Page 7 of The Spy

As she walked down the hallway, her personal assistant joined her. She handed her a cup of her favorite peppermint tea and a tissue and then followed her in blessed silence to her office. Anna had opted to stay put in her own space, at least at first. The idea of sitting in her mother’s chair, filling her shoes so completely was too much for Anna to contemplate.

She studied the agenda, the list of items to accomplish for the week and slid the paper to the side. “Trudy.”

“Yes, mum.”

“Assign everything out to others except that which can only be accomplished by the future monarch.”

“Right away.” Trudy gathered a few papers and headed out the door. Before she turned the corner she said. “If I may, I’m terribly sorry. The Queen was splendid in every way and the kindest woman.”

Anna nodded. “Thank you.”

Once Trudy had closed the door, Anna opened up her laptop and entered her secure server, accessed her own surveillance links, and looked for Lucan. In the past it had brought her comfort. But today, as each of his normal stops showed her nothing, her anxiety increased. Where was he? Why could she not find him? She had to at least see that he was well, that he was at work. Then she would know it was for the best that he refused to come.

About to give up in despair, she checked one more remote location in Thailand. He hadn’t been there in many years. She’d heard the area had been under safe house security. As she halfheartedly scrolled through camera images, she stopped on one and sucked in her breath.Oh no.

He was back in the thick of the trafficking world. She cringed, thinking of him in that awful place. And shook her head. If he was needed there again, she might not see him for months.

She clicked to another shot, a live feed of one of the worst locales in the world, a hub of sale of other humans. And she watched the crowd entering and leaving the building. She was about to give up, not able to stand the sight of so many fellow humans intent upon evil, when the gold off of a man’s neckline glittered in the streetlight. She zoomed in and the man turned to look into her camera. His eyes, full of sorrow, stared into hers for a brief second, then he turned away, barking orders to the man at his side.Lucan.

He entered with the other scum of the earth, and her hands shook for him, trembled for the danger he faced, and she hoped his mission would conclude swiftly.

Her phone rang. And a moment of happiness warmed her. “Ferdinand?”

“Oh Anna, my greatest condolences to you.”

“Thank you. It’s difficult to believe such a thing could happen when last month she was so healthy and vibrant.”

“You have my deepest sorrow.” His handsome voice purred with the depth of his deep bass tones. She had always loved listening to him speak.

“I am coming, with my mother. We will be of assistance to you in whatever ways we can.”

“Oh thank you. I have dreaded all my moments alone.”

“Do not worry another moment. When you need me, I will be there. And when you don’t need me, I will hide.”

She could hear the humor in his voice. “Thank you. Let me know when you have arrived.”

“We are on our way. Mother did not want to wait.”

“Oh!” She had hoped for at least an afternoon with her father.

“But we will not arrive at your doors until tomorrow, better?”

Relief filled her. “That would be perfect.” She was about to hang up but she added, “And thank you.”

“You are an angel who deserves nothing less. I could never leave you to handle all of this alone.”

What a difference between him and Lucan. But their lives also stood in stark contrast. What had Ferdinand really given up besides a day of riding his horse or a day on his yacht with friends? But still, Ferdinand had always been a source of fun and diversion to her. And she welcomed his kindness. She loved the way she felt when he was near. Always joking, dancing attendance on her. His was the confidence boost she needed right now.

After passing over any tasks that were not absolutely pertinent, she left her office and headed for her bedroom. She would attempt a hot bath and a nap and make every effort not to think about Lucan.

Chapter 7

After five days in Thailand, Lucan welcomed the lovely ocean breezes of Spain. His car hurried through the crowded streets of Madrid to the Church of St. Jerome. He would be in time to walk in with his family if his driver moved.

Lucan had shaken off the filth of Thailand as soon as he arrived in the Spanish airport. After only two days, he had found the woman and her child, and he had discovered evidence of a way to take down the whole massive organization that had kidnapped her in the first place.

And so he stayed, pretending to be as disgusting as the rest of them, and he listened, and he planned.

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