“Someone killed him.” Annabel held up a photo. “It was a professional job, no question. The car that did it has been found, burned out. The owner reported it stolen the day after Newsome went over the Causeway’s guardrail.”

“The guy was a screwup who ran, after what happened to Hannah Casey. Are you sure he didn’t just mess up one last time?” Joe asked.

Annabel cued the film the Causeway police had sent and let them watch it on the big screen. “The night this happened, Newsome called me and wanted to come in and talk to me. He said the information he had would be enough to get his old job and pension back. The only hint he gave was that it was all our fault, and he wasn’t responsible for the fallout.”

“Responsible for what? Hannah Casey’s abduction, or Emma’s mother?” Shelby asked. She flipped through the rest of the folder and thought about Emma’s accusations.

“I don’t know, but to me it means the FBI, and not us as individuals. Newsome was on his way in, and someone killed him. I’d like to know why.” Annabel was, as always, calm and focused. “I have absolutely no proof, but I think Emma Casey was correct. Someone used their daughter to try something that no one should’ve ever contemplated. It was illegal, not to mention unethical, and I think it’s Chapman.”

“You think Ronald Chapman is running an illegal sting in our city, and the bureau hasn’t clued you in?” Claire asked.

It was a legitimate question. This sounded totally absurd, which was why it made total sense. “I think Agent Hicks is right. Emma Casey never allows her facade to crack—ever. That night at Vincent’s, she was pissed.” Shelby could tell how upsetting someone approaching her child had been to Emma. “She talked to me directly, and then Cain said the same to us in Wisconsin. How to prove it, though, is going to be tricky.”

“Not really,” Joe said, pointing at her. “I’m willing to bet my meager savings that Cain Casey has more information on this than we do. All we need to do is ask.”

“You think it’s that easy?” Annabel laughed.

“Yes,” Shelby agreed with Joe. “All we need to do is tell her we believe her. She loves showing the world the underbelly of the bureau when she finds a dirty agent. That night when she handed Chapman that envelope, you could see the life drain out of him. Whatever she found, there’s no way he wants that to go public. It had to be good, not only from his reaction but hers. She was pleased with herself, so whatever it was is devastating.”