Missing Heiress (A Jackie Harlan Mystery Book 2) Read online

  “Very well, Miss Georgia. Just call when you are ready.”

  Georgia nodded, remembered which staircase led to her room and went up. She paused outside Nick’s room for a moment, passed it by, and opened the door to the next room. She set her purse on a table, admired the fresh flowers someone had placed there after she left, and then went to the indecently large walk-in closet.

  Georgia laughed. The new clothes Jackie helped her buy took up less than a tenth of the available space. She changed into jeans and a t-shirt, and then walked out on the balcony again. At the end of the driveway, Bill was polishing the side of the…her limo, Martin was in the garden pruning rose bushes and the dog was rolling in the grass trying to scratch his back. It made her smile. In the middle of it all was the gigantic fountain – her fountain.

  “Miss Georgia?” Kellie asked. “I knocked, but…”

  Georgia turned to look back. “I didn’t hear you. The fountain makes more noise than I realized. What is it, Kellie?”

  “Well, we don’t know what to do. I mean, we want to please you, but we don’t know what you like and what you don’t like.”

  “I see. Well, I like most everything except I am allergic to wool. I don’t get really sick or anything, but I do get a rash.” Georgia walked back to the bedroom door.

  “You won’t find anything made of wool here. Nick was the same way.”

  Georgia smiled. “Come, Clint has promised to take me on a tour and you might as well go along.”

  *

  The grand tour consisted of an enormous backyard complete with a trampoline, swimming pool, tennis court, a swing set for visiting children, and a doghouse big enough for a whole family of dogs. As the tour progressed, Martin joined them, then Bill, then Silvia and of course, Muffin. Each time Georgia commented on liking this or not liking that, Kellie made a note of it. Most of all, she wanted the gardener to plant more lilac bushes so she could wake up to their sweet aroma. Martin was delighted.

  Next, she toured every room in the house, from the bedrooms upstairs, to the sunroom, to the theater, the poolroom, the library, and the dining room. She had never seen so many bathrooms in her life, and was again relieved she wouldn’t have to clean them.

  It was not until they entered Nick’s study that Georgia had reason to pause. Three life-size paintings hung on the far wall. “Is that my mother?” she asked, staring up at the woman in a royal blue gown.

  “Yes,” Clint answered. “Your grandfather is in the middle and your grandmother is on the other side.

  “I look very much like my mother when she was young.”

  “Very much,” Clint answered.

  She tore her eyes away finally and surveyed the rest of the room. “Austin is bringing some papers for me to sign. I think I should like signing them in this room where they can watch.”

  “I’ll let you know as soon as he arrives,” Clint said. “Will there be anything else?”

  “No, not that I can think of. Oh wait, Bill, tomorrow morning I need you to take me to the bank, but must we go in the limo?”

  “I haven’t taken the Rolls out for a while,” said Bill.

  “Better, much better.”

  Once they had all gone back to their jobs, she went to the solitude of her room. She found her laptop in the closet, cleared a place to set it up and opened the chat room.

  Austin wasn’t there.

  She closed the lid, stretched out on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “What do I do now?”

  *

  The next day, Austin put a required notice in the newspaper concerning Nicholas Gladstone’s will.

  Someone leaked it, and news that a long lost granddaughter stood to inherit Nick’s estate, hit all the papers. Georgia suspected Nicole told them, but it didn’t matter, they would have found out anyway. Reporters began to gather at the gate, but she refused to give interviews and so far, none of them had a picture of her. She was glad to have all the security in place.

  Each day, Austin sent papers for her to sign, and company portfolios for her to read, but he didn’t bring them himself or call. When she checked, Bronco had not signed into the chat room either. After a few days, she stopped checking. No one else laid claim to Nick’s fortune, and in an envelope he sent with some other papers, Austin’s handwritten note said the will had been probated.

  Georgia crumpled it up and tossed it in the trash.

  When she wasn’t busy signing papers and trying to learn about the various companies, she entertained Jim and his family, played with the dog, and stood on the balcony watching colored lights illuminate the fountain as another day turned into night.

  Her heart was broken. The memory of being in his arms, however briefly, played over and over in her mind and she wished she hadn’t memorized it. Nevertheless, she had lost him and she had to come to terms with it somehow.

  *

  On a rainy Florida afternoon, and with two thousand dollars in his pocket, Mathew Connelly walked down a Tampa, Florida pier. He had a bag of groceries in one hand and a suitcase full of clothes in the other, when he turned down the walkway between two yachts. He set his suitcase down and dug in his pocket for the key to a yacht he didn’t think anyone knew he owned.

  He noticed the coastguard cutter coming toward him, but that was normal and he thought nothing of it. That is, until it stopped directly behind his yacht. He tried to wave them off, but they wouldn’t move and the noise of the engine was too loud for them to hear his shouts.

  Too late, he figured out what was happening, and when he turned to look back down the walkway, two uniformed police officers had their guns drawn and pointed right at him.

  “Mathew Connelly,” one of the officers yelled, “You are under arrest for the murder of Amanda Black.”

  “Who?”

  “Drop the bag, put your hands up and turn around.”

  “You got it all wrong,” Mathew tried.

  “Drop the bag, put your hands up and turn around,” the officer demanded again. “Do it now or I’ll shoot!”

  For a moment, it looked like Mathew would choose death by police; but at length, he chose life and did as he was told.

  The officers quickly moved in, forced him to the ground, searched his pockets and then cuffed him. “I haven’t killed anyone,” Mathew claimed.

  The officer sneered. “You’ll have your day in court.”

  “You can’t prove a thing.”

  Both officers ignored him, pulled him to his feet, walked him to a police cruiser, and put him in the backseat.

  Watching from several yards down the pier, Carl smiled. “Gotcha!”

  *

  At last, Georgia’s cellphone rang and it was Austin.

  “Hello.”

  “I thought you might like to know Laura checked into a rehab last week.”

  “I know, she called and left a message.”

  “Good. Georgia, I think you should have a professional picture taken for the press. Maybe they’ll stop trying to get one if we provide it. If you agree, I’ll send a photographer over.”

  “I agree. I feel very isolated and I would like to go out more.”

  “Great, I’ll arrange it…unless you want to do that yourself.”

  Georgia rolled her eyes. “Very well, I’ll do it myself.” She abruptly hung up. “You are such a stubborn man,” she muttered as she headed to her laptop to look for Denver photographers.

  *

  The photographer she hired did a good job, Georgia thought. She chose to sit behind her grandfather’s desk and asked for several prints, which were delivered the next day. She sent one to each of the newspapers with a brief statement. By Sunday, her picture was on the front page, on television, and on several of the national talk shows. If the world didn’t know who she was before, they did now.

  *

  Over his morning coffee, Austin studied her picture and her statement:

  “I am Nicholas Gladstone’s granddaughter and will soon be taking over his affairs. I wish to assure
all who are employed in his companies, that I have no intention of selling off or letting any of the companies fail.

  Georgia Marie James.

  He was about to close the paper when he spotted a second article.

  Mathew Connelly arrested for murder.

  Longtime resident and prominent member of Denver society was arrested and charged with the murder of Amanda Black in Tampa, Florida. His arraignment…

  Austin picked up his cellphone, found Georgia’s number and was about to call when he thought better of it. “I’m sure she can read.” Instead, he closed the newspaper and went to the kitchen to refill his coffee cup. It was Sunday and he had plenty to do, so he went to his desk and got right to work. He was in the middle of writing a brief when he stopped, went back to the table, and opened the paper again.

  She didn’t look happy or particularly pleased, the way most people would if they had just inherited a billion dollars. Instead, she looked indifferent and even a little miserable – just not as miserable as he felt.

  Austin shrugged and went back to work.

  *

  Georgia located a Denver hobby shop and ordered paint supplies. She bought an easel, canvases of every size, frames, paints, and brushes. She even had the men clear out a room with plenty of windows for light, and lay down a drop cloth. When the supplies arrived, she arranged everything the way she wanted it, sat down in the only chair left in the room and stared at the first blank canvas.

  Nothing happened. She considered a landscape, a portrait, animals, and even buildings, but nothing inspired her. After a time, she got up, left the room and closed the door.

  *

  It was all over the news and by Tuesday morning, the press had linked Mathew Connelly’s arrest to the heiress of the Gladstone fortune. Georgia couldn’t have cared less.

  Shouting and annoying reporters waited outside the gate when Georgia’s limo drove through, but the security guards managed to clear the path and as soon as he could, Bill sped away.

  “Bill, how would you like to buy us a new car?”

  “I would like that. What kind do you want?”

  “A shorter one with tinted windows would be nice.”

  “I’ll see what I can find.”

  “Just charge it to Austin.” When Bill grinned, Georgia winked. “We have to keep him busy, or he’ll run off.”

  “He won’t run off, he just doesn’t know how to come back.”

  “It’s easy. You get in a car, turn the key, and drive. Is that not how it is done?”

  “That’s how I always did it. Want me to go pick him up?”

  “No, we best let it be his idea.”

  *

  Very seldom did a limo pull up in front of the retirement home, but on this day, Georgia had come to see an old friend. The receptionist recognized Georgia’s picture, happily called up, told Adelaide she had a visitor and then waited for her to come down.

  “Miss Bertrand, I am Georgia.”

  “Adelaide put her hand over her heart and caught her breath. “I cannot believe it. Look how beautiful you are.” A little embarrassed about her appearance, Adelaide straightened her dress.

  “I remember you so very well. You used to make angel wings for me.”

  “You do remember. I wasn’t certain you would. Can you stay for a bit?”

  “I can stay as long as you like.”

  “Good. Come upstairs with me. I have pictures.”

  “Baby pictures? You kept them?”

  “I could never part with them. You were my baby too.”

  For two hours, Georgia and Adelaide talked, and looked through the photo albums together. Georgia remembered some and not others, but neither of them cared. At length, she closed the album. “Are you alright here?”

  “I saw it on the news this morning. I am quite safe now that your father is locked up.”

  “Would you like to come stay with me? I have plenty of room.”

  “Oh no, dear, I would rather live on my own.”

  “I understand. I like my independence too. Is there anything you need? Anything at all?” Georgia asked.

  “Just a visit from you once in a while.”

  “You can count on that.”

  Adelaide reached for her hand. “I am so sorry I had to leave you there, Georgia. I have cried many a tear over it.”

  “I do not blame you for what happened.”

  “I could have run away with you…but I didn’t. I was too selfish.”

  Georgia put her other hand on top of Adelaide’s. “He would have found you.”

  “I suppose he would have.”

  Georgia took a tissue out of the box and wiped Adelaide’s tears off her cheek. “I’ll hear no more regrets. No one in the world loved me the way you did, and I shall always be grateful for the years we had together. May I have a copy of some of these pictures?”

  “You may have the album, I made it for you.”

  She stood up and hugged her Nanny. “I must go now, but I’ll be back.”

  “Don’t let your father get out of jail.”

  “I assure you, we will do everything in our power to keep him there.”

  *

  Another week went by, and each day another pile of papers came by courier for her to sign. Austin still didn’t come or call. She signed them and sent them back. The rest of the time, she wandered aimlessly around the mansion, swam in the outdoor pool, and tried to keep busy watching movies alone in the theater.

  Reporters from all over the world tried to get in and one even managed to make it over the high wall. Helicopters occasionally hovered above, making an unthinkable racket and didn’t leave until they decided she wasn’t going to show herself. It was outrageously annoying.

  When the head of her security team suggested they hire more people, she quickly agreed. The first man they hired took pictures of her by the pool with his cellphone, which ended up in a tabloid the next day. He was promptly fired.

  And still, Austin didn’t come – or call.

  By the end of the next week, she’d had enough.

  *

  As soon as Bill opened the Rolls door for her, Georgia got out and marched into the Gladstone Building. She went to an elevator, got in, punched the correct button and rode it to Austin’s office.

  She walked into the reception area and only hesitated for a moment. “Is he in?”

  “Yes, Miss James.”

  “Thank you.” She didn’t wait to be announced, opened the door and walked straight to a startled Austin’s desk.

  “Georgia,” he said, quickly standing up. “I…

  “I want to sell GSTS.”

  “Very well, I’ll put it on the market. Would you like to sit down?”

  “No, thank you. I wish to sell it to Jim for ten dollars.”

  “I see. How is Jim?”

  “Ask him yourself.”

  Her all business tone was unmistakable and he decided to match it. “Will you be a silent partner?”

  “No.”

  “Does he know you’re doing this?”

  “Of course. Ten dollars was all he had in his pocket when I sold it to him.”

  “Maybe you should have given him a bigger raise.”

  She was not amused. “Are you willing to take care of this for me, or must I do this myself as well?”

  “Georgia, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “Of course you did.”

  “Please sit down. We need to talk this out.”

  “I don’t have time just now. I have an engagement.”

  “An…engagement?” he asked.

  “Yes. You do not expect me to live like a hermit, do you?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Good, then we finally agree on something.” She turned around, and was about to leave when she thought of something else. “I wish to use the corporate jet.”

  “What for?”

  “May I use it or not?”

  “It is yours; you can use it any time you like. Where ar
e you going?”

  “Don’t worry, I’m not leaving the country and I will be back.”

  “Fine. Just let the pilot know what you want.”

  “How do I find this pilot?”

  “I’ll email you his phone number.”

  “Thank you.” She marched out of his office with the same fortitude she had marching in. It was not until she got back in the elevator that she slumped against the wall.

  Behind her, Austin slowly sat back down and stared at the door. “What sort of engagement?”

  *

  Just inside the rehab center’s front door, Laura took a deep breath. With her suitcase in hand, she gathered her courage, opened the door, and then shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight outside. In front of the building was a long white limo and the girl standing beside it was Georgia.

  “Darling,” Laura said walking to her. “You have come to see me at last.”

  “I have come to take you home.”

  “Oh dear, I dread going back there.”

  “Then don’t. I would very much like it, if you would come live with me. Grandfather’s house it too big. We’ll have plenty of time to talk if you do, and I have a lot to tell you.”

  “Could I? Truly?”

  “Please do? I have grown so very lonely there all alone.” She got in, slid over and then waited until her mother sat beside her. “I have a lot to tell you, but first, how are you really?”

  “It was a bit of a torment getting off, but I no longer have the reasons to drink I once did. Have you heard?”

  “What?”

  “Austin called to tell me about Mathew’s arrest.”

  “I read it in the papers. Does it upset you?”

  “Not at all. If they convict him, he can’t contest the divorce, or at least that is what Austin says.”

  “Well, I say we forget about Mathew.”

  “If we can,” Laura muttered.

  “Mother, we must forget him, he means nothing to us now.”

  Laura smiled. “You called me Mother.”

  “That’s who you are.”

  “True, but I never thought you would say it and certainly not this soon.”

  Georgia reached over and took her mother’s arm. “I have waited a long time to have a mother, and I refuse to wait a minute more.”

  “I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. Now, what do you have to tell me?”