THE FORENSIC INSTINCTS team gathered around the oval conference table. Hero padded in to join them, stretching out in his usual spot beside Casey, looking comfortable but attentive. He seemed to know that this room meant serious business, so he never romped or slobbered on his beloved team members during meetings here.
Casey set down her cup of coffee, and took her regular seat at the head of the table, pausing only to lean over and scratch Hero’s floppy ears. She then crossed her legs, interlaced her fingers on the table and leaned forward.
“First, those of us who attended Ronald Lexington’s dedication ceremony will go around the table and share impressions,” she began. “Then we’ll move on to any information Ryan and Patrick have to share.” She paused. “Yoda, please record this meeting and project any necessary documents on the screen.”
“I’m fully prepared, Casey,” Yoda replied. “I’ve already activated the record function. And I’ll be on alert until you need me.”
“Thank you.” Casey glanced around the table, her gaze settling on Emma. “Good news for you, newbie. You charmed Jacob Casper with your earnest desire to help people and your bubbly personality. Madeline sealed the deal by pitching your abilities. You’re in. You’ll fill out the necessary paperwork, attend the requisite class and start next week as a candy striper.”
“Class?” Emma sat up in her seat. “No one said anything about school. I suck at school. If there’s a test, I’ll fail it. Also, what do you mean I’ll start as a candy striper? I thought this was a one-shot deal.”
Casey’s lips twitched. “You’ll do just fine. As for candy striping, it would look awfully suspicious if you checked in, worked for a day and then vanished. You’re supposed to be committed to this. Plus, you working at the hospital will give me a viable reason for visiting—which I need to do to chat up potential suspects. Do it for a few weeks. Then I’ll come up with a reason why you’re needed here full-time, and you’ll get a reprieve. Consider it a character-building experience.”
Sulky and irked, Emma propped her chin on her palm and muttered, “I consider it a pain in the ass.”
“You’ll live,” Ryan assured her with a broad grin.
“Unlikely.”
“Pardon me for interrupting,” Yoda said. “But I can tutor Emma in what she needs to know. There is extensive information available on how to be a candy striper.”
“Good idea, Yoda,” Casey replied. “Please start right after the meeting.”
“Are you kidding me?” Emma had had it. “That artificial intelligence know-it-all lectures me all day long. Now he’s going to be my teacher, too?”
Ryan threw back his head and burst out laughing. “Take it in stride, spitfire,” he advised her. “Yoda is brilliant. Just look at who created him.”
“I’m going to puke,” Claire said under her breath.
“So am I,” Emma echoed. “It’s bad enough I had to suck up to that loser, Roger the IT guy. Now I have to do all this?”
“You’re just spoiled.” Ryan continued to tease her. “You’re used to me—an IT genius and a hunk. You don’t get all that in one package. I’m one of a kind.”
Claire shoved back her chair and rose. “I need a cup of herbal tea—or something stronger.”
“What’s the matter, Clairevoyant? Is it something I said?”
“I’m just thirsty.” Claire shot Ryan a look. “A cup of chamomile tea and honey is ju
st what I need. It’s the perfect way to quell a wave of nausea.”
Ryan had opened his mouth to taunt Claire further when Patrick interrupted.
“Enough, kiddies. Let’s save the playground behavior for later.” As always, Patrick was the stabilizing force of the group. “As for the candy-striping, we all have to suck it up sometimes. This time it’s you, Emma. Now let’s move on.”
“I couldn’t have said it better.” Casey nodded gratefully in Patrick’s direction. There was a steady, no-bullshit quality about him. It was innate, but definitely enhanced by the thirty-plus years he’d spent working Violent Crimes at the Bureau. He was like the father of the FI team, and they all respected him when he spoke up.
“Back to the subject at hand,” Casey continued. “I had the chance to meet Ronald Lexington’s widow and children, as well as to chat with a half dozen doctors and nurses—a few of which are standouts—not to mention Jacob Casper and his administrative assistant.
“Let’s start with Nancy Lexington.” Casey frowned. “Boy, does she detest Madeline. Her anger is off the charts. And I’m not sure it’s solely because Madeline was married to Conrad. I think there’s more to it, maybe even more to her. Just a gut feeling I have. Her kids dislike Madeline, too, but it’s not the same. Still, I wouldn’t write them off as suspects, or maybe accomplices.”
“Interesting.” Ryan pursed his lips. “I’ll have to dig into those three.”
“Do that.”
“On to Casper. He’s a piece of work,” Marc said. “Tries to come off like Ronald Lexington’s legacy and falls short.”
“Do you think he’s full of it?”