Chapter 9: The Truth Behind the Wedding Dress
The building at 418 Westbrook Avenue looked nothingThe building at 418 Westbrook Avenue looked nothing like the place Larry had imagined when he was a child.
It was an old commercial property with dark brick walls, like the place Larry had imagined when he was a child.
It was an old commercial property with dark brick walls, tall windows, and a narrow entrance tucked between two neighboring businesses. Dust covered the lower windowpanes, and a faded sign hung above the doorway.
Larry stood across the tall windows, and a narrow entrance tucked between two neighboring businesses. Dust covered the lower windowpanes, and a faded sign hung above the doorway.
Larry stood across the street, staring at it.
"Is this really where he is?""
Robert Hayes nodded.
"This is where the message said he would meet us.""
We had followed the arrangements made with the authorities, and we weren't entering the building alone. Even so, Larry looked as though he were preparing to walk into a dream that might collapse the moment he touched it.
He turned street, staring at it.
"Is this really where he is?""
Robert Hayes nodded.
"This is where the message said he would meet us.""
We had followed the arrangements made with the authorities, and we weren't entering the building alone. Even so, Larry looked as though he were preparing to walk into a dream that might collapse the moment he touched it.
He turned toward me.
"What if it's not him?""
"Then we'll deal with that when we know.""
"What if it is?""
I studied his face.
"Then you finally get to ask him the questions you've been carrying for years.""
Larry swallowed.
"And if he doesn't want to answer?""
"Then toward me.
"What if it's not him?""
"Then we'll deal with that when we know.""
"What if it is?""
I studied his face.
"Then you finally get to ask him the questions you've been carrying for years.""
Larry swallowed.
"And if he doesn't want to answer?""
"Then you'll have to decide what you can live with.""
He looked down.
I knew he wanted reassurance.
He wanted me to promise that his father would explain everything, that the missing years would make sense, and that the man waiting inside would somehow restore the childhood he had lost.
But I couldn't make those promises.
I had you'll have to decide what you can live with.""
He looked down.
I knew he wanted reassurance.
He wanted me to promise that his father would explain everything, that the missing years would make sense, and that the man waiting inside would somehow restore the childhood he had lost.
But I couldn't make those promises.
I had learned the hard way that love didn't give me the right to invent comforting answers for someone else.
We learned the hard way that love didn't give me the right to invent comforting answers for someone else.
We approached the entrance.
A member of the team accompanying us spoke with someone inside before allowing Larry and Robert to proceed.
I remained nearby, uncertain approached the entrance.
A member of the team accompanying us spoke with someone inside before allowing Larry and Robert to proceed.
I remained nearby, uncertain whether I should follow.
Larry turned toward me.
"Will you come with me?""
I hesitated.
"This whether I should follow.
Larry turned toward me.
"Will you come with me?""
I hesitated.
"This is between you and your father.""
"I know.""
"Then why do you want me there?""
He looked at me for a long moment.
"Because when I saw that dress this morning, I thought the worst thing that could happen was losing is between you and your father.""
"I know.""
"Then why do you want me there?""
He looked at me for a long moment.
"Because when I saw that dress this morning, I thought the worst thing that could happen was losing you.""
His voice faltered.
"Now I realize I've spent years being afraid of losing people without ever asking whether I was treating them properly.""
I didn't answer.
He continued.
"I don't expect you to forgive me. I don't expect you to come back. I just don't want to face this pretending that I still know how to be the man I thought I was you.""
His voice faltered.
"Now I realize I've spent years being afraid of losing people without ever asking whether I was treating them properly.""
I didn't answer.
He continued.
"I don't expect you to forgive me. I don't expect you to come back. I just don't want to face this pretending that I still know how to be the man I thought I was.""
For the first time, his words sounded less like an attempt to win me back and more like an admission he needed to make to himself.
I nodded.
"I'll come with you.""
We entered the building.
The hallway smelled.""
For the first time, his words sounded less like an attempt to win me back and more like an admission he needed to make to himself.
I nodded.
"I'll come with you.""
We entered the building.
The hallway smelled of old wood and dust. A single light illuminated a narrow staircase leading to the second floor.
At the end of the corridor, of old wood and dust. A single light illuminated a narrow staircase leading to the second floor.
At the end of the corridor, a door stood slightly open.
Larry stopped outside it.
His a door stood slightly open.
Larry stopped outside it.
His hand hovered over the handle.
Then he pushed it inward.
A man stood beside the window.
He wore a dark coat, and his gray hair was combed neatly away from his forehead. His face was thinner than the one in the old family hand hovered over the handle.
Then he pushed it inward.
A man stood beside the window.
He wore a dark coat, and his gray hair was combed neatly away from his forehead. His face was thinner than the one in the old family photographs Larry remembered, but the resemblance was unmistakable.
The man turned.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Larry whispered photographs Larry remembered, but the resemblance was unmistakable.
The man turned.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Larry whispered, "Dad?""
The man's expression crumpled.
"Larry.""
That single word seemed to release something neither of them had been able to express.
, "Dad?""
The man's expression crumpled.
"Larry.""
That single word seemed to release something neither of them had been able to express.
Larry took one step forward.
Then another.
Daniel Martinez stood motionless until his son reached him.
They embraced.
Larry clutched his father's coatLarry took one step forward.
Then another.
Daniel Martinez stood motionless until his son reached him.
They embraced.
Larry clutched his father's coat with both hands, his shoulders shaking. Daniel wrapped his arms around him and closed his eyes.
with both hands, his shoulders shaking. Daniel wrapped his arms around him and closed his eyes.
Neither spoke for a long time.
I stood near the doorway, watching a reunion that should have happened years earlier.
Finally, Larry pulled away.
He looked at his father'sNeither spoke for a long time.
I stood near the doorway, watching a reunion that should have happened years earlier.
Finally, Larry pulled away.
He looked at his father's face as though he were trying to memorize every detail.
"You're alive.""
Daniel nodded.
"Yes.""
"You were alive when Mom face as though he were trying to memorize every detail.
"You're alive.""
Daniel nodded.
"Yes.""
"You were alive when Mom told me you died.""
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"Yes.""
Larry stepped backward.
The pain in his expression told me you died.""
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"Yes.""
Larry stepped backward.
The pain in his expression was immediate.
"How could you let me believe that?""
Daniel looked as though the question had struck him physically was immediate.
"How could you let me believe that?""
Daniel looked as though the question had struck him physically.
"I never wanted you to believe I was gone.""
"But you were gone!""
.
"I never wanted you to believe I was gone.""
"But you were gone!""
"I know.""
"You missed everything. My graduation. My first job.
Every birthday. Every time something happened"I know.""
"You missed everything. My graduation. My first job.
Every birthday. Every time something happened in my life, I thought you were dead.""
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
"I know, son.""
"No, you don't!""
Larry in my life, I thought you were dead.""
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
"I know, son.""
"No, you don't!""
Larry's voice echoed through the room.
"You don't know what it was like growing up with everyone telling's voice echoed through the room.
"You don't know what it was like growing up with everyone telling me that you abandoned us before you died. Mom said you left us with debts. She said you had failed me that you abandoned us before you died.
Mom said you left us with debts. She said you had failed at everything you tried to do.""
Daniel looked toward Robert.
Then he returned his attention to his son.
"Some of what your mother told you was true. I made mistakes. I trusted at everything you tried to do.""
Daniel looked toward Robert.
Then he returned his attention to his son.
"Some of what your mother told you was true. I made mistakes. I trusted people I shouldn't have trusted, and I stayed silent when I should have spoken.""
He paused.
"But I never stopped loving people I shouldn't have trusted, and I stayed silent when I should have spoken.""
He paused.
"But I never stopped loving you.""
Larry shook his head.
"Then why didn't you come back?""
Daniel took a long breath.
"Because I believed that if I came back too soon you.""
Larry shook his head.
"Then why didn't you come back?""
Daniel took a long breath.
"Because I believed that if I came back too soon, I would put you in danger.""
"From whom?""
Daniel looked at me, then back at Larry.
"Your mother wasn't the only person involved in what happened to my company. There were people who benefited, I would put you in danger.""
"From whom?""
Daniel looked at me, then back at Larry.
"Your mother wasn't the only person involved in what happened to my company. There were people who benefited from the disappearance of its assets, and I had reason to believe they would from the disappearance of its assets, and I had reason to believe they would do whatever they could to keep the records hidden.""
Larry's jaw tightened.
"Did Mom steal your money?""
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
"Some of the money was transferred without my authorization. Some documents were signed in my name. I do whatever they could to keep the records hidden.""
Larry's jaw tightened.
"Did Mom steal your money?""
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
"Some of the money was transferred without my authorization. Some documents were signed in my name. I tried to challenge the transactions, but I couldn't establish everything that had happened.""
"Did she know?""
"I believe she tried to challenge the transactions, but I couldn't establish everything that had happened.""
"Did she know?""
"I believe she knew more than she admitted.""
Larry turned away.
"That's not good enough.""
"No," Daniel said quietly.
"It isn't.""
knew more than she admitted.""
Larry turned away.
"That's not good enough.""
"No," Daniel said quietly.
"It isn't.""
The honesty in his voice seemed to surprise Larry.
Daniel continued.
"I cannot tell you that your mother did everything I suspect. I don't have enough evidenceThe honesty in his voice seemed to surprise Larry.
Daniel continued.
"I cannot tell you that your mother did everything I suspect. I don't have enough evidence to make to make that claim. But I know she had access to records she later denied ever seeing, and I know she benefited from transactions that were never properly explained.""
Larry sat down heavily.
"And the property?""
"Westbrook Avenue was one of the assets I tried to recover.""
"Why is it in her name?""
"That that claim. But I know she had access to records she later denied ever seeing, and I know she benefited from transactions that were never properly explained.""
Larry sat down heavily.
"And the property?""
"Westbrook Avenue was one of the assets I tried to recover.""
"Why is it in her name?""
"That is one of the questions I still cannot answer completely.""
Robert opened his folder and placed the copies of the deeds on the table.
Daniel examined them.
His expression dark is one of the questions I still cannot answer completely.""
Robert opened his folder and placed the copies of the deeds on the table.
Daniel examined them.
His expression darkened when he reached the final page.
"This is the document I was afraid of.""
Larry looked up.
"What is it?""
"A transferened when he reached the final page.
"This is the document I was afraid of.""
Larry looked up.
"What is it?""
"A transfer authorization bearing my signature.""
"Did you sign it?""
"No.""
The room fell silent.
Daniel pointed to the signature.
"The date is wrong, and the authorization refers to authorization bearing my signature.""
"Did you sign it?""
"No.""
The room fell silent.
Daniel pointed to the signature.
"The date is wrong, and the authorization refers to a meeting I never attended. I suspected that a document like this existed, but I had a meeting I never attended. I suspected that a document like this existed, but I had never seen this particular copy.""
Robert studied the page.
"Then it will need to be examined by someone qualified to determine whether the signature is genuine.""
Daniel nodded.
"Agreed never seen this particular copy.""
Robert studied the page.
"Then it will need to be examined by someone qualified to determine whether the signature is genuine.""
Daniel nodded.
"Agreed.""
Larry stared at the papers.
"Mom told me everything was sold to settle your debts.""
"Some debts were real," Daniel replied..""
Larry stared at the papers.
"Mom told me everything was sold to settle your debts.""
"Some debts were real," Daniel replied.
"But not all the assets were sold, and I never authorized every transfer that took place.""
"Why didn't you tell me any of this?""
Daniel lowered his head.
" "But not all the assets were sold, and I never authorized every transfer that took place.""
"Why didn't you tell me any of this?""
Daniel lowered his head.
"Because I was ashamed.""
Larry stared at him.
"What?""
"I made mistakes in business. I trusted people who betrayed me, and I failed to recognize how much damage theyBecause I was ashamed.""
Larry stared at him.
"What?""
"I made mistakes in business. I trusted people who betrayed me, and I failed to recognize how much damage they were doing until it was too late. I thought that if I could recover the records and settle the dispute, I could come back to you with an were doing until it was too late. I thought that if I could recover the records and settle the dispute, I could come back to you with an explanation.""
He swallowed.
"Every year I stayed away, it became harder to return.""
Larry's eyes filled again.
"So explanation.""
He swallowed.
"Every year I stayed away, it became harder to return.""
Larry's eyes filled again.
"So you let me think you were dead because you were ashamed?""
"At first, I stayed away you let me think you were dead because you were ashamed?""
"At first, I stayed away because I believed it was safer. Later, fear and shame became excuses that I couldn't bring myself to confront.""
Daniel's voice broke because I believed it was safer. Later, fear and shame became excuses that I couldn't bring myself to confront.""
Daniel's voice broke.
"I was wrong. Whatever your mother did, I was wrong to leave you without answers.""
For a long moment, Larry said nothing.
Then he asked, "Did you send the letter?""
Daniel nodded.
"I wrote.
"I was wrong. Whatever your mother did, I was wrong to leave you without answers.""
For a long moment, Larry said nothing.
Then he asked, "Did you send the letter?""
Daniel nodded.
"I wrote it years ago. I wanted you to know that I had never abandoned you willingly. I also wanted the financial records to be found if I couldn't it years ago.
I wanted you to know that I had never abandoned you willingly. I also wanted the financial records to be found if I couldn't return.""
"How did it end up inside that wedding dress?""
Daniel looked genuinely confused.
"I don't know.""
"You return.""
"How did it end up inside that wedding dress?""
Daniel looked genuinely confused.
"I don't know.""
"You don't?""
"No. I entrusted the letter and several copies of the documents to someone I believed could keep don't?""
"No. I entrusted the letter and several copies of the documents to someone I believed could keep them safe. I never instructed anyone to hide them in a wedding gown.""
I felt a chill.
Someone else had placed the evidence inside Kathleen's garment bag.
Someone had known them safe. I never instructed anyone to hide them in a wedding gown.""
I felt a chill.
Someone else had placed the evidence inside Kathleen's garment bag.
Someone had known the dress would be brought to my bridal suite.
Someone had anticipated that Larry would discover the dress would be brought to my bridal suite.
Someone had anticipated that Larry would discover the envelope.
But who?
And why had they chosen my wedding day?
I looked at Daniel.
"Did you know Kathleen was bringing the dress to the hotel?""
"No.""
"Did you know she wanted Elizabeth to wear it?""
He shook his head.
the envelope.
But who?
And why had they chosen my wedding day?
I looked at Daniel.
"Did you know Kathleen was bringing the dress to the hotel?""
"No.""
"Did you know she wanted Elizabeth to wear it?""
He shook his head.
"I knew nothing about your wedding plans beyond what Larry told me years ago.""
Larry frowned.
"Then someone wanted the letter"I knew nothing about your wedding plans beyond what Larry told me years ago.""
Larry frowned.
"Then someone wanted the letter discovered today.""
"Possibly," Daniel replied.
"But we need to establish who had access to the dress and when the discovered today.""
"Possibly," Daniel replied.
"But we need to establish who had access to the dress and when the letter was placed inside it.""
Robert closed the folder.
"That investigation will take time.""
Larry looked at his father.
"There's letter was placed inside it.""
Robert closed the folder.
"That investigation will take time.""
Larry looked at his father.
"There's something else. Mom said you had a chance to come back years ago, but you chose not to.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"She's something else. Mom said you had a chance to come back years ago, but you chose not to.""
Daniel's expression changed.
"She's right about one thing. I had a chance to contact you.""
"Why didn't you?""
"Because I received a warning that someone had obtained documents containing your personal information and was prepared to right about one thing. I had a chance to contact you.""
"Why didn't you?""
"Because I received a warning that someone had obtained documents containing your personal information and was prepared to use them against you if I resumed contact.""
Larry went still.
"What documents?""
"I don't know exactly what they possessed use them against you if I resumed contact.""
Larry went still.
"What documents?""
"I don't know exactly what they possessed. I only knew that the threat was specific enough to frighten me.""
"Did Mom send it?""
Daniel hesitated.
. I only knew that the threat was specific enough to frighten me.""
"Did Mom send it?""
Daniel hesitated.
"I never established who sent the warning.""
Larry closed his eyes.
For the first time, the truth wasn't offering him the clean"I never established who sent the warning.""
Larry closed his eyes.
For the first time, the truth wasn't offering him the clean resolution he had wanted.
His father had been alive, but he had also made choices that had hurt his son.
His mother might have concealed financial transactions, but the extent of her involvement remained uncertain.
And someone resolution he had wanted.
His father had been alive, but he had also made choices that had hurt his son.
His mother might have concealed financial transactions, but the extent of her involvement remained uncertain.
And someone else had apparently been manipulating the situation from the shadows.
There was no simple villain who could explain every lost year else had apparently been manipulating the situation from the shadows.
There was no simple villain who could explain every lost year.
There was only a family full of secrets and the damage those secrets had caused.
Daniel turned toward me.
"Elizabeth, I owe you an apology, too.""
I frowned.
There was only a family full of secrets and the damage those secrets had caused.
Daniel turned toward me.
"Elizabeth, I owe you an apology, too.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"Because whatever brought this letter into your wedding day.
"Why?""
"Because whatever brought this letter into your wedding day, you were caught in the middle of something you never agreed to be part of.""
I glanced at Larry.
"That isn't entirely your fault.""
"No," Daniel said., you were caught in the middle of something you never agreed to be part of.""
I glanced at Larry.
"That isn't entirely your fault.""
"No," Daniel said.
"But I am sorry.""
I appreciated his words, though I still didn't know what to make of the situation.
Then Larry looked toward the table.
"The money "But I am sorry.""
I appreciated his words, though I still didn't know what to make of the situation.
Then Larry looked toward the table.
"The money. The deed. The letter. Why would someone put all of this inside a dress?""
Daniel. The deed. The letter. Why would someone put all of this inside a dress?""
Daniel's gaze dropped to the documents.
"Perhaps the dress was chosen because it belonged to Kathleen. Perhaps someone knew she would bring it to your wedding. Or perhaps the person who hid the letter believed's gaze dropped to the documents.
"Perhaps the dress was chosen because it belonged to Kathleen. Perhaps someone knew she would bring it to your wedding. Or perhaps the person who hid the letter believed that a family heirloom would be the last thing anyone would suspect.""
He paused.
"But there's that a family heirloom would be the last thing anyone would suspect.""
He paused.
"But there's something else you should know.""
Larry leaned forward.
"What?""
Daniel reached into his coat and something else you should know.""
Larry leaned forward.
"What?""
Daniel reached into his coat and removed a small envelope.
It was sealed, its edges worn from being carried around.
"I kept this for years because I removed a small envelope.
It was sealed, its edges worn from being carried around.
"I kept this for years because I couldn't decide whether giving it to you would help or hurt you.""
Larry stared at it.
"What's inside?""
"A copy of a document I received shortly before I disappeared.""
Daniel placed couldn't decide whether giving it to you would help or hurt you.""
Larry stared at it.
"What's inside?""
"A copy of a document I received shortly before I disappeared.""
Daniel placed it on the table.
"The document lists the people who had authority to access the company's financial records at it on the table.
"The document lists the people who had authority to access the company's financial records at the time the transfers began.""
Robert leaned closer.
"May I see it?""
Daniel nodded.
Robert unfolded the paper and examined it carefully.
His expression changed.
"What is it?"" Larry asked.
Robert looked up the time the transfers began.""
Robert leaned closer.
"May I see it?""
Daniel nodded.
Robert unfolded the paper and examined it carefully.
His expression changed.
"What is it?"" Larry asked.
Robert looked up slowly.
"There's a name here that shouldn't be.""
Larry rose.
"Whose name?""
Robert turned the document toward him.
I watched Larry slowly.
"There's a name here that shouldn't be.""
Larry rose.
"Whose name?""
Robert turned the document toward him.
I watched Larry read the line.
Then his face went completely white.
Because the name listed beside the authorization for the disputed transfers was not an unfamiliar read the line.
Then his face went completely white.
Because the name listed beside the authorization for the disputed transfers was not an unfamiliar business partner or a distant relative.
business partner or a distant relative.
It was someone Larry had trusted his entire life.
Someone who had helped raise him.
Someone who had been standing beside him in the bridal suite that very morning, insisting that he force me to obey her.
Kathleen Martinez.
But beneath her name wasIt was someone Larry had trusted his entire life.
Someone who had helped raise him.
Someone who had been standing beside him in the bridal suite that very morning, insisting that he force me to obey her.
Kathleen Martinez.
But beneath her name was another signature.
One that none of us had expected to find.
Daniel looked at his son.
"Now you understand why I couldn't another signature.
One that none of us had expected to find.
Daniel looked at his son.
"Now you understand why I couldn't come back without proof.""
Larry stared at the document, unable to speak.
And before any of us could ask what the second signature meant, his come back without proof.""
Larry stared at the document, unable to speak.
And before any of us could ask what the second signature meant, his phone began ringing.
Kathleen's name appeared on the screen.
This time, Larry answered.
Her voice was trembling.
"Larry, listen to me. You need phone began ringing.
Kathleen's name appeared on the screen.
This time, Larry answered.
Her voice was trembling.
"Larry, listen to me. You need to leave that building immediately.""
He looked at his father.
"Why?""
Kathleen began to cry.
"Because Daniel isn't telling to leave that building immediately.""
He looked at his father.
"Why?""
Kathleen began to cry.
"Because Daniel isn't telling you everything.""
Daniel closed his eyes.
Then Kathleen whispered the words that made Larry drop the phone onto the table.
"Ask your father what happened the night he disappeared—and why he made me promise never to tell you the you everything.""
Daniel closed his eyes.
May you like
Then Kathleen whispered the words that made Larry drop the phone onto the table.
"Ask your father what happened the night he disappeared—and why he made me promise never to tell you the truth."" truth.""
