“And this book was found in the basement, during a renovation project? Is that right?”
Taylor slowly nods; it’s not like she was the one who divulged this information—Jerry did—so she figures there’s no harm in confirming it.
“And what do you do there?”
It’s a simple question, but Taylor suddenly feels overwhelmed, Aunt Gigi’s revelation about her mom resurfacing.
As she hesitates, Rachel says, “Relax. This conversation stays here.”
But Taylor just shakes her head, trying to push down the emotions now rising in her. She can’t trust herself to speak.
Rachel and Nicholas exchange a glance.
“I’ll go put the teakettle on,” Nicholas says. He retreats to the back of the store.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so abrupt. You’ll have to forgive me; it’s been a long few months,” Rachel says. She’s clearly attributing Taylor’s reticence as a reaction to her demeanor. “My friend got involved at the Knox, and now she’s missing.”
Taylor clears her throat. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she manages to respond. But she’s still in her own head.
“I was hoping you could help,” Rachel tries again, wringing her hands.
“I’ve only just started working there—last week was my first week—so I’m not sure how much help I can be to you.”
Rachel’s shoulders collapse. “That’s a shame. I was hoping you might have known her. But maybe you know people who do?”
“I don’t know. People aren’t that talkative. I’m also just a waitress, so…”
“I see.”
Taylor’s eyes flicker to the book. She’s curious—and wants to distract herself. “I’m not trying to be rude, but what does this have to do with that book?”
“My friend was searching for proof that she was related to the Knox. Well, to be precise, she was searching for a ‘schedule of beneficiaries’ naming her ancestor as heir to the Knox realty trust. She never found it. But this book here may be able to prove Vivian’s lineage, after all.”
Taylor feels like a ton of bricks has just dropped out of the sky and fallen on her. “I’m sorry…. You said her name is Vivian?”
“Yes. Vivian Lawrence.”
Taylor swallows. There’s a pounding in her head. She presses against the desk. “I…I see.”
Rachel’s eyes narrow. “Do you know her? Did you hear something?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t kn— I haven’t heard anything about a Vivian Lawrence at the Knox.” This, at least, is true. Meanwhile, she feels like she’s clawing out from beneath the bricks.
Vivian is somehow related to the Knox?
“So, what happened to her?” she manages to ask.
“She was dating someone at the Knox, a man named Peter.”
It takes all her resolve for Taylor to stay still, expressionless.
Peter? Peter was Vivian’s boyfriend?
“And like I said, Vivian was looking for confirmation that she was a descendant of the Knox, and one night when she was there,she was acting strange, texting to ask me questions about a mutual friend of ours, Xavier. Do you know a Xavier?”
