Max shook the proffered hand and nodded. "Good to see you again. Bernardo is grateful you're letting us fill in for him. He's very much invested in this, you know."
"I do know. He and I go back a long way. I was delighted when he agreed to come on board."
As if he just realized he'd cornered them in the doorway, Jed reached for one of the suitcases. "Here. Let me help you with these. Under normal circumstances, I'd have my caretaker haul them to your room. However, considering the nature of this meeting, I thought it best to give him a few days off."
"Good thought."