Return of the Prodigal Son Read Online Free PDF

in a drawer?”
    “Oh.” She managed a weak smile. “Here.”
    As she handed it over, she picked up the empty box, tucking it under her arm. “I think I’ll start on Taylor’s room now.”
    Cory didn’t answer. He was holding a wallet-size photo of his father that had fallen to the floor. On his face was a look of pain mingled with anger.
    She felt a knife twist in her heart. It was one thing to lose a father in a tragic accident. That would be enough to shatter a child’s heart. But to discover that their father wasn’t the hero they’d always admired, but a criminal who had stolen millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims, was a burden that no child should have to bear.
    She let herself out of her son’s room and closed the door before leaning against it and closing her eyes. Cory wasn’t alone in his confusion. She’d loved Adam Brady from the first time she’d met him. She missed him so much she ached. And she had steadfastly refused to believe that he was capable of criminal behavior.
    Still, sometimes in the stillness of the night, she found herself questioning everything. Her blind defense of a man who wasn’t here to defend himself. Her gut feeling that he’d been a good, honest man. She’d even begun questioning their love. Had there been someone else? Could he have stolen millions and left them with a lover?
    It was too incredible to consider, even for a moment. She hadn’t imagined Adam’s love or his goodness. Those who believed otherwise were wrong.
    She took in a deep breath and started toward her daughter’s room. There was no time to give in to self-pity. This was what life had handed her. Like it or not, she’d live with it.

Chapter 3
    D onovan’s day had slowly gone from bad to worse. Because he’d been unable to get back to sleep, he’d decided to begin his own investigation on the Adam Brady case.
    At first glance, it seemed simple enough. Brady had been invited to join Neil Summerville in his fledgling investment company. Since Brady came from an old banking family, he was able to use his connections to secure some impressive accounts, and the two men had made millions for their clients, as well as for themselves. Though neither man was flamboyant, they lived well. Membership in one of the city’s most exclusive country clubs. Homes that were showplaces in the rolling Virginia countryside. Their children attended prestigious private schools.
    According to the documents filed by the district attorney, the authorities were already closing in on Brady and Summerville when their plane went down. It was then that an examination of their books showed that the only clients that had been defrauded were those handled by Adam Brady. In the beginning, the amounts of money funneled from the accounts had been small enough that the clients didn’t notice. But then the thief had become bolder, helping himself to more and more of his client’s funds, and covering himself by showing losses in various investments. It was only after one very astute client had caught the error, and complained to Brady personally, that the authorities had been notified. Brady had agreed to cooperate fully by opening his company books to an independent audit.
    And then the plane crash.
    Donovan flipped through the pages to the crash report. The plane and pilot had been leased through a small, reputable company located at Washington’s National Airport. A flight plan had been filed with the proper authorities. The plan had been to fly to Chicago for a meeting with clients and to return the same day. The weather had been stormy, with high winds, but the pilot had been confident that once they flew above the storm, they would have no trouble. The plane had barely been airborne when it crashed off the Maryland shore. Recovery from water is always messy. This was no exception. Despite their best efforts, only parts of the plane and bodies were recovered. But from what was salvaged, the authorities could find no sign