Beth and Jason discussed their plans. He memorized the layout of her parents' home. They shared ideas about where Archer kept his files other than in the cabinets. Beth worried that the information they wanted would be in the computer.
"If you want to get into his computer, I am sure you will need a password." Beth gave Jason a list of birthdays and anniversaries. "He might have used one of these, or a combination of them, as his password."
But they both knew the chance of Jason accessing Archer's electronic files was slim to none.
After lunch, Marco drove Beth to her home to get a gown for the party. The bedroom looked as though her closet exploded by the time she narrowed her choice to four. When she got back to Jason's house, she tried to nap but was too nervous to sleep.
By the time she dressed for the party, Beth's stomach ached. She wore the white silk, a Grecian-style gown that left her right shoulder bare. She arranged her hair in a loose upsweep of curls that draped over her bare shoulder. With a fond smile for her grandmother, she wore the pearl and diamond earrings Nana had given her for her eighteenth birthday. To complete the outfit, she wore a pair of strappy shoes with four-inch heels.
She looked in the mirror and smiled, but it disappeared a moment later. No matter how she looked, Archer found something to criticize. She took a deep breath, picked up her pearl beaded evening bag, the gift-wrapped box, and left her room.
When Beth reached the top of the stairs, she saw Jason pacing in the hall. As she walked down the stairs, her shoes clicked on the floor. Jason turned and watched her. She stopped on the last stair to smooth the skirt of her dress before she checked his reaction.
Jason's gaze slid over her, soft and warm, like a summer breeze. Beth took the hand he held out as she stepped off the bottom stair. With a twirl of his hand, he turned her in a circle.
She laughed in delight. "Don't you think the cast adds a certain flair to the outfit?"
"Think? Who can think? You're breathtaking." He frowned. "You'll turn heads at the party, and I won't be able to warn your admirers to keep their distance."
She kissed his cheek. "You're such a sweet-talker."
Beth stepped back and crossed her arms. He wore black jeans that hugged his long legs with a black tee shirt that showcased his chest and stomach. "You could play the handsome thief in that movie I watched the other day."
"Well, I try to dress appropriately for all occasions." He frowned. "Are you sure you don't want to eat before we leave?"
"No, I'm too nervous. If I get hungry, I'll have hors d'oeuvres at the party."
"Our plan will work." He squeezed her hand. "Archer will play the loving husband and gracious host, and nothing will pull him from the spotlight. It's the perfect time to search."
She squeezed his hand. "Promise you'll be careful. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you."
"I'll be fine." He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. "Let's go to a birthday party."
Beth drove Jason's car while he sat on the floor behind her seat. Her hands grasped the steering wheel. "Remember, I'll turn the lights on when I go into the office and unlock the patio doors after the butler leaves. I'll forget my purse in Archer's office so I can go back and lock them. Don't forget to send me a text message when you get back to the car. You've got to find the information we need. What will we do if Archer catches—?"
"Angel, breathe."
"But—"
"If I don't find Archer's files on the adoption, it might take longer to locate Daniel, but we won't give up our search until we have him home with us."
"I'm almost at the house. Slide down and hide under the blanket."
She pulled up to the gate. The guard recognized her and waved. Beth returned his wave and drove to the house.
"The valets are parking guests' cars at the side of the house. I'll go around behind the house." She parked the car. "No one else is back here. The car is outside the office doors. Be sure you're alone before you get out of the car and don't forget to send me a text."
A hand snaked over the seat and rubbed her shoulder. "Everything will be fine."
She heaved a sigh and got out of the car. On her walk to the front of the house, the butterflies in her stomach became dive bombers. At the door, she lifted her chin and rang the bell. The door swung open.
"Miss Elizabeth, it's good to see you." The butler welcomed her.
"Thank you. How's that adorable grandson of yours?"
"He's well, miss, thank you for asking."
Beth walked to the ballroom. She stopped at the entrance and looked around for her parents. They were across the room. Her father stood with a man who waved his hands and stabbed at Archer with his finger. He looked angry and desperate. Her mother watched the two men and looked uncomfortable. Is father trying to steal another company?
Beth crossed the room to her mother. Along the way, she stopped to chat with friends and acquaintances. She received several invitations to dance but refused with a polite no. Beth grinned when she heard whispered mumbles of Frost Queen, the nickname her disappointed suitors had given her. Their jaws drop if they knew how she'd melted in Jason's arms last night.
Deidre hugged her. "I am so glad you could join us. How are you?"
"Fine, but I'm eager to get this cast removed."
Archer turned his back on the angry man and glared. "How good of you to grace us with your presence."
"Father, it's lovely to see you, too." She turned and handed her mother a gift. "Happy birthday. I know it's a tradition to open your gifts after dinner, but will you open mine now?"
Archer sneered. "It would be inappropriate to open it now. Deidre will open it later along with her other gifts."
Her mother waved her hand. "Nonsense." She untied the ribbon around the small jewelry box and gasped when she lifted out the gold and diamond pendant of a mother holding a child. A tear fell from her eyes, but a wide smile lit her face.
Archer scolded, "Deidre, you're making a spectacle of yourself."
Her mother pulled her into a tight hug. "I love it. Help me put it on, will you?" Deidre held the pendant while Beth hooked the clasp and straightened the pendant.
Deidre clasped Beth's hands. "It is beautiful. Thank you."
Since her accident, Beth felt closer to her mother than she had in years. When she was a young girl, her mother had tucked her into bed at night and told her stories. She'd become distant as Beth got older. But since the accident, they talked and enjoyed spending time together again.
"I'll talk to you later." She kissed her mother's cheek. "I want a glass of wine."
Beth waited for her drink aware that Archer watched her. He couldn't know of their plan. The bartender handed her a glass of wine, and she took a sip.
After taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, she went to mingle and chat with the guests. Most of the people at the party were Archer's business associates, but a few guests were friends, like the mayor and other council members.
Ten minutes later she looked over to see her father once again in a heated discussion with the man he'd talked to earlier. She slipped away and went to his office. As she expected, a butler stood guard in front of the door. Beth forced a smile.
"Hello, Philip."
"Good evening, Miss Elizabeth."
"I've developed a dreadful headache. I need a few minutes of quiet and thought I'd go into the office."
"Would you like me to get you something for your pain?"
"No, thank you. I already took two aspirins."
He opened the door and turned on the lights. "I'll be sure you're not bothered."
"Thank you, Philip."
As soon as Philip closed the door, she set her purse behind a lamp and hurried to unlock the terrace doors. Then she went to the sofa and sat with her hands clenched tight. Her heart pounded a wild, erratic beat.
The patio door opened with a soft swish, and Jason slipped into the room. After he closed the door, he straightened the curtains and crossed to her.
He knelt in front of her. "How are you?"
She shrugged.
"Don't do that." He lifted her chin. "I know you don't want to be here, and Archer will be difficult, but you can do this."
"I've had years to learn to deal with Father." Beth put a hand over her heart. "It was Mother who surprised me. I gave her a birthday gift, and she cried. I haven't felt this close to her since I was a little girl."
"Your accident scared her. I think she regrets the strain in your relationship." Jason ran his thumb over her cheek. "You should get back out there. We don't want Archer to wonder where you've gone."
"Hide in case Philip checks the room after I leave." She got to her feet. "Don't forget to send me a text."
"I won't forget." He kissed her forehead then hid behind the file cabinets.
Beth pasted a smile on and walked out.
Jason studied the room. It had the warmth of a warehouse showroom filled with ostentatious oak furniture. The furniture looked new and the leather-bound books in the floor-to-ceiling bookcases showed no wear as though they never been opened. A huge executive desk with a leather executive chair behind it dominated the room.
After he decided he'd waited long enough, Jason began his search. He powered-on Archer's computer, but hoped he wouldn't have to guess the password.
Jason combed through the papers and folders in the desk drawers. He searched every drawer but didn't find even a slip of paper that mentioned Beth or Daniel. When he reached the last drawer, he raised an eyebrow in surprise. He'd found a file for Archer's Chicago project. He skimmed through it.
What he read confirmed the information Jackson had provided on Archer's finances. If he didn't shore up the Chicago project, he'd have to file bankruptcy in six months. With the twenty-five million Archer wanted from him, he could keep the project afloat for another year. Long enough to bring in a few more investors whose money he could embezzle to line his pockets. Jason returned the file to the drawer.
He moved to the locked file cabinets and used his picks to open them. He searched through the folders and papers. His shoulders slumped. The only papers in the drawers were bills, receipts, and bank statements. He locked the cabinets.
Discouraged, Jason checked his watch. He'd searched for forty minutes and was almost out of time. Either Archer hid the files somewhere else, or they were in the computer. He checked the computer and saw the flashing cursor, with a request for a password. He tried family names, dates of birth, and various combinations with no luck.
Jason rubbed the back of his neck. Even if Archer kept the information on the computer, he'd have back-up copies somewhere. There was no external hard drive, and he didn't think Archer would store his information on the internet.
He crossed the room to the bookcases. Maybe he has copies of the files hidden behind the books. He pulled out two books, and a disk fell from The Merchant of Venice. He picked up the disk. It had Venice Mall written on it. That was the name of the Chicago project, the one Archer wanted him to finance. Did he keep all his backup disks in books? He pulled out a copy of King Lear. In it was a disk with A.K. Industries–2015 written on it.
He read the names of the books on the shelf. Elizabeth I. When he opened it, there was a disk with Elizabeth–Disk Two written on it. There had to be a disk one. He looked for similar books and found Elizabeth Tudor, but there was no disk. Then he pulled The Young Elizabeth. Sure enough, inside was a disk with Elizabeth–Disk One written on it.
Jason put the disks in his jacket and re-shelved the books. Grateful he didn't have to figure out Archer's password, he turned off the computer. He looked around the room. Nothing appeared to be out of place. When he peeked outside, he didn't see anyone and ran to the car.
Beth walked around to chat with the guests and sipped her wine. When her phone vibrated, she excused herself and moved to a quiet corner. "Dinner tonight? J." A relieved breath rushed from her lungs.
Archer was at the back of the room looking out the window. She used his distraction to return to his office. Philip still guarded the door.
She gave him a bright smile. "I forgot my purse when I was here earlier."
He opened the door for her. Beth waited until he closed it then rushed to lock the patio doors and straighten the drapes. She checked the room. Archer never left papers on his desk or cabinets, and Jason hadn't left any out. Beth took a deep breath to calm her nerves, grabbed her purse, and left the office.
Years of Archer's training served her well. She returned to the ballroom with her smile in place and certain she looked every inch the Frost Queen they called her. Fifteen minutes later, her impatient to leave, she said goodbye to her friends.
She went to her mother. "I've enjoyed the party, but it's time for me to leave."
"Of course, darling. You need your rest." Deidre clasped her hands. "I'm glad you came. Now that you're feeling better, perhaps we could have lunch?"
"I'd like that. I'll call you in a day or two."
"Wonderful." Deidre kissed her cheek.
Outside, the valet said, "I'll get your car."
Her muscles tensed. "Thank you, but I'd rather walk and get some fresh air."
"Then I'll walk with you to be sure you're not bothered."
Beth chewed on her bottom lip worried the valet might see Jason. Then the front door opened, and a couple walked out. The tension left her shoulders, and she said, "You should help them."
"I'll watch until you get to your car to be certain you're safe."
She thanked him and walked to her car. She got in and shut the door. "Stay on the floor. I'm being watched."
Beth waved as she drove past the valet. She pulled onto the road and, when they were clear, she asked, "Was there any information about Daniel's birth or adoption? Did you find the name of the attorney Archer hired? Were you able to get into his computer? Tell me you found something—anything."
"I found two disks, but didn't have time to check them." He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Can I sit up now? I feel like a pretzel. They didn't design this floor for comfort."
Beth laughed and released the tension that had gripped her. After she parked in front of the house, Jason opened her door. She jumped out, threw her arms around his neck, and squealed, "We did it!"
"Yes, we did. It was a good plan."
Laughing, she did a jig. "I was so afraid it wouldn't work."
Jason chuckled. "You are officially a master thief. Now let's check the disks."
Happy smiles on their faces, they walked to the study. Jason pulled a chair next to his and together they sat the computer. He hit the power button then took the disks from his pocket.
Beth's mouth fell open. "How were you able to get into Archer's computer files? Did you guess his password?"
"I didn't have to get into his computer." He explained how Archer hid the disks in his books. "I doubt he'll notice they're not there."
He inserted Disk Two. When the computer loaded the disk, it asked for a password.
She moaned. "We'll never figure out his passwords."
"Don't give up now. Let's start with the obvious ones like birthdates."
Jason tried Archer's, Deidre's, and Beth's birthdays, backward and forward. No success. He tried names with birthdays. No luck.
She slumped in her chair. "We'll never unlock the files."
"Why don't you—"
Someone kicked on the study door. Beth grabbed his arm.
He patted her hand. "It's only Lupita. She kicks if her hands are full." He went to open the door. Sure enough, Lupita waited with a tray.
Beth went to help Lupita. She'd prepared tomato and mozzarella bruschetta, Florentine artichoke dip with pita chips, slices of cheesecake, and coffee. She put an arm around Lupita's shoulders. "You are a treasure. If you ever leave Jason, you can come to work for me."
He slid his arm around Lupita's waist. "I wouldn't survive without her and Marco to take care of me."
Lupita laughed then pointed a finger at Jason. "You make sure the Senora eats. She needs to build up her strength." Lupita turned to her. "If you don't eat, your mother will worry."
Beth smiled and took another spoonful of dip.
He poured coffee into their cups while she filled two plates with food. They returned to their chairs and discussed possible passwords while they ate.
She said, "We tried birthdays and names, let's try common passwords."
"What are those?"
With a grin, she did a quick internet search and found lists of common passwords.
Jason typed letter and number combinations, but Please Enter a Valid Password kept flashing on the screen. An hour later, they still hadn't figured out the password.
"Maybe Archer used the books for more than storing the disks," Beth said. "Try the title of the book or the name of the author."
The title didn't work. Neither of them knew the author of Elizabeth I, but a quick search on the internet produced the name. A few keystrokes later a list of files appeared on the screen.
"Yes!" They hugged each other.
When they read through the list of files, Beth gasped.
Startled, Jason turned to her. "What's wrong?"
"There's a folder for each investigator I hired."
"Did you tell Archer that you were hiring them?"
With a slow shake of her head, she said, "No. I was afraid he would try to stop me."
He clicked on a folder. "There are notes and spreadsheets. Look at this. It's a list of dates and amounts."
"The first date is two days before he quit. Archer paid him to give up his search. He bought off the investigators who worked for me, even the man Jacob hired. He sabotaged my search for Daniel." Beth pressed her lips together. "Is having an illegitimate grandson so horrible?"
"When we talked to your parents, Archer made no secret that he wanted to keep Daniel's existence hidden."
"I never thought—" She pointed to the computer screen. "Look, there's a folder for Gabriel."
He clicked to open the folder. "There isn't much in it, except a copy of an email to an investigator."
Beth said, "He hired an investigator to check into Gabriel's background. If he finds something, he'll use it to force him to quit, and we'll never find Daniel."
"Michael isn't a man who is easy to intimidate."
"I don't understand why Father wants to stop me from finding Daniel?" Beth shivered and wrapped her arms around her waist.
"Drink this." Jason handed her a glass of cognac.
She sniffled and set the glass on the desk. "I don't want anything."
"You'll feel better if you have a drink."
She sipped the liquor. It warmed her and soothed her jangled nerves.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead. "Gabriel told us he never gives up an investigation once he accepts a case. Those thugs didn't scare him, and Archer won't either."
She nodded.
"Let's look at the other disk." Jason closed Disk Two and inserted Disk One.
She prayed it contained the information they needed to find Daniel. This time when the program asked for the password, Jason entered the author's name. He pulled up a long list of folders. He printed it so they could study the list.
His brows dipped into a vee. "Didn't you say you had the baby at Boston Hospital?"
"Yes. Boston City Hospital."
"It says you gave birth at Massachusetts General Hospital." He asked, "Did you go there?"
"No. Maybe they considered it as an alternative. Open the file."
He clicked on the icon and the document opened.
She said, "According to this information, Archer had Daniel transferred to Massachusetts General. The attorney for the people who adopted him received a birth certificate that shows Massachusetts General as the hospital where he was born."
Beth read through the notes again. "Why move him?"
"An added precaution," said Jason. "Our son's name was recorded as Daniel Doe. There's no reference to the couple who adopted him or their attorney."
"How did father arrange this?"
"I don't know. I'd guess he bribed somebody." Jason stretched then looked at his watch. "It's close to three o'clock. We're too tired to make sense of this now. We can dig through the files in the morning after we've slept."
She yawned. "That's a good idea."
"Will you sleep with me? I'll rest easier if you're with me."
"I'd like that." Beth leaned against his shoulder.
"Tomorrow, after we've looked at the files, we'll call Gabriel. He needs to know about the payoffs to the investigators and the investigator Archer hired to check on him."
"I still can't believe father paid those men to give up their searches. He doesn't care about anyone but himself." She wiped her eyes. "I thought he couldn't hurt me anymore."
Jason pressed his lips to her forehead. "Let it go for tonight. We'll deal with it after we've rested."
When they reached the balcony, she tried to step away, but he held her close.
"I have to get a nightgown."
"You won't need one." He wiggled his eyebrows. "You have your own personal heater."
The next morning, she woke when Jason climbed out of bed. "What time is it?"
"I have a teleconference with my executive staff. It'll take at least two hours." He pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss. "In the meantime, why don't you rest? If you're not downstairs by the time I've finished my meeting, I'll be happy to wake you."
Her eyes closed. "Good idea."
Later, Beth stretched and sighed. Although she'd fallen back to sleep after Jason left, she slept better when he was next to her. When he held her, she didn't have the nightmares that haunted her nights for the last eight years.
Beth checked the time. Two hours since Jason had gone to his meeting. It should have ended by now. Desperate for a shower, she wrapped herself in one of Jason's shirts. She peeked out the door and hoped Lupita was in the kitchen. Beth laughed as she ran to her room.
After Beth showered and dressed, she went to Jason's study.
He frowned. "I am very disappointed. I wanted to wake you."
"You can wake me tomorrow. Now, we should call Gabriel."
"First, I'll let Lupita know we're hungry." He dialed and a moment later said, "Sleeping Beauty is awake. We have to call Gabriel, but then we'd love breakfast."
Beth whispered, "Sleeping Beauty?"
A smile curled his lips. "Great. We'll have coffee in the breakfast room while we wait." He dialed again.
"Michael."
"You're on the speaker, and Beth is with me."
"I have nothing to report. When I tried to get into the hospital records, they were reluctant to cooperate."
Beth said, "Jason found some information, but I don't know if it will help or make your job more difficult."
"Information, good or bad, provides leads," Gabriel said. "What do you have?"
Jason answered. "Beth is sure the birth took place at Boston City Hospital, but Archer had the baby transferred to Massachusetts General. The couple who adopted him received a forged birth certificate. It showed Massachusetts General as his place of birth, and the baby's name as Daniel Doe."
Gabriel said, "So your talk with Beth's parents went well?"
"Not really." She cleared her throat. "We had to borrow Archer's files."
Gabriel chuckled. "Sometimes that's how we get our best leads."
"There's more. Something we thought you needed to know." Jason said.
"That sounds ominous."
"Archer hired an investigator to check into your background. I'd guess he wants to find information he can use to blackmail you to get you off this case."
"Good for him." Gabriel snorted. "Let me know what he finds. I've searched for years."
Jason and Beth stared at each other.
"Do you have any other information?" Gabriel asked.
"We haven't gone through all the files yet. We'll do that today. If we find anything useful, we'll email it to you or call if it's urgent."
"Good. Unless I hear from you sooner, I'll call you after I check the hospitals." Gabriel ended the call.
Beth tilted her head. "He didn't seem concerned about Archer's investigation."
"His reaction was intriguing." Jason grabbed her hand. "Let's eat. Last night's burglary made me hungry."
She laughed as they went into breakfast. In an unspoken agreement, they discussed the recreation complex, work, friends, everything except Archer.
Too soon, Jason said, "We need to sort through the files on the disks."
Beth nodded and went with him to the study. She sat on the sofa and started her laptop computer. While he went to his desk to make copies of Archer's disks.
Jason brought the disks to her. "I know this isn't easy for you, but we need to get this done quickly. We need to find the information about the adoption before Archer discovers we have the disks. When he does, he'll try to keep us from finding Daniel. He won't succeed, but he could put up obstacles that will slow our search."
"We have to find Daniel. That is more important than how I feel about my father."
He kissed her forehead and returned to his computer. They'd agreed to split the work. Beth looked through half the files on Disk Two, and Jason checked the rest.
Two hours later she threw her hands in the air. "I found the name of the attorney Archer hired to handle the adoption. There's nothing about who adopted Daniel, or their attorney, but wouldn't Archer's attorney have that information in his files?"
"He should. Send that information to Gabriel. I sent you an email with his address."
They'd worked for another hour before Jason asked, "Have you finished?"
She rubbed her eyes. "Two more files."
"Why don't you let me go through them? I've finished my files." He went to her. "You look tired."
"I would like a nap."
"That's a good idea. If you look tired, the doctor will give you another lecture." He walked her to the door. "I'll wake you in time to get to the appointment."
Beth slept for two hours. After brushing her hair and teeth, she changed clothes. She went to the kitchen and found Lupita.
Lupita smiled and said, "You look rested."
"I feel better, but now I'm thirsty. Do you have lemonade or ice tea?"
"I'll get it." Lupita got Beth a drink. "While you napped, your mother called. She'd like you to call her back."
"Thank you. I'll call her now." She asked, "Where's Jason?"
"Where else—in his study. You need to remind him, love and family are more important than work." Lupita handed her a glass of lemonade then shooed her from the kitchen.
Beth frowned. He wants a family, but will he be a father who's involved in their lives or will they be less important than his work?
Beth stopped at the telephone in the foyer to return her mother's call.
Deidre answered. "Hi, darling. I'm glad you got my message."
"What's wrong? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Archer asked me to invite you and Jason to the house this evening. He wants to talk about your baby."
After their last visit, she found it difficult to believe he wanted to find Daniel. "Are you certain that's what he wants to discuss? Has he changed his mind?"
"Yes. I can't tell you how happy this makes me."
"I'll ask Jason, but I'm sure he'll agree to go with me. Is eight o'clock good?"
"That's perfect."
Beth set the telephone on the table and turned to find Jason waiting. "Did you hear?"
"Yes, but I must have misunderstood. It sounded like your parents invited us over to talk about Daniel."
"Archer asked Mother to invite us. Now that we've read through those files, there's no way I believe he's had a change of heart. Either he found out we took the disks, or he wants fifty million dollars."
"Don't let it worry you." He took her in his arms. "I'll be with you. Together we can handle whatever Archer throws at us."
She asked, "Then you'll go with me?"
"I'm looking forward to it. Now, let's get that cast off."