As Alice takes the phone, she listens before nodding, “Yes, my father is – was – Enrico Zaferelli and my mother Sarah Goldsworthy.”
She listens, and her breathing is heavy as she pauses, appearing tense as she nods, a serious gleam in her eye.
“Of course, I can do that.”
She listens again before saying with a smile, “Thank you so much. I appreciate that.”
She hands the phone back to Ingrid and exhales sharply.
When she turns to me, her eyes shine as she whispers, “I spoke to his personal assistant. He told me to wait with Ingrid, and they would arrange transportation to my grandfather’s Zurich home. He is expected in the next few days and is desperate to see me.”
The delight in her expression almost breaks my heart as she whispers, “I can’t believe it was so easy. I will finally get the answers I need, and it’s all thanks to you.”
I smile briefly, noting the interest on Ingrid’s face, and I force a smile.
“That’s great news, angel. I’m happy for you.”
A moment’s surprise flickers across Alice’s face, and she gasps, “You are?”
“Of course.”
I turn to Ingrid. “Perhaps you could arrange the refreshments while we wait.”
“Of course.”
With a brilliant smile, Ingrid lifts the phone, and I reach out and plant my hand on hers, pressing the phone back into the cradle.
“Please give us a minute.”
Her eyes snap to Alice, who is watching the scene with concern, and I jerk my head toward the door.
“A minute—now.”
Ingrid nods, and my suspicion is confirmed as I detect a momentary spark of alarm enter her eyes as she leaves the office, closing the door behind her.
“That was rude.”
Alice is angry, and I shrug.
“Think about it, angel. That was too easy.”
“In your opinion.”
Her anger is building, and I grip her hand and pull her against me, whispering, “I happen to know as fact that Edward Goldsworthy is in New York as we speak and his diary does not include a trip to Zurich.”
“How do you know?”
She rolls her eyes and I huff, “Because he is a speaker at the banking gala that is held every year in Manhattan. His assistant confirmed that when Jack made the call.”
“So, that was before my call. He will change his plans and come and meet me.”
“That’s not how this world operates, Alice, and I want you to put your fact-checking head on and not your emotional one.”
She glares at me. “I’m not a child, Simeon.”
“Then think like an adult, Alice. Always remember, be three steps ahead. Doesn’t it strike you as strange that a woman rolls in off the street and declares herself to be Edward Goldsworthy’s granddaughter, and they accept your declaration without question? They arrange the call without checking any facts before telling you a car will be taking you to his home here?”
“No. It’s not strange at all. He is probably excited to meet me after all this time.”
