by Erin Wade
“Granddaddy?” Lindsey looked at Daniel hesitantly.
He couldn’t stop the flow of tears that ran down his cheeks. “You’re alive! Thank God, you’re alive.” Daniel wrapped his arms around the granddaughters that looked so much like his Mariam.
“Come, come into the house where it’s cool.” He ushered the four inside and called his housekeeper. “Loretta, please, may we have iced tea for our guests?”
As the girls sipped their drinks, Stacy explained why she had kept the girls hidden. “Mariam said to trust no one,” she concluded.
Daniel nodded. He had been in the nest of vipers known as politicians. He understood his daughter’s fear for her children.
“Tom is confident Mariam and the girls are dead,” Daniel said. “Upon their demise, he inherits Mariam’s share of the Devon fortune. When I die, he will inherit the entire Devon fortune. I don’t want to risk exposing the girls to danger. I don’t want to let people know they’re alive.”
“Perhaps you could simply let Tom know they’re alive,” Stacy suggested.
“No!” the girls wailed.
“Daddy would make us move back to Washington,” Lindsey said. “We don’t want to live in the White House. We want to live with you. You’re our mother now.”
“My attorneys will keep Tom at bay for years,” Daniel said. “You get the girls through school, and then we will announce their existence to the world.”
“I can keep them?” Stacy exclaimed. “You’ll let me raise them?”
“You were the one my daughter called when she needed help,” Daniel said. “She entrusted the girls to you. I believe she would want you to raise them, if that’s okay with you.”
“Okay?” Stacy beamed. “It’s wonderful! Daniel, I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“Of course, I expect to see them often.” He laughed as the four females embraced him in a group hug.
Chapter 23
Jericho smiled at her wife over the rim of her coffee cup. “I must say, your coffee is much better than the diner’s. Sure would go great with some of your pancakes. We didn’t eat breakfast, you know.”
Mecca laughed. “You are so subtle.”
After breakfast, Jericho rinsed the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher as Mecca collected her briefcase and laptop.
“I have an eleven o’clock appointment,” Mecca said as Jericho held her coat so she could slip into it. “Are you going to ride to the office with me or sleuth around following me?”
She pulled Mecca to her and kissed her gently. “I think I’ll ride with you.”
##
Jericho settled into the coffee shop across the street from Mecca’s office. Mecca greeted her secretary, returned phone calls, and perused the files of her afternoon patients.
At eleven sharp, there was a knock on the door of her private entrance. Mecca opened the door and accepted the white envelope from a slender woman in her late thirties. Evelyn Turner was pretty, with intelligent eyes and short, black hair. She reeked of money.
“Thank you for seeing me,” Evelyn said nervously. “Tom highly recommends you.”
Mecca nodded. Tom told her he was my patient, she thought. I wonder if he shared that information with anyone else?
Mecca pulled the card from the envelope and opened it. Please learn what she’s up to was scrawled in the general’s slanted handwriting.
Mecca motioned to the chair in front of her desk. “Please have a seat. Tell me why you’re here.”
“I . . . I’m not sure,” Evelyn said with a hesitant smile. “It’s my understanding that you are part of a background check I must go through in order to continue dating the president.”
Mecca laughed. “You don’t need my input to continue dating President Reynolds. The only reason I would be consulted is if you’re planning to marry him.”
Evelyn nodded. “Tom said you were good. Yes, we are planning to announce our engagement next month and a subsequent wedding date.”
“Why don’t you tell me anything you feel is relevant,” Mecca said.
“I’ve been married before,” Evelyn Turner said. “My first husband died in an automobile accident four years ago. He was a high-ranking civil servant in the Treasury Department. He devoted his life to keeping good, sound practices in place in the nation’s money markets. Unfortunately, he was losing the battle.”
Evelyn stopped talking for a second and raked a hand through her hair. “Forgive me. I didn’t intend to get on my soapbox.”
“Please continue,” Mecca encouraged. “That’s what I want you to do. I want to know more about Evelyn Turner.
“How did you meet Tom Reynolds?”
“My husband left me quite wealthy,” Evelyn said, her eyes filled with sadness. “A large insurance policy and wise investments have provided for my financial needs. We owned a beautiful home, and we entertained frequently.
“Tom’s wife and children were kidnapped and murdered. When he was elected president his chief of staff asked me to assist in hosting cocktail parties and intimate dinners that are necessary in Washington society. I was floundering. After my husband’s death, I had no direction in my life.
“I know all the right people. At first Tom and I had a strict working relationship. I planned and acted as hostess for his social functions. But one thing led to another, and we fell in love.”
“I’m a sucker for a good love story,” Mecca said.”
“Tom Reynolds is a good man. He wants to live with me but insists we marry. He’s rather old-fashioned.”
“How is Tom?” Mecca asked. “How is he coping with the loss of his wife and daughters?”
“He’s doing well,” Evelyn replied. “He never talks about them. He isn’t a man to dwell in the past. I think it’s easier for him that way.”
Mecca made notes as Evelyn talked. After an hour, she had learned that Evelyn was a graduate of Vassar College. Her parents were extremely wealthy and were close friends of the Bloombergs.
Mecca walked around her desk and sat down in the chair next to Evelyn, placing her hand on the woman’s forearm. “Tell me where your family’s wealth comes from.”
“My father is an investment banker,” Evelyn said.
“Is he honest?”
“No. He’s using a Ponzi scheme to slowly bilk clients out of millions of dollars.”
“You do know that your father’s crooked activities would be a black mark on Tom Reynold’s name?”
“Yes, but if I marry Tom and my family can get their hands on the Devon Fortune, my father can legitimize his company and evade exposure.”
“Are you involved in illegal activities?”
A loud bang in the reception area yanked Evelyn from the trance, and Mecca ran to the door. Julie was on her knees, picking up files and putting them back into a portable file bin. “I’m so sorry, Dr. Storm. I thought I could carry this, but it’s too heavy.”
##
After Evelyn left, Mecca called the number she had dialed for the past five years. The same solemn voice answered. “What can I do for you, Dr. Storm?”
“You can come to my office and make love to me,” Mecca murmured.
“Um, as much as I would enjoy that, it is not a good idea. My job is to protect you, not to act as your girl toy.”
Mecca laughed. “Girl toy?”
“You could walk across the street and have lunch with me,” Jericho suggested.
“If that’s the best you can offer, I guess it’ll have to do.” Mecca grinned as she hung up the phone. It was much more enjoyable to tease with Jericho than to talk strictly business with a faceless person.
##
“I need a full background check on Evelyn Turner and her parents,” Mecca informed Jericho as they ate lunch. “I want to know about her finances and the finances of her family. Her family is involved in illegal operations, and I need to know how far and deep they run.
“Find out everything you can about the death of her husband. He died in a
n automobile accident.
“I want everything you can find on her and her family. I’m not certain how involved she is in her father’s business activities.”
“Yes, Dr. Storm.” Jericho grinned mischievously as she lightly traced the palm of Mecca’s hand with her fingers. “Any chance of you leaving the office early today? I’ve given a lot of thought to your earlier request.”
“I’m afraid you missed your chance, Captain,” she said with a provocative smile. “I have a full day. Remember, we’re going to Kadence and Faith’s for dinner tonight.”
Jericho groaned as Mecca hooked the toe of her high heel behind the blonde’s calf and ran it seductively up her leg.
##
Daniel Devon reread the letter from Tom’s attorney. They were demanding a portion of Tom’s inheritance be disbursed immediately. Hell would freeze over before Daniel would comply with that demand.
He knew Tom could do nothing with the estate until his daughters were declared dead or were missing for seven years. Three years had passed since their abduction. Of course, Daniel knew where the girls were, but he wasn’t telling Tom.
Daniel was taking no chances with his granddaughters’ lives. Losing Mariam had almost killed him. Finding the girls alive and well had given him new life, a reason to live.
He wouldn’t let Mariam’s death be in vain. He would do whatever it took to keep his granddaughters safe.
Chapter 24
Faith looked up as her secretary ushered in her two-thirty appointment. She introduced herself and shook hands with her prospective client.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Fram?”
“Please, call me Willard.” Fram’s smile was framed by thin lips and uneven teeth.
“What can I do for you, Willard?”
Willard puffed up with importance. “I represent the President of the United States.”
“You represent Tom Reynolds?”
“Well, not him directly, but his fiancée,” Willard clarified.
“And how can I help you?” Faith asked again.
“The president is in line to be the heir of the vast Devon Oil fortune.” Fram leered at her, exposing his bad teeth again. “His wife and three daughters disappeared several years ago. The wife’s body was pulled from the Hudson River and identified through DNA. The girls have never been found.”
Fram waited to make certain his words were comprehended by Faith. She nodded and he continued.
“The president believes the girls are also dead. A captured terrorist admitted kidnapping them and killing the wife.
“The president would like to remarry and wants to get some of his money from the family trust. He has hired me to make that happen.”
“Why you?”
“I actually work for the Turner family,” Fram explained. “I need someone to travel to Texas and camp out until they contact Daniel Devon. He can’t elude us forever. Your website said you’re licensed to practice law in New York and Texas. Since you’re just beginning your practice, I thought you might like a chance to make the money. We’ll pay all your travel expenses, plus your daily fee, until you contact Devon.”
Faith knew Fram had chosen her because no attorney in their right mind would go on a wild-goose chase in Texas. He was right. She did need the income. Kady made more than enough money to support them, but Faith wanted to contribute too. She also knew it would be unethical to accept Fram’s offer.
“I appreciate you considering me, Mr. Fram,” Faith said, “but I’m a one-woman office right now. I’m afraid I can’t go to Texas.”
Faith escorted the slimy character from her office. She returned to her desk and called Kadence, who answered before the second ring.
“Hi, honey. I just want you to know that my world is a lonely place when I’m not with you.”
Faith chuckled. “I feel the same. Do you have time for lunch?” Faith heard the fast clicking of computer keys.
“I just made time,” Kadence said. “I feel like Greek. What do you think?”
“I think you feel like heaven,” Faith cooed, “but I’ll settle for Greek food.”
“You are so good for my ego.” Kadence snickered. “Meet you there in fifteen?”
“Can’t wait.” Faith hung up the phone and debated whether to discuss Fram’s visit with Kadence over lunch or just before they made love tonight. Lunch would be the fair thing to do, she thought, knowing Kadence would be agreeable to anything while she was in her arms.
##
“This is even better than winning the lottery.” Kadence leaned down to kiss her wife before settling in the chair across the table from her. “How did you manage to get away?”
“It’s not as if the world is beating a path to my office,” Faith said. “I need to talk to you about something.”
The server placed water on their table and took their order.
“What do you want to discuss?” Kadence furrowed her brow. Faith seldom deemed anything important enough to talk about it in the middle of the day.
“An attorney named Willard Fram contacted me today,” Faith began.
“He’s a shyster. Don’t do business with him,” Kadence growled. “He tried to sue me.”
“That was my immediate assessment of him,” Faith said. “He wanted me to represent the president’s fiancée in her attempt to get her hands on the Devon fortune.”
“Why you?” The hair on the back of Kadence’s neck stood up.
“Thanks to Jericho, I have a license to practice law in New York and Texas,” Faith explained. “I can file papers in a Texas court.”
“I don’t have a good feeling about this,” Kadence muttered.
“Of course, I turned him down, but . . . you know there is a good chance Daniel Devon is my father?”
Kadence nodded.
“I need to know. I need to protect him if possible. He’s lost everything. His daughter and his granddaughters.”
Kadence took Faith’s hand. “You know you can never let him know who you are, right?”
“I’m aware of that, but I can still be there for him in a sense. I’d like to go see him.”
“When do you need to leave? I’ve got major surgeries every day for the next ten days, except on weekends.”
“Next Monday, and I’ll be gone at least a week, maybe longer,” Faith mumbled.
“Maybe I can clear my schedule next week and—”
“No, Kady. I need to handle this myself. You can’t babysit me for the rest of my life.”
Kadence grimaced. “Yes, I can, Faith. You’re my wife. I have a right to protect you.”
Faith leaned across the table and whispered, “You also have the right to sleep with me. Think about that until you get home tonight.” The smile that played on her lips took Kadence’s breath away.
“Foul play,” Kadence teased. “You know that is all I’ll think about until I get home.”
Faith laughed. She didn’t always play fair with Kadence. Her wife could be very stubborn.
“Using wifely wiles is unfair,” Kadence mumbled.
Chapter 25
Julie slipped into Mecca’s office and closed the door behind her. “Boss, there’s a man outside who asked me to give you this.” She held out the familiar white envelope.
“What’s his name?”
“He said you were expecting him.” Julie scowled. “I know who he is, but only because I’ve seen him on TV.”
“And . . .?”
“He’s National Committee Chairman Mark Thornton.”
Mecca turned the white envelope over and ran her fingernail under the flap. The enclosed card read, “Help him!” She raised her brows and slipped the card back into the envelope. “Send him in.”
“Thank you for seeing me, Dr. Storm,” Thornton said as he extended his hand to Mecca.
“It’s a pleasure, Mr. Thornton. What can I do for you?” She wrapped her hands around Thornton’s and smiled. He was easily under her spell. “Tell me who you work for and why you’re here.
”
“I was sent to learn all I can about you and your connection with the US government,” Thornton said.
“You will give me truthful answers to all my questions,” Mecca directed. She smirked as she released Thornton’s hands. “You were going to tell me how I may help you.”
“My directions were to find out anything you know about Evelyn Turner,” he blurted out.
“Who sent you?”
“The Speaker of the House.”
“I’m certain the speaker has more investigators at his disposal than I would ever have,” Mecca said, continuing to speak in her calm, soothing voice. “Why doesn’t he investigate her?”
“President Reynolds issued a hands-off order where she’s concerned, but the speaker doesn’t trust her or her family.”
“This card came from the speaker?” Mecca clarified.
“Yes.”
“Why did he think I’d know what to do with the card?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure he did. He’s trying to find out who knows about the cards.”
Mecca frowned. “Where did he get the card?”
“I don’t know,” Thornton replied.
“You are completely convinced that I have nothing to do with Evelyn Turner or the card you gave me. When I release your hand, we will continue our original conversation,” Mecca said, “and you will forget we had this one.”
Mecca clapped her hands and sat on the corner of her desk. Thornton looked around the room in stunned silence.
“As I said,”—Mecca continued as if they were in the middle of a conversation—“I know nothing about this card.” She let the envelope slide from her hand into her wastepaper basket.
“After talking with you, I’m certain of that.” Thornton smiled. “I apologize for the inconvenience.”
“Nonsense,” Mecca said. “It is always a joy to converse with one of the most important men in America.”
Mecca watched Thornton as he got into his car. He sat talking on his cell phone for several minutes before starting his vehicle. She was certain he was reporting to someone. As he pulled away from the curb, she called Jericho.
