"I'm getting a little old to chase skirts these days."
Jackie set the package on the coffee table and went to the kitchen to get a knife. "I never thought I'd hear that."
Michael followed her first to the kitchen, moved out of the way, and then followed her into the living room. "My hair is turning gray, my knees pop when I least expect it, and you might be my last hope." He put his fingers together imitating a camera shot. "Picture this - the two of us holding hands as the moon rises over Japan."
"Japan? I thought we were going to Paris."
"Paris? Do they have a moon in Paris?" He took over opening the box by simply pulling it apart. He folded the flaps outward, reached inside, and handed her a cellophane wrapped, pink velvet, floor-length gown. "My favorite."
She laughed. "I know."
Michael wrinkled his brow. "Are you trying to please me suddenly?"
"I need to try this on," she said as she headed for the bedroom. "I think I've gained a few pounds."
"I like you a little plump," he whispered as she closed the bedroom door.
*
After days of watching movies, swimming, and talking with Laura, Teresa had become more of a babysitter than a maid. The work was falling way behind, but what did she care? She wasn't going to be there much longer anyway. If the cook and her husband thought her attention to Laura was odd, they didn't say anything.
Mathew still hadn't come home. Nor had he called or sent any sort of message to his wife. Laura was used to it, but Teresa found it unsettling. It was important to know if he was coming home or not, so she wouldn't be interrupted the next time she opened the safe. She checked and his swimsuit wasn't wet, so when Laura settled down to watch an afternoon show on television, Teresa decided to take a chance.
She pushed the vacuum down the hall, knocked on Mathew's bedroom door, and waited for an answer. There was none. She cautiously opened the door. "Mr. Connelly? I've come to clean, Mr. Connelly."
He didn't answer.
Everything in his room was exactly the same as it had been the day before, and as near as she could tell, the bed had not been slept in. Teresa looked for a place to plug in the vacuum, turned it on, wheeled it to the wall safe and left it running. She quickly moved the picture out of the way, turned the combination lock to her birthday, and was relieved when it again opened.
Next, she found several statements from a foreign bank, pulled a small notepad out of her pocket, and jotted down the account number. It was then she spotted a checkbook for the same account. Teresa smiled, put her notepad away and made sure there were several blank checks left. She counted the cash, put it back, and then opened the last document. It was a French birth certificate that listed the baby's name as Georgia Marie James. The mother's name was Laura Connelly, but the certificate said the father was unknown.