“I called Mom. She confirmed that when Gran was much younger and fancied herself the world’s best fan maker, she used to initial not only the fans she made, but also the fans she repaired.”
“That means…” He rubs his chin, thinking. “Your grandmother restored that fan many years ago.”
“What if she found the key at that time?” I set the plate on the coffee table and lean in. “And what if she took it out?”
I expected him to perk up at that possibility, but he looks crestfallen. “Then it’s lost. Your mom would’ve known?—”
“Maybe she does. We never actually told her we were after a key hidden in the fan, not the fan itself.” I sit back, pleased with my logic.
He swallows. “Do you mind calling her?”
“Not at all.”
“Now?”
I grin. “Yes, Boss!”
20
LUCIE
“Oh, yes,” Mom says after I ask her about the key. “I remember a beautiful, intricate antique key that Gran gave me as a good luck charm. I didn’t know or maybe I’d forgotten she’d found it in that fan. It was years ago.”
I’ve put her on speaker, so Max can hear her reply. His expression brightens by the second.
“Does it mean you have it?” I ask Mom.
There’s a brief silence. “Um… No. Not anymore.”
Max shuts his eyes, letting his shoulders fall.
“What happened?” I ask. “Did you lose it?”
“I gave it to your dad.”
“Really, Mom? After what he did to you? To us?”
“Not after, sweetie,” she corrects me. “Before. It was long before he left. We were still in love.”
I grimace, but Max livens up. “That’s good. Much better than if you’d lost it, Renée. There’s a chance your ex-husband still has it.”
We thank Mom for her help and hang up.
“Where does your dad live now?” Max glances toward the door. “I’ll get Berta to book a round trip.”
“Lisbon.”
“Do you mind phoning him to ask about the key before we get on the plane?” he asks.
The truthful answer to that question is, I do. I never call him. When he phones me, which has become less and less frequent over the years, I rarely bother picking up. When I do, I keep it short and rude.
The trouble is, that key obviously means the world to Max. Whether finding it would land him a promotion with an even bigger office and salary or whether he just needs to prove himself to MINDFUCH’s biggest boss, I do not know. But, whatever the case, I’m rooting for him to get what he wants. So, I agree to call.
Won’t Dad be surprised.
The surprised one turns out to be me because Dad doesn’t pick up. I try once more and leave a message asking him to call me back.
“What’s his name and exact address?” Max inquires.
