“Good.” Casey nodded. “Would you be okay with Claire and me talking with your family? Not until after the wake and the funeral, of course, and not until you give us the go-ahead. We don’t want to intrude on your family’s grief. I realize how traumatized they must be, and I’m sorry if I sound insensitive. But the fact is, they’re the people who are and were personally closest to the Walshes. The FBI knows that. They’ll be calling to set up meetings with every family member. We want to stay one step ahead of them. Fiona is the easiest for us to meet with. She’s our friend, and arranging a meeting would be a piece of cake. What about your brothers? I know less than nothing about them other than the fact that they run a law firm. Would they be willing to talk to us?”
Ryan had steepled his fingers in front of him. “Definitely. Start with Fee. Then move on to Garret and Nolan. I’ll give you their contact information. It makes the most sense to talk to them at their law firm in White Plains. That way, you can meet with both of them at the same time.”
“Agreed. Can we do the same with your dad?” Casey asked, still typing. “Meet him at work? I know he teaches at the Bronx School of Science. Would he meet us there?”
“For sure.”
Casey looked up. “I’m purposely avoiding conducting any discussions at your parents’ house. I don’t want Kennedy to be aware of any of this. It would be heart-wrenching for her.”
“Yes. It would,” Ryan said, following Casey’s reasoning through to its natural conclusion.
Marc and Patrick exchanged glances.
“Unfortunately, that’s not the way it’s going to happen,” Marc said. “The SA running the show is going to want to talk to Kennedy, to ask her about her parents’ state of mind over the past few weeks. She’s old enough to have absorbed any tension in the house, as well as to have overheard conversations. Out of respect for what she’s going through, the BU will wait until after the funeral. But then, they’re going to be calling your mother to set up a meeting with Kennedy. I suggest FI beats them to the punch.”
“Dammit.” Ryan slammed his fist on the table. “Kennedy is at the end of her rope. How much more can they ask of her?”
Casey looked grim. “I didn’t think of that. But Marc is right. It sucks, Ryan, and I’m so sorry. But if the agents are going to question Kennedy, I want us to do it first.” A quick glance at Claire. “You and I?” she asked quietly.
Claire nodded. “Yes. Kennedy will open up more readily to women than she would to men. Plus, she and I have already met. I think we shared a nice connection. I’ll be a familiar face.”
Ryan forced himself to calm down, and turned his head to face Claire. “Kennedy really took to you. I’m way too close to her to handle this objectively. You and Casey do it. But wait until she’s calmed down after the wake and the funeral, which will be over in three days. She’s going to be a basket case.”
“The agents will give her a day or two after that to recover, as well,” Patrick said. “They’re not going to just barge in. They’ll call Ryan’s mother and see when the best time is. Casey, you and Claire just get there ahead of them.”
“We will,” Claire replied.
Ryan’s frown had returned. “That brings us to another complication. My mom is the best source of information where it comes to our family. Not only will you want to talk to her, SA Barkley will. Not when they talk to Kennedy. Alone. They won’t want Kennedy there and neither will I. So how do we handle that? The rest of my family lives elsewhere, and they’ll interview my dad at work. But how do we get Kennedy out of the house when she clings to my mom like a security blanket?”
“You could relieve her for a while,” Claire suggested to Ryan. “I saw the way Kennedy was with you. It’s sheer adoration. Is there somewhere special that the two of you go when you both visit at the same time?”
Another hint of a smile touched Ryan’s lips. “That would be The Old Ice Cream Shop. The place is several blocks from my parents’ house. Kennedy loves their peppermint stick ice cream with a deluge of rainbow sprinkles. I could easily keep her entertained there for at least an hour.”
“Perfect,” Casey said. “That’s more than enough time for the FBI to do their own information-gathering. And Ryan, I know how devastating this is for you. I give you my word that throughout this process, we’ll take our cues from you. You tell us everyone’s limitations. We’ll follow your lead. Just as long as we keep ahead of the FBI.”
“Agreed, and thank you,” Ryan answered gratefully. “I’ll give you everyone’s direct contact information now so you’re ready when they are.”
“What about me?” Emma demanded. “What will I be doing?”
“You’re our social media pro,” Casey replied. “Go through any accounts either Shane or Caitlin have. Shane was FBI, so he might not have any presence at all. Or he could have personal accounts using a different form of his name—talk to Ryan about possibilities for that after this meeting breaks up. Caitlin is another story. She’s a layperson. She must have active accounts somewhere, even though she won’t use her actual name. Find those accounts. I’m sure they’ll be limited, given who she’s married to. Still, do your best. Delve deep—photos, posts, friends—you know the drill. That can be started now. Later, when we start interviewing outside the family, I’ll be calling on your chameleon skills.” There was one more thing Casey wanted Emma to check out, but now was not the time to bring it up.
A grin. “You got it, boss.”
Claire turned to Ryan, her expression gentle. “Do you have anything of Shane’s that I can physically hold? That always eases my way.”
Ryan didn’t avert her gaze. “I know. I’ve already run this through my mind. So, yes. I’ve got a zip-up hoodie of his that I borrowed ages ago and never remembered to return. And I’ve got some NYPD paraphernalia that he gave me when he joined the force. Is that enough for starters?”
“It is. I’ll give them right back to you after I’ve gotten all the sensory connections from them that I’m able to.”
Casey leaned back in her chair. “I think we’re good to go. We have plenty to keep us busy this weekend and the beginning of next week. After that, we’ll move on to talk to Kennedy and to the rest of Ryan’s family.”
5
The McKay Residence
Woodlawn, Bronx, New York
Saturday, March 11, 11:30 a.m.
