Blood Ties by Oliver Davies

Author:Oliver Davies [Davies, Oliver]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-01T22:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

Thatcher

Things weren’t adding up. From what I had understood from Richard Sandow, he had tried for some time to find Sebastian after Selene had died and only then had he moved on to find himself a new family. But according to Sebastian, Selene didn’t die until after both brothers were already married. Timeline aside, other things eluded me. I drove back to the station, with plans forming in my mind to have another chat with Mr Sandow, and also with Maud.

She had been there, when all of this happened, she had known Selene and the brothers, might have even been the one to tell them about Selene’s pregnancy. And her perspective would offer something new. No loved scorned brothers in a rivalry or, rightfully, bitter Sebastian who probably didn’t pay all that much attention to the details in his mother’s life before he came along. But Maud, Maud would have seen both romances, if that is indeed what they were, and she’d have seen the aftermath. She had probably even been there when that painting was hung up in the bloody study. And not just any painting, Selene’s painting.

Maybe Sebastian was bitter, maybe he wanted to take something from the man he blamed for her difficulties in life, wanted to take the only thing they had left of her, the only thing he should be the one to own.

Maybe Richard Sandow had never gotten over the loss, had never forgiven his brother for what happened those years ago.

Maybe the butler knew all of it and was using it as leverage, a weakness that he could twist like a knife to ensure his family keeps their position at the house.

Or maybe I’d been following the wrong trail altogether. Maybe a drunken party guest had got lucky with opening the door and had simply liked the painting. Or perhaps the drunken guests were all correct, and a waiting staff looking for extra money took a chance. It was a small painting, maybe they didn’t think that it would be missed.

The questions, the doubts, the maybes went round and round in my head, fogging and distracting. I made it back to the station though, feeling detached and tired as I made my way back upstairs. Luckily, I managed to get to our office without anyone stopping me, collapsing at my desk and burying my head in my arms. I craned my face to the side, peering at the photograph of my mother between the gap in my arms. I got the feeling she’d have known which trail to follow. She was good at that, at people, better than I’ve ever been.

The office door opened, and someone stalled in the entrance, then it was shut hastily, and feet ambled over towards me.

“Sir?” Mills quietly placed something down on my desk, the smell of coffee drifting towards me. I sat up, rubbing my face, and looked at him. He looked better than I did. Fresher in the face, but maybe that was his age. He gave me a crooked smile and pushed the mug closer towards me with a finger.

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