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The Hidden Heir
Debra Webb
Ashley Orrick would protect her son at all costs. But escaping her all-powerful ex, whose infinite resources seemed almost impossible to elude, was one thing–shaking Victoria Colby-Camp and her exceptional agents was another.Keith Devers had finally made the leap from analyst to investigator only to be presented with a conflict of interest. Something didn't add up about Ashley. Was it her long scarlet hair or emerald-green eyes…? More than that, it was her maternal ferocity that made Keith break all the rules. Because with this inheritance came a more costly price.But fleeing from danger could only get them so far from the one thing they couldn't escape–runaway passions.
He’d never met a more resourceful woman.
He leaned against the door frame, let the light that stretched into the hall from the living room fall softly across her face and watched the steady rise and fall of her chest. She’d kept a vehicle hidden in a remote location for a quick getaway in the event she was made. He wondered how many gas stations along how many routes she had scouted out to ensure she could escape from a variety of locations. She appeared to know every tree and trail in those woods off the interstate. He wouldn’t even hazard to guess how many other escape routes she had around the town she’d called home for the past year.
She was absolutely amazing.
She’d gone to great lengths to protect herself and her child. That alone made him wonder about the threat her ex posed….
The Hidden Heir
Debra Webb
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
As a mother I have often worried what would become of my youngest daughter if something were to happen to me and her father. I am certain I could count on my eldest daughter as well as my niece, but beyond family, who could I depend on for this enormous obligation? In this life there are friends and there are friends. Donna Boyd is a friend with whom I would without hesitation trust my daughter’s life. This book is dedicated to her unending loyalty and immense kindness. I will forever hold her friendship dear to my heart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debra Webb was born in Scottsboro, Alabama, to parents who taught her that anything is possible if you want it bad enough. She began writing at age nine. Eventually she met and married the man of her dreams, and tried some other occupations, including selling vacuum cleaners, working in a factory, a day-care center, a hospital and a department store. When her husband joined the military, they moved to Berlin, Germany, and Debra became a secretary in the commanding general’s office. By 1985 they were back in the States, and finally moved to Tennessee, to a small town where everyone knows everyone else. With the support of her husband and two beautiful daughters, Debra took up writing again, looking to mystery and movies for inspiration. In 1998, her dream of writing for Harlequin came true. You can write to Debra with your comments at P.O. Box 64, Huntland, Tennessee 37345 or visit her Web site at www.debrawebb.com to find out exciting news about her next book.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Keith Devers—This is his first field assignment. Can a guy who has worked in research his entire career cut it in the field?
Ashley Orrick—Seemingly sweet and vulnerable, she’s willing to go to great lengths to keep her son away from his father. But is the money her only motivation?
Desmond Van Valkenberg—His fortune can buy him anything except a cure for his terminal illness. Doesn’t he have the right to know his only son?
Mr. Brody—Van Valkenberg’s personal attorney. His loyalty lies with his client. How far is he willing to go to keep that client happy?
Ben Haygood—The Top Gun of software and hardware at the Colby Agency. Will he be able to come through for Keith when a life hangs in the balance?
Mary Orrick—Is she protecting her daughter or seeking revenge against the man she hates?
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter One
Victoria Colby-Camp sat in the coffee shop on the first floor of the building she called her second home. The place where the Colby Agency had been born, where it thrived more than twenty years later.
Located mere blocks off Chicago’s glorious Magnificent Mile, coming to work every day was a treat for the senses. She loved the excitement of the city. Her city. The sounds and smells; the good and the bad that went along with living in an ever-expanding metropolis.
She should be getting back to the office. Lucas—she smiled—would be wondering where she’d gotten to. Every woman who had loved and lost, whatever the circumstances, should have a second chance at the kind of love she had found with Lucas Camp.
Victoria thanked God every day for him, as well as for the health and well-being of her family.
She sipped her Earl Grey and studied the patrons swarming in and out of the small coffee shop. There were only six tables, each with two delicately formed wrought iron chairs. The seats weren’t cushioned, most likely to prevent anyone from growing too comfortable. The owner needn’t have worried; most who entered the shop were in a hurry. They were either in a rush to get to work or simply needed to get away from the office for a few moments. Smoking was no longer permitted in the building, so those who partook were forced to go outside to do so.
Of course, there was coffee and tea of all sorts in the lounge on the fourth floor just down the hall from Victoria’s office. Or Mildred, her secretary, would have been happy to see after her refreshment needs. Each morning when Victoria came to work, she found coffee, her favorite blend, waiting for her in an elegant carafe. Mildred had a kind of sixth sense when it came to anticipating the needs of most everyone at the agency. This one had been no different.
But, like those with cigarettes and lighters in hand, this morning Victoria had come down to the lobby for a different reason. Escape, for only a minute or two. She couldn’t say precisely why she had felt the need. All was well at home and in the office. She simply needed a few moments, not necessarily alone but to herself.
She watched the men and women rush through the main entrance and across the expanse of polished marble floor only to have to wait in line while security scrutinized their possessions as well as their persons. To move beyond that checkpoint, one had to have proper identification and be thoroughly screened for anything that might be used as a weapon.
It was a nuisance, but unfortunately a necessary one in today’s climate of unrest.
Victoria settled her attention back on the swiftly cooling tea. Maybe the reason for her desire to have a moment alone was more apparent than she realized. For the first time in almost two decades, everything in her life was exactly as it should be. Her son Jim and his wife Tasha, were at long last happy, and the first Colby grandchild was on the way. The horrors that had haunted Jim since his return home were now finally under control.
A smile toyed with the corners of Victoria’s mouth. And her other baby, her agency, was better than ever. She’d hired more new recruits, bringing the total to five. The energy from those young men and women had provided just the transfusion of excitement the agency had needed recently.
Unstoppable.
That was the one word that truly defined her agency as it moved toward its third decade of operation.
She felt completely satisfied for the first time in far too long a time. Satisfied and extremely lucky.
That smile that had tickled her lips now spread across her face as she caught sight of her husband in the lobby. Confidence radiating from him, Lucas strode straight into the coffee shop. He didn’t glance her way, but she knew he was aware of her presence. When his turn in line came, he placed his order—coffee, the strongest Colombian blend, no doubt. Cup in hand, he bypassed the side counter holding various sweeteners and creamers and headed directly for her table. That determined gaze settled on hers and that special connection that bound them so inextricably hummed at its full intensity.
“Is this seat taken?”
She looked up at the man she loved more than life itself and let her smile speak for her. Her husband’s own lips quirked as he lowered himself into the seat. The tailored pin-striped suit he wore was her favorite. The blue shirt and deeper navy tie turned his silvery eyes to a warmer hue of passionate gray, making her feel warm and safe inside.
Lucas surveyed the dwindling comings and goings, then rested his full attention on her. “It’s kind of early for a break, isn’t it?”
That much was true. It wasn’t even nine yet. This man had spent the past twenty plus years worrying about her. Even now, when life was as good as it gets, he didn’t relent.
“It’s been a long time, Lucas, since I’ve sat and watched life happen around me. I’ve been so busy trying to keep my world from shattering at every turn that I couldn’t risk taking note of anything else.” It felt good to be able to step back and just enjoy life as it happened.
He nodded knowingly. “You’re afraid it won’t last.”
Victoria frowned, performing a quick inventory of her feelings. “To some degree, I suppose that’s a fair assessment.” She picked up her tea, held it with both hands and relished its warmth. However strong she might be, no one was exempt from worry now and again. “Who doesn’t worry?”
“You could always retire,” he suggested with a mischievous twinkle in those sexy eyes. “We could spend our mornings watching the world go by and our evenings admiring the sunset from anywhere in the world that pleases you.”
She couldn’t say his offer wasn’t tempting, but Victoria understood that she would never be happy doing only that. Retirement was not for her. “I can’t say that I haven’t considered just that,” she admitted. Especially since Lucas had stepped down from his high-powered position in D.C., choosing to serve as a consultant when needed and usually via a telephone conference. Once in a while, he still had to fly to the District to take care of highly classified business personally. Then there was the pending arrival of their first grandchild.
In spite of all those seemingly logical reasons to choose retirement, she knew herself too well. “But you know that would never be enough.”
“I would be shocked if you had proposed otherwise.” Lucas leaned forward and gave a covert look around to ensure no one was within hearing distance. “Speaking of work, Mildred wanted me to give you a message.”
Victoria lifted an eyebrow skeptically. “Did Mildred send you to bring me back?” She hadn’t intended to stay this long; time had gotten away from her. It amused her immensely that Lucas didn’t mind playing messenger. Just another indication of how very much he loved her.
“You had a call from a client she felt you wouldn’t want to miss. The appointment is scheduled for half an hour from now.”
Her calendar was clear this morning. An unexpected appointment wouldn’t be a problem. “Who’s the client?” Someone in a hurry, obviously. Someone who wanted to see her personally rather than one of the two men who served as her seconds-in-command.
“Desmond Van Valkenberg.”
Surprised, she tried to remember the last time she’d had Mr. Van Valkenberg or his representative in her office. Three years? Four? A corporate profile request, if her memory served her correctly. She didn’t know Desmond that well, but she had known his father quite well. Hershel Van Valkenberg had been a giant in finance, a man of his word until the day he passed away twelve years ago. He preferred doing business the old-fashioned way, himself and in person. His son had proved to be a vastly different businessman, with numerous representatives to see after his interests while he remained reclusive and as far from the limelight as possible.
“He’s sending his representative, a Mr. Lance Brody, to see you.”
Mr. Brody was his personal attorney, not one of the corporate team he usually sent. Victoria had met the gentleman once at a reception she had attended and where Van Valkenberg had made one of his rare appearances. Brody was a very formal man. He gave new meaning to the term stuffed shirt, but had quite the stellar reputation as an attorney.
In any event, she should prepare for his arrival. She stood. “Under the circumstances I suppose we should get back.”
Lucas pushed to his feet with effort. Some days, the fact that he wore a prosthetic for a right leg was more pronounced than others. Her heart squeezed at the memory of how he’d gained that at times unwieldy appliance. His sacrifice as a prisoner of war had saved her first husband’s life long, long ago. Lucas was not only a wonderful husband, he was also a man of unparalleled courage. He’d proven to be her savior more than once.
He offered his arm. “Shall we?”
Victoria looped her arm in his and thanked God again for this wondrous man. To have known and loved two great men in her lifetime was truly a blessing few had the good fortune of claiming. “Absolutely.”
A few minutes later, Victoria sat in her office reviewing the Van Valkenberg file Mildred had already pulled for her convenience. The work the Colby Agency had done for this client, and for his father before him, generally involved background searches on potential employees and profiles of companies targeted for potential mergers. She had every reason to anticipate that the coming meeting would be more of the same. But she was puzzled that he had chosen to send his personal attorney.
A light rap on the door alerted her to Brody’s arrival. Mildred opened the door and announced him. Victoria, though strangely preoccupied with her own thoughts this Monday morning, couldn’t help noticing her longtime secretary’s glow. Another weekend with her beau, she supposed. Victoria felt certain those two would be setting a wedding date soon. And why not? Life was too precious to waste.
Victoria rose from her chair. “Thank you, Mildred.” She shifted her full attention to her visitor. “Mr. Brody, come in, please.”
Lance Brody crossed the room in three long strides and, shifting his briefcase to his left hand, extended his right across her desk. “Mrs. Colby-Camp, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Victoria shook his hand, acknowledging his greeting with a nod. “Why don’t we sit and you can tell me what it is that Mr. Van Valkenberg requires of my agency. We’re anxious to be of service.”
Brody sat, his shoulders as stiff as the freshly starched gray suit he wore. “Our needs are quite different this time I’m afraid. This time is…personal.”
A new kind of tension rippled through Victoria. Personal. Desmond Van Valkenberg was not the kind of man who often allowed anyone outside his most intimate circle close enough to know his most personal business.
“I see. Why don’t you start at the beginning and give me the details.” Victoria settled into her chair and waited for the representative of her client to proceed as he saw fit.
Brody crossed his long legs and appeared to settle in. “Some ten years ago, a female companion of Mr. Van Valkenberg’s, a Miss Ashley Orrick, gave birth to a son while living here in Chicago with him. The two had been involved for just over one year.”
Victoria was surprised to hear this. She wasn’t aware that Desmond had any children. “Was proof of paternity obtained?”
The lawyer nodded. “Certainly, but the trouble ultimately proved unnecessary. There were a few minor complications at birth and the child’s blood type confirmed the truth of his parentage. Mr. Van Valkenberg has a very rare blood type. The child has the same.”
“Has there been contact with the child or the mother recently?”
“Not since the child was about three months old. The woman, Miss Orrick, left abruptly and took the child with her.”
The idea that Van Valkenberg would simply permit her to leave with his son in tow surprised Victoria. “Did Mr. Van Valkenberg attempt to stop her or to exercise his rights as the father at that time or since?”
“No,” Brody explained carefully. “There were problems with the woman. She threatened to blackmail him, using the child as leverage. At one point, she went so far as to contact one of his rivals in an attempt to undermine an ongoing business deal.” Brody shrugged. “Frankly, I’m convinced she was unbalanced. Her irrational behavior only worsened as time went by.”
“And yet,” Victoria interrupted, “you allowed her to leave with the child.”
“Actually,” he said pointedly, clearly somewhat offended by her suggestion, “she took the child and disappeared. After stealing a considerable sum of money from Mr. Van Valkenberg, I might add. This woman was a gold digger from the outset, I’m afraid.”
“Mr. Van Valkenberg wishes to find the child now,” Victoria guessed.
“Yes.” Brody opened his briefcase and took out a file. He leaned forward and offered it to Victoria. “You’ll find all the information we have on Miss Orrick in this file, including numerous photos, but, unfortunately, the photos are ten years old.”
Victoria accepted the file, considered the contents a moment before asking, “Why now? After all these years?” She needed to know the rest of the story. The Colby Agency prided itself on discretion, both in the cases they accepted and in the way they conducted their investigations. However long Van Valkenberg had been a client, she needed clarification on exactly what he wanted and, equally important, why.
Mr. Brody leveled a solemn gaze at her. “As you’re well aware, Mr. Van Valkenberg has always been a man dedicated to his work and inordinately reserved in his social agenda. He hasn’t taken the time to develop or nurture any sort of real personal life. However, he recently learned news that has forced him to rethink his past decisions.”
Victoria braced herself for what came next. Judging by the man’s expression as well as his somber tone, the news was not good.
“Mr. Van Valkenberg has given permission for me to share this information with you, but, as you will see, the public cannot know, for obvious reasons. He’s dying. According to the team of specialists working on his case, he has five or six months at best. He feels he has accomplished all that he’d set out to in the business world for a man barely forty. However, he knows that not acquainting himself with his only child would be a disgrace on a personal level. This is his greatest wish. We must locate the boy before it’s too late.”
Victoria understood how Mr. Van Valkenberg must feel. The thought of never seeing her son again had been almost too much to bear. She’d been down that path. No parent should ever have to feel that kind of pain and desolation.
Victoria made a decision then and there to do all she could to ensure that Desmond’s son was found. “Mr. Brody, I would like you to convey to Mr. Van Valkenberg my personal feelings of regret for this untimely tragedy. Assure him that we at the Colby Agency will do all within our power to find his son and, as always, with the utmost discretion.”
Mr. Brody acknowledged her words with a nod. “I will relay your assurances, but Mr. Van Valkenberg has no doubt where your agency is concerned. I would, however, like to give him some sense of the time frame you feel you require to accomplish your work, since time is clearly of the essence.”
Victoria thought about her answer for a moment. She didn’t want to sound overly optimistic since the woman and child had been missing for ten years, but, at the same time, she didn’t want to worry her client needlessly.
