looked up, surprised. “You did?”
“Of course. You’ve been doing excellent work. And… well, some people make an impression.”
There was a beat of silence. Victoria looked down for a moment, then back up, her cheeks warming. “I didn’t think you’d remember.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” he said, his voice low. Then, almost too casually, “But that’s not what we’re here for. Not today.”
Victoria let out a small laugh, breaking the tension. “Right. Business first.”
“Exactly.” He flipped through the papers she’d handed him. “Do you have the rest of the documents?”
She slid another stack toward him. “Everything I could think of that might help. Background checks, clearance renewals, contact info — ”
“Perfect. I’ll walk you through everything in a moment.” He paused, then looked directly at her. “Do you have any questions?”
Victoria hesitated, her fingers tapping lightly against the table. “Why me?” The words slipped out before she could stop them. Alan blinked, taken off guard for only a second. Then he exhaled slowly and leaned forward, lacing his fingers.
“You had an exceptional education in the past. You've proven yourself time and time again. Your work is thorough. Precise. And honest to a fault. I didn’t need to look any further. I trust your instincts, and… I’ve always respected your mind.”
Her lips parted slightly, and she gave a quiet nod, trying to mask the emotion rising in her chest. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Alan stood then, his movement smooth. “Come on, I’ll show you around. Our shift starts soon, and the team should be arriving.”
She rose to join him, brushing her blouse and smoothing her hair instinctively. As they walked side by side, their strides matched naturally. Victoria noticed the relaxed way Alan moved — his hands in his pockets, the casual tilt of his head as he spoke.
“This is the forensics lab,” he said, gesturing toward a large room behind a glass wall. Inside, a few technicians moved with purposeful energy, the hum of machines adding a quiet rhythm. “And down this way,” he continued, “is the evidence room. Pretty tight on security, but you’ll get clearance.”
Victoria listened carefully, nodding, occasionally tilting her head to better hear over the corridor noise. “It’s impressive,” she said. “Clean. Efficient. Not what I expected, honestly.”
He grinned. “We like to keep things sharp. You'll find it's a good team. A little quirky sometimes, but loyal.” They rounded a corner and entered the main work hub — rows of desks, whiteboards, maps, and case folders spread out in controlled chaos. A few people greeted Alan as they passed. “You’ll have your own space,” he said, pointing to a desk near the window. “We’ll set you up tomorrow morning. For now, just get familiar.”
Victoria smiled at herself. The atmosphere already felt energizing. “Thanks. I’m excited to get started.”
Alan turned to her, one hand resting lightly on his hip. “I think you’ll fit right in.”
She met his gaze, and for the first time in years, it felt like doors were opening again — both old and new.
And just like that, Victoria Stewart stepped fully into the next chapter of her life.