“We have an issue,” Casey informed them. “And we need to deal with it in the next thirty seconds.”
“What’s wrong?” Patrick asked, taken aback by the shaky tone of Casey’s voice and the shocked expression on her face.
“Gia Russo and her sister, Danielle Murano, are identical twins.” Casey paused. “Well, not twins.”
“Which is it?” Ryan demanded. “Twins or not twins? Either way, why is it a problem?”
“Because they’re each a mirror image of Lina Brando.” A quick glance around at the members of the team who had yet to meet Lina—sans Marc, who would have to hear this later. “Patrick, you and Marc were briefed on the Brianna Mullen case, and, Ryan, you were part of the investigation, so you all know who Lina is.”
“They’re a mirror image of her?” Emma had jerked up in her chair. She’d met Lina last Sunday when she’d joined Casey and Claire for their last-minute brunch with her. They’d hit it off instantly. “Are you saying…?”
“Triplets,” Claire finished for her. “Yes. They’re triplets. And none of them have any idea.”
“Shit.” Emma looked like a rocket about to go off. “I don’t understand how—”
“Let Casey talk,” Ryan instructed her. “Our thirty seconds are up. What do you want us to do, boss?”
Casey didn’t hesitate. “Don’t show our hand. Don’t give them the slightest clue that a third sister even exists. We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet. Bringing Lina into the mix is out of the question now. I need each of you to do a flawless acting job.”
“Done,” Ryan replied.
Patrick nodded. Like Ryan, he’d be on board even if he didn’t have the distinct advantage of having never met Lina. The same would apply to Marc once he knew.
Claire shook off her faraway gaze and resumed her usual calm demeanor. “This is the absolute right thing to do, so, yes.”
“Emma?” Casey prodded, turning to face her. “Are you up for this, or should you sit this one out?”
“I’m fine,” Emma surprised her by saying. “I’m a full team member now. And you know I’m a hell of an actress. So count me in. No Lina.”
“And no shocked expressions when they walk in,” Casey pressed. “Just the usual procedure of our team greeting new clients. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“Good.” Casey opened the door. “I’m going out there to introduce myself and to bring Gia and Danielle in.”
* * *
“Ah, just who we were waiting for,” Marc said as Casey walked into the entranceway. “I told Gia and Danielle that you were on your way.”
“And I’m sorry I was detained,” Casey said smoothly. “I had an important call I had to take.” She extended her hand to each girl. “I’m Casey Woods, president of Forensic Instincts.” Her brows drew together. “And you have me at a disadvantage. Which of you is Gia and which of you is Danielle?”
The girls clarified, each one shaking Casey’s hand and thanking her for seeing them. As Casey had hoped, her presence and supportive attitude seemed to take the
ir anxiety down a notch. It helped even more when she told Gia that Marc’s wedding had been incredible and that she was obviously a planning genius.
“It helped that I was working with such a terrific couple,” Gia replied. “It’s not usually that easy.”
“I bet.” Casey was leading them down the hall to the meeting room. Small talk was over. It was time to switch gears. “Marc filled us in on the sketchy details you told him. He felt strongly about seeing you tonight, and I trust his instincts. My team and I are ready to hear your entire story.”
“Thank you,” Danielle said earnestly. “We’re pretty freaked out.” She pursed her lips in a gesture that screamed Lina.
Casey was having enough trouble tamping down her reaction. She prayed the team could pull it off. Whatever the triplet tie was, they had to figure it out before Gia and Danielle did.
Pushing the half-open door wide, Casey led the girls in. She watched the team’s faces as she made the necessary introductions, and she was incredibly proud of them. Not a flicker of awareness was demonstrated, not even from Emma. Bravo, Casey thought to herself as she gestured for their new clients to have a seat.
Without realizing it, Dani helped diffuse any lingering tension.
“What an exquisite bloodhound.” She gazed at Hero and then at Casey, her brows lifted in question. “May I?”