With Brett’s groggy help, Kieran was able to find what he needed. Kieran and Noah sat in front of the screen. “Transcribe it.”
* * *
Tucker and Eric worked at a fevered pace over Ian after finding two empty vials, another partially filled vial, and a syringe. Cassie drugged him with Propofol, Versed, and Haldol.
Ian forced himself to sit up. His eyes felt glued shut and his brain slogged. In slurred speech, he said, “We have to find her. She said this is her fight. Search everywhere. She’s going to get herself killed.”
Tucker shined a light in his eyes while Eric took his vitals. “She gave you quite a cocktail,” Eric said. When Ian struggled to get out of bed, Eric pushed him back. “Hold on there. You’re not going anywhere.”
“The hell I’m not.” Ian stumbled from the bed, trying to shake off the dizziness. “Can’t you reverse this shit?”
“Some of it, but we can’t do anything if you keep fighting us. I need to draw some blood, start an IV, and run an ECG. Ian, you’re going to be no help if your heart stops.”
“All right, you have fifteen minutes. Get me some coffee. Where’s my brother?” Ian pulled on pants, looking like the town drunk. “And stop hovering!”
His eyes caught the envelope. Ripping it open, he fell back on the bed, his vision still blurred. “Read this!”
Eric pulled out the letter.
My handsome, loving Ian,
I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me one day. Six years ago, I became part of an offensive scheme. The underlying reasons why are still not clear. I remember David Sucov worked for the gallery owner, Arkady Sabitov. As part of my role at Ellis Art Finds, I often arranged for works of art to come to the United States from abroad for both exhibition and sale. I brokered a deal for theYoung Woman in Pinkthrough Sabitov’s gallery in Moscow. Hidden behind that work of art was the folded canvas of the long-missingAdoration. I facilitated this felonious act.
I am now sure this was not the first time I transported stolen art through customs. Ignorance is no defense. My actions demeaned my parents’ memory.
Iwill never let you be caught up in my crimes. You and Kieran built an entire empire on honesty and trust. I will never be a liability or weakness for you, my love. I know how it feels to be betrayed. Garett, a man whom I believed loved me, used my trust as a weapon. I will never do that to you. That is why I am going to put an end to this. You and your family already risked too much for me.
Ian, you saved me from my despair. You gave me a taste of happiness I never thought possible. I will always be grateful to you. I will love you forever.
Your sweet Cassie
Chapter Forty-Nine
Cassie drove twenty minutes before parking at the Reston Town Center to catch her breath and put the rest of her plan in action. Sucov had no reason to lie to her. The back door to the electronics store was easy to unlock, and the alarm system was even easier to disarm. She grabbed a GPS, a burner phone, micro-tape recorder, and batteries. She threw $250 from Ian’s wallet on the counter.
Retracing her steps to return to the car, she remained in the shadows. Her head pressed against the steering wheel, she swallowed a pill from the medical bag to help her nausea, unaware of the cause. When her nausea abated, she drove onto a small side street. Noah’s car fit behind a Jeep Cherokee. A quick once-over of the old vehicle showed no modern technology. Her tiny arm slipped through the window that was one-third open. Ninety seconds later, she had the car running. Bless Caleb for teaching her how to hotwire a car. No one—not even Ian—was going to find her.
* * *
Kieran was overseeing the search, and Noah was translating Sucov’s interrogation when Ian made it to the ground floor with Tucker and Eric’s help. Kieran and Mike’s teams assembled in the dining room along with Caleb, Sean, and Frank.
Christian paced, speaking to Andy Blake on the phone. Luke was on his cellphone, assembling FBI resources. Monique and Rachel were speaking to Sophie, trying to figure out what prompted Cassie to leave. They left an urgent message for Stephanie Reynolds. Ellen brewed a huge urn of coffee and handed her boss another steaming cup.
Ian steadied himself; despite reversing the Versed, the longer-acting Haldol kept trying to pull him under. He drank the fresh brew as fast as the heat allowed.
Cassie’s note was passed around. Martin read it over Frank’s shoulder. “Oh, God. This is my fault,” he said.
The room went silent. “Ian, I told you she worried about being a weak spot for you. I tried to convince her otherwise.”
Ian inhaled. “I did too, man. It’s not you; this is on me. Stephanie warned she could do something rash when her memory came back. I told her I was prepared. I should’ve known Cassie didn’t read the rule book. What do we have?”
“Sit down.” Kieran pointed to a chair. “She’s been gone for three hours. Andy Blake put out a BOLO for Noah’s car—as a person in need of medical attention.”
Ian rubbed his eyes. “Looks like she planned this before she saw Sucov. Stubborn woman. She thinks she’s protecting us. Martin, go up to our suite, go through everything, and see if she left any clues.”
Hunter walked in. “Can I talk to you alone, Ian? The fresh air will help.” With another cup of coffee in hand, they moved to the patio. “She dosed you hard.” Hunter checked his friend’s pupils.
“Is that what you need to talk to me about?” Ian growled.
