Good Deed Bad Deed, Marcia Morgan [summer beach reads TXT] 📗

move into the other office right away. After I use my position to launch this crazy scheme that threatens our children, I’m not sure the position will hold any fascination for me.”

As Hugh opened his mouth to comment the phone rang. Paris rushed to answer and her expression told Hugh that it was the call they needed. She said little, except for one-word responses as she wrote something on the tablet in front of her. The call ended and she let out a sigh before tearing off the page and handing it to Hugh.

“So this is the name they’ve chosen for their armored transport? Security First? Not very original. Are you required to have the director sign off on the requisition? He’s bound to ask about a company he hasn’t heard of.”

“No, he’s chosen to leave it all to me, which is surprising. But last week I heard that he has some sort of family issue or crisis going on. I suspect it may have to do with a certain woman I’ve seen dropping him off in the morning. I’ve also seen her coming out of his office a few times. She isn’t his secretary, and I’ve met his wife.”

“Good timing for us then, but not for the Missus.”

Hugh pulled a chair over to the desk and sat down to face his wife. “There’s something else I’ve wanted to tell you, but with the call on your mind it wasn’t the right time.”

“Well? Go on then. What is it?” She settled back into her chair and crossed her arms in a defensive pose. It was a subconscious action, prompted by the series of events she had experienced of late.

“The lads at Interpol asked me about Ana—what I knew about her. I didn’t know why, but as it turned out they had decided to ‘vet’ her. I think that was prompted by the coincidence of Ben first meeting Ana on the same night as the first abduction attempt. They cover their bases.”

Paris sat forward in her chair and without a word wrinkled her brow and pursed her lips. Hugh knew that expression, and it meant she didn’t agree with their actions. A few moments passed before she spoke. “She definitely had proper identification showing that she’s a journalist. The assignment to interview Ben could easily be verified by the magazine that hired her.”

“Do we know the name of that magazine?”

“No, I don’t. I’m not sure about Ben. I doubt he cares much. He’s never been one to ‘put himself forward.’”

“She’s a charming girl, and the last thing I’d want is to find out is that she’s somehow involved. It’s easy to see how taken with her Ben has become.”

“I suspect he’s moved beyond taken.” Paris stood and began to pace around her office, obviously turning over in her head every detail she could remember about Ana’s demeanor and the conversations they had. She realized there were few, and she hadn’t paid close attention— but why would she? Finally she stopped beside Hugh’s chair and asked, “What, if anything, did they find out?”

“Remember. What I tell you may be completely unrelated to current events. It would be a colossal blunder to judge her by her family.” Paris cocked her head in a way that questioned his statement, and he continued to relate what he had been told by phone that morning. “What Interpol can find out in a short time has always amazed me. I don’t think Scotland Yard would have been much help in this undertaking.”

“Stop dawdling about! Let’s hear it.” Paris was becoming impatient. She felt herself incapable of absorbing any more bad news. “Surely that sweet girl is being mistreated by the very fact that unknown to her, she’s being investigated.”

“I can’t give you the conversation verbatim, but here’s what I jotted down.” He pulled a notebook from his breast pocket, along with his glasses, and began to read. “Her father’s name is Ion Cormac Doherty—both parents Irish. He’s married to Isabella Cristina, maiden name DeFalla. She was born in Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. They’re still compiling ‘intel’ on the rest of the family in Spain. His parents were Fiona Claire Branagan and Seamus Patrick Doherty. Both came from Galway to the states and operated a small neighborhood market in Belle Harbor, Queens. That’s in New York.”

“What can these particulars possibly have to do with Ben and Olivia—and most of all, Ana?”

“Well, it seems Ana’s father is a supposedly reformed criminal. He was sent down for the first five years of Ana’s life. She was born while he was inside.

“Ana’s father? Was it a violent crime?”

“No, a robbery involving antiquities. You can see why Interpol could question her motives. The depth of his involvement is still unknown. But there was enough evidence to convict him by association.”

“Oh my! I wonder how Ana’s mother managed to care for a child during that time.”

“She was hired to manage a curio shop—a lucky break, considering. I think they said Cambridge, Massachusetts. The owner was often absent, and being a family man, he allowed Isabella to bring Ana to work with her. When Ion was released they ran the shop together and were eventually able to buy it.”

“Digging into Ana’s life seems to have served no purpose other than to be intrusive.”

“Their logic was that if anyone in her family had been involved in the stealing of artifacts, there is no reason why a treasure like the gold wouldn’t tempt them to get involved. It’s true that Ana’s profession is journalism, but that doesn’t mean that she’s incapable of pursuing other more lucrative work—like playing the part of a facilitator.”

“I maintain that it’s utter nonsense.”

“I could have kept this from you, so don’t kill the messenger. It wasn’t my decision. Once we involved Interpol it was basically their show. Olivia’s safety is worth any price.”

“I’m so glad you’re out of that whole thing—or were out. My God! All those years of worrying about you when you went out with them on this or that