“Who executed Ray’s will?” Sabin asked. “Do you know?”

Lauren glanced over and called her assistant to her side. “Claire, do you remember the inheritance check I received from Raymond Caldwell?”

“Yes, Ms. Caldwell.”

“Was there a letter attached to it from the executor of the estate?”

“Yes. The letter was from Bryson Nichols.”

Abby felt the tension creep up her neck. None of this made any sense. She couldn’t understand why the family wasn’t involved with Ray’s affairs, or why Nichols was. And why was Lauren so unfazed by it all?

Lauren looked at Sabin. “There you go. I don’t know why he didn’t use a family member. But he and Nichols were close. Ray always seemed rather standoffish to the family, anyway.”

“I think it was the other way around,” Sabin replied.

Abby felt relieved when Lauren was cornered for another interview. She didn’t know how long she could maintain a cordial demeanor to her cousin. They all stepped aside as the cemetery workers started to take down the tent that had sheltered the service. Abby turned to Sabin. “Since Lauren is close to Bryson Nichols, do you think it would be possible to contact him about the inheritance—and to see if he has a recording of the funeral?”

Sabin shook his head. “Abby, the man is almost inaccessible. And since this brain transplant thing, the demands on his time are probably unbelievable.”

“But you’re Lauren’s partner. If they are close…”

He sighed. “Okay, I’ll give it a try. But don’t get your hopes up.”

“The granddaughter of my close friend Raymond Caldwell. Plus a woman of many adventures. It’s not every day I have such a privilege.”

In person—on the visiscreen, at least—Bryson Nichols exuded a personal warmth and charm that disarmed Abby.

“You know about me?”

“I saw your interview on the Global Sunrise show. May I say, you have an indomitable spirit.”

She looked over at Sabin, who was sitting across his living room, and blushed. “Well, I don’t know about that,” she answered. “But thank you. And it’s a great honor to have a minute of your time.”

“It’s my pleasure. Tell me what I can do for you.”

“I’m told you were the executor of my grandfather’s will.”

“Yes, he and I were quite close. My condolences to you. I’m sure you loved him very much.”

“I’m sure I would have if I had gotten to know him. I’m told he was a delightful man.”

Nichols nodded. “He was that. So you have a question about the will?”

“My first question actually is, do you have a visual of my grandfather’s funeral? I’d love to see it and get a sense of how he was remembered by those who knew him.”