LITMIR.BIZ

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be lonely. Marc and Ryan are in and out all day, and they’d be thrilled to have you join the team. They’re both stubborn, too, yes, so you’ll have your work cut out for you. Between the two of them and me, you’ll have plenty of play pals. How’s that sound, Hero?”

      “And, whenever you can’t be around, Casey, there’s a great place just a few blocks from here that offers everything from doggie day care to five-star hotel service,” Hutch added. “Believe me, I saw it firsthand. That’s where Hero spent the night. His accommodations made mine look like a Dumpster.”

      Casey tilted back her head and gazed up at Hutch. “You knew I couldn’t say no to this gift, didn’t you?”

      “I was pretty sure, yeah.” He grinned. “I have a crate, food and a bunch of other essentials in my car. The rest is up to you. So, what’s the verdict? Does Hero have a new home?”

      Hero perked up at the sound of his name. He looked so erect and professional that Casey could swear he was applying for a job.

      “Welcome to Forensic Instincts, Hero,” Casey said in response. She massaged his jowls, then scrambled to her feet. “Let’s get you settled. Then we’ll give Ryan a call and ask him to pop up here ASAP. You two need to meet, since both Marc and I have a ton of interviews to conduct and Ryan can do everything from here today.”

      “Sounds like a plan.” Hutch gulped his coffee. “I’ll get Hero’s gear from my car. Then I’ve got to run. Grace and I have to get over to the Willis place.”

      “And I’m starting out at Krissy’s school. Maybe her little friends know something they don’t even realize they know. Someone hanging around the school, or pulling up in a car to talk to Krissy. I’ve got a zillion bases to cover.”

      “As do I.” Hutch gave her a quick kiss and Hero a quick scratch behind the ears. “I’m sorry for an abrupt end to a great night.”

      “You’ll make it up to me,” Casey assured him with a twinkle in her eye. “You’ve already made a down payment by bringing me my new best friend.”

      Casey called Hope as she drove up to Armonk. “Any news?”

      “Nothing.” Hope sounded like she was about to shatter. “The FBI task force has been working all night, crossing names off the suspect list, establishing alibis and manning the phones. I’m a mess. My mother’s due here in an hour, and I don’t know how I’m going to keep it together for her.”

      “Where’s your husband?”

      “At the office.” A pause. “He was going crazy sitting around here, waiting for a ransom call or a breakthrough. But he’s ready to come home at the drop of a hat,” she added quickly in his defense.

      Casey refrained from responding. “I’m on my way to Krissy’s school. Then I’m checking out some of the parents on the losing end in your courtroom, as well as Claudia Mitchell.”

      “Claudia?” Hope sounded horrified. “I know she was hurt and angry when I let her go. But do you really think she’s capable of kidnapping a child?”

      “I don’t know. But no one’s above suspicion, and I’m leaving no stone unturned. My whole team is on the move. I’ll stop by the house later. In the meantime, call me with any updates.”

      “I will.”

      * * *

      Claire Hedgleigh circled the area in the school parking lot where the car that had taken Krissy away had picked her up. The vibes here were dark. Something ugly had definitely happened. And it had taken Krissy totally by surprise. By the time she understood what was going on, it was too late.

      With a heavy heart, Claire squatted down and touched the pavement, willing herself to sense more.

      Nothing.

      “Claire?” Casey walked out of the school, spotted Claire and approached her.

      “Hi, Casey.” Claire rose and turned around to face her. “This is the spot where Krissy was kidnapped. It took less than ten seconds for the automatic door locks to close her in and the handkerchief to cover Krissy’s nose and mouth. Another ten seconds and the car was speeding off. Krissy never had time to react.”

      Chilling though it was, none of that information surprised Casey. She joined Claire precisely where she stood, and peered over her shoulder. “A well-chosen spot. Out of the surveillance cameras’ field of view.”

      Claire followed her gaze. “I didn’t think of that. Obviously, we have an intelligent kidnapper on our hands.”

      “You said you sensed Krissy. Is she still alive?”

      A helpless shrug. “I don’t know. I haven’t connected with her since you and I last spoke. I’m trying to pick up on something—anything. Last night, I took home one of Krissy’s favorite T-shirts. But, so far, nothing. That doesn’t mean she’s alive, or that she’s not. It just means that I can’t will these connections to come. They just do.” Claire gave Casey a measured look. “Unless you’re one of those people who secretly thinks I’m either crazy or a fraud.”

      “Nope.” Casey shook her head. “I have the greatest respect for your abilities. In fact, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I know you enjoy working for law enforcement. But I’m eager to hire you away. I want you on board at Forensic Instincts.”

      Claire started at the blunt and unexpected invitation. “You want to hire me?”

      “Uh-huh. On a permanent basis, salary, benefits and all.”

      “But you know almost nothing about me.”

      “To the contrary, I know a lot about you, starting with your impressive educational background. I know how many cases you’ve worked on. I know your success ratio. I know that you hate the term psychic, because you see it as clichéd and commercial. So do I, by the way. I know that you attribute your metaphysical abilities to claircognizance. I know that claircognizance is perceiving things without being able to understand or explain how or why, but just accepting that you do. I’ve heard you say that sometimes you awaken from a dream with a clear vision of something that’s either happened or is about to happen. I’ve watched you hold a victim’s personal items in your hands and have what others called visions. Terminology doesn’t matter. Neither do nonbelievers. You use your gift as a tool to help others, and with great success. Now, do you still think I know nothing about you?”

      For a long moment, Claire just stared, looking both astonished and flattered. It wasn’t often that her talents were so highly regarded, and certainly not so thoroughly researched.

      “I’m not sure what to say,” she replied at last. “I’m a little taken aback. This is the last thing I expected when you said you wanted to talk.”

      “Well, now you know. I don’t expect an answer on the spot. But would you consider it?”

      “Probably.” Claire was nothing if not honest. “I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t welcome a work environment where my abilities were fully utilized.” A pause. “But I have to ask the obvious. Have you discussed this with your team? Because I seriously doubt Ryan will be all smiles about this.”

      “I have, and he is.” Casey’s lips curved. “Did he put up a fight when I brought it up? Sure. Is he skeptical? You know the answer to that. Was he pissed off when I made him pull all that research on you? Of course. But I see your differences as a plus. Healthy debate, bringing different viewpoints to the mix, is what produces the best results. Marc approaches things with an investigative and analytical eye. Ryan is more strategic and technological. I’m all about the psychological, and I tend to go with my gut. We need a spiritual eye to round things out. You’d bring balance to the team. Even Ryan didn’t argue with that. He just promised to challenge you along the way.”

      Claire rolled her eyes. “Gee, what a surprise. Actually, I thought it would be worse. I thought he’d write me off as a freak, and threaten to quit if I joined the

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