The Silence That Speaks (Forensic Instincts 4)

“Escorting you to your car. Once we’re inside, I’ll give you instructions. I’ll even answer your questions, if you’d like. But right now, we’re going to walk to the rear staircase and head down. I’ve got the gun hidden in the flap of my coat. That doesn’t mean I won’t use it. So be a good girl, just like you always are, and do as I say.”

“My God, it was you?”

“Walk.” Janet gave her a little shove with the pistol.

Woodenly, Madeline did as Janet ordered. She headed for the stairwell, located one corridor away. She felt surreal, people passing by, chatting, rushing somewhere, or drinking cups of coffee and waiting for loved ones. The PA system was paging doctors and nurses, punctuated with the squeaks of the orderlies’ carts as they pushed them around and the wail of a crying baby.

No one knew what was happening. No one had any idea that she was being held at gunpoint, being kidnapped—or worse.

She felt the jab of Janet’s weapon and continued on her way.

* * *

Marc glanced at his watch for the fifth time in ten minutes.

“Hasn’t it been a long time since you called Patrick?” he asked Casey.

“No, Marc.” Casey couldn’t help but feel compassion at the anxious expression on his face. “It’s been less than an hour. If Madeline is dealing with a serious injury, it could take a lot longer than we’d like. Patrick is within eyesight of the E.R. He’ll get to her the instant she walks out. We have to have some patience.”

“Patience. Yeah. Right.”

“We haven’t heard from Conrad, either, Marc,” Claire said in that soothing voice of hers. “That means he’s waiting, too.”

“I know. And you’re right.” Marc glanced at Casey. “And you were right about my personal feelings getting in the way. I have no objectivity right about now.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.” Casey was frank. “We’re invested in our client, and we’re on pins and needles. You’re in love with her. If you weren’t a wreck, I’d be shocked.”

The main telephone line rang.

Casey grabbed it. “Forensic Instincts.”

“It’s Aidan.” He didn’t mince words. “I cracked two of the encryption keys.”

“And?”

“The first woman’s name is Francine Ryder.”

The other employee besides Valerie Pintar to lose her job over Ronald.

“No surprise,” Casey said. “And the other?”

“Janet Moss.”

Casey sucked in her breath.

“I take it that was a lucky break?”

“Yes. I need everything you have on her—now.”

“I figured as much. I’ll put everything on a USB drive and be there in half an hour.”

“Thanks.” Casey hung up the phone and looked at the team. “Aidan cracked two of the encryption keys. One is Janet Moss.”

“So she was sleeping with Ronald,” Claire murmured. An odd expression crossed her face. “Something’s not right.”

“With Madeline?” Marc demanded.

Claire’s eyes narrowed in concentration. “Madeline and Janet. There’s dark energy lurking there.”