Maxwell takes action!
"Sir! A certain Mr. Charles Blond would like to see you. He says you made an appointment with him." Maxwell stands up.
"Indeed. Tell him to come in."
"Good afternoon Mr. Sheffield! Charles Blond, not to be mixed up 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 signales to Niles, who immediately disappears and returns with two glasses.
"So Mr. Sheffield, what exactly can I help you with. You mentioned a person should be tracked down?"
"Yes that's right! The person is 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 told us she was moving to Malibu to live together 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 signal from her for weeks."
Maxwell knows that is not quite true and was by far an exaggeration but it was about Fran. He continues.
"You know, this is not like her at all. She and my children were very close. It's extremely strange for her not to check in with them."
While Maxwell talks Mr. Blond busily takes notes the entire time. He reads them again.
"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 nods in agreement; the man seems to be worth his salt.
"I'm asking you to find out as much as possible 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 takes the folder.
"All right Mr. Sheffield. We'll stay in touch. I'll call you as soon as I have some results."
Maxwell escortes him out. He feels a spark of hope again. He turns 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 undisturbed or Miss Fine finds out about your snooping? She'll strangle you with her bare hands."
"I'll have to take this risk, Niles. I must have certainty. If there's nothing wrong with her and this guy, I'll 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."
For the next days all Maxwell can do, is to wait that Mr Blond would contact him.