“Oh. Good morning, Mr. Travis.”
“Penny, is Mr. Bierstone in?”
“Yes, sir. He is. I’m sure he will want to know how close you are in resolving his niece’s case.”
Silence.
“Mr. Travis?”
More silence.
“Mr. Travis?”
“Penny,” I said. “Remind me to take you to lunch sometime. Soon.”
“I’ll do that, sir.”
“‘Cause you and I really need to talk.”
“I look forward to it, sir. Shall I put Mr. Bierstone on now?”
“Yes, thank you. Goodbye, Penny.”
“Goodbye, sir. And have a nice day.”
After a moment my partner’s very formal voice was there.
“Ah, William.”
“Hello, Nat.”
“Have you been taking good care of my niece? You know, she was my sister’s daughter, God rest her soul.”
“She’s fine. Everything’s fine. Why’d you want me to handle her case?”
“William. You’re a very bright lad, but sometimes you ask the most empty-headed questions.”
“I’m working on it, partner. I’m working on it. It’s just that sometimes I add two and two and get twenty-two. Or twenty-two thousand.”
“Speaking of round figures, William, what happened to the two million dollars? Have you retrieved it yet?”
“The money will be in claims for thirty days. After that, it’s Julie’s.”
“Good. Good job, William. When will the two of you be returning?”
I paused. Images of the Swiss Alps from the frosted window of a little chateau popped into my head. A chateau I had never seen but knew had to exist.
“I’m bringing Julie and Jessica home with me in a few days, as soon as the Texas Rangers and the feds are done with her. After that, we’re thinking about taking a little vacation together.”
“That is a wonderful idea. I suspect the two of you have grown rather close, then.”
“You might say that.”
“There is someone here who wants to talk with you,” Nat said.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“See for yourself.”
There was a moment as the phone passed from one hand to another. I scratched hard trying to figure out who it was.
“Mr. Bill,” a little voice said.
“Keesha!”
“Thank you, Mr. Bill. Thank you for my new family.”
“That’s all right, darlin’,” I said.
“Mr. Bill. I think you and Miss Julie ought to get married.”
“What makes you say that?”
“‘Cause she loves you, and you love her.”
“That’s right. That’s right. I’m thinking of asking her.”
“Ms. Coleeta says don’t think. Thinkin’ is a waste of time. Just do it.”
“Okay, darlin’. Okay.”
“Bye, Mr. Bill. Here’s the papers man.”
I waited.
“William,” Nat said. “I will expect a full report when you return.”
“See you soon, Nat” I said.
“Goodbye,” he said, and hung up.
Finis