Chapter 4: ## Chapter 4: The Secret Inside the Garment Bag
For several seconds, I stood: The Secret Inside the Garment Bag
For several seconds, I stood frozen in the hotel lobby, listening to the dead silence on the other end of my phone frozen in the hotel lobby, listening to the dead silence on the other end of my phone.
The unfamiliar caller had told me not to return upstairs alone.
He.
The unfamiliar caller had told me not to return upstairs alone.
He had known about the garment bag.
And somehow, he had known that Larry was about had known about the garment bag.
And somehow, he had known that Larry was about to open it.
I looked toward the elevators, where a to open it.
I looked toward the elevators, where a couple dressed for the wedding stepped out laughing, completely unaware of the strange tension gathering around the bridal suite above them.
"Hello?"" I said into couple dressed for the wedding stepped out laughing, completely unaware of the strange tension gathering around the bridal suite above them.
"Hello?"" I said into my phone.
"Are you still there?""
Nothing.
"Who are you? What happened upstairs?""
my phone.
"Are you still there?""
Nothing.
"Who are you? What happened upstairs?""
The line remained silent before disconnecting.
I immediately called Larry.
His phone rang onceThe line remained silent before disconnecting.
I immediately called Larry.
His phone rang once, twice, three times.
Then someone answered.
"Elizabeth?""
It was Jenna.
Her voice was shaking.
"Jenna, thank God, twice, three times.
Then someone answered.
"Elizabeth?""
It was Jenna.
Her voice was shaking.
"Jenna, thank God. What's happening? I heard screaming.""
"Where are you?""
"In the lobby. I'm near the. What's happening? I heard screaming.""
"Where are you?""
"In the lobby. I'm near the front entrance.""
"Stay there.""
"What happened to Larry?""
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, front entrance.""
"Stay there.""
"What happened to Larry?""
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, I heard hurried footsteps and a door closing.
"Jenna, talk to me.""
"The hotel security team I heard hurried footsteps and a door closing.
"Jenna, talk to me.""
"The hotel security team is here," she whispered.
"They've cleared the bridal suite, and Kathleen is sitting on the floor. is here," she whispered.
"They've cleared the bridal suite, and Kathleen is sitting on the floor. Larry looks like he's going to be sick.""
My stomach tightened.
"Is someone hurt?""
"I don't know. I Larry looks like he's going to be sick.""
My stomach tightened.
"Is someone hurt?""
"I don't know. I wasn't in the room when it happened.""
"Then how do you know all this wasn't in the room when it happened.""
"Then how do you know all this?""
"Because I went into the hallway after you left. I heard Larry shouting at his mother, and then I heard something break.""
I closed my?""
"Because I went into the hallway after you left. I heard Larry shouting at his mother, and then I heard something break.""
I closed my eyes.
The last thing I wanted was to be pulled back into Larry's chaos.
But I couldn't ignore the possibility that someone was eyes.
The last thing I wanted was to be pulled back into Larry's chaos.
But I couldn't ignore the possibility that someone was in danger.
"I'm coming up," I said.
"No, Liz. Wait.""
"Why?""
"Because I saw the in danger.
"I'm coming up," I said.
"No, Liz. Wait.""
"Why?""
"Because I saw the dress.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"What about it?""
Jenna lowered her voice even further.
"There's dress.""
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"What about it?""
Jenna lowered her voice even further.
"There's something inside it.""
I glanced at the elevators.
"What do you mean?""
"I don't know exactly. But when Larry pulled the something inside it.""
I glanced at the elevators.
"What do you mean?""
"I don't know exactly. But when Larry pulled the dress out of the bag, something fell from the lining. He picked it up, looked at it, and went dress out of the bag, something fell from the lining. He picked it up, looked at it, and went completely white.""
"What was it?""
"I couldn't see.""
"Jenna!""
"I'm sorry. I was standing near completely white.""
"What was it?""
"I couldn't see.""
"Jenna!""
"I'm sorry. I was standing near the door. Kathleen started screaming, Larry told everyone to get out, and security arrived before I could get closer the door. Kathleen started screaming, Larry told everyone to get out, and security arrived before I could get closer.""
I pressed my free hand against my forehead.
The dress had been disgusting, but there had been nothing unusual about.""
I pressed my free hand against my forehead.
The dress had been disgusting, but there had been nothing unusual about its appearance beyond its age and condition.
Unless I had missed something.
"Did you see the man who called me?"" I its appearance beyond its age and condition.
Unless I had missed something.
"Did you see the man who called me?"" I asked.
"What man?""
"Someone just called and asked whether I'd left before Larry opened the garment bag.""
Jenna went quiet.
Then she asked.
"What man?""
"Someone just called and asked whether I'd left before Larry opened the garment bag.""
Jenna went quiet.
Then she said, "Liz, nobody here has mentioned a man calling you.""
Before I could respond, said, "Liz, nobody here has mentioned a man calling you.""
Before I could respond, a voice sounded behind me.
"Ms. Elizabeth?""
I turned.
A tall hotel security a voice sounded behind me.
"Ms. Elizabeth?""
I turned.
A tall hotel security supervisor in a dark uniform stood several feet away. His name badge read *M. Harris* supervisor in a dark uniform stood several feet away.
His name badge read *M. Harris*.
He held a small notepad and wore the serious expression of someone trying to.
He held a small notepad and wore the serious expression of someone trying to remain professional in a situation that had already become deeply uncomfortable.
"Yes?""
"Would you please come with me to a private room?""
"Why remain professional in a situation that had already become deeply uncomfortable.
"Yes?""
"Would you please come with me to a private room?""
"Why?""
"We need to clarify a few things about an incident in the bridal suite.""
I glanced toward the?""
"We need to clarify a few things about an incident in the bridal suite.""
I glanced toward the elevators.
"Is Larry all right?""
"He's conscious.""
"That's not what I asked.""
The elevators.
"Is Larry all right?""
"He's conscious.""
"That's not what I asked.""
The supervisor hesitated.
"He's physically unharmed, as far as we can determine.""
The careful wording frightened me more than a direct answer would have.
I looked down at my phone.
supervisor hesitated.
"He's physically unharmed, as far as we can determine.""
The careful wording frightened me more than a direct answer would have.
I looked down at my phone.
Jenna was still on the line.
"I'm going with security," I told her.
"Stay whereJenna was still on the line.
"I'm going with security," I told her.
"Stay where you are, and don't touch anything in that room.""
"I won't.""
I ended the call and followed the supervisor toward a you are, and don't touch anything in that room.""
"I won't.""
I ended the call and followed the supervisor toward a small office behind the reception area.
Inside, a woman in a gray blazer sat beside a laptop. She introduced small office behind the reception area.
Inside, a woman in a gray blazer sat beside a laptop. She introduced herself as the hotel's operations manager, then gestured toward a chair.
I remained standing herself as the hotel's operations manager, then gestured toward a chair.
I remained standing.
"I want to know what happened.""
"Of course," she said.
"But first, we need to ask whether.
"I want to know what happened.""
"Of course," she said.
"But first, we need to ask whether you handled anything inside the garment bag.""
"No. Kathleen brought it into the suite. She opened you handled anything inside the garment bag.""
"No. Kathleen brought it into the suite. She opened it, showed me the dress, and demanded that I wear it.""
"Did you touch the garment itself?""
"She it, showed me the dress, and demanded that I wear it.""
"Did you touch the garment itself?""
"She held it against me for a few seconds. I may have touched the sleeve when I pushed it held it against me for a few seconds. I may have touched the sleeve when I pushed it away.""
The manager exchanged a glance with the security supervisor.
"What?"" I demanded.
"Ms. Elizabeth, we away.""
The manager exchanged a glance with the security supervisor.
"What?"" I demanded.
"Ms. Elizabeth, we don't want to alarm you unnecessarily.""
"Then don't speak to me as if I'm a child. Tell me what don't want to alarm you unnecessarily.""
"Then don't speak to me as if I'm a child. Tell me what happened.""
The supervisor opened his notepad.
"When Mr. Martinez removed the dress from the bag, he noticed that a happened.""
The supervisor opened his notepad.
"When Mr. Martinez removed the dress from the bag, he noticed that a section of the inner lining had been disturbed. While examining it, he discovered an object concealed inside.""
"What object section of the inner lining had been disturbed. While examining it, he discovered an object concealed inside.""
"What object?""
"A small envelope.""
I stared at him.
"An envelope?""
"Yes.""
"What was inside?""
"We're still?""
"A small envelope.""
I stared at him.
"An envelope?""
"Yes.""
"What was inside?""
"We're still establishing that.""
"Then why did everyone panic?""
The manager folded her hands.
establishing that.""
"Then why did everyone panic?""
The manager folded her hands.
"Because Mr. Martinez reacted strongly when he saw the contents. Mrs. Martinez subsequently attempted to take the envelope from him, and an"Because Mr.
Martinez reacted strongly when he saw the contents. Mrs. Martinez subsequently attempted to take the envelope from him, and an argument followed. A lamp was knocked over.
That's when security was argument followed. A lamp was knocked over. That's when security was called.""
I thought about Kathleen's triumphant expression when she had first presented the dress.
She hadn't merely called.""
I thought about Kathleen's triumphant expression when she had first presented the dress.
She hadn't merely brought an old family heirloom.
She had arrived expecting something.
Perhaps she had expected me to wear it without question.
Perhaps she had expected Larry brought an old family heirloom.
She had arrived expecting something.
Perhaps she had expected me to wear it without question.
Perhaps she had expected Larry to force me into obedience.
But why would an envelope hidden in the lining matter so much?
"Did the to force me into obedience.
But why would an envelope hidden in the lining matter so much?
"Did the envelope contain money?"" I asked.
"No.""
"Photographs?""
The manager hesitated.
"I can't confirm its contents.""
envelope contain money?"" I asked.
"No.""
"Photographs?""
The manager hesitated.
"I can't confirm its contents.""
I took a breath.
"Then tell me who called me.""
The supervisor looked up sharply.
"I took a breath.
"Then tell me who called me.""
The supervisor looked up sharply.
"Someone called you?""
"A man. He asked whether I had left before Larry opened the garment bag. Then he told me not to return upstairs alone.""
TheSomeone called you?""
"A man. He asked whether I had left before Larry opened the garment bag. Then he told me not to return upstairs alone.""
The two exchanged another glance.
This time, I noticed the manager two exchanged another glance.
This time, I noticed the manager's fingers tightening around her pen.
"Did he identify himself?""
"No.""
"Did he say where he was calling from?""
"No. The call's fingers tightening around her pen.
"Did he identify himself?""
"No.""
"Did he say where he was calling from?""
"No. The call disconnected.""
The supervisor closed his notepad.
"Ms. Elizabeth, I strongly recommend that you remain here while disconnected.""
The supervisor closed his notepad.
"Ms. Elizabeth, I strongly recommend that you remain here while we establish what happened.""
I felt a chill creep up my spine.
"You think I'm in danger.""
"We we establish what happened.""
I felt a chill creep up my spine.
"You think I'm in danger.""
"We haven't reached that conclusion.""
"But you haven't ruled it out either.""
Neither answered.
My phone vibrated in haven't reached that conclusion.""
"But you haven't ruled it out either.""
Neither answered.
My phone vibrated in my hand.
A message from an unknown number appeared on the screen.
**You did my hand.
A message from an unknown number appeared on the screen.
*You did the right thing by leaving. Do not trust Kathleen.*
I read it twice.
Then another message arrived.
*Ask Larry the right thing by leaving. Do not trust Kathleen.*
I read it twice.
Then another message arrived.
*Ask Larry why his mother insisted on bringing that particular dress today.*
I looked up at the security supervisor.
why his mother insisted on bringing that particular dress today.**
I looked up at the security supervisor.
"Can you trace this number?""
"Not from here.""
I showed him the messages.
His expression"Can you trace this number?""
"Not from here.""
I showed him the messages.
His expression became noticeably more serious.
"Please don't respond to the sender yet.""
"Why?""
"Because became noticeably more serious.
"Please don't respond to the sender yet.""
"Why?""
"Because we don't know who it is or what their intentions are.""
I stared at the screen.
The we don't know who it is or what their intentions are.""
I stared at the screen.
The words seemed to glow against the dark background.
You did the right thing by leaving.
The message sounded almost reassuring, except words seemed to glow against the dark background.
You did the right thing by leaving.
The message sounded almost reassuring, except for the fact that the sender knew exactly what had happened upstairs.
I had left the for the fact that the sender knew exactly what had happened upstairs.
I had left the bridal suite less than twenty minutes earlier.
Who could have been watching?
And what did they know about Kathleen's dress?
bridal suite less than twenty minutes earlier.
Who could have been watching?
And what did they know about Kathleen's dress?
The office door opened before I could ask another question.
Jenna hurried inside.
Her makeup was smudged, and she had wrapped herThe office door opened before I could ask another question.
Jenna hurried inside.
Her makeup was smudged, and she had wrapped her arms around herself as though she were cold.
"Liz.""
I stood immediately.
"What happened?""
She looked at the security supervisor.
arms around herself as though she were cold.
"Liz.""
I stood immediately.
"What happened?""
She looked at the security supervisor.
"I need to speak to her privately.""
"That's not possible right now," he replied.
"Then I'm saying"I need to speak to her privately.""
"That's not possible right now," he replied.
"Then I'm saying this in front of you.""
She turned toward me.
"Larry wants you upstairs this in front of you.""
She turned toward me.
"Larry wants you upstairs.""
I shook my head.
"He can call me himself.""
"He tried. You didn't.""
I shook my head.
"He can call me himself.""
"He tried. You didn't answer.""
"I answered his call earlier. The line cut off.""
Jenna nodded anxiously answer.""
"I answered his call earlier. The line cut off.""
Jenna nodded anxiously.
"He's been trying to explain what happened. Kathleen keeps interrupting him, and now they're arguing again.""
"What did Larry find.
"He's been trying to explain what happened. Kathleen keeps interrupting him, and now they're arguing again.""
"What did Larry find in the envelope?""
Jenna's eyes flickered toward the supervisor.
"I don't know everything. But I saw enough to understand why in the envelope?""
Jenna's eyes flickered toward the supervisor.
"I don't know everything. But I saw enough to understand why Kathleen panicked.""
I stepped closer.
"Tell me.""
She swallowed.
"It was a photograph.""
The room seemed to tilt.
Kathleen panicked.""
I stepped closer.
"Tell me.""
She swallowed.
"It was a photograph.""
The room seemed to tilt.
"A photograph of whom?""
Jenna shook her head.
"I couldn't see the person's face clearly. Larry was holding it, and"A photograph of whom?""
Jenna shook her head.
"I couldn't see the person's face clearly. Larry was holding it, and Kathleen tried to grab it away from him.""
"What was so terrible about a photograph?""
"Because Larry Kathleen tried to grab it away from him.""
"What was so terrible about a photograph?""
"Because Larry recognized whoever was in it.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"Who?""
Jenna's answer recognized whoever was in it.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"Who?""
Jenna's answer came so quietly that I almost missed it.
"His father.""
I stared at her.
Larry's father had died when Larry was young.
came so quietly that I almost missed it.
"His father.""
I stared at her.
Larry's father had died when Larry was young.
At least, that was what I had always been told.
I had met Kathleen's relativesAt least, that was what I had always been told.
I had met Kathleen's relatives, heard the stories about her late husband, and seen a handful of family photographs displayed in her, heard the stories about her late husband, and seen a handful of family photographs displayed in her house.
I had never questioned any of it.
"His father is dead," I whispered.
Jenna nodded.
house.
I had never questioned any of it.
"His father is dead," I whispered.
Jenna nodded.
"That's what we've always believed.""
"Then why would his photograph cause this reaction?""
"Because the picture wasn't old"That's what we've always believed.""
"Then why would his photograph cause this reaction?""
"Because the picture wasn't old in the way the dress was old.""
She paused, visibly struggling with what to say next.
"It in the way the dress was old.""
She paused, visibly struggling with what to say next.
"It looked recent, Liz.""
Before I could ask another question, the office door opened again.
This time, Larry looked recent, Liz.""
Before I could ask another question, the office door opened again.
This time, Larry stood in the doorway.
His tie was loose, his face pale, and his hands trembled at his sides.
He stood in the doorway.
His tie was loose, his face pale, and his hands trembled at his sides.
He looked directly at me.
"Elizabeth, please.""
I didn't move.
"What did you find in that dress?""
He glanced at Jenna looked directly at me.
"Elizabeth, please.""
I didn't move.
"What did you find in that dress?""
He glanced at Jenna, then at the security supervisor.
Finally, he looked back at me.
"A photograph," he said.
"And a letter.""
"From whom, then at the security supervisor.
Finally, he looked back at me.
"A photograph," he said.
"And a letter.""
"From whom?""
He swallowed.
"My father.""
The words landed between us like a physical blow.
Larry stepped forward, but I instinctively moved back.
?""
He swallowed.
"My father.""
The words landed between us like a physical blow.
Larry stepped forward, but I instinctively moved back.
"Elizabeth, I need you to listen to me. My mother has been lying to me about something for years"Elizabeth, I need you to listen to me. My mother has been lying to me about something for years.""
I thought about the filthy wedding dress, the strange phone calls, and Kathleen's almost desperate insistence that I.""
I thought about the filthy wedding dress, the strange phone calls, and Kathleen's almost desperate insistence that I wear it.
Then I looked at the man who had ordered me to kneel only moments before.
"What wear it.
Then I looked at the man who had ordered me to kneel only moments before.
"What does your father's letter have to do with our wedding?""
Larry's lips does your father's letter have to do with our wedding?""
Larry's lips parted.
For the first time since I had known him, he seemed unable to find an answer.
And that frightened parted.
For the first time since I had known him, he seemed unable to find an answer.
And that frightened me more than anything else.
Because whatever Kathleen had hidden inside that dress, it had just shattered the version of his family that Larry had believed in his me more than anything else.
May you like
Because whatever Kathleen had hidden inside that dress, it had just shattered the version of his family that Larry had believed in his entire life.
entire life.
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