Casey nodded. Anything from the crime scene yet?
No. The entire school staff is being interviewed, particularly those who witnessed the incident, and the car-pool mom who had a birds-eye view. So far, weve come up empty. The Willises are about to release a statement to the media, and issue a plea on TV. Were setting up a tip line for anyone with a potential lead to call in-anyone who might have spotted a silver GMC Acadia with a child inside and the letters X and M in the license plate.
A suburban car in a suburban neighborhood, Casey mused. Doesnt exactly raise any red flags.
Unfortunately, youre right. Not only that, weve got two parents who have more than the average number of grudge-holders whod love to strike them where it hurts. And whats more powerful than taking their only child?
Casey grimaced. Not a thing. She glanced around and watched the FBI team coordinating plans. Look, Peg, were probably going to overlap in our suspect interviews. So if theres anyone you want us to talk to, anyone on that list you think were well suited to gain insights from, just say the word. Like I said, the list of potential suspects is a mile long. And we all want the same thing-Krissys safe return. So use us as you need to.
I will. Peg had seen Casey in action enough times to know that she didnt give a damn who got credit for the win. On the flip side, she was equally unmotivated by the rules of bureaucracy. And that sometimes ruffled feathers. Right now, were dividing up the list. Once we do, I wont hesitate to take you up on your offer. Count on it.
Once Peg had headed back into the tense huddle that was her team, Casey scanned the area for her own people. Marc was in the hallway, talking to a couple of C-20 agents. Ryan was nowhere to be found, but Casey suspected he was upstairs in Krissys room, probing things with the agent assigned to analyze Krissys computer for forensic evidence.
Hope and Edward were currently being prepped for the statement theyd be issuing within the hour on TV. Ashley was right beside them, listening intently. Her physical positioning and her body language were very telling. Casey made a mental note of both.
She then turned and made her way through the lower level of the house. She planned to wait until she could talk to Hope and Edward before she left. After that, when she and her team were armed with enough details to kick into high gear, she planned to drive over to Krissys school and start conducting some in-depth interviews.
Strolling from room to room, she didnt expect to enter the eerily quiet playroom only to find Claire Hedgleigh sitting cross-legged on the carpet, rolling a crayon between her fingers while her other palm was pressed to a partially finished picture in an open coloring book.
Tears were trickling down her cheeks.
CHAPTER FIVE
Mommy?
Where are you? Im scared. I dont know where I am. I dont know how I got here.
The picture I finger-painted for you in school is drying. My book bag zipper got stuck. So the bell rang two times before I came out. I was surprised to hear you honk the horn. Surprised but happy. You left work early. You left that bench you always sit on just so we could play. You hadnt even changed out of the black suit I helped you pick out this morning, so you could get to school before Olivias mommy took me home.
Now I remember that smelly scarf. I tried to tell you it was stinky, but you were talking. Not to me. To somebody else. The car kept moving. I woke up a little. You gave me a drink to make the yucky taste go away.
I feel funny. Am I sick? This is not my bed. And these arent my pajamas. I dont like pajamas. I get hot and they stick to me. I like nightgowns. Wheres my nightgown?
I dont like it here. Was that Daddys voice before? Is he still here? Are you?
What if you both left?
What if theres no one here but me and Oreo?
I keep calling your name, but you dont come. I called Ashley, too. She didnt answer. I dont want her anyway. I dont want Daddy either. I want you.
Where are you, Mommy?
Please come.
Claire squeezed her eyes shut, reflexively recoiling as the little girls fear and confusion flowed through her.
The child was becoming more aware. The cobwebs were clearing from her head. And from Claires. Afraid. So afraid.
Krissy was crying. Big droplets on her eyelashes, cheeks and chin. She was wiping them away with the backs of her hands. The top of Oreos head was wet from the tears she couldnt catch.
Panic. She was starting to panic. Yelling for her mommy. Sobbingbegging
Claire?
At first the voice didnt penetrate. Then Claire heard it, realized someone was calling her. She jerked back to her current surroundings, blinking as she glanced behind her and saw Casey.
Are you okay? Casey asked.
No. Slowly, Claire rose to her feet, unaware of the dampness on her face. Krissy is terrified. She doesnt know where she is. And she keeps calling for her mommy.
Casey didnt bat a lash. You could sense what she was feeling. Was she reliving anything that happened? Anything you could pick up on?
A slight nod. Whoever took her was wearing a classic black suit similar to the ones her mother wears to work. Her hair was blond and parted on the side, just like Judge Williss.
Was it real? Or a wig?
I dont know. Krissy didnt have a feeling about that Claire spread her hands wide in an uncertain gesture. The woman was wearing dark sunglasses. She was clearly disguising her appearance. But, more important, she was doing her best to impersonate Krissys mother. Her car. Her hair. A big smile. A welcoming wave.
And a kidnapping. Caseys mind was racing. Was Krissy remembering what happened in the car? Was the kidnapper alone? Did she hurt her?
I think she chloroformed her, and later drugged her again. And Krissy heard her talking. I didnt sense anyone else in the car, so Im guessing she was on the phone.
Probably talking to whoever shes working with-or for. Casey pushed on. What else did you sense? Wheres Krissy now? Could you see her surroundings? Who was with her? Anything at all that could help us find her?
This time Claire hesitated. Casey, I really should talk to the police first.
You probably should. But its freshest in your mind now. The cops are in meetings, getting their assignments so they can head out and start interviewing. Im here. Ill memorize everything you say. I can be there when you talk to the task force, so that just in case a detail starts to fade, well ensure you give them the clearest and most comprehensive picture possible. A pause. Claire, youve worked with me before. All I want is for that little girl to be found before its too late. So tell me what you remember.
She wants her nightgown, Claire replied quietly. She doesnt like pajamas, but shes wearing flannel ones. Shes in a downstairs bedroom, behind a door with a lock on the outside and a separate one on the inside for when the kidnapper is with her. No ones there now. She heard voices before, but now its silent, and shes frantic for her mommy.
The room-did you see it?
Flashes of it, yes. Its bare. Quiet. Theres a canopied bed with a white bedspread that has little gold crowns on it and pink ruffles all around the sides. Theres enough light in the room, but its from a lamp on the nightstand. No sunlight. And no window. Just four pale pink walls and a bare carnation-pink carpet. Like an institutional room, but with a few personal touches.
No surprise, Casey responded. The main offender is most likely a man. Hell want to put Krissy in an environment where she feels totally vulnerable, but surrounded by enough personal touches to lower her defenses and convince her that he cares. Thatll provide him with the greatest sense of control. As for the little-girl decor, Im sure thats courtesy of his female accomplice. Shell do it for him, but Im hoping that a small part of her will also do it for Krissy. That would mean the woman feels a shred of pity or compassion-up to the point where shed be crossing the line and jeopardizing her own safety. If thats true, we can use her emotions to our advantage.
Claire nodded, walking over and picking up the coloring book and crayons. Im going to find the North Castle detectives.
Assuming theyre still here, Casey reminded her. Its possible that everyones out doing their job and that the only law enforcement here are whoever Peg assigned to the Willises and the phones.
Then Ill talk to them.
Do you want me to be there?
No. A raw pause. In this case, my recall is one hundred percent-unfortunately.
I can imagine. Casey didnt envy Claires gift. It had to be enormously painful at times like this. Whoever you talk to, just dont do it in front of the Willises. Theyre about to give a media statement, and the BAU isnt here yet to coach them. The last thing they need is to hear that Krissy is terrified and locked up-for God knows what purpose. We can talk to them later. Well make sure to emphasize the fact that Krissy is alive.
Halfway to the door, Claire paused, looking at Casey as if she were truly seeing her for the first time. Youre very insightful.
Sos my whole team, Casey replied. Its something that you and I should discuss-when the time is right.
Claires eyebrows drew together in puzzlement. Okay. We will.
Just after Claire left the room, Caseys BlackBerry rang. She glanced down at the caller ID. No surprise at what she saw.
She punched on the phone. Hey.
Hey, yourself, said a deep, masculine voice. I wanted you to know that Im in your neck of the woods. Ive got a case in Westchester County. Im not sure when I can break away, but when I do, can we get together? Maybe later tonight?
Oh, a lot sooner than that, Casey assured him. Im at the Willises house right now. I assume thats where youre headed?
A sharp intake of breath. They hired you already?
What can I say? Theyve got good taste. Just like you. Caseys light banter vanished. Im glad youre coming. Weve got to find Krissy Willis before shes killed-or worse. Hurry.
Casey got the Willises alone before the BAU-3 team arrived to prep them.
After your TV statement, my team and I are going over to Krissys school, Casey told them. Well be interviewing a few specific staff members.