Chapter 16 #2
“Yes,” Casey said dryly, thinking of a time when FI and Angela were not such good friends. “I more than recall. Fine. The real delivery is yours. Time to discuss where the rest of us are going.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Marc said quietly.
“First of all, you’re not up for traveling.
And second of all, Hutch will really come down hard on you on this one—and he’ll be right.
” A pause. “That’s not disrespect, Case.
It’s caring. If you can think of a way around it—one that doesn’t involve you traveling a distance and tipping Hutch off in the process—I’m all ears. ”
Casey was quiet for a moment, dealing with the internal struggle.
Claire saved her. “I have an idea. Open spaces make great drop sites. I’ve watched enough kidnapping movies over Ryan’s shoulder to know that.
How about if you and I go to Central Park?
You’ll be brought here in the morning by car service—business as usual these days while you recoup your strength—and we’ll take my car on our jaunt.
It’ll get some much-needed exercise, since I rarely drive.
We’ll do a bunch of trips around the park.
Then, it’ll take hours just to find a spot to double or triple park.
As for the weather, it’ll be a little chilly, but we’ll stay close to the park entrance and find a trash can to dump our package in.
The trip will be easy, and you’ll be right here in Manhattan.
Plus, I’ll be with you if you need a little help. How’s that?”
Casey gave Claire a grateful look. “It sounds ideal. Your compassion mixed with Ryan’s logic and strategizing. Clearly, he’s rubbing off on you.”
Now that brought a smug grin to Ryan’s lips. “Rubbing off on her, huh? Nice image. Very hot.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Even given the intense pressure we’re under, that ego never quits.”
“Nope. Not the ego, and not the libido.”
“Ryan, cut it out,” Claire instructed. “We’ve got more locations to pick out.”
Immediately, he sobered. “Right. With regard to me, I’ve given this a ton of thought.
From the Bureau’s—and Hutch’s—perspective, I’m the most likely suspect, so to speak.
I’m smack in the middle of this investigation, and also the only team member with the tech skills sharp enough to tamper with what is obviously a laptop.
So I’ll take another scene out of those spy thrillers.
An airport. Specifically, JFK. What’s better than one of the country’s busiest airports for a missing person to pick up an anonymous drop? ”
The rest of the team gave Ryan the thumbs-up.
“Now we need to cover due north, due south, due east, and due west,” Patrick said.
“It’ll throw off the authorities even more, since they’ll have to follow us every which way.
How about if I handle due north—specifically Lake George?
There’s a little inn where Adele and I frequent when we visit.
I’ll do my drop, then we’ll have dinner and stay over.
We’ll drive back early Saturday. And it goes without saying that Adele will ask no questions and I’ll supply no explanations. ”
Ryan was starting to look like the proverbial cat who swallowed the canary. “Great. Now Marc, what about you?”
“I’ll handle due south,” Marc replied. “Atlantic City and the boardwalk. It’s only a few hours away, precluding an overnight, which is essential for me these days. Maddy obviously can’t join me and I won’t be far away from home for too long.”
Casey gave him a sympathetic look. “Of course not. And your suggestion is excellent. That takes care of north and south.”
“I’ll drive east to the farthest tip of Long Island,” John announced. “I love the view of the Atlantic from Montauk Point State Park. I’ll do my drop there with pleasure.”
“Great,” Casey agreed. “So we’re all covered except Emma.”
Emma waved away any suggestions before they could be offered. “I know I have to go due west. But if I’m doing this, I might as well get a few hours of fun out of it. Is that okay, Casey?”
Casey inclined her head. “What did you have in mind?”
“Something cool…like a concert. I can find one that’s west of here. I’ll crash at a hotel and be back by Saturday, no problem.”
Seeing Emma’s hopeful look, Casey relented. “Why not? Who do you want to see? And whoever it is, they can’t be performing halfway across the country.”
Emma sighed. “Who I’d really love to see is—”
“Your favorite performer is Rebecca Merland, as I’ve heard you say countless times,” Yoda interrupted her. “Alternative rock. Well, she’ll be in concert at the Pennsylvania State College at University Park this weekend, which I assume you knew.”
Emma started. “You’re right, Yoda. She will be at Penn State. Does that big brain of yours also tell you that Friday night’s event has been sold out for months?” A deep sigh. “Ah, the impossible dream.”
“That does seem to be an impasse,” he replied.
“Not impossible at all.” Angela stepped in with a solution. “I’ll get you a seat. I know Rebecca from an old lawsuit my firm and I were fighting for her—a fight we won. I’ll give her manager a call. How about a backstage VIP pass?”
Emma blinked. “Just like that?”
“Just like that.” Angela’s lips curved. “Had I known you were a fan of hers, I would have offered this sooner.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you! I knew right away that I would love you.” Emma waved her arms in the air, as if the concert was already underway. “Can I take one of my roommates? It’s a long drive—not to mention she’s also a huge fan.”
“Go for it,” Casey replied with a wave of her hand. “Just be innovative about what you tell her. No giveaways.”
“Of course not. I’ll tell Brynn that I accidentally brought my office’s recyclables home with me.
I’ll throw the bag into a recycling container on campus.
She’ll be too excited about the concert to even hear my explanation, much less see what I’m doing.
” Emma’s eyes were still glowing. “Wow, she and I are going to have a blast!”
“I’m sure you will.” Yoda spoke up again. “Since this is your first stay near the campus, I’ve compiled a list of appropriate and safe hotels where you and your friend can stay.”
Ryan chortled at that one. “See how protective Yoda is about you, Emma?” he teased. “I’m not your only FI big brother. And, by the way, do you even know how to drive?”
Emma made a face at him. “Yes, I can drive—in my cool secondhand Mazda3, which is jet black and in near-mint condition. I’ve also got long-term parking a couple of blocks away from my apartment in Chinatown, which I can now afford.
When I’m in the city, I take mass transit.
When I travel outside the city, I drive.
I’m a damn good driver, too. And I don’t need a red Corvette to do it in, like some showoffs I know. ”
“Burn!” Claire was openly laughing. “She’s got you there. Any snide comeback?”
“I’m sure I’d have one.” Ryan was pushing back his chair. “But duty calls and the clock is ticking. So it’s back to the lair for me. Yoda? Are my laptops en route?”
“Indeed, Ryan. Josh was most cooperative. He did say you owe him one, though.”
“Okay, no problem. He and I will figure that out another time. Meanwhile, I need you to monitor the laptops’ delivery progress. Send me a message if any time deviations occur en route.”
“Understood.”
Ryan beamed. “Excellent. When the laptops arrive, I’ll shove one of them in a black bubble mailer, then inside my laptop duffel, and weigh it.
I’ll give the weight specs to Emma. She’ll prepare identical black bubble mailers for everyone.
Then, you can start putting magazines in them, stuffing it all into your bags or briefcases, and gassing up your cars. ”