Murmurs immediately struck up around the room again, murmurs that held a distinctly hostile tone. Not wanting the room to erupt into chaos, something that could very well happen at any moment, Eunice released a sharp whistle, drawing everyone’s attention.
“I’m sure we’ll revisit the issue of the telegrams later, but for now, I’d like to return to that investigator who supposedly uncovered proof of our deaths.” She turned to Aunt Hazel. “Do you know how this investigator learned I’d met a grisly end in India? Did he travel there?”
“I believe there was mention about a government contact he used.”
“Of course there would be a convenient government contact.” Eunice strode across the room, stopping in front of Uncle Raymond. “I’m going to assume you’re the one who hired this investigator. And since you’re certain to soon claim this has simply been a misunderstanding, albeit one that would have yielded you a vast fortune if you’d been successful, I’m going to have to insist you provide me with the name of this investigator, along with his direction. I also need to see his investigation report and the death certificates.”
Instead of responding, Uncle Raymond darted a glance to Mrs. Wagner, who sat forward and settled a warm smile on Eunice.“First, allow me to say that it’s lovely to see you alive and well. And as your great-uncle’s secretary, I was privy to the investigator’s report. It seemed completely legitimate, which was why I felt comfortable going to the courthouse and obtaining death certificates. There’s been a small delay with getting those filed, which is actually a blessing in disguise now, what with how you’re not actually dead.”
“But obviously, the investigator did not present you with a legitimate report, which means I’m going to need this man’s name and address,” Eunice countered.
“And I’ll be happy to provide you with that information,” Mrs. Wagner returned. “It may take me a few days because I’ve gotten behind on my filing, but that information won’t do you much good now. The investigator is no longer in Butte, or Montana, for that matter.” She cocked a brow Uncle Raymond’s way. “Didn’t he say he was going off on a new case in ... was it Canada?”
Uncle Raymond scratched his chin. “I don’t recall, but he was going to be out of the country.”
“Hmm” was all Eunice could think to say to that before she nodded. “And am I right to conclude those death certificates were filled out by a local Butte official?”
“Indeed,” Mrs. Wagner said. “Mr. Jonathon Matthews was the official who had the certificates drawn up.”
“I’ll be speaking to him tomorrow.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible either because Mr. Matthews is not in town. We were disappointed to learn he’d left because he’s also the one who files death certificates at the courthouse. I was to meet him at the courthouse to officially file the certificates on the very day he was called out of town due to a family emergency.” Mrs. Wagner settled a sweet smile on Eunice. “As I’ve already said, though, it’s a blessing we weren’t able to file those certificates since you’re not, well, dead.”
Given the looks of annoyance on everyone’s faces, Eunice was certain they weren’t finding the fact that the death certificates were never officially filed to be much of a blessing. She took astep closer to Mrs. Wagner. “Blessings aside, Mrs. Wagner, I find myself curious as to what you’re doing here. I would have thought the memorial service would have been for family members only.”
“Your grandfather always considered me a part of the family, dear, and I’m pleased to say that status has remained even after his death.”
“AndIattended your memorial service with Mother,” Vincent Wagner spoke up, “not simply because I’m a doting son but also because I was your tutor for years and spent an immeasurable amount of time with you.”
“You never seemed to like me.”
Vincent smiled. “That’s simply because I was your tutor. Tutors cannot allow their true feelings to show toward any of their students, especially a student as charming as you were. Why, if I’d not presented myself as a hard taskmaster, you would have had me wrapped around your little finger in no time. Your grandfather wouldn’t have approved of that, and I’m sure he would have sent me packing. I would have hated for that to happen because I relished teaching such a brilliant mind and looked forward each day to the lessons I methodically planned out for you.”
Before Eunice could respond to what was an unexpected and quite unbelievable statement, Aunt Hazel clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but the thought has just struck me that Eugenia and Georgette must not be thinking very kindly of us right now. Here they’ve just arrived home after a long absence and instead of greeting them properly, we’re letting ourselves become distracted with nonsensical matters.”
It came as no surprise when everyone began looking at Aunt Hazel as if she’d lost her mind, not that she noticed because she moved to take hold of Eunice’s hand. “To make amends for our serious lack of manners, I’d like to ring for some tea and then have a nice sit-down where you can explain to the family exactly what you’ve been doing all these years.”
Even though Aunt Hazel had always been a rather dotty womanwho was slightly caustic with her tongue at times, she was far more intelligent than anyone gave her credit for. That she was trying to redirect the conversation from what was clearly nefarious actions taken by the family left Eunice wondering if Hazel might actually belong at the top of their list of possible suspects after all.
She gave Aunt Hazel’s hand a pat. “And while recounting what I’ve been doing all these years would be a lovely way to spend the evening, I’m going to have pass on that. I have a lot of additional questions I need to ask surrounding the decision to have me declared dead.”
“But everyone is turning downright dour with all the questions being tossed at them, and this should be a joyous occasion.” Aunt Hazel gestured around the room. “We’ve only recently attended your memorial service, which was quite moving, although...” She stopped talking as her gaze sharpened on Eunice. “One of the first things you said when you entered the room was that you’d returned home to attend your memorial service. How did you know about the memorial service in the first place?”
“I think it’ll be best if I explain that,” Arthur said, striding across the room to join Eunice.
Aunt Hazel raised a hand to her throat. “Mr. Livingston. What are you doing here? I thought you were off on one of your mining investment trips and weren’t expected to return to Montana for weeks, although Wyatt will be glad you’ve returned early. He’s been pining for you, dear. I’ve had to take him extra apples to get him to leave his stall every day.”
“And while I’m sure Wyatt has been refusing to leave his stall because he knows you’ll bribe him with apples, I’m afraid I wasn’t upfront regarding where I was going. There was no mining business to attend to. It was more along the lines of personal business.”
Aunt Hazel frowned. “Did that personal business have something to do with Eugenia?”
“Indeed. I decided to make a last-ditch effort to find her, apprise her of the situation, and then convince her to return home to prove that neither she nor her mother were dead.” Arthur noddedto Uncle Raymond, who was red in the face and looking furious. “I overheard you speaking with someone in your office a few weeks ago about planning a memorial service for Eugenia and her mother. From what I overheard, you’d decided they’d been gone long enough to where questions wouldn’t be asked if you had them declared dead. Since I was relatively certain Eugenia was still alive, as the Pinkertons I hired years ago concluded she’d never left New York City, I thought it was only fair to her if I tried to track her down one last time and tell her about her impending memorial service.”
“You never once told me about any Pinkertons you hired to search for my great-niece,” Uncle Raymond snapped. “And far be it from me to point out the obvious, but the family received a telegram from Eugenia stating she was going to stay in Europe for the foreseeable future, which means whatever information those Pinkertons gave you had to have been false.”
“Eunice didn’t send that telegram. I did,” Arthur said.
