They tried the direct approach. A phone call to his office. It fell flat as they were informed that Alexopoulos saw no one.

"What do we do now?" Maddy asked.

"If you can't get through the front door, try the back," John said. They sat in the living room of the flat watching Eliza crawl across the floor. Maddy kept an eye out for sharp objects. "I only mean, maybe you can find someone who knows him. Do you know anyone who might be able to get in to see him, Maddy?"

"I don't know any billionaires," Maddy said, "I was homeless remember?"

"You were also Mycroft Holmes celebrated fiance. Are you sure you don't remember anyone?"

Maddy's thoughts flashed to a weasel-like face. He was a billionaire, but he was dead. Suddenly she remembered another woman who talked to her at the tea table.

"I think...yes, I think that I might just know someone," Maddy said.

( -( ) -)

Maddy rang the bell and a woman answered the door. She wore a tasteful flower print dress and a sad put upon expression. She looked down her nose at Madeline as she stood in the door way. "May I help you?" she asked.

"Mrs Simpson-Stuart?"

"Yes, this is she."

"It's Madeline St. Martin. You once asked me to join your flower society."

"Madeline..." The woman's bent closer and her face lightened a bit as she remembered, "Oh you were Mycroft Holmes' ...I mean. Hello. Come in."

She showed Maddy into a nice sitting room with brightly upholstered furniture and dried flowers in vases. The room was dominated by a close up painting of a pink tulip which hung over the couch, " How are you?" she asked.

"I am well, and you."

"Well, It's Frances Stuart now, So good of you to visit Madeline. How may I help you."

"You are on the Children's Charity Committee of the North London Women's League aren't you?"

"Yes, but I've not been active of late. Problems at home have unfortunately kept me occupied, but I can give you some names if you want to become a member."

"I'm calling because I need your help in getting an invitation. I was recently named the director of the Holmes Homeless Foundation and I wanted to meet a certain person who is difficult to meet. Didn't your group once raise money for a charity called WASF."

"Oh, you mean World Angel's Success. We haven't worked with them for years."

"You haven't, why not?"

"Alexopoulos had a stroke some years ago and he stopped going to functions. Soon afterwards his foundation stopped participating in group fundraisers. Now all of their fundraising events are private."

"Private? Isn't that a bit odd? What are they like? I assume that you've gone to them."

"Me, no. I've never been invited."

"Surely someone must have."

"I suppose they were dissatisfied in some way. There is no overlap. They have an entirely different group of donors, and the donors are very dedicated. Their proceeds frequently make the list of the top charitable organizations in the city, and yet they refuse to share donor lists or participate in group projects. It's been quite irritating really. I'd suggest you try elsewhere."

"I really have my heart set on Alexopoulos. Is there any way that I can meet him?"

Francis Stuart placed her hands on her knees as she thought, "Well, Alexopoulos doesn't go out, I suppose due to his health. He does everything through his director. Mr. Charles Blackwell, Esq."

"And what is he like?" Maddy asked.

Mrs Stuart frowned. "I dislike speaking ill of anyone, but I must say that despite the fact that he insists on the title esquire in all correspondence, he is no gentleman."

"Why do you say that? Can you give me an example."

"I would rather not," Mrs Stuart said and her neck flushed a bit red. The doorbell rang and Mrs Stuart stood up. "Madeline, might you come back at another time? The movers have come to remove my former husbands things."

"Oh of course," Madeline said reaching out her hand to shake Frances' hand. "I wish you all the best."

Mrs Stuart furrowed her brows briefly in a pained expression, and then she smiled, "Thank you," she said squeezing Maddy's hand before releasing it. "Good Luck."

As she walked down the sidewalk away from the house, Maddy pulled out her phone and called Sherlock.

"Did you get a name?" Sherlock asked.

"Yes, the man who runs everything now is called Charles Blackwell, Esq."

"Charles Blackwell? Is that all?"

"No, they run private invitation-only fundraisers. I don't know how to get an invite to one."

"Don't worry about the fundraiser. You and John still need to try to see Alexopoulos."

The phone beeped.

"Someone is on the other line, it might be John."

"Right." Sherlock said hanging up.

Maddy sighed and then opened the line, "Hello?" she said.

"Maddy where are you!" Suzanna cried, "I'm at the bus stop and no one is here."

"Oh!" Maddy said, "My ticket. I forgot all about it!"

"Forgot? Maddy, you have an appointment with the Dean tomorrow. Did you forget that too? You said that this was important."

"I know, I know. "

"So are you coming on the next bus?"

"I...no I'm tied up in something now Suzanna, I can't leave. Please call the Dean's office for me and cancel the appointment."

"Are you sure, Maddy? You told me that you needed to get the workstudy job to afford your classes this semester. Do I need to remind you that classes start on Monday?"

"I know, I know, but this is life or death."

"Yeah, Yeah," Suzanna said, "but if you miss the first week of school, you'll be rushing to catch up all semester."

"Okay Suzanna. Thanks for calling. I'll call when I find out...anything. Goodbye."

"Toodles," Suzanna said and hung up.

The bus arrived, and Maddy climbed on.