Chapter 8: The Father Who Never Died
The## Chapter 8: The Father Who Never Died
The photograph changed Larry's face.
I photograph changed Larry's face.
I had seen him angry, jealous, exhausted, embarrassed, and had seen him angry, jealous, exhausted, embarrassed, and even cruel.
I had never seen him look like even cruel.
I had never seen him look like a child who had just discovered that the world had lied to him.
He kept staring at the image on his phone, zooming in on the man's face and then pulling a child who had just discovered that the world had lied to him.
He kept staring at the image on his phone, zooming in on the man's face and then pulling back as though he needed to verify that the person standing outside 418 Westbrook Avenue was real.
"Look at his eyes," back as though he needed to verify that the person standing outside 418 Westbrook Avenue was real.
"Look at his eyes," Larry whispered.
I leaned closer.
"What about them?""
"They're exactly the same.""
He swallowed.
"My eyes Larry whispered.
I leaned closer.
"What about them?""
"They're exactly the same.""
He swallowed.
"My eyes look like his. My grandmother used to say that when I was little.""
His voice broke on the last word.
look like his. My grandmother used to say that when I was little.""
His voice broke on the last word.
I wanted to comfort him, but I didn't know what comfort could possibly mean when a person's entire childhood had suddenlyI wanted to comfort him, but I didn't know what comfort could possibly mean when a person's entire childhood had suddenly become uncertain.
"Robert said he'd meet us at the station," I reminded him.
"Let's wait for him and let the become uncertain.
"Robert said he'd meet us at the station," I reminded him.
"Let's wait for him and let the authorities help establish what's happening.""
Larry nodded, though his gaze never left the photograph.
"I spent authorities help establish what's happening.""
Larry nodded, though his gaze never left the photograph.
"I spent my whole life thinking my father was dead.""
"I know.""
"Every birthday, every graduation, every important moment, I wondered what he would have said if he'd my whole life thinking my father was dead.""
"I know.""
"Every birthday, every graduation, every important moment, I wondered what he would have said if he'd been there.""
He rubbed his eyes.
"My mother told me he died before he could see the person I became. She said he would been there.""
He rubbed his eyes.
"My mother told me he died before he could see the person I became. She said he would have been proud of me.""
I remained quiet.
"Do you know what the worst part is?"" he asked.
"What?""
"I don't know whether any of that was true.""
For the first time, I have been proud of me.""
I remained quiet.
"Do you know what the worst part is?"" he asked.
"What?""
"I don't know whether any of that was true.""
For the first time, I understood that the mystery wasn't merely about a hidden letter or a property deed.
Larry was grieving someone who might never have died.
He was grieving the childhood he believed he had understood that the mystery wasn't merely about a hidden letter or a property deed.
Larry was grieving someone who might never have died.
He was grieving the childhood he believed he had lost to an accident, while simultaneously realizing that the story of that accident might have been invented.
I lost to an accident, while simultaneously realizing that the story of that accident might have been invented.
I could sympathize with him.
But I couldn't forget that only hours earlier, he had demanded that I kneel could sympathize with him.
But I couldn't forget that only hours earlier, he had demanded that I kneel to satisfy the same woman who had apparently controlled his understanding of his own father.
"Whatever you discover," I said, "you have to decide what kind to satisfy the same woman who had apparently controlled his understanding of his own father.
"Whatever you discover," I said, "you have to decide what kind of man you want to be now.""
He looked at me.
"What does that mean?""
"It means you don't get to use what of man you want to be now.""
He looked at me.
"What does that mean?""
"It means you don't get to use what your mother did as an excuse for what you did to me.""
He absorbed the words without arguing.
"I know.""
your mother did as an excuse for what you did to me.""
He absorbed the words without arguing.
"I know.""
"Your father may have been kept from you. That doesn't change the fact that you chose to hum"Your father may have been kept from you. That doesn't change the fact that you chose to humiliate me.""
"I know that, too.""
I hoped he did.
We eventually received confirmation that the authorities had documentediliate me.""
"I know that, too.""
I hoped he did.
We eventually received confirmation that the authorities had documented the information we provided and that the meeting with Robert would take place at the station.
Before the information we provided and that the meeting with Robert would take place at the station.
Before leaving the hotel, Larry called Kathleen again.
She didn't answer.
He tried once more.
Voicemail.
Then he sent her a message.
**I saw the photograph. I know leaving the hotel, Larry called Kathleen again.
She didn't answer.
He tried once more.
Voicemail.
Then he sent her a message.
*I saw the photograph. I know Dad may be alive. Tell me the truth before I hear it from someone else.*
No reply came.
We traveled Dad may be alive. Tell me the truth before I hear it from someone else.**
No reply came.
We traveled separately from the hotel, following the arrangements made with the authorities. I had no intention of entering the Westbrook property without permission, and I wasn't going to separately from the hotel, following the arrangements made with the authorities. I had no intention of entering the Westbrook property without permission, and I wasn't going to let the mystery pull me into another situation where I ignored my own safety.
At the station, Robert Hayes was let the mystery pull me into another situation where I ignored my own safety.
At the station, Robert Hayes was waiting in a small meeting room.
He was in his sixties, with silver hair, rectangular glasses, and the tired expression of someone who had spent too many years carrying information he didn't know how to share waiting in a small meeting room.
He was in his sixties, with silver hair, rectangular glasses, and the tired expression of someone who had spent too many years carrying information he didn't know how to share.
When Larry entered, Robert stood.
For several seconds, the two men simply looked at each other.
Then Robert extended his hand.
"L.
When Larry entered, Robert stood.
For several seconds, the two men simply looked at each other.
Then Robert extended his hand.
"Larry. I'm sorry.""
Larry didn't take it.
"You knew my father was alive.""
"I knew he was alive when I last spoke to him.arry. I'm sorry.""
Larry didn't take it.
"You knew my father was alive.""
"I knew he was alive when I last spoke to him. I cannot tell you where he has been since then.""
"How long ago was that?""
"Several years.""
I cannot tell you where he has been since then.""
"How long ago was that?""
"Several years.""
Larry's face hardened.
"Several years? You let me believe he was dead.""
"I understand your anger.""
"NoLarry's face hardened.
"Several years? You let me believe he was dead.""
"I understand your anger.""
"No, you don't.""
Robert lowered his hand.
"You're right. I don't know what it was like to grow up believing your father had died. I can only tell you that I was asked, you don't.""
Robert lowered his hand.
"You're right. I don't know what it was like to grow up believing your father had died. I can only tell you that I was asked to remain silent, and I believed that doing so was necessary to protect him.""
"By whom?""
"Your father.""
Larry stared at him.
"Why would he ask you to let his to remain silent, and I believed that doing so was necessary to protect him.""
"By whom?""
"Your father.""
Larry stared at him.
"Why would he ask you to let his son believe he was dead?""
Robert sighed.
"Because Daniel believed that contacting you would place you in the son believe he was dead?""
Robert sighed.
"Because Daniel believed that contacting you would place you in the middle of a dangerous financial dispute. He thought that if you knew he was middle of a dangerous financial dispute. He thought that if you knew he was alive, your mother would realize he had reestablished contact with people who still possessed the records he needed.""
"That sounds like an excuse.""
"It may sound that way. I can't ask you alive, your mother would realize he had reestablished contact with people who still possessed the records he needed.""
"That sounds like an excuse.""
"It may sound that way. I can't ask you to trust me simply because I knew your father.""
Robert opened a folder he had brought with him.
Inside were copies of business to trust me simply because I knew your father.""
Robert opened a folder he had brought with him.
Inside were copies of business records, property documents, and financial statements.
He arranged them across the table.
"Your father owned several commercial properties through a company established before you were born. The property at 418 West records, property documents, and financial statements.
He arranged them across the table.
"Your father owned several commercial properties through a company established before you were born. The property at 418 Westbrook Avenue was one of the most valuable.""
Larry sat down.
"My mother told me the company failed.""
"Some ofbrook Avenue was one of the most valuable.""
Larry sat down.
"My mother told me the company failed.""
"Some of its accounts were closed. Several properties changed ownership. But the available records did not support the explanation that every asset its accounts were closed.
Several properties changed ownership. But the available records did not support the explanation that every asset had been sold to cover debts.""
Robert pointed toward one document.
"This is a record showing the original ownership of the Westbrook property.""
Then he placed another had been sold to cover debts.""
Robert pointed toward one document.
"This is a record showing the original ownership of the Westbrook property.""
Then he placed another sheet beside it.
"And this is a later deed listing Kathleen Martinez as the owner.""
Larry stared at the pages.
"She transferred sheet beside it.
"And this is a later deed listing Kathleen Martinez as the owner.""
Larry stared at the pages.
"She transferred it to herself?""
"I cannot determine that from these copies alone. The signatures and supporting documents would need to be independently verified. But the transfer raises questions.""
"What it to herself?""
"I cannot determine that from these copies alone. The signatures and supporting documents would need to be independently verified. But the transfer raises questions.""
"What questions?""
"Whether Daniel authorized it. Whether the transaction was properly documented. Whether the consideration listed in the records was actually paid.""
Larry's fingers trembled as questions?""
"Whether Daniel authorized it. Whether the transaction was properly documented. Whether the consideration listed in the records was actually paid.""
Larry's fingers trembled as he turned the pages.
"How much was the property worth?""
"At the time of the transfer, it was a substantial asset. Its he turned the pages.
"How much was the property worth?""
"At the time of the transfer, it was a substantial asset. Its current value would require a professional appraisal.""
"Where did the money go?""
"That's what I never managed to current value would require a professional appraisal.""
"Where did the money go?""
"That's what I never managed to establish.""
I watched Larry struggle to process the information.
His mother had told him that his father left them with nothing.
Now there was evidence that valuable property had passed into her establish.""
I watched Larry struggle to process the information.
His mother had told him that his father left them with nothing.
Now there was evidence that valuable property had passed into her name.
But we still didn't know whether the transfer was legitimate, whether the money had been used to settle name.
But we still didn't know whether the transfer was legitimate, whether the money had been used to settle genuine debts, or whether someone had forged documents.
The questions were serious.
The answers remained uncertain.
Larry looked up genuine debts, or whether someone had forged documents.
The questions were serious.
The answers remained uncertain.
Larry looked up.
"Why was the letter hidden in the dress?""
Robert's expression changed.
"I wondered when you would ask that.""
"Do you know?""
"I know that Daniel wanted.
"Why was the letter hidden in the dress?""
Robert's expression changed.
"I wondered when you would ask that.""
"Do you know?""
"I know that Daniel wanted you to receive it. I don't know who placed it inside that particular garment.""
"Then how do you know it came from him?""
Robert you to receive it. I don't know who placed it inside that particular garment.""
"Then how do you know it came from him?""
Robert took a second folder from his took a second folder from his bag.
Inside was a handwritten note bearing the same signature as the letter found in the dress.
"I received this from Daniel years ago. I kept it bag.
Inside was a handwritten note bearing the same signature as the letter found in the dress.
"I received this from Daniel years ago. I kept it because he asked me to preserve it if anything happened to him.""
Larry compared the handwriting.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
because he asked me to preserve it if anything happened to him.""
Larry compared the handwriting.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
"What did he say?""
Robert unfolded the note.
"He asked me to make sure you received certain information if the dispute over the properties was never resolved.""
Larry looked at the date.
It was several years after the date his mother had claimed Daniel died.
He sat back slowly.
"Then she lied about when he died.""
"That appears to be the case"What did he say?""
Robert unfolded the note.
"He asked me to make sure you received certain information if the dispute over the properties was never resolved.""
Larry looked at the date.
It was several years after the date his mother had claimed Daniel died.
He sat back slowly.
"Then she lied about when he died.""
"That appears to be the case, though we still need to establish exactly what happened.""
Larry stared at the table.
Then he asked the question that had been haunting him since he saw the photograph.
", though we still need to establish exactly what happened.""
Larry stared at the table.
Then he asked the question that had been haunting him since he saw the photograph.
"Where is my father now?""
Robert hesitated.
"The message you received suggests he is at Westbrook Avenue. I cannot verify that he is still thereWhere is my father now?""
Robert hesitated.
"The message you received suggests he is at Westbrook Avenue. I cannot verify that he is still there.""
Larry rose immediately.
"I'm going.""
Robert shook his head.
"Not alone, and not without notifying the authorities. We don't.""
Larry rose immediately.
"I'm going.""
Robert shook his head.
"Not alone, and not without notifying the authorities. We don't know why Daniel has chosen to contact you now, or whether the person sending these messages is acting on his behalf.""
Larry know why Daniel has chosen to contact you now, or whether the person sending these messages is acting on his behalf.""
Larry stopped.
I was grateful that someone had finally said what I had been thinking.
A photograph was not proof of a safe reunion.
An anonymous message was not a guarantee of honest stopped.
I was grateful that someone had finally said what I had been thinking.
A photograph was not proof of a safe reunion.
An anonymous message was not a guarantee of honest intentions.
Even the letter, however genuine it appeared, needed to be considered alongside the intentions.
Even the letter, however genuine it appeared, needed to be considered alongside the other evidence.
Larry sat again.
"Then what do we do?""
"We arrange a meeting through the appropriate channels," other evidence.
Larry sat again.
"Then what do we do?""
"We arrange a meeting through the appropriate channels," Robert replied.
"And we preserve every document connected to the property transfers.""
While arrangements were being discussed Robert replied.
"And we preserve every document connected to the property transfers.""
While arrangements were being discussed, Larry's phone began ringing.
Kathleen.
He answered immediately.
"Mom, we need to talk.""
"I, Larry's phone began ringing.
Kathleen.
He answered immediately.
"Mom, we need to talk.""
"I told you to told you to stay at the hotel.""
"You don't get to give me orders anymore.""
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end.
"Who is with you?""
"Robert Hayes.""
Silence.
Then Kathleen spoke in a voice so stay at the hotel.""
"You don't get to give me orders anymore.""
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end.
"Who is with you?""
"Robert Hayes.""
Silence.
Then Kathleen spoke in a voice so cold that even I felt a chill.
"That man has no right to interfere in our family.""
"He was Dad's accountant.""
"He was your father's employee. He has always had his own interests cold that even I felt a chill.
"That man has no right to interfere in our family.""
"He was Dad's accountant.""
"He was your father's employee. He has always had his own interests.""
"Then explain the property documents.""
"I will explain everything when you come home.""
"No. You will explain it now.""
"I am not having this conversation over the phone.""
"Did Dad die when you told.""
"Then explain the property documents.""
"I will explain everything when you come home.""
"No. You will explain it now.""
"I am not having this conversation over the phone.""
"Did Dad die when you told me he did?""
Kathleen didn't answer.
Larry closed his eyes.
"Mom, please.""
For a moment, her voice softened.
"Larry, you me he did?""
Kathleen didn't answer.
Larry closed his eyes.
"Mom, please.""
For a moment, her voice softened.
"Larry, you need to understand that I did what I thought was necessary.""
"Necessary for whom?""
"For you.""
"Did you take need to understand that I did what I thought was necessary.""
"Necessary for whom?""
"For you.""
"Did you take Dad's property?""
"I kept this family alive.""
"That's not an answer.""
"It is the only answer you are going to get until you Dad's property?""
"I kept this family alive.""
"That's not an answer.""
"It is the only answer you are going to get until you stop listening to people who want to destroy us.""
Larry looked toward Robert.
Then he said, "I'm stop listening to people who want to destroy us.""
Larry looked toward Robert.
Then he said, "I'm going to find Dad.""
Kathleen's response came immediately.
"If you do that, you will never be able to undo what happens going to find Dad.""
Kathleen's response came immediately.
"If you do that, you will never be able to undo what happens next.""
"What happens next?""
"You'll learn next.""
"What happens next?""
"You'll learn why he left.""
Larry's face went pale.
"Did he leave us?""
Kathleen went silent.
Then she whispered, "Ask him why he didn't come back when he had the chance.""
why he left.""
Larry's face went pale.
"Did he leave us?""
Kathleen went silent.
Then she whispered, "Ask him why he didn't come back when he had the chance.""
The call ended.
Larry remained standing, his phone pressed against his ear.
I could see the old patternThe call ended.
Larry remained standing, his phone pressed against his ear.
I could see the old pattern trying to reassert itself.
Kathleen had answered one question with another accusation. She had replaced evidence trying to reassert itself.
Kathleen had answered one question with another accusation. She had replaced evidence with guilt, and facts with a warning designed to make her son afraid of what with guilt, and facts with a warning designed to make her son afraid of what he might discover.
But this time, Larry didn't call her back.
He slowly lowered the phone.
"My father had a he might discover.
But this time, Larry didn't call her back.
He slowly lowered the phone.
"My father had a chance to come back," he whispered.
Robert nodded.
"That is what Daniel told me. He believed he could contact you safely chance to come back," he whispered.
Robert nodded.
"That is what Daniel told me. He believed he could contact you safely at one point, but something happened that made him change his mind.""
"What happened?""
"I don't know.""
Larry looked at me.
I saw at one point, but something happened that made him change his mind.""
"What happened?""
"I don't know.""
Larry looked at me.
I saw the question in his eyes.
Was his father a victim?
Had he abandoned his son out of fear?
Or was Kathleen telling the truth about something the question in his eyes.
Was his father a victim?
Had he abandoned his son out of fear?
Or was Kathleen telling the truth about something Daniel had done?
We had evidence of deception, but we still didn't know the whole story Daniel had done?
We had evidence of deception, but we still didn't know the whole story.
Then Robert's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds before speaking.
"Yes. We're here.""
He looked at Larry.
"I've received confirmation that Daniel.
Then Robert's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds before speaking.
"Yes. We're here.""
He looked at Larry.
"I've received confirmation that Daniel is willing to meet with you.""
Larry stopped breathing for a moment.
"Today?""
"Yes.""
"Where?""
Robert listened again.
Then he gave a small nod is willing to meet with you.""
Larry stopped breathing for a moment.
"Today?""
"Yes.""
"Where?""
Robert listened again.
Then he gave a small nod.
"At Westbrook Avenue, with the meeting arranged through the authorities.""
Larry gripped the edge of the table.
For.
"At Westbrook Avenue, with the meeting arranged through the authorities.""
Larry gripped the edge of the table.
For nearly twenty years, he had believed that his father existed only in photographs and memories.
Now he was being given the chance to see him alive.
But before we could leave the room, Robert added nearly twenty years, he had believed that his father existed only in photographs and memories.
Now he was being given the chance to see him alive.
But before we could leave the room, Robert added one more thing.
"Daniel has also asked me to tell you that the money wasn't one more thing.
"Daniel has also asked me to tell you that the money wasn't the reason he disappeared.""
Larry stared at him.
"Then what was?""
Robert closed the folder.
"He says your mother knows the the reason he disappeared.""
Larry stared at him.
"Then what was?""
Robert closed the folder.
"He says your mother knows the answer.""
And suddenly, the most important question was no longer whether Daniel Martinez was alive.
It was why he had stayed away from his son for answer.""
And suddenly, the most important question was no longer whether Daniel Martinez was alive.
May you like
It was why he had stayed away from his son for so long—and what Kathleen had done to make sure neither of them could tell so long—and what Kathleen had done to make sure neither of them could tell the truth.
the truth.
