Chapter 6: The Money Kathleen Tried to Hide
I didn't tell Larry about the second message immediately.
I needed time to think.
The entire Tried to Hide
I didn't tell Larry about the second message immediately.
I needed time to think.
The entire morning had become a series of impossible revelations, and every new answer seemed to create three more questions.
Daniel Martinez might not have died when Larry morning had become a series of impossible revelations, and every new answer seemed to create three more questions.
Daniel Martinez might not have died when Larry was a child.
Kathleen had apparently concealed documents and money connected to her husband.
Someone had hidden a letter inside a ruined was a child.
Kathleen had apparently concealed documents and money connected to her husband.
Someone had hidden a letter inside a ruined wedding dress, then contacted me before I could understand what was happening.
And now someone was warning me that the records could disappear wedding dress, then contacted me before I could understand what was happening.
And now someone was warning me that the records could disappear.
I sat in a quiet corner of the hotel lobby and reread the messages.
The unknown sender had never asked.
I sat in a quiet corner of the hotel lobby and reread the messages.
The unknown sender had never asked me for money.
They hadn't threatened me directly.
Instead, they seemed determined me for money.
They hadn't threatened me directly.
Instead, they seemed determined to make sure I asked the right questions.
That made the situation more unsettling, not less.
A stranger who wanted to help me could have identified themselves.
A stranger who wanted to manipulate me might deliberately avoid doing so.
to make sure I asked the right questions.
That made the situation more unsettling, not less.
A stranger who wanted to help me could have identified themselves.
A stranger who wanted to manipulate me might deliberately avoid doing so.
I had no way of knowing which possibility was true.
I decided to call Jenna.
She answered immediately.
I had no way of knowing which possibility was true.
I decided to call Jenna.
She answered immediately.
"Where are you?""
"Downstairs. Are you still near the bridal suite?""
"No. I'm with Vanessa in"Where are you?""
"Downstairs. Are you still near the bridal suite?""
"No. I'm with Vanessa in a conference room. The hotel asked us to stay available while security documents everything.""
"Good. I need you a conference room. The hotel asked us to stay available while security documents everything.""
"Good. I need you to tell me exactly what you saw when Larry opened the garment bag.""
There was a pause.
"Liz, I already told you about to tell me exactly what you saw when Larry opened the garment bag.""
There was a pause.
"Liz, I already told you about the photograph.""
"I know. I need you to think carefully. Did you notice anything else? Anything about the photograph.""
"I know. I need you to think carefully. Did you notice anything else? Anything about the dress, the bag, or Kathleen's reaction?""
Jenna exhaled.
"Actually, yes.""
I sat up straighter.
"What?""
"Before Larry found the the dress, the bag, or Kathleen's reaction?""
Jenna exhaled.
"Actually, yes.""
I sat up straighter.
"What?""
"Before Larry found the envelope, Kathleen kept telling him not to touch the dress.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"She said it was delicate. She told him envelope, Kathleen kept telling him not to touch the dress.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"She said it was delicate. She told him to let her handle it. But when he pulled the dress away from her, she got really upset.""
"Upset how?""
"Not to let her handle it. But when he pulled the dress away from her, she got really upset.""
"Upset how?""
"Not like someone worried about an old dress getting damaged. She looked terrified.""
I glanced toward like someone worried about an old dress getting damaged. She looked terrified.""
I glanced toward the elevators.
"Did she say anything else?""
Jenna was quiet for several seconds.
"She said, the elevators.
"Did she say anything else?""
Jenna was quiet for several seconds.
"She said, 'You weren't supposed to see that.''"
My heart began pounding.
"She said that to 'You weren't supposed to see that.''"
My heart began pounding.
"She said that to Larry?""
"Yes.""
"After he found the letter?""
"I think so. Everything happened so quickly.""
I closed my eyes.
Those Larry?""
"Yes.""
"After he found the letter?""
"I think so. Everything happened so quickly.""
I closed my eyes.
Those six words changed everything.
You weren't supposed to see that.
Kathleen hadn't been surprised by the discovery.
She had been afraid of six words changed everything.
You weren't supposed to see that.
Kathleen hadn't been surprised by the discovery.
She had been afraid of it.
Perhaps she had known there was something inside the dress and had planned to control how it was revealed it.
Perhaps she had known there was something inside the dress and had planned to control how it was revealed.
Or perhaps the dress had been placed in her possession without her knowing exactly what it contained.
I couldn't yet tell.
"J.
Or perhaps the dress had been placed in her possession without her knowing exactly what it contained.
I couldn't yet tell.
"Jenna, did Larry take the dress away from her?""
"Yes. He laid it on the sofa, and that's when the envelopeenna, did Larry take the dress away from her?""
"Yes. He laid it on the sofa, and that's when the envelope fell out.""
"Did anyone photograph the inside of the lining?""
"I don't know.""
"Please find fell out.""
"Did anyone photograph the inside of the lining?""
"I don't know.""
"Please find out. And don't confront Kathleen about any of this.""
"I wouldn't dream of it.""
After ending the out. And don't confront Kathleen about any of this.""
"I wouldn't dream of it.""
After ending the call, I sat motionless for a moment.
Then I opened my contacts and called my mother.
She answered on the second ring.
"Elizabeth? call, I sat motionless for a moment.
Then I opened my contacts and called my mother.
She answered on the second ring.
"Elizabeth? Honey, is everything all right? We're getting ready to leave for the hotel.""
The sound of Honey, is everything all right? We're getting ready to leave for the hotel.""
The sound of her voice nearly undid me.
I had imagined calling her after the ceremony, laughing about how nervous I had her voice nearly undid me.
I had imagined calling her after the ceremony, laughing about how nervous I had been before walking down the aisle.
Instead, I was sitting in a hotel lobby, no longer engaged, trying been before walking down the aisle.
Instead, I was sitting in a hotel lobby, no longer engaged, trying to understand why my fiancé's supposedly deceased father might have left a secret letter inside a wedding dress.
"No, Mom," I whispered.
"Everything isn't to understand why my fiancé's supposedly deceased father might have left a secret letter inside a wedding dress.
"No, Mom," I whispered.
"Everything isn't all right.""
Her voice changed instantly.
"What happened?""
I tried to explain.
I told her about Kathleen arriving with the ruined dress, about Larry ordering me to kneel, and about my all right.""
Her voice changed instantly.
"What happened?""
I tried to explain.
I told her about Kathleen arriving with the ruined dress, about Larry ordering me to kneel, and about my decision to leave.
I told her that I had discovered a letter supposedly written by Larry's father.
I even told her about decision to leave.
I told her that I had discovered a letter supposedly written by Larry's father.
I even told her about the strange messages.
But I left out some of the details because I couldn't bear to hear myself say them aloud.
When I finished, my the strange messages.
But I left out some of the details because I couldn't bear to hear myself say them aloud.
When I finished, my mother remained silent for several seconds.
Then she said, "I'm proud of you.""
I pressed my lips together.
"You're not disappointed mother remained silent for several seconds.
Then she said, "I'm proud of you.""
I pressed my lips together.
"You're not disappointed?""
"Disappointed in what? That you refused to let someone humiliate you?""
"But?""
"Disappointed in what? That you refused to let someone humiliate you?""
"But the wedding—"
"The wedding is one day, Elizabeth. Your life is much longer than that.""
Tears blurred the wedding—"
"The wedding is one day, Elizabeth. Your life is much longer than that.""
Tears blurred my vision.
She continued softly.
"I know how much you loved him. I know how hard you worked to make this marriage happen. But I also know that you have my vision.
She continued softly.
"I know how much you loved him. I know how hard you worked to make this marriage happen. But I also know that you have spent years trying to earn the approval of someone who never intended to give it freely.""
I wiped my cheek.
"I thought spent years trying to earn the approval of someone who never intended to give it freely.""
I wiped my cheek.
"I thought things would get better after we married.""
"Maybe you hoped they would. But you cannot build a peaceful home with someone who believes you should kneel whenever his things would get better after we married.""
"Maybe you hoped they would. But you cannot build a peaceful home with someone who believes you should kneel whenever his mother is unhappy.""
I covered my mouth with my hand.
For seven years, I had wanted someone to tell me that mother is unhappy.""
I covered my mouth with my hand.
For seven years, I had wanted someone to tell me that I wasn't unreasonable.
That I wasn't selfish.
That I didn't have to sacrifice my dignity to prove I loved someone.
H I wasn't unreasonable.
That I wasn't selfish.
That I didn't have to sacrifice my dignity to prove I loved someone.
Hearing those words from my mother was like finally being allowed to breathe.
"Come home," she said.
"Whateverearing those words from my mother was like finally being allowed to breathe.
"Come home," she said.
"Whatever happens next, you don't have to face it alone.""
"I will.""
"And Elizabeth?""
"Yes?""
"Don't let the happens next, you don't have to face it alone.""
"I will.""
"And Elizabeth?""
"Yes?""
"Don't let the mystery of his family pull you back into a life you already decided to leave.""
I looked mystery of his family pull you back into a life you already decided to leave.""
I looked at the unknown messages again.
"I won't.""
But even as I said it, I knew at the unknown messages again.
"I won't.""
But even as I said it, I knew I couldn't simply walk away from the mystery I couldn't simply walk away from the mystery.
Not because I wanted Larry back.
Because someone had deliberately involved me, and I needed to understand why.
After ending the call, I returned to the hotel office.
The security supervisor was speaking with the operations manager when I entered.
"Ms. Elizabeth," he said, "we.
Not because I wanted Larry back.
Because someone had deliberately involved me, and I needed to understand why.
After ending the call, I returned to the hotel office.
The security supervisor was speaking with the operations manager when I entered.
"Ms. Elizabeth," he said, "we've secured the garment bag and its contents.""
"Has anyone examined the envelope?""
"We've documented what was visible, but we're not conducting a forensic investigation've secured the garment bag and its contents.""
"Has anyone examined the envelope?""
"We've documented what was visible, but we're not conducting a forensic investigation. If there is evidence of a crime, the appropriate authorities would need to handle that.""
"Then I want the relevant information. If there is evidence of a crime, the appropriate authorities would need to handle that.""
"Then I want the relevant information preserved.""
"We'll cooperate with any lawful request.""
I nodded.
"Has Kathleen left?""
"She was preserved.""
"We'll cooperate with any lawful request.""
I nodded.
"Has Kathleen left?""
"She was seen entering the parking garage several minutes ago.""
I immediately thought about the message warning that she might seen entering the parking garage several minutes ago.""
I immediately thought about the message warning that she might destroy the records.
"Did she take anything with her?""
The supervisor frowned.
"We haven't established that.""
I destroy the records.
"Did she take anything with her?""
The supervisor frowned.
"We haven't established that.""
I showed him the message.
He read it carefully.
"Do you know what money this person is referring to?""
"No. But Larry's father's letter mentioned money and showed him the message.
He read it carefully.
"Do you know what money this person is referring to?""
"No. But Larry's father's letter mentioned money and documents signed in his name.""
The supervisor exchanged a glance with the operations manager.
"I recommend that Mr. Martinez speak documents signed in his name.""
The supervisor exchanged a glance with the operations manager.
"I recommend that Mr. Martinez speak with the police if he believes his father's identity or financial affairs may have been misused.""
"Will you tell him that?""
"He with the police if he believes his father's identity or financial affairs may have been misused.""
"Will you tell him that?""
"He has already been advised to consider contacting them has already been advised to consider contacting them.""
I thanked him and stepped into the corridor.
Larry was standing near a window overlooking the hotel entrance.
He turned when he heard my footsteps.
"Did.""
I thanked him and stepped into the corridor.
Larry was standing near a window overlooking the hotel entrance.
He turned when he heard my footsteps.
"Did you get another message?""
I stopped.
"How did you know?""
"Because you've been looking you get another message?""
I stopped.
"How did you know?""
"Because you've been looking at your phone every thirty seconds since we left the office.""
Despite everything, I almost smiled.
He had always noticed the smallest things about me when at your phone every thirty seconds since we left the office.""
Despite everything, I almost smiled.
He had always noticed the smallest things about me when he bothered to look.
I handed him the phone.
He read both messages.
His expression darkened.
"The money.""
"Your father's letter mentioned it.""
he bothered to look.
I handed him the phone.
He read both messages.
His expression darkened.
"The money.""
"Your father's letter mentioned it.""
He nodded slowly.
"When I was younger, my mother told me that Dad had left us with almost nothing. She said his businessHe nodded slowly.
"When I was younger, my mother told me that Dad had left us with almost nothing. She said his business had collapsed before his death, and that she had spent years paying off his debts.""
"Did she ever show you any documents?""
"No. She said had collapsed before his death, and that she had spent years paying off his debts.""
"Did she ever show you any documents?""
"No. She said everything had been handled.""
"Did you believe her?""
"Why wouldn't I?""
He looked away.
"My mother raised me alone everything had been handled.""
"Did you believe her?""
"Why wouldn't I?""
He looked away.
"My mother raised me alone. She worked constantly, and she always said she had sacrificed everything to give me a good life. I never thought to.
She worked constantly, and she always said she had sacrificed everything to give me a good life. I never thought to question her.""
I studied him.
"Did your father own a business?""
"Yes. A small commercial property company. He managed several buildings, and there were question her.""
I studied him.
"Did your father own a business?""
"Yes. A small commercial property company. He managed several buildings, and there were investments connected to it.""
"What happened to those properties?""
"My mother said they were sold to settle the debts.""
"When?""
"I don't remember exactly. I investments connected to it.""
"What happened to those properties?""
"My mother said they were sold to settle the debts.""
"When?""
"I don't remember exactly. I was a teenager when she said everything had been finalized.""
I felt a chill.
was a teenager when she said everything had been finalized.""
I felt a chill.
"What if they weren't sold?""
Larry shook his head.
"That doesn't make sense. If the properties were still there,"What if they weren't sold?""
Larry shook his head.
"That doesn't make sense. If the properties were still there, I would have known.""
"Would you?""
He stared at me.
I regretted the sharpness of my question, but I couldn't ignore the possibility.
For years, Kathleen had controlled I would have known.""
"Would you?""
He stared at me.
I regretted the sharpness of my question, but I couldn't ignore the possibility.
For years, Kathleen had controlled the information Larry received about his father.
She had decided which stories he heard, which questions were the information Larry received about his father.
She had decided which stories he heard, which questions were acceptable, and when a conversation had gone on long enough.
If she had hidden financial documents, he might have acceptable, and when a conversation had gone on long enough.
If she had hidden financial documents, he might have grown up believing an entirely fabricated version of his own family's history.
"I need to call someone," he said.
" grown up believing an entirely fabricated version of his own family's history.
"I need to call someone," he said.
"Who?""
"My father's former accountant. His name is Robert Hayes. I met him a few times when I was young.""
Who?""
"My father's former accountant. His name is Robert Hayes. I met him a few times when I was young.""
"Do you still have his number?""
"I think so.""
Larry searched his contacts, scrolling through old entries"Do you still have his number?""
"I think so.""
Larry searched his contacts, scrolling through old entries until he found a name.
He hesitated before pressing the call button.
The phone rang several times.
Then a man answered.
"Hello until he found a name.
He hesitated before pressing the call button.
The phone rang several times.
Then a man answered.
"Hello?""
"Mr. Hayes? This is Larry Martinez.""
There was a pause.
"Larry?""
"Yes. I'm sorry to call unexpectedly, but I need to ask?""
"Mr. Hayes? This is Larry Martinez.""
There was a pause.
"Larry?""
"Yes. I'm sorry to call unexpectedly, but I need to ask you something about my father.""
Another silence followed.
This one lasted long enough that I wondered whether the man had disconnected.
Then you something about my father.""
Another silence followed.
This one lasted long enough that I wondered whether the man had disconnected.
Then Robert Hayes spoke.
"What happened?""
Larry looked at me.
"What do you mean?""
"Has Robert Hayes spoke.
"What happened?""
Larry looked at me.
"What do you mean?""
"Has Kathleen contacted you?""
"No.""
"Has anyone shown you any documents?""
Larry swallowed.
"I found a letter that may Kathleen contacted you?""
"No.""
"Has anyone shown you any documents?""
Larry swallowed.
"I found a letter that may have been written by my father.""
The man's breathing changed.
"Where did you find it?""
"In a wedding dress.""
Silence.
Then Robert said, "You need have been written by my father.""
The man's breathing changed.
"Where did you find it?""
"In a wedding dress.""
Silence.
Then Robert said, "You need to listen carefully. I don't know who has been contacting you, but if you have a to listen carefully. I don't know who has been contacting you, but if you have a letter from Daniel, you should not let your mother take it.""
Larry's face went white.
"Why?""
"Because Daniel spent years trying letter from Daniel, you should not let your mother take it.""
Larry's face went white.
"Why?""
"Because Daniel spent years trying to recover what belonged to him.""
"What belonged to him?""
"The properties. The money. The records that proved what happened.""
I to recover what belonged to him.""
"What belonged to him?""
"The properties. The money. The records that proved what happened.""
I stepped closer to Larry.
Robert continued.
"Your father believed that someone had transferred assets out of his company without his authorization. stepped closer to Larry.
Robert continued.
"Your father believed that someone had transferred assets out of his company without his authorization. He suspected that documents had been signed in his name after he disappeared.""
Larry gripped the phone.
"Dis He suspected that documents had been signed in his name after he disappeared.""
Larry gripped the phone.
"Disappeared? I was told he died.""
Robert fell silent.
Then he said, "Larry, I cannot explain everything over the phone. But I can tell you this: theappeared? I was told he died.""
Robert fell silent.
Then he said, "Larry, I cannot explain everything over the phone. But I can tell you this: the last time I spoke to your father, he was alive.""
Larry closed his eyes.
"When was that?""
"Several years after you were told he died last time I spoke to your father, he was alive.""
Larry closed his eyes.
"When was that?""
"Several years after you were told he died.""
My stomach tightened.
The letter had not been a random fabrication from a stranger.
At least one person connected to Larry's father's business.""
My stomach tightened.
The letter had not been a random fabrication from a stranger.
At least one person connected to Larry's father's business was confirming that Daniel had lived beyond the date Kathleen had given her son.
"Where is he now?"" Larry demanded.
"I don't know.""
"You're telling was confirming that Daniel had lived beyond the date Kathleen had given her son.
"Where is he now?"" Larry demanded.
"I don't know.""
"You're telling me you spoke to him, but you don't know where he is?""
"He contacted me through an me you spoke to him, but you don't know where he is?""
"He contacted me through an intermediary. He was afraid that any direct contact would put him at risk.""
"At risk from whom?""
Robert hes intermediary. He was afraid that any direct contact would put him at risk.""
"At risk from whom?""
Robert hesitated.
Then he said, "I believe you should ask your mother about the property at 418itated.
Then he said, "I believe you should ask your mother about the property at 418 Westbrook Avenue.""
Larry looked at me, confused.
"What property?""
"The building your father purchased shortly before he disappeared. It was one Westbrook Avenue.""
Larry looked at me, confused.
"What property?""
"The building your father purchased shortly before he disappeared. It was one of the most valuable assets in his portfolio.""
"Mom told me it was sold.""
"It wasn't sold when I last of the most valuable assets in his portfolio.""
"Mom told me it was sold.""
"It wasn't sold when I last reviewed the records.""
"Who owns it now?""
Robert took a slow breath.
"That is exactly what you need to find out.""
The call ended shortly afterward, reviewed the records.""
"Who owns it now?""
Robert took a slow breath.
"That is exactly what you need to find out.""
The call ended shortly afterward, with Robert promising to arrange a meeting once he had reviewed the documents he still possessed.
Larry remained staring at his phone.
I could almost see his with Robert promising to arrange a meeting once he had reviewed the documents he still possessed.
Larry remained staring at his phone.
I could almost see his childhood being dismantled in front of him.
Every story his mother had told him about his father's debts.
Every explanation for why their family had struggled childhood being dismantled in front of him.
Every story his mother had told him about his father's debts.
Every explanation for why their family had struggled.
Every assurance that there was nothing left to investigate.
All of it was suddenly uncertain.
"What are you going to do?"" I.
Every assurance that there was nothing left to investigate.
All of it was suddenly uncertain.
"What are you going to do?"" I asked.
He looked at me.
"I'm going to find out the truth.""
"Even if it means your mother was lying?""
His expression tightened.
"Especially asked.
He looked at me.
"I'm going to find out the truth.""
"Even if it means your mother was lying?""
His expression tightened.
"Especially if it means that.""
I nodded.
"Then start by making copies of everything. The if it means that.""
I nodded.
"Then start by making copies of everything. The letter, the photograph, the messages. Don't confront her without knowing what you're dealing with.""
He looked surprised.
letter, the photograph, the messages. Don't confront her without knowing what you're dealing with.""
He looked surprised.
"You're helping me.""
"I'm helping you preserve evidence. Don't confuse that with forgiving you.""
His"You're helping me.""
"I'm helping you preserve evidence. Don't confuse that with forgiving you.""
His eyes lowered.
"I won't.""
For several seconds, we stood beside the window in silence.
Then his phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from an unfamiliar number.
Larry opened it.
There eyes lowered.
"I won't.""
For several seconds, we stood beside the window in silence.
Then his phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from an unfamiliar number.
Larry opened it.
There was no greeting.
No explanation.
Only a photograph of a building with dark brick walls and tall windows.
Beneath it was a single sentence.
**418 Westbrook Avenue was never sold. Ask was no greeting.
No explanation.
Only a photograph of a building with dark brick walls and tall windows.
Beneath it was a single sentence.
*418 Westbrook Avenue was never sold. Ask Kathleen why the deed is in her name.*
Larry stared at the screen.
I felt the air leave my Kathleen why the deed is in her name.**
Larry stared at the screen.
I felt the air leave my lungs.
If the message was accurate, Kathleen hadn't merely hidden the truth about Daniel.
She might have benefited financially lungs.
If the message was accurate, Kathleen hadn't merely hidden the truth about Daniel.
She might have benefited financially from his disappearance.
And the ruined wedding dress, the concealed letter, and the frantic attempt to seize it suddenly from his disappearance.
And the ruined wedding dress, the concealed letter, and the frantic attempt to seize it suddenly seemed connected to something much bigger than a family argument.
Larry looked at me.
"I need to see that building.""
I glanced toward the hotel entrance, where the wedding guests were seemed connected to something much bigger than a family argument.
Larry looked at me.
"I need to see that building.""
I glanced toward the hotel entrance, where the wedding guests were still arriving for a ceremony that would still arriving for a ceremony that would never take place.
Three hours earlier, I had believed my greatest problem was choosing the right man to marry.
Now I was standing beside him, learning that the family I had nearly joined might have been built on a lie.
never take place.
Three hours earlier, I had believed my greatest problem was choosing the right man to marry.
Now I was standing beside him, learning that the family I had nearly joined might have been built on a lie.
I took a deep breath.
"Then let's find out who owns it.""
But before Larry could answer, another message appeared onI took a deep breath.
"Then let's find out who owns it.""
But before Larry could answer, another message appeared on his phone.
This one contained no photograph.
Only seven words.
*Your mother knows Daniel is coming back today.*
Larry went completely still.
I read the message again.
Then I looked toward the parking garage.
Kathleen his phone.
This one contained no photograph.
Only seven words.
*Your mother knows Daniel is coming back today.*
Larry went completely still.
I read the message again.
Then I looked toward the parking garage.
Kathleen had left the hotel.
And if the warning was true, she wasn't running away from the past.
She was preparing for someone to return.
Someone she had spent years convincing her had left the hotel.
And if the warning was true, she wasn't running away from the past.
She was preparing for someone to return.
Someone she had spent years convincing her son was dead.
Someone whose letter had been hidden inside the very dress she had tried to force me to wear.
For the first time, I son was dead.
Someone whose letter had been hidden inside the very dress she had tried to force me to wear.
For the first time, I wondered whether Kathleen had chosen that ruined gown because of its supposed family tradition—or because she believed it was the safest place to hide the truth.
May you like
And if Daniel Martinez wondered whether Kathleen had chosen that ruined gown because of its supposed family tradition—or because she believed it was the safest place to hide the truth.
And if Daniel Martinez really was coming back that day, we had no idea what he would reveal when he finally arrived. really was coming back that day, we had no idea what he would reveal when he finally arrived.
