This time Casey laughed aloud. “Uh-oh. I fear we’ve created a monster.”
Angela shot her a look. “Remember, I was a defense attorney for high-profile clients who did lots of bad shit. Driving law enforcement—and prosecutors—crazy is in my blood.”
“Yes,” Casey said dryly, thinking of a time when FI and Angela were not such good friends. “I more than recall. Fine. The real delivery is yours. Time to discuss where the rest of us are going.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Marc said quietly. “First of all, you’re not up for traveling. And second of all, Hutch will really come down hard on you on this one—and he’ll be right.” A pause. “That’s not disrespect, Case. It’s caring. If you can think of a way around it—one that doesn’t involve you traveling a distance and tipping Hutch off in the process—I’m all ears.”
Casey was quiet for a moment, dealing with the internal struggle.
Claire saved her. “I have an idea. Open spaces make great drop sites. I’ve watched enough kidnapping movies over Ryan’s shoulder to know that. How about if you and I go to Central Park? You’ll be brought here in the morning by car service—business as usual these days while you recoup your strength—and we’ll take my car on our jaunt. It’ll get some much-needed exercise, since I rarely drive. We’ll do a bunch of trips around the park. Then, it’ll take hours just to find a spot to double or triple park. As for the weather, it’ll be a little chilly, but we’ll stay close to the park entrance and find a trash can to dump our package in. The trip will be easy, and you’ll be right here in Manhattan. Plus, I’ll be with you if you need a little help. How’s that?”
Casey gave Claire a grateful look. “It sounds ideal. Your compassion mixed with Ryan’s logic and strategizing. Clearly, he’s rubbing off on you.”
Now that brought a smug grin to Ryan’s lips. “Rubbing off on her, huh? Nice image. Very hot.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Even given the intense pressure we’re under, that ego never quits.”
“Nope. Not the ego, and not the libido.”
“Ryan, cut it out,” Claire instructed. “We’ve got more locations to pick out.”
Immediately, he sobered. “Right. With regard to me, I’ve given this a ton of thought. From the Bureau’s—and Hutch’s—perspective, I’m the most likely suspect, so to speak. I’m smack in the middle of this investigation, and also the only team member with the tech skills sharp enough to tamper with what is obviously a laptop. So I’ll take another scene out of those spy thrillers. An airport. Specifically, JFK. What’s better than one of the country’s busiest airports for a missing person to pick up an anonymous drop?”
The rest of the team gave Ryan the thumbs-up.
“Now we need to cover due north, due south, due east, and due west,” Patrick said. “It’ll throw off the authorities even more, since they’ll have to follow us every which way. How about if I handle due north—specifically Lake George? There’s a little inn where Adele and I frequent when we visit. I’ll do my drop, then we’ll have dinner and stay over. We’ll drive back early Saturday. And it goes without saying that Adele will ask no questions and I’ll supply no explanations.”
Ryan was starting to look like the proverbial cat who swallowed the canary. “Great. Now Marc, what about you?”
“I’ll handle due south,” Marc replied. “Atlantic City and the boardwalk. It’s only a few hours away, precluding an overnight, which is essential for me these days. Maddy obviously can’t join me and I won’t be far away from home for too long.”
Casey gave him a sympathetic look. “Of course not. And your suggestion is excellent. That takes care of north and south.”
“I’ll drive east to the farthest tip of Long Island,” John announced. “I love the view of the Atlantic from Montauk Point State Park. I’ll do my drop there with pleasure.”
“Great,” Casey agreed. “So we’re all covered except Emma.”
Emma waved away any suggestions before they could be offered. “I know I have to go due west. But if I’m doing this, I might as well get a few hours of fun out of it. Is that okay, Casey?”
Casey inclined her head. “What did you have in mind?”
“Something cool…like a concert. I can find one that’s west of here. I’ll crash at a hotel and be back by Saturday, no problem.”
Seeing Emma’s hopeful look, Casey relented. “Why not? Who do you want to see? And whoever it is, they can’t be performing halfway across the country.”
Emma sighed. “Who I’d really love to see is?—”
“Your favorite performer is Rebecca Merland, as I’ve heard you say countless times,” Yoda interrupted her. “Alternative rock. Well, she’ll be in concert at the Pennsylvania State College at University Park this weekend, which I assume you knew.”
Emma started. “You’re right, Yoda. She will be at Penn State. Does that big brain of yours also tell you that Friday night’s event has been sold out for months?” A deep sigh. “Ah, the impossible dream.”
“That does seem to be an impasse,” he replied.
“Not impossible at all.” Angela stepped in with a solution. “I’ll get you a seat. I know Rebecca from an old lawsuit my firm and I were fighting for her—a fight we won. I’ll give her manager a call. How about a backstage VIP pass?”
Emma blinked. “Just like that?”
“Just like that.” Angela’s lips curved. “Had I known you were a fan of hers, I would have offered this sooner.”
