Chapter 20
Offices of Forensic Instincts
First Floor, Library
Tribeca, Manhattan, New York
Casey wasn’t surprised when she heard the pounding at the door. She’d been expecting it. After what FI had pulled today, in conjunction with the fire at the McKays’ that Claire had called and filled her in on, this scene was going to be ugly.
Thankfully, there was no one at the office other than her to deal with the explosion when it came—her and Hero, who was stretched out on the library floor beside the sofa where Casey had been relaxing.
Given how long the team knew this day was going to be, and how insistent Casey was about staying in her office, she and Claire had stopped at Casey and Hutch’s apartment after their drop and brought Hero back to the brownstone so he could have company and spend the remainder of the day with Casey.
With a slight wince, Casey rose from the library sofa.
She’d pushed herself to the max, and she was feeling it.
Silencing Claire’s protests, she’d carried her laptop case throughout their brunch and boutique shopping—right up to the moment when they dropped it in the Central Park trash bin.
And, after all that walking and carrying, man, was she feeling it now.
Keeping her gait as normal as possible, she walked to the front door—Hero by her side—unlocked it, and pulled it open.
“Hello,” she said to her husband.
Hutch blew by her, a vein throbbing at his temple, the blazing look in his eyes one he never used on her—not until now.
“What the fuck did you think you were doing?” he blasted, staring straight into Casey’s eyes. “Something illegal? Something you should have told us about? Because I’ve reached my limit.”
Casey raised her chin, refusing to back down. “We had errands to run,” she replied. “I’m sorry if that offended you.”
Hutch sucked in a breath, visibly trying to bring himself under control. “I’m not laughing, Casey. In fact, I’m dead serious. So answer me. Why did you and your team all march out of here with laptop cases, only to split up and head for parts unknown?”
“Your agents are following us? I suppose I should be flattered.”
Hutch’s entire body went rigid. “Don’t bait me. It will only backfire. And you don’t want that. Now answer me.”
“Not without my attorney present,” she replied.
“Your attorney?” Hutch sounded incredulous. “Angela? Who’s in just as much trouble as the rest of you are? Not a wise contact; you’re only digging yourself in deeper.”
“I’m just protecting myself and my team.”
“Speaking of your team…” Hutch glanced around.
“Anyone back yet? Other than you, and Ryan and Claire, who I know are at the McKay house dealing with a suspicious fire that you’d better not be poking around about.
Goddammit, we’re trying to solve two serious interconnected crimes.
And you’re undercutting us at every turn, blatantly impeding a federal investigation. Well, that’s over now.”
Casey went very still. “Is that a threat of some kind?”
“You’re damn right it is—one I’m prepared to carry out.
” Hutch’s lips thinned into a tight, angry line.
“As of this moment, Forensic Instincts is restricted from any investigation into the murder of Shane Walsh, or the disappearance of Caitlin Walsh. If I have reason to believe you’re ignoring my directive, I won’t hesitate to go to the US attorney’s office and have them bring you up on charges.
All of you, Angela included. So be prepared. ”
Casey actually did a double-take. “What did you say?”
Hutch’s expression didn’t change. “You heard me. And you shouldn’t be surprised. I warned you it would come to this if you kept walking the path you were headed down. You ignored me. Time for consequences.”
Casey’s strength was ebbing, and fast. Her head was throbbing, her abdomen was hurting, and her body was shaky and weak.
As subtly as she could, she leaned against the wall for support.
She couldn’t give in to weakness, not now.
She had to defuse this situation before her team and her company were in real trouble.
She should have realized Hutch’s eagle eye wouldn’t miss a thing.
It was as if the red haze abruptly cleared from his head.
He frowned, eyeing Casey in an entirely different way.
“You’re white as a ghost. You’re also weaving on your feet and in visible pain, that’s how much this marathon day took out of you.
The car service is outside. Go home. Now.
Take Hero. I’ll be working at the field office all night anyway. ”
“No thanks.” Casey fought with her last ounce of strength. “I’ll stay here in my old bedroom. You’ve issued your edict. Now, please leave.”
“Casey, your old bedroom is four flights up. You’re in no condition to tackle that.” Instinctively, he reached for her.
Casey backed away. “Don’t even bother playing the devoted husband,” she said. “I’m not interested. I want my privacy. And I do need to eat something and lie down. I’ll pass your directive on to my team tonight, as soon as I wake up. Good night, SSA Hutchinson.”
Offices of Forensic Instincts
Tribeca, Manhattan, New York
Friday, March 17, 8:05 p.m.
Casey had walked back to the library, where she’d sunk down onto the leather sofa, swallowed one of the sandwiches she’d ordered, and then forced herself to lie down.
She’d rested her body, but her mind was wide awake.
Hutch had been distracted by her physical discomfort.
But he wasn’t finished with his interrogation.
He’d want to know more about the laptop cases—what was in them and where they were going.
And there was just so long she could put him off before supplying answers.
Rather than fighting her anger, she’d spent her resting time tamping down on it, and ordering herself to think rationally, to work through what had to be done next.
Unfortunately, she knew just what that had to be. She wouldn’t jeopardize her company or her team, and she couldn’t count on Angela being able to defend this away. It was impossible.
Time to back off, work behind the scenes, and achieve their goal through channels only they knew about. She was still playing with fire, and she knew it. But there was no other way.
“Our guests have arrived,” Yoda broke the silence to announce.
“Thanks, Yoda.”
Rising, Casey fought a wave of dizziness, determined to push through the rest of this night’s drama before dragging herself up to bed. A lot had happened, and there was still a lot more to come.
She waited for the lightheadedness to pass, collected her strength, and made her way into the foyer, watching as Ryan opened the door and stepped inside, empty laptop case in tow.
“Hey, boss,” he greeted her, looking on the verge of collapse himself. He led Maureen, Colin, Kennedy, and Nolan inside.
“Hey back.” With that, Casey turned and walked over to Maureen, grasped the older woman’s hands in hers.
“I’m so sorry for what you went through.
I readied everything for the three of you to settle in.
We’ve got a guest room on the third floor with a queen-size sofa bed and more than enough room for a foldaway.
” She gave Kennedy a gentle smile. “Hi, sweetie.”
The little girl was huddled between Maureen and Claire, her face streaked with tears, her eyes wide with shock. “Hi,” she managed. “Thank you for not making us stay at the house.”
“Of course not. We want all of you here.”
Colin stepped forward, extended his hand to shake hers. “Ms. Woods, I’m Colin McKay. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your hospitality. Under the circumstances…” His voice broke. “Just thank you.”
Casey shook his hand. “Don’t thank me. And please call me Casey. As I’m sure you’ve guessed, we’re very informal here.” A slight smile curved her lips. “Ryan resembles you. So does Fiona.”
Colin smiled back. “I’ll take the credit for their coloring and Ryan’s height. But, thankfully, Fiona is a lot prettier than I am. And call me Colin; we’re also informal.”
“Consider it done,” Casey replied.
“Hi,” Nolan said, stepping forward and introducing himself. He also had his father’s height and striking features, but his coloring was more like his mom’s. “I’m just the chauffeur tonight. But I also appreciate your kindness. I’m the eldest of the McKay kids, and tonight I’m feeling my age.”
They all chuckled—a tense chuckle, but one that felt good after all that had happened.
Casey gestured toward the library. “I’m sure you’re all exhausted.
But you have to eat. So I ordered in a tray of sandwiches, there’s coffee and tea in the kitchen, and our fridge is stocked with beer, soda, and bottled water.
” Her eyes twinkled as she directed her gaze at Kennedy.
“And, as it happens, a tray of cookies arrived with the sandwiches. They need to be eaten. Do I have any volunteers?”
This time, Kennedy smiled. “I’ll volunteer. Thank you very much.”
Claire was studying Casey intently, clearly disturbed by what she saw. She moved forward to take charge.
“Food sounds great, Casey,” she said, urging everyone into the library. “I’ll do the serving. As things stand, we didn’t have the chance to enjoy Maureen’s famous corn beef and cabbage.”
“But you will,” Maureen assured her as they all sat down. “I’ll pick up the ingredients locally and make tomorrow night’s dinner right here.”
“If that doesn’t lift our spirits, I don’t know what will,” Colin said, squeezing his wife’s shoulder.
Ryan was already reaching for the tray of sandwiches. “I’m eating,” he announced. “After all that drama, I’m starved.”
His mother’s brows rose. “Aren’t you always?”
Nolan helped himself to a sandwich, as well. “It runs in the family,” he announced, chuckling as Hero adhered himself to his side and waited until Nolan gave him a slice of fresh bread.