Park Avenue Secrets. Barbara Dunlop

you.”

      Elizabeth explained the contents of the letter.

      “Collin’s going to come by and pick up the package,” said Reed. “I don’t want you to worry about it.”

      “How can I not worry about it?” She glanced at her watch, noting that it was nearly five. “Aren’t you coming home now?”

      “Not for a while. I’ve, uh, got a conference call with the West Coast.”

      “I see.” Elizabeth didn’t disbelieve Reed. Problem was, she didn’t completely believe him, either. There was something in his tone that didn’t quite ring true, something that made her feel he was searching for excuses.

      She didn’t like feeling this way. But the further they got from Biarritz, the more her confidence faded. If he loved her the way he said he did, shouldn’t he be rushing home? Shouldn’t Lucas and she be the most important things on his mind?

      Reed hung up the phone and looked across the table at Collin. “Can you head for the penthouse and pick up those documents?”

      Collin immediately rose. “You bet.”

      Reed cursed the fact that he couldn’t leave right now. Elizabeth had too much on her plate. She was working round the clock to care for Lucas, while struggling to get over her brother’s death.

      Collin left the boardroom as Gage Lattimer walked in.

      “What’s up?” Gage took the chair across from Reed.

      “This,” said Reed, sliding his latest problem across the table. It was another letter from the blackmailer.

      “Don’t touch it,” he warned Gage. If he hadn’t obliterated them by opening it, the police might be able to raise fingerprints.

      Gage read the short letter.

       Hammond and Pysanski are the beginning. I’m the only one who can stop this now. Pay up!

      When Gage looked up, his eyes were thunderous. “Who is this guy?”

      Reed shook his head. “Trent stopped the Hammond and Pysanski connection from being reported in the media.”

      “Is it somebody close to you? Or somebody connected with the police?”

      Reed had no idea. But this was a very disturbing turn of events. “If he’s either of those things, you have to wonder how deep the frame-up goes.”

      “You think he could actually nail you?” Gage paused. “Or me? Why isn’t he shaking me down?”

      “Whoever did this has been thinking about it for a long time. Maybe he’s planted evidence against me but not against you.”

      “I’m merely collateral damage?”

      Reed coughed out a laugh. “Maybe. Or maybe he thinks I’m worth more money.”

      “You are.”

      “There you go.”

      “Ten million,” mused Gage. “How long would it take you to raise that kind of cash?”

      “Five minutes,” said Reed honestly.

      Gage nodded as Selina breezed into the room.

      She reached into her briefcase, pulled out a plastic bag, and tweezered the letter safely inside. Then she sealed it, sat down and turned it so that she could read.

      “I’ll take this to a private lab. I doubt we’ll get fingerprints. The operation has been too sophisticated so far to make a mistake like that.”

      “What about the police?” Reed asked her.

      “I’m not putting this into the bowels of their backed-up crime lab. I’ll get to them later.”

      “Any more clues? Anything else at all to go on?”

      “I’m still following up on Hammond and Pysanski. In my opinion, we have a better chance of clearing up the SEC thing than finding the blackmailer. It we cut the SEC investigation off at the knees …” She snapped her fingers in the air. “Poof, the blackmail problem is gone.”

      “For me, anyway,” said Reed. The blackmailer undoubtedly had other victims in mind.

      “And, since you’re the one paying my salary, you’re the one I care most about.”

      “And me?” Gage put in, in a voice tinged with mock offense.

      “You’ll be a collateral victory,” said Selina.

      “You heard me say that?” asked Gage.

      “I hear everything.” She gave her attention back to Reed. “Something triggered this second letter. We’re going to have to go over the details of your past few days.”

      Reed nodded in resignation, desperately worried about Elizabeth, and hoping Collin was taking good care of the will issue. Lately, it seemed as if Reed were being dragged simultaneously in a dozen different, yet crucial directions.

      Elizabeth sat in the wingback chair opposite Collin.

      “On my preliminary read,” he was saying, the legal documents in his hands, “I’m feeling very optimistic. But I have a friend who’s a member of the bar in California. I can get him to fly out tomorrow so that we can start on a proper plan of defense.”

      Elizabeth nodded, grateful to Collin. He was cool and controlled, and his expertise shone through at every turn in the conversation. But she couldn’t help thinking that Reed should be here instead. It should be her husband who was offering comfort and advice, not his lawyer.

      Then she berated herself for that train of thought. Hanna was right. Elizabeth needed to stand on her own two feet.

      “I’d like to meet with your friend,” she told Collin, squaring her shoulders. “I’m available anytime.”

      “I’ll set it up.”

      The penthouse door opened, and they both turned to see Reed stride in. “What did I miss?” he asked.

      Elizabeth glanced at her watch. It was nearly nine.

      “I read the package,” said Collin, coming to his feet. “I’m going to ask Ned Landers to fly in tomorrow.”

      Elizabeth stood to face Reed. “It’s all under control. You don’t need to worry.”

      Reed drew back sharply. “That’s—”

      “I know you’re busy,” she put in. Then she turned and reached out to shake Collin’s hand. “Thank you very much for your advice, Collin. I appreciate your taking the time.”

      “Not a problem,” he answered. “I’m always available for you, Elizabeth.”

      At the other side of the room, Reed stayed silent.

      “Good night,” Collin said to them both.

      As soon as the door shut behind Collin, Reed turned on Elizabeth. “What the hell was that all about?”

      She blinked at him in surprise. “What?”

      “‘I don’t need your help, Reed,’“ he simpered. “‘It’s all under control.’”

      “It is all under control. Collin says we’re in a very strong position. He says the Vances would essentially have to prove we’re unfit parents to win in court.”

      “It’s nice to know what Collin had to say, but what about what I have to say?”

      “You weren’t here.”

      “I had a meeting.”

      “You always have a meeting.” She cringed at the sarcasm in her voice.

      Reed’s tone grew stronger. “I would have been here if I could.”