Lizzie watched the lady with the blue-white hair totter down the hallway. She waited until she was safely inside whatever office she was going to. While she waited for the elevator, she whipped out her BlackBerry and called information for the number of Finley and Sons. When she stepped out of the elevator, she had an appointment at the shop for one o’clock. Her watch told her she would have to make short work of Baron Bell if she wanted to be on time to arrange for Cosmo’s special one-of-a-kind Christmas present.

Her eyes sparkling with happiness, Lizzie squared her shoulders as she swept into Baron Bell’s office. The dowager sitting behind the reception desk jerked to attention as Lizzie closed the door. The two women looked each other over.

“Elizabeth Fox. I have an appointment with Mr. Bell.”

“You’re late,” the dowager said.

“Yes, I am, but I’m here now.”

“Take a seat. I’ll see if Mr. Bell is occupied,” the woman sniffed.

Lizzie sniffed herself but remained standing. “Why would Mr. Bell be busy if he had an appointment with me? I’m only four minutes late.”

“You’re late. Late is late,” the woman snapped. “Mr. Bell does not like to be kept waiting. He has a hectic schedule.”

Lizzie Fox did not wait for anyone. “I can leave if that will make you happy,” she said, turning to open the door. She had her finger on the elevator button when she heard her name being called. She turned to see Baron Bell trotting down the hall toward her.

“Baron Bell, Miss Fox. I’m sorry. Please allow me to apologize for my secretary. Sometimes she can be aggressive on my behalf. Please, come back to the office.”

Lizzie waited a full minute before she gave a slight nod and followed the pudgy attorney back to his office. The secretary glared at her. Lizzie smiled and waved a finger in the woman’s general direction.

“Harriet has been with me forever. Sometimes…never mind. Please, sit down and tell me what brings you here to my office, Miss Fox. I hope it has something to do with my children’s Christmas party at the White House.”

Lizzie smiled and looked around. The first thing she saw hanging on the back of the office door was a Santa Claus suit. A fluffy, curly white beard and wig hung alongside the bright red suit in a clear plastic bag. She didn’t know how she knew, but she just knew that the suit was custom-made. She could see the quality of the material even from where she was sitting. In the corner a pair of shiny black boots stood at attention. The only thing missing was the sleigh and the eight tiny reindeer. Then again, maybe they were stashed in the man’s private bathroom.