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“By all means.” Casey’s brows rose in interest. “Put it up on all screens.”
“Of course.”
An instant later, a visual appeared on the enormous, centrally located conference room TV, as well as the panorama of screens surrounding it, providing a perfect view from every angle.
Breaking News flashed in red at the bottom, along with the caption: FBI and local authorities break up national drug trafficking operation.
Three official-looking law enforcement representatives in suits stood there—a stocky gray-haired man and a slim blonde woman positioned on either side of the dais, and a broad-shouldered African-American man, who was up at the podium. On the front panel of the podium was the customary imposing seal that read: Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The authoritative spokesman at the podium stepped clos
er to the microphone and addressed the TV audience.
“Good afternoon. I’m Special Agent in Charge Rodney Bloom of the FBI Albany Division. With me today is United States Assistant District Attorney Roberta Elden and Captain of the Chicago Police Department William Regis. We are here to announce the results of an extensive, ongoing multi-law enforcement operation that has led to the indictment of Dr. Maxim Lubinov, a renowned Russian-born microbiologist, who is formally being charged with drug trafficking, manufacturing and distribution of illegal PEDs, kidnapping, murder, and attempted murder.
“In addition, the Department of Justice, along with the Albany division of the FBI and the Chicago Police Department, has evidence tying the above crimes to the murder investigation of a young woman, Julie Forman, who was allegedly killed as a result of uncovering incriminating information on Lubinov’s drug ring. On Lubinov’s property was found the body of James Robbins, an employee of Lubinov’s, who’d been missing from his Chicago home for over four weeks.”
The SAC went on to detail the part that Russian Organized Crime played in the cartel, and then went on to name names, including all of Lubinov’s employees.
The list was endless.
No mention of Emma, Lisa, Miles, Shannon, or any outside investigative source was made.
Casey glanced around the table and raised her coffee cup. “Good news all around. The FBI and DOJ get the credit, we get to stay clean, and we have the pleasure of making yet another ADA’s career skyrocket.”
“That should be easy with Lubinov representing himself in court, the arrogant bastard.” Marc rolled his eyes in disgust.
“An ugly combination of narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder.” Hutch reiterated his earlier evaluation. “Good thing he’ll be locked up for good.”
“That scene he made prior to his Grand Jury hearing was a media circus, with Lubinov raving on the front steps of the courthouse about his research and about how one day the world would recognize his genius.” Marc gave a humorless laugh. “He really believes the courts will value his scientific advances over his crimes, and that he’ll be exonerated. And that’s even knowing that his assistant, Dmitry Gorev, is cooperating with the authorities. It seems the kid finally grew a conscience.”
“Better late than never,” Patrick pointed out. “It’ll help the ADA’s case.”
“True.” Marc nodded.
“I wonder what the government will do with Lubinov’s research,” Ryan mused aloud. “Will they destroy it or have their pharmaceutical resources alter the formula until it’s safe for use?”
“We’ll probably never know,” Casey replied. “But I can live with that. The important things have all been resolved, including keeping our clients safe and giving them back their lives. Case closed.”
“Giving them back their lives how?” Emma asked. “You said you were working on legal options to keep Lisa and Miles out of jail.”
“And we did,” Casey replied. “We’ve had talks with the right attorneys, who have subsequently made the right deals. And, before you ask, yes, our clients are totally on board with everything. Documents have been signed and dated. In fact…” She glanced at her watch. “Lisa and Miles should be arriving at the brownstone any time now, just to see you. Shannon is back in Chicago with her parents, but she sends you her love and the promise to stay in touch.”
“All of that sounds awesome.” Emma sighed in relief. She shot Casey a quizzical look. “What does ‘right attorneys’ mean?”
“It means a few top-notch lawyers with whom we have good and mutually beneficial relationships,” Casey clarified. “They’ve been able to work out a deal whereby Lisa’s and Miles’s jail time will be converted into one year of stringent community service—providing that Lisa repays Julie’s inheritance and testifies at her murder trial. Since Julie has no living relatives, Lisa chose to pay back the inheritance by converting the vacant building a block down from Excalibur into a gym and café for foster kids.”
“What a great idea,” Emma exclaimed. “That way, Julie’s dream stays alive in Excalibur, and Lisa’s dream to help other foster kids is realized.”
“Yup.” Casey nodded. “The deal is contingent, of course, on Shannon’s testimony, which she’s ready and eager to give. So stop worrying. It’s all going to be fine.”
“This time,” Hutch qualified. Despite the celebratory mood, he was less than thrilled with the team. “Look, I ran the necessary interference with the Bureau regarding Emma’s capture. I backed up her story, and I kept my mouth shut about FI involvement. But, Casey, you gave Marc and Ryan the go-ahead to act without law enforcement, knowing that SWAT was on its way. In turn, they went ahead and put themselves in a life-threatening situation.”
“If they hadn’t, I might not be alive today,” Emma reminded him. “Every second mattered.”
Hutch couldn’t argue that one, and he didn’t even try—especially because it would make him an utter hypocrite, given the rules he’d broken in the past to save Casey’s life. “I know, Emma. And I’m more than grateful that you’re okay. But this constant vigilante stuff worries the hell out of me. One of these days, FI might not be so lucky. And I couldn’t live with myself if any of you was hurt—or worse.”
“It won’t come to that, Hutch.” Casey gave him a tender look, fully aware of how torn he was—and why. “We’re the best there is at what we do. You know that. And you also know that we always stay within the confines of the law—unless we can’t.” Her wink was playful. “But thank you. Your concerns have been duly noted.”
