Thats why they had to make this go away, and fast. It had to go away before the press or anybody else got wind of it. Including Elizabeth. Especially Elizabeth.
Their specialist said infertility was often related to stress, and she was stressed enough about trying to get pregnant, not to mention planning their fifth anniversary party. The last thing she needed was to worry about a potential court case.
I have to head down to Collins apartment for a little while, he told her.
Her voice went flat, the disbelief evident. A little while?
Its a routine matter, said Reed, vowing to wrap the discussion up quickly.
She nodded. Of course.
Why dont you work on the catering menu while Im gone? Three hundred guests were invited to the upcoming party; there had to be a million details that required her attention.
Sure, she said, without enthusiasm. Ill study the dessert menu for a while.
The sarcastic remark was unlike Elizabeth, and Reed knew he should ask her what was wrong. But he was afraid to get into it, afraid it might lead him to embrace her, to kiss her, to throw all of his good intentions out the window. There was only so much temptation a man could take.
Ill see you in an hour, he said huskily instead, allowing himself one quick, chaste kiss on her forehead.
His hand brushed her hair, sending tingles of desire all the way up to his shoulder. Her fingers closed over his wrist for the briefest of moments. It was enough to make him question his decision to leave.
But he had to walk out. Hed promised himself hed do everything in his power to give her a baby. And he would.
Without meeting her eyes, he turned for the door, marched down the hall to where Collin hovered beside the desk, a decidedly uncertain expression on his face.
Lets go, said Reed, slipping into his suit jacket and leading the way to the penthouse door.
Collin didnt ask any questions. Discretion was one of the things Reed liked best about the man.
Ive got the SEC letter, Collin confirmed as the door closed behind them, and they headed for Gage Lattimers penthouse. Collins friend, Gage, had also been named in the SECs letter as being part of the investigation.
Envelope, too? asked Reed. He didnt want a shred of evidence lying around for Elizabeth to stumble across.
Everything, said Collin, stopping in front of the wide oak door. And I closed your Web browser.
Thanks. Reed nodded, giving a sharp knock.
They waited in silence, listening to a clang and clash from inside. The door was finally opened. But it wasnt Gage standing in front of them. It was a tall, attractive brunette with a guarded, almost guilty look in her green eyes.
Is Gage available? asked Reed, hoping he wasnt disturbing something. Although the woman was fully dressed.
Im terribly sorry The woman cleared her throat. Mr. Lattimer isnt in at the moment.
Was that a British accent?
And you are? asked Collin.
Jane Elliott. Mr. Lattimers new housekeeper.
Reeds gaze caught on the untidy penthouse over her shoulder.
She pulled the door against her back, blocking his view. May I tell him who called?
Reed Wellington.
Collin handed the woman a business card. Can you ask him to call me as soon as possible?
Of course, she replied with a nod, then slipped back into the suite and closed the door.
I hope hes not paying her much, Reed mused as they turned for the elevator.
Id pay her pretty much anything she asked, said Collin.
Reed couldnt help but smile as he punched the call button for the elevator. Then he quickly brought his thoughts back to the problem at hand. So what in the hell do you think is going on with this? Reed asked as the doors slid open to an empty car.
I think maybe you should have paid the blackmail.
Reed drew back. As a wealthy man, he was often the target of both financial appeals and threats. But a particularly bizarre blackmail demand had arrived two weeks ago.
Ten million dollars? he asked Collin. Are you out of your mind?
The two could be related.
The blackmail letter said, the world will learn the dirty secret of how the Wellingtons make their money. It didnt say anything about an SEC investigation. Not that Reed would have paid up in any event. But he might have taken the letter a little more seriously if the threat had been that specific.
Insider trading is a dirty little secret.
Its also a ridiculous fabrication.
When Reed first read the blackmail letter, hed dismissed it as a hoax. There were plenty of lunatics out there. Then hed wondered if some of their overseas suppliers might be engaged in unethical labor practices. But hed checked them all out. He could find absolutely nothing to substantiate any dirty little secret of the Wellingtons wealth.
He had no dirty little secret. It was beyond preposterous to suggest hed engaged in insider trading. And impossible to prove, since he hadnt done it. It wasnt even logical. The vast majority of his and his fathers and, for that matter, their ancestors wealth was derived from the performance of their companies. Reed did very little trading on the stock market.
And what little he did do was recreational, just to see if he could beat the odds. Where was the challenge in cheating? He didnt need the money. And cheating wouldnt be any fun. So why the hell would he engage in insider trading?
Theyve got something, said Collin as the elevator came to a rest on the second floor. The SEC doesnt start investigations on spec.
So, who do we call? asked Reed.
As well as being a vice president, Collin was a damn fine lawyer. He inserted his key and opened the apartment door. The SEC for starters.
Reed glanced at his watch. Nine-fifteen. You know anybody we can disturb?
Yeah. Collin tossed his briefcase on the table of the more compact, one-bedroom apartment that was owned by Wellington International. I know a guy. He picked up a cordless phone. You feel like pouring the scotch?
On it.
Collins call was brief.
When he finished, he accepted a crystal tumbler of single malt and sat back in an armchair. Theyll send us a full dossier in the morning, but its something to do with Ellias Technologies.
Reed recognized the company name. That was Gages deal. He thought they were going to go big, so we both bought in. But he couldnt believe Gage Lattimer, his friend and neighbor, would have recommended a stock based on insider information. But he went over the scenario, thinking out loud as he stepped through the deal.
It did shoot up fast. Particularly when that navigations system
A lightbulb went on inside Reeds head.
What? Collin prompted.
Kendrick.
The senator?
Reed nodded. Damn it. How much you want to bet he was on the approval committee?
The trepidation in Collins voice was obvious. Not the one that awarded the navigations contract.
Yeah. Reed took a swallow of his scotch. That one.
Collin cursed under his breath.
Reed echoed the sentiment. He hadnt done anything wrong, but if Kendrick was on the approval committee, it would sure look like he had.
Collin cursed under his breath.
Reed echoed the sentiment. He hadnt done anything wrong, but if Kendrick was on the approval committee, it would sure look like he had.
I buy shares in Ellias, Reed speculated out loud. Kendrickwho the whole world knows is an avid supporter of my Envirocore.comapproves a lucrative contract for Ellias. Ellias stock soars. I make a few hundred thousand. And suddenly the SEC is involved.
You missed a step, said Collin.
The blackmailer, Reed agreed. If the blackmailer was the one who alerted the SEC, then Reed hadnt taken him nearly seriously enough.
The blackmailer obviously had information on Reeds stock portfolio. He also knew Reed was the owner of Envirocore. And he knew that Kendrick was on the Senate navigation system contract approval committee. Whats more, he knew how to put it all together to hurt Reed.
This was no lightweight.
Collin gazed at the storm-tossed seascape on his far wall. Nobody in his right mind is going to think you broke the law for a few hundred thousand.
Are you kidding? Everybodys ready to knock old money off their pedestal.
Can you prove youre innocent?
Reed scoffed. Prove that a phone call, a meeting or an e-mail didnt take place? I dont see how I can do that.
Did you call the police on the blackmail letter?
I filed it with the rest of the crank stuff. Mistake. Obviously.
You want to call them tonight?
Reed nodded. We might as well get this party started.
Two
The black-tie hospital fund-raiser at the Bergere Grande Hotel was in full swing on Saturday night. Guests had been served a gourmet dinner in the Crystal Room, and now they were moving through the marble-pillared foyer to the East Ballroom for cocktails and dancing.
Elizabeth had spotted Collin approaching, so shed quickly set a course for the ladies room. She knew shed have to look the man in the eye at some point, but she was putting off the moment as long as possible. She didnt want to think about how much the red negligee had revealed.
She emerged from checking her hair and freshening her lipstick and accepted a flute of champagne from a smartly dressed waiter. Then she concentrated on a series of silent auction items on her way to the main ballroom. She wanted to give Collin and Reed plenty of time to finish their conversation.
Hanna sidled up to her. So, howd it go last night?
Elizabeth bought a little time by putting her head down over an auction item. It was a ruby and diamond choker, and the top bid was ten thousand dollars. She added a thousand and signed her name.
Nice, said Hanna, nodding to the jewels that were secured in a glass case. If you win, can I borrow it sometime?
Sure.
Hanna latched on to Elizabeths arm and drew her away from the crowd. So, did you do it?
Elizabeth admitted as much with a nod.
What happened?
I crashed and burned.
Hannas sculpted brows knit together. I dont understand. Was he asleep or something?
I got dressed up in a red, slinky negligee. Elizabeth omitted the part about the coin toss, not wanting Hanna to know shed had second thoughts. Then I surprised him in his office.
And? Hanna prompted, cocking her expertly coiffed blond hair to one side.
And Collin was there, too.
Hannas fingertips went to her mouth to cover her grin.
Dont you dare laugh, Elizabeth warned in a dire undertone. I was mortified.
Were you exposed?
Elizabeth sniffed, attempting to regain her dignity. There was no frontal nudity.
He saw your butt? Hanna looked somewhat thrilled at the prospect.
He did not see my butt. It was a negligee. It was sexy, but it covered everything that counts.
So, whats the problem?
I tried to vamp up my husband, and he left for a meeting with Collin. Elizabeths gaze slid across the room to where the two men were talking. There were things more embarrassing than having Collin see her in her red negligee.
Oh, said Hanna, obviously understanding the broader point.
Yes. Oh. Apparently Im not nearly as irresistible as Id hoped.
Hannas red mouth pursed in puzzlement. What exactly did he say?
Elizabeths tone turned sharp, even though she knew none of this was Hannas fault. Do we have to dissect it?
Of course we have to dissect it. How else are we going to learn from it?
Fine. Elizabeth took a breath. Hanna wanted the gory details? He said I have to go meet with Collin. Ill be back in an hour. You should work on the anniversary party catering menu. She was beginning to hate that catering menu. He also said Hold that thought.
Ouch, Hanna whispered in sympathy.
Elizabeth peered into the main ballroom. Lets go find the bar.
Yeah, Hanna agreed with a rush of breath. There are times in a womans life when she absolutely needs a drink.
They started toward the main ballroom. Elizabeth wanted to hurry and disappear, but she was forced to move carefully in her sleek, silver evening gown.
Vannick-Smythe at three oclock, Hanna warned in an undertone.
Elizabeths gaze flicked to her gossipy neighbor Vivian and made eye contact. Uh-oh. She spotted us.
Hanna bent her head. Pretend were deep in conversation.
Right.
Im surprised she didnt bring her dogs, said Hanna, referring to Vivian Vannick-Smythes yappy white Shih Tzus. Constantly by her side, the two dogs went uncannily well with the womans overdyed hair.
I guess she couldnt get them on the guest list, Elizabeth speculated.
Hanna sputtered out a laugh. Oops. Here she comes. Then she raised her voice to conversation level. And what did you think of yesterdays political coup in Barasmundi?
Elizabeth quickly jumped into the game. I dont think a woman can hold on to power in West Africa. She resisted the urge to glance at Vivian, as the woman came to a halt beside them. But if Maracitu can pull off the elections, itll help stabilize the north, maybe inspire the tribal leaders to participate in democratic rule.
Hanna was a network news anchor, and an all-around political junkie. Elizabeth assumed her ploy was to make the conversation as inaccessible as possible for Vivian.
Luckily, Elizabeth was interested in world politics herself. It was one of the reasons she and Hanna had become such good friends.
Hanna put in, I dont see how the government can move ahead on the constitutional vote if
Well, I certainly didnt expect to see you here. Vivian Vannick-Smythes drawl overrode Hannas words.
Elizabeth glanced up to see Vivians penetrating gaze fixed on her. The hostile tone took her by surprise. Hello, Vivian.
Vivian sniffed. At minimum, one would think youd let the speculation die down.
What speculation? Had somebody heard she was trying to get pregnant? Or had Collin gossiped about her failed seduction attempt?
Why, the SEC investigation, my dear, said Vivian, a flash of triumph in her eyes and a cruel smile fighting its way to life on her face. I dont know what that husband of yours got up to. And, of course, its none of my business, but when the SEC starts investigating