“No problem. Consider it done. I love screwing up everyone’s paperwork as much as I love giving away other people’s money.” Isabelle blew him a kiss to show her approval.

Fergus appeared suddenly and announced that lunch was ready on the terrace. Everyone beelined for the stairs.

Lunch was BLTs, with the lettuce and tomatoes from Charles’s garden, the bacon so crisp you could snap it in two. The tomatoes were vine-ripened to perfection, the lettuce crunchy, and it was all served on homemade sourdough bread. Pitchers of frosty sweet apple tea and lemonade were the beverages of the day.

Charles was about to make an announcement when Myra cut him off. “We know, dear, Jack called Mr. Snowden. Miss Petrie has flown the coop at least for now. What you don’t know is that Abner checked her financials. Abner, tell Charles and Fergus what you found and what you did. Which pretty much guarantees that Miss Petrie will have to return to the States to straighten out her account. She does have credit cards, so I guess she could max them out. Abner, did you happen to notice what her limits are?”

“I did notice. I guess I should have mentioned that. Her Visa has a fifty-five-thousand-dollar credit limit. She has a platinum American Express that pretty much has no limit. She has an excellent credit history and pays off her cards in full at the end of the month. If she had to live off the cards for six months or so, she would not have a problem. What she would do after that is anyone’s guess.”

“It is easy to get lost in Europe,” Isabelle said. The others nodded.

“We take a wait-and-see attitude on that little matter then,” Annie said. “Avery will be on top of it.” She then filled Charles and Fergus in on Nikki and Kathryn’s plans for the afternoon.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Charles asked.

“Wise or not, that’s what they’re going to do. We didn’t put this to a vote or even discuss it, but I’m bringing it up now, and yes, Charles, I know all about your rule of not discussing business while eating, but I don’t care. Do you understand, I-don’t-care?” Myra said. There wasn’t much for Charles to do other than nod. Any fool could clearly interpret the glaring looks he was getting from everyone.

“I would like Jack, Harry, and Abner to go out to Amalie’s house and see what they can pick up in the way of clues. I want a male eye on it. If Lincoln Moss sent anyone out there after Amalie and Rosalee, it would be men. Men are not as meticulous as women, and I mean no offense. It’s just the way it is. I’ll give you directions on how to get to the house,” Pearl said.

“Count me out,” Abner said. “I have too much going on here, and I’m on a roll. Jack and Harry can handle things without me.” A second later, he was in his own zone, typing at the speed of light.