If the security guards had been a little more alert, they might have seen the shadows move. But it was a strong "might." Cameron eased out the window and along the ledge. He and Rachel had carefully discussed the layout of the building. He knew exactly what he had to do. He looked at his watch. Rachel should be making her entrance about now.

Cameron peeked around the edge of the window. So that was Jordan Stark. All he could see was the back of his head. Cameron mentally shook himself. There was something familiar about him. A quick flash out of the corner of his eye alerted him to Rachel's arrival. Now all he had to do was be patient and trust Rachel. to do her part.

"Rachel, I didn't know that you were coming by today."

"Well, Mr. Stark, I was hoping that you might be willing to sit for me for a while. I had a few spare moments."

Jordan stood up and came around to stand in front of his desk. Rachel tried to keep her eyes focused on him. She wondered where Cameron was hiding.

"This looks like the perfect place to me."

"Oh, no the bust is in the lab. Let's go in there. I like the lighting in there better."

"Ah, but it's no trouble. I'll just have Miss Allen move it in here."

"Really, Jordan, I insist."

"Rachel, I must say that I'm a little intrigued that you are here. I thought you would be at home comforting your daughter in her time of need."

Rachel knew his game. He was pumping her for information while appearing not to. She would play his game but not by his rules.

"Everyone needs their space."

Jordan was instantly angered that she offered no more than that.

"I would imagine that she is quite upset. It was quite a revelation to have on your wedding day when that's supposed to be such a happy occasion."

"You are a man who likes to state the obvious."

Jordan narrowed his eyes. So Rachel wasn't going to give him the information he wanted.

"Actually, Rachel, I don't really feel like sitting for you today. I'm afraid that I've got a lot to do."

Rachel remained calm as she pondered her next move. She had to get him out of this room.

"Very well then, I was really hoping that I could get some work done today. Would you do me the honor of walking me out?"

"Absolutely, Rachel. After you."

He indicated the door. Rachel walked out ahead of Jordan. She took a quick peek over her shoulder long enough to notice Cameron at the window. She walked faster.

Cameron quickly pushed the partially ajar window open. He tugged at the drawers of the desk until he found the one he was looking for. He smiled. It was a simple lock. He took out his tools and started to work. He was pleased when he heard the faint click of the lock give way. And there it was. The book he had been looking for was right there. He quickly slipped it inside a bag and into his zipped jacket.

He jumped when he heard the door knob rattle.

Jordan turned the door knob again. The door was locked. How had that happened? He slid the key into the lock and opened the door. Jordan was instantly alert. He could feel a presence here. He looked around the room seeing nothing disturbed. But he definitely felt a human presence in the room. He picked up the phone.

"Miss Allen, have the building searched for intruders."

The cashier looked up at the customer as the bell rang above the door indicating his arrival. This guy had been in here everyday this past week. He'd decided that he was one of those drunks that hid his inebriation well. He'd never seen the guy so much as stagger. Still he watched him closely. He was a quiet one. He hadn't seen the guy so much as crack a smile. Maybe he didn't have anything to smile about.

Cameron was familiar with this store now. He'd come directly here from Lumina. The book was tucked securely inside his jacket. His black leather gloves and black stocking mask were in his pockets. He was sure Stark had someone following him. So he had made sure that his exit from the parking garage near Lumina was as noticeable as his entrance. It had been so easy to go inside the row of shops and disappear. But now everything was about appearances. And right now this ex-con needed a drink. He picked up a bottle of gin and headed for the cashier. He didn't say a word to the man but paid for the liquor and turned to leave.

Cameron walked a few steps when he heard the bell above the door echo the entrance of another customer. Cameron looked up and straight into the eyes of his brother.

Gary was enraged by Cameron's very presence. He wasn't even sure how long it had been since he'd found out about his brother's ultimate betrayal. He'd gotten drunk and he'd stayed drunk. And that's the way he was going to stay. This stinking piece of trash standing in front of him wasn't even worth sharing the same air with.

Cameron steeled himself for another confrontation with Gary. Gary was drinking. Cameron knew the signs. He felt the rush of guilt in his head. Cameron was familiar with the hatred in Gary's eyes. He'd seen it before. He'd lived with that look emblazoned in his memory for ten years. Gary continued to pin Cameron with his cold glare then he surprised Cameron by walking on by without a word. Cameron almost sighed aloud. He got as far as the door.

"Cameron."

Just that single word stopped Cameron. He was frozen. He didn't turn around. He could feel Gary's presence just a few feet from him. He didn't react when Gary began to speak.

"I just wanted to let you know that my brother is dead. As far as I'm concerned, Cameron Sinclair died ten years ago."

Cameron pushed the door open and walked away quickly. He felt the lump in his throat. His brother was gone forever and there was nothing he could do.

Cameron walked to the cabinet above his sink. He moved the other unopened bottles of liquor around to make room for the newest one. He knew he had to appear totally dysfunctional and he wanted to make sure that he lived up to what Stark expected of him.

He removed the book from his jacket. He made himself comfortable. The book was fragile. Its cover was worn red leather. He carefully opened the cover and read the very ornate 18th century script, Beyond Imagination.

He browsed through the book carefully turning the pages. He looked at the edge of the book and noticed that there was one section that seemed to be more worn than the others. He opened the book at that section. A sharp intake of breath was his only visible reaction at first.

"Amanda."

The sketch was a woman who had a striking resemblance to Amanda. She was dressed in a long flowing gown. Her hair was long and hung in ringlets around her face. He turned the page. It was the same woman sitting at a harpsichord. The look on her face was so familiar. Her mouth was slightly upturned and the artist had captured a definite sparkle in her eyes. He ran his finger along the printing underneath the picture as he read it aloud.

"Amalie Mackenzie Stark."

So this was the wife of the 18th century Stark. He turned another page. A stiff piece of paper was here that didn't belong in the book. It was in a paper sleeve. He removed the item from its protection. It was a miniature painting. It was Amalie. Her hair was golden which he had already guessed and she was absolutely beautiful . It was the man that was with her that caught his eye. Their hands were intertwined. He was looking at her like she was the most precious gift. The man's eyes seemed to beckon to him. They were a vivid blue-green. Cameron turned the picture over. The letters were faded on the back but he could still make them out.

"Amalie Mackenzie Stark and Thaddeus Cory."

Cameron stared into the distance. He didn't even want to surmise what this meant but after a short time spent reading Jordan Stark's book, it all became very clear.

Chapter 7

Amanda sat in her bedroom. She had read the same financial report at least ten times now. She couldn't concentrate. She rubbed the ring between her fingers as if it would conjure up what she needed. She often found herself clutching it like a life line. Amanda closed her eyes. She needed Cameron. For God's sake, it had been a week since she'd gotten to see him. Sure they had had a few stolen moments on the telephone but the conversations had been brief and far from satisfying. She didn't dare go to his apartment again for a while. Cameron was positive that Stark had someone watching him.

Amanda gasped when she looked up then smiled at a scene that was very familiar. This time, though, she wasn't going to scream. She was off the bed and across the room before Cameron could say a word. He caught her in his arms and held her tight. He turned his face into her hair and inhaled deeply. Ah, pure heaven.

"How did you get in here? I didn't even hear you."

Cameron smiled. He wasn't in the mood to talk. He looked away from her before she could read his thoughts.

"I'm good, " he laughed.

Amanda had caught his look before he averted his eyes.

"Yes, you are," she said in a low, sultry voice.

Their lips clung together as they tenderly expressed all of their emotions and desires. They slowly, purposely moved toward the bed. Amanda fell back onto the softness and brought Cameron with her. They clung together starved for the feel of one another. Their hands were everywhere touching, feeling, needing.

"I've missed you so much," Cameron breathed as he nibbled gently at her ear.

"I know. Please stay with me."

Cameron leaned away from her. All of his passions were renewed by looking into her half closed eyes. They kissed slowly. Cameron trailed kisses along her ear and down her neck. He pushed aside the cloth of her blouse as he slowly undid each button. With each inch of flesh exposed, he placed a hot kiss there. Amanda sighed and pushed her fingers into his hair. They couldn't resist any longer and they slowly, tenderly made love.

They slept in each other's arms for hours. Cameron awoke remembering what his purpose had been in coming here. He knew that he should have resisted the urge to climb onto Amanda's balcony when he saw the light in her room. But he'd had a desire far stronger than anything else and it had been far too long since he felt her hands on his face and her lips on his. He moved quietly away from her trying not to awaken her. He managed to sit up on the side of the bed and started looking for his clothes. He started to stand up when Amanda wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"Stay," she whispered in his ear sending a shiver down his spine.

"You're not making any of this easy on me."

"That's the idea."

Cameron turned to her and their lips met. They laid back on the bed without their lips ever losing contact. Cameron sighed and pulled away. Amanda pouted. He touched her protruding bottom lip.

"You are such a princess. You know the last time I came into this room by way of the balcony things turned out differently. But even back then all I wanted to do was sweep you into my arms and love you. You weren't afraid of me that night, either. And again tonight you distracted me from my reason for coming here."

He was off the bed before Amanda could react. She watched him as he searched for something. Cameron picked up his jacket and removed something from the inside pocket. He walked back to her and crawled back under the sheets. She looked with curiosity at the envelope he held out to her. She pushed back the flap and removed a miniature painting of a man and a woman in what appeared to be late 18th or early 19th century dress. Her eyes widened as she saw the resemblance between the woman and herself.

"What is this?"

Cameron had watched her closely and knew that she had seen the same thing he had.

"Look at the back. The names are written there."

"Amalie Mackenzie Stark and Thaddeus Cory. Where did you find this?"

"It was inside that book that I took from Stark's office. I've been trying to find out about these two people. And still all I know is that woman is Jordan Stark's wife."

"You mean the wife of the Jordan Stark that wrote that book."

"Yes. I was hoping that I might be able to look at that family bible of yours to see if there is a Thaddeus Cory in it."

"What are you thinking, Cameron?"

"I don't want to say just yet until we look at that Bible."

They ran hand in hand down the darkened hallways like two thieves. Amanda didn't turn on the lights in the study until Cameron had pulled all of the curtains closed. She walked to the desk and switched on a small lamp. She removed the Bible from its glass case and sat down on the couch. Cameron came to sit beside her. They both looked through the extensive family tree hoping to find what they were looking for.

"Here he is," Amanda whispered with excitement.

"Thaddeus Clayton Cory. But look. This is different than the others. This notation is different. It has a line drawn between him and Amalie Mackenzie but it doesn't say that they were married."

"They had a child, Alexander Mackenzie Cory. Maybe Thaddeus died and Amalie married Jordan Stark."

"No, look at the dates. Amalie died in 1798. Thaddeus didn't die until 1834. This is just another dead end."

Cameron turned away in frustration. He didn't want to share his theories with anyone until he knew what all the connections were. And maybe his theories were the problem.

"Wait. Just wait a minute, Cameron."

Amanda jumped up from the couch and walked to the book case across the room. She ran her fingers along the bindings until she found the one she was looking for.

"Here it is."

Cameron wondered what she thought she'd found. She came and sat down beside him.

"This is a book about the Cory family history. Let's see if it has anything about Thaddeus Cory."

They scanned the book together until they found what they were looking for. They hugged impulsively.

"Thaddeus Clayton Cory was born in London, England on April 14, 1769. He was the second son of James Charles Cory and Elizabeth Mary Clayton Cory, the Duke and Duchess of Parrington. At the age of sixteen, he was recruited by His Majesty the King of England into his secret service. Clayton, as he was called, traveled extensively for the monarchy in fulfilling his duties. He resigned from his post with honors in 1798. Clayton and his only child, Alexander Mackenzie Cory, moved to the United States at that time. He was approached by President John Adams to continue in a similar position as the one he had had for the King. Clayton worked for the United States government for a short time before purchasing a plantation in southern Virginia. He lived the rest of his life on the plantation where he died quietly in his sleep on October 22, 1834. He was never married."

"That tells us nothing," Cameron said in disgust.

Amanda wasn't so sure. She picked up the portrait of Amalie and Thaddeus once again. She studied it carefully then had a dawning realization.

"Wait here."

Cameron watched her as she ran out of the room. What was she up to now? He thought about his theories once again but he kept running into walls. Maybe his theories were nothing more than a vivid imagination. He looked up puzzled when Amanda returned with a large painting.

"Look, this is the painting that Stark was so interested in. Hold the miniature up beside it. See. It's the same couple. I didn't immediately notice the resemblance between the two women because her face is turned to the side."

Cameron impulsively kissed Amanda. This was exactly what he'd been looking for.

"Have I told you how much I love you lately?" he asked as he hugged her tightly and kissed her again.

"But we still don't know how Clayton Cory fits into all of this."

"What's going on?"

They both jumped at the sound of Rachel's voice. Amanda hadn't closed the door back when she'd returned with the painting. They were relieved that it was Rachel.

"Mom, we think we've found why Jordan was so interested in this painting."

They explained what they had discovered in the last hour. Rachel listened with interest but was still unsure of how all of this helped them get closer to uncovering Stark's agenda.

"This explains some things about the 18th century Stark but it tells us nothing about what this Jordan Stark is up to."

Cameron shifted uncomfortably. He knew that he had to tell them his theories as farfetched as they might seem. He walked across the room and closed the door.

"I think I know exactly what he's up to. And neither one of you are going to like it."