She opened the door and automatically ran through the physical assessment shed learned during her pickpocket days, when shed sized up her potential marks.
Madeline Westfield was pretty in a haunting kind of way. Mid-thirties. Chestnut-brown hair, classily styled and just grazing her shoulders. Fair skin. Deep, dark eyes. Medium height. Cute figure. Casually but expensively dressed in a cashmere coat, from beneath which peeked a sweater and pants that screamed designer. A badly bruised foreheadfrom a bad bang, not physical abuseand an anxious look in her eyes.
The ideal clientrich and needy.
Good morning, Emma said brightly, extending her hand. You must be Ms. Westfield. Im Emma Stirling. Welcome to Forensic Instincts.
Thank you. Madeline clasped her hand briefly. Her palm was icy. She was peering around. She was nervous. Emma wondered what that was aboutthe upcoming meeting or whatever had brought her here.
The team is waiting for you right in there. Emma gestured at the cozy meeting room down the hall. Ill take your coat. Can I get you somethingcoffee, tea, water?
Coffee would be lovely, thank you, Madeline said, shrugging out of her coat and handing it to Emma. Just black.
No problem. Ill show you in and then bring it to you.
Emma led the way, escorting Madeline straight to the open door. With a brief knock, she glanced at the team. Ms. Madeline Westfield is here for her appointment. She noted the steaming pot of coffee on a trivet in the middle of the center table. Should I pour? she asked Casey.
No, thank you, Emma. Weve got it. Just shut the door on your way out.
Okay. Let me know if you need me. Emma left the room, closing the door to give them their privacy and heading back to her deskand to Yodas tutoring.
* * *
Madeline stood just inside the meeting room, tightly clutching her handbag. She looked stiff, as if she was in pain, and there was a bad bruise on her forehead.
Casey was about to open her mouth when she caught the odd, strained expression on Madelines face. She was staring at Marc. And Marc had a look on his face that Casey had never seen beforea look of stark, raw emotion.
Maddy? He rose slowly to his feet.
Hello, Marc. She attempted a smile, but it didnt quite reach her eyes. It occurred to me that you might not realize I was the one who was coming here today.
No. I didnt. Marcs emotions shut down and his usual unreadable expression snapped back into place. The appointment didnt list you as Madeline Stanton.
Westfield is my married name.
I see.
The silence was so awkward that even Casey was hard-pressed to break it.
But break it she did.
Coming swiftly to her feet, she stepped forward and extended her hand. Im Casey Woods. I see that you and Marc already know each other, so Ill introduce the rest of the team.
No questions. No observations. No belaboring the all-too-blatant reality.
Madelines relief was visible. Im so happy to meet you, she said, shaking Caseys hand. Her gaze shifted to the area rug, where Hero was lying beside Caseys chair. What a beautiful bloodhound.
Hero is a human-scent evidence dog, Casey explained. Hes part of the Forensic Instincts team.
Then he must be remarkable. Your companys reputation speaks for itself.
Well, lets see what we can do for you. Casey ran through the rest of the introductions, poured Madeline a cup of coffee and gestured for her to have a seat on one of the buttery-soft caramel leather tub chairs in the room.
There were three other identical tub chairs, casually situated around the two matching leather couches. Sure, the room also had some high-tech equipment, but it wasnt center stage. There was no point in making the place look like an interrogation room. Living rooms were far more relaxing, and leant themselves to calmer clients who were open and honest about their reasons for being here.
Madeline politely accepted the cup of coffee and gingerly sat down. Casey noted that she swiveled her tub chair ever so slightly away from Marc and kept her gaze fixed on Casey.
Those werent acts of anger. They were unconscious acts of emotional protection.
I dont know where to start, Madeline said.
Start wherever youre most comfortable. Casey sat back, ostensibly relaxed, but reading every tell that Madeline displayed. Ryan had run a preliminary background check on her, as he did on all their prospective clients. But nothing beat an in-person assessment. And, in this case, there was an additionaland very personalnuance to observe.
Well ask questions as we need to. From Caseys peripheral vision, she noticed that Marc had opened his portfolio and was ready to take notes. Business as usual. Marc preferred to go at it by hand, and then transfer his conclusions into the computer. It also wasnt a shock that he hadnt done more than a cursory read of Ryans report. He liked to go into a first meeting with just the facts and a clear mind.
Evidently, that method had backfired this time.
Do you mind if we record this conversation? Casey asked. It helps us refocus on any details that might become important later on.
Not at all, Madeline replied. Just as long as everything remains confidential.
Absolutely. Casey nodded. I assume you received the confidentiality agreement that I messengered to you?
I did. And I reviewed it with my attorney. Tentatively, Madeline leaned down, reached into her purse and extracted a folded document. Heres the fully executed original, she said, unfolding the page and handing it to Casey. I kept a copy for my records.
Good. Then lets begin. Casey sipped at her coffee, then called out, Yoda, please turn on Inspector Gadget.
Ryan grinned, proud of yet another of his accomplishments. Inspector Gadget was the iPhone hack hed programmed into each team members iPhone, which turned the cell phones into secret listening devices. With Yoda in control, the iPhone microphone and cameras could be activated, streaming audio and video over the best available network, for live viewing and/or recording by the team.
Inspector Gadget activated, Yoda announced.
Go, go, Gadget, Ryan muttered under his breath with a quiet chuckle.
Madeline was looking around, her eyes wide and puzzled.
Yoda is our artificial intelligence system, Casey explained. Ryan built him, so hes smart but safe.
A tentative nod. Okay. Madeline still looked bewildered. Then again, everyone did the first time they heard Yoda.
Go ahead and tell us your situation, Casey said.
Madeline cleared her throat. Someone is trying to kill me, she said bluntly. I have no witnesses and no tangible proof, so the police cant help me. Can you?
Who would be trying to kill you and why? Marc spoke up for the first time, his demeanor all business.
I have no idea. Madeline couldnt meet his eyes. Thats the problem. But my apartment was broken into a few weeks ago. Yes, items were stolen, but the way the place was trashed so violently, I dont believe that robbery was the reason for the break-in. And then three days ago... Madeline touched the bruise on her forehead. Someone tried to run me down when I was crossing the street. It wasnt a drunk driver. It was very deliberate and very professional. Id just stepped into the road when the SUV came at me. I literally had to fling myself back on the sidewalk to avoid getting killed. I have broken ribs and a concussion as souvenirs.
Patricks forehead creased in thought. If thats the case, then whoevers behind these attacks is convinced that you not only have something, but that you know something, he said. Otherwise, theyd just be going after your possessions, not you.
So you believe me? Madelines voice was weak with relief.
We have no reason not to, Casey replied. You make a solid argument.
But the police...
The police have to operate by a certain set of criteria that we dont have to. Casey kept it short and sweet. So lets move on to the obvious questions. Whats changed in your life recently? New relationships? New job? New routine?
None of the above.
Then lets start close to home. Tell us about your husband.
Ex-husband, Madeline corrected. Almost inadvertently, she darted a quick glance at Marc, then looked away. Conrads and my divorce was final last month. But we were separated for six months before that. Its hardly new.
Tell us about him, anyway, Claire asked.
Madeline sighed, not a sigh of anger, but one of weariness and resignation.
Conrad is a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeonone of the top three in the country. He was...is...the head of the cardio unit at Manhattan Memorial Hospital. Hes also a very complex man.
How so?
Hes bigger than life. Always striving for perfection. He not only needs to excel and to surpass others, but to surpass himself. And when all the pieces fall into place, hes unstoppable. But when they dont... A helpless shake of her head. Hes his own worst enemy.
Did you say he was or he is the head of the cardiothoracic surgical unit? Casey asked, having not missed Madelines hesitation over the past or present tense.
Is. Hes just taken a leave of absence.
Something about the way Madeline said that gave Casey pause. When you say a leave of absence, do you mean an extended vacation, or a sabbatical to go abroad and study some new aspect of his craft?
Neither. Madeline looked down at the floor for a moment, then met Caseys gaze. This isnt common knowledge, but Conrad has been staying at Crest Haven Residential Treatment Center. Its a private facility in Connecticut.
Ive heard of it. Its a top-notch mental health facility.
Madeline nodded. This has been a devastating time for Conrad. Three months ago, he lost a dear friend who hed just operated on. Hes never forgiven himself. I doubt he ever will.
Why did he operate on a close friend? Casey asked. As I understand it, thats ill-advised.
It is. But the friend was Ronald Lexington, the hospital administrator. The surgery was a delicate one, and Ron wouldnt allow anyone but Conrad to perform it.
Wow. Ryan let out a low whistle. Talk about pressure. Thats a tough one to live with.
It must have taken a huge toll on whatever was left of your marriage, Casey said tactfully.
Our marriage was already over. Madelines reply was straightforward, but she was fiddling with the pleat of her pants leg. Wed been talking on and off for a year and a half about separation. The divorce process was already well under way when this happened. But no, our relationship wouldnt have been strong enough to hold upnot given the severity of Conrads reaction or his resistance to share his pain with me.
Was he sharing his pain with anyone else? Ryan asked.
Claire winced. There was brilliant but blunt Ryan. Anyone that you know oflike a colleague or a clergyman? she asked, trying to soften the glaring implications of Ryans question.
A small smile curved Madelines lips. Im not offended. I doubt Conrad was having an affair. Thats not where his head was. I also doubt he did much sharing with anyonethats just not his nature. So, for the record, I doubt Im being hunted down by a jealous lover. The gossip mill runs wild in the circles we traveled in. The fact that our marriage was ending was common knowledge. As was the fact that it was an amicable divorce. We wished each other well. We still do.
What circles did you travel in? Patrick asked.
Oh, we had a real-life soap opera going on. Madeline grimaced. An elite social crowd of high-profile doctors and their spouses. It was compounded by the fact that I work in the same hospital as Conrad. Im an emergency room nurse. So I was in the middle of the drama both professionally and personally. It was exhausting. Im a private person, so Im struggling to extricate myself from it as quickly as possible. But after five years, its not easy, despite the divorce.
That opened the door to a whole separate cluster of questions and suspects. But Casey was studying Madelines body language. She was no longer sitting up straight and tall. She looked drawn, exhausted, pale. And every time she shifted in her seat, she flinched. The woman was clearly in a fair amount of physical pain. And the only motivator that had gotten her here today was fear.
This interview had barely gotten started. But it was about to end.
Youre a nurse, Casey said. Why do I get the feeling you used your clout to check yourself out of the hospital sooner than the doctors would have advised?
Another pained smile. Probably because youre perceptivewhich is one of the reasons I want to hire you. Although I am on extended leave, pending my doctors permission to return. That, I couldnt wiggle my way out of. Her smile faded. Im terrified. I know someone wants me deadand I have no idea why. Or when the next attempt on my life is going to be. I dont feel safe anywherenot at home, not doing errands, not even at the hospital. Please. I need your help.
Casey glanced around the room, reading her teams expressions. Their usual procedure was to meet privately and make a group decision as to whether or not to take on a case. But Casey was reluctant to make Madeline wait when she was clearly in pain.
Plus, Casey knew her team. She knew what their reactions would be.
Except for Marc. This time, he was a huge question mark. So she saved him for last.
First, Patrick. He gave her an indiscernible nod. Ditto for Ryan. Claires lips mouthed the word yes.
Everyone accounted for. Casey angled her head in Marcs direction. He was still writingalthough Casey suspected that was more to keep himself occupied than it was to jot down notes about what was being said. Marc had a steel-trap mind, plus Yoda was taping the interview.
Well aware that Casey was looking at him, he raised his head and met her gaze. With an expression that was totally nondescript, he blinked his assent.
That settled that.
If money is the issue, just name your fee, Madeline interrupted the silence to offer. Conrad gave me a generous settlement. Im sure we can come to terms.
Im sure we can. Casey rose, extended her hand. Consider yourself our client. We still have a lot to go over with you, but not today. You need to be in bed, recuperating. How did you get here this morning?
I took a cab. I live on the Upper East Side.
Ill drive you home, Patrick said at once. Id like to check out your apartment.
Once again, Madeline reached into her purse. I have a copy of the police report, if that helps. It lists the items that were stolen.