Chapter 6
Offices of Forensic Instincts
Casey finished typing up the last of her notes on Lauren Robbins—the woman Ryan had called in to report was a close work colleague of Caitlin’s.
His instincts had been dead-on. Lauren was a quiet and cautious woman—one who thankfully, the FBI had not yet contacted.
So Casey had tried to extract as much relevant information as possible from her.
She’d told her that she was worried about Caitlin, who hadn’t been herself for the past few weeks, and then asked Lauren if she’d noticed anything different about her behavior.
Lauren had hesitated, then asked, “You said that you and Caitlin are very close?”
“Yes,” Casey replied. “We have been for years, since high school. Which is why I’m so worried about her.”
Lauren blew out a breath. “Actually, so am I. Caitlin is usually an upbeat, happy person. The last few Wednesdays when she came into the office, she seemed very preoccupied and jumpy. When I asked if she was okay, she barely heard me. I had to repeat myself twice. I was starting to worry that something was wrong, either at home or with her health.”
“That really upsets me,” Casey said, pressing the charade. “Did she say anything specific?”
“Not really,” Lauren replied. “Only that she’s feeling fine. She’s a very private person, and we’ve never exchanged confidences. But I knew her well enough to notice the sudden change in her behavior.”
Casey made an on-the-spot decision. This was going nowhere fast. And even if she wormed some names out of Lauren, there was no way to rationalize asking for personal email addresses or phone numbers.
That would raise too many red flags. And calling on Monday was out.
By that time, the whole office would know that Caitlin’s husband had been killed and that Caitlin was a person of interest.
It was a definite dead end.
“Thank you for your time, Lauren,” Casey said. “I’m even more determined to get Caitlin to talk to me. I’ll let you know if I learn anything important.”
Casey glanced up from her iPad when Ryan walked into the first floor conference room, looking taut as a bowstring.
Casey sat back in her chair and studied his expression. “How’s Kennedy? And your mom? Any news? And did she handle all you had to tell her without breaking down?”
He sucked in his breath. “Kennedy is still a mess. I could barely get her to eat. My mom’s reserves are depleting; she’s with Kennedy every breathing moment.
And, other than a bolstering call from the FBI’s victim specialist, things are status quo.
I passed along the information I had to.
It didn’t go over well. But my mom will do what she has to.
She always does. How about at your end? Did you reach Lauren Robbins? ”
“Yup.” Casey went on to fill him in.
Ryan poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down on one of the room’s tub chairs, his lips thinned into a grim line.
“Caitlin is as calm as they come. I’ve never seen her on edge.
And now she’s so much so that her coworker noticed?
Something major had to have happened. Given how tight she and Shane were—I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Shane was involved in something dangerous, something risky, and that he shared some or all of what that was with Caitlin. ”
Casey nodded. “That makes complete sense. Unfortunately, Lauren is now a dead end, since Caitlin didn’t confide in her. My gut tells me that, if Caitlin opened up to anyone, it would be one of her closest friends, someone outside the office. I’m counting on your mom to remember at least one name.”
“Knowing my mom, she’ll wrack her brain until she does.
And, yeah, when that happens, it’s definitely a stronger angle to pursue.
” Ryan took a gulp of coffee. “Caitlin would never betray Shane, nor compromise his position with the Bureau. But even if she hinted at something, it’ll be enough for us to run with.
” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I hate waiting. But we can’t press my mom now.
The funeral is on Monday and we have to give her time to recover and, most important, to soothe Kennedy, who’ll be a wreck. ”
“Of course. I’d planned on giving her a call on Wednesday.”
“Uh-uh. Tuesday will be enough time. Despite her grief, my mom wants this case solved yesterday. So set up a visit for either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning, first with her and then with Kennedy. For the first part, it’ll be no problem to get Kennedy settled with a movie, far away from your conversation.
After that…” A pained shrug. “Who knows how Kennedy will react?”
“Claire and I will be as gentle and reassuring as possible. I promise.”
“I know you will. And it’ll be way easier for her to talk to you than it will be when she has to talk to the FBI.”
“We’ll prep her for that, as well,” Casey said.
Ryan’s mind vaulted to another subject, one that was less urgent, but which had been bothering him on the drive back.
“Look, Case, I want this case solved yesterday. But I’m realistic enough to know that’s not possible.
We’ve got a ton of ground to cover, all of us.
” He frowned. “With that as a given, there are other plans to be made for Kennedy. Even though my mom is making her the number one priority, I still feel responsible for her. Maybe that sounds crazy. It’s hard to explain. ”
“You don’t have to. I understand.”
“It’s not just the connection Kennedy and I share.
It’s my role in the family,” Ryan continued.
“I’ve always been the grounded one, the one my mom counts on to be logical and pragmatic, rather than emotional.
Well, that’s what I’m trying to do with Kennedy, regardless of my own pain.
I’ve got to strive for as much normalcy for her as possible.
Today we made waffles together. Tomorrow and Monday, I’ll be by her side.
But eventually, we’ve got another area to address. School.”
Casey’s brows knit. “She’s at home, living through a major crisis, and under FBI protection. Returning to school isn’t an option.”
“Yes, I know.” Ryan took another swallow of coffee.
“Even with the FBI agents posted there, she’s terrified of leaving my parents’ house.
When she thought I meant to take her out to eat, she started freaking out.
I’d never suggest her physically attending school.
But she loves it, and catching up with homework would be a great distraction for her.
Maybe not this coming week. But, after that, I want to arrange for her school work to be sent home, maybe once a week, and then returned when it’s complete.
At that time, I want the next week’s assignments sent home.
I’m sure her teacher and her principal would cooperate, under the circumstances.
It would just be until the crimes are solved and Kennedy is safe.
If it turns out that I’m the one to ferry things back and forth, I’ll more than compensate for the time I’m away from the office.
Like I said, I’m on these cases twenty-four-seven. ”
Casey tapped her fingernails on the table.
“I wasn’t worried. And actually, your idea makes a world of sense.
The only thing is, I’m guessing your mom is the one who has to initiate the process, since she’s acting as Kennedy’s guardian.
After that, I’m unaware of the procedure.
I’ll give Angela a quick call to research the legal formalities. ”
Ryan looked surprised. “You already brought Angela up to speed? I thought she wasn’t starting until Monday.”
“She’s not. But I want her to hit the ground running. So I detailed what she’d be walking into. Now I’ll be able to call on her expertise right away.”
“That was smart. It also takes a load off my shoulders. I’ll be able to explain the procedure to my mom, so she can follow protocol and make it happen.” Ryan paused, abruptly glancing around the room. “I saw Emma at the computers, digging around for social media profiles. Where’s Claire?”
“In her yoga room with the things you gave her of Shane’s,” Casey reported, swiveling in her chair and wincing as she spoke. “As soon as she comes down, we’ll talk to her.”
“Uh-uh.” Ryan gave an adamant shake of his head. “I’ll talk to her. You’ll go home and rest. You look beat, and you’re obviously in pain. You did too much and for too long. Hutch is going to have my head.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t.”
“I won’t have to tell. He knows you. I’m sure he’ll be sending over a car service to take you home. You’ve been here since seven. Count on being escorted out of the brownstone soon. So let’s wrap up. You can continue working via phone or Zoom.”
“But there’s still so much to do—”
“And we’ll do it, in steps.” Ryan raised his head. “Hey Yoda,” he called out. “Anything I should know about?”
“Yes, Ryan. I red-flagged all applicable cases I found together with the NYPD members who worked those cases with your cousin. Some of the criminals involved are still incarcerated and some are on parole. Many of the pertinent detectives have retired. Many others are still at NYPD homicide. And still others have moved on to work in different police departments in other locations in the country. How would you like me to proceed from here?”
A scowl. “The current detectives are not going to be amenable to providing us with information. Even Marc and Patrick will be limited, since, other than task forces, they weren’t working in tandem with the cops.
They’re handling the retired FBI-agent questioning, and I’m sure they can eke out a conversation or two with retired cops.
But the rest…that’s going to be tough. Start with the retired detectives first. Make a list. I’ll go through it with Marc and Patrick. ”
“I’ll begin immediately,” Yoda responded.
“Thanks.” Ryan frowned in thought, then abruptly his head shot up.
“What about having John Nickels spearhead this part of the show?” he asked Casey.
“I know he’s Patrick’s main guy for our security team, but he also served with NYPD homicide for twenty-five years, before he retired and Patrick snatched him up for FI.
He’s got a hell of a lot more viable contacts than any of our other team members.
And those contacts will be much more open and willing to talk to John than to talk to the rest of us.
We can share Yoda’s list with him, as well. ”
Casey considered that possibility, and nodded. “Another good idea. Even though we’ve never used John in that capacity, his record stands on its own. I want to run the idea by Patrick, see where his head is on the concept.”
“Where is he?”
“He and Marc are having lunch with a retired special agent Shane worked with at the New York field office. They hadn’t contacted any retired cops yet.
They were going for the few FBI contacts they could muster up.
As for the NYPD, your idea of using John in that capacity is great.
It’ll yield far better results.” Casey glanced at her watch.
“Marc and Patrick should be back within the hour.” She winced again. “I’ll wait until they get here.”
“No you won’t,” Ryan countered, leaning over to shut her laptop and her iPad, and shove them into her case.
He rarely took such an authoritative role with Casey; he knew she’d shoot him down in the blink of an eye.
But when it came to her health, he was willing to take the risk.
“Sorry for the disrespect, boss, but you’re going home.
You’ll recap and set up a plan with Patrick and Marc via a Zoom meeting.
I’ll talk to Claire right here. You and I will give each other verbal reports.
We’ve certainly done it before, especially when you were in the hospital.
So call either Hutch or a car service—now. ”
Casey had no chance to ream Ryan out. As if on cue, the doorbell sounded.
“Casey’s car service has arrived,” Yoda announced. “The driver is waiting to escort her home.”
Ryan’s lips twitched, and Casey rolled her eyes.
“I rest my case,” he said, going around to help Casey to her feet. “She’s on her way,” he called out to Yoda.
“Very good. I’ll let the driver know,” Yoda responded. “Oh, and Hutch sent a message along with the driver. He said to tell Casey that he expects her to be in bed and resting in forty minutes. He’ll be calling her to verify that his orders are being followed.”
Casey sighed, steadying herself on her feet. “Okay, Yoda. I won’t even finish my coffee. I’m just getting my devices and related case notes.”
“There were no instructions prohibiting that.”
“Glad to hear it,” she replied. “Also, no verification from my husband will be needed. I’ll call him once I’m all tucked in and reassure him that I’ve followed his orders to a tee.”
“That conversation is out of my jurisdiction,” Yoda replied.
Ryan bit back laughter. “I’ll carry Casey’s stuff to the door,” he told Yoda.
“Good. Hutch will be pleased.”
Casey wasn’t laughing as she turned to Ryan. “I’ll call Angela, as well as Marc and Patrick, while you talk to Claire.” A frustrated shake of her head. “I wish I could stay. I feel as if I’m deserting you.”
“You’re not,” Ryan assured her. “The next part of my work has to be done solo, anyway. I’ll be here pretty much round-the-clock, other than tomorrow afternoon and Monday morning, when I’ll be at the wake and funeral with my family.
This afternoon, I’m working on recovering all the data on Shane’s cell phone.
First up, is checking out his calendar for yesterday.
Maybe he had something scheduled that’ll clue us in to how his…
killer knew he’d be home.” Even now, Ryan tripped over the word “killer” as it pertained to his cousin.
Casey lightly touched his arm. “Keep me posted. I’m only a text away.”