“Gia’s and Dani’s body language, their gestures, even their intonations—I heard and saw Lina more times than I can count,” Casey said.
“Even the light-up-the-room smile,” Claire added. “They all have it.”
“What Gia and Dani don’t have is any idea that Lina exists.” Ryan’s intense tone and expression indicated that his thoughts were rapidly transforming into strategies. “And neither of them knew each other existed until a few weeks ago. Obviously, their adoptive birth certificates were doctored, since they each believe they have different birth dates.”
“I wonder if their parents knew about that doctoring,” Casey murmured. “The results had to be genuine or the government never would have issued the girls passports.”
“Right,” Ryan replied, typing some notes to himself into his iPad. “Which means the job was professionally done, with or without their parents’ knowledge. I’m leading with that assumption. But figuring out who did the doctoring isn’t first up on the to-do list. First up is ferreting out the original birth certificates. I’ll have to hack into the New York City Department of Health’s records. No sweat.”
“Patrick and I will push the Russos and the Muranos,” Casey said. “Hopefully the information they give us will be consistent and just a small part of what they tell us. We have to find out if they’re on the up-and-up.”
“I’ve already spoken to Dani’s parents,” Patrick said from the other end of the phone connection. “The Muranos were very puzzled as to what case we were investigating that spanned all the way from New York to Minneapolis, but they agreed to see me tomorrow morning at nine o’clock their time.”
“I’ll call Gia’s folks the instant we hang up,” Casey said. “But putting all our heads together and getting on the same page takes priority.”
“Yeah,” Marc agreed. “And clearly this one runs deep.”
“Can we address a key component here?” Emma blurted out. “What are we going to do about Lina? Tell her? Tell them? They’re identical triplets. Don’t they have the right to know that?”
“Yes—but not yet.” Casey had clearly thought this one through. “Gia and Dani are in danger. It’s possible that Lina’s ignorance of the truth is the only thing keeping her safe. We have to figure out who’s doing this and why. Until we have some handle on what’s going on, we can’t drop a bomb like this on them—or Lina.”
“Casey is right,” Claire said. “We have too many facts to assimilate before we say something that might increase the risk.” Her gaze grew misty. “Whatever’s going on is like a minefield we have to cross. Years of lies and deceit. Darkness and death. Terrible danger. There’s so much buzz in my head right now I can’t absorb it all, much less break it down. But we have to move forward with what we’ve got, not add Lina to the mix. That will come, but not until it’s time.”
“So we’re not talking to Lina’s parents?” Emma asked.
“Eventually,” Casey replied. “We’ll need their help in keeping their daughter safe. And, yes, they have the right to know what’s going on. But not until we’re ready to add Lina to the equation.”
“Lina’s not in danger right now,” Claire stated. “She doesn’t know about her sisters and they don’t know about her. Still,” she added thoughtfully, “I do think we should touch base with her again, just in case.”
“I was about to suggest the same thing,” Casey concurred.
“But you just said…” Emma looked confused.
“I said let’s keep this in
vestigation contained for the time being. Let’s start with the Muranos and the Russos, plus getting the personal items we need from Dani’s apartment. I said we should keep this situation from Lina for the time being. I didn’t say we shouldn’t keep an eye on her to see where her head is and to make sure she’s blissfully ignorant of what’s going on and that she hasn’t received even the slightest threat to her well-being.”
“And how do we do that?” Emma asked.
“That’s where you come in.” Casey’s lips curved as she watched Emma snap to attention, her eyes bright with curiosity. “Tomorrow you’re going to be a busy girl. First, I need you to keep Dani and Gia engaged and in check. Give them a call first thing in the morning and tell them you’re on your way to Rye along with breakfast for all of you. They’ll be on edge waiting to hear from me so they can rush over to the Russos’. Put them at ease. You’re the most social person I know. Use that ability. Maybe you’ll learn a tidbit or two, or maybe you’ll just keep them distracted so they don’t fall apart.”
“Okay, consider it done,” Emma responded. “What about Lina?”
“Lina is part two of your social agenda. Touch base with her. Find a way to meet her later in the day, for drinks or to hang out at her place and talk. You two had no problems monopolizing the conversation at brunch the other day. Claire and I could barely get a word in edgewise. So do a repeat performance. Talk clothes, shoes, guys—whatever you want. Just get a feel for what’s going on in her life and see if there’s anything we should worry about.”
“No problem.” Emma grinned. “I love this part of my job.”
“I never would have guessed,” Casey replied dryly. “But Emma…”
“I won’t mention anyone to anyone,” Emma finished for her. “Not a word about Lina to Gia and Dani, and not a word about them to Lina. I promise.”
“Good.” Casey was convinced. “So we’re all in sync? Claire and I will check in after we talk to the Russos and give Gia a brief heads-up. Patrick will do the same after he talks to the Muranos and gives Dani a call. No details, just some bare-bones facts, quick reassurances, and a promise to discuss everything as soon as you get home. Agreed?”
“Yup,” Marc said at the other end of the phone. “That’ll give the team a chance to get our stories straight and filter what we need to before Gia and Dani show up at our doorstep the minute we get back from the airport.”
“Exactly. Then that’s it for now.” Casey glanced at her watch. “I want to call Gia’s parents before it gets too late. Safe flight, guys.”
CHAPTER 20