Ian, shaved, showered, and, sporting a green polo shirt and khaki pants, joined them at the table. “Good morning, everyone. I know none of you got much sleep. If possible, after breakfast, I want everyone to catch at least four hours. I’m sure Fairfax PD will be back. Luke, thanks for running herd on this.”
Luke nodded. “FBI Director Samuels will be joining us in a couple of hours to formalize the announcement of Cassie’s death.”
Ellen prepared a huge breakfast for everyone. Despite the miserable weather, the atmosphere in the dining room was bright. Fresh biscuits, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and fresh fruit loaded the table and a fifty-cup coffee urn was filled. Most of the Paulsen family joined Kieran in indulging in big mugs of the hot brew.
Kieran, working on two hours of sleep, spent the early morning making sure their dead employees’ families were taken care of. Not new to loss, the company was prepared.
Tucker said to Pete and Eric, “Lil can handle Cassie, but she pulled her feeding tube again last night.” Pete shook his head. “Didn’t mean to leave it for you again. On the high note of the evening, Ian got dinner into her.”
Pete laughed. “Both of you need to hit the rack. I’ll replace the tube again.”
“You’re the one with the soft touch,” Eric teased.
The conversation stopped, and all eyes turned toward a radiant Cassie as she entered the room, leaning against Noah. She was dressed in white capris and a lime green blouse, her hair pulled into a high ponytail. “Good morning.”
“Hey, doll. You look pretty good for a dead girl,” Monique said.
Her funny comment was met with a little snort. Cassie walked over to Pete and hugged him. “I’m sorry, I know you’re tired of doing this, but would you put my feeding tube back in after breakfast?”
Pete hugged her back. “Sure thing, honey.” He looked at Ian over her shoulder with questioning eyes. Ian smiled and shrugged.
Monique offered the seat next to her. No one said a word while Cassie enjoyed her meal with some plain yogurt and granola to mix with the fresh fruit.
* * *
“Six men armed with automatic weapons, two Chase Security employees, and a woman were killed overnight in an apparent home invasion at the McLean estate of billionaires Ian and Kieran Chase, owners of the international conglomerate, the Chase Group. Seven additional Chase Security personnel and Ian Chase were wounded during the incident. Four remain hospitalized at this time. What we know is, shortly after midnight, six unidentified men breached the compound. While engaging the estate’s armed security guards in a fierce gun battle, multiple explosions and fire rocked the estate’s pool house. Fairfax County Fire Marshalls, Fairfax County Police, and the FBI are investigating. An unnamed law enforcement source indicated this and the recent bombing of the Chase Group buildings in DC are connected and believe the target was Ian Chase. A news conference from the scene is scheduled for four o’clock.”
FBI Director Don Samuels viewed the breaking news with Martin, Cassie, and Ian. “You were damn lucky. Being at the main house saved you, Cassie. Ian, I think Kieran should give the statement. There will be no mention of her working for us. The dead woman will be identified as Dr. Ellis. Ian needs to play the beleaguered, distraught, injured boyfriend. Ian, look like you’re blind with grief.”
Ian reached for Cassie’s hand. She kissed his cheek and whispered, “I’m here.”
Samuels continued, “If the Whitman family is involved, they will circle like sharks in the water. Criminals often return to the scene of the crime. You will be hearing from them. Anonymous sources may try to point fingers in all directions. Those responsible for hiring the men to destroy the infant and murder Cassie think their loose ends are tied up. It’s my hope they’ll get sloppy, making it easier for us to identify and catch them.”
Cassie frowned. “I still don’t understand any of this. Why would they do it?” Her pulse pounded.
“Sweetheart, we will get those answers, I promise,” Ian said.
* * *
The pouring rain didn’t prevent news cameras from setting up at the estate’s front gate long before the press conference, but the lousy weather did accomplish one thing: it kept the helicopters from flying. The pool house, covered by an enormous blue tarp, was swarming with investigators from the FBI and the fire marshal’s office. The FBI evidence team searched for any clues that might indicate who was responsible. During the process, they shared fabricated evidence of a bullet fueling a gas-and-oxygen-sparked explosion. No local investigator would find evidence of the RPGs.
Hiding explosive rocket residue from experienced technicians was difficult—but not impossible. The FBI agents assigned from Quantico were the best in the country. The last thing the director wanted was for the public to know Russian weapons were used on American soil. The last thing Ian wanted was for anyone to find Cassie alive.
At precisely 1600 hours, Kieran and the Fairfax County deputy police chief stepped behind the canopy-protected podium. “Good afternoon. Last night at 12:13 a.m., six heavily armed men invaded the McLean, Virginia, estate belonging to brothers Ian and Kieran Chase. In the course of a gun battle with legally armed security personnel, the pool house, which is approximately four hundred yards from the main house, exploded. We can confirm the six unidentified gunmen; two security officers, employees of Chase Security: Marshall Pitman, age thirty-eight, single, and Trevor Holland, age thirty-four, a divorced father of two; and a twenty-eight-year-old female guest of the Chase family perished in the attack. Eight other men, including Ian Chase, were injured, and four remain hospitalized. Word on their condition is not available. From witness accounts, we believe the woman to be Dr. Cassiopeia Ellis of Georgetown. The motive and cause of the explosion are still under investigation at this time.”
Questions flew from the group of reporters. “Chief, is there any truth to the story that Kieran Chase is waging a hostile takeover of Chase Group?”
The chief stared out into the crowd. “That’s why it’s a story. It’s a fairytale.”
Kieran, looking very somber, stepped up. “It is with deep sorrow that the Chase Group announces the deaths of two highly trained and dedicated members of our family. Marshall and Trevor will be missed. Our heartfelt sympathy is with their families and friends. In addition, we commend the actions of all our personnel—seven of whom were injured. Cassie Ellis was taken from this world too soon. She was a dear and treasured friend to all who knew and loved her. My brother Ian lost the love of his life. In a desperate attempt to reach her, Ian sustained minor injuries.
“We ask the media to respect our privacy at this difficult time. Any information about the funeral services that becomes available will be posted on the Chase Group website. Also, information about where charitable contributions can be made in honor of our dearly departed will also be made available. Finally, a hotline is being set up. Chase Group is offering a large monetary award for information leading to the capture, arrest, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this attack. Thank you for your concern and prayers.” Kieran stepped down and moved away from the gate.
Ian stood within the sight line of the group; his downcast eyes heavy with grief. The outside world saw a distraught man.
* * *
The woman watching the news could not suppress her glee. “Almost got him too. An explosion—you better believe it. They’ll be lucky if they find a tooth. Cassiopeia is finally dead. Nothing can stand in the way now.” She picked up her phone. “I wish I could join you, but you deserve to celebrate. Dinner tonight at the Source. I made you a reservation for four. The six of us will have a lot to celebrate very soon.”
