Ian stopped Stephanie. “We will support her the best we can and call you. Thanks, Stephanie. I will have someone meet you at your office when the storm clears to pick up those records. You better get on the road before the weather hits the fan.” Ian helped her on with her rain jacket before the three parted company. He couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.
Jason pulled away from the curb. “Mr. Chase, I have pictures of all the staff and patrons present. I forwarded them for analysis.”
Ian leaned back. “Thank you, Jason.”
* * *
Monte had been following Stephanie Rogers for days. He pulled out the earbud. The device he planted under the coffee shop counter paid off.
"She’s at the Chase estate in McLean. I heard them talking. She’s having flashbacks. The therapist said she thinks she’s gonna remember everything. I told you what her records said; that dumb doctor didn’t give her enough medication to make her forget. They spent a lot of time talking about Garett and his momma. They think they screwed with her head. The therapist thinks she’s in love with Ian Chase, and he’s in love with her. That’s good for us—love makes you stupid.
“The medical doc said she’s still healing. She won’t be able to fight too hard. You better make a fast decision. If you chose to do this, it’s a big job. At his worst, Chase will have multiple layers of security. I’ll scope it out now. The storm will be the perfect cover; it’s supposed to be bad for two days.”
“Do it any way you can—Cassiopeia has to die,” a female voice replied.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Cassie rested, reading a book on a chaise lounge on the pool house patio. Kieran and Tucker joined her. “Hey, Tuck. What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be off.”
“It’s Pete and Jamie’s turn. I’m covering them with Lil for the next forty-eight—and you’re so easy now.” Tucker handed her a glass of lemonade and sat in a chair.
“I know I keep saying it, but I asked Hunt to explain things. He told me about what you did at the hospital. Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough.”
“Darlin’, you sitting here is my thanks. Pete and I were talking about you last night. You’re our first real patient. I mean, we’re ER guys. We see patients for, at most, hours, but thanks to Kieran, we were given the privilege to care for you. We watched you go from death to here. You’re very special to us.” Tucker took her hand.
“Thank you.” Cassie’s eyes moistened as she looked at both of them. “Is everything okay, Kieran?”
“Everything’s fine, honey.”
“Every time I see you, someone wants answers.”
“I was feeling the same way, Cassie. I just wanted to take some time to get to know you—time without questions. If you feel uneasy, and Ian isn’t around, you can always come to Monique or me.”
Cassie gave him her rehearsed smile. “Thank you, Kieran. Like I said to Tuck, thanks doesn’t seem to be enough.”
“It’s more than enough. What are you reading?”
“Ian bought it for me.Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit.” Cassie closed the book and placed it beside her. “You’re worried I’m going to hurt Ian.” She cocked her head.
“I want my brother to be happy.”
“I do too. And this scares me. I worry he’ll be hurt by my insecurities as well as any of you being hurt by the people wanting to kill me. I’m sorry I’ve screwed up everyone’s lives.” Cassie sniffled.
“You haven’t done anything wrong, Cassie. My brother loves you, and that’s good enough for me.” Kieran’s phone went off, and he excused himself to take the call.
“He has harder edges than Ian. He hates me.”
“He doesn’t hate you. He’s protective of his brother,” Tucker offered a different view.
“He thinks Ian is going to be hurt.”
Tucker looked up at Kieran’s retreating back. “Believe him, he wants Ian to be happy.”
Cassie sipped her lemonade. “Tuck, can I ask you something?”
“Darlin’, after what we’ve shared together, you can ask anything.”
A blush tinted her cheeks. “How did you know your wife was the one?”
