Nolan was standing nearby. “I’ll drive everyone but Claire and Ryan, who came on their own. Besides, a toothpick could barely squeeze its way into Ryan’s Corvette.”
“Good.” Ryan nodded. This was the best possible solution. Everyone safe and accounted for. And the reunion between Kennedy and Caitlin could take place in his lair. “Nolan, your CRV has a hell of a lot more room in it. Plus, there’s a spare booster seat for Kennedy stored in your trunk. Claire and I will lead the way.”
With that, Ryan turned to SA Winston. “You’re welcome to call and arrange a visit to the FI brownstone, where you can ask any questions of my family you need to. But that will have to wait. They’re shaken and in shock. We’re leaving now.”
He didn’t wait for a reply.
20
Offices of Forensic Instincts
First Floor, Library
Tribeca, Manhattan, New York
Friday, March 17, 6:15 p.m.
Casey wasn’t surprised when she heard the pounding at the door. She’d been expecting it. After what FI had pulled today, in conjunction with the fire at the McKays’ that Claire had called and filled her in on, this scene was going to be ugly.
Thankfully, there was no one at the office other than her to deal with the explosion when it came—her and Hero, who was stretched out on the library floor beside the sofa where Casey had been relaxing. Given how long the team knew this day was going to be, and how insistent Casey was about staying in her office, she and Claire had stopped at Casey and Hutch’s apartment after their drop and brought Hero back to the brownstone so he could have company and spend the remainder of the day with Casey.
With a slight wince, Casey rose from the library sofa. She’d pushed herself to the max, and she was feeling it. Silencing Claire’s protests, she’d carried her laptop case throughout their brunch and boutique shopping—right up to the moment when they dropped it in the Central Park trash bin. And, after all that walking and carrying, man, was she feeling it now.
Keeping her gait as normal as possible, she walked to the front door—Hero by her side—unlocked it, and pulled it open.
“Hello,” she said to her husband.
Hutch blew by her, a vein throbbing at his temple, the blazing look in his eyes one he never used on her—not until now.
“What the fuck did you think you were doing?” he blasted, staring straight into Casey’s eyes. “Something illegal? Something you should have told us about? Because I’ve reached my limit.”
Casey raised her chin, refusing to back down. “We had errands to run,” she replied. “I’m sorry if that offended you.”
Hutch sucked in a breath, visibly trying to bring himself under control. “I’m not laughing, Casey. In fact, I’m dead serious. So answer me. Why did you and your team all march out of here with laptop cases, only to split up and head for parts unknown?”
“Your agents are following us? I suppose I should be flattered.”
Hutch’s entire body went rigid. “Don’t bait me. It will only backfire. And you don’t want that. Now answer me.”
“Not without my attorney present,” she replied.
“Your attorney?” Hutch sounded incredulous. “Angela? Who’s in just as much trouble as the rest of you are? Not a wise contact; you’re only digging yourself in deeper.”
“I’m just protecting myself and my team.”
“Speaking of your team…” Hutch glanced around. “Anyone back yet? Other than you, and Ryan and Claire, who I know are at the McKay house dealing with a suspicious fire that you’d better not be poking around about. Goddammit, we’re trying to solve two serious interconnected crimes. And you’re undercutting us at every turn, blatantly impeding a federal investigation. Well, that’s over now.”
Casey went very still. “Is that a threat of some kind?”
“You’re damn right it is—one I’m prepared to carry out.” Hutch’s lips thinned into a tight, angry line. “As of this moment, Forensic Instincts is restricted from any investigation into the murder of Shane Walsh, or the disappearance of Caitlin Walsh. If I have reason to believe you’re ignoring my directive, I won’t hesitate to go to the US attorney’s office and have them bring you up on charges. All of you, Angela included. So be prepared.”
Casey actually did a double-take. “What did you say?”
Hutch’s expression didn’t change. “You heard me. And you shouldn’t be surprised. I warned you it would come to this if you kept walking the path you were headed down. You ignored me. Time for consequences.”
Casey’s strength was ebbing, and fast. Her head was throbbing, her abdomen was hurting, and her body was shaky and weak. As subtly as she could, she leaned against the wall for support. She couldn’t give in to weakness, not now. She had to defuse this situation before her team and her company were in real trouble.
She should have realized Hutch’s eagle eye wouldn’t miss a thing.
