"Sir, A certain Mr. Charles Blond would like to see you. He disclaims you have an appointment." Maxwell stood up, "Indeed. Tell him to come in." "Good afternoon Mr. Sheffield! Charles Blond, not to be confused with James Bond. What an honor to meet you." "The pleasure is all mine Mr. Blond! I'm really pleased that your detective agency wants to take up my case. Please take a seat. Can we offer you a drink?" "Sherry, please!" Maxwell signaled to Niles, who immediately disappeared.
"So Mr. Sheffield, with what exactly can I help you?" "It's about my former nanny Fran Fine! Here's a recent picture of her. (Mr. Blond whistled appreciatively) She left a few weeks ago and we haven't heard from her since. She was moving to Malibu to be with her new love. Dr. Gideon Goldberg. There are some things that concern me. She didn't leave an address or a phone number for anyone. No one has met this Mr. Goldberg and there's been no life sign from her for weeks. (He knew that was not quite true and was by far an exaggeration but it was about Fran). You know, this is not like her at all. She and my children were very close. It's extremely unusual for her not to check in with them." Mr. Blond had been busy taking notes the entire time. "Hmm! I understand your concern, and this new guy? What do you know about him? "He's a cardiologist. Supposed to be a well-known specialist." "Aha that could be a clue. He probably works in a hospital. There may be publications and articles by him in the press. That's a start." Maxwell nodded in agreement; the man was worth his salt. "I'm asking you to find out as much as you can about him and to locate Miss Fine. You'll find all the important information about her in this folder." When Maxwell hired Fran as a nanny, he had her thoroughly investigated, as he had done it with all the nannies before. Mr. Blond took the folder. "All right Mr. Sheffield. We'll stay in touch. I'll call you as soon as I have results."
Maxwell escorted him out. He felt a spark of hope again. He turned to Niles. "He makes a very competent impression. Well, he's not inexpensive either." "Certainly sir! But are you still convinced this is a good idea? Suppose Miss Fine and Mr. Goldberg are happily in love and just want to be left undisturbed or Miss Fine finds out about your snooping? She'll strangle you with her bare hands." "I'll have to take that risk, Niles. I must have certainty. If there's nothing wrong with her and this guy, I'll have to learn to accept it somehow, but I'm sure Mr. Blond will find someting. Oh and Niles! Not a word to the kids. I don't want to worry them or raise false hopes."
Maxwell spent the next few days like a tiger in a cage. This waiting was unbearable. As best he could, he tried to distract himself with work. After ten endless days, the redeeming phone call finally came. "Good afternoon Mr. Sheffield, Charles Blond speaking! Could I come by your house in an hour? We have some important findings." "Of course you're welcome!" Impatiently Maxwell awaited his arrival. He opened the door for him personally and led him into the study. Mr. Blond did not want to keep his client in suspense any longer. "Well, first of all, I have rather unsatisfying news. So far it has not been possible to track down Fran Fine. She is not registered anywhere and apparently not known to anyone. I have some contacts in the society around Malibu, but she doesn't seem to associate there. The only thing we know, she must actually be in the Malibu area. I visited her old school friend, Miss Valerie Toriello. She provided me with all the letters and postcards. Using the postmarks, we were able to trace them."
Maxwell sighed in disappointment. Fran obviously seemed to be hiding. Does she suspect he would be looking for her? Mr. Blond continued, "But with regard to Dr. Gideon Goldberg, we have been able to gather some information. He runs his own very prestigious private clinic specializing in rare tumor and heart diseases. His reputation in medical circles is unparalleled. He has been able to save many patients who were thought to be incurable." Maxwell's heart slipped lower. So this Superman was even more perfect than anticipated. "In addition to his activities at the clinic, he lectures all around the world. In his private life, he seems to prefer a rather quiet, down-to-earth life. He lives with his wife and their children in a mansion nea..." "Hold it!" Maxwell interrupted him, "Did you say wife and children?" "Yes, he has been married for 12 years and has four children. Three girls and a son." Maxwell grinned triumphantly. He knew there was something wrong with this Mr. Perfect. To him, Fran was apparently just a mistress, a bedmate no more. His protective instinct awoke. Poor Fran, she thought he was the man of her life and he was just playing with her feelings. "So you're saying he's married and having an affair with Miss Fine at the same time?"
"Well I rather doubt that. There is no evidence whatsoever that Dr. Goldberg and Miss Fine even know each other. They certainly haven't met in the last few days. Moreover, we have been able to determine, Miss Fine has clearly lied in her letters. She reported about common activities, which could not have taken place at all, since Mr. Goldberg was not in town" Maxwell was shocked. The whole story was a lie! But why? Why did Fran leave him and the kids and make up a story like that? "Well, we'll definitely stay on top of it. She's got to show up somewhere sometime. I would like to say goodbye. I have another appointment." "Oh yes of course! Many thanks for your efforts so far."
Thoughts circled in Maxwell's head as Niles came into the office. "Do you understand this at all Niles! Fran is apparently lying to the whole world and has disappeared without a trace." Niles was at a complete loss too. "What do you intend to do now sir?" "I'm going to travel to Malibu. The first thing I'm going to do is talk to Dr. Goldberg. There must be a reason why Fran is using him for her charade. Then I'm going to find her and if I have to turn around every rock there! So Niles book me a flight for the day after tomorrow and a hotel suite." Niles wanted to express his doubts but fell silent. He knew it was pointless anyway, so he rather took charge preparing his boss's trip. Maxwell reached for a framed picture. "I Will find you Fran! Wherever you are!"