"So that sounds like quite an estate you own there, Shane."
"Hmmm … it's adequate. Certainly not huge by British standards." Shane had been dodging questions about his wealth for the last hour. But this buffoon, Walter, who he had the misfortune of being seated across from, finally wore him down and Shane had inadvertently revealed the size of Donovan Manor. That had certainly piqued his dinner companion's attention and Shane dreaded what further questions it would bring.
He looked helplessly down the long table to where Kim was sitting, flanked by Jeannie on one side and Sharon, Kim's good friend from her California days and with whom Jeannie had stayed to finish school, on her other side. Shane tried to get Kim's attention, his eyes begging for help but Kim's quick glance confirmed Shane's worst fears – You're stuck where you're sitting so make the best of it – before returning to her own conversation. Defeated, Shane reluctantly turned his gaze back to his boorish companion. As he droned on, Shane's thoughts drifted back to earlier in the day.
Shane realized that as much as he disliked the idea, he needed to work with Victor if he was ever going to be able to solve the mystery of his father's role in Greece and what, if any part, it had in this missing gold. He had to concede that as much as he wanted to attribute the missing gold to Victor, Shane couldn't overlook his daughter Eve's knowledge of the gold and that meant his brother Drew could very well be involved too.
After slipping the tattered photograph into his jacket pocket, Shane turned to Victor. He loathed being beholden to the man but he had to ask, "Can you arrange a meeting with this Augustopolos fellow and me?"
"I'm sure something can be arranged," Victor replied with a smile that was more sinister than friendly.
"Good," Shane said, his voice tight. "I will be heading to London in a few days and I will contact you then."
"Remember, it's the Orb I want. I don't give a damn about your father or the gold. What I want is to return Apollo's Orb to the Greek people, for my friend Stavros."
"I understand," Shane said tightly before looking at his watch once more and realizing there was very little time to make his flight. Reluctantly, Shane accepted the offer of Victor's driver taking him to the airport with the assurance that the driver would later bring Shane's car to the airport parking ramp.
It was a good thing Shane had accepted the ride because not only was time tight but the airport was extremely busy with spring travelers. It still took a while to get through the checkpoints even with Shane's first class status and security clearance. Once through, Shane raced through the airport terminal, weaving between slower passengers until he hurriedly reached his gate.
Catching his breath, Shane saw Kim standing and looking worriedly out the window. "Kim …"
Kim turned and smiled broadly, momentarily forgetting her anger that he took this most inopportune time to follow up on some lead in a case he was working on. It was just another example of his distorted priorities. But for the moment, Kim's relief at seeing Shane far outweighed any lingering anger or suspicions she still possessed.
"Oh Shane, finally! They're just about to announce 'Last Call.' Did you take care of whatever was so important it couldn't wait?" Kim asked, letting a bit of anger creep back into her voice.
"All taken care of," Shane said feeling the photograph he had take from Victor in his breast pocket. "Let's go see our daughter graduate." Shane put his arm across Kim's shoulders as they walked down the jet way to board the plane.
That had happened early that morning and no matter how hard he tried, Shane could not shake what Victor had said out of his mind. Not even seeing his daughter could push the thoughts aside.
Jeannie had met them at the airport and Shane was once again struck by how beautiful a young woman she was turning into. She looked so much like Kim with long blond hair that cascaded down past her shoulders and Shane remembered for a moment how Kim looked when he first met her at a Halloween party so many years ago.
After getting their luggage, they had hurried to the hotel and checked into a bungalow suite. The larger accommodations provided enough room for Jeannie to stay with them the night giving them plenty of time to catch up. Considering how much Jeannie was talking, the suite had been a good idea. Jeannie talked excitedly, just like a girl on the brink of adulthood.
She talked about that night's graduation dinner with all her friends and their families, the next day's commencement, and her post graduate trip to South America. Shane smiled occasionally at some of Jeannie's comments but he couldn't stop his mind from wandering back to what Victor had told him and the photo that rested in his jacket pocket. Then Jeannie's voice grew quiet and in an almost hushed tone she said, "I just wish Andrew could have come for the weekend."
Shane looked across at Kim who reached over and stroked Jeannie's long curls. "I know honey. We all wish Andrew could be here. But you know Andrew – always on the move. I'm sure he's thinking about you."
"Come on sweetheart, let's not allow Andrew's absence spoil our celebration," Shane concurred. "I understand I have a slew of your California friends to meet. Now be honest, am I going to be too uptight and British for them?" Shane asked trying to bring levity back to their conversation.
Jeannie smiled and jumped across the room to settle next to Shane on the sofa, leaning in for a hug. "No, you are the perfect father and I am so happy you are here."
For a moment Jeannie's heartfelt words made Shane forget the turmoil he was facing. Returning the hug, he turned to a beaming Kim and said, "I think we better get ready for dinner, then."
Now sitting across from Walter, Shane realized any concerns he had meeting Kim and Jeannie's California friends were unfounded. But this fellow was really getting tiresome and Shane felt helpless in finding a way out of conversing with him anymore.
But Walter was unrelenting with his nosy inquiries. "So your family never had to open that castle of yours to the public."
It's not a castle, it's a manor. There is a difference," Shane replied no longer trying to hide his annoyance.
Ignoring Shane's comment, Walter continued, "I heard a lot of you rich Brits had to open your castles – excuse me, I mean manors – to pay for their upkeep. Especially after World War II."
Walter's last comment caught Shane's attention. It was something he had never considered but did his father have a hard time maintaining Donovan Manor? Had he needed money after the war for its upkeep? Shane knew the Donovan portfolio was now solid and secure but how was it years ago, after the war? Shane couldn't help but wonder especially after all Victor had told him.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Shane turned to Walter and said firmly, hoping to end any further inquiries, "My family has done just fine."
"Well, Shane my boy…" Shane cringed at Walter's expression. "If you ever want to invest, I can hook you up with some very lucrative bonds."
Ah, so that was what all this nosing into his business and personal affairs was about. Now Shane could see clearly how Walter had maneuvered to sit near him just so he could make a sales pitch. As Walter was reaching across the table to hand Shane an unsolicited business card, an unexpected voice from behind broke in.