Page 2 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

Victoria thought of the many, many cases they had investigated. The many times they had barely survived with their lives. “Oh yes, sometimes I forget that we’re not like other couples.”

During their nearly half-century-long careers, they had been kidnapped, shot at, had bombs left for them, had their entire office building burned down and, of course, one or both had been left for dead numerous times. Thankfully, they had always survived. At times by the sheer skin of their teeth.

Funny how even now, looking back at all those horrific situations, each one had been just another day at the office. And now, their granddaughter was following that same path with the IOA. Luke—not so much. Her grandson had chosen Vanderbilt University in Nashville for his premed work, where a great deal of amazing research was happening. And since Luke was a die-hard country music lover, Nashville was the perfect setting for him.

“I was thinking,” Lucas said, “that we might consider a quick trip to Paris. I know how you love that city. A few days there would be a welcome change of pace. We’ll be closer and available to rush to Sweden if Jim and Tasha need us. We can have the kids there in a matter of hours if need be.”

Victoria held back her first response and mulled over the proposal. “You know, that’s actually not a bad idea.” Christmas in Paris. Yes. That would be very nice. “I’ll run it by Ian and Simon to make sure they haven’t made out-of-town plans already.”

To her knowledge, none of the primaries at the agency were planning to travel out of town. She turned to her husband. “This was really a great idea, Lucas.”

He smiled. “I already have reservations at the Shangri-La. I spoke to Jim yesterday and he was in agreement that he would prefer that we enjoy ourselves for the holidays and not wait around to hear news from Tasha’s procedure.”

So her husband and her son had been conspiring together. “Do you have flights already as well?” His smile widened to a grin. Why had she even asked? “This really is quite perfect, Lucas. Thank you.”

Her cell vibrated against her desk. Victoria started for it and Lucas headed for the door. “I’ll inform everyone that I told you about your Christmas present.”

She should have known. “So everyone but me knew about this?”

“Not everyone.” He grinned, then slipped out of her office.

Victoria shook her head. “Probably everyone but the janitor,” she murmured with a laugh.

Lukeflashed on the screen of her phone and Victoria’s smile spread wider. “Luke,” she said in greeting, “how wonderful to hear from you.”

Her grandson was always busy, but even still he found a minute here and there to call his grandmother. He had probably heard about Lucas’s surprise as well.

“Grandmother.”

Victoria’s smile faded. The clear and present fear she heard in her grandson’s voice had her heart stumbling. “Luke, are you alright?” Had something happened to Tasha and Jim had already called the children? Dear God, she prayed that was not the case.

Had Luke been in an accident? He was speaking to her, which had to mean he was all right...wasn’t he?

Or what if something had happened to Jamie?

A fresh wave of fear pounded in her veins.

“Listen to me very carefully, Grandmother,” Luke said. “They’re only allowing me a few moments to speak with you.”

Victoria suddenly calmed. Inside, she went completely still and quiet while her instincts—the ones she had honed over nearly half a century—elevated to the highest state of alert. “I’m listening.”

“They want ten million dollars. You have forty-eight hours. But you are not to do anything at all until you receive additional instructions.” A pause. “I love you, Grandmother.”

The call ended.

“Luke!” Victoria’s heart burst into a frantic staccato. “Luke!” She stared at the black screen.

Victoria rushed from her office and paused in the private waiting room just outside the door. She immediately thought of Mildred, her dear assistant of so many years. How she wished she were here now.

Her new assistant gazed up at Victoria with a kind smile. “Is everything all right?”

“Rhea, I need Lucas, Nicole, Ian and Simon in my officenow.”

Rhea was fairly new, but she recognized there was trouble. Rather than bother with her phone, she ran from the room to personally gather everyone.

Needing to leave her own cell phone free, Victoria reached for the phone on Rhea’s desk and called Chelsea Grant. Chelsea was their very best at tracing cell phone calls. “I need you in my office. Now please.”

Five minutes later, those closest to Victoria were assembled in her office and she had provided the details of the call from Luke. She struggled to maintain her composure. Memories from when Jim had gone missing at age seven ripped at her insides.This is not the same. Not the same.

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