Chapter Text
“I still really don’t see why we need more help,” Harry says for the thousandth time. “There are three of us here already.” He looks back at Leo.
“Because, in this climate, it’s cheaper to have your own forensic scientist than it is to rely on outside help all the time,” Leo replies, the voice of reason as always.
Both men are stood in Leo’s office, Harry with his hands in his pockets, looking out the glass and onto the entrance, waiting for the new arrival.
After a while, the main door beeps and a young man enters. The first thing you can’t help but notice about him, Harry thinks, is his height. This guy is seriously tall. He fumbles with his bag, trying to put his pass away.
“Is that him then?” Harry asks.
“Uh-huh,” Leo replies.
“Who is he?”
“Jack Hodgson.”
Jack Hodgson walks through the glass doors and into the Lyell and Harry gets a good glimpse of his face. He looks a little older than twenty, pale skin, dark hair, aquiline features, handsome perhaps.
“Jesus, how old is he?” Harry cries in disgust. “Fresh from the womb, by the looks of him.”
“He’s old enough to have a degree in Forensic Science and more than a few years’ experience on the job,” Leo counters.
The young man is coming closer now, moving his head side to side, looking for signs of life. It’s a morgue, Harry thinks to himself.
“Yes, but why upset the balance?” Harry exclaims. “We have such a good thing going on here – you, me and Nikki.”
Leo smiles at Jack through the glass, waves. “Nonsense,” he says to Harry, pushing the door open to go and meet the new arrival. “I’m sure he’ll fit right in. He’s a similar age to Nikki.” He gives Harry a look.
What the hell was that supposed to mean? Harry thinks madly. He waits for a few seconds, then decides he really must go out and greet the guy. He gets there just as the introductions are underway. Harry notes the accent – Irish.
“Professor Dalton, sir, I’m Jack Hodgson. Big fan of yours, sir,” Jack says nervously, extending his hand out to Leo.
Leo takes the hand and shakes it sincerely. “I’m flattered, Jack. But really, there’s no need for formalities. We’re all a team here. You can call me Leo.”
Jack nods before turning to Harry and extending his hand again. “I’m Jack Hodgson.”
“Dr Cunningham.” Harry grips his hand firmly and shakes it once.
“Ah, and here’s Nikki,” Leo says, and sure enough Nikki is walking towards them, reading through a stack of papers in her arms. On seeing the three of them, she looks up and smiles brilliantly, her big brown eyes lighting up. “Brilliant timing, Nikki, this is our new forensic scientist, Jack Hodgson.”
“Hi, I’m Nikki Alexander,” Nikki says pleasantly.
“I’m Jack,” he answers, a starry look on his face. Harry thinks he sees a slight blush colouring Nikki’s cheeks.
There’s an awkward moment, before Nikki speaks again.
“Sorry, can’t stop to talk. I really have to read through these notes, I’m due in court in half an hour.”
As Nikki leaves, Jack’s eyes seem glued to her back profile. He watches her with something like dazed desire. Harry can’t help but make a face. See, that’s the trouble with hiring a teenager, he thinks.
Leo is the first to interrupt: “Right, now you’ve met everyone, I’ll give you the grand tour. Coming Harry?”
“Um, no, I have some work to do,” Harry says, before adding. “Leo, can I have a word?” He gestures back towards Leo’s office.
“Sure,” Leo answers, and they go inside.
Harry shuts the door behind them, before turning to Leo, hands on his hips. “You’re not seriously thinking of hiring this guy, are you?”
Leo is nonplussed, he answers: “I’m more than thinking about it, he’s already hired, remember?”
“Yes, but did you see the way he was letching after Nikki?” Harry says, incredulous.
Leo smiles. “He wasn’t letching,” he retorts. “Nikki’s an attractive girl. I like him. He seems very enthusiastic, just what the place needs. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
With that, Leo is gone taking Jack with him - for the ‘grand tour’. Harry is left alone, seriously thinking whether he should warn Nikki off of this could-be sexual predator.