Colby Conspiracy

“Not so very long ago, a very cunning man named Cole Danes taught me that things are not always what they seem and that at times human emotion can be a considerable weakness.”

Daniel flared his hands. “That’s true in a military setting, as well. There are times when one must set aside human emotion and react on basic instinct, much as an animal does when going after prey or making any other survival decision.”

She nodded. “Then you know what I mean when I say that I’m certain the most thorough investigations are conducted by those who have no personal stake in a matter.”

“Of course.” No question there.

The strength he’d sensed absent in her tone this afternoon was suddenly there, in her eyes. “Mr. Marks, there is no question that I will be offering you a position at this agency. Coming to terms on salary is only a technicality.”

Daniel relaxed marginally. “Excellent.” Now this is what he’d thought he was coming here for today.

“But first, an unexpected necessity dictates that I hire you as a private contractor to conduct an investigation outside the realm of this agency.”

His gaze narrowed as he attempted to read what he saw in her eyes now. She was too good. Whatever fear or uncertainty she felt, she kept it hidden. Was this some sort of test? “What kind of investigation?”

“My son is a suspect in a murder investigation,” she told him without elaborating. “I need you to find the truth.”

He found the way she summed up her needs rather interesting. “Do you have reason to believe he’s guilty?”

She moved her head from side to side. “To my knowledge, he doesn’t even know the victim.”

“But…” he prompted.

Visibly bracing herself, she responded to his prod, “But there are extenuating circumstances. A lapse in his memory has left him without an alibi.”

Daniel felt certain there was more related to the lapse, but he didn’t pursue that avenue just now. There was another, more crucial question to be asked.

“What makes you believe the police won’t conduct a proper investigation?” There had to be a reason she didn’t trust the cops. For that matter, it seemed, she didn’t even trust her own staff of investigators. None of which fit with what he’d learned about her or this agency.

“The victim is one of their own,” she said somberly. “They want revenge, Mr. Marks. I’m certain most of them won’t be thinking clearly or pursuing all the possible avenues. They’re not going to be satisfied until someone takes the fall for this. The sooner, the better.”

According to his research, the Colby Agency maintained an outstanding relationship with local law enforcement. This couldn’t be an easy dilemma.

“All right,” he told her. “You give me the facts you know, make whatever assets you have available to me and I’ll do what I can to clear your son.”

For three beats, she held his gaze, hers unblinking. “You misunderstand me, Mr. Marks,” she said, something in her eyes turning bleak for a mere second before sheer determination defeated it. “I don’t want you to simply clear my son of guilt. I want you to find the truth, whatever it is.”

Daniel had known the moment he’d walked into the lobby of this agency that there was something different about it. The very air was charged with something beyond the usual energy of bustling activity. It felt alive and vibrant on a level that transcended the norm. It seemed like the kind of place where things happened, where lives were changed.

He wanted to be a part of that, couldn’t imagine taking a position anywhere else now that he’d met this woman. She, he understood with complete certainty, was the heart and soul of this place.

The challenge she had tossed out before him said all that needed to be said. This woman, the one who’d made the Colby Agency what it was, was desperate and yet she knew exactly what had to be done.

“I’ll find the truth for you.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

Raised voices sounded outside the door, postponing whatever she might have said next.

The door burst open and both Victoria and Daniel turned to see who’d barged in.

“…in a meeting,” Mildred Parker, Victoria’s secretary, was saying.

“I don’t care! I have to see her now.”

A young woman, long dark hair bouncing around her shoulders, stormed into the office, Mildred trailing right behind her. Daniel allowed his gaze to take a tour of the intruder’s form. Even though she was as mad as hell, she was a looker—tall, slender, a brunette with hazel eyes flashing with fire.

Apparently he was about to witness one of the less gracious Colby Agency moments.

“I’m sorry, Victoria, I couldn’t stop her.”

“It’s all right, Mildred.”

His curiosity piqued, Daniel’s gaze slid from the woman who would be his boss to the younger, clearly furious woman who’d strode across the room and planted herself directly in front of Victoria.

“Miss Hastings,” Victoria said, “I’m sure you’re distraught—”

“I’m more than that, Mrs. Colby-Camp. I’m confused and hurt,” she snapped. “Your son killed my father. I want to know why.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

EMILY HADN’T CONSIDERED what she would say to Victoria Colby-Camp before she’d barged into her office. The fact was, she hadn’t thought at all. One thing kept playing over and over in her mind—her father, alone in that alley while a man less than half his age took his life.

“Miss Hastings, this is a difficult time for you and I realize that—”

“My father is dead,” Emily interrupted, not the least bit interested in whatever compassionate ploys the woman intended to utilize. “I want to know why.” Emily blinked back the sting of tears. She’d made it this far without breaking down, she wasn’t about to now. “You showed up at my father’s funeral and claimed to be his friend, took advantage of my vulnerability.”

“Perhaps I should come back later.”

Emily’s gaze swung to the man she hadn’t even noticed until he stood and spoke. He’d been sitting right there at the conference table. It startled her that she’d looked right over him. But her emotions were raw, her attention focused on one thing only.

“That won’t be necessary, Daniel,” Victoria said. “Daniel Marks, this is Emily Hastings.”

Her confusion momentarily overriding her fury, Emily looked from Victoria to the man and back. Did she not get it? How could she sit there and offer polite small talk?

“Miss Hastings,” Victoria went on before Emily could lodge another demand, “is the daughter of Detective Carter Hastings, the victim in the homicide investigation I was in the process of telling you about.”

Victim. Emily’s outrage roared again. “I want to know why you didn’t tell me the truth.”

Victoria’s gaze settled on Emily’s then. It was the first time Emily had really looked into the woman’s eyes since storming her office. She looked as weary and disheartened as Emily felt, maybe even a little angry. But she had no right. No right at all.

“Miss Hastings, I had no idea until this morning that my son was in any way implicated in your father’s case.”

Emily was about to argue, but Victoria held up a hand.

“To my knowledge my son never even knew your father. However, the police seem to think differently and I intend to find out how and why. That’s where Mr. Marks comes in.”

Of course she would want to protect her son, but if he was a murderer…

“I can’t help but feel like you’ve taken advantage of me,” Emily said bluntly. “I gave you those letters.”

She didn’t care what the man in the room had to do with anything. This concerned Victoria Colby-Camp and her son. An ache speared through Emily. Not now. She didn’t want to feel any of this until she’d finished what had to be done.

Victoria took a deep breath. Her struggle with her emotions was evident but gave Emily no comfort.

“There’s nothing I can say to make this any easier, Miss Hastings. But if it helps at all, I want the truth as badly as you do. If my son was involved with your father’s murder, I will know it. I won’t give up until I have all the answers for myself, as well as for you.”

Emily was taken aback. Could she really mean that? No. That was impossible. Any mother would first and foremost want to protect her child, even if that child was a grown man. “Talk is cheap, Mrs. Colby-Camp.”

“That’s why I’m here,” the man spoke up, reminding Emily of how Victoria had referred to him. He moved a step in Emily’s direction and offered his hand. “I’m Daniel Marks. Victoria has hired me to investigate this case. I’m not employed by the Colby Agency. Victoria and I have never met before today. I have no reason not to be objective. You have my word on that.”

Emily looked from his sincere expression to his hand. “As I said,” she responded with no intention of being polite, “talk is cheap.”

He smiled and something about that smile made her feel a little less manic, a little less certain that somehow the Colby Agency would find a way to clear a killer.

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