The Cain Casey Series

“Yes, ma’am.”

“At this point it might be better to leave him on the street with the rest of them,” Mark said. “If your guy’s been able to get close to Juan, he’s going to be easier to squeeze when the time comes. Pick him up now and we blow the opportunity.”

“I want regular reports, if that’s the case,” Annabel told Mark.

“You got it, since we’re putting a team on Juan.”

Joe placed his hand on Shelby’s arm and led her to an interview room while Annabel finished up with the other agency. “If Sabana Greco told Cain that you asked about Anthony, we better find him first.”

“There’s no way Cain goes after an agent.”

“Shelby, are you crazy? Anthony was standing next to Juan when he confronted Cain. In her mind that changed the rules of the game.”

“That goddamn moron,” Shelby said, letting her anger out. “If something does happen to him, it’s his own fault.”

“At this point I’m not sure who he has to be more afraid of,” Joe said as he scratched the top of his head, “Cain or Hicks.”

“You know the answer to that one, Joe.” Shelby stared at the chair Cain had occupied recently when they’d brought her in. “Hicks might reprimand or maybe fire him, but Cain…that’s a different punishment, isn’t it? If Cain puts him there, Anthony’s going to be joining Giovanni and his sons, wherever that may be. We’d have better luck finding Jimmy Hoffa or having tea with space aliens.”

*

“You’re looking smug today, mobster,” Emma said as they descended the stairs together the next morning. “Not that you shouldn’t, considering what you’re able to do to me most nights,” Emma teased until she saw her father waiting for them on the first floor.

“Have I ever mentioned how beautiful you are when you blush?”

“Don’t you bruise easily?” Emma shot back, smiling the entire time. “Morning, Daddy.”

“Morning.” Ross opened his arms to Emma and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful this morning.”

“It’s always a good day when everyone’s this nice to you,” Emma said, feeling happy. “Do you want to do some sightseeing today, Daddy?”

“I’d rather go start on some of the house repairs Cain told me about.” He nodded when one of the women who worked for Jarvis held up a carafe of coffee.

“We didn’t invite you for that,” Emma said. “Tell him, honey.”

“Ross, you aren’t here to repair our house,” Cain said dutifully.

“I know this place is huge, but tell me you both aren’t ready to get home. And you know I built the majority of the house you grew up in,” he told Emma. “Besides, Hayden’s birthday’s in a couple of days. He’s going to feel more comfortable having his friends over if he’s home.”

“If you promise not to work yourself into the ground and take some help with you,” Emma said, “then knock yourself out.” She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot on the floor when she heard Cain laugh. “What’s funny?”

“It’s good to see where that well-developed stubborn streak of yours comes from.”

“Ha.” Emma picked Hannah up when she ran to her. “I’m mildly persistent compared to you.”

“Compared to Mom you’re not what?” Hayden asked. He was dressed for school and Mook was right behind him, carrying his book bag.

“I’m not stubborn,” Emma said.

“Uh-huh.” Hayden dragged out the phrase. “She’s got a good sense of humor, huh, Granddad?”

“Good imagination too.”

“What happened to the highly complimentary group from earlier?” Emma said.

“You’re stubborn, lass, but incredibly beautiful.” Cain kissed the side of her neck. “I’ve got to head to the office, but I’ll call later to see if Ross needs any help.”

“Are you putting on a tool belt?”

Cain didn’t answer but did gently swat her on the butt. “I’m heading over to Rick’s funeral as well.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”

“I’d feel better if you kept low for a few days.” Cain kissed her again and headed out.

On the way to the riverfront warehouse Cain took out the list of passengers from the day Rick was killed. She would find the answer to what had happened in one of the names, she was sure of it. Lots of Juans, Muriel had been right about that, but not one Jorge. She had no idea about this situation yet, but at least Dallas Montgomery wasn’t such a mystery anymore.

Instead of having the driver go into the building as he usually did, Cain had him stop in front. “Cain, this isn’t a good time to break with routine,” Lou said. It was the first time he’d spoken all morning.

“I want to grab a cup of coffee, not dare someone to take a shot at us.”

“There’s coffee inside,” he pointed out. “All Rick was doing was picking up a bag and look at what happened.”

“I’m working on that because I don’t want it to go unanswered, and not because of the insult to me. Rick was a good kid and deserves to be avenged.”

“Still, there’s coffee inside.”