The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At the headquarters of Rivenwood Vanguard Agency.

Percival nudged open the door to the director’s office. “You wanted to see me, Vance?”

Vance gestured towards the chair across from his desk. “Take a seat, Percival.”

Percival squinted slightly before complying, settling into the chair facing Vance.

“What’s Vivienne been up to lately?” Vance casually flipped through the documents on his desk as he inquired.

Percival lifted his gaze, his tone airy. “Vance, should I be concerned that you’re taking an interest in my fiancée?”

Vance shot him a look, chuckling. “No need for that. My romance is quite blissful.”

The joke did little to amuse Percival, who mainly remained expressionless.

Vance snapped the folder shut and looked up. “Can you ask Vivienne to swing by HQ? I’ve got a rather pressing matter, and I’d like to discuss a potential partnership with her.”

Percival’s eyes flickered. “What kind of partnership?”

Vance’s smile persisted, “That’s something I don’t think I need to share with you.”

His stance was clear: even though Percival was Vivienne’s betrothed, Vance preferred to approach her directly with this matter.

Percival’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Alright then.”

With that, Percival stood and left.

Vance watched him go, the smile slowly fading from his face.

Back in his own office, Percival dialed Vivienne.

“Vivienne, he’s looking to collaborate. Didn’t say on what.”

Vivienne’s laughter filtered through, “Vance loves his mysteries, but what’s the point? It’ll come out eventually.”

Percival’s smile broadened. “This seems different from the last time. Want to come over?”

“Sure, I’m on my way. I’ve got a few questions for him myself, like where on earth he’s sent Leopold.”

I’ll pick you

through the phone, and Percival paused,

in her voice, Vivienne responded, “Yep, just outside. Came to pick you up after

he stepped

remaining staff at Vanguard

gotten into

seeing the deputy director smile is like seeing

quietly before

for one reason. These colleagues of

Percival took Vivienne’s hand, and they headed to the

called out

see Percival

Percival,” Vance said with a smile, standing to usher

smile enigmatic. “When Mr.

Just call me Uncle,” Vance offered as he poured

the aroma, “Lovely coffee. You must have

her persistent formality, “Yes, the collaboration I have

“You’re behind the

it. After all, as the director of Sea City Vanguard Agency, it was no surprise

right. Whatever you need to know, Mr. Edwards, the right price will get you the

need to dig into a cold case.

was stunned for a

looked up and smiled. “A case that even Vanguard Agency

to a locked cabinet, retrieving an old, worn

Agency protects national security. We can’t dig into everything. And

ancient lineage

opened the file, and the title alone weighed

The

Sheldons, her

listed members of the Sheldon family and some

was a single name: Ulysses, age

Beyond that, nothing.

Finnian, her

you asking about Ulysses in particular?” Vivienne set the

smile returned. “You’re sharp as ever. Indeed, it’s

the couch, her gaze growing heavy and skeptical. “Someone who’s been missing for seventy years might as well be