Luke sipped a glass of orange juice. “Greg, you have been here every day since we moved Cassie. And every day, I tell you the same thing: Cassie is just fine where she is.”
Greg’s face tightened. “I know she can’t be okay. That bastard Ian Chase is involved. What can he do for her? He’s a loose cannon. A mercenary in a suit.” Wilds placed his palms flat on the table and blew out an exasperated breath. “I didn’t want to get into this with you, but, you know, Cassie made tactical mistakes that night. We need to get her statement ASAP. We need to put this mess to bed to save her career.”
Luke stiffened. “Ian Chase offered a safe haven for Cassie to recover. She is receiving state-of-the-art medical care. Now, as for you, Supervisory Special Agent Wilds, she is incapable of giving any type of statement."
“Not saying I don’t believe you—Chase showed me a video feed—but I need to see her.”
“I will contact you when she is able to speak and not one second earlier.”
“You better.” Wilds moved toward the door.
“What are you insinuating?” Luke stood, his chair tumbling behind him.
“I’m not insinuating anything. You know the rules.”
“I am quite aware of policy and procedure in the Bureau. The appropriate notifications were made.” Luke’s expression turned to steel.
Caleb and Christian Paulsen joined their father. “Mr. Wilds, we think you better leave before you wear out your welcome.” Christian tilted his head toward the door, then he and Caleb took up a position on either side of Cassie’s supervisor.
“Are you threatening me?” Wilds tried to stare them down.
Caleb leaned down, his impressive body invading Wilds’ space, and whispered, “Nah, just predicting your future.”
Wilds pointed a finger into Luke’s chest. “We need to hear from her soon, or I’ll have a material witness warrant issued for her—and an arrest warrant for Chase for assaulting two federal agents.” He stormed out.
* * *
Mike “Raptor” Johnson sat outside FBI headquarters, his Oakley sunglasses hiding scanning eyes. “Boss, I tailed Wilds from the Paulsens’ past your gate to back here. No movement since 1215 when he went in. Your entrances and the tunnel are covered by Bravo team. I grabbed that kid Walton. Your instincts were right on the money. I showed him a live shot of Cassie, and he burst into tears. Guilt is a damn good motivator.”
“He give you anything?” Ian asked.
“Yeah, he said Cassie was on Wilds’ radar the minute she came over to his squad. Wilds was professional at first. Walton believes he asked Cassie out. Walton went through Quantico with her and was sure she didn’t date coworkers—in fact, she didn’t date at all. Wilds wouldn’t take no for an answer. Rumor has it the last three women assigned to him said yes. At least that’s as many as Walton was around for. Those who said no ended up transferred to less attractive offices.”
“Bastard.”
“He also said Cassie warned him over the com at the dinner and was planning on reporting him before the debrief. After Cassie was hurt, the five other agents present sent letters up the chain. Walton said they have to report to the assistant SAC at 1600 today. I’m waiting for my relief, and Linc and I will track down the other men from Wilds’ team before the meeting.”
“Good work, Mike. Let me know of any changes.”
“Copy, boss.”
Ian’s phone buzzed again. “Julian, what do you have?”
“Ian…”
Ian heard reluctance in his tone. “What do you have?”
Julian was in North Carolina to interview one of the police officers who responded to Cassie’s apartment the night she was found six years ago. “Cassie was found naked in her tub… close to death. The police believed she OD’d after a night of very rough sex. She was covered in black rose petals and human bites.”
The pause drew out between the two men. Julian broke the silence, “I’ll be on the next flight.”
“Thanks, Julian.”
* * *
Ian dialed the pool house. “How is she?” he asked Hunter.
“We are at day twenty-seven. It’s still slow going, but we have some positives. As you are aware, we decreased her sedation, and her eyes are opening, and her limbs are moving. She still gets agitated. Your voice and touch seem the only ones that quiet her.
