"What do you suppose that was all about?"
Steve's voice had changed to a mere growl as he stood with his back toward his partner, staring through the closed door into the bullpen, hands crossed behind his head.
Behind him, Mike had sat down on the corner of his desk, a sick feeling growing in the pit of his stomach as he replayed the strange encounter that had just unfolded.
"It was about the one thing Cassidy cherishes more than anything in this world…control."
Upon his somber words, Steve spun around and took a step forward until he stood right next to his partner.
"How does checking up on our progress have anything to do with him being in power?"
"He wasn't checking in on the progress of our investigation, Smiley.", Mike countered with a slight headshake, his eyes never leaving the glass-walled vestibule, "He wanted to know if we suspected him of anything. And he got his answer."
"In that case, it had to have been your acting skills. Mine were right on point."
With a theatrical eye roll, Mike reached forward to squeeze his partners shoulder, kneading the tense muscles below for a second, before walking over to his carafe for a much-needed glass of water.
"I think he's trying to taunt us."
The words said in foreboding certainty made Steve freeze in his spot, green eyes searching those of his Lieutenant and mentor for answers.
"You think they're setting up to kidnap another woman?"
"I am afraid so. I also think that he knows we don't have enough evidence to pursue any charges at this point. And he's enjoying the fact that he can play his games right in front of our noses without us being able to do much of anything about it."
"Then why don't we get Davis involved? With his help, he might be able to pull Cassidy and his crew off the road for now."
Upon Steve's suggestion, Mike shook his head faintly, treating himself to a sip of water before answering.
"That wouldn't stop them. They'd still go about their business, just possibly in a different car. No. I say let's keep them on the payroll and have them use one of the cars downstairs. This way we can at least try to track them."
Accepting the theory, albeit not without a counter argument circling around in that bright mind, Steve fell quiet for a minute, then finally dropped his hands to his sides.
"That suede coat that Cassidy wore just now…I remember feeling that against my neck when he…when he choked me."
"An you can bet your badge he wore it on purpose…", Mike returned, shaking his head in disdain, "Of course, a jacket isn't enough for a solid indictment, and he knows that. Enjoys that fact ever so much. I'm surprised he hasn't walked in here carrying a bottle of her expensive cognac around just to play his silly game. I think you're right, Buddy Boy. They're up to no good, and they're letting us know about it ahead of time. And it worries me."
"So, what do you want to do? Park downstairs until they show up to grab a car? We could be waiting for days."
"Oh no, we won't.", Mike countered with a smile, then walked over to his phone and dialed an internal extension, "It's about time we pin the tail on the donkey."
