“That’s a worthy consideration, except I doubt the culprit behind James’s murder was able to track Eugenia down. She has access to a large trust fund that can see her well hidden.”
“How do you know she had access to a trust fund?”
Arthur shrugged. “The Pinkertons learned of it from her grandfather’s banker. They then learned she’d accessed the money in her account after she landed in New York City, withdrawing all her money from that bank. She probably opened a new account at another bank under an assumed name, but the Pinkertons never discovered what that name was or what bank she may have used. The trail of Eugenia Howland went cold from there.”
Daphne ruffled through her notepad, skimmed down a page, and lifted her head. “But why try to find Eugenia now? Or better yet, why do I get the impression there’s a sense of urgency to your search, even though she’s been missing for years?”
“Her relatives have decided to have her declared dead and are pursuing a presumption of death case. They intend to do that on Eugenia’s birthday, which is only a few weeks away. That’s why I need to find her within the week so that I have enough time to get her back to Montana before she’s declared dead.”
“Couldn’t you simply advise the proper authorities that you have reason to believe she’s alive?” Daphne asked.
Arthur shook his head. “It’s not New York City, Daphne, it’s the Wild West. It won’t be difficult for the Mason family to promise future windfalls to the officials who can make death certificatesappear at will as well as look the other way if a shred of evidence other than Eugenia in the flesh is produced.”
“An unusual twist to Eugenia’s story to be sure,” Daphne said. “But tell me this—has the Mason family received information that suggests Eugenia is dead? Better yet, where do they think she’s been all these years?”
“The last word they received years ago about Eugenia was that she was in Europe,” Arthur said. “And before you ask, I was the one who told them about her European tour as well as made up a somewhat plausible excuse as to why that tour had been kept hush-hush. I believe I told them James planned the trip as a surprise birthday present and didn’t want anyone in the family to ruin the surprise.”
Eunice muttered something about it being a surprise the Mason family would have bought that, but before he could ask her what she meant, Daphne sat forward.
“Didn’t they question why Eugenia hadn’t returned home from her tour? Grand tours don’t often span years.”
“They didn’t question her absence because I told the family that she never received the telegram I sent to intercept her in New York before she boarded the ship bound for England, one telling her James had died. About a month after his funeral, I was asked by James’s brother to stay in Montana to help manage the mines until James’s estate could be organized. I then arranged to have a telegram supposedly sent from Eugenia to Mason Manor, stating that she learned of her grandfather’s death in a newspaper article.”
“How were you able to do that?” Daphne asked.
“I told you, it’s the Wild West. You can arrange a lot of questionable things if you have money to do so.”
“Did this telegram say anything else?”
“I don’t remember the exact wording I used, but it lent the impression Eugenia was so distraught about James’s death that she wasn’t sure when, or if, she’d be returning to Montana.”
“And Eugenia’s relatives never questioned her decision to stay in Europe?”
“Not at all. In fact, after they received that telegram, a few of them moved out of their respective homes and into Mason Manor, which is one of the largest and most impressive houses in Montana.”
Eunice crossed her arms over her chest. “No wonder they readily accepted that telegram. But if they’ve already been enjoying some of Eugenia’s inheritance, why have her declared dead now?”
“I believe that decision is a direct result of what geologists uncovered on the old Green farm James acquired not long before he died. Turns out that farm is a hotbed for copper—and not just any copper, but copper that’s thirty percent purer than most of the copper mined in this country. There’s a general belief that the land will yield the biggest copper strike this country has ever seen, which is why Eugenia’s great-uncle, Raymond Mason, put the word out that the family is interested in selling Mason Mines. There’s a lot of interest from investors, and from one gentleman in particular—a D. H. Loring, who is pushing the family to sell Mason Mines to him. He’s offered a price they’re hesitant to refuse, which is why they’re determined to have Eugenia declared dead as soon as possible.”
Daphne lifted her head. “Should I assume Eugenia is the sole heir to her grandfather’s estate?”
“She’s not the sole heir. James left a percentage of his assets to his daughter, Georgette, although she hasn’t been heard from in years either. He also left monetary bequests to his other relatives, which were substantial, although nothing in comparison to Eugenia’s fortune. I believe the Mason family has held that against Eugenia and are now determined to get what they think is their fair share of the family fortune by having her declared dead.”
“May I assume they’re going to have Eugenia’s mother declared dead as well so they’re the only remaining living relatives?” Eugenia asked.
“Of course. They’re resolved to not leave a chance that their claim on the estate could be challenged.”
“Savvy of them,” Eunice muttered. “But tell me this, Mr. Livingston, why are you involving yourself once again in Masonaffairs? Yes, you apparently gave your word to James Mason that you’d look after his granddaughter, but it’s been seven years. Surely you can’t believe he’d have expected you to honor your word after she disappeared on you.”
“I don’t believe there’s a statute of limitation on a man’s word. And because I became aware of the plan to rid Eugenia of her inheritance, I have no choice but to find her and see after her best interests. I certainly can’t stand by and allow her inheritance to be stolen from her.”
“And while I have to admit that speaks well of your character,” Eunice began, “tell me this. Was there anything else you gave your word to James about before he died?”
“In the spirit of full disclosure, yes. As I mentioned, he seemed desperate to me that last time we spoke. To ease some of his desperation, I finally promised him, and rather reluctantly, that if circumstances demanded it, I would marry Eugenia to keep her safe.”
Silence descended over the office for a long moment until Eunice sat forward. “Should I assume that means if you locate Eugenia you’re no longer reluctant to marry her?”
“Oh, I’m still reluctant considering the contentious relationship Eugenia and I shared, but I don’t see how I can look after her best interestswithoutmarrying her.”
