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‘I feel we need confirmation,’ I said.
Val nodded. ‘We are running too much on speculation. I’d like evidence.’
‘House thought Crystobel was telling the truth,’ I said. Which wasn’t evidence, but we all trusted house.
‘I do not doubt House’s instincts,’ Val said. ‘Or whatever they are. But what did Crystobel actually say?’
‘She said that little has survived from Cicily’s life,’ I said. ‘Define “little”.’
Val nodded. ‘”Little” could still include the books we’re hoping for.’
‘And regarding Cicily’s work, um,’ I thought back. ‘She said Cicily’s work was unrealised at the time of her death — which I took to mean nothing ever came of it at all. But perhaps it was completed after her death.’
‘By her son,’ Val agreed. ‘For example.’ Her hands were moving; she was stroking the arms of
