The Line Between Here and Gone (Forensic Instincts 2)

“Maybe. But I’m right.”

“Drop it.”

“That off-the-charts, huh? I’m not surprised. Now what? Where are you going from here?”

“Back to work.” Ryan leaned over his computer, deliberately shielding the screen from Marc’s view.

“Where’s Claire?”

“No idea.”

“You’re even pissier than you were before. She really got to you that bad, huh?”

Ryan shrank the window he’d been working in on his computer, spun his chair around and faced Marc with a hard expression. “You’re not going to leave this alone, are you? You, who are so private no one knows your shoe size?”

“Fair enough.” Marc shrugged, unfazed by the verbal attack. “You just look pretty strung out. I thought you might want to talk about it.”

“I don’t even know what it is. And I definitely don’t want to talk about it.”

“No problem. But, for the record—and because I have ten years on you—don’t overanalyze it. Just let it be whatever it is. You’re a smart guy, Ryan. You knew damn well it wasn’t going to be a quick lay. You two are way too combustible for that.”

Ryan’s jaw was working. “I hear you. Can we let it go now?”

“It’s gone.”

“And not a word to anyone.”

“That’s not my style, and you know it. But I wouldn’t expect it to get by Casey.”

“If she figures it out on her own and says something, I’ll shut her down, too.”

Marc nodded. “Since Claire’s not the type to ask for a booty call, my original question remains. Why did she need to see you so urgently?”

This, Ryan had been prepared for. “She had some weird vibes about the investigation.” Stick to the truth. There’s less to remember. “All she was sure of was that it had to do with what I’m currently checking into.”

“Everett’s and Morano’s backgrounds?”

“That’s what I’m working on. So that’s what it must be.”

“Did she give you any specifics?”

“Nope.” Ryan shook his head, swiveling back around to face his computer. “She hated like hell having to call me at all. She knows how little value I place on psychic insights. But I’m the genius who’s going to dig up everything there is to know about Everett and Morano. So she had no choice but to turn to me.”

“Got it.” Whether or not Marc believed him was anyone’s guess. Nothing ever showed on Marc’s face—he was a pro at that. “Then I’ll leave you to your digging. By the way, how do you want to follow up on our plan to bug Morano’s office?”

“Give it a day,” Ryan replied. “Morano’s already in the process of renting a trailer to operate out of. I’m sure he salvaged a good chunk of his work. He’d be an asshole not to have backed it up on a flash drive and taken it home with him—just in case. He’ll be up and running in no time. Gecko will just have a different hiding place to do his reconnaissance.”

Marc chuckled. “Right. And I have no doubt that Gecko will adapt beautifully.” He headed toward the door. “Just let me know when we’re heading back out to the Hamptons. I have some follow-up to do here.”

“On what?”

Again, Marc’s face showed nothing. But the way he stopped in his tracks and gazed back at Ryan, that searching look in his eyes, spoke volumes. Ryan wanted to kick himself for being so transparent and so abrupt. He’d make a lousy addition to the BAU.

“On Amanda,” Marc replied. “I haven’t talked to her since Justin took a turn for the worse. Plus, I want to talk to Hutch while he’s here. I haven’t even seen him yet. I know he’s calling his FBI contacts to se

e what he can find out about Paul Everett—if anything. I still have a few contacts at the Bureau myself. I want to see if I can help him.” A pointed pause. “Why? Do you need me for something?”

“No.” This time, Ryan kept his interest in check. “I was just curious. I know how invested you are in this case.”