Grand Passion

Benjy probably felt we'd be so busy sympathizing with Trisha that we wouldn't understand what he was going through.”
    Sylvia's brows rose. “That's a possibility, I suppose.”
    “It's important to remember that Benjy does have a responsibility in this, whether he wants it now or not,” Daystar said. “A financial responsibility.”
    “I agree,” Sylvia said. “Benjy may not be able to handle his moral and emotional commitments yet, but he can and should be required to handle his financial responsibilities. At least Doug still sends some child support once in a while. Benjy should do the same.”
    Cleo held up her hand. “Before we start pressuring Benjy to honor his financial obligations, I think we should try another tactic. I think we should convince him to come home where he belongs.”
    Trisha gave her another desperate look. “But he's gone. I don't know where he is. How can we find him?”
    “Maybe Max can find him,” Cleo said slowly.
    “Max?” Trisha stared at her. “But how can Max find him?”
    “Max says he has a friend who runs an investigation firm,” Cleo said. “I don't have much faith in private investigators, but Max seems to think his friend is very good. Benjy hasn't been gone long, and he probably isn't trying to hide.”
    Trisha bit her lip. “Do you think Max's friend can find Benjy?”
    “I suggest we find out.” Cleo got to her feet with sudden resolve. As soon as the idea had occurred to her, she had sensed it was the right approach to the problem. “Stay here, I'll be right back.”
    She whirled around and headed for the door. She did not look back, although she was aware of the others staring after her in bemusement.
    Cleo went down the hall to the lobby. There was no sign of Max. She tried the parlor next. It was empty except for three guests who were reading quietly in front of the fire. In the hallway she encountered one of the maids who came in on busy days and was helping clean up after the seminar guests.
    “Darleen, have you seen Max?”
    “I think he's in the solarium with Sammy,” Darleen said.
    Cleo changed direction and went down another hall. A moment later she walked into the solarium. Rain was beating pleasantly on the glass roof. The steady patter and the gurgle of the fountain were the only sounds in the room.
    Max was seated in a fanback wicker chair, his left leg propped on a matching wicker footstool. His cane was leaning against the wide arm of the chair.
    It struck Cleo that Max looked oddly at home in the exotic surroundings. Something about the scene made her think of an elegant pirate who had retired to a South Pacific island. She winced when she saw that he was reading The Mirror .
    Sammy was seated beside Max in the miniature wicker chair that Cleo had bought him for Christmas. He had Lucky Ducky and a picture book in his lap. He had his thumb stuffed contentedly in his mouth and seemed as intent on his reading as Max was on his.
    “Hi,” Cleo said softly.
    Sammy took his thumb out of his mouth. “Hi, Cleo. Me and Max are reading.”
    “So I see.”
    “Max says books are special. He's got lots and lots of 'em. He keeps 'em in a secret room in his house where no one can see 'em except him.”
    “Is that right?” Cleo wondered what else he kept in that secret room. His heart, perhaps. She crossed the tiled floor. “Max, I wondered if you would mind joining me and the others in the kitchen.”
    Max looked up warily from The Mirror . “Why?”
    Cleo cleared her throat cautiously. “We, uh, wanted to ask you to help us.”
    He gazed at her with a brooding stare. “Help you do what?”
    “Find Benjy.”
    “Damn,” Max said very softly.
    Sammy yanked his thumb out of his mouth again. “You're not supposed to say words like that around me.”
    Max looked down at him. “I apologize. I don't know what came over me.”
    Sammy nodded. “It's okay. Just don't tell Mommy.”
    “I won't,” Max promised.
    Cleo waited hopefully. “Do you think you could find him, Max?”
    “Max can find anything,” Sammy announced. “He even found Lucky Ducky.”
    “O'Reilly might be able to locate him,” Max said carefully. “What do you intend to do with Benjy if you do find him?”
    “I'm not sure,” Cleo said. She gave him her most winning smile. “But I think I'd like you to talk to him.”
    Max looked completely taken aback. “You want me to talk to him? I don't even know the guy.”
    “I realize that,” Cleo said earnestly, “but