Small-Town Secrets

He pressed his mouth firmly over hers and kissed her the way a man should kiss a woman. With utter respect and tenderness and mind-blowing desire.

She made the sweetest sound. Her fingers threaded into his hair and pulled him closer still.

The kiss went on and on. Deeper and deeper, then slower and sweeter.

He would have given almost anything to make love to her. But she was vulnerable right now. He wouldn’t take advantage of that. Instead, he lay down beside her and held her close. Let her feel how much he wanted her. Let her know that he was there for her.

Whatever the cost, he was in for the duration.

Debra Webb was born in Scottsboro, Alabama, to parents who taught her that anything is possible if you want it badly 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 centre, 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 mysteries and movies for inspiration. You can visit Deb’s website at www.debrawebb.com to find out exciting news about her next book.

Small-Town Secrets

By

Debra Webb

MILLS & BOON

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Chapter One

Chicago Inside the Colby Agency

“She’s the perfect choice.”

Victoria Colby-Camp reclined in her leather executive chair and considered the man who had spoken. Simon Ruhl was one of her most committed colleagues. He and Ian Michaels were her seconds in command. She trusted both implicitly. If Simon had concluded that Merrilee Walters was the perfect choice, then she was without doubt the ideal choice.

“Excellent.” Victoria nodded, punctuating the announcement. “Ian, you’ll follow up with Spence as to any possible legal ramifications in hiring an investigator who is hearing impaired?”

“I will.” Ian had left the final decision up to Simon. Still, he had reservations about Merrilee’s ability to fulfill the requirements of the position, but nothing conclusive to veto bringing her on board. More a feeling, he insisted in previous discussions.

“If Spence finds no legal precedent of concern, then we’ll move forward,” Victoria offered.

Simon and Ian exchanged a look. One that said the decision wasn’t nearly as cut-and-dried as Victoria suggested.

“What am I missing?” They had been over all the issues more than once. No one assigned to the agency’s Elite Reconnaissance Division had voiced a problem with this potential staff addition. The final approval was Victoria’s, but Simon’s and Ian’s agreement was paramount to her decision. If there was still a problem beyond the one Ian had mentioned, she needed to know.

Ian clasped his hands in front of him, an uncharacteristic move for a man whose absolute stillness even in moments of extreme tension proved intimidating to most. “My gut instinct hasn’t changed,” he finally said. “The Colby Agency has made its reputation on employing only the best. The most highly trained, the most honorable as well as the most physically able. Rarely have we stepped outside those parameters. Miss Walters is deaf—a challenge that puts her at a considerable disadvantage in normal situations.”

Ian held up a hand when Victoria would have interrupted. “I am fully aware that she reads lips with inordinate skill. The hearing impairment is not my actual concern, though there will be clients who won’t understand that Miss Walters is fully capable. My concern,” he added with a pointed look at Victoria, “is the seemingly relentless need to prove herself that she appears to possess. Her record at Nashville Metro is solid evidence of a potential problem. She may very well take risks that put both her and the client in danger.”

True. However, Victoria never allowed the evaluations of others to wholly guide her. Not that she doubted Metro’s assessment, but that was only one side of the story. Nonetheless, Ian’s point regarding Merrilee’s penchant for diving headlong into a situation without regard to caution held merit. Victoria was surprised that Ian felt so strongly about this particular characteristic. More often than not, he was an avid proponent of those who took the initiative to set themselves apart from the rest.

“Are you recommending we don’t move forward?” Victoria really hoped that wasn’t the case. Since she’d conceived the idea of an agency reconnaissance division, her primary goal had been to ensure the team was made up of members from every walk of life. After all, those who went missing came from all backgrounds. She wanted her team to be able to fit in anywhere. No one understood the needs of those physically challenged better than one who carried that burden.

The Colby Agency’s Elite Reconnaissance Division had one mission: find the missing. Victoria, with Ian’s and Simon’s help, had organized an elite team thus far. Like William Spencer, a former child advocacy attorney. And though, as Ian pointed out, Merrilee Walters was considered a bit of a rogue by her peers and superiors back in Nashville, she had definitely proven what she was made of over and over again.

Bottom line, Victoria wanted Merrilee on their team. But all seated in Victoria’s office at the moment needed to be on the same page.

“I’m recommending,” Ian explained, “that we hire Miss Walters on a conditional basis with an extended probationary period. We’ll see how it goes for a time before putting her in the field.”

“Fair enough,” Simon agreed. “I’m convinced you’ll grow to respect her ability to assess a situation before plunging in as well as her skills.”

“Time will tell.”

Obviously Ian was far from convinced. A good deal more than Victoria had realized. And she was relatively certain his reservations had more to do with the woman than the opinions of others. But, as he said, time would tell. “Very well. We’re all agreed then.”

With a nod from each man, both of whom Victoria respected tremendously, the meeting was adjourned. Simon would move into negotiations with Merrilee and Ian would follow up with Spence.

Before the door could close behind Ian and Simon, Mildred Ballard, Victoria’s personal assistant, stepped into the office. “Victoria, you received a call from Dave Glenn.”

Victoria smiled. She hadn’t spoken to Dave in ages. “Put him through.”

“Unfortunately he was on his way to a meeting.” Mildred glanced at the note in her hand. “He wanted to know if you could have lunch with him at Tony’s Pub around one.”

Victoria checked her wristwatch. It was eleven now. She had to pick up her granddaughter from preschool at twelve-thirty. With Jim and Tasha out of the country, Victoria generally brought Jamie back to the office with her for the afternoon.

“Don’t worry,” Mildred said, reading her mind, “I’ll pick up Jamie and keep her out of trouble. Go to lunch,” she urged. “You’ve been spending too many lunches in the office lately.”

That was all too true. Victoria would very much like to catch up with Dave. “You’re absolutely right. Do I need to leave him a message to say I’m coming?”

Mildred shook her head. “All you have to do is show up. He’s already made the reservation for the two of you.”

That was Dave all right. Always completely sure of himself. But then, he’d trained with the best: Lucas Camp. Victoria’s husband was a man who never took no for an answer. Lucas and Dave had been friends since childhood. Lucas’s unwavering determination had long ago rubbed off on the other man.

“You don’t have another appointment until three-thirty,” her loyal assistant added. “Take your time. Enjoy catching up.”

“Thank you, Mildred.”

As the door closed, Victoria found herself sighing. She’d suffered so much loss and pain in the past. Taking for granted a moment of her wonderful life now was out of the question. She had the most amazing husband whom she loved more deeply every day. She had her son and he was well and happy. And she had a beautiful granddaughter. Not to mention the agency continued to thrive.

Basically, Victoria had it all.

She deserved this happiness. She intended to enjoy it to the fullest.

AT ONE WHEN VICTORIA entered Tony’s Pub, Dave Glenn waited at the bar. As she approached, Victoria took a moment to consider the man. The same age as Lucas, his hair had long ago paled from blond to a lustrous white. Age had not diminished his intimidating stature or his proud military bearing. He was still a force with which to be reckoned.

As if he’d sensed her presence, he turned on the bar stool to face her. Sharp blue eyes lit with the smile that broadened his lips in welcome.

“Victoria, I’m glad you could come.” He set his glass aside, slid off the stool and reached for a hug. “It’s been too long.”

Victoria relished the embrace of a dear friend. It really had been too long. Drawing back, she assessed the rugged face that spoke of decades of too many secrets and too little R&R. He needed to slow down and enjoy life. Lucas had told him so many times. She wished Lucas were here now.

“Dave, it’s so good to see you.”

He reclaimed his glass and ushered her toward the dining room. “Our table is waiting.”

When Victoria had settled into a chair and Dave had done the same, she sent a pointed look at his drink of choice. “It’s a little early for scotch, isn’t it?” She’d never known Dave to indulge in the middle of the day. “Are we celebrating something?”

Dave peered into his glass a moment before meeting her gaze. This time there was a bleakness about his expression. “I’m old, Victoria.” He gave his head a little shake. “The job is finally beginning to get to me.”

A frown tugged at her brow. Though both she and Lucas had seen this coming, the statement was uncharacteristic of the man who never failed to present himself a pillar of strength and determination.

“Our chosen fields can become burdensome at times.” She knew this all too well. But to her knowledge Dave had not suffered the personal loss Victoria had experienced. Perhaps this was nothing more than the long overdue realization that his work could not continue to have priority over his personal life. “Is Catherine doing well?”

Dave managed another smile, but this time it didn’t reach his eyes. “She’s tired of spending so much time alone.” A halfhearted shrug lifted his shoulders. “She’s found other ways to occupy her time.”

Victoria ached for the man. A breakup was never easy, but he and Catherine had been married for twenty-five years. Clearly he was devastated. “I’m sorry to hear that.” What else was there to say? Sorry, however, seemed a pathetic offering.

Dave pointed to his glass as the waiter paused at their table. “And a white wine for the lady.” When he’d returned his full attention to Victoria, he said, “It happens. I suppose I should have been paying better attention.”

A gentleman to the end. It would have been so easy to blame everything on his wife’s inability to appreciate his commitment to his country. “Perhaps you’ll find a way to work things out.”

“Perhaps.” He finished the last of his drink. “How’s Lucas?”

Victoria’s lips slid into an automatic smile at the mention of her husband’s name. “He’s well. He’s away on business for a few days. Thankfully he’s home more often than not, but he continues to work in an advisory capacity when he’s needed.”

Dave gave her one of those looks that said he knew exactly what she meant despite her understanding words. “You remind him that retired means precisely that. I knew he wouldn’t take himself completely out of the game.”

“Now that’s the pot calling the kettle black,” she teased, opting to lighten the moment.

He laughed, but the sound was dry. The waiter arrived with their drinks, and they placed their meal orders.

“And Jim?” Dave asked. “He’s still doing well with his shop?”

“Yes.” Victoria’s chest tightened with pride. “The Equalizers are doing exceptionally well. Jim is happy helping those who don’t seem to fit in anywhere else. He has a knack for resolving the unsolvable.”

“Like father, like son,” Dave offered, his gaze distant as if he were remembering his days with Lucas and Jim’s father, James Colby.

Victoria sipped her white wine, mainly to restrain herself from asking the question pressing against her sternum. This small talk was nice, but it failed to camouflage a glaring ulterior motive for today’s impromptu invitation. Victoria’s instincts were on point. Something was very wrong. Something more than her old friend’s personal problems. Dave was not himself by any means.

He lifted his glass, apparently thought better of it and lowered it back to the table. He exhaled a heavy breath. “There’s something I need to tell you, Victoria, and I’m not sure how to go about it.”

“Don’t mince words with me, Dave. We’ve known each other far too long for that. Say what’s on your mind.” Lucas was deep in negotiations related to national security. Jim and Tasha were on safari in Africa. She’d heard from them only two days ago, just before they left for an extended excursion into a remote jungle location. Whatever Dave’s news, it couldn’t be related to her family.

Dave propped his forearms on the table and rested his gaze heavily on hers. “You know how the world of intelligence operates. I don’t have to spell it out for you. We trawl for information. Sometimes in the worst possible places, dredging intel from the worst possible characters. That’s how the job gets done.”

Victoria nodded. Like Lucas, Dave worked in intelligence. Lucas worked directly for the government as an advisor while Dave was employed by a government contractor. And he was right; the job could take them into gritty places.

Uneasiness stiffened Victoria’s spine. “You’ve heard something of a personal nature that concerns you.” It wasn’t a question. She knew perfectly well where this was going.

He nodded. “You know if it was insignificant, I wouldn’t bother passing it along.”

She did. “Does this information involve the Colby Agency?” No matter that the Colby Agency maintained a prestigious reputation, enemies were made. It was part of the business.

“No. Not directly.”

“Me, then.” She would much prefer he simply get to the point.

He nodded. “Yes. I attempted to trace the information beyond my source, but I was unsuccessful. So, be advised that I have no tangible evidence to back up what I’m about to tell you. All I have is a rumor. A rumbling of discord so to speak.” Those assessing blue eyes bored into hers. “But this source is solid. Precautions need to be taken.”

“Have you spoken to Lucas?” It suddenly struck Victoria as quite odd that he didn’t go to Lucas first. But then, she didn’t know the nature of the information he was about to pass along.

“I couldn’t reach Lucas this morning. And I feel this shouldn’t wait.”

She inclined her head in question.

“My source,” he began, “indicated that there’s an operation in the final planning stages to take down Lucas where he is most vulnerable.”

Victoria’s breath stalled in her chest. “You’re right. Precautions do need to be taken.” She didn’t have to add that this, of course, wasn’t the first time nor would it be the last that someone attempted to seek vengeance on Lucas. He’d made more than his share of enemies while working with the CIA. But no one was better at taking care of himself than Lucas. Dave was well aware of that fact.

Victoria understood with complete certainty that the other shoe was about to drop.

“Whoever has set this plan in motion intends to use you to get to Lucas.”

Victoria considered the warning. “I’ll beef up my personal security, particularly while Lucas is away.” Nothing she hadn’t faced before. She knew the proper steps to initiate.

Dave shook his head. “It gets worse, Victoria.”

A blast of adrenaline seared through her limbs. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“I don’t know many of the details, but I do know that the plan supposedly involves kidnapping your granddaughter.”

Tentacles of fear constricted around her chest.

“This could be nothing more than grumbling from someone you or Lucas have brought down. Blowing off steam and tossing around threats,” Dave suggested, his voice uncharacteristically soft and soothing. His eyes reflected just how badly he’d hated to pass along this information. “But considering what happened in the past, I felt you’d want to hear this as soon as possible whether or not it is warranted.”

Victoria knew that Mildred and Jamie were at the office. She’d touched base with Mildred en route to meet Dave.

That didn’t stop Victoria from reaching for her phone.

She couldn’t take any chances. Not with her granddaughter. She had to be sure.

Victoria couldn’t live through that kind of pain again.

Chapter Two

Dana Hall reminded herself to relax. The hustle and bustle of the Colby Agency lobby had kept her distracted at first. But now, forty-five minutes later, things had grown quiet and her anxiety had started to build.

It was almost half past four and her appointment had been at three-thirty. Dana glanced at the receptionist. She’d apologized repeatedly for the wait.

But it wasn’t the wait that had Dana’s tension escalating. It was second thoughts.

Was she making a mistake by starting this? Should she leave the past in the past? She was twenty-nine years old. What difference did it make now? Learning the truth wouldn’t change anything. Her sister would still be dead. In reality, the truth would change nothing at all that mattered.

What did she hope to accomplish?

Dana closed her eyes. Peace. That was her goal. She couldn’t live with the uncertainty or the nightmares. Not anymore. The longer this went on, the more detailed and intense the nightmares became.

It was time to have closure.

To know the truth…whatever the cost. Whatever it accomplished.

“Ms. Hall?”

Dana looked up, then stood. “Yes.”

The older woman who’d called her name smiled. “I’m Mildred Ballard, Victoria’s personal assistant. I apologize for the wait. Victoria can see you now. This way, please.”

Dana followed Ms. Ballard along a long, lushly carpeted corridor until they reached a smaller, but every bit as impressive, lobby. Ms. Ballard indicated the double doors across the carpeted expanse. “Go right in, Ms. Hall. Victoria is waiting.”

As the older woman took her seat behind her desk, Dana gathered her fleeing courage and walked toward the double doors. She was doing the right thing. No question. She couldn’t continue to live this way. She had to know the truth, and this was the only way.

The Colby Agency came highly recommended. Not one she’d looked into had a better reputation. The agency’s long-standing in the business and priority on discretion sealed her decision.

Dana opened the doors and entered the elegantly appointed office of Victoria Colby-Camp, head of the prestigious Colby Agency. The woman in charge stood in greeting.

“Ms. Hall, welcome to the Colby Agency.”

Dana summoned a smile. “I appreciate your personal attention to my case, Ms. Colby-Camp.”

“Call me Victoria.” The head of the agency directed Dana to one of the chairs flanking her desk. “I give my personal attention to all our clients.”

Dana’s spine stiffened with continued uncertainty as she lowered into the upholstered chair. This was good, wasn’t it? Assuredly she couldn’t complain about not getting her money’s worth if the woman in charge saw to Dana’s needs personally.

Victoria reclaimed the seat behind her desk. “How can my agency help you, Ms. Hall?”

“Dana, please.” Dana took a breath. “I suppose I should start at the beginning.” When Victoria nodded, Dana continued. “I’m from a small town in Indiana. Brighton. My family and I lived there until…my sister was murdered when I was thirteen. My sister and I are…were twins. I’m looking for closure. I’m hoping the Colby Agency can help me find it.”

Victoria leaned forward and penned a note on a file that likely had Dana’s name on it. “A tragedy such as that is difficult to move past. I’m sure you were all devastated.”

Dana managed a wooden nod. “At first we tried to move on with our lives, but considering the murders went unsolved, staying in Brighton was impossible.”

“Murders?”

Dana swallowed tightly. “My sister was one of three victims murdered that fall. All three were local children. They died within mere days of each other. The whole community was devastated.”

Sympathy etched itself across Victoria’s brow. “Does the case remain on active status or has it been officially closed?”

Dana shrugged. “My mother receives calls from time to time whenever some new-to-the-force deputy decides to take a look at the town’s most infamous case. Nothing has ever come of it. The case has been cold for nearly a decade now.”

“But,” Victoria offered, “you need to know the truth. Closure, as you said.”

Dana’s heart pounded harder with each passing moment. “Yes.” The word was scarcely a whisper. She needed the truth. She needed to face the past or put it behind her once and for all. So far she’d been able to do neither on her own nor with the help of a psychiatrist.

Victoria braced her elbows on her desk and steepled her fingers. “Losing a family member is difficult under any circumstances,” she said gently. “But losing a twin is like losing a part of yourself.”

Echoes of memories whispered in Dana’s ears. She moistened her lips. “Yes.” It was a nightmare…one that wouldn’t end. “My mother and I faced a second blow when six months after we moved from Brighton my father committed suicide.” She fought back the emotion that accompanied thoughts of that time. “He blamed himself for not taking better care of us.”

After a moment’s consideration, Victoria said, “William Spencer is a member of our Recon Team, a division of the Colby Agency created specifically to find the missing. Though the children in this situation are deceased, the truth is missing.” Victoria settled a reassuring gaze upon Dana. “The members of this team are the best in the business, Dana. If it’s humanly possible to find the truth for you, Spence will find it.”

Victoria checked what appeared to be a large desk calendar. “I’d like you to meet Spence. We’ll go over the details you remember and determine a starting place and strategy.” She reached for the phone on her desk and gifted Dana with another reassuring smile. “You can take a deep breath, Dana. The Colby Agency will find the answers you’re looking for.”

Dana wished she could take a deep breath…wished that what she felt at those sincere and comforting words was relief, but the truth was, in this case, she felt fear. Fear and dread.

Was she putting the past behind her…or the rest of her life?

WILLIAM SPENCER TYPED the conclusion and hit Print. His first “final” field report was finished. He’d worked six months for the Colby Agency before being assigned a case where he was the primary investigator. Until then he’d done research and assessments. It felt good to be a full-fledged Colby investigator. The work here gave him a sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction—something that had been sorely missing in his former career as a child advocacy attorney.

He gritted his teeth when he considered the numerous times he’d helped remove a child from harm’s way only to have another judge overrule the decision and place the child right back into dangerous territory—typically with his or her own mother or father. The last child he’d rescued using his legal expertise had been returned to his mother and stepfather only to end up dead twenty-four hours later.

Spence had walked away from his firm. Enough was enough. He wanted to be at a place where his efforts actually did some good for the long term. Landing at the Colby Agency was the best thing that could have happened to him, professionally as well as personally.

A distinct buzz drew his attention to the telephone on his desk. Anticipation zinged through him. He pressed the speaker button. “Spence.”

“Spence,” Victoria said, “I have a client, Ms. Dana Hall, in my office. Could you join us?”

“Absolutely.” His pulse quickened as he tapped the speaker button to end the connection and grabbed his notepad and pen. The idea of being assigned a new case immediately after completing his first had him practically sprinting toward Victoria’s office.

Grinning, he gave Mildred a little salute. She smiled back at him. That was another thing he loved about working at the Colby Agency. The staff operated like one big family. Since he had no family of his own, not since he was sixteen anyway, the camaraderie filled a long, empty void.

As he entered the boss’s office, she announced, “Ms. Hall, this is William Spencer.”

The obviously nervous client extended her hand as he approached. “Mr. Spencer,” she said softly.

“Ms. Hall.” Spence gave her a firm handshake then settled into the chair next to hers.

Dana Hall was blond and petite. She dressed like most female white-collar professionals, skirt and matching jacket, with a starched white blouse and practical shoes. But it was the big brown eyes filled with sadness and intense worry that overwhelmed her attractive oval face. This was a lady with heavy personal baggage. He knew that look.

Victoria briefly reviewed Ms. Hall’s situation. Spence had to admit that he was a little surprised he was chosen for the case considering the three children involved were deceased, more specifically murdered. The only homicide he’d been involved with had happened in the present. Personally, he wasn’t sure he was the right man for the job. But he trusted Victoria’s judgment. She had a reason for asking him to sit in on this meeting. And if she asked him to take the case, she had her reasons for that as well.

“I’d like to be closely involved with the investigation,” Ms. Hall said when Victoria had finished bringing Spence up to speed. “The police haven’t been very cooperative with any of my past efforts. I need to have an active part in solving this painful mystery once and for all.”

“That’s understandable,” Victoria granted. She turned her attention to Spence. “Ms. Hall’s participation will likely be an asset, don’t you agree?”

“I do,” Spence concurred. Dana Hall would know those closest to the victims and would likely recall the players involved in the official police investigation that followed the murders.

“I’d like to get started as soon as possible,” Dana went on to say. “I’ve lived with this a very long time. It will be a tremendous relief to put this behind me. The sooner the better.”

When she spoke of the murders, she avoided eye contact with him, Spence noted. There could be a number of reasons for that, none of which were particularly good. “I’m available immediately.” He’d finished the final report on his last assignment. There was no reason he couldn’t get started right away.

Dana met his eyes now. “When can we leave?”

Brighton was only a few hours’ drive from Chicago. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements this evening, and we’ll meet here at nine tomorrow morning. We can be there shortly after noon.” She nodded and he went on. “I’d like you to compile a list of any relevant details and names you recall that we haven’t already discussed. We’ll go over those on the way and lay out our strategy.”

Dana took an audible breath. “Excellent.”

As the meeting concluded, Spence watched Dana interact with Victoria. Every instinct warned him that the lady wasn’t being completely open. He had worked with the parents of abused and neglected children long enough to recognize deception on any level when he saw it. This lady was hiding something…something she understood was relevant to the case.

The only question was why.