“Was this item valuable?” Detective Simmons stood across the desk from me. “Maybe valuable enough to kill someone over?”

“It’s valuable in the sense that it has historical value; it is an antebellum music box that actually works, which makes it rare. But as far as killing someone for it… I don’t see that happening. I mean, look around. If you were here to rob the place, wouldn’t you take a computer or some of the other equipment? You know, equipment that you could pawn or sell to someone? What are they going to do with a music box?”

The detective gave me a crooked smile. “That’s the question, isn’t it? Listen, do you have a picture of this box you could send me?”

“No, I hadn’t photographed it yet. It wasn’t really a part of any of the exhibits. I guess I could find a photo of something similar to show you. Might take a while, though.”

“That’s fine. We’ve got plenty to work on here. I guess that’s it for now, then. You plan on staying in Mobile, or are you going back to Charleston?”

“I don’t have any plans to leave, Detective.”

She flipped her notebook closed. “Good. That makes my job so much easier. Mr. Stuart, I will be in touch.” With a curt nod, she left Ashland and me alone.

Except for a few spots of blood on the carpet, there was no sign of a struggle or even a crime. Ashland sat in Mia’s old chair, leaning his elbows on his knees and holding his head. “I can’t believe this. Who would want to kill him? And why would they do it here?”

I pulled up a chair close to him and put my hand on his arm. “Does he have any family? Someone we should call?”

“I’ve got my office taking care of that. He had a sister, I think, but he never talked about her. I don’t even know her name. He said she was sick, and that was it. I guess I’m the only family he had besides her. I know he was distant, but he believed in this restoration as much as I do. As a matter of fact, it was Matthews that pushed me toward completing my family’s legacy. If it weren’t for him, I don’t think I would have even started this. But now that it has begun, I have to see it through. I couldn’t help my mother, but I can restore this place for her, and for my family, for the people who lived here—and died here.” He added the last with raw sadness.

“Listen, do you want to take some time off the project, at least until after the funeral?” I wanted to help him, but I wasn’t sure how yet. This was a way to start.

He gave me a weak smile. “No. We’re going to stay on schedule. That’s what he would have wanted.” He put his arm around me and hugged me. I hugged him back. He stood up, and we began walking to the door. “Going forward, I’m going to need more of your help with things around here. I am counting on you to bring Seven Sisters back to life.”