News and more confusion!
Maxwell spends the next few days like a tiger in a cage. This waiting is getting more unbearable with every day. He tries his best to distract himself with work. After ten endless days, the redeeming phone call finally comes.
"Good afternoon Mr. Sheffield! Charles Blond speaking! May I come by your house in an hour? We detected some important information."
"Of course you're welcome!"
Impatiently Maxwell awaites his arrival. He opens the door for him by himself and leads him into the office. Mr. Blond has no intention 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 by anyone. I have some contacts in the society around Malibu, but she doesn't seem to associate there. The only thing we can proof, she must indeed live in the Malibu area. I visited her old school friend, Miss Valerie Toriello. She provided me all the letters and postcards she had received from Miss Fine. Using the postmarks, we were able to trace them."
Maxwell sighs with a slight disappointment. Fran obviously seems to be hiding. Does she suspect he would be looking for her? Mr. Blond continues.
"But with regard to Dr. Gideon Goldberg, we have been able to gather some information. He runs his own very prestigious private clinic, specialized for rare tumor and heart diseases. His reputation in the medical circles is unparalleled. He has been able to save many patients who were thought to be incurable."
Maxwell's heart sinks lower. So this Superman is even more perfect than anticipated.
"In addition to his activities at the clinic, he performs lectures all around the world. His private life seems to be rather quiet. He prefers obviously a down-to-earth life. He lives with his wife and their children in a mansion nea..."
"Hold it!" Maxwell interrupts 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 grins triumphantly. He knew there was something wrong with this Mr. Perfect. It looks like that Fran was apparently just a mistress, a bedmate no more. His protective instinct immediately awakes. Poor Fran, she thinks he is the man of her life and he is just playing with her feelings.
"So you're saying he's married and is having an affair with Miss Fine at the same time?"
"Well I rather doubt that. We found 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 clearly lied in her letters. She wrote about common activities, which could not have taken place at all, since Mr. Goldberg was not in town"
Maxwell is shocked. The whole story was a lie! But why? Why did Fran leave him and the kids and came up with a story like that?"
"Well, we'll definitely continue with our investigation. She has 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 circle in Maxwell's head as Niles comes into the office.
"Do you understand this at all Niles! Fran apparently lied to the whole world and has disappeared without a trace." Niles is at a complete loss too.
"What do you intend to do now sir?"
"I'm going to travel to Malibu on my own. 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 wants to express his doubts but keeps silent. He know it was pointless anyway. So he rather takes charge preparing his boss's trip. Maxwell reaches for a picture.
"I will find you Fran! Wherever you are!"