The Watched (CSI Reilly Steel #4)

by Hill, Casey

  Back at the beach house over breakfast, she’d barely managed to compose herself before Daniel got up. If he’d noticed that she hadn’t come back during the night, he didn’t say anything, merely inquiring after his son and nodding in acknowledgment when Reilly had said that Todd was ‘doing as well as could be expected’.

  The entire day had passed without her seeing or speaking to Todd. Reilly couldn’t help but feel that she should be out there with him doing something to bring Bradley’s killer to justice. She’d prowled the house restlessly until Daniel finally told her to go for a run, a swim, anything to burn off the excess energy. After a ten-mile run and an hour doing laps in the pool, she was finally tired enough to sit down and pretend to read.

  She’d been fine then until Daniel had turned on the news to hear that yet another email had been sent to the police department. The newscaster had almost sounded gleeful as she’d read it.

  I have heard many are calling me the Maestro. While this is not the name I have chosen for myself, I accept this title as it has been selected by my public. I am grateful for the positive reaction I’ve received from my audience, and hope for your continued support as I expand my horizons. Be expecting great things from me in the near future.

  The reporter rounded up by saying ‘. . . and with that the Maestro again flaunts the fact that the Tampa PD has yet to find him, and promises even more bloodshed.’

  In that moment, Reilly had wished she had the opportunity to slap the snide smile right off the other woman’s face. What had come next hadn’t done much to curb the impulse.

  ‘And in other news, screenwriter Drew Sheldon is still missing. With no apparent leads, Sheldon’s daughter decided to step in front of the cameras this morning to make a plea for her father’s life.’

  The picture had cut to Kai Sheldon, whom Reilly and Daniel had met at the Millennium Hotel. The girl’s face had been strained, the circles under her eyes dark, but her voice had been strong as she’d spoken. ‘To whoever has my father, I’m asking, please let him go. If it’s money you’re after, please ask. I just want my father back.’

  The screen had stayed on Kai but her voice had faded as the newscaster had talked over the visual. ‘Sources in the police department have told us that Miss Sheldon’s promise to pay a ransom was not sanctioned by the TPD and that she made the offer without their approval.’ The picture returned to the anchor for the final comment. ‘No word yet if Miss Sheldon’s plea was successful.’

  Reilly had turned it off in disgust and gone to take a shower, hoping it would ease some of her tension. It hadn’t worked and she’d tossed and turned for most of the night.

  The following day had been as awkward as she’d feared. Fortunately, Daniel was so busy sifting through the list of evidence from the previous two crime scenes that he hadn’t seemed to notice Todd and Reilly tiptoeing around each other when Todd called in the office with a progress update.

  They’d spoken only when necessary and avoided all forms of eye contact. She hadn’t even looked at him when he announced that there would be a memorial for Bradley the next day, a small service at the little non-denominational church he’d occasionally attended.

  Once his body was released, Bradley’s family would be taking him back to Miami to be buried. It was also when the FBI would be stopping by the lab to pick up any evidence related to the serial killer.

  Unless, of course, Todd added, Daniel came through in the meantime.

  A heavy silence had fallen over the office at that point, an oppressive air that had threatened suffocation with every breath. Reilly had never felt under so much pressure. All she had been able to do was hope that Daniel would be able to push through a favor and keep Todd’s crew on the case. She didn’t want to see how he was going to react if he was told to walk away.

  Then there had been Daniel’s surprise at the beach house later that evening.

  ‘I made the call Todd wanted me to make.’ Daniel kept his voice low. ‘The Feds are worried about the Tampa lab running things. Between Holly and now Bradley, Todd’s personal stake in this is way too high; he shouldn’t be working it at all. I can’t step in and, really, no one else on the team should either. However, my contact at the field office agreed to let the team stay on the case if you run point and report to their special agent in charge. I recommended that as the best course of action.’

  ‘I can’t.’ Reilly shook her head. ‘I can’t run a CSI lab here. I’m not . . .’

  Daniel’s hand closed around her wrist, the urgency in his voice harder than Reilly had ever heard before. ‘You’re former FBI and senior CSI in Dublin. Of course you can do it. The field office will issue the necessary credentials. If Todd doesn’t want outsiders – and in truth, I’m not completely crazy about that myself given how far into this we are – then it’s the only realistic option.’

  ‘Daniel . . .’ she started.

  ‘Reilly,’ he pleaded. ‘Do you know what it will do to Todd if this is taken from him?’

  She couldn’t do it. She knew Todd would hate her for it, because effectively it was being taken away from him. And she also knew that any chance she had for something real with him would vanish the moment he found out that she was the FBI’s go-between. Still, how could she say no?

  ‘I’ll do it,’ she said.

  ‘Thank you.’ The two words were heartfelt. ‘Now, come out to the living room. Agent Kent needs to meet you.’

  Reilly frowned. The SAC was here at the house? Typical Daniel, pre-empting her response even before she knew the question.

  The special agent in charge was not what she’d had in mind. The moment she saw the burly, balding forty-something scowling out of the living room window, she knew this was not going to go well at all.

  ‘You must be Steel.’ He gave Reilly the usual once-over and she could see him dismiss her. There was a man with serious women issues.

  ‘Agent Kent.’ She kept her voice polite and held out her hand.

  He shook it, two brisk pumps. ‘Look, I might as well tell you – I don’t deal with the science geeks. You do your thing, give me what you’ve got and I’ll decide if it’s worth anything.’

  Reilly bristled. She was in no mood to be patronized. ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘This wasn’t my idea.’ Agent Kent stared down at Reilly, his face hard. ‘Forrest has influence at the Bureau and I was told to make this work. You were the only viable option.’ He turned and headed toward the door. ‘Like I said, you call, I make the decisions. The evidence from the Bradley Ford murder will be delivered to the Tampa lab first thing tomorrow.’

  ‘We have a funeral in the morning.’ Reilly’s voice was sharp.

  ‘And we have keys. Good night.’

  As she watched the door close behind Kent, she sighed and muttered, ‘Yeah, this was a great idea.’

  Reilly was standing in front of her mirror, criticizing the outfit she’d bought in Macy’s at the Westfield Mall the day before. She’d needed something appropriate for a memorial service, but had never been good at dressing for somber occasions. She sighed. It would have to do.

  ‘Reilly.’ Daniel’s voice accompanied his knock at the bedroom door. ‘It’s time to go.’

  ‘Coming.’ Giving herself one final glance in the mirror, Reilly picked up her purse and went out to join Daniel.

  The ride to the church took place in silence. Reilly supposed she should have been used to it by now. The last couple of days had been filled with the most silence she’d experienced in a long time. At least this one wasn’t filled with the awkward memories of a night that probably should’ve never happened.

  Speaking of which . . .

  Todd and Emilie stood on the sidewalk in front of the church, talking to the computer expert Peni and, based on what Todd had told her, a woman Reilly could only assume was Peni’s partner. As short as Peni was tall, Ivy looked very much like a poet who would be dating someone like Peni Westmore. Long corn-silk blond hair with dark purple streaks. A flower-printed sk
irt that swished around her hemp sandals. A peasant top and dozens of sparkly bracelets.

  Reilly suddenly felt very plain in her dark gray dress and simple gold locket.

  As she and Daniel approached, her eyes flicked to Todd and she thought she saw a flash of something, but when she looked closer, it was gone, leaving her to wonder if it had really been there at all. She felt a stab of sadness before chastising herself. This was his close friend’s memorial service. Fortunately, there was little time for anything other than quick introductions among the small group before they were herded inside.

  Reilly barely heard any of the service, she was entirely too aware of Todd just an inch away. She’d tried to position herself further away from him, but couldn’t without explaining to Daniel exactly why she didn’t want to sit next to him. Instead, she just concentrated on not looking at him.

  When the minister asked if anyone wished to share a memory, Todd stood.

  His leg brushed against hers as he made his way out of the pew and Reilly’s gaze flicked up to his face. He was staring straight ahead, expression stony.

  ‘I first met Bradley when I was still at Quantico,’ he began, his throat working. ‘He’d just been made a junior investigator at CSI and was well on his way to being senior investigator. I’d needed to visit for a paper I had to write . I’m not sure what I’d expected, but Bradley definitely wasn’t it. He showed me a side of forensic investigation that I hadn’t considered before. He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. After I graduated from the Academy, I came back to Tampa because I wanted to work with Bradley Ford. Even though he hadn’t seen me for years, he remembered me. Bradley was like that. He cared about people, cared about helping them.’ Todd paused, his voice catching. He cleared his throat and continued. ‘He was my mentor, my big brother, my best friend. And I am going to find the person responsible for taking him from us. I’m going to get justice for my friend.’

  On his way back to his seat, Todd’s jaw was set, his eyes flashing with the anger he’d bottled up. He didn’t look at anyone, didn’t acknowledge his colleagues, as he settled back into his seat, his eyes on his hands as the next person got up to speak.

  Reilly let out a breath she hadn’t realized that she’d been holding. So that was it, then. If there had ever been a moment where he would’ve looked to her for some form of encouragement or support, it would have been then. Instead, he hadn’t even glanced in her direction. Apparently, he thought their night together had been a mistake.

  Well, Reilly decided; if she’d had any misgivings about continuing in Dublin at least that made her decision easy.

  After the service, Daniel excused himself to make a call, leaving Reilly standing with the rest of the team and Ivy. As the others discussed the impending FBI takeover, Reilly gave Ivy an awkward smile. Daniel had told her to wait until he received official confirmation today that everything he’d talked about with Agent Kent the evening before would be authorized.

  ‘Peni says you’re from Ireland?’ Ivy asked with a smile.

  ‘Originally from California, actually,’ Reilly clarified. ‘I moved to Dublin a couple of years or so ago for a job.’

  ‘So you’re just back to visit, or to stay for good?’

  Reilly sensed Todd’s body tense, but ignored him. ‘Just to visit. It’s been great seeing Daniel and everyone again, but I have a good job in Dublin, and friends too.’

  ‘And a boyfriend, I presume?’ Ivy inquired with a smile.

  Reilly shook her head, suddenly uncomfortable with where the questions were heading. She didn’t like having these types of discussions at any time, much less in the presence of the man she’d slept with just a few days before.

  Talk about awkward.

  Fortunately, at that moment, Daniel returned. ‘I just spoke to Cam at the Bureau.’

  ‘What’d she say?’ Todd was immediately alert and his tone was curt.

  ‘She had to pull some strings, but she was able to convince her boss to let your crew stay on the case.’ Daniel paused, glancing at Reilly. Her expression must’ve told him that she wanted him to share the news because he did just that. ‘The only condition is that Reilly run point on the investigation from now on.’

  ‘Figures,’ Todd muttered darkly.

  ‘What figures?’ Reilly hadn’t been happy about the decision, but she’d reasoned it was better than losing everything to the Feds. She’d known Todd wouldn’t be happy about it, but she thought he’d at least keep quiet about it for the moment, rather than complain in front of the team.

  ‘Come on, Reilly.’ He finally turned toward her but didn’t meet her gaze. ‘You don’t think it’s a little strange that the FBI would rather have a consultant who’s spent the last three years in Dublin running a case rather than the person with the next highest ranking within the department? I wonder who put that idea in their heads?’ He gave his father a pointed look.

  Daniel crossed his arms over his chest. ‘Yes, I suggested Reilly be in charge, but only after Cam said she couldn’t consider the idea without someone with a less personal connection heading it.’

  ‘Whatever.’ Todd raised a hand and shook his head. ‘We’ve got to get back. We have a case to solve.’ He glared at Reilly. ‘If that’s OK with you, boss?’

  Reilly resisted the urge to tell Todd exactly what he could spend the next few hours doing and instead just raised an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t ask for this, Todd, but you might want to try being grateful that your father actually got us a way to keep the case.’

  ‘Sure,’ Todd sneered. ‘Thanks, Dad. I’ll try to make sure I don’t let your protégé down.’

  Reilly scowled as Todd stalked away. After an awkward moment, Emilie excused herself to follow. Peni and Ivy said their goodbyes as well, leaving Daniel and Reilly alone.

  ‘It really was the only way, you know.’ Daniel broke the silence.

  ‘I believe you,’ she said. Whatever vestige of hope she’d maintained that she and Todd would be able to work out this weird thing between them had vanished.

  Not that it mattered, since once this was done, she was going back to where she belonged. Reilly couldn’t, however, silence the small voice that countered that maybe she didn’t quite belong anywhere.

  CHAPTER 34

  ‘I know your team has just gotten back to work after the terrible passing of Bradley Ford.’ Captain Harvell’s usual gruffness was tempered by his sympathy. ‘I was so sorry to hear about it. Bradley was a good man, a valued member of the department.’

  Todd gave a stoic nod.

  ‘Agent Kent spoke with me yesterday and told me that you were taking point for the duration of the murder case, Ms Steel,’ the captain said, turning to Reilly. Once again the chief was all business. ‘He showed me a report of suspicious activity by actor Bruce Reynolds?’

  ‘Yes, sir, a media interview.’ Reilly had a vague recollection of Todd saying something about that, something Peni had unearthed apparently. She hadn’t read through all of the reports she’d delivered to the FBI agent thus far, trusting the investigative team’s notes to be up-to-date.

  ‘We’re bringing him in for questioning.’ Captain Harvell’s voice tightened. ‘Agent Kent, actually, is bringing Reynolds in for questioning, and I’d appreciate your perspective.’

  By the time Reilly arrived upstairs at the station, Reynolds was already in the interview room with Agent Kent. The actor looked completely different than he had when Reilly had last spoken with him. Gone was the arrogance, the snarky attitude. Reynolds was nervous, biting his nails, eyes darting around the room.

  Agent Kent relied on intimidation as he interrogated the suspect. Rapid-fire questions designed to trip up inconsistencies. Lots of looming. Walking behind the suspect. Reilly felt like she was learning as much about the FBI agent as she was about Reynolds.

  ‘What do you think?’ Captain Harvell asked, after nearly thirty minutes.

  Reilly shook her head. Her previous belief that the actor wasn’t the kidnapper
or the killer had been solidified after just the first few questions. ‘Reynolds may come across as arrogant, but he doesn’t have the ego or the courage to be our perp.’

  ‘You don’t think he’s acting?’

  ‘The way Agent Kent is delivering the questions, Reynolds barely has time to answer, let alone think. I’ve seen his movies. He’s not that good an actor. He’s got far too many nervous habits to be as cold and calculating as he would need to be to set up some of these scenes. Also, he’s chewing his nails. No nail or skin fragments have been found at any of the scenes. Someone with that much anxiety wouldn’t be able to stop himself.’ Reilly was interrupted when the door to the room opened and a fresh-faced rookie entered. He spoke the words none of them wanted to hear.

  ‘There’s been another murder.’

  It was one of the oddest things she had ever come across, Reilly thought a little later as she followed Todd across the sand.

  Well, apart from the whole Wicked Witch thing, that was. She didn’t think that one would ever be beaten for most bizarre murder. She was just glad she’d never been a fan of The Wizard of Oz. A friend had made her watch it once. Stupid bloody winged monkeys had freaked her out.

  ‘Do you ever wonder how writers come up with these ideas in the first place?’ Todd asked as they walked.

  Reilly shrugged. ‘I try not to think about it. Anyway, sometimes it’s not the big picture that’s revealing. Very often it’s the little details that are the most telling.’

  ‘You sound just like my dad.’ For once, his words held amusement rather than anger and Reilly took note that this was the first actual conversation she and Todd had had since spending the night together. At least it proved they could still work together. Their common goal outweighed their personal issues.

  For now anyway.

  She suspected that when they went back to the lab later and she placed the call to Agent Kent to give him the required daily update, things would get messy again.