we’d review who had the most to gain from this kind of allegation and trace it backward to the real source.”
He was quiet a long time, focused on the slippery roadway she assumed, as they slogged up the mountain toward the cabin.
“How can you run any sort of valid investigation if you don’t have all the facts?”
“Come on, Thomas, you already know the answer. We work in the shadows and follow orders. If you have facts to share, I’m all ears.”
She wasn’t sure if it was the lousy condition of the road or the fading adrenaline, but Thomas didn’t seem eager to give her any reply. Pushing him felt counterproductive, so she used the silence to pray they could figure this out before his enemies caught up with them.
Chapter Six
Glenstone Lodge, 7:00 p.m.
Victoria Colby-Camp looked out over the muted landscape that fell away from the wide windows of the chalet resort. In just a few short hours, what had been a stunning view full of color had turned into something more appropriate for the monochromatic beauty of an Ansel Adams exhibit.
“We certainly went from autumn to winter in record time.” She couldn’t help being in awe of nature’s power. “It only adds to the beauty up here.”
“I doubt anyone trying to drive through it would agree with you,” her husband noted.
She thought of his car accident during a case in Texas and rubbed the resulting chill from her arms. “Lucas, you said Thomas would stay in Denver tonight.” She hoped he wouldn’t attempt reaching the lodge in this weather.
“And he will. Don’t worry about him, he’s safe. You look lovely.” He kissed her softly, and her heart fluttered. Even after all these years his touch thrilled her. “Almost perfect.”
“Almost?” She caught the teasing tone and leaned back, wondering what he had up his sleeve.
He drew a slim, velvet box from his jacket pocket. “Something to commemorate the occasion.”
“Occasion?”
“An entire resort full of friends who have become our family? There have been plenty of our investigators who’ve married, but this feels like a milestone. The interlinking of the very best, the Colby Agency and the CIA, with the solemn vows of marriage.”
“Hmm. I could get used to this.” Victoria opened the box and couldn’t suppress a sigh. “Oh, Lucas, it’s gorgeous.” Sapphires sparkled among diamonds in a gleaming platinum setting. “Help me put it on. My hands are shaking.”
“You’re steady as a rock about everything else,” he said with a smile.
“I’m entitled to a weakness.” She kissed him. “Or two.”
They left their suite to join the party downstairs, meeting Ian and Nicole Michaels at the elevator. Ian had long been Victoria’s second-in-command at the Colby Agency. He had been at her side almost from the beginning.
“This was the best idea,” Nicole said to Victoria while they waited. “Every room has an amazing view. We saw some deer out near the trees before the storm rolled in. The children were ecstatic.”
The four of them boarded the elevator and Victoria’s heart was full seeing the people she cared about most so happy and content. Though her agency worked hard to be the best in the business of private investigations, Lucas was right: these people were their family.
“It may be a wedding party,” Ian said with a wink for his wife, “but this kind of snowfall requires more than a mere snowball fight. I’m going to have the groom add an all-out war to tomorrow’s schedule.”
“Choose sides carefully,” Nicole threatened. “I think the bride has the groom wrapped tightly around her little finger. Levi may not be entirely dependable.”
“What do you think?” Ian looked to Lucas. “Boys against the girls?”
The elevator doors parted. “Only if you’re prepared to lose.”
Nicole elbowed her husband. “Now there is an intelligent man.”
Victoria smiled. It wasn’t often the Colby family, much less anyone from the CIA and its Mission
He was quiet a long time, focused on the slippery roadway she assumed, as they slogged up the mountain toward the cabin.
“How can you run any sort of valid investigation if you don’t have all the facts?”
“Come on, Thomas, you already know the answer. We work in the shadows and follow orders. If you have facts to share, I’m all ears.”
She wasn’t sure if it was the lousy condition of the road or the fading adrenaline, but Thomas didn’t seem eager to give her any reply. Pushing him felt counterproductive, so she used the silence to pray they could figure this out before his enemies caught up with them.
Chapter Six
Glenstone Lodge, 7:00 p.m.
Victoria Colby-Camp looked out over the muted landscape that fell away from the wide windows of the chalet resort. In just a few short hours, what had been a stunning view full of color had turned into something more appropriate for the monochromatic beauty of an Ansel Adams exhibit.
“We certainly went from autumn to winter in record time.” She couldn’t help being in awe of nature’s power. “It only adds to the beauty up here.”
“I doubt anyone trying to drive through it would agree with you,” her husband noted.
She thought of his car accident during a case in Texas and rubbed the resulting chill from her arms. “Lucas, you said Thomas would stay in Denver tonight.” She hoped he wouldn’t attempt reaching the lodge in this weather.
“And he will. Don’t worry about him, he’s safe. You look lovely.” He kissed her softly, and her heart fluttered. Even after all these years his touch thrilled her. “Almost perfect.”
“Almost?” She caught the teasing tone and leaned back, wondering what he had up his sleeve.
He drew a slim, velvet box from his jacket pocket. “Something to commemorate the occasion.”
“Occasion?”
“An entire resort full of friends who have become our family? There have been plenty of our investigators who’ve married, but this feels like a milestone. The interlinking of the very best, the Colby Agency and the CIA, with the solemn vows of marriage.”
“Hmm. I could get used to this.” Victoria opened the box and couldn’t suppress a sigh. “Oh, Lucas, it’s gorgeous.” Sapphires sparkled among diamonds in a gleaming platinum setting. “Help me put it on. My hands are shaking.”
“You’re steady as a rock about everything else,” he said with a smile.
“I’m entitled to a weakness.” She kissed him. “Or two.”
They left their suite to join the party downstairs, meeting Ian and Nicole Michaels at the elevator. Ian had long been Victoria’s second-in-command at the Colby Agency. He had been at her side almost from the beginning.
“This was the best idea,” Nicole said to Victoria while they waited. “Every room has an amazing view. We saw some deer out near the trees before the storm rolled in. The children were ecstatic.”
The four of them boarded the elevator and Victoria’s heart was full seeing the people she cared about most so happy and content. Though her agency worked hard to be the best in the business of private investigations, Lucas was right: these people were their family.
“It may be a wedding party,” Ian said with a wink for his wife, “but this kind of snowfall requires more than a mere snowball fight. I’m going to have the groom add an all-out war to tomorrow’s schedule.”
“Choose sides carefully,” Nicole threatened. “I think the bride has the groom wrapped tightly around her little finger. Levi may not be entirely dependable.”
“What do you think?” Ian looked to Lucas. “Boys against the girls?”
The elevator doors parted. “Only if you’re prepared to lose.”
Nicole elbowed her husband. “Now there is an intelligent man.”
Victoria smiled. It wasn’t often the Colby family, much less anyone from the CIA and its Mission
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