“I think we should try to pay Benji a visit today,” said Saga.
“Agreed.” Avery folded her arms in thought. “So, how does he fit into what we know so far?” It didn’t feel like a question Avery needed to be answered for her own benefit so much as one that made sure they were both on the same page.
“We are still operating under the assumption that the original plan wasto bring Eira back, correct?” Saga asked.
“That’s no longer an assumption, Alistair’s notes and journal were rather explicitly about accomplishing genuine resurrection.”
“And we’re absolutely certain it is Eira that he wanted to bring back?”
“Based on the evidence available, that is the only logical conclusion.”
“Okay.” Saga mulled this over. “Let’s suppose for just one second that Carys is correct about her theory.”
“As you wish.”
“Meaning Benjamin would be some sort of secret love child between Eira and…someone we don’t know.”
“Mmhmm.”
“That she not only managed to keep out of the newspapers but also from her son, possibly her best friend, and her attorney…” Saga frowned. “That’s a lot of people to somehow keep this a secret from.”
“It is,” Avery agreed. “But if we allow all of that… What would Benjamin the secret love child’s motive be for bringing her back?”
“Well, if we aren’t ready to throw out our earlier theory, I suppose a son would have far more reason to fulfill a mother’s wishes than a bitter cousin.”
“Mm, so the illegitimate child playing the dutiful son. Then the motive isn’t just to bring her back for the promise of money, it’s about beingseen. It’s about no longer wanting to be a secret—proving he loves her more than her legitimate child,” concluded Avery. “How…”
“Relatable.”
“Shakespearean.”
Saga laughed and continued with her theory. “Then when the will comes out, he sees Eira has yet again snubbed him—he’s not even left a fraction of the estate he would be if she’d recognized him as an heir. Even Doctor Campbell was far more acknowledged. So…tension between the partners, they argue, he gets angry…?”
“It’s a theory, at least,” said Avery. “But we’ve had our fill of theories already—we need more evidence, so we can start proving one.”
Saga sighed deeply. “Yeah…”
“Buttheories are how we know what we might need to look for, so this is good. And, thankfully, even if she’s wrong about the love child angle,which I suspect she is… Those motives aren’t exactly unique to a family member.”
“Right,” said Saga. “Wouldn’t be the first time that someone killed for a lover or that a gold digger was hoping their much-older partner would leave them loads of cash and assets.”
“What did Carys mean that Benjamin wouldn’t be able to sell the property Eira left him?”
“It’s probably in a trust through the company,” Saga explained. “So while he’s allowed to live there, he can’t liquidate it for cash, because it’s notreallyhis? I don’t fully understand the laws around it, to be honest.” Her phone rang.
Maybe: Bowen LLP
“Sorry, I have to take this,” Saga excused, stepping off to the side. “Hello, this is Saga.”
“Saga, Reese Bowen, I’m sorry I’m getting back to you so much later. I only just had a chance to return your call.”
“Perfectly all right, I know you’re busy.” She honestly hadn’t expected him to call her back so soon. Her mother would still find something to complain about, but at least it wouldn’t be about the missing photo.
“Yes, about that… Look, I’m kind of buried in paperwork today, but if you’re able to swing by the office, I have your grandmother’s photographs.”
Saga checked her watch. It was 2:14 p.m. “That would be great, actually. Where is your office?”
“We’re located in Holborn.”
