Page 23 of Elemental Love
“There was so much I never got to know about her.” Dominic sounded wistful. “I miss her. She was a great friend to me. She didn’t deserve to die the way she did.” His voice became fierce.
“No, she didn’t.” Evrain stood and paced. “And the more time that passes since her death, the less likely it is that the killer will be caught. The murderer could have been a ghost for all the trace he left.”
“I’m sure the police are doing everything they can,” Dominic said.
Evrain shrugged. “I suppose so. I just hate that her violent passing means she carries on being a victim. The autopsy, the delays before we could give her the funeral she wanted, and now this, finally settling her estate. It’s dragged on, causing pain for everyone involved.”
“You were close.” It was a statement, not a question, and Evrain didn’t feel obliged to answer. Dominic didn’t know of the special bond between Evrain and his grandmother but he’d seen enough of them together to know they had a solid relationship.
“I always had more in common with her than I did with my parents. I was a bit rebellious as a teenager. My dad decided I’d be better off at boarding school where I couldn’t be so much of a disruptive influence on my younger sisters. I spent most of my longer school holidays with Grandma or my godfather Gregory and his partner in Florida.”
“I met Gregory once, briefly, when he was visiting Aggie,” Dominic said. “She spoke about you all the time. I know she loved that you came to live over here.” Dominic leaned forward, scrubbing a hand through his hair.
“Much good it did her.” Evrain couldn’t help the hint of bitterness that crept into his voice.
“What happened was not your fault,” Dominic said with quiet certainty.
Evrain wished that he could be equally sure. He was saved from his doubts when the office door creaked open. Angus Pitt, the skeletal family solicitor, strolled into the room. He looked suitably somber, his entire demeanor cast in gray. Evrain shook hands with him, holding back a shiver at Pitt’s cool, papery skin. Dominic stood and murmured a greeting, then they all sat down.
“Well, gentlemen, I would say it was nice to meet you, but the circumstances somewhat preclude that sentiment.”
Evrain met the lawyer’s shrewd gaze directly. “Indeed. My preference would be to get through matters as quickly as possible.” He was craving fresh air.
Pitt blinked. “Just so.” He produced a manila folder from his desk drawer, opened it then withdrew a slim sheaf of papers. “Very well, let us begin.”
At least he didn’t open with “Are we all sitting comfortably?”Evrain fought to keep still. Sarcasm hovered on the tip of his tongue.
“We are here to listen to the last will and testament of Agatha Millicent Hornbeam,” Pitt continued, seemingly oblivious to Evrain’s utter lack of respect.
“Um, excuse me, sir.” Dominic held up his hand as if he were in a schoolroom.
Evrain growled. Dominic shouldn’t be addressing anyone as ‘sir’ except him. He shook his head.Where did that thought come from?
“Yes, Mr. Castine?” Pitt peered over his glasses, apparently enjoying the deference.
“Should I leave?” Dominic asked. “This is family business, surely.”
“Your presence is required. Please remain where you are.”
“Oh. Okay.” Dominic glanced across at Evrain, his expression anxious.
Evrain attempted a reassuring smile. It came as no surprise to him that Agatha had left something to Dominic in her will, though it was clear that Dominic had no idea.
Pitt mumbled through a quantity of legal jargon that Evrain paid little attention to. Dominic shuffled his feet, making a brave effort not to appear bored out of his mind. Evrain avoided fidgeting through strength of will alone. He tuned back into the man’s droning voice.
“Other than some small bequests to beneficiaries who have been informed in writing, the two of you share the majority of the estate.” Pitt then opened a small vellum packet that sat on the pile of papers on the desk in front of him. Two envelopes slid out. Pitt pushed them to the edge of the desk and gestured at them. “There is a letter here for each of you. Mrs. Hornbeam’s instructions are that they must be opened on the day that you receive them, before the sun sets, and that you must be in each other’s presence.” Hooded eyes blinked slowly. “Her words, not mine.”
Evrain stood. He picked up both envelopes and handed the one with Dominic’s name inscribed on it to him. He examined his own. His name was written out in full in Agatha’s spidery, copperplate hand. The paper was thick, creamy white. The ink blue-black. He turned the envelope over and found a blood-red wax seal, stamped with the shape of a flower.
As Evrain resumed his seat, Pitt picked up another document and began to read out the details of a series of small bequests, mainly to charities and old friends. Gregory and Coryn were both mentioned as were Evrain’s sisters and his mother, who all inherited pieces of jewelry. For Evrain’s father there was a particularly fine set of leather-bound encyclopedias that James had always admired.
Dominic fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable. Evrain assumed that he had no idea that Aggie had left him anything at all. It wasn’t the kind of thing she would have talked about. Evrain’s parents had told him that he, rather than they, would inherit Aggie’s estate when the time came. He caught Dominic staring at him and returned the glance. Dominic’s cheeks flushed deeply.
Caught you.Evrain hid his grin. A cough from in front of him brought his attention back to the proceedings.
“If I could have your attention, gentlemen?” Pitt scowled at them as if they were a couple of recalcitrant schoolboys. “Where was I…? Yes, to Dominic Castine I leave the land at Hornbeam Cottage, to include the gardens and surrounding acreage. In addition, a sum of one hundred thousand dollars to support the development of that land as part of his business.”
Dominic gasped. “But that can’t be right!”
