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“Right now it’s in the American Atlantic Bank in the Cayman Islands, and that puts it out of reach.”
The bank name rang a bell, and brought up an awful thought. “Thanks, Nick.”
“You can thank me by paying us. An invoice is already in your email.”
I walked out the exit. “I’ll get on it.”
Now my mood didn’t match the bright sunniness of the morning.
The bank was the same one Nicole’s parents seemed to have hidden money in before their disappearance. I hadn’t told Nicole about Winston’s findings, and now it was possible they’d enlisted the old CFO to siphon more money out of the family company to finance their life on the run.
That would have to be a discussion for later. Things were too good today to mess up with this news. I shifted the bag to my other hand while I fished the key-fob out of my pocket and unlocked the car.
I should have written down Nicole’s grocery list. Looking in the bag before setting it down, I got the feeling I’d forgotten something. Better now while I was here than make another trip.
I dialed Nicole’s number. It went to voicemail, so I redialed.
* * *
Nicole
The doorbell rang.
It wasn’t the first time Josh had forgotten his house keys, so I rushed to the door.
Ernst stood there when I opened it. He moved to come in.
I didn’t object or block his way. Although I’d told him I didn’t want him here anymore, it just didn’t seem right.
He walked past me. “I got a call from that detective…”
I shut the door behind him. “Beal,” I filled in.
“Yeah, Beal. He said they got the guy that killed poor Mr. Tanaka. Did he call you?”
“He did.”
He walked toward the kitchen. “Could I trouble you for a cup of coffee?”
I followed him. “Sure.”
Mom wouldn’t approve if I didn’t maintain the manners she’d instilled in me. “Is Aunt Rossella back yet?” I started the coffee machine.
“Heavens no. She’s still in Florence with her cousin Francesca.”
Aunt Francesca had been diagnosed with cancer, and Aunt Rossella had gone to help out about three months ago. It wasn’t a good sign that she didn’t have a return date yet.
I felt awkward not knowing, but I had to ask. “How is Aunt Francesca doing?”
“Not well, I hear. I’m scheduled to join them in a few weeks.”
His answer made me feel worse. With all my travails, I hadn’t thought to ask until now. The coffeemaker finished, and I handed him the cup.
“What happened to that lady, Constance, who was here last time?”
“Now that Lenz is locked up, she’s gone.”
He blew on the steaming cup. “Have you heard from Lara?”
