palms next to the beach. “What a magnificent shoreline, Andreas. I can see why this part of the French Riviera attracts people in droves.”
“It has a unique ambience all its own. If Norville wants to know Ari and have a relationship with him, then this city will play an important part in his life.”
Andreas had told himself over and over again that he would be able to handle it. But as he took in the famous Mediterranean scenery with its mixture of French and Italian architecture, he experienced pain that one day Ari would learn to love this city through Guion’s eyes. The two of them would have experiences no one else would share. Andreas wouldn’t be a part of it.
The hand he’d been holding pressed his hard. He could swear Zoe knew what was going through his mind. It was as if she’d just said, This isn’t about you. It’s about your son, who will thank you for this one day.
“Where are we going first, Andreas?”
“To his realty office. It’s coming up here on Boulevard Napoleon III.”
“When we get there, I plan to stay in the limo and wait for you.”
He knew she would say that. The fact that she’d come with him at all was more than he could have wished for.
“The crowds are big everywhere. Earlier I told the driver to find a parking space and wait for my phone call.” In another minute they pulled up in front of the address Gus had given him and came to a stop.
Zoe drew in a breath before giving him a kiss on the jaw. “All my hopes go with you.”
“That’s what is helping me.” He brushed her lips with his own before getting out of the limo.
Walking between two parked cars, he approached the entrance to Norville Riviera Realty on the corner. But before he even tried to open the door, he saw the sign reading Closed Permanently set in the glass. Andreas peered inside. All he saw was a folding chair and an empty desk.
He walked next door to the travel agency on the east. Several tourists were inside looking at brochures. A woman at the counter smiled at him. “Can I help you?”
“Could you tell me how long the Norville Realty company has been vacated?” he asked in French.
She acted surprised. “It has? I had no idea.”
Was she telling the truth? “Did you know the owner?”
“No. I met the manager once maybe two months ago.”
“Do you remember his name?”
“I’m sorry.”
So was Andreas. He’d come to a dead end. “Thank you.”
He left the agency and walked out to the street. To his surprise the limo driver came along in another minute. He walked around to tell him to go to the next address on the Rue Lamartine.
Zoe sat forward when he climbed in the back. Her face mirrored her anxiety. “That didn’t take long.”
Andreas caressed the side of her cheek as the limo merged with the traffic. “There was a sign in the window that said Closed. The travel agent next door didn’t know it had been vacated.”
“I can’t believe it. After all this, I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not foiled yet. Gus gave me the address of his cousin Philippe Norville. He runs a car dealership here in Nice. I told the driver to take us there now.”
She moistened her lips nervously. “If he’s at his office, what will you say to him?”
“That I’m trying to find Guion.”
“This Philippe might associate you with your sea salt company.”
“I’ll use my mother’s middle name.”
She blinked. “What was her last name?”