Andrea Kane - The Girl Who Disappeared Twice

“You need me. And I’m bored by the freelance assignments that come my way. So I’ve decided to come on board- and keep you out of jail.”

“You want to join Forensic Instincts?” Casey had to make sure she was hearing right.

“Surprised?”

“Thrilled.” Casey shot Patrick a huge grin. “You’d be the perfect counterweight to a bunch of out-of-control mavericks.” She glanced around the room. “I know we ordinarily make these decisions in private,” she told her team. “But since this interview-and job acceptance-were just conducted in public, and since we know that Patrick has no ego problem, how do you feel about adding another new member to the team?”

“Sweet,” Ryan replied at once. “Renegade Marc and by-the-book Patrick, battling it out. I smell a comic book series. The possibilities are endless.”

“And balanced,” Marc added, ignoring Ryan’s taunt. “I think it’s a great idea. A little more structure and discipline. I can handle the infighting if you can, Patrick.”

“Bring it on,” Patrick replied.

“And with Claire-voyant on board, we can use another person who has his feet on the ground.” Ryan slanted a look in Claire’s direction. “What do you think?”

“I think Patrick’s experience and maturity- ” Claire underscored the last word “-will add a lot to the mix. I’m a newbie myself, but if my vote counts, I say, yes, absolutely.”

“And the pièce de résistance-Hero likes you,” Casey said with a grin. “Or, at the very least, he likes your shoes. He doesn’t slobber on just anyone. If that’s not a yes, I don’t know what is.” She extended her hand to Patrick. “Welcome to the team, former Special Agent Lynch. We’re honored to have you.”

“You’ll be eating those words a lot,” Patrick replied. But he was grinning, too, as he shook Casey’s hand. “But I look forward to working with you all.”

Casey lifted her glass again. “To the new and improved Forensic Instincts. Onward and upward, and may we not kill one another in the process.”

With deepest gratitude to all those amazing professionals who so graciously gave of their time and helped provide me with the authenticity I needed to write The Girl Who Disappeared Twice . The list is long, and in no specific order. I thank each and every one of you.

Angela Bell, Public Affairs Specialist, FBI Office of Public Affairs (Angela, you’re the exception to my rule-you’re always first, because you’re the most extraordinary central contact I could ever hope for!)

Arthur Cummings II, Former Executive Assistant Director, FBI National Security Branch

SSA James McNamara, FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit 2

SA Konrad Motyka, FBI New York

SA James Margolin, FBI Office of Public Affairs, New York Field Office

SSA Michael Harkins, Coordinating Supervisor, Violent Crime/Gangs Branch, FBI New York Field Office

SSRA Michael Ferrandino, FBI Long Island Resident Agency

SSA Leonard Johns, Formerly of the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit 3

SSA Thomas Lintner, Chief FBI Laboratory’s Evidence Response Team Unit

SSA Rex Stockham, Program Manager for FBI Laboratory’s Forensic Canine Program

SSRA Edward McCabe, FBI White Plains Resident Agency

SA Tonya DeSa, FBI Newark Division National Academy Coordinator, NCAVC Coordinator, Assistant Training Coordinator

SA Laura Robinson, Senior Team Leader, Evidence Response Team, FBI Newark Field Office

SA Maria Johnson, NCAVC Coordinator, FBI New York Field Office

Retired SA Richard DeFilippo, Violent Crimes Task Force, FBI New York Field Office

Robert D’Angelo, Chief of Police, North Castle, New York

Retired FBI SA Richard Mika

SA Ann Todd, FBI Office of Public Affairs

Retired Detective Mike Oliver, NYPD

Jennifer Michelson, New Jersey Search and Rescue Dog Task Force

Hillel Ben-Asher, M.D.

In addition, I want to thank Adam Wilson, for being a true editorial partner, and Andrea Cirillo and Christina Hogrebe, for being agents and advocates extraordinaire.

And last, but always first, I want to thank my family, who’s there from start to finish…and then some. I love and appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.