The Dress That Cost Them Everything

Vanessa was waiting in the kitchen when Secret

Vanessa was waiting in the kitchen when I returned home.

She stood beside the I returned home.

She stood beside the island, arranging a collection of invitations into a neat stack. Brianna sat island, arranging a collection of invitations into a neat stack. Brianna sat on a stool nearby, scrolling through photographs of herself in expensive dresses.

on a stool nearby, scrolling through photographs of herself in expensive dresses.

Neither looked surprised to see me.

That frightened me more than if they had started shouting.

Neither looked surprised to see me.

That frightened me more than if they had started shouting.

“Where have you been?”” Vanessa asked.

“Out.””

“With that alterations woman?””

“Mrs“Where have you been?”” Vanessa asked.

“Out.””

“With that alterations woman?””

“Mrs. Alvarez has a name.””

Vanessa placed the invitations on the counter.

“And apparently, she has been filling. Alvarez has a name.””

Vanessa placed the invitations on the counter.

“And apparently, she has been filling your head with ridiculous ideas.””

I tightened my grip on my schoolbag.

“What ideas?””

“That you your head with ridiculous ideas.””

I tightened my grip on my schoolbag.

“What ideas?””

“That you are entitled to things simply because you want them.””

Brianna laughed without looking up from her are entitled to things simply because you want them.””

Brianna laughed without looking up from her phone.

“Mom, just tell her to give me the dress. The fitting is tomorrow.””

Vanessa phone.

“Mom, just tell her to give me the dress. The fitting is tomorrow.””

Vanessa raised one finger.

“I'm speaking to Nia.””

“Then speak faster,” Bri raised one finger.

“I'm speaking to Nia.””

“Then speak faster,” Brianna muttered.

“I have things to do.””

Vanessa shot her a warning glance before turning backanna muttered.

“I have things to do.””

Vanessa shot her a warning glance before turning back to me.

“Your father tells me you have been making accusations about him.””

I felt my to me.

“Your father tells me you have been making accusations about him.””

I felt my heartbeat quicken.

“What did he tell you?””

“That you have been digging through your mother's heartbeat quicken.

“What did he tell you?””

“That you have been digging through your mother's old belongings and contacting strangers about private family matters.””

“They aren't strangers. They're the old belongings and contacting strangers about private family matters.””

“They aren't strangers. They're the people judging my design.””

“Your design?”” Brianna interrupted.

“You mean the people judging my design.””

“Your design?”” Brianna interrupted.

“You mean the dress you made in this house?””

“I made it with my own money.””

“You used our electricity dress you made in this house?””

“I made it with my own money.””

“You used our electricity,” she replied.

“And our water. Should I send you a bill?””

I looked,” she replied.

“And our water. Should I send you a bill?””

I looked at her.

“You know what you did.””

Her smile at her.

“You know what you did.””

Her smile faded.

Vanessa stepped between us.

“Enough. Brianna has a major event coming up, and I will faded.

Vanessa stepped between us.

“Enough. Brianna has a major event coming up, and I will not allow your jealousy to ruin it.””

“Then why are you so worried about what I told the not allow your jealousy to ruin it.””

“Then why are you so worried about what I told the judges?””

Vanessa went still.

It lasted only a second, but I saw it.

The flicker of fear.

judges?””

Vanessa went still.

It lasted only a second, but I saw it.

The flicker of fear.

Then she reached for a glass of water and took a measured sip.

“Because you have a habit of exaggeratingThen she reached for a glass of water and took a measured sip.

“Because you have a habit of exaggerating things.””

“I showed them my original sketches.””

Her glass stopped things.””

“I showed them my original sketches.””

Her glass stopped halfway to her mouth.

“And what did they say?””

“They said my work belonged to me.””

B halfway to her mouth.

“And what did they say?””

“They said my work belonged to me.””

Brianna slid off the stool.

“That's impossible!””

I turned toward her.

“Why?””

“Because—rianna slid off the stool.

“That's impossible!””

I turned toward her.

“Why?””

“Because—”

She stopped.

Vanessa set down the glass with a sharp click.

”

She stopped.

Vanessa set down the glass with a sharp click.

“Brianna, go upstairs.””

“But Mom—”

“Now.””

Brianna snatched up her phone and stormed out of“Brianna, go upstairs.””

“But Mom—”

“Now.””

Brianna snatched up her phone and stormed out of the kitchen.

Vanessa waited until her footsteps disappeared.

Then she leaned toward me.

“What exactly the kitchen.

Vanessa waited until her footsteps disappeared.

Then she leaned toward me.

“What exactly did those judges see?””

I smiled without humor.

“My sketches. My receipts. My photographs did those judges see?””

I smiled without humor.

“My sketches. My receipts. My photographs. Everything.””

Her face hardened.

“You should have discussed this with your father first.””

“I did. Everything.””

Her face hardened.

“You should have discussed this with your father first.””

“I did. He told me to leave it alone.””

“And you ignored him.””

“He also told me not to let you find. He told me to leave it alone.””

“And you ignored him.””

“He also told me not to let you find a key.””

For the first time, Vanessa lost control of her expression.

Her eyes dropped to a key.””

For the first time, Vanessa lost control of her expression.

Her eyes dropped to my schoolbag.

“What key?””

I said nothing.

She reached toward the bag.

I stepped backward.

“Don't touch me.””

my schoolbag.

“What key?””

I said nothing.

She reached toward the bag.

I stepped backward.

“Don't touch me.””

Her hand froze.

We stared at each other across the kitchen island.

Then she straightHer hand froze.

We stared at each other across the kitchen island.

Then she straightened her blouse.

“You have no idea what you're doing, Nia.””

“Thenened her blouse.

“You have no idea what you're doing, Nia.””

“Then tell me.””

“Some things are better left in the past.””

“Like my mother's money?””

tell me.””

“Some things are better left in the past.””

“Like my mother's money?””

Vanessa's lips parted slightly.

I knew then that she had heard more than Dad hadVanessa's lips parted slightly.

I knew then that she had heard more than Dad had intended her to hear.

“You have no proof that anything was stolen,” she said.

“I intended her to hear.

“You have no proof that anything was stolen,” she said.

“I haven't accused anyone of stealing anything.””

“You just did.””

“No. I asked a question.””

haven't accused anyone of stealing anything.””

“You just did.””

“No. I asked a question.””

She gave a cold laugh.

“Your mother was a wonderful woman, but she wasn'tShe gave a cold laugh.

“Your mother was a wonderful woman, but she wasn't always practical. She left Marcus with bills, responsibilities, and a young daughter. He had to make difficult decisions.””

I felt my always practical. She left Marcus with bills, responsibilities, and a young daughter. He had to make difficult decisions.””

I felt my nails dig into my palms.

“He told me the money was gone.””

“And perhaps it nails dig into my palms.

“He told me the money was gone.””

“And perhaps it was.””

“Then why is he afraid of a key?””

Vanessa's eyes narrowed.

“What key?””

I picked up was.””

“Then why is he afraid of a key?””

Vanessa's eyes narrowed.

“What key?””

I picked up my schoolbag.

“The one you keep asking about.””

I walked past her.

She didn't stop my schoolbag.

“The one you keep asking about.””

I walked past her.

She didn't stop me.

But as I reached the stairs, she called after me.

“Your father loves you, Nia. Don't destroy your me.

But as I reached the stairs, she called after me.

“Your father loves you, Nia. Don't destroy your relationship with him over money you may never have been entitled to.””

I turned.

relationship with him over money you may never have been entitled to.””

I turned.

“Mom made sure I was entitled to it.””

For the first time, Vanessa“Mom made sure I was entitled to it.””

For the first time, Vanessa had no answer.

I went upstairs and locked my door.

Then I called Mrs. Alvarez.

She listened had no answer.

I went upstairs and locked my door.

Then I called Mrs. Alvarez.

She listened without interrupting as I described the confrontation.

When I mentioned Vanessa's reaction to the key, she ex without interrupting as I described the confrontation.

When I mentioned Vanessa's reaction to the key, she exhaled slowly.

“I think we need to speak to your mother's attorney.””

“I don't know his name.””

“haled slowly.

“I think we need to speak to your mother's attorney.””

“I don't know his name.””

“Your letter may contain it.””

I unfolded the paper again.

Near the bottom, beneathYour letter may contain it.””

I unfolded the paper again.

Near the bottom, beneath the reference to the trust, was a name I hadn't noticed earlier.

**Daniel Whitmore, the reference to the trust, was a name I hadn't noticed earlier.

*Daniel Whitmore, Whitmore and Associates.*

I read it aloud.

Mrs. Alvarez was quiet Whitmore and Associates.**

I read it aloud.

Mrs. Alvarez was quiet for a moment.

“I know that firm. They handled several estate matters for people in this area.””

for a moment.

“I know that firm. They handled several estate matters for people in this area.””

“Can you find out whether he still works there?””

“I can try.“Can you find out whether he still works there?””

“I can try. But Nia, there's something else you need to understand.””

“What?””

“If your mother created a trust for you, your father But Nia, there's something else you need to understand.””

“What?””

“If your mother created a trust for you, your father may have had legal responsibilities as the person managing your affairs. may have had legal responsibilities as the person managing your affairs. We shouldn't assume he broke the law without seeing the documents.””

“I know.””

“Good. We need We shouldn't assume he broke the law without seeing the documents.””

“I know.””

“Good. We need records, not guesses.””

I looked at the key.

“Then let's get the records, not guesses.””

I looked at the key.

“Then let's get the records.””

That afternoon, Mrs. Alvarez drove me to the law firm's office.

The building was an old records.””

That afternoon, Mrs. Alvarez drove me to the law firm's office.

The building was an old brick structure with polished wooden doors and a brass plaque beside the entrance. Inside, a receptionist asked us brick structure with polished wooden doors and a brass plaque beside the entrance. Inside, a receptionist asked us to wait while she checked whether Mr. Whitmore was available.

Ten minutes later, a tall man with silver to wait while she checked whether Mr. Whitmore was available.

Ten minutes later, a tall man with silver hair emerged from a corridor.

“Nia Carter?”” he asked.

I stood.

“Yes.””

hair emerged from a corridor.

“Nia Carter?”” he asked.

I stood.

“Yes.””

He studied my face, and his expression softened.

“You look so much like your mother.””

My throatHe studied my face, and his expression softened.

“You look so much like your mother.””

My throat tightened.

“You knew her?””

“Very well.””

He led us into a private office filled with bookshelves and framed tightened.

“You knew her?””

“Very well.””

He led us into a private office filled with bookshelves and framed certificates.

After we sat down, I placed the letter and key on certificates.

After we sat down, I placed the letter and key on his desk.

Mr. Whitmore read the letter slowly.

When he finished, he removed his glasses.

“I his desk.

Mr. Whitmore read the letter slowly.

When he finished, he removed his glasses.

“I wondered when you might come.””

My stomach tightened.

“You knew wondered when you might come.””

My stomach tightened.

“You knew about the money?””

“Yes.””

“Then why did nobody tell me?””

He looked at me carefully.

“Because your father was your legal about the money?””

“Yes.””

“Then why did nobody tell me?””

He looked at me carefully.

“Because your father was your legal guardian, and I was instructed to communicate with him regarding routine administration. guardian, and I was instructed to communicate with him regarding routine administration. I was not aware that he had told you the fund was exhausted.””

“Was it?””

“No.””

The word I was not aware that he had told you the fund was exhausted.””

“Was it?””

“No.””

The word landed like a stone.

I gripped the arms of my chair.

“How much landed like a stone.

I gripped the arms of my chair.

“How much was there?””

Mr. Whitmore opened a filing cabinet and removed a thick folder.

“Your mother established was there?””

Mr. Whitmore opened a filing cabinet and removed a thick folder.

“Your mother established a protected education and development trust shortly before her death. It included savings, investment proceeds a protected education and development trust shortly before her death. It included savings, investment proceeds, and a separate amount designated for your future career.””

He turned a page.

“The, and a separate amount designated for your future career.””

He turned a page.

“The original balance was approximately one hundred and eighty-six thousand dollars.””

I stared at him.

I original balance was approximately one hundred and eighty-six thousand dollars.””

I stared at him.

I had never seen that much money in my life.

Not even close.

“That's had never seen that much money in my life.

Not even close.

“That's impossible.””

“No, Nia. It was the result of years of saving, life insurance impossible.””

“No, Nia. It was the result of years of saving, life insurance proceeds, and investments your mother made while she was working.””

I remembered the envelope proceeds, and investments your mother made while she was working.””

I remembered the envelope in the sewing box.

“Was that money in the blue envelope?””

“Some of in the sewing box.

“Was that money in the blue envelope?””

“Some of the original records were stored there, but the trust itself was held separately.””

“ the original records were stored there, but the trust itself was held separately.””

“Did my father have access to it?””

Mr. Whitmore hesitated.

“He was appointed guardian of yourDid my father have access to it?””

Mr. Whitmore hesitated.

“He was appointed guardian of your financial interests, subject to specific restrictions. He could request authorized payments for your education and necessary financial interests, subject to specific restrictions. He could request authorized payments for your education and necessary expenses. He could not simply treat the trust as his personal account.””

I felt sick.

“Did he expenses. He could not simply treat the trust as his personal account.””

I felt sick.

“Did he take the money?””

“I cannot make that determination without reviewing the complete transaction history.””

He placed another document take the money?””

“I cannot make that determination without reviewing the complete transaction history.””

He placed another document on the desk.

“But I can tell you that the trust was closed earlier than your mother on the desk.

“But I can tell you that the trust was closed earlier than your mother intended.””

I leaned forward.

“When?””

“Approximately fourteen months ago.””

Two months after Dad married intended.””

I leaned forward.

“When?””

“Approximately fourteen months ago.””

Two months after Dad married Vanessa.

My hands went cold.

“Where did the money go?””

Mr. Whitmore folded his hands.

“The closure documents Vanessa.

My hands went cold.

“Where did the money go?””

Mr. Whitmore folded his hands.

“The closure documents indicate that the remaining balance was transferred under instructions signed by your father. The indicate that the remaining balance was transferred under instructions signed by your father. The stated purpose was to consolidate family assets.””

“Family assets?””

“Yes stated purpose was to consolidate family assets.””

“Family assets?””

“Yes.””

“Did I agree to that?””

“You were a minor. Your signature was not required for the.””

“Did I agree to that?””

“You were a minor. Your signature was not required for the administrative request, but the transfer was subject to the trust's governing terms. That administrative request, but the transfer was subject to the trust's governing terms. That is why the original documents matter.””

I looked at the key.

“What's in lockbox 214?””

Mr is why the original documents matter.””

I looked at the key.

“What's in lockbox 214?””

Mr. Whitmore's expression changed.

“That key opens a private deposit box at the bank where your mother maintained. Whitmore's expression changed.

“That key opens a private deposit box at the bank where your mother maintained her personal records.””

“What's inside?””

“I don't know exactly. Your mother arranged for certain documents her personal records.””

“What's inside?””

“I don't know exactly. Your mother arranged for certain documents to remain there, and she left instructions that the box could be accessed by you once you reached the age specified to remain there, and she left instructions that the box could be accessed by you once you reached the age specified in her letter or if circumstances justified early disclosure.””

“I'm seventeen in her letter or if circumstances justified early disclosure.””

“I'm seventeen.””

“Your mother's instructions included an exception for a dispute involving the trust.””

He paused.””

“Your mother's instructions included an exception for a dispute involving the trust.””

He paused.

“Given what you've described, I believe we have grounds to request access.””

I felt a trem.

“Given what you've described, I believe we have grounds to request access.””

I felt a tremor run through my hands.

“What happens if Dad transferred the money illegally?””

“If theor run through my hands.

“What happens if Dad transferred the money illegally?””

“If the records establish unauthorized transactions, there are legal remedies. But first, we need to determine what records establish unauthorized transactions, there are legal remedies. But first, we need to determine what happened.””

He made several phone calls while Mrs. happened.””

He made several phone calls while Mrs. Alvarez sat beside me.

By the time we left his office, an appointment had been arranged at the bank for the following Alvarez sat beside me.

By the time we left his office, an appointment had been arranged at the bank for the following morning.

I held the appointment slip tightly all the way home.

I wasn't morning.

I held the appointment slip tightly all the way home.

I wasn't thinking about the scholarship anymore.

I wasn't even thinking about the dress.

I was thinking about my mother, who had spent thinking about the scholarship anymore.

I wasn't even thinking about the dress.

I was thinking about my mother, who had spent years preparing a future for me while I sat in a house believing I was a burden years preparing a future for me while I sat in a house believing I was a burden.

And I was thinking about my father, who had looked me in the eye and told me her money was gone.

When we.

And I was thinking about my father, who had looked me in the eye and told me her money was gone.

When we arrived home, Dad's car was parked in the driveway.

I found him in the living room, standing beside arrived home, Dad's car was parked in the driveway.

I found him in the living room, standing beside the fireplace.

The photograph of my mother had been returned to the mantel.

For one confused the fireplace.

The photograph of my mother had been returned to the mantel.

For one confused moment, I wondered whether he had finally decided to make things right.

Then I saw the cardboard box beside the fireplace moment, I wondered whether he had finally decided to make things right.

Then I saw the cardboard box beside the fireplace.

My mother's sewing patterns were inside.

So were her old notebooks, fabric samples,.

My mother's sewing patterns were inside.

So were her old notebooks, fabric samples, and the wooden sewing box where I had found the letter.

Dad had emptied my belongings from and the wooden sewing box where I had found the letter.

Dad had emptied my belongings from the storage cupboard.

“What are you doing?”” I demanded.

the storage cupboard.

“What are you doing?”” I demanded.

He turned.

“Where have you been?””

“At Mr. Whitmore's office.””

His face went white.

“You wentHe turned.

“Where have you been?””

“At Mr. Whitmore's office.””

His face went white.

“You went to the attorney?””

“Yes.””

He looked toward the stairs.

“Does Vanessa know?””

“Why to the attorney?””

“Yes.””

He looked toward the stairs.

“Does Vanessa know?””

“Why does that matter?””

He walked over and shut the living room door.

“Nia, I need you to understand something. does that matter?””

He walked over and shut the living room door.

“Nia, I need you to understand something. Your mother and I were under enormous pressure when she died. I had bills Your mother and I were under enormous pressure when she died.

I had bills, a mortgage, a child to raise. I made decisions because I thought they were necessary, a mortgage, a child to raise. I made decisions because I thought they were necessary.””

“Did you close my trust?””

He sat down heavily.

“I transferred the funds.””

“To where?””

.””

“Did you close my trust?””

He sat down heavily.

“I transferred the funds.””

“To where?””

“I don't remember every detail.””

“You signed the documents.””

“I was trying to“I don't remember every detail.””

“You signed the documents.””

“I was trying to keep us afloat.””

“Then why did you tell me the money was gone?””

He looked up at me.

“Because I was ashamed keep us afloat.””

“Then why did you tell me the money was gone?””

He looked up at me.

“Because I was ashamed.””

The honesty of that answer surprised me.

But it didn't comfort me.

“Where did the money.””

The honesty of that answer surprised me.

But it didn't comfort me.

“Where did the money go, Dad?””

He stared at the photograph of my mother.

“Some of it went toward the house.””

“And the go, Dad?””

He stared at the photograph of my mother.

“Some of it went toward the house.””

“And the rest?””

He rubbed his face.

“Some of it was used to pay off debts.””

“What debts?””

He didn't rest?””

He rubbed his face.

“Some of it was used to pay off debts.””

“What debts?””

He didn't answer.

I looked at the cardboard box.

“Did any of it go toward Vanessa's business?””

His head lifted sharply answer.

I looked at the cardboard box.

“Did any of it go toward Vanessa's business?””

His head lifted sharply.

“Who told you that?””

Nobody.

I hadn't known about a business.

But his reaction.

“Who told you that?””

Nobody.

I hadn't known about a business.

But his reaction told me I had touched something important.

I stepped closer.

“Dad, did you use Mom's told me I had touched something important.

I stepped closer.

“Dad, did you use Mom's money to fund Vanessa's business?””

He stood so quickly that his chair scraped across the floor.

“You need to money to fund Vanessa's business?””

He stood so quickly that his chair scraped across the floor.

“You need to stop asking questions you don't understand.””

“Then explain them to me!””

His voice rose.

“I was trying to protect this stop asking questions you don't understand.””

“Then explain them to me!””

His voice rose.

“I was trying to protect this family!””

“I'm part of this family!””

He stared at me, breathing hard.

For a moment, I thought family!””

“I'm part of this family!””

He stared at me, breathing hard.

For a moment, I thought he might strike the table or shout again.

Instead, he sat down and covered his face.

“I he might strike the table or shout again.

Instead, he sat down and covered his face.

“I never wanted you to find out this way.””

My heart pounded.

“Find out what?””

He lowered his never wanted you to find out this way.””

My heart pounded.

“Find out what?””

He lowered his hands.

“Vanessa didn't come into this marriage with nothing, Nia. She had hands.

“Vanessa didn't come into this marriage with nothing, Nia. She had debts. Serious ones.

I thought if I helped her get back on her feet, we debts. Serious ones. I thought if I helped her get back on her feet, we could build a stable home together.””

“With Mom's money?””

“I thought I could build a stable home together.””

“With Mom's money?””

“I thought I could replace it.””

“You said that before.””

He looked at me with exhausted eyes.

“I know could replace it.””

“You said that before.””

He looked at me with exhausted eyes.

“I know.””

“Did you?””

He didn't answer.

I took the letter from my pocket and placed it.””

“Did you?””

He didn't answer.

I took the letter from my pocket and placed it on the table.

“Tomorrow I'm opening the lockbox.””

Dad's face changed.

“No.””

“It's on the table.

“Tomorrow I'm opening the lockbox.””

Dad's face changed.

“No.””

“It's mine.””

“You don't understand what your mother kept in there.””

“Then I mine.””

“You don't understand what your mother kept in there.””

“Then I guess I'll find out.””

He reached for the letter, but I pulled it away.

“N guess I'll find out.””

He reached for the letter, but I pulled it away.

“Nia, please.””

It was the first time in years he had said my name like heia, please.””

It was the first time in years he had said my name like he was asking for something rather than demanding it.

I wanted to believe him.

I wanted him to tell me was asking for something rather than demanding it.

I wanted to believe him.

I wanted him to tell me that everything had a reasonable explanation, that the money had been used for something necessary, and that that everything had a reasonable explanation, that the money had been used for something necessary, and that he would make things right.

But I remembered his silence when Vanessa hit me.

I remembered he would make things right.

But I remembered his silence when Vanessa hit me.

I remembered him calling my mother's sewing machine just a machine.

And I remembered the document bearing his him calling my mother's sewing machine just a machine.

And I remembered the document bearing his signature, claiming ownership of my design.

“Dad,” I said quietly, “did you submit my signature, claiming ownership of my design.

“Dad,” I said quietly, “did you submit my dress under your name?””

He looked away.

That was enough.

I walked toward the stairs.

Behind me, he said, dress under your name?””

He looked away.

That was enough.

I walked toward the stairs.

Behind me, he said, “Your mother would never have wanted this family torn apart.””

I stopped.

“No, Dad “Your mother would never have wanted this family torn apart.””

I stopped.

“No, Dad. She would have wanted her daughter protected.””

Then I went upstairs.

I locked my door and placed the. She would have wanted her daughter protected.””

Then I went upstairs.

I locked my door and placed the letter beside my bed.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed.

A message from Brianna.

**Brianna letter beside my bed.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed.

A message from Brianna.

*Brianna:* Mom says you're trying to steal Dad's business.

I stared at the screen.

Another message appeared.

*B:* Mom says you're trying to steal Dad's business.

I stared at the screen.

Another message appeared.

*Brianna: Whatever you're planning, don't come to my competition tomorrow. You'll embarrrianna:* Whatever you're planning, don't come to my competition tomorrow. You'll embarrass yourself.

I typed a reply.

*Me:* I'll be there.

Her response came immediately.

ass yourself.

I typed a reply.

*Me:* I'll be there.

Her response came immediately.

*Brianna:* You aren't invited.

I smiled faintly.

Then I looked at the appointment slip for the bank.

Tomorrow morning*Brianna:* You aren't invited.

I smiled faintly.

Then I looked at the appointment slip for the bank.

Tomorrow morning, I would open my mother's lockbox.

Tomorrow afternoon, Brianna would stand before a room full of judges wearing my gown, I would open my mother's lockbox.

Tomorrow afternoon, Brianna would stand before a room full of judges wearing my gown.

And before the day ended, someone would have to explain why my father's name appeared on a document claiming ownership of.

And before the day ended, someone would have to explain why my father's name appeared on a document claiming ownership of my work.

But just as I placed my phone on the desk, a final message arrived from an my work.

But just as I placed my phone on the desk, a final message arrived from an unknown number.

**You should know what your stepmother did before she married your father. Ask Marcus unknown number.

*You should know what your stepmother did before she married your father. Ask Marcus about the night Elena died.*

I read it once.

Then again.

My mother's death about the night Elena died.**

I read it once.

Then again.

My mother's death had happened six years earlier.

The doctors had said her heart had failed.

Dad had told me she had been in pain for months had happened six years earlier.

The doctors had said her heart had failed.

Dad had told me she had been in pain for months, and that nothing could have saved her.

But the message wasn't asking me to investigate her illness.

, and that nothing could have saved her.

But the message wasn't asking me to investigate her illness.

It was asking me to investigate the night she died.

I called the number.

It rang once.

It was asking me to investigate the night she died.

I called the number.

It rang once.

Twice.

Then a woman's voice answered.

“Hello?””

“Who is this?””

There wasTwice.

Then a woman's voice answered.

“Hello?””

“Who is this?””

There was a long pause.

Then she whispered, “My name is Patricia. I worked with your mother.””

I sat down a long pause.

Then she whispered, “My name is Patricia. I worked with your mother.””

I sat down slowly.

“What do you know about my mother?””

Patricia's voice slowly.

“What do you know about my mother?””

Patricia's voice trembled.

“I know she was frightened during the last week of her life. And I know she told trembled.

“I know she was frightened during the last week of her life. And I know she told someone that if anything happened to her, they needed to protect you.””

someone that if anything happened to her, they needed to protect you.””

My mouth went dry.

“Who did she tell?””

Patricia took a shaky breath.

“Your fatherMy mouth went dry.

“Who did she tell?””

Patricia took a shaky breath.

“Your father.””

I closed my eyes.

“And what did he do?””

The woman was silent for several seconds.

Then she said, “.””