The Silence That Speaks (Forensic Instincts 4)

“You won’t be,” Patrick said. “But you’re not going to accomplish anything here, either. It’s after five. We don’t know when Conrad is going to wake up and be ready to talk. You’ve been banned from seeing him, anyway. But I haven’t.”

Casey inclined her head. “They don’t know you’re with Forensic Instincts?”

“Nope. They only know I brought Madeline here. So you go back to the city, catch a few hours’ sleep and then interview whomever you need to. I’ll stay here with Madeline and talk to Conrad when the time is right.”

Relieved, Casey made eye contact with Patrick. She knew exactly what he was thinking—that he’d also be keeping a close watch on Madeline in case the killer was hanging around to see the results of his handiwork. He’d guard Madeline with his life.

“We’ll stay right here,” he continued, giving Casey a meaningful look that said that no one would be getting near Conrad, either. “This way, Madeline can be close by when Conrad wakes up.”

“Good.” Casey turned back to Madeline. “Do you happen to know what arrangements Conrad made for his apartment while he was away?”

“He’s not subletting, if that’s what you mean,” Madeline replied. “He has a service that checks it out weekly. Why?”

“Do you know the name of that service?”

“Yes.” Brow furrowed, Madeline took out a scrap of paper and scribbled a company name on it. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that you should leave the investigating to us.” Casey squeezed Madeline’s arm. “We’re going to find whoever’s targeting you and Conrad. I promise.”

“I hope so.” Madeline was still a wreck and rightfully so. “I’m even more terrified now, for Conrad and for me. Where are we safe? Not at work. Not at home. And obviously not at Crest Haven, either.”

“I’ll see what I can do about arranging for additional security for Conrad,” Casey said. “Although I’m guessing the staff there, who all believe this was a suicide attempt, will be watching him like a hawk to make sure he doesn’t try anything again. I’ll talk to Dr. Oberlin and the facilities administrator and see if I can arrange for a couple of Patrick’s people to take shifts and post themselves outside Conrad’s door.” Casey gave an irritated wave of her arm. “Crest Haven will probably vet Patrick’s guys back to their elementary school days, but I’m guessing the powers-that-be will finally agree.”

“Thank you,” Madeline managed. “I seem to be saying that to you a lot.”

“Don’t. We’re doing our job. Just stay close to Patrick.” Casey’s gaze flickered to Patrick. “And keep me posted.”

“Will do.”

* * *

Marc called Casey on her cell about five minutes into her drive home. Not a surprise. She’d texted him when she left the hospital.

“What the hell happened?” he asked, his voice gravelly with sleep. “Why are you in Danbury?”

Calmly, Casey explained to him what had happened and what was going on.

“Is Maddy all right?” The question slipped out before Marc could censor it.

“She’s fine. Just very shaken and upset, but fine.” Casey didn’t fault Marc for his concern. This life-or-death situation was expanding. “Patrick is with her. They’re waiting for Conrad to wake up.”

Marc made a disgusted sound. “You know damned well that when he does wake up, he’s going to confirm what we already know—that there was no suicide attempt involved. Someone wants him and Madeline gone.”

“I know. What we still don’t know is why. What we do know is that we’ve been concentrating on Conrad as a possible perp. Now I’m shifting him to the victim category. Which means we have to add another component to our investigation.”

“You want me to break into Conrad’s penthouse,” Marc said without missing a beat. “See if it’s been trashed and what the visitor might have been looking for.”

It was never a surprise to Casey when Marc’s mind and hers were in sync. They had different histories, strengths and personalities, but their brains operated on the same wavelength. “Yes. We don’t have time to wait for Conrad to be conscious and capable of processing everything, so asking him for a key is out of the question.”

“Agreed.”

“I need you to do it tonight—after I call the security company that’s supposed to be keeping an eye on it.”

“If someone wanted in, they could have easily canceled those security visits on Conrad’s behalf.”

“That’s what I’m thinking,” Casey said. “So while I’m checking it out, get Ryan to do some techno hocus-pocus so that the cameras can’t ID you. Then do your thing tonight. Conrad’s apartment hasn’t been lived in for three months. It could be pristine...”

“Or it could be ransacked,” Marc finished for her. “I’ll take care of it.”