Anthony’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He fidgeted with the handle on his briefcase. “When you mentioned the journalist snooping around, I had to keep you focused and on track. I was away in Italy and under pressure. Essie wanted her death to be kept a secret for six months. She wanted you to finish her book. I had to make sure they both happened as per her last request.”

“I told you I was committed to the task.” Liv glared at him.

“I’m sorry.”

She folded her arms. “What else have you lied to me about?”

“Nothing.” His eyes sought out the door.

“If there’s anything you need to spill...”

Anthony’s breath grew coarser. He swallowed audibly. “You asked if I knew anything about the cuff links—”

“So, they are yours?” Liv said triumphantly.

He shook his head. “No,” he hesitated. “I told you Essie and I were together through university...”

“Go on,” she demanded.

“One day, I found some cuff links in Essie’s room. They were shaped like bees and looked expensive. I thought she’d bought them for my birthday.” He looked at his shirt cuffs. “Except she didn’t give them to me... They were for someone else.”

“Who?”

“I didn’t know at the time. I think I now know.”

Liv gave him an exaggerated shrug. All the pieces of Essie’s mystery looked to be in place. The cuff links must be superfluous.

“While I was writing her obituary, Essie’s death hit me hard. We had something between us, and could have had it again. If we’d got back together, I could have helped to save her. I wanted to remind myself of our time together, so I looked at old photos and letters. I watched videos of her, too...” He paused and gulped his water. “I found something and things suddenly made sense. I know why she chose you.”

“What things made sense?” Liv demanded. “What do you mean?”

Anthony smiled tightly. “You know, you have his eyes,” he said.

Liv was getting fed up with all this. She shook her head at him, not understanding.

“Grant Cooper,” he said. “Essie’s English professor.”

Liv scowled at Anthony. Anger ignited inside her. “My dad didn’t teach Essie,” she said. “I didn’t even know she went to university until her ex-agent told me.” However, as she said it, something flashed in her head like a warning beacon.