Life With a CSI

            My husband Gene was a CSI long before the occupation became popular. Years ago, he needed to explain what a “forensic chemist” was to someone who asked what he did for a living. Of course, after forty plus years in the crime lab, there are stories – lots of stories and many are downright funny.

            One cold wintery evening, Gene gulped a quick dinner before leaving in a blizzard to testify at night court in a rather distant county. His car no sooner disappeared into the swirling white mist, when the district attorney called to inform him the proceedings for that evening had been cancelled.  This was before the era of cell phones so I had no way to call my honey back to home and hearth. I did what I thought was the next best thing.

            Knowing he would need to take the Interstate for a bit, I called the State Troopers and began with,”Now I know this isn’t an emergency, but….” Since troopers bring evidence to his crime lab, it did not seem unreasonable to ask them to help their colleague. I got a tired, “we’ll do what we can lady, but….” from the officer on the line. “Just keep an eye out for him when you patrol, that’s all I ask.” My request seemed quite reasonable to me.

            A bit later, Gene opened the door and chuckled as walked into the kitchen. It seems he arrived at the courthouse and decided since he would be the last to testify he would kill some time and enjoy a banana split in the local diner.

            “I was sitting there with my ice cream and out of the corner of my eye I see one state trooper car after another drive by with lights flashing. I thought it must be a raid or something. When I got back to the courthouse, there was a trooper standing by his car.

            “Where were you?” he asked me. “We were patrolling for you. The court was cancelled for the evening. Your wife called us.”

             Then there was the time………….