what does "have some part in the whole" mean?
Now that Abra’s back, why don’t we talk about what you really want to know.”
“You think you’re smart,” Eli said.
“I know I am.”
He grinned, nodded. “We’re winding around what I really want to know. My way of thinking is the history of the house, of the business, might have some part in the whole . I just haven’t figured it all out. But we can jump forward a couple of centuries.”

Question

what does "have some part in the whole" mean?
Now that Abra’s back, why don’t we talk about what you really want to know.” 
“You think you’re smart,” Eli said. 
“I know I am.” 
He grinned, nodded. “We’re winding around what I really want to know. My way of thinking is the history of the house, of the business, might have some part in the whole . I just haven’t figured it all out. But we can jump forward a couple of centuries.”

Answer

Might need even more context for this one.  The "history of the house, of the business" is only part of some larger thing.

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