Free The Eden Inheritance by Janet Tanner

sighed.
    â€˜Don’t be so naive, Guy. With something like this we would all be on trial. All kinds of unpleasant things would be dragged up and paraded for the world to see.’
    Guy’s eyes narrowed.
    â€˜What are you saying?’
    â€˜I am saying it could be very messy, that’s all. I don’t want the family name dragged through the mud.’
    Guy levered himself further on to the corner of the desk. A finger of disturbing doubt had begun prodding at him.
    â€˜Why should it be, Grandpapa? Is there something I don’t know? Something detrimental to the family that you don’t want to come out?’
    â€˜No, no, of course not. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We did nothing wrong. Your father, as you know, was honoured by the Croix de Guerre. And your mother … well, your mother was a remarkable woman, I have to admit, though we were not the best of friends, as you must realise.’ His eyes grew sharp suddenly. ‘What has she told you about me?’
    â€˜Nothing,’ Guy replied truthfully. ‘She has never explained why the two of you didn’t get on, though obviously I would be a fool if I didn’t realise there was something.’
    â€˜Does there have to be a reason? Some people don’t see eye to eye, that’s all. That’s how it was for your mother and me. We respect one another, I think.’
    Guy did not reply. He was not at all sure of his mother’s feelings in the matter.
    â€˜Does your mother know what you have in mind to do?’ Guillaume asked.
    â€˜Yes, and she doesn’t approve. But then she never wants to discuss the war. She seems to find it very painful.’
    â€˜I dare say.’ Guillaume was silent for a moment, staring into space. ‘What you have to remember, Guy, is that we are all human. We all have our weaknesses.’
    â€˜So you, like my mother, would rather I ignored this information I have? And let von Rheinhardt, if indeed it is him, live out his life on his Caribbean island?’
    â€˜No.’ There was a quietly decisive note in Guillaume’s voice now. ‘You gave me a shock, Guy, coming here, telling me you think you have found that cochon after all this time. And I do think you should consider carefully what you are doing – it is all too easy to pursue a path so vigorously that you lose sight of the pitfalls along the way. But I would like to have our treasures back where they belong, and I would like to see von Rheinhardt pay for the lives of my sons – and all the others, too.’
    He rose from his chair, crossed to a tall rosewood bureau, gleaming dully in the light thrown by the table lamp which stood on it, and extracted a large box file.
    â€˜I think you will find everything you need here – an inventory of the missing items, photographs, detailed descriptions, even the bills for the restoration work, back in the twenties, of some of the pictures that were stolen from their frames. You will also find my journals for the war years. They are not in any great detail – I’ve never been one for keeping detailed diaries – but at least you will be able to verify dates, should you need to. Have a look through and take anything you think may be useful. In fact, perhaps you could take them to Henri’s office and make copies. I think I would prefer the originals to remain here at the château. You know how to use the photocopier, do you?’
    â€˜I expect I can work it out. Thank you, Grandpapa.’
    â€˜Well, as I say, it’s going to be an unpleasant business, and you know, Guy, I don’t like unpleasantness. I dare say I am something of a coward in that respect. But I would like to see the family treasures back where they belong before I depart this world. Yes, it would be worth it to know they can be passed on to your children and your children’s children.’
    Guy smiled briefly.
    â€˜I should think that gives me ample time,