Janet sighed. “Madeline is such a kind soul, I don’t think she realizes that people like Sharon think of her and Conrad as a package deal. I know they’re divorced, but that’s a moot point since they’ve been living apart for ages. The fact is, they began as friends and they’re still friends. They’re each other’s strongest advocates. From what I’ve heard through the neurology department’s grapevine, Sharon thinks of Madeline as an asset to Conrad that she wishes would go away.”
Casey was about to open her mouth when a tentative female voice interrupted her.
“Hi, Mom.”
Glancing up, Casey recognized the dark-haired young woman who was standing there holding a tray as Janet’s daughter, Diana.
“Well, hi, honey.” Janet went for surprise and failed miserably. “What brings you to this neck of the woods?”
Diana surprised Casey by answering honestly. “You don’t have to pretend on my account. We talked about this. I’ve seen Forensic Instincts on the news and online. I wanted to meet Ms. Woods. Having her here is the most exciting thing I can remember happening at the hospital.”
“I agree.” Janet shot Casey an apologetic look. “Do you mind if Diana joins us? I have to run in a few minutes, anyway, and I know she also wants to hear about you and your team.”
“Of course not.” Casey gestured for Diana to pull up a chair. This unexpected development had its benefits. Casey had gotten some good preliminary info from Janet. Maybe Diana could give her another point of view. She might not be a gossipmonger like her mother, but she was a nurse—right in the trenches.
“Thank you.” Diana slid into a chair and placed her tray, which contained a bowl of soup and a piece of French bread, on the table.
Janet glanced at her watch and rolled her eyes. “Five more minutes, max, or Jacob will have my head.” A hopeful look at Casey. “Maybe you and I could have dinner one evening after work so we can talk more about your exciting life at a time when I don’t have to cut things short and make you eat shrink-wrapped food.”
Casey chuckled. “I didn’t mind. It was nice getting to know you better. Sure, let’s check our schedules and set up a dinner.”
“Wonderful,” Janet said, looking once again like a kid in a candy store.
The next five minutes Casey spent recapping a lot of the same FI specifics that she had with Janet. Diana was quieter than her mother, but her listening skills were better. Her eyes stayed glued to Casey, wide and interested. She ate her soup on autopilot, not even seeming to notice it.
“So you don’t all move together as a unit all th
e time?” she asked when Casey paused to take a breath. “Each team member acts on his or her skill set?”
“Yup.” Casey nodded. “Sometimes we all move in tandem. Sometimes we divvy up responsibilities. The individual talents of my team are varied but unbeatable, especially when you add them all up. They’re simply the best of the best.” A wry grin. “No bias on my part, of course.”
“I know you have a bloodhound,” Diana said. “Hero. I saw him in an article I read about your company.”
Casey frowned. “We try to avoid publicity. Unfortunately, it finds us.”
“Well, Hero looks magnificent.”
“Hero is nothing if not photogenic,” Casey responded. “He’s also an amazing human-scent evidence dog.”
“Bloodhounds have a keen sense of smell.” Diana took a quick bite of bread. “Why did Hero leave the FBI?”
“Okay, that’s my cue to get back to work.” Janet rose, taking a last gulp of coffee and leaving most of her salad untouched. “Diana is now going to bombard you with questions about Hero. She’s a dog worshipper and knows trivia I doubt most veterinarians do.” Janet extended her hand to Casey. “Thank you for seeing me. If it’s okay, I’ll text you about that dinner.”
“Please do,” Casey replied.
Janet blew her daughter a kiss. “Have fun, ladies.” She took her tray to the trash and recycling area, and then hurried off.
“Do you mind my curiosity over Hero?” Diana asked.
“Of course not.” Casey took a bite of her salad. “You’re talking about the guy I sleep with every night.”
That made Diana laugh. She was pretty when she laughed—young and free and not so closed-off and serious.
Then again, if Casey were clinging to a job that might be snatched away at any moment, she’d be pretty strained, too.
She told Diana all about Hero’s background and that he’d been at the top of his class. The problem was that he’d been a poor traveler, which made it impossible for him to stay with the canine unit.
“And the FBI’s loss was our gain,” Casey concluded. “Hero can pick up scents from miles away, and he’s as loyal as they come. Like the rest of us, he’d give his life for the team. No one could ask for more.” She grinned. “Plus, I’m crazy about him. He and I have become a tight twosome.”