Chapter 12 #2
“Fortunately not.” Marc frowned, remembering what he needed to warn them about.
“Without getting into unnecessary detail, Hutch has blocked all our efforts to speak with Bureau staff, past and present. He also informed Casey that he’s taking a hard line with us.
That closes the door on our information-gathering from the Bureau.
So how do we pursue Caitlin’s probable hideaway in the Boston area? ”
“My question exactly,” Ryan said, visibly frustrated. “We’ve got to put our heads together and get creative.”
“Not too creative,” Angela interjected. “We’re already withholding information. With Hutch laying out rigid parameters, any move we make that hints at obstruction of justice will result in having Forensic Instincts shut down and land our asses in jail.”
“Agreed,” Casey said. “So from this point on, we primarily stick to John’s efforts with the NYPD and any covert snatches of information we can figure out on our own to finding Shane’s killer.
Most of our efforts have to be channeled into locating Caitlin, and finding and eliminating any threats to Kennedy that exist. Ultimately, all these things are tied together.
And my gut tells me that if we accomplish the latter, it will lead to the former. ”
“I’m totally on board with that,” Ryan said. His brows drew together. “I’ve got to come up with some way to figure out a more precise location in the Boston area for Caitlin without tipping off the FBI in the process. Maybe Yoda and I can come up with something—fast.”
“I think you’re the best one of us to tackle that,” Casey replied. “None of us has your strategic skills where it comes to technology.”
“Yeah,” Ryan said. “I know.” His gaze shifted to John. “Let’s get to the NYPD aspect of things. Any new developments to report?”
“Actually, I made decent headway tonight,” John replied. “A lot of return calls. At this point I’ll need Yoda’s help in bringing order to chaos.”
“Consider it done. I’ll give you access to it right after this Zoom meeting is over.”
“No need, Ryan,” Yoda chimed in from the lair. “I’ll make it available to John right now. You continue your strategizing.”
John stifled a grin. Yoda’s participation and omniscience were still new to him.
“Thanks, Yoda. I’m sure that’ll enhance my scope.
As things stand, I talked to a few of Shane’s most recent former colleagues.
They offered up whatever they could remember: names of some released felons who Shane helped put away, and names of still-incarcerated ones, just in case they have contacts on the outside doing their dirty work for them.
Yoda’s list will verify and expand on that. ”
“On a more personal note,” John continued.
“I also have meetings scheduled with the detectives who attended Shane’s funeral.
Hopefully, they’ll be able to provide additional information, since they were tight with him.
And, lastly, I’m waiting for the rest of my own contacts, who are researching and paring down cases for me.
I’ll interview as many of them as I can—hopefully, all of them.
The combination of everything I just outlined should cover all our bases at the NYPD and, with a modicum of luck, lead us where we need to go. ”
“If that’s where we need to go,” Casey clarified.
“Right.”
Ryan shot John a grateful look. “Thanks so much. What you’re doing is huge.”
John’s lips thinned into a grim line. “Thank me if it leads us to our killer.”
Marc and Madeleine’s Duplex
Upper East Side
Manhattan, New York
Tuesday, March 14, 4:35 a.m.
Marc had barely dozed off when his private line buzzed, with the caller ID blocked.
Beside him in bed, Maddy stirred. “You’re a busy man tonight,” she murmured, shifting position to get more comfortable.
Marc frowned, glancing quickly at his pregnant wife. “You okay?”
She smiled. “We both are. The baby and me. Go answer your phone.” She squeezed his hand, then settled in.
Reassured, Marc snatched up his cell. “Devereaux.”
“Morning, frogman,” Aidan greeted him. “Time for breakfast.”
“No problem, leatherneck,” Marc quipped back. “I never went to sleep. Busy work night.”
The frogman-leatherneck jibes went back to their military days, when Marc was a Navy SEAL and Aidan was a Marine captain. It was a comfortable ritual, one that had never changed.
“Well, it’s about to get busier,” Aidan replied. “I’ve got the serology and DNA results you need. Verbal overview now, more detailed fact sheet via the necessary channels in Yoda’s memory banks by midmorning.”
“I’m listening.”
“Two different blood types. Pool of blood gathered underneath Shane was AB positive. Jagged stream of blood alongside it was A negative. The former belonged to Shane. The latter belonged to Caitlin. All designated blood markers consistent with that conclusion.”
“That’s all I needed,” Marc said, pleased that his instincts had been right. “How much did this set you back?”
“Not a penny,” Aidan returned dryly. “Some terrorist group has less money to destroy the world. So it’s a win-win. Still, I did get you the information. Therefore, you do owe me. I’ll just have to come up with the right payback.”
A corner of Marc’s mouth lifted. “I can hardly wait.”
“Enjoy your day, frogman.”
“You, too, leatherneck. And thanks.”