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“To see the world. Every bit of it I can.”
“Wait—I understand what you’re saying, I do, but there must be some way you can stay here.”
He paused, trying to swallow back the hot lump in his throat. “Steph, this has been planned for a while. The time is now.”
“Will you send me a postcard now and then?” she murmured, sudden tears spilling from her eyes. “I need to know you’re okay.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” he managed, his heart breaking. “Don’t come with me to the door. You might see this tough old gizzard start to blubber and it will ruin my image.”
“You’ve never had one with me,” she said, moving closer to him. “I’ve always known who you are, and I love you to bits.”
Abruptly throwing his arms around her, he hugged her tightly, and barely holding it together, he placed his lips at her ear.
“I love you too, pumpkin head,” he whispered. “You’ve always been like the daughter I never had, and I’m so damn proud of you.”
Then pivoting on his feet, he hurried from the room.
* * *
Several days later, the four-story building he’d owned for almost twenty-five years fell victim to an electrical fault on the fourth floor sparking a massive fire. The property suffered irreparable damage, and the contents were reduced to ashes.
“Thank goodness he wasn’t there,” Steph declared, discussing the shocking news with Marco over breakfast. “I hope he’s insured, but even if he is, how can he collect? He’s gone!”
“I’m sure he had all his ducks in a row before he left, and he has a lawyer,” Marco replied, then tilted his head to the side. “Steph, you wouldn’t know who that might be, would you? I’d like to get in touch with him—or her.”
“Not a clue, though I did hear Dad say something about that once. You should ask him.”
“I will,” Marco murmured, thinking about the letter Max had sent him.
It was one thing tosaysecrets were safe.
Toknowwas another thing entirely.
“Max is amazing,” she said wistfully. “I’m going to miss him so much. He told me once,knowing what to say and how to say it is the key to success and survival. I wish I’d been born with that gift.”
“Knowing what to say and how to say it is the key to success and survival,” Marco repeated, pondering the words.
“What are you thinking?”
“Don’t you think it’s strange his mysterious lawyer has never been identified? He’s like a phantom.”
“Maybe he’s offshore.”
“But surely someone would have been able to track him down.”
“What are you saying?” Steph asked, leaning across the table.
“What if there is no lawyer?” Marco exclaimed. “What if it was one big bluff that everybody bought because it was too risky not to?”
“Is that why Max’s building…?” Steph muttered, her voice trailing off as the thought took hold.
“All those damning files were hidden away in there somewhere,” Marco mused. “That’s why he could guarantee what he knows would never be revealed. They’ve gone up in smoke and he’s disappeared. He’s freed himself, and liberated everyone.”
“Correction, he’s liberated those who will be smart enough to figure it out,” Steph said with a grin.
“If I did, they will,” Marco said confidently, “and Max knows that. He is one smart alley cat.”
* * *
