“Sure it’s hit hard. How long were you guys together? You don’t lose someone you were involved with so closely for years and just shrug it off, you know.” He passed her the coffee, then grabbed his coat and keys. “Look, I’m going to the store to get you something for lunch. A little hot grilled chicken, some salad?” He looked for a reaction, but she hardly heard. He picked up the card that had come with the peonies and placed it in her hands to remind her: “Don’t forget Will’s brother wants you to call him.”

He was nearly through the door when his cell phone rang.

“God, can’t they leave us alone for a day or two?” Siân’s patience snapped. She wanted to concentrate on her own emotions, not be burdened by the exhausting sympathies of her friends. That was too much. You cancel one day’s work, and suddenly the world knows your business. She’d shut off her own cell phone; but all sorts of well-meaning colleagues had tracked down Calvin to ask after her. But as he answered he shook his head at her, indicating it was for him, and waved goodbye, closing the heavy door behind him.

“THIS IS A STRANGE BUSINESS.” HIS VOICE WAS LOWERED, AND HE INCREASED his pace to clear the front of the sprawling Victorian building without being heard. These residential streets off the square were too quiet. “First my cousin dies. Then his father’s house is broken into. Did you have anything to do with that at all? The break-in? I understand we all want information, but it’s God-awful timing.”

“I know, Calvin.” The person at the other end refused to let his emotions rise. “I have no idea about it. I’m putting all my faith in your success, and so is Professor Walters.”

“Don’t worry, Guy. I’ll get control of the key. It’ll be back with his father now. I’ll hang in close here, and see what I can learn. But let’s at least be respectful.”

“Don’t let us down, Calvin. The papers we believe the key will take us to are going to be highly sensitive. This is our chance to know the whole picture. And I’m getting pressured from above. You know FW isn’t always a patient man, however much he protests otherwise.”

Calvin thought he sounded unusually nervous. “Believe me, Guy, I haven’t invested this much time myself to…”—he paused to find the right words—“…come up empty-handed. As one of the family I’ll be at the funeral Friday, and I’ll call you after the weekend, but don’t cramp me. This is a delicate process, and I need their trust if I’m to help you.”

“Help us, Calvin. Don’t forget what’s at stake for you.” The phone line clicked off.