Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
Larry read: The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
Larry read the message three times before he finally looked up at me.
“Your mother the message three times before he finally looked up at me.
“Your mother knows Daniel is coming back today.””
His voice sounded hollow.
For seven years, I had watched Larry defend Kathleen knows Daniel is coming back today.””
His voice sounded hollow.
For seven years, I had watched Larry defend Kathleen against anyone who questioned her behavior. He had treated her opinions as facts, her demands as obligations, against anyone who questioned her behavior. He had treated her opinions as facts, her demands as obligations, and her approval as something he could never afford to lose.
Now he was beginning to understand that the woman he had trusted most and her approval as something he could never afford to lose.
Now he was beginning to understand that the woman he had trusted most might have constructed an entire history around a lie.
“Call Robert Hayes,” I said.
Larry immediately dialed the accountant's number.
It might have constructed an entire history around a lie.
“Call Robert Hayes,” I said.
Larry immediately dialed the accountant's number.
It went straight to voicemail.
He tried again.
Nothing.
“Damn it!””
He lowered the phone, his went straight to voicemail.
He tried again.
Nothing.
“Damn it!””
He lowered the phone, his face twisting with frustration.
I understood the feeling. Every time we uncovered face twisting with frustration.
I understood the feeling. Every time we uncovered another piece of the mystery, the person who could explain it became harder to reach.
“Maybe we should contact the police,” I suggested another piece of the mystery, the person who could explain it became harder to reach.
“Maybe we should contact the police,” I suggested.
“Tell them what? That my dead father might be alive because an anonymous person sent me a text.
“Tell them what? That my dead father might be alive because an anonymous person sent me a text?””
“Tell them about the concealed letter, the financial documents your father mentioned, and the threats?””
“Tell them about the concealed letter, the financial documents your father mentioned, and the threats you've received.””
Larry stared at the phone.
Then he nodded.
For once, he didn't argue simply you've received.””
Larry stared at the phone.
Then he nodded.
For once, he didn't argue simply because the suggestion had come from me.
We returned to the hotel security office and explained what had happened. The supervisor documented because the suggestion had come from me.
We returned to the hotel security office and explained what had happened. The supervisor documented the messages and advised Larry to contact the appropriate authorities regarding the suspected financial misconduct and the possibility that someone had deliberately concealed evidence.
Larry made the the messages and advised Larry to contact the appropriate authorities regarding the suspected financial misconduct and the possibility that someone had deliberately concealed evidence.
Larry made the call.
While he spoke, I stepped into the hallway and watched people cross the lobby.
Some guests call.
While he spoke, I stepped into the hallway and watched people cross the lobby.
Some guests had begun asking why the wedding ceremony was delayed. A few members of Larry's extended had begun asking why the wedding ceremony was delayed. A few members of Larry's extended family had arrived and were whispering near the reception desk.
My wedding was supposed to begin in less than an hour.
family had arrived and were whispering near the reception desk.
My wedding was supposed to begin in less than an hour.
Instead, I was standing in a hotel corridor wondering whether my fiancé's father had been alive all along.
Jenna appeared beside me.
"How areInstead, I was standing in a hotel corridor wondering whether my fiancé's father had been alive all along.
Jenna appeared beside me.
"How are you holding up?""
I gave a humorless laugh.
"I don't think I know how to answer that anymore you holding up?""
I gave a humorless laugh.
"I don't think I know how to answer that anymore.""
She wrapped her arms around me.
"You don't have to figure everything out today.""
I rested my head against her shoulder for a.""
She wrapped her arms around me.
"You don't have to figure everything out today.""
I rested my head against her shoulder for a moment.
"I know. I just wish I understood why I was dragged into this.""
Jenna hesitated.
"Maybe moment.
"I know. I just wish I understood why I was dragged into this.""
Jenna hesitated.
"Maybe you weren't supposed to be.""
I pulled away.
"What do you mean?""
"Think about it. Kathleen brought the dress. She you weren't supposed to be.""
I pulled away.
"What do you mean?""
"Think about it. Kathleen brought the dress. She insisted you wear it. She knew Larry would support her.""
"Yes.""
"But what if the insisted you wear it. She knew Larry would support her.""
"Yes.""
"But what if the dress wasn't really meant for you?""
I stared at her.
The possibility had occurred to me, but I hadn't allowed myself dress wasn't really meant for you?""
I stared at her.
The possibility had occurred to me, but I hadn't allowed myself to follow it.
Kathleen had arrived carrying a garment bag she treated like a sacred object to follow it.
Kathleen had arrived carrying a garment bag she treated like a sacred object. She had been determined that I wear the dress, even though its condition made the. She had been determined that I wear the dress, even though its condition made the demand ridiculous.
Perhaps humiliating me had been part of her plan.
Perhaps it had been a distraction.
Or perhaps she demand ridiculous.
Perhaps humiliating me had been part of her plan.
Perhaps it had been a distraction.
Or perhaps she had believed the letter would remain hidden if she controlled the situation closely enough.
"What if she needed the had believed the letter would remain hidden if she controlled the situation closely enough.
"What if she needed the dress to be opened in front of witnesses?"" I asked.
J dress to be opened in front of witnesses?"" I asked.
Jenna frowned.
"Why would she want that?""
"I don't know. But she seemed almost pleased when she arrived. Then, when Larry found the envelope, she panicked.""
I looked toward the securityenna frowned.
"Why would she want that?""
"I don't know. But she seemed almost pleased when she arrived. Then, when Larry found the envelope, she panicked.""
I looked toward the security office.
"Someone wanted that letter discovered. The question is whether Kathleen knew it was there.""
Before Jenna office.
"Someone wanted that letter discovered. The question is whether Kathleen knew it was there.""
Before Jenna could answer, Larry came out of the office.
He looked directly at me.
"We need to go to Westbrook Avenue.""
I shook could answer, Larry came out of the office.
He looked directly at me.
"We need to go to Westbrook Avenue.""
I shook my head.
"Larry, the police have advised you to preserve the evidence. We shouldn't go charging my head.
"Larry, the police have advised you to preserve the evidence. We shouldn't go charging into an unknown situation.""
"I'm not going alone.""
"That's not the point.""
He looked down.
"I know. But if into an unknown situation.""
"I'm not going alone.""
"That's not the point.""
He looked down.
"I know. But if my father is alive, I need to find him.""
His desperation was understandable.
my father is alive, I need to find him.""
His desperation was understandable.
It didn't erase what he had done to me.
"I'll help you contact the authorities and arrange a safe wayIt didn't erase what he had done to me.
"I'll help you contact the authorities and arrange a safe way to investigate," I said.
"But I'm not going because you expect me to rescue you.""
"I don't expect that.""
"Good.""
He nodded.
For the first time in our to investigate," I said.
"But I'm not going because you expect me to rescue you.""
"I don't expect that.""
"Good.""
He nodded.
For the first time in our relationship, he seemed to understand that my help was something I chose to offer, not something he was entitled to demand.
We waited relationship, he seemed to understand that my help was something I chose to offer, not something he was entitled to demand.
We waited while Larry spoke with the authorities and provided the information he had gathered. The hotel preserved the relevant materials while Larry spoke with the authorities and provided the information he had gathered. The hotel preserved the relevant materials, and we made arrangements to meet with Robert Hayes at a nearby police station if he could be reached.
Then Larry's, and we made arrangements to meet with Robert Hayes at a nearby police station if he could be reached.
Then Larry's phone rang.
The caller's name appeared on the screen.
*Robert Hayes.*
Larry answered immediately.
"Where have you been?""
"I'm sorry," Robert said.
"I was speaking phone rang.
The caller's name appeared on the screen.
*Robert Hayes.*
Larry answered immediately.
"Where have you been?""
"I'm sorry," Robert said.
"I was speaking with someone who may be able to help us.""
"Who?""
"Someone who knew with someone who may be able to help us.""
"Who?""
"Someone who knew your father.""
Larry's expression changed.
"Is Daniel alive?""
A long pause followed.
"I cannot promise you that," Robert replied.
"But I received information this morning that makes me believe he may be your father.""
Larry's expression changed.
"Is Daniel alive?""
A long pause followed.
"I cannot promise you that," Robert replied.
"But I received information this morning that makes me believe he may be.""
Larry gripped the phone so tightly that his knuckles whitened.
"Where is he?""
"Westbrook Avenue. But listen.""
Larry gripped the phone so tightly that his knuckles whitened.
"Where is he?""
"Westbrook Avenue. But listen carefully. Do not go there without contacting the authorities first.""
"We're already working with them.""
"Good. Then let them know that the carefully. Do not go there without contacting the authorities first.""
"We're already working with them.""
"Good. Then let them know that the building's current ownership may be relevant to an investigation.""
Larry glanced at me.
"Why did you tell me to ask about building's current ownership may be relevant to an investigation.""
Larry glanced at me.
"Why did you tell me to ask about the deed?""
"Because I reviewed records years ago that suggested Daniel's ownership had never the deed?""
"Because I reviewed records years ago that suggested Daniel's ownership had never been legally transferred. If the deed is now in Kathleen's name, there may be an explanation—or there may be a serious problem.""
"Did my mother steal my father's property?""
"I don't know. I never had all the documents.""
been legally transferred. If the deed is now in Kathleen's name, there may be an explanation—or there may be a serious problem.""
"Did my mother steal my father's property?""
"I don't know. I never had all the documents.""
"Then why didn't you tell me any of this before?""
Robert's voice softened.
"Because your father asked me to wait"Then why didn't you tell me any of this before?""
Robert's voice softened.
"Because your father asked me to wait until he could speak to you himself. He believed that telling you too early might expose you to people who wanted him silenced.""
Larry closed his eyes.
"People until he could speak to you himself. He believed that telling you too early might expose you to people who wanted him silenced.""
Larry closed his eyes.
"People who wanted him silenced?""
"I can't explain that over the phone. We need to meet.""
"Then meet who wanted him silenced?""
"I can't explain that over the phone. We need to meet.""
"Then meet me now.""
"I will. Give me forty minutes.""
The call ended.
Larry stood motionless.
I watched the me now.""
"I will. Give me forty minutes.""
The call ended.
Larry stood motionless.
I watched the pain on his face and felt an uncomfortable mixture of sympathy and anger.
He was discovering that his childhood pain on his face and felt an uncomfortable mixture of sympathy and anger.
He was discovering that his childhood might have been shaped by a deception.
But I was also remembering how easily he had expected me to accept his mother's might have been shaped by a deception.
But I was also remembering how easily he had expected me to accept his mother's version of reality that very morning.
He had demanded obedience from me because Kathleen told version of reality that very morning.
He had demanded obedience from me because Kathleen told him it was necessary.
He had never asked whether she was telling the truth.
Now he was finally learning him it was necessary.
He had never asked whether she was telling the truth.
Now he was finally learning to ask.
"Elizabeth," he said quietly, "I need to apologize for something.""
I folded my arms.
"Something?""
to ask.
"Elizabeth," he said quietly, "I need to apologize for something.""
I folded my arms.
"Something?""
He winced.
"Everything that happened upstairs. I knew my mother wanted you to wear that dressHe winced.
"Everything that happened upstairs. I knew my mother wanted you to wear that dress. I agreed because she told me refusing would dishonor our family.""
"You never even. I agreed because she told me refusing would dishonor our family.""
"You never even asked me what I wanted.""
"I know.""
"You didn't care that the dress was filthy.""
asked me what I wanted.""
"I know.""
"You didn't care that the dress was filthy.""
"I know.""
"And when I refused, you ordered me to kneel.""
He lowered his head.
"I was wrong.""
I studied him.
For seven years, I had wanted him to say those"I know.""
"And when I refused, you ordered me to kneel.""
He lowered his head.
"I was wrong.""
I studied him.
For seven years, I had wanted him to say those words without adding a justification.
Without blaming stress, his mother, or my supposed words without adding a justification.
Without blaming stress, his mother, or my supposed sensitivity.
Now he had finally said them.
But the apology arrived after the damage had already been sensitivity.
Now he had finally said them.
But the apology arrived after the damage had already been done.
"I believe you regret it," I told him.
"But regret doesn't automatically make done.
"I believe you regret it," I told him.
"But regret doesn't automatically make someone safe to trust.""
He nodded.
"I understand.""
I hoped he did.
Because the last thing I wanted was to mistake his vulnerability someone safe to trust.""
He nodded.
"I understand.""
I hoped he did.
Because the last thing I wanted was to mistake his vulnerability for transformation.
A few minutes later, Larry received another call.
This time, it wasn't for transformation.
A few minutes later, Larry received another call.
This time, it wasn't Robert.
It was Kathleen.
He answered on speaker.
"Where are you, Mom?""
"Where are you?"" she demanded.
" Robert.
It was Kathleen.
He answered on speaker.
"Where are you, Mom?""
"Where are you?"" she demanded.
"At the hotel.""
"Good. Stay there.""
"Why?""
"Because I am coming backAt the hotel.""
"Good. Stay there.""
"Why?""
"Because I am coming back, and we need to talk.""
"About Dad?""
Silence.
Then Kathleen, and we need to talk.""
"About Dad?""
Silence.
Then Kathleen said, "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into.""
Larry's jaw tightened.
"Is he alive?""
"You need to stop listening to strangers.""
"That isn't an answer.""
"I said, "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into.""
Larry's jaw tightened.
"Is he alive?""
"You need to stop listening to strangers.""
"That isn't an answer.""
"I raised you. I protected you. I sacrificed everything for you, and now you're questioning me because of a piece of paper hidden in raised you.
I protected you. I sacrificed everything for you, and now you're questioning me because of a piece of paper hidden in a dress?""
"Did you know the letter was there?""
Kathleen didn't respond.
Larry repeated the question.
"Did a dress?""
"Did you know the letter was there?""
Kathleen didn't respond.
Larry repeated the question.
"Did you know?""
Her voice became icy.
"If you leave that hotel, you will destroy everything I have spent my you know?""
Her voice became icy.
"If you leave that hotel, you will destroy everything I have spent my life protecting.""
Then she hung up.
Larry stared at the screen.
I felt a chill pass through me.
Kath life protecting.""
Then she hung up.
Larry stared at the screen.
I felt a chill pass through me.
Kathleen hadn't denied that Daniel was alive.
She hadn't denied the financial accusations.
Instead, she had warned herleen hadn't denied that Daniel was alive.
She hadn't denied the financial accusations.
Instead, she had warned her son that asking questions would destroy everything she had protected.
That was not the response of someone with nothing to hide.
son that asking questions would destroy everything she had protected.
That was not the response of someone with nothing to hide.
Larry looked at me.
"I have to find out what happened.""
"Then we do it properly.""
He nodded.
Larry looked at me.
"I have to find out what happened.""
"Then we do it properly.""
He nodded.
We waited for further instructions from the authorities, and eventually Robert confirmed that he would meet us at the station.
But before we could leave the hotel, a message appeared on Larry's phoneWe waited for further instructions from the authorities, and eventually Robert confirmed that he would meet us at the station.
But before we could leave the hotel, a message appeared on Larry's phone.
It contained a photograph.
A man stood outside the brick building at 418 Westbrook Avenue.
He wore a dark coat and held.
It contained a photograph.
A man stood outside the brick building at 418 Westbrook Avenue.
He wore a dark coat and held a folded newspaper beneath one arm.
His hair was mostly gray.
His face was older, thinner, and lined with a folded newspaper beneath one arm.
His hair was mostly gray.
His face was older, thinner, and lined with years of hardship.
Yet even through the grainy image, Larry recognized him.
years of hardship.
Yet even through the grainy image, Larry recognized him.
I watched the color drain from his face.
"No," he whispered.
He zoomI watched the color drain from his face.
"No," he whispered.
He zoomed in on the photograph.
Then he made a sound I had never heard from him before—a broken, disbelieving breath that seemed to come fromed in on the photograph.
Then he made a sound I had never heard from him before—a broken, disbelieving breath that seemed to come from somewhere deep inside his chest.
"That's him.""
I moved closer.
"Your father?""
Larry nodded.
His eyes filled with tears.
"That's my father.""
somewhere deep inside his chest.
"That's him.""
I moved closer.
"Your father?""
Larry nodded.
His eyes filled with tears.
"That's my father.""
The message beneath the photograph contained only one sentence.
*Daniel Martinez is waiting to tell you why he disappeared.*
Larry stared at the image as if he were afraid it might vanishThe message beneath the photograph contained only one sentence.
*Daniel Martinez is waiting to tell you why he disappeared.*
Larry stared at the image as if he were afraid it might vanish.
Then another message arrived.
*But before you meet him, you need to know what your mother did with the money.*
.
Then another message arrived.
*But before you meet him, you need to know what your mother did with the money.*
May you like
And suddenly, the reunion Larry had spent his entire life believing was impossible became tangled with a questionAnd suddenly, the reunion Larry had spent his entire life believing was impossible became tangled with a question that could destroy the only family he had ever known.
that could destroy the only family he had ever known.
