Vanished

He was their son,

their pride and joy …Then the unthinkable occurred …VANISHED“STEEL IS ONE OF THE BEST!”—Los Angeles Times

PRAISE FOR

DANIELLE

STEEL“THE PLOTS OF DANIELLE STEEL'S NOVELS TWIST AND WEAVE AS INCREDIBLE STORIES UNFOLD TO THE GLEE AND DELIGHT OF HER ENORMOUS READING PUBLIC.”—United Press International“Ms. Steel's fans won't be disappointed!”—The New York Times Book Review“Steel writes convincingly about universal human emotions.”—Publishers Weekly“One of the world's most popular authors.”—The Baton Rouge Sun

a cognizant original v5 release october 16 2010

PRAISE FOR DANIELLE STEEL'S Vanished“FASCINATING … the world's most popular author once again tells a good, well-paced story and explores some important issues…. Steel …affirm[s] life while admitting its turbulence, melodramas, and misfiring passions.”—Booklist“An intriguing tale of guilt, desire, and suspense.”—Chief-Union (Upper Sandusky, Ohio)“A TIGHTLY PLOTTED STORY.”—Kirkus Reviews'Vanished is a good story. Her fans will be thrilled!”—Richmond Times-DispatchA MAIN SELECTION OF

THE LITERARY GUILD

AND

THE DOUBLEDAY BOOK CLUB

Also by Danielle Steel

JOHNNY ANGEL     JEWELS DATING GAME     NO GREATER LOVE ANSWERED PRAYERS     HEARTBEAT SUNSET IN ST. TROPEZ     MESSAGE FROM NAM THE COTTAGE     DADDY THE KISS     STAR LEAP OF FAITH     ZOYA LONE EAGLE     KALEIDOSCOPE JOURNEY     FINE THINGS THE HOUSE ON HOPE STREET     WANDERLUST THE WEDDING     SECRETS IRRESISTIBLE FORCES     FAMILY ALBUM GRANNY DAN     FULL CIRCLE BITTERSWEET     CHANGES MIRROR IMAGE     THURSTON HOUSE HIS BRIGHT LIGHT:     CROSSINGS : The Story of Nick Traina     ONCE IN A LIFETIME THE KLONE AND I     A PERFECT STRANGER THE LONG ROAD HOME     REMEMBRANCE THE GHOST     PALOMINO SPECIAL DELIVERY     LOVE: POEMS THE RANCH     THE RING SILENT HONOR     LOVING MALICE     TO LOVE AGAIN FIVE DAYS IN PARIS     SUMMER'S END LIGHTNING     SEASON OF PASSION WINGS     THE PROMISE THE GIFT     NOW AND FOREVER ACCIDENT     PASSION'S PROMISE VANISHED     GOING HOME MIXED BLESSINGS Visit the Danielle Steel Web Site at:

www.daniellesteel.com

DELL PUBLISHING

To Nick

For the pain of having a mother who follows you everywhere, and the agony of so many years of not being able to do what you want, when you want to. For the person you are, and the person you will become. The fine man, the good friend, and maybe even the great writer!

With all my love, Mom,

And to John,

The best Daddy, the best friend, the greatest love, the sweetest man, the most extraordinary blessing in my life …how lucky we all are to have you! With all my love and heart, always,

Olive.

Charles Delauney limped only slightly as he walked slowly up the steps of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, as a bitter wind reached its icy fingers deep into his collar. It was two weeks before Christmas, and he had forgotten how cold it was in New York in December. It was years since he'd been back to New York …years since he'd seen his father. His father was eighty-seven now, his mother had been gone for years. She died when he was thirteen, and all he could remember of her was that she had been very beautiful, and very gentle. His father was senile and ill, bedridden and infirm. The attorneys had insisted that Charles come home, at least for a few months, to try and get the family affairs in order. He had no siblings and the entire burden of the Delauney affairs rested on his shoulders. Landholdings throughout the state, an enormous estate near Newburgh, New York, coal, oil, steel, and some very important real estate in downtown Manhattan. A fortune that had been amassed not by Charles, or even by his father, but by both of his grandfathers. And none of it interested Charles for a single moment.