“Did you check for fingerprints?”
Audrey blinked in a manner that rivaled Riddle. “Is that supposed to be funny?”
Saga sighed and answered more seriously. “If the photo was of her and the Goffs, Mamó might have loaned it to the family to use at Eira’s funeral.”
Audrey’s jaw tightened. “Loaned implies it will be returned.”
Saga thought about mentioning that her grandmother was not in the position to retrieve her property but suspected this would result in even more uncomfortable exchanges. “I have a number to arrange to pick up the photos, I just haven’t had time.”
A dismissive tsk passed through Audrey’s teeth. “Between abandoning your future and neglecting the hobby you are pretending is a job, what could possibly be leaving you so bereft of hours?”
It was too damn early for this. “Can I get you tea?”
“You can get me that photograph.”
Saga took a deep breath, measured and slow. “The photographs are with Eira’s estate attorney. Do you want me to call himnow? It’s not even eight a.m. He won’t be in the office.”
“Why is it even the simplest of tasks are inhibited by excuses with you?”
Saga’s lips pursed and she forced a fake smile, her teeth grinding together and tightening her jaw. She could not get angry. Any hint in her expression that she was upset and Audrey would catch it. Glossy eyes, raising her voice even slightly in volume, and even blinking too much had all been signs to her mother that she was being emotional and could be dismissed. “Fine.” She left the doorway to retrieve her purse and her cell phone on the nightstand in the bedroom. She knew Mr. Bowen would not be in his office, she knew he would not answer, but she also knew that calling him in front of her mother was easier than continuing this argument.
The threshold no longer guarded, Audrey stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Her eyes scanned the room, caught sight of Riddle, and narrowed.
Saga returned, narrowly dodging Riddle as he retreated from Audrey’sgaze. She glanced after him and sighed. Coward. Though she couldn’t say she blamed him. She set her purse on the table and retrieved the business card, flashing it at her mother as she did. She dialed the number, and placed the call on speaker.
It barely rang once before the automated voicemail picked up. “You’ve reached the personal office of Reese Bowen. We are not accepting calls at this time, but leave word and someone will reach out between the hours of nine a.m. and five p.m., Monday through Friday. Thank you.” It chirped an abrupt beep through the phone.
Maintaining eye contact with Audrey, Saga forced another smile. “Hi Mr. Bowen, this is Saga Trygg. I’m calling to set up a time to retrieve my grandmother’s photographs at your earliest convenience. You may reach me at this number. Thank you.” She hung up and it took all of her willpower to not make a snarky comment.
“There is never a convenient time for a lawyer, you should have said as soon as possible, given that we are planning a funeral of our own.”
Breathe.“Bearing that in mind, I won’t keep you any longer.”
Audrey saw right through the attempt to shove her out the door and pointedly ignored it. She gestured around the room with a dismissive hand. “You’ve made holes in the walls and painted. You have a cat.”
“That’s Grandma’s cat. Are you worried I’m going to drive down the property value?”
“I’m worried you’re driving downyourvalue.” Audrey’s nose scrunched in displeasure at the cozy surroundings. “Such as it is, you have made a home here. You’re planning on staying for some time?”
Saga adopted Riddle’s deadpan blink. “That was the general plan, yes.”
“The general plan to systematically self-destruct your life?” Her face twisted into a scowl. “Is this still about that man?”
That man. Not Hugh. Not herfiancé, but “that man.” If her mother ever took the time to learn one specific detail about her life, Saga might die from shock. “No, Mom, it’s about me.”
Audrey either didn’t listen, or she didn’t believe her, and carried on. “Hedid you a favor. You’re lucky he left before you got into any legal entanglements. Orchildren. A child can ruin a promising life.”
“She said to her only daughter,” Saga narrated wryly.
“Don’t get emotional,” Audrey dismissed.
A spark of anger flared in Saga’s eyes, but she otherwise remained expressionless. “Humor is actually a deflection when I’mavoidingemotion.”
Audrey harrumphed and began stalking slowly around the main room, scrutinizing every detail. “That would explain this ridiculous lifestyle choice, as it could be nothing short of a joke. Forgive me that I don’t find it particularly funny.”
“I’m trying to figure things out.”
“You can figure things out while you finish your medical training.”
