A Face to Die For (Forensic Instincts 6)

“No sweat. I understand.” Ryan shot Claire an I-owe-you-one look. She responded with an I-intend-to-collect look.

“Now that you know about the spyware, what’s next?” Dani asked Ryan.

“I’m running traces on the hacker’s origin. But I want to cover all bases. Which means we need to make lists of everyone you know. Just in case,” he added quickly. “I’m not leaning in the direction of any of them being guilty.”

“You want a complete list of everyone we know?” Practical realization struck, and Gia sounded like she’d been asked to boil the ocean.

“That’s the drill, yeah. Family, friends, boyfriends—including exes—co-workers, acquaintances, potential enemies.”

“Ryan.” Gia clearly couldn’t wrap her mind around this one. “I’ve handled more weddings than I can count, most of them with at least one snarky bride, mother-of-the-bride, or wedding party participant. Who knows how many people I’ve pissed off ? Or how many people I’ve interacted with during the planning stages?”

“I’m not in a much better position,” Dani added. “My circle of contacts is smaller than Gia’s, but, in addition to all the other vets at my clinic, the techs, and the support staff, I see dozens of pet owners a week, not to mention my veterinary network. I go to conferences, attend meetings, cross paths with so many others in my field. That list alone would be crushing and, most likely, incomplete.”

“Good point.” Casey could see the agitation re-escalating, and she wasn’t about to let it happen. Enough buttons had been pushed already. “Since we’ve determined that that’s the least likely scenario, why don’t you both just list the regulars in your lives? That’s a strong start. Later today, skim your emails, contact lists, and work files and see if anyone you had negative dealings with jumps out at you. I think that should be sufficient, right, Ryan?”

Ryan got the hint. Casey wasn’t asking; she was telling him to put the brakes on.

“Right,” he said. He produced two legal-sized notepads, pausing before he passed them over to Gia and Dani. “Can we do the basics now?” He was asking Casey as much as he was asking their clients.

Casey scrutinized Gia and Dani to assess their state of mind. No sign of panic at the suggestion. Just two tired nods.

“Yes, I think that would be fine,” she told him. “It shouldn’t take more than an hour, maybe less.”

It actually took fifty minutes, because that’s when Casey called a halt. The girls were starting to grasp at straws, and that would only deplete them and waste time.

“Go home and chew on it,” she said. “We’ll start with what we’ve got.”

“Just one last question.” Marc spoke up. “Is there anyone on this list who you’ve discussed even a small part of the investigation with?”

“No one.” Gia gave an adamant shake of her head. “Except, obviously, my parents.”

“Same here.” Dani placed her empty coffee mug on the table. “I haven’t even told Gabe and he’s left me about ten text and phone messages. I don’t know what to say to him.”

“Just tell him what you told your veterinary practice,” Casey replied. “That you’re dealing with a family crisis—one you’re too upset about to discuss right now. Spend as much time talking with him as you want. Just find a way to do that without divulging info on Gia or the investigation.”

A stricken look. “That’s the problem. I already told him about my Facebook connection with Gia and how I was leaving Cleveland to fly to New York to meet my look-alike. I even sent him a few photos of Gia and me together.”

“That’s not a problem. What about afterwards, during the couple of days you were home? You didn’t mention the mugging or the fire, did you?”

“No.” Dani shook her head. “I kept all that to myself. Especially once I knew we were contacting you. My texts with Gabe were pretty brief. His schedule was jam-packed, and he assumed I was playing catch-up at the clinic. But now it’s been a while and he’s concerned—so what do I say? I can’t give him details about my family crisis.”

“Let him know it’s a bad situation—one you’ve been asked to keep confidential,” Marc replied. “Stick to the truth without elaborating on what’s really going on. After that, talk about other relationship things.”

“Okay.” Dani nodded.

“Most of all, call him back,” Casey said emphatically. “He’s clearly worried. Plus, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to dodge questions and explain why you’ve been ignoring him. Once you tell him what a hard time you’re going through with your family, he’ll understand if you only send brief texts and don’t call for a while. He’ll know you’re short on time and shorter on emotional strength.”

“I’ll call him from Mr. Nickels’ car on the way back to Gia’s place.” Dani pushed back her chair and rose. “After that, I need some time to prepare myself for seeing my parents and helping them through the initial trauma.” A quick glance at Patrick. “Are we okay on the updated logistics?”

“Yes.” His tone and expression were calm and in control. “Your parents will land this afternoon and be driven directly to their hotel, where they’ll check in and get settled. You’ll be waiting there for them. Afterwards, John will drive you to the Russos’. Gia will already be there.”

“Then let’s get this day underway.” Gia glanced at her watch. “I have to go into the office for a while; they’re starting to wonder where I am. I also have a client meeting, but you already know that. I’ll be ready for the evening way ahead of time.”

Dani sighed. “I doubt I’ll ever be ready.”

Gia squeezed her hand. “We’ll do this together, just like we did with my parents. After tonight, we’ll just have a bigger, closer family. And Forensic Instincts will keep us all safe.”

Gia’s words were a prayer and a plea.