Independence & Consequences - M J Marlow (manga ebook reader txt) 📗

“Mother was very upset by the encounter and brought me here.” “Tell me about it, child,” Gordon frowned and sat down behind his desk. “His name was Rafael Alvarez,” Isabel told him. He said that I was part of his family. Do you know him?” “He could be your cousin,” Gordon told her simply. “One of the better members of the family.” He quieted when he saw her expression. She might look like a full-grown woman, but Isabel was still a child and, as far as Gordon was concerned, she didn’t need to know about some of the members of the Alvarez family. “He has just finished his internship at Boston General and moved back here to work at North Arundel.” “Then you do know him,” Isabel nodded. “Why has my mother kept me away from all of you?” “That is something we will have to ask her,” Gordon replied. “Tonight we will enjoy the Opera.” He picked up the receiver on his phone. “Morgan, call the Ritz Carlton, and ring the Ambassador Suite,” he told his secretary. “Give Mrs. Chambers the following message. Isabel is going to get ready for the opera at her uncle Gordon’ penthouse this evening.” He looked over at Isabel as he hung up and saw the joy in the girl’s eyes. “I understand you have never seen an opera before, child.” “Mother never took me anywhere,” Isabel told him honestly. “I am beginning to realize that she was hiding me.” She saw him frown and knew he was aware of the reasons for Olivia’s keeping her locked away. “It has something to do with the Alvarez family, doesn’t it?” “There isn’t time to go into all of this, child,” Gordon told her. Isabel could tell he wanted to tell her the truth, but something was keeping him from speaking. “Why is everyone suddenly so afraid for me?” This brought Gordon’ eyes back to hers. “I’m 18, Uncle Gordon. Old enough to vote, to enter the military; it is time I had a voice in what my life should be.” “I think it is past time,” Gordon said. This child might appear every bit the delicate angel, but she had the same core of iron will that his dead sister had possessed. He was worried, however, that this would not be enough to protect her if the people who had hidden her all these years found out she was loose. “Perhaps even a place of your own.” He watched her expression of shock and knew she hadn’t even considered going that far. Then a slow smile lit her face. “I see the idea meets with your approval.” “A place of my own!” Isabel’s smile grew wider. “Without Mother there to tell me when to do things?” Her laugh was a sweet mellow sound that hit Gordon hard as it sounded almost exactly like Cassandra’s had, but there was a warmth to it that had always been lacking in his sister’s voice. He still missed his lovely sister. “Would you help me find a place, Uncle?” “I am going to be out of town after tonight,” Gordon said with true regret. “There’s a meeting in Washington DC I have to attend.” He saw her look of disappointment. “You could come with me, child,” he suggested. “I won’t be in the meeting more than a few hours. We can get to know each other while I show you the capital.” “Mother might not like that, Uncle,” Isabel frowned as she remembered her mother. “She’s not going to like your changing her plans for me.” “Her say in your life ended when she dropped you off in my office, Isabel,” Gordon nodded, the decision made. He got to his feet and went to the door. Isabel followed him out as they stopped at the desk in front of his office. The woman looked up and smiled, waiting for his edict. “Morgan,” he said as he pulled Isabel forward, “I’d like you to see to it that Isabel has access to my office any time she needs it. We are going to be out the rest of the day.” Morgan nodded and the smile she turned on Isabel was warmer. She had known Gordon had a niece but this was the first anyone had ever seen of the girl. Gordon led Isabel away, knowing that he would get what he asked for. He took Isabel down to the parking level where his car waited. She thought about the strange man who had come into Gordon’ office when she had been there alone. He was a handsome man, with deep gray blue eyes and golden blond hair. But it had not been his appearance that had struck her. She had the distinct impression that the man could blend in wherever he wished. She brought her mind out of reverie and turned to her uncle and caught a strange expression on his face. He put a smile on his face and had the man drive them back to the salon. Emily got out of the car and looked around the street, intrigued by the different periods of architecture. She had only read about such things; it was wonderful to be able to see them. She walked down the street slowly, and someone grabbed her and pushed her into the alley. “You didn’t tell him I was in his office,” Lang stated the fact, looking puzzled as he released her. “Why not?” “You might have had a good reason for being in there,” Isabel told him. “I have only just met my uncle. How could I know who works with him, or,” she looked at him more closely, “for him.” “You have to forget you saw me there,” he told her bluntly. He saw her balk at the order and frowned. “It’s important. You can keep a secret, can’t you?” Lang asked, his eyes narrowing. He looked about to say something more but decided against it. “Remember what I said.” Isabel watched the man vanish into the shadows and returned to the car. She slid back in just as her uncle came out with a box in hand. The driver got out and took the box from Gordon, putting it in the trunk. As they drove off, Isabel found herself wondering who the man was, and just what he was up to. Why had he left that file on her uncle’s desk? Maybe he was an informant of some kind? If that were correct, then she shouldn’t bring attention to the man. But this was her uncle the man was involving in his work. She couldn’t keep this a secret. She would mention it to him when they were alone and let him decide what to do. “Uncle Gordon?” Isabel looked towards him as they were eating dinner. “We need to talk.” “About your mother,” Gordon nodded. He set his fork done and looked back at her. “I had two sisters, Isabel. Liza is married to a psychologist in West Virginia. Cassandra died from complications caused by the premature birth of her child after a car accident 18 years ago. Since they were twins, people may assume that you are Cassandra’s daughter. You certainly look a great deal like her,” he smiled sadly, “but you have Liza’s eyes.” “People who are looking to con rich grieving widowers out of their money?” Isabel asked him. “You are far too young to know about such things, Isabel,” Gordon frowned, “but you’re right. The woman who raised you has a record for such acts.” He didn’t like having to tell her such things. “When you visited the dress shop earlier today, it happened to be one that my agents are working undercover in. One of the agents took a hair sample from you and I had it analyzed.” “So you know who my real mother is?” Isabel asked him, suddenly quite excited. She saw his expression. “The sample wasn’t good enough,” Gordon told her truthfully. He saw her disappointment and had to admit that he shared it. “If you have time, we’ll take a fresh sample.” Isabel nodded, smiling. “Then let me take you to the labs.” “I have a feeling that whoever’s daughter I am,” Isabel said softly, “it is going to create problems.” “Liza was in the same accident Cassandra was in,” Gordon told her honestly. “When she woke up after surgery, she was told her child was dead.” He saw the sympathy in Isabel’s eyes and knew she would empathize with her mother. “Liza didn’t take it well. She had to spend some time in an institution. She met her husband, Charles Stoner, there. He was there as an intern.” He ran his hand through his hair. “We thought she was better when they married and he took her into his home. But then young girls would suddenly appear in their home; all dark haired and blue eyed. The family managed to control things for a while. Then there was a young woman who pressed charges and we barely managed to keep my sister out of another institution.” Gordon took them back to his office building and they signed in. The guard at the desk had obviously known his sisters. He was staring at her as if he had seen a ghost. They entered the laboratory and a tall, red-haired woman approached them. She didn’t look at all like a lab technician. The only clue as to her function was the white lab coat she was wearing over her blue silk dress. “This is Dr. Tabitha Evans, Isabel,” Gordon introduced them. “She is going to take a blood sample.” “It’s nice to meet you, Isabel,” Tabitha smiled, easing Isabel immediately. “Once these tests are done, we’ll know whose daughter you are for sure.” She smiled over at Gordon. “But it’s certain whose niece you are.” Once the test was done, she followed her uncle out of the lab. She smiled to herself as she saw the look that passed between Gordon and Tabitha. He had a woman in his life. That fact made her feel even more relaxed. They left the office and Gordon took her to his penthouse. It was very pleasant. Whoever did his decorating had seen to it that it was warm and welcoming, not sterile and utilitarian. They went into the kitchen and prepared supper. Gordon was quite open about his family, no sugar coating of their weaknesses, no exaggerating their strengths. “Your family has had its share of dark times,” Isabel said softly. “You’re thinking it might not be a good idea for me to meet Liza.” “Not without running it past her husband,” Gordon nodded. He laid his hand on hers. “What say we have a good time at the opera tonight and deal with the ramifications of your sudden appearance in the morning.” Later that night, Isabel walked into the opera on her uncle’s arm and her eyes went wide as she looked around the theater. She had never seen anything like this place. It was beautiful. Immense marble columns lined the entrance. A large marble staircase with railings of gold led up to other levels. A crystal chandelier hung over the hall sparkling like captured stars above their heads. Thick burgundy carpeting muffled the sound of their footsteps. This same burgundy accented with midnight blue was caught up in the walls and curtains. They went up to the box of one of Gordon’ friends, Winston Tolliver. He hadn’t needed it that evening and left it for Gordon’ use. Isabel was astounded that her uncle had planned on attending on his own. He was a handsome man, quite distinguished looking. Obviously he spent way too much time at his job. She felt a sudden chill and looked around. She caught sight of Roger Hancock standing in an aisle below the box, glaring up at her. She turned away from him and lost herself in the opera. She forgot all about Roger Hancock until the intermission.