That night, she made her habitual call to her answering machine, hoping for word from Karim. To her surprise, she heard Brad’s voice. The message was brief: “I see that I’ve misjudged you. Good-bye, Jenna.” At first, she thought he was referring to the deadline for his marriage proposal. Then she realized that he must have seen the tabloid story.

Well, my God! She wanted to catch the first plane home, tear out the answering-machine tape, and throw it in the fireplace—and do the same to Brad, if she could find him. How dare he jump to conclusions like that! Pompous, self-righteous bastard!

It took hours for her anger to cool, but when it did, the chill went deep. She didn’t want to lose him. It was that simple. She called his home number. A servant, after asking her name, informed her that Mr. Pierce was unavailable. His receptionist told her the same thing six times the next morning.

Jenna’s anger reasserted itself. All right, if that was the way he wanted it, she could live without him. Couldn’t she?

O

She needed to go home. Laila was in competent hands. There was little more Jenna could do except be a good aunt. Besides, she was weary of the lazy warmth of southern California. Only a few more weeks and the air would be turning crisp in Boston.

“For you, Cousin,” said Farid, bringing a phone. It had to be Brad. “Hello?”

“Whoa, Mom! Way to go!” “Karim! Where are you?”

“Athens. You’re all over the papers here, Mom. Malik Badir is like some kind of local god. I think he owns about half of Piraeus.”

“I’m not seeing him, Karim. I’m visiting him.” That didn’t sound right. “Uh-huh. I thought you told me you didn’t know him.”

“It’s … it’s a long story. I knew him a long time ago but haven’t seen him for years—since you were a baby.” That didn’t sound right, either. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I … I just didn’t think it was important at the time.” “So what’s he like?”

“Karim, listen. Don’t believe what you read in the papers. Things … aren’t what they seem.”

“Uh-huh.” He sounded vaguely disappointed. “Well, he sounds like a pretty impressive guy. I’d like to meet him. Look, Mom, I gotta go. There are a bunch of people waiting for the phone.”

“Karim! You’re well? Everything’s all right?”

“Sure. Why should anything be wrong?” The infinite optimism of the very young man. “Gotta bounce, Mom. Love you.”

How ironic. Her son finally approved of a man in her life—and the man was her brother. It was like a French farce. She had to tell Malik.