“We think we found one leak. The chief of radiology, Vera Liukin, was the common denominator for the MRIs. We’re looking for her. Ian also has a gut feeling about Mark Devereaux. He’s been talking to Luke since Cassie was hurt and plans to speak to Luke after breakfast.”
“Devereaux has known her since she was a baby. If he’s involved, it will kill her.”
“I know. We’re looking for proof. I want to see how your talk goes. I’m going to try to push a little—if she’ll let me in. Ian is scheduled for a can’t-miss conference call this afternoon.”
“That’s a gutsy plan. Ian will rip you apart if you upset her.” Andy stopped walking.
“If it helps her, it’s a chance worth taking.”
* * *
Despite the heat and the impending heavy conversation, Cassie wanted to stay outside. When Ian teased her with a strawberry, her sweet laughter floated through the air.
“That’s a lovely sound. She looks awfully thin,” Andy said.
“My mom says she’s not able to keep down enough calories. They’re planning to try the feeding tube again, but I think she’s going to give them a hard time.”
“Great. If that isn’t stressful enough, I’m not going to make things any easier.” Andy kicked a rock.
Even knowing he was coming, panic struck Cassie the second Kieran and Andy came into view. “He’s on your side, Cassie. Kieran and I aren’t going to leave you,” Ian said.
“Hi, Cassie. How are you feeling? You look beautiful today.” Andy sat across from her, and Kieran sat on her other side.
“Thank you, Andy. I’m stronger every day.” When her legs shook, Ian placed a calming hand on hers.
“I would like to talk with you for a few minutes. Do you know Robert Bynum Jr.?”
Her muscles bunched. “Ian told me he’s dead. Robby and Garett were friends. They grew up together.”
“And the senator and his wife?”
“Garett’s dad does work for Senator Bynum.” She rotated her palm to hold on tighter to Ian. “I met Betty at their house a couple of times. She and Adrienne Whitman are old friends. Betty was the only person I met the whole time I was with Garett who could shut her up. I was a fan.
“The senator was never around, and when he was, he stayed in the distance. I met him for the first time at the dinner. That night...he said...he met me before. I guess he saw me at the Whitmans’ house. Betty seemed upset when he said it.” She crinkled her nose; her body shuddered, and she seemed to disappear from the discussion. Kieran raised a brow at his brother, and Ian blinked in acknowledgment.
Cassie returned to the conversation, “Garett’s dad always bragged about their friendship. The puff your chest out and roar type of stuff.”
“What do you mean?”
“‘The senator voted this way because of me. The senator told him off because of me. I have the senator’s ear.’ A big blowhard. Garett hated when his father would get on one of these ‘We’re gonna be the president’ jags. Like it was a package deal,” Cassie groaned, and Ian drew small circles on her back with his free hand. “Ian told me he thinks I was never at La Luna, which means Garett lied.”
“I think so too. I also believe Robby Bynum was your other attacker. We conferred with the state police, and they were able to confirm that his usual brand of smokes was Kretek clove cigarettes, and there was a bottle of Clive Christian cologne in his bag. You were right.
“We were lucky. Pages saves tapes for three months. Robby was there the same time you and Sophie were, wearing black jeans, Vans, and a striped T-shirt.” Andy handed her a grainy picture.
“He looks terrible. I wouldn’t recognize him, but I’ll never forget that smell.” Cassie turned white. “If that’s true...that means everything else is true?” she gasped.
Andy placed a law school graduation picture and a recent photo of Sebastian Ames in front of her. Cassie fingered them. In the old picture, he had a full beard and mustache and was also about twenty-five pounds heavier than he was at the time of his death. “Oh, God, he was in Robby and Garett’s bar review class.” Gulping hard, Cassie continued, “I remember him now. I remember…” She covered her mouth with her hand. “When I was in the bathroom with him, he thought I ignored him on purpose. I was there to pick up Garett a few times. He joined a whole bunch of us at Houseman’s for drinks. I never spoke to him, but it wasn’t because of him—it was because of Garett. He didn’t like it if I talked to anyone but him.
“Sebastian spent most of the time trying to pick up girls. Oh, God. Was that why they wanted to hurt me? Was it my fault those other girls died? Did Garett know what they did?” Her words came out in a labored pant.
“Sweetheart, put your head down.” Ian eased her head between her knees, murmured soft words, and rubbed her back.
Andy Blake’s eyes filled with alarm, and Pete moved to her side. He dampened a napkin, placing it against her neck as he crouched in front of her. “Deep, slow breaths.”
Andy watched Cassie struggle. He whispered, “Kieran, she knows more than she’s saying. She’s remembering—you see her face.”
* * *
