The Inheritance Games

Avery and Jameson resume their mission to find a book that doesn’t have a matching cover in the Hawthorne House libraries. They’re joined by Grayson, who reveals that his letter was identical to Jameson’s. While Jameson is convinced the letter is a clue, Grayson asserts it’s “an indication that [Tobias] wasn’t in his right mind” (133). Avery realizes that if Grayson gives his letter to Zara and Constantine, they might use it as proof that Tobias was insane when he drafted his will and argue that it should thus be voided.

Avery, Jameson, and Grayson continue searching for the book without a matching cover. When Jameson is out of earshot, Grayson warns Avery to stay away from Jameson: “He’s a sensation seeker. Pain. Fear. Joy. It doesn’t matter […] He’s hurting, and he needs the rush of the game. He needs for this to mean something” (136). Before Avery can reply, Jameson interrupts them: He’s found what they’re looking for, a book that doesn’t match its cover. The title page reads Sail Away, but the book is The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. Inside the book, Grayson, Avery, and Jameson find a small red square made of a plastic-like material, acetate. Grayson explains that it’s filter paper and can be used to reveal hidden messages. If you view red ink through the red square, you won’t be able to see it. But if there is another color of ink layered under the red ink, you’ll be able to see it through the red acetate. Avery then discovers some pages of the book have individual words written on them. Avery flips through the book and pieces the words together: Where. A. There is. A. There is. Way. (138). It’s a reference to another adage, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” She realizes that there must be another copy of Tobias’s will written in red ink.

Avery asks Alisa about the will. Alisa confirms that there is a “red will” and that she will take Avery to view it. However, she insists that Avery first undergo a makeover from two professional stylists she has invited to Hawthorne House. While getting her makeover, Avery notices that Libby is intently checking her phone and realizes from the look on Libby’s face that Drake is texting her. She hopes that Libby isn’t texting him back. Avery complains to Xander about the makeover, noting that if she were a guy, her appearance wouldn’t matter so much. Xander replies: “And if I were white, people wouldn’t look at me like I’m half a Hawthorne” (143). The makeover session concludes when Zara comes by asking to talk to Avery.

Zara talks to Avery about the Hawthorne Foundation, which gives away a hundred million dollars to various charities every year. Zara wants to retain her role running the foundation (for which she gets a salary). Avery agrees, provided that Zara includes Avery in foundation decisions going forward. Zara says she will teach Avery what she needs to know and tells her to come to the Foundation after school next Monday. The discussion concludes with Oren entering the room. He clearly doesn’t trust Zara to be alone with Avery. Avery’s lawyers have stopped Zara and Skye from coming after Avery legally, so Zara may now try other tricks.

Alisa takes Avery to the law firm Ortega, McNamara, and Jones to see the Red Will. Tobias instructed the law firm to keep the will and to allow Avery or any of the grandsons to read it if they asked. Avery reads the will over using the red filter paper she, Jameson, and Grayson found in The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. Only four words are hidden: Westbrook, Davenport, Winchester, and Blackwood. These are the middle names of the four grandsons. Avery texts Jameson the news.

Back at Hawthorne House, Avery runs into Nash. He reveals that his letter from Tobias had the same message as Grayson’s and Jameson’s. Nash doesn’t seem interested in solving Tobias’s final puzzle. Nash also gives Avery more information about the weekly puzzle challenges the boys were set by their grandfather, something Jameson previously alluded to. He tells her, “Sometimes, at the beginning of the game, the old man would lay out a collection of objects. A fishing hook, a price tag, a glass ballerina, a knife […] And by the time the puzzle was solved, damned if we hadn’t used all four” (154). He then warns Avery: “You might think you’re playing the game, darlin’, but […] you’re not a player, kid. You’re the glass ballerina—or the knife” (154).

Avery talks to Jameson about the Red Will. She asks whether the middle names could be their fathers’ surnames. Jameson seems doubtful and says they have to ask Skye why she chose those names. Jameson takes her through a secret passage to Skye’s wing of the house. As they walk, Avery reveals Nash’s theory that she is just one of the clues in Tobias’s puzzle. Jameson disagrees: “You are the puzzle, Mystery Girl” (158). When they get to Skye, they find her drinking champagne in a bubble bath. She agrees to answer their question about the boys’ middle names but only if she can talk to Avery alone.

Once they’re alone, Skye demands Avery provide her with future financial support. She also asks Avery about her relationship with Jameson: “What are your intentions toward my son?” (161). She reveals that Jameson was Tobias’s favorite because Jameson is so much like Toby, the son that Tobias lost. Skye explains, “It wasn’t because my Jamie is brilliant or beautiful or charismatic. It was because Jameson Winchester Hawthorne is hungry. He’s looking for something. He’s been looking for it since the day he was born” (161). Skye tells Avery that she’s just another means for Jameson to lose himself and references Emily, saying that Emily served the same purpose. Finally, Skye gives Avery the information she wants: She reveals that the boys’ middle names were chosen by Tobias.

Avery tells Jameson that his and his brothers’ middle names were chosen by Tobias. Jameson is stumped. He extends an invitation to Avery: “I’ll show you what I do when I’m working a puzzle and hit a wall” (164). He takes Avery to the Hawthorne House racetrack and shows her the expensive cars. He then takes her for a ride around the track.