Crown Jewel by Fern Michaels Page B

pacifiers.
    â€œCan you give me your autograph? Myron is never going to believe this.”
    â€œIs he from Disney?” one of the kids shouted as he rolled down the window. The dog leaped out a second later and took off across the parking lot.
    â€œOh shit,” the mother said as she ran after the dog. “Watch my kids, okay?”
    â€œWhat do you do at Disney, mister? We’re going when we save up enough money. My dad promised. Mom said we shouldn’t hold our breath. The one in Florida, ’cause then we can go to see Granny. It costs a lot to fly in an airplane.”
    Ricky looked down at the license plate on the car. He memorized the number. “What’s your last name?”
    The kid with the pacifier in his mouth took it out, and said, “Davey Sanders, and I live at 1106 South Holt Avenue.” He stuck the pacifier back into his mouth just as the mother, carrying the dog, arrived. She dumped the dog into the car, fished a pen out of the console, and said, “Just sign anywhere on the box.”
    Ricky obliged. “What’s your first name?”
    â€œMarlene,” one of the kids in the back chirped. “I’m Mikey, this is Sally, and this is Toby. Davey told you who he was. The dog’s name is Gus.”
    â€œOkay, I got it all,” Ricky said. It was lucky he had a good memory.
    â€œWell, I guess I’ll see you around,” he said, holding out his hand to the mother. She pumped it vigorously.
    â€œThanks again,” the mother said.
    â€œGlad I could help.” He climbed back into his car and headed toward home. He waited until he stopped for a traffic light before he hit his speed dial. “This is Ricky Lam. I need to speak to Timothy right now.”
    A moment later, the attorney came on the phone. “Tim, I need you to do something for me. Six plane tickets, first-class, with an open date. Cargo for a collie dog. Disney in Florida for two full weeks. Whatever the best hotel is in the park. Free tickets to everything. Champagne, fruit basket, junk for the four kids, rental car, all prepaid at the hotel. Here are the names, Marlene and Myron Sanders. Kids are Mikey, Toby, Sally, Davey, and the dog’s name is Gus. The address is 1106 South Holt here in L.A. Put a note in the package when you send it out, and say, ‘Don’t forget Davey’s pacifier.’ Sign my name. Can you do it ASAP?”
    â€œI’ll have my secretary get right on it. Isn’t today the day…”
    â€œYes, I left them at home to talk about it. At least Max looked interested, but you can’t go by expressions. You should have told me they looked like me. I wasn’t prepared for that. It’s uncanny. Tyler—Tyler is too much like I was in my youth. I don’t think he’s interested in me or my offer.”
    â€œHow do you think I felt when I saw them for the first time? Neither boy bears any resemblance to Philip, though. I was impressed with both of the kids. Tyler will come around. You and I talked about this the other day; no point in rehashing it all again. I’ll take care of the Disney situation. Have a nice visit with your sons, Ricky.”
    Ricky broke the connection. He burst out laughing when he thought about the Sanders family. His good mood stayed with him as he drove home.

4
    The two young men looked at each other, their expressions wary. Tyler took the initiative. “It’s a little disconcerting to find out you have a brother you never knew about, especially when he looks just like you look. I’m a meat person,” he said, eyeing the vegetable roll-ups. “I could really go for a double cheeseburger right now. These things remind me of a bunch of weeds. This is so damn weird. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be feeling, and I’m not sure how to act.”
    Max nodded. “What do you think of our father? I notice he didn’t mention any details about our