Friday, March 17, 10:30 a.m.
The FI team was clustered together, laptop cases looped over their shoulders as they waited for Casey to give the word and send them on their way.
Casey didn’t have to count to know they were all there.
“Any last-minute questions or concerns?” she asked. “Cars all fueled up?”
“Nope. And yup,” Marc replied. “Fortunately, we’re leaving after rush hour. That gave Ryan enough time to finish and us less traffic to battle.”
“Finish? Yeah, by a hair,” Ryan agreed. He looked like hell, his eyes bright red and narrowed into slits after three sleepless nights, and days of concentrated hours writing software, after which he’d updated the team on Yoda’s latest findings.
Claire eyed him with concern. “You’re sure you can manage this part? I can do your drop after Casey and I get back from ours.”
“Not on your life. This is my baby. I’m seeing it through. And I want the agents to see me at JFK. Not anyone else. Me.” He managed a half smile. “But thanks, Claire-voyant. I appreciate the offer.”
Emma shifted a little, frowning at her bag, which was bulging at the seams. “I didn’t expect these magazines to be so heavy. There aren’t that many of them.”
Patrick’s brows lifted. “The magazines aren’t the problem. It’s the two changes of clothes, the hair straightener, and the exploding makeup case I saw you cram in there that’s weighing you down.”
Emma made a face. “I’m female. And I’m going to the coolest of concerts. I only took the necessities—and the magazines.”
Patrick’s smile was nostalgic. “The necessities. Right. How many times have I heard my daughter say the same thing?”
“Well,” Emma defended. “She’s right.”
Angela rolled her eyes. “I’m female. I’m traveling overnight. And I have the real laptop in here.” She wiggled her bag. “Yet somehow I don’t look like I’m heading off to fill the room at my college dorm.” She gave a tolerant shrug. “Then again, I’m not in my twenties, and dancing ’til I drop at a concert.”
The whole team chuckled at that one.
“Where is your roommate meeting you?” John asked Emma.
“Outside the Starbucks on Chambers Street,” she replied. “This way the Feds will see me driving off from here alone. I told Brynn to put in a mobile order for two lattes and to pick them up for us both.”
“Time to get moving,” Ryan interrupted. “Remember, some of us have long trips and others much shorter ones. Like JFK is only a half hour from here, without traffic. And Central Park is around the corner. Those of us who have those destinations have the sheer joy of leading the BU on a wild goose chase before they reach their drop sites. Claire, you and Casey go out for a nice long brunch—carrying your cases with you. Do some boutique shopping if Casey has the strength. I’ll stop at a bunch of high-tech stores to check out the latest and the greatest equipment. Then, I’ll grab some food and dessert along the way, maybe even hang out at the airport long enough to study upcoming flights. Who knows where I might be traveling to? Inquiring minds will want to know.”
That last statement seemed to amuse him.
“Men never grow up,” Claire muttered.
“Maybe. But this man is creative, right?” Ryan winked at her, then grew serious. “Just remember, we’ll all be doing our drops at four o’clock on the dot. That’s what’s important. Even though we’re all creating smokescreens, I need Angela to reach the bar at the precise appointed hour.”
“And I will,” Angela replied. As she spoke, she eased her way to the front door, then turned to face the whole team. “Now for the job I joined FI to do. Each of you will place a dollar in my hand as you walk out. You’ll then be covered by attorney-client privilege in the event the FBI gets snarky and pushes you for answers. I’ve already met with our outside counsel and provided them with my own dollar bill. So all holes are officially closed up.”
The entire team stared at her, then threw back their heads in laughter.
“Resourceful, as well as brilliant,” Casey said, pulling a dollar bill out of her laptop bag and pressing it into Angela’s palm. “I knew you’d be a great addition to the team. Glad I listened to my instincts.”
“Me, too.” Angela grinned. “You wanted the best? Well, you got her.”
Emma made a whining sound. “I don’t do cash. Can I Venmo you instead?”
Casey rolled her eyes, pulled out another single, and handed it to Emma to officially present to Angela. “Here, Emma, I’ve got it. You can owe me toward my next cup of coffee.”
Utter relief flashed across Emma’s face. “Thanks so much. I’ll do one better than a partial coffee. I’ll buy you the whole cup—make that a latte. And a croissant, too.”
“Sweet,” Ryan said as he and the others—Emma included—gave their singles over to Angela. “How do I score that deal?”
“You don’t,” Emma replied with a smug smile. “It’s for VIPs only.”
