Chapter 2

The 1950s saw us becoming members of the intelligence community, because if you were a Sebring, that was what you did. Tony worked at the NSA, where Portia would eventually join him, while Bryan and I were both CIA officers, although Bryan analyzed the data I acquired.

After Portia graduated from Wellesley, our father decided to send her to London for a season. Knowing her, he was certain this would enable her to make contacts that would be useful both for Country and Family.

And according to Father, both would be capitalized and Country wouldcome first.

In addition, since the following year was the last year debutantes would be able to make their curtsy to the queen, Father determined ‘57 would be a better year for Portia to do so, avoiding the crush as it were. It would also give Portia a guaranteed cachet in certain circles. She’d stay with her godmother, after whom she’d been named and who was an old friend of Mother’s. Lady Portia Abberley, Viscountess Creighton, would sponsor my sister’s debut and give a huge ball to introduce her to society.

Father was also certain Portia would meet all the right people, those he felt would be well-placed in the government and highly influential.

Portia mentioned all the young men and women in the letters she wrote Tony. Those letters were couched in the code old Barnabas Sebring had devised even before he sailed to the New World in 1634 at the request of the second Lord Baltimore. That was strictly for family, unlike the code Horatio Sebring developed for General Washington at the start of the Revolution.

And then Tony received a letter that caused him concern…

* * * *

I was on leave, having worked nonstop since Egypt took control of the Suez Canal in July of the year before, and I planned to spend the evening with the man I was currently seeing. He preferred topping, and while I did as well, I didn’t mind switching off too much. He did know how to use his cock.

I strolled into the small kitchen in my apartment, where the phone hung on the wall. The plan was to call Richard and see if he was up for a little romp in the sheets—perhaps I could persuade him to switch positions for a change this evening.

The phone rang just as I reached for it. I observed it for a moment. Could Richard have had the same idea?

I picked up the receiver. “Sebring.”

“Jeff, it’s Tony. Something’s come up. Can you come to my place right now?” My brother didn’t tend to be excitable, and the only thing that would disturb him was a threat to our sister.

“Is Portia all right?”

“Yes, but I’m concerned. Father and Bryan are on their way.”

Whatever was going on with our sister, it obviously wasn’t something he wanted anyone outside the family to be aware of, hence the summons to his apartment.

“I’ll be there ASAP.”

Richard would have to wait.

* * * *

I caught a cab, and it took the driver less than ten minutes to drive the six miles from my apartment on Dupont Circle to Tony’s place in Arlington. I paid the driver, tipped him lavishly for not getting us killed, and exited the vehicle.

When my legs were finally steady—the man had driven like a maniac—I walked up the path to the building and let myself in, then nodded to the old man who operated the elevator when I stepped into it.

“Good to see you again, Mr. Sebring,” he said as he closed the doors.

“Same here, Joe.”

“I just brought your dad and other brother up to Mr. Anthony Sebring’s floor.”

Hmm. “How are your wife and children?”

“Doing good. That boy of mine is going into the Marines. His ma is worried, but I’m proud of him.”

“Tell him I wish him the best.”

“I will, thanks.” The elevator came to a smooth halt on Tony’s floor, and he opened the door.

“Thanks, Joe.” I strode down the hallway to my brother’s apartment.

Tony answered my knock. “Father and Bryan are in the living room. They just got here.”

“So Joe said.”

Tony frowned as he closed and locked the door behind me.

“He keeps his mouth shut, doesn’t he?” I knew my way to the living room, and I headed there.

“Yes, but—”

“Casually mention we’re planning a surprise birthday party for Mother.”

He stared at me blankly. “Is her birthday coming up?”

I laughed and shook my head. “No, but Joe doesn’t know that.”

“Joe doesn’t know what?” Bryan asked.

“Tony’s worried about the elevator operator telling anyone you and Father were here at the same time I was. I told him to say we were planning for Mother’s birthday.”

“Her birthday was three months ago.” Bryan looked from me to Father. He barely glanced at Tony.