Ian’s mind raced, searching for the right response. “I don’t understand everything you’re going through. I want your hurting to stop too. Give me a month. I know your memory is coming back, and it scares you. Let me be here for you. Let your medical team help you. I’ll sit in with you and Stephanie if you’d like.”
“I’m so tired, Ian,” Cassie whispered.
“Please, sweetheart? One month? But if you can’t, I am not abandoning you.”
Cassie limped to the window. After a few tense moments, she agreed to the month. And with some conditions, she decided to let Stephanie meet with Hunter and Ian.
Ian held her as Pete replaced her feeding tube. “Rest a little, and I’ll be back." Telling her the preliminary blood results that implicated another party was out of the question at the moment.
* * *
Martin and Kieran sat with Mia Donnelly in the office. “The partial DNA results are in. Neither Ames nor Bynum fathered the baby,” Martin said.
Mia blew out a long breath. “That means another attacker.”
“Or, if this was an insemination attempt, an unrelated donor.” Kieran sagged in his seat. “Mia, Martin, I need you both to spend some time with Cassie. She’s getting more mobile, and Ian isn’t going to be able to keep her cooped up much longer. Andy and I both think she’s sitting on something. We need to gain her confidence and push her a little. I think Ian’s too close.”
“I spoke with him about it. Have you told him that too?” Martin asked.
"In a way," Kieran said. Martin whistled.
The door opened, and Ian joined them. “Told me what?”
“Just shooting the breeze. No worries, big brother.”
“Cassie let Pete replace the feeding tube, but the rehab is taking more from her than she has. Hunt says Cassie is anemic and wasting away—barely ninety-three pounds. She throws up most of every meal, and to top it off, she's refusing pain meds. She told my dad she remembers some, but I think it’s more than that. Luke Paulsen told me he’s been speaking to Mark Devereaux. It looks like he’s also a leak.”
“Isn’t he the COO of her company—and her dad’s friend and executor?” Mia asked.
“I don’t think there’s enough glue to hold her together if that’s true.” Martin shook his head.
Ian’s eyes laser focused. “Bynum and Ames drugged and assaulted her. Blood typing on the baby shows the baby’s daddy was either AB negative or A negative. I dread telling Cassie. She told me more about her time with Garett. The bastard emotionally battered her—and with the hostess’s statement, we know he lied. If he lied, his folks lied too. This whole thing starts at the Whitman home. We need to return there.”
Kieran scratched his chin. “How do you want to handle it?”
“I’m going to let Ruiz and Blake do the initial questioning of Baby Whitman. Lying to the police is a crime. Then we’ll follow up. We also need to speak to his wife,” Ian said.
“In other words, make everyone so miserable, he’ll come forward. Someone is working very hard to tie up loose ends. Bynum’s autopsy showed he died from a highly potent form of heroin. He was a longtime user. My guess, someone gave him a hot shot. I don’t think he would make that kind of mistake. Also, I think someone cleaned up the scene. Police didn’t find his cell. It’s likely at the bottom of the Potomac. And again, the Russian connection. Why would a gallery owner’s goons be after her? I’ll also rush that file on Mark Devereaux.” Martin configured a plan.
Kieran tilted his head. “You just said it, Ian—she’s remembering. I need to speak with Cassie. Now, I don’t want to argue…”
“She’s starting to trust me. She granted permission for Hunter and me to speak to her therapist. I have to put the rest on you. I got her to give me a month to feel better before she gives up. If I push her, I’m afraid she will.” Ian stared at his feet.
“All right, we wait on the final DNA. I’ll talk with Cassie. Bro, I know this is hard for you.” Kieran placed a hand on Ian’s knee.
Mia opened her bag and held up a flash drive. “Linc gave me this: photos from Kentucky and transcripts of interviews with the Ames family. I read them all. I listened to every recording, checking inflection. I don’t think they had any involvement. In fact, I think they’re devastated.” Mia pulled out one more folder. “Amy was able to repair this.”
The folder contained the photograph of Cassie and her family. His eyes fogged. “Thank you. The noose is tightening, but the question is still why.” Ian ran a hand through his hair.
“We have time—as long as they don’t get word we are looking,” Kieran said.
“I don’t know about time if they know she’s here. The hit is still out on Cassie. This damn incoming storm is shutting down half the country. Once it passes, we’re moving her.”
“I agree.” Kieran started writing notes. “We need to go through every background again. Look for any connection to the Russian gallery. I want blood types on everyone too.”
“We will find the tie if there is any. Everything comes back to the table to form an executable plan,” Martin advised.
Ian sighed. “I need to make some changes in our leadership configuration. Mia, I’d like you to step in as the lead in the command center.”
