The Secret Heiress

by Terri Reed

  He makes me feel so special and cared for. He doesn’t put unrealistic expectations on me but accepts me, as I am, flaws and all. He’s seen me at my worst and at my best.

  The words resonated within Caroline. She knew a man who made her feel exactly the same way. She closed her eyes, letting her mind bring up his image; only it was Don’s face she saw in her mind, not Cullen’s. She shook her head, trying to dispel the image, but it wouldn’t go away. Her eyelids popped open. Dismay flooded her.

  Oh, no. No, no, no. She couldn’t allow herself to fall for Don. It didn’t matter how Don made her pulse race or the joy spending time with him gave her. Allowing herself to be vulnerable to love again was a risk she wouldn’t take.

  Focusing back on the diary, she pushed her disturbing emotions and thoughts aside and continued to read. Tears misted her eyes as she read Isabella’s words of love for the baby growing inside her. And her fear of what would become of both of them.

  Why didn’t she write of marrying the man whose child she carried? Where was this man she loved? Why wasn’t he there for Isabella?

  Caroline’s heart broke for her young mother.

  The entries skipped ahead by several months. Fear constricted Caroline’s throat as the words jumped off the page.

  He’s outside my apartment again. I don’t want his attention, but I don’t know how to get through to him. My heart belongs to another. But he won’t accept that. I worry what he’ll do when he learns about the baby.

  Caroline’s stomach twisted. Isabella had been more afraid of this man than she was of being an unwed mother. Had this man found out that Isabella carried another man’s child and become so enraged that he killed her?

  The last entry was dated the day of Caroline’s birth.

  My water broke this morning. I’m heading to the hospital. I should be excited and happy, but my heart grieves for what I have to do, but it’s for the best. For all of us. The social worker says a very nice couple is waiting for my little girl. I pray they will love her as much as I do.

  A sob echoed in the quiet room. Caroline hadn’t realized she was crying. She wiped at the tears flowing down her cheeks.

  Whether he was Isabella’s lover or stalker, Caroline knew that this man named Johnny was the key to her mother’s past.

  She needed to ask the family about Johnny. She hurried downstairs to start with her uncle.

  As she entered the library Don and Samuel looked up. A ledger was open on the desk.

  Irritation flashed in Samuel’s eyes before a welcoming smile crossed his lips. “Caroline, your young man knows his stuff.”

  Caroline didn’t regret interrupting. She had questions for her uncle.

  Don regarded her with concern. “Is everything okay?”

  No doubt her eyes were red from crying. She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. I need to ask Samuel something.” She addressed the older man. “Did you and my mother know someone named Johnny?”

  He cocked his head. “Why do you ask?”

  Was that recognition in his gaze? “Isabella mentions a Johnny in her diary. I was wondering if she was dating a man by that name.”

  “I see.” He closed the ledger and put it in the top desk drawer. “Can’t say that I recall any Johnny in Isabella’s life.”

  “Did you know she was being harassed by a man before I was born?”

  Samuel’s eyes widened. “What do you mean, harassed?”

  “She wrote about a man who wouldn’t leave her alone. Who wouldn’t accept she was in love with someone else. Do you know who my mother was afraid of?”

  Don came to her side. His support was so very needed.

  Samuel shook his head. “I don’t have the foggiest.”

  “Maybe Elijah will know,” Don suggested.

  “I would prefer you didn’t upset my father,” Samuel stated coming around the desk. “The subject of Isabella is very painful for us all. There’s no sense in dredging up the past now.”

  Don’s gaze narrowed, and Caroline knew they were both thinking the same thing. Dredging up Isabella’s past might be the only way to catch a killer.

  The following morning, Don and Caroline drove to town with a full agenda. First, a stop at Elijah’s doctor’s office, then a visit to Randall Paladin, Esquire. This time they took the rental sedan since Samuel had left earlier for his office in the Bentley.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask, what were your thoughts on Samuel’s portfolio?” Caroline sat in the passenger seat, lightly tapping her short, neat nails on the door handle.

  “He’s an aggressive investor and has several nice annuities coming in from various funds.” Don had been impressed by Samuel’s meticulous record-keeping.

  “So he has his own money apart from Elijah?”

  “He does. Plus a salary for managing all of the Maddox family properties.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Are there many?”

  “Elijah holds the deeds on most of the buildings downtown and several homes in Jefferson County. Worth a few million.”

  “So there is something to inherit,” Caroline stated with a frown. “But with all those assets, why has the Maddox house been so neglected?”

  “Seems odd to me, too. Especially with how detail-oriented Samuel appears to be. Hopefully Mr. Paladin can shed some light on the issue. Maybe there are legalities we’re not aware of.”

  Caroline nodded and turned her attention forward as they drove down Fayette’s main drag. “This is such a lovely, quaint place.”

  The town square was decked out with garlands and red bows. Brick buildings painted in bright colors stacked side by side made for interesting visuals. Don parked the car in an angled slot near the Fayette Health Clinic’s front door.

  He climbed out of the vehicle and went around the front to open the passenger door for Caroline. A prickling sensation at the base of his skull, an unheard whisper of danger, sent his senses into hyperalert mode.

  Too often he’d skirted to close to death not to pay attention to the internal warning that could only come from God. And each time he could look back and see the divine way God had moved to protect him.

  He’d stumbled at the exact moment a sniper’s bullet zoomed a hairsbreadth from his head. When his transport had run out of gas, even though they’d just filled the tank, he and his company had climbed out seconds before a IED exploded, demolishing the vehicle.

  And he’d felt this exact prickling sensation at the base of his skull warning of danger when he’d walked into an ambush, which had allowed him to neutralize the threat, saving his life and the lives of his team.

  The imprinted memories of those times shuddered through him. He rubbed the back of his neck trying to erase the lingering terror of war.

  He didn’t doubt God’s existence or His presence. Don just didn’t get why some prayers were answered and others weren’t.

  Placing a protective arm around Caroline’s waist, his body prepared to move at any sign of danger. He searched the street, the sidewalks and the surrounding buildings, looking for a threat. No one seemed to be paying any attention to them. But still the impression persisted.

  “Don?”

  “We’re being watched,” he said.

  Caroline melded closer, a flash of fear pinching the corners of her eyes. “Who? Where?”

  He shook his head. He couldn’t see anything, but his certainty wasn’t shaken.

  “Let’s go.” Don hurried her to the glass double doors beneath a red awning. As soon as they were safely inside, he glanced back toward the street. Someone was out there, watching, waiting. It would be only a matter of time before Caroline’s unknown attacker struck again.

  Don would be ready.

  The doctor’s office waiting room was packed with several ch
ildren and their concerned parents. A pregnant woman looking decidedly uncomfortable sat near the door and an older couple clung to each other in the corner.

  Don ushered Caroline to the front desk.

  “We’d like to speak with Dr. Reese,” Don said when the receptionist looked their way. She was older with glasses and a harried expression.

  “Do you have an appointment?” Her tone suggested they’d better, or else.

  “No, we don’t,” Caroline spoke up. “I’m Elijah Maddox’s granddaughter. I have a question about his care.”

  The receptionist’s eyebrows shot up. “I’ll see if he’ll have time to talk to you. Please have a seat.”

  They took seats near the far wall. Caroline leaned over to whisper, “Did you see the way she reacted when I mentioned Elijah’s name?”

  Don nodded. The Maddox name obviously had some pull.

  A few minutes passed before a smiling young woman stepped out. She had a stethoscope around her neck. “Ms. Maddox?”

  Caroline rose.

  “Follow me, please.”

  They were ushered to an office. Framed degrees hung on the wall. A window overlooking Main Street allowed in natural light. Two armchairs faced a clutter-free desk.

  “Dr. Reese will be with you in a moment.”

  The nurse exited, shutting the door behind her. Caroline sat in one of the chairs. Don moved to the window and leaned against the sill.

  A moment later the door opened and an older gentleman entered. His full head of salt-and-pepper hair was parted down the middle. A Roman nose and long jaw gave his face character.

  He stuck out his hand. “Ms. Maddox, I’m Dr. Gerry Reese. Elijah had mentioned he’d found his long-lost grandchild.”

  Caroline shook his hand. “Caroline Tully.”

  “I’m sure Elijah must be overjoyed to finally have you in his life.” Reese turned his attention to Don. “And you are?”

  Don straightened and held out his hand. “Donovan Cavanaugh, Caroline’s fiancé.”

  Reese’s smile widened. “Excellent. What can I do for you two this morning?”

  “We’d like to ask you about Elijah’s illness,” Don said, gauging the man’s reaction.

  Reese frowned as he rounded his desk and leaned against the side. “He hasn’t taken another turn for the worse has he?”

  “No but he doesn’t seem to be improving,” Don answered, watching the doctor closely. “How long have you been Elijah’s doctor?”

  “You understand that because of HIPPA laws I can’t discuss his medical care with you.”

  Don did understand and appreciated the man’s ethics. He pulled out a folded note written by Elijah giving the doctor permission to talk to them.

  He handed the note over. “We’re not asking you to break doctor-patient confidentiality.”

  “We just want to know how to make him better,” Caroline interjected.

  Don liked the way they were in tune with each other’s thoughts.

  Reese stared into her eyes, taking her measure. The doctor shook his head. “To tell you the truth, I don’t understand Elijah’s struggle with Addison’s. His disease isn’t life threatening and the medications I’ve prescribed should be managing it. People with Addison’s can live normal lives. I should do some more testing. Could you bring him in later this week?”

  “I’m sure we can arrange something,” Don said.

  “Good.” Reese pushed away from the desk. “I’m sorry to cut this short but I have patients waiting.”

  Once they were out on the sidewalk, Caroline asked, “What did you think of him?”

  Keeping a vigilant eye out for any signs of danger, he positioned himself to act as her shield as they moved along the sidewalk. “He seems to be a competent physician. But to be on the safe side, I think we should arrange for a second opinion.”

  “Me, too.” A pensive look crossed her features. “Do you think maybe someone is poisoning Elijah?”

  “The thought has crossed my mind. Maybe in his food.”

  If so, he needed to find out who and how before Caroline became the next victim. The very idea of anything happening to her made his gut clench and his heart race. He’d gone way beyond breaking the rules.

  He was starting to care deeply for his fake fiancé.

  “Do you think Mary is the one…?” Caroline winced as her words trailed off. “She seems like such a sweet woman. Why?

  Don had the same thought. “Maybe Samuel’s paying her?”

  “You really believe he’s behind everything, don’t you?”

  “I do.”

  “I’m going to start preparing his meals,” Caroline stated with a determined note in her voice.

  Admiring how her sharp mind worked, Don cautioned, “Might be hard to justify something like that without explanation.”

  She deflated. “True.

  “Tell Mary you’d like to learn some of her recipes.”

  The spark was back. “Good idea.”

  Her pleased smile smacked into him like a punch to the solar plexus. He forced his gaze away. “Let’s find Paladin’s office.”

  The law firm was on the second floor of a redbrick building with a green awning. They took the stairs and entered the plush reception area. A blonde sat at a desk talking on the phone. She held up a hand acknowledging their presence.

  When she hung up, she smiled. “How can I help you?”

  Don gestured to Caroline. “This is Caroline Tully, Elijah Maddox’s granddaughter.”

  Her eyes widened. “Just a moment.” She rose and walked down the hall to knock on a closed door. A muffled voice bade her enter. She disappeared inside for a moment, then returned.

  “Mr. Paladin will see you. Right this way,” she motioned toward the room she’d left.

  Don placed his hand at the small of Caroline’s back and followed her into Paladin’s office. Playing the protective fiancé in public wasn’t a hardship. But remembering that it was only pretend was proving more difficult all the time.

  The expansive office was handsomely decorated. Framed degrees and certificates graced the wall behind the well-dressed man sitting at the L-shaped mahogany desk. A credenza sat off to the side with neatly stacked file folders, thick law books and several small framed family photos.

  Paladin rose and came around the front of the desk to offer Caroline his hand. He had a full head of salted hair that once might have been very blond. Don guessed him to be in his early fifties.

  “Ms. Tully, I hope your stay in Mississippi has been pleasant.”

  Giving his hand a quick shake, she muttered, “Not really.”

  Don hid a smile. Caroline wasn’t one to hedge.

  A crease formed on the older man’s brow. “I’m troubled to hear that. Is there anything I can do to assist you?”

  “We have some questions,” she replied.

  Paladin’s gray eyes shot to Don. “You must be Caroline’s fiancé.”

  Don gripped the older man’s hand. He had a firm handshake, smooth skin and manicured nails. “Donovan Cavanaugh.”

  Paladin returned to his seat and waved a hand toward the two chairs facing the desk. “Please, have a seat. Tell me how I can help?”

  “How long have you been Elijah’s lawyer?” Don asked.

  “I took over my father’s practice nearly fifteen years ago,” he answered, his voice silky like a politician’s. “My father and Mr. Maddox go back to their childhood.”

  “You grew up here,” Caroline said.

  “I did indeed.”

  Wanting to get to the heart of why they were there, Don asked, “Did you know Isabella Maddox?”

  Paladin sat back in his chair and regarded him with a
steady gaze. “Since we were children. You know we both went to the same university, Tulane?”

  “I do. You were in the debate club together,” Caroline said.

  Surprise flashed in the older man’s eyes. “That is correct. How did you…?”

  “I found my mother’s freshman yearbook.”

  “Ah, yes. Your mother was a lovely woman.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Your resemblance to her is quite uncanny.”

  Don detected an odd note in Paladin’s tone but couldn’t place his finger on it. “Were you in New Orleans when she was murdered?”

  Sadness flickered in the lawyer’s eyes. “Yes, I was. I was entering my final year that fall. The whole school was very shaken up by the tragedy.”

  “Do you know who she was seeing at the time?” Caroline asked.

  Paladin’s gaze shifted to her. His expression didn’t change but Don sensed a distancing in the man.

  “Do you mean do I know who your father is?” He shook his head. “Isabella and I didn’t keep in close contact. I saw her at debate club and occasionally in the halls or on the quad, but I don’t have the slightest idea who she was keeping company with.”

  Disappointment was written across Caroline’s lovely face. Don reached over to take her hand. She held on tight.

  “How about a Johnny?” Don asked.

  The lawyer blinked. “Do you have a last name?”

  Caroline sat forward on the edge of the chair. “No last name. Was there a Johnny in school with my mother?”

  “My dear, Tulane is a big school. I’m sure there were many men named John in attendance. If you had a last name you could call the school registrar and have them do a search. But without that…” He made a helpless gesture.

  Though Paladin’s words made sense, Don couldn’t help but think there was something the lawyer was holding back. “Can you tell us about the Maddox estate?”