It wasnt in any way all right.
The woman lurched forward, as if she would fall into Kierans arms, if Kieran had just been close enough.
She wasnt.
The woman fell face-first down onto the sidewalk.
Thats when Kieran saw the knife protruding from the womans back and the rivulets of blood suddenly forming all around her and joining together to create a crimson pool.
* * *
Babies tended to be adorableand this baby was especially so. In fact, Kieran wasnt sure shed ever seen an ugly baby, but she had been assured by friends that they did exist.
This little girl, though, had a headful of auburn ringlets and huge blue eyes. Kieran had heard that all babies had blue eyes, but she didnt know if that was true or not. Sadly, she just didnt know a lot about babies; she was one in a family of four children herself, yes, but she and her twin brother, Kevin, were only a couple of years behind their older brother and one year older than their younger brother.
Actually, this beautiful baby looked as if she could fit right in with their family. Each of the Finnegan siblings had a form of red hair and blue or green or blue-green eyes. Kierans own were blue, and her hair was a deep red.
They say its the Irish, she said softly to the little one in her arms. But I dont think that youre Irish!
Talking to the baby made sense at the moment; FBI Special Agent Craig Frasier, the love of her life and often partner in crimesolving crime, not committing it!had arrived shortly after the police. The medical examiner had come for the body of the murdered woman. While waiting for Child Services, Kieran was holding the baby, back up in the office.
Drs. Fuller and Miro worked with the police or other law enforcement. While not with the FBI, they were regular profilers and consultants for the NYC office. The Bureaus behavioral science teams were down in DC, and while they could be called in, the city police and FBI often used local help in trying to get a step ahead of a criminal, or in working with criminals and witnesses when psychological assessments were needed, or, sometimes, when a child or a distressed person just needed to be able to speak to someone to ask the right questions and put them at ease. Kieran did a number of those assessments before reporting to the doctors, and she worked with victims of domestic abuse and both parents and children when they wound up within the child welfare systemsuch as a teenager who had been assaulted by her own father, or a senior citizen who was recovering from gunshot wounds inflicted by his wife. Or Kierans last patient today, Besa Goga. Besa was a sad case, abused for years when shed first immigrated to the country, and now quick to strike out. Besa Goga was in court-ordered therapy because shed bitten a man from her cable company. Kieran had only been seeing her a few weeks.
But the office didnt always work through the police department, FBI or other such agencies. They also handled other cases that fell their way through happenstance or other circumstancesas in the recovering alcoholic who was also a politician and doing very well with Dr. Fuller.
Kieran had called her bosses to let them know what had happened. Both had said theyd come in immediately.
She had assured them that they shouldnt; the police were dealing with the murder, and Child Services was coming for the baby.
Dr. Fullerwho had looks as dreamy as any TV physicianwas at an event with his equally beautiful wife and their six-year-old. Dr. Miro was giving a keynote speech at a conference in Southern Jersey.
Kieran had convinced them both that she was fine, that it was just strange and scary.
The poor murdered woman hadnt been scary; she had touched Kierans heart. She had needed help so badly. But she had called Kieran by name. And that made Kieran wonder.
She sat out in the waiting area of the officesright where the woman had come up to her, right where the baby had been thrust into her arms. She thought that the baby was bound to cry again soon. Thats what babies did. They were hungry or wet or had gas or...who knew? She just really didnt have much experience. And she had no clue as to the childs age. But with little else to doand probably in a bit of shock herself, despite the fact that shed now thrown herself into the crime-fighting ring for a few years and had seen some shocking thingsshe talked to the baby. She made soothing noises, discussed her own uncertainty with a cheerful voice, and made a few faces here and there.
She could swear that the baby smiled.
Did babies smile this young?
She knew that those who knewexperienced parents, grandparents, and so onclaimed babies did not smile until a certain age.
This one, she was certain, smiled. She waved her little fists in the air and grinned toothlessly. She even cooed.
Hey! Craig had come back up to the offices after checking out the scene on the street.
He nodded to the policeman at the door. Since Kieran had no idea what was going on, and since a woman who had been looking for her had just been stabbed to death, having a policeman standing guard was very reassuring, and Kieran was grateful.
She looked up at Craig, hopeful. Though, of course, she doubted that he or the police or anyoneother than the killerknew who had stabbed the woman, or why.
You okay? he asked her.
Im fine. I was handed the baby. I dont think anyone was after me for any reason at all, but...oh, Lord. Craig, you dont think its my fault, do you? I mean, if I hadnt chased after her
Kieran, he said, hunkering down by her. No. His voice was firm andas usualfilled with confidence and authority. Craig had been a special agent with the FBI for a good decade. He always seemed to exude a comfortable assurance and strengththings she had to admit she loved about him. Well, along with rock-hard abs, a solid six-three frame and the fact that the term tall, dark and handsome might have been conceived just for him. He had hazel eyes that were like marble, seemed to see far too much, and still...well, in her mind, they were just beautiful.
It happened all so fast, Kieran murmured.
Craig adjusted the blanket around the baby. Kieran thought she cooed and smiled for him, too, but it was hard to tell.
Smile...maybe gas. Who knew?
Kieran, that woman was trying to save this child. She brought her to you. You arent to blame in any way. I have a feeling that she was very heroicand that she gave her life for the child. She might have stolen the baby from some kind of terrible situation. I dont knownone of us can even begin to figure out what might have gone down yet. But I believe the minute she took the baby away from whoever had it before, her hours were numbered. He was quiet for a moment and looked up at her. This isnt going to be an FBI case, you know. Whoever your visitor was, she was murdered on the streets of New York. Its an NYPD matter.
Did you talk to Ralph downstairs? she asked anxiously. He should have been on the deskand youre supposed to sign in to enter this building. So it was with most large office buildings in the city. It had been ever since 9/11.
Yes, I spoke with him. The police spoke with him. He was a mess. He thinks its all his fault. UPS was here with a large shipment for the computer tech firm on the eighteenth floor. He thinks she slipped by him when he ran over to help the courier with the elevator, Craig said.
I can imagine hes upset. Did he ever get out of here? He was planning on seeing the Danny Boys play tonight, too.
I can imagine hes upset. Did he ever get out of here? He was planning on seeing the Danny Boys play tonight, too.
I dont think he went to see the band, Craig said. The cops let him go about an hour or so ago now.
Ah, Kieran murmured.
What an end to the week. Ralph Miller was a Monday to Friday, regular hours kind of guy. He looked forward to his Friday nights; he loved music, especially Irish rock bands. He must have been really upset to realize a murder had taken place somewhere just down the street from his front door.
The murder of a woman who had slipped by him.
A woman who had left a baby in Kierans arms.
A baby. Alone, in her arms.
Craig, I just... I wish I understood. And Im not sure about the officer handling the case
Kieran, no matter how long we all work in this, murder is hard to understand. That officer needed everything you could give him.
I know that. Ive spoken with him. He wants me to figure out why the woman singled me out. Hes more worried about that than the baby! Kieran said indignantly.
Hes a detective, Kieran. Asking you questions is what hes supposed to doyou know that. Can you think of anything? Craig asked her.
Kieran shook her head. She probably knew about this office. And its easy enough to find out all our names.
Maybe, and then...
And then what?
Craig smiled at her. During the diamond heists casewhen they had first metshe had saved a girl from falling onto the subway tracks when a train was coming. When a reporter had caught up with Kieran, she had impatiently said, Anyone would lend a helping hand.
For quite some time after, shed been a city heroine.
So she had a feeling she knew what he was going to say.
Maybe they saw you on TV.
That was a long time ago.
Some people have long memories.
There was a tap at the door; the officer who had been standing guard held it open for a stocky woman with a round face and gentle, angelic smile. She was in uniform, and Kieran quickly realized that she was from Child Services.
Hi, Im Sandy Cleveland, the woman told her. Child
Services, yes, of course! Kieran said.
Kieran realized that she didnt want to hand over the baby. She didnt have a thing for babiesher primary goal in life had never been to get married and have children. She did want themsomewhere along the line. But not now. She knew that, eventually, yes, she wanted to marry Craig. She was truly, deeply, kind of even madly in love with him.
But no wedding in the near future. Maybe in a year. They hadnt even really discussed it yet.
She didnt go insane over babies at family picnics, and she was happy for her friends who were pregnant or parents, and she got along fine with kidslittle ones and big ones.
But she wasnt in any way obsessed.
Here, now, in the office, holding the precious little bundlewho had so recently been tenderly held by a woman who was now dead with a knife in her backKieran was suddenly loath to give her up. And it wasnt that the woman from Child Services didnt appear to be just about perfect for her job. No one could fake a face that held that much empathy.
Its okay, Sandy Cleveland said very softly. I swear shell be okay with me. We take great care of little ones at my office. I wont just dump her in a crib and let her cry. Its my jobIm very good at it, she added, as if completely aware of every bit of mixed emotion that was racing through Kierans heart and mind. She smiled and added, Miss Finnegan, the street below is teeming with police officersand reporters. The chief of police is already involved in this situation. This little one will not just have the watchdogs of Child Services looking over her, but a guardian from the police force, as well. Shes going to be fine. I personally promise you.
Im sureIm sure youre good, Kieran said. She smiled at Sandy Cleveland.
That means you have to give her the baby, Craig said, but she thought he understood, too, somehow.
Yes, yes, of course, Kieran murmured.
She managed to make herself move, and she handed over the baby.
It was so damned hard to do!
Miss Cleveland, can you tell me about how old she is? Kieran asked.
I think about six weeks based on her motor function. And, please, just call me Sandy, the woman told her. Her eyes are following youand when you speak, thats a real smile. Its usually between about six weeks and three months when they really smile, and I think this is a lovely, smart girl. Dont worry! Ill get a smile from her, too, I promise.
The baby did seem to be settling down in Sandy Clevelands arms.
Craig set an arm around Kierans shoulders.
Sandy, Im with the FBI. Craig Frasier. You wont mind if we check in on this little one?
Of course not! Sandy assured them. She shook her head sadly. I hear that the woman who handed her to you was murdered. Theres no ID on her. Im just hoping we can find out who this little one is. Shes in good shape, though. Someone has been caring for her. Yes! Youre so sweet! She said the last words to the baby, wrinkling her nose and making a faceand drawing a sound that wasnt quite laughter, but darned close to it. Hopefully, she has a mom or other relatives somewhere. And if not... She hesitated, studying Kieran and Craig. Well, if nota precious little infant like this? People will be jockeying to adopt her. Anyway, let me get her out of here and away from...from what happened. She held the baby adeptly while using her left hand to dig into her pocket and produce her business card. Call me anytime, she told them. I may not answer, but I will get back to you if you leave me a message.
Then she was gone. The cop who had been watching over Kieran went outside.
She and Craig were alone.
Kieran still felt shell-shocked.
Kieran, hey! Craig hunkered down by her again as she sank down into one of the comfortably upholstered chairs in the waiting room. He looked at her worriedly. The cops are goodyou know that.
Craig, you have to be in on this. That detective
Lance. Lance Kendall. Kieran, really, hes all right. Hes doing all the right things.
Yeah! All the right thingsgrilling me!
Okay, I will speak with Egan about it tomorrow, hows that?
She nodded. Thank you. Get one of your joint task forces goingat least maybe you can participate?
Sure. He hesitated. I guess...um, well.
There was a tap at the door. They both looked up. Craig stood.
A man walked in. It wasnt the first officer who had arrived at the sceneit was the detective who had arrived while others were setting up crime scene tape, handling the rush hour crowd around the body, and urging her to get the baby back up to her offices and out of the street.
Detective Kendall was a well-built African American man. About six feet even, short brown hair, light brown eyes, and features put together pleasantly. He was around forty-five, she thought. He wasnt warm and cuddly, but neither was he rude.
Detective, Craig said. Have you wrapped up at the scene for the evening?
Yesa few techs are still down there, but theres nothing more I can accomplish here. Unless you can help, Miss Frasier? You cant think of anything?