“Uh-oh.” Claire rolled her eyes. “You’re tired. Does that mean you’re about to turn into Mr. Hyde again?”
Ryan shot her a look. “Tread carefully, Claire-voyant. I still think Casey gives way too much credit to those visions of yours. Gecko had just as big a role in this investigation as you did—and he doesn’t talk back.”
“He also doesn’t complain. Successful, talented and a clutch performer. Careful, Ryan. Gecko might just put you out of business.”
“And so it begins,” Marc concluded, polishing off his champagne. “Fasten your seat belts, fellow voyagers. The bumpy ride has just shifted into hyperdrive. Be prepared for it to blast you right out of your seats.”
“And to think I’m going to miss the opening fireworks.” Hutch appeared in the doorway, his travel bag slung over his shoulder. He’d been upstairs in Casey’s apartment, collecting the handful of personal items he’d left in her bedroom. “I’ll have to get back here for a visit ASAP. Quantico’s not nearly as exciting as this.”
Marc’s eyebrows drew together quizzically. “Are you heading out?”
“Yup. Grace is driving down to pick me up. Then, it’s a long trip home. I’ve got to be at my desk at seven tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds like hell. Hey, did you and Casey make up?” Ryan asked bluntly, looking from Casey to Hutch. “Or are you two still killing each other?”
Casey and Hutch exchanged a quick, intimate glance. The hour they’d spent together before everyone piled into the brownstone had been anything but combative. They’d ironed out their residual anger in about five minutes. Then they’d spent the rest of the time in bed, securing their pact.
“Looks like they made up,” Claire determined.
Ryan eyed her speculatively. “Another psychic insight?”
“Nope. A simple observation.”
“And an accurate one,” Hutch confirmed. “All is well. In fact, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to borrow your boss to say goodbye.”
“I’m not hanging around here for another hour,” Ryan warned them. He was starting to get cranky. “So make it quick, and keep it clean.”
“Yes, sir.” Casey snapped off a salute as she rose. “I’ll walk you downstairs,” she told Hutch.
The two of them descended to the first floor, where Hutch dropped his bag onto the floor and hauled Casey into his arms.
“You’re one sexy pain in the ass,” he murmured, kissing her.
“Right back at you.” She smiled against his mouth. “Any free time coming up?”
“Not sure.” He kissed her again. “How about you?”
“Not sure.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Maybe I can sneak away for a weekend in between cases.”
“Yeah, when will that be?”
“When I show up on your doorstep.” She deepened their kiss. “I like to keep you on your toes.”
“No worries on that score.”
A horn sounded from outside.
“That must be Grace,” Hutch said. “And the parking here sucks. So I’d better get going.” He tunneled his fingers through Casey’s hair, gave her one more lingering kiss, then released her. “Stay out of trouble.”
“I’ll do my best. You do the same.”
“You got it.”
Casey was halfway up the stairs when the doorbell rang.
Puzzled, she retraced her path and peeked through the peephole. Not particularly surprised, she opened the door. “Hello, Patrick.”
“Hey.” He strode past her, pausing at the foot of the steps. “I assume your team is upsta