The Devil's Orchard

by Ali Vali

  “True, but the fact they were even contemplating letting someone go that trampled all over everything I stand for, and have worked hard for, ate at me. A small part of me applauded Casey for doing it, if she’s responsible.”

  “You’re not alone in that,” Lionel said. “That guy was forever screaming at us for what he saw as our screwups, when all along he was screwing us over.”

  “I understand where you’re both coming from, but what’s that got to do with all this?” Claire asked.

  Joe stared at both of them, sensing he could trust them, but how well did you ever know anyone? The FBI put good people like this in the field, but it was also a highly political organization. To get ahead you needed to not only know the game, but play it well. If he confided his plan and they turned on him, he’d be lucky to only lose his job. Someone like Ronald would use it to prosecute him.

  “Barney went down because Shelby decided to take a chance and trust someone we all agree shouldn’t be trustworthy. It wasn’t our great investigative talent pool that brought a bad agent down. It was Cain Casey.” He glanced between them again and tried to gauge if he should stop.

  “Are you saying we recruit Cain to take Ronald down?” Lionel asked, and Claire laughed. “That might be the only way to save our jobs, so don’t dismiss it right off,” Joe said to Claire.

  “You’re serious?” Claire asked, and he and Lionel didn’t say anything. “Come on. I just worked up the nerve to curse her out, and you want me to turn around and start asking her for favors.”

  “I’m not recruiting Cain, so don’t freak out on me,” Joe said, and Lionel appeared disappointed. “I am suggesting that we use something similar to what Cain did to make sure we don’t get burned. Cain wasn’t afraid of us, and still isn’t, I guess, but Barney wasn’t working as an agent of the law. I think an agent with impunity to kill did scare Cain, so she decided to turn things around and use the system against Barney, and it worked beautifully.”

  “Do you think Ronald’s dirty?” Claire asked.

  “I’ve met motivated people in this job, but never anyone who takes such joy in trying to remove good people from a post. Don’t you think it’s strange that of all the agents in our office that could’ve helped him, he picks Brent?” Claire finally nodded, and he felt as if he was getting through. “Brent jumped at the chance and got rewarded with a clean report. If you think he’s not going to use that against everyone he feels screwed him over on this, you’re crazy.”

  “You think Muriel knows?” Lionel asked.

  “You read the report compiled by us and the crew that relieves us. Both Chapman and Brent went to Hayden Casey’s game and called Cain out. The only way Brent could be anywhere near her is if someone forgave him. Ronald, with his obnoxious attitude, painted a large bull’s-eye on his own forehead for that. Cain decided at the last minute to drop any charges against Brent if they gave her that one concession.”

  “What’s our first move?” Claire asked.

  “We need to talk to Annabel, because with only three of us, we don’t have enough people to pull this off. Ronald might be clean, but if he’s got any nasty habits we need to find them. The trick here is to have a better hand when he plays his cards.”

  “And if somewhere along the line Cain hands us another box, then what?” Lionel asked.

  “We use it if she gets it the same way she got the first,” Claire said.

  “We’re agreed?” he asked. This might be the lure that got Shelby to come back.

  “Agreed,” Lionel and Claire said together.

  “Good.” He held his bottle up for a toast. “Here’s to standing up to assholes like Ronald and not going to the mat from a sucker punch.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  A week went by and no one responded to the promise of big money on the street, Hector had kept his promise to stay away, and nothing out of the ordinary had happened. The end of the school year had finally arrived, and Cain had cleared her schedule for all the activities the kids had planned.

  She watched their son come down the stairs in his school uniform, straightening his tie and mumbling. The white shirt with the school crest on the pocket, the tie with his school colors, and his slicked-back hair made him appear much more mature than his years. The timeline they’d agreed on would come faster than she thought when she saw him like this, but it didn’t worry her.

  Hayden, like she and Emma had been, was the top academic student in his class. He still had plenty of schooling ahead of him, but she suspected he’d do as well until his final day in college. The future of their family was secure for the next generation.

  “You ready to move on?” she asked as she finished the tie job for him.

  “I’ll miss some of my teachers, but most of my friends got accepted to Jesuit, so that’s good. It’ll be a plus to know some people.” He followed her to the kitchen and sat next to her at the table. They were the only ones ready, so they’d have time to talk before Hannah came down and told them about her pizza party for the thousandth time.

  “Your mama and I are so proud of you. I remember the day you were born and I held you for the first time. It was like holding a mirror up to the past. You looked so much like my father and Billy, I felt ten feet tall. Those big blue eyes and that head of black hair screamed Casey, and you were going to be the center of my world. I knew that right off.”

  “What do you think this new baby will be like?” he asked as he put his hand over hers.

  As much as she loved Hannah and Emma being back home, she missed this one-on-one with him. Summer wasn’t goose season, but maybe they’d go up to the cabin she’d built next to Emma’s lake in Wisconsin and set up a skeet machine. Like at their shooting range, it was something they could do together.

  “If I get my wish, maybe this one will be a little girl with blond hair and green eyes that looks like her mama. Actually, that’s been my wish for all of you, but my side of the family’s not too bad-looking.” She winked.

  His exams were over and the only thing left was the graduation ceremony the school held for its students moving on to high school. Hayden had practiced his speech in front of them a few times, and Emma had cried every time. He wasn’t only the kid with the best grades; he was also the class president, so the honor of speaking for his fellow students went to him.

  “Today, though, belongs to you, son. Hayden Dalton Casey, you’re mine, and I’m so proud of the man you’re becoming. Remember to always do what’s expected, but only if it makes you happy.”

  “You and me, we want the same things,” he said, and stood. “I know I’m expected to claim my birthright as the next clan leader, but that’s what I want. I’m a Casey and I’m yours, and I want to be just like you.”

  “You won’t be.” She hugged him and kissed the top of his head. She didn’t have to bend as much anymore, and it was amusing that Hayden had to lower his head when Emma tried the same thing. “You’ll be better than me because I trust you to make your own way when it’s your turn.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, and I can’t wait to see you grow. You’ve given me nothing but happiness, and I’m glad you’re my kid.”

  When they broke apart Emma walked in with a gift-wrapped box in her hand. “You look so grown-up.” Emma smiled when Hayden hugged her so hard he lifted her off the ground. “Thank God you didn’t inherit my short genes.”

  “We made him tall so he can carry you around when you’re a granny,” Cain said, and Hayden laughed.

  “One more crack like that and you’ll be on the sofa, smarty pants.” Emma fussed but laughed too as she held her hand out. “There’s another reason we’re glad you grew so big.” Emma handed Cain the box and leaned against her as she thought about what was inside.

  “Your grandfather treasured one thing his father gave him. Our business started in Ireland, and a few of the siblings came to the States to expand and make their mark.” She sat them down for the abbreviated telling of this story, and ev
en though Hayden had heard it all his life, he seemed riveted. “You know their plan didn’t turn out how they’d envisioned, but they managed to survive the worst and started what we have today.”

  “You need to start telling this story to Hannah, Mom. She’ll love it as much as I have.”

  “She tells your sister a little part every night at bedtime, and you’re right. She loves it more than any book she owns,” Emma said.

  “Your grandfather received a gift that has been in our family for generations, and it was one of the saddest days of his life when it was stolen from him as a young man. He missed it so much that he had a replica made, and he wore it with the same affection as the one he was given. It’s not the original, but Billy accepted it with pride as well the day I gave it to him.” She slid the box in front of him and went back to holding Emma’s hand. “Congratulations, son, from your Mama and me.”

  The ring inside had been Dalton’s and he’d worn it every day until he died. In his will he’d left it to the new Casey Clan leader, but her brother Billy had fallen in love with it as a small boy and she couldn’t deny him. It had gone into the house vault when Billy died, and she’d decided it’d wait there until Hayden’s hand grew into it.

  The gold band had Mine But For A Moment engraved around the outside and Casey on the inside. Her grandmother, generations before, had first said it to a baby born in the United States. The ring had been given to her by her grandmother in the old country and was part of their family’s history.

  “He’d have popped a few buttons seeing that on your finger,” she said when Hayden slipped it on.

  Hayden stared at it as if in disbelief. “Thanks, and I promise to take good care of it.”

  “You’re welcome. Now get something to eat so they can hear you in the cheap seats,” she said, grateful Katlin had hung back until they were finished. Her mother often said there were moments in life that should be locked away in your heart because they were so special. This was one of those.

  Katlin came when she nodded and stopped to put her arms around Hayden, then Hannah, who’d run in dressed for school. “You have time for coffee in the office?” Katlin asked.

  “Anything yet?” Cain asked when the door to the office closed.

  “We got a call from one of Carlos Luis’s guys. They’re arriving in the morning and he wants a meeting.”

  “Did he find anything new? I would’ve thought one of those tweakers would’ve taken me up on the money we’re offering, if only to keep their habit going for years.”

  Katlin straightened one of the frames on her desk, which made Cain glance at Emma smiling back at her. Why in the hell couldn’t anything be easy? She’d lit a powder keg by going after Gracelia, but when Carlos arrived it might go off before she was ready.

  “Set it up but not here.” She stood, wanting to give business a pass today unless someone dropped Juan on her doorstep. Katlin, though, kept her seat. “What else?”

  “Nicolette Blanc and her girl Luce went by Emma’s last night. They had way too many drinks and made a scene. Nelson called me down, so I took care of it.”

  “What kind of scene?”

  “Nicolette was screaming that either you showed up or you’d be sorry for blowing her off. She followed that by saying, ‘FBI, sorry.’ Nelson had the guys stuff her and her girlfriend in the office, and the guys with them went a little apeshit.”

  “Nic obviously hasn’t learned that full-charged persistence doesn’t work with me unless your name is Emma Verde Casey. Then I’m lucky to last the day.”

  “True, but this isn’t Emma, so what do you want me to do about it?”

  Cain drummed her fingers on the desk in her habitual uneven pattern and thought about the quickest, least complicated solution. After a brief conversation with Luce she knew that’d be impossible. Luce Fournier wanted to beat her chest and prove she was queen of the jungle to impress Nic. The obnoxious woman hadn’t figured out yet that if someone had the title, while people were busy shouting look at me, it was easy to slit their throats.

  “Nothing for now, except call her and tell her she’ll have to wait a few days. Warn her that I won’t tolerate another outburst like that. You can leave that up to her imagination or not—your call.”

  “I’ll take care of it.” Katlin glanced at her watch. “Who do you want with you this morning?”

  “Lou and Mook should cover it. I told them to wait outside so the other people there won’t be uncomfortable.”

  “Comfort isn’t a priority for me right now, cousin, so I’m going to buck you on this one. Lou and Mook can cover the front, but I’m sending Dino and a couple others to cover the back.” Katlin placed her hands on her hips, appearing defiant, as if she expected an argument.

  Like her father, who’d had her uncle Jarvis watching his back all his life then did the same for her, Cain appreciated her family watching out for her and those closest to her. Muriel and Katlin would never betray her like her cousin Danny Baxter.

  “Today I’m Derby, wife and mother, and all I’m interested in doing is listening to my brilliant kid give a speech and watching my other brilliant kid fill up on pizza. You can do whatever you think is best.”

  Katlin laughed and dropped her hands. “Come on, then, because if I’m in charge for the day I want to get going and take advantage of the opportunity.”

  Outside the school both sides of the street were lined with cars, so the van that’d followed them moved on after Claire got out. Cain shook her head in amazement, wondering who the FBI thought she was going to cut a deal with or kill inside.

  They entered the auditorium with Ross and Hannah, who, along with the other younger kids with siblings in the morning’s events, got to attend. After the awards were given out, the school’s president introduced Hayden. He thanked his teachers, fellow students, and every parent for their commitment to their academic success.

  Emma squeezed Cain’s forearm as he spoke and had a smile that rivaled Cain’s. Hayden was articulate, smooth, charming, and had pretty much everyone in the audience nodding as if they approved of everything he was saying.

  “I’d like to thank my parents and my Grandpa Ross for teaching my sister, Hannah, and me that anything is possible if you work for it. It’s the best feeling in the world to know I have people who love me and believe in my dreams. I love you, guys, and thanks for having my back.”

  They posed for pictures when Hayden’s part was done, and then he walked Hannah to her classroom. The other children knew him and ran to him to beg him to read them a book. Every last-year student had to do volunteer work, and Hayden had given up his free period to spend it reading to Hannah and her friends.

  “You’ll meet us later? Don’t forget we’re taking Daddy and the kids to dinner to start the summer right,” Emma said as they walked out together. It was early enough for Cain to get some business out of the way.

  “I’ll be home in a few hours, but I’d like to take care of something Katlin told me about before we left.”

  Emma tugged her to a stop and waited for her to say something, but they were outside under Claire’s watchful eyes. “I know—not now, but you’re not going to be out in the open, are you?”

  “No. I have to figure out where Nicolette and Luce are staying so I can send them packing.” She kissed Emma’s forehead, then her lips. “Nicolette got stupid at Emma’s last night and I’d like to avoid it happening again.”

  “I’m all for convincing that French twerp to leave, so good luck.”

  “Where is she?” Cain asked Katlin when she got in the car. The vehicle in front of them held her family, and another carload of guys was waiting to follow them home.

  “They have a couple of suites at the Piquant and haven’t been out of their room yet.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I’ve got someone in the lobby by the elevators and a guy up by the pool, and so far nothing. They have to be in their room.”

  “Interesting. Luce doesn’t seem l
ike the kind to lie around all day, but she might need the rest for her small bouts of sarcasm.” They stopped at the valet stand, but Katlin had one of the guys turn the car around and wait. A few twenties for the man set to take it allowed him to wait inside.

  “They’re up on seven, and I hope they’re still sleeping the liquor off,” Katlin said as they rode the elevator to the lobby. “Bastards made me get out of bed to deal with that shit.”

  The Piquant’s marble lobby was, as always, beautifully decorated and full of people, but it didn’t seem crowded. Cain often forgot about the stained-glass restaurant and bar where the owner often played a few sets. After their life calmed a little she’d have to bring Emma back on a date.

  “You’ve come a long way from the womanizing and partying of your early twenties. Merrick’s been good for you.”

  “Same as Emma’s been for you. Sometimes I miss it, but when Merrick’s better we’ll hit the town. I want to believe Diane when she says that’s only a few months from now. Having a therapist come to us every day has sped her recovery a lot.”

  They got into the next set of elevators and she pressed her shoulder to Katlin’s. “I wish what happened hadn’t, and if I could’ve changed it—”

  “I don’t blame you. You’re my family and I know that’s how you think of Merrick.” Katlin put her arm around her and kissed her cheek. “It’s a privilege to live the way we do. We are true to our families, our tradition, and our rules. All those make us richer than most, but what happened to my girl is at times the price that comes of it. You want Juan for your reasons and I want him for mine, but that’s who I blame.”

  “In a couple of months we’ll celebrate together, because it’s a blessing Merrick’s still got that sharp mind.”

  “Your assignments have gone a long way in motivating her, and it makes her believe you haven’t given up on her.”

  The hallway was empty, and they glanced at the sign showing which way to go. “Don’t be offended, but she’s always been the best on my payroll.”