The Heritage Paper

Chapter 73



Veronica’s lungs felt like they were about to explode when she exited the Waldorf.

Did that just happen?

She gripped Maggie and Jamie’s hands as tightly as possible, while Zach tried to hail a cab. A nightmare on a normal evening, but tonight it was a near impossibility.

A voice shot out through the brisk night, calling her name.

She looked up to see two members of Kingston’s security team heading toward them. She instinctively stepped back.

“President-Elect Kingston instructed us to give you and Mr. Chester a ride to wherever you want to go.”

Veronica wanted no part of any connection to Kingston, even if that meant she died of old age while waiting for the cab on the corner of Park and 49th.

“That’s nice of you to offer, but I must decline,” she said politely.

“We insist,” the one said. The pleasant smile couldn’t hide his devious eyes.

“I said no,” Veronica responded, firmer.

She felt a sharp gust of fear blowing at her face. The crowded city street failed to provide comfort.

Another voice rang out in the night air. This one female.

“The lady said she wasn’t interested.”

Veronica looked to see Flavia gracefully bouncing towards them. The guards stared at her. Veronica wasn’t sure if it was due to her words, or perhaps because all men stare at Flavia.

“We have orders,” one guard said.

“Do you know who I am?”

“Yes, Ms. Conte.”

“Good—now I’m giving you an order to leave the lady alone.”

The guards reluctantly walked away, their black boots rhythmically clicking on the busy sidewalk.

Flavia approached with apology in her eyes. “Veronica—I just want you to know I only did what Ellen asked me to do. I think she believed if Kingston saw the video he might re-think his position. In no way am I working for them.”

Veronica didn’t trust anyone at this point, but she believed that Flavia was telling the truth. “I’m just frustrated—that memoir might have been our last chance to prove what they’ve done, and what they plan to do in the future.”

Veronica felt a tear roll down her cheek. “And I won’t feel that Maggie and Jamie are safe as long as they are in power.”

Flavia looked like she wanted to hug her. Veronica wasn’t going there, but she needed to hug someone. So she crouched down and pulled Maggie and Jamie into her arms.

She looked up at Flavia, who glistened like the Manhattan skyscrapers. It was like she was part of the sparkling skyline. “So what do we do now?”

Flavia’s face turned stony. “You aren’t going to do anything. You have two beautiful children to protect. You will not put yourself in harm’s way—they need their mother. I will handle this myself—I’m done running from the ghosts.”

“What are you planning?”

Flavia’s voice fell to a whisper, making her hard to hear against the backdrop of honking traffic. “Same thing they did. Rise up from within their ranks, while pretending to be someone else. And I have an advantage—I’m royal blood, remember?”

Veronica was still having trouble grasping that Flavia was the president’s half-sister, both fathered by Josef Müller aka Joseph Kingston. The Chosen One.

Zach continued to struggle with his taxi flagging, so Flavia relieved him of his duties. Veronica was surprised a twenty-car pileup didn’t occur. She secured a cab in less than twenty seconds. Veronica just shook her head with envy.

She ushered her children into the back of the vehicle, joining Zach.

Flavia declined the offer to come with them. “You’re driving back to Rhinebeck tonight?” Veronica inquired.

“No, I’m going to visit Ben at the hospital. I’ll pull up a cot, and then head back upstate in the morning,” she said. She then surprised Veronica by giving her that hug. Flavia didn’t seem like the hugger type.

But as she watched Flavia disappear into the crowd, she realized that there was a purpose to the embrace. She pulled out an object that had been placed in her pocket. A key.