“But now she can’t wait too long because I got the handkerchief.”

“Supposedly as a sign from your dearly departed mother,” Anna said.

He pulled out the handkerchief and looked at it again. “I have to admit, it’s a very nice touch. Not even something I could miss.”

“Absolutely not. You couldn’t misunderstand or ignore it, either.”

“I thought they’d be clever but more subtle,” Jake admitted.

“I don’t think Madame Ophelia would waste her time on anything subtle. And I suppose it was also designed to be dramatic enough to get you back to her quickly.”

“Which is why I can’t delay too long. I suppose it might take me a day or two to find it, but not any longer than that. This is too obviously the sign Madame Ophelia predicted, so I’d run to her as soon as I found it.”

“I can go see Elizabeth today and let her know.”

“I’d appreciate it. She can telephone me at home this evening.”

“You could have just telephoned her about finding the handkerchief, couldn’t you?”

“Not with operators listening in. I’d have to explain too much, which is why I need your help.”

Anna sighed with feigned disappointment. “And here I thought you’d just been looking for an excuse to come and see me.”

“Well, I have missed you.” He frowned. “Which reminds me, how is Miss Quincy?”

“She’s quite well. I’ll be sure to tell her you inquired,” Anna said with a smirk.

He gave her an exaggerated glare. “Don’t you dare. Besides, isn’t she . . . I mean, she doesn’t like boys, does she?”

To his delight, Anna blushed at that. “I really couldn’t say.”

“I could find out for you,” he offered with a knowing smile. “It is my specialty.”

“Don’t you dare,” she echoed his warning.

He raised both hands in surrender. “Don’t worry. One pretend girlfriend at a time is plenty for me.”

“Do you think she really likes you? Persephone, I mean,” Anna asked.

“It’s hard to say, but it doesn’t matter. She won’t like me at all when this is over.”

“How do you suppose they want to use you?”

Jake frowned. “I’ve been trying to figure it out. I’m thinking they’ll want me to tell my clients about some kind of sure-thing investment scheme, but I can’t figure out how they’ll convince me it’s a sure thing.”

“You never have that problem, do you?” she teased.

“I have that problem all the time, Anna. My business isn’t easy,” he said, deeply insulted.

“Forgive me for making assumptions,” she said, still smirking. “But I’ll go visit Elizabeth and have her telephone you, although I’m surprised to hear that you’ll be at home this evening.”