Chapter 9: The Truth Hidden in the Final Stitch
The next morning, I woke up to thirty-seven missed calls.
Twenty-one were from unknown numbers.
Nine were from my father.
Seven were woke up to thirty-seven missed calls.
Twenty-one were from unknown numbers.
Nine were from my father.
Seven were from Rachel.
I sat on the edge of the hotel bed and stared at my phone.
Daniel had insisted that I stay somewhere secure from Rachel.
I sat on the edge of the hotel bed and stared at my phone.
Daniel had insisted that I stay somewhere secure overnight.
Eleanor had arranged a room at a hotel near the competition venue.
For the first time in years, I had overnight.
Eleanor had arranged a room at a hotel near the competition venue.
For the first time in years, I had slept without hearing Vanessa walking through the hallway outside my bedroom.
But the new document had followed me into the morning.
I opened the slept without hearing Vanessa walking through the hallway outside my bedroom.
But the new document had followed me into the morning.
I opened the photograph Daniel had sent.
The letter was short.
It claimed that Claire Hart had voluntarily transferred all ownership rights photograph Daniel had sent.
The letter was short.
It claimed that Claire Hart had voluntarily transferred all ownership rights of her fashion company to Vanessa Hart.
It was dated three days after my mother's funeral.
At the bottom was a signature that looked of her fashion company to Vanessa Hart.
It was dated three days after my mother's funeral.
At the bottom was a signature that looked almost perfect.
Almost.
I called Daniel.
He answered immediately.
"Amelia?""
"I saw the letter.""
"Good almost perfect.
Almost.
I called Daniel.
He answered immediately.
"Amelia?""
"I saw the letter.""
"Good. Don't respond to anything online. We're handling it.""
"Who submitted it?""
"Charles Bennett's office. Don't respond to anything online. We're handling it.""
"Who submitted it?""
"Charles Bennett's office.""
I sat up.
"Can they actually use it?""
"Not without verification. There are several problems with the document.""
"Such.""
I sat up.
"Can they actually use it?""
"Not without verification. There are several problems with the document.""
"Such as?""
"Your mother was already deceased. The letter would need to be supported by a valid legal instrument, and we have no evidence that such a transfer occurred before her death.""
"But the signature?""
"That's what as?""
"Your mother was already deceased. The letter would need to be supported by a valid legal instrument, and we have no evidence that such a transfer occurred before her death.""
"But the signature?""
"That's what we're examining.""
I looked at the photograph again.
There was something familiar about the paper.
The edges we're examining.""
I looked at the photograph again.
There was something familiar about the paper.
The edges were slightly yellowed.
The handwriting was careful.
And at the bottom of the page, beside my mother's signature, was were slightly yellowed.
The handwriting was careful.
And at the bottom of the page, beside my mother's signature, was a tiny blue flower.
My mother used to draw that flower on the inside of her handmade labels a tiny blue flower.
My mother used to draw that flower on the inside of her handmade labels.
It was her personal mark.
"Daniel?""
"Yes?""
"Can you send me a higher-resolution image?""
"Why?""
"I recognize.
It was her personal mark.
"Daniel?""
"Yes?""
"Can you send me a higher-resolution image?""
"Why?""
"I recognize something.""
He paused.
"I'll send it.""
A moment later, the image arrived.
I enlarged it.
The blue flower wasn't simply something.""
He paused.
"I'll send it.""
A moment later, the image arrived.
I enlarged it.
The blue flower wasn't simply drawn beside the signature.
It was stitched.
Three tiny blue threads crossed the lower corner of the paper.
My mother sometimes drawn beside the signature.
It was stitched.
Three tiny blue threads crossed the lower corner of the paper.
My mother sometimes used decorative stitching to attach fabric labels to garments.
She had taught me how to do it when I was seven.
I remembered sitting used decorative stitching to attach fabric labels to garments.
She had taught me how to do it when I was seven.
I remembered sitting at her sewing machine, struggling to push the needle through thick paper.
"Never force it, sweetheart," she had told me. at her sewing machine, struggling to push the needle through thick paper.
"Never force it, sweetheart," she had told me.
"The paper tears when you pull too hard. Let the needle find its own way.""
I zoomed in again.
There were three holes beneath the stitching "The paper tears when you pull too hard. Let the needle find its own way.""
I zoomed in again.
There were three holes beneath the stitching.
But the thread passed through only two.
Something was wrong.
"Daniel, this document isn't genuine.""
"How do you know?""
"Look at.
But the thread passed through only two.
Something was wrong.
"Daniel, this document isn't genuine.""
"How do you know?""
"Look at the stitching.""
I explained what I had noticed.
He listened carefully.
"Are you saying someone copied your mother's decorative mark?""
"Yes. the stitching.""
I explained what I had noticed.
He listened carefully.
"Are you saying someone copied your mother's decorative mark?""
"Yes. But they didn't know how she actually made it.""
Daniel was silent for a moment.
"Can you prove that?""
"I think so.""
I But they didn't know how she actually made it.""
Daniel was silent for a moment.
"Can you prove that?""
"I think so.""
I looked at the dress hanging beside the wardrobe.
The blue flowers were made from my mother's old evening gown.
And suddenly, I remembered something.
One of looked at the dress hanging beside the wardrobe.
The blue flowers were made from my mother's old evening gown.
And suddenly, I remembered something.
One of the flowers had a small folded label hidden beneath its petals.
My mother had sewn it into the original dress.
I had preserved it when I cut the flowers had a small folded label hidden beneath its petals.
My mother had sewn it into the original dress.
I had preserved it when I cut the fabric.
I rushed toward the garment bag.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
There, beneath the fabric.
I rushed toward the garment bag.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
There, beneath the flower at my waist, was a tiny square of blue silk.
I carefully lifted the petals.
The label was still there the flower at my waist, was a tiny square of blue silk.
I carefully lifted the petals.
The label was still there.
A small white tag with my mother's handwriting.
Claire Hart. Original collection. 2015.
And beneath the name were three tiny blue stitches.
.
A small white tag with my mother's handwriting.
Claire Hart. Original collection. 2015.
And beneath the name were three tiny blue stitches.
Unlike the forged letter, every thread passed through its own hole.
I took photographs and sent them to Daniel.
He calledUnlike the forged letter, every thread passed through its own hole.
I took photographs and sent them to Daniel.
He called immediately.
"Amelia, don't touch anything else. Preserve the garment exactly as it is.""
"Why?""
"Because the stitching may immediately.
"Amelia, don't touch anything else. Preserve the garment exactly as it is.""
"Why?""
"Because the stitching may establish a connection to the original establish a connection to the original manufacturing process.""
I frowned.
"Can that prove the letter is fake?""
"It can help. But I want an expert to examine it.""
I looked at the dress.
The same dress Vanessa had tried to destroy had preserved the manufacturing process.""
I frowned.
"Can that prove the letter is fake?""
"It can help. But I want an expert to examine it.""
I looked at the dress.
The same dress Vanessa had tried to destroy had preserved the evidence she had failed to eliminate.
I almost laughed.
Then my phone rang again.
This time, it was my father evidence she had failed to eliminate.
I almost laughed.
Then my phone rang again.
This time, it was my father.
I hesitated before answering.
"Hello?""
"Amelia.""
His voice sounded exhausted.
"Can we talk?""
"About the letter?""
"About.
I hesitated before answering.
"Hello?""
"Amelia.""
His voice sounded exhausted.
"Can we talk?""
"About the letter?""
"About everything.""
I looked at the window.
"Where are you?""
"Outside the hotel.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why?""
"Because I need everything.""
I looked at the window.
"Where are you?""
"Outside the hotel.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why?""
"Because I need to tell you something before you hear it from someone else.""
I ended the call.
Daniel had warned me not to meet him alone.
But I to tell you something before you hear it from someone else.""
I ended the call.
Daniel had warned me not to meet him alone.
But I wasn't going to let another person decide when I could hear the truth.
I told Rachel where I was going and wasn't going to let another person decide when I could hear the truth.
I told Rachel where I was going and went downstairs.
My father stood near the hotel entrance.
He looked older than he had the night before.
His shirt was wrinkled, and his eyes were red.
"Thank you for coming," he said.
I kept several went downstairs.
My father stood near the hotel entrance.
He looked older than he had the night before.
His shirt was wrinkled, and his eyes were red.
"Thank you for coming," he said.
I kept several feet between us.
"What do you want?""
He reached into his jacket and removed a small envelope.
"I found this in Vanessa's desk.""
I stared at feet between us.
"What do you want?""
He reached into his jacket and removed a small envelope.
"I found this in Vanessa's desk.""
I stared at it.
"Why were you going through her things?""
"She left the house early this morning. I went into the study.""
He handed it to me.
Inside were photocopies of bank transfers it.
"Why were you going through her things?""
"She left the house early this morning. I went into the study.""
He handed it to me.
Inside were photocopies of bank transfers, legal correspondence, and a handwritten note.
I read the note.
Once the trust is transferred, Amelia will have no grounds to challenge the company. Bennett says the medical declaration should be sufficient.
My, legal correspondence, and a handwritten note.
I read the note.
Once the trust is transferred, Amelia will have no grounds to challenge the company. Bennett says the medical declaration should be sufficient.
My hands went cold.
There was a second paragraph.
*Richard must continue to cooperate hands went cold.
There was a second paragraph.
Richard must continue to cooperate. If he refuses, remind him what happened on Claire's last night.
I looked up.
"What does that mean?""
My father looked away.
. If he refuses, remind him what happened on Claire's last night.*
I looked up.
"What does that mean?""
My father looked away.
"Vanessa has been threatening me.""
"With what?""
"She has a recording.""
I stared at him.
"What recording?""
"Of me"Vanessa has been threatening me.""
"With what?""
"She has a recording.""
I stared at him.
"What recording?""
"Of me.""
He rubbed his face.
"Three years ago, I signed a statement saying Claire had.""
He rubbed his face.
"Three years ago, I signed a statement saying Claire had voluntarily given Vanessa control of the company.""
"Why?""
"Vanessa said it was necessary to settle the accounts. She voluntarily given Vanessa control of the company.""
"Why?""
"Vanessa said it was necessary to settle the accounts. She told me the original paperwork had been lost.""
"Did you believe her?""
"I wanted to.""
I told me the original paperwork had been lost.""
"Did you believe her?""
"I wanted to.""
I shook my head.
"You keep saying that.""
He lowered his voice.
"Amelia, there's something shook my head.
"You keep saying that.""
He lowered his voice.
"Amelia, there's something I haven't told you about your mother's death.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"More?""
He nodded.
"After Claire was taken to I haven't told you about your mother's death.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"More?""
He nodded.
"After Claire was taken to the hospital, Vanessa went back to the house.""
"Why?""
" the hospital, Vanessa went back to the house.""
"Why?""
"She said she needed to collect some things.""
"What things?""
"My mother's documents?""
He nodded.
"She went into the sewing room. I thought she was looking for Claire'sShe said she needed to collect some things.""
"What things?""
"My mother's documents?""
He nodded.
"She went into the sewing room. I thought she was looking for Claire's medical information.""
I stared at him.
"What did she actually take?""
He swallowed.
"An old cassette recorder. Claire used it to record notes while designing medical information.""
I stared at him.
"What did she actually take?""
He swallowed.
"An old cassette recorder. Claire used it to record notes while designing.""
I froze.
"Mom's recorder?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell anyone?""
"Because Vanessa said it contained private.""
I froze.
"Mom's recorder?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell anyone?""
"Because Vanessa said it contained private conversations. She told me Claire had recorded things she wouldn't want people hearing.""
I felt dizzy.
"Did you ever listen to it?""
"No.""
"Then how do you know what was on it?""
He looked at me.
"Because conversations. She told me Claire had recorded things she wouldn't want people hearing.""
I felt dizzy.
"Did you ever listen to it?""
"No.""
"Then how do you know what was on it?""
He looked at me.
"Because Vanessa played part of it for me three years ago.""
"What did it say?""
My father took Vanessa played part of it for me three years ago.""
"What did it say?""
My father took a shaky breath.
"It sounded like Claire was agreeing to transfer the company.""
I stared at him.
a shaky breath.
"It sounded like Claire was agreeing to transfer the company.""
I stared at him.
"Did she?""
"I don't know.""
"Then why did you sign the statement?""
He began crying.
"Because I"Did she?""
"I don't know.""
"Then why did you sign the statement?""
He began crying.
"Because I was afraid.""
I stepped backward.
"You're always afraid.""
He nodded.
"I know.""
"Mom was afraid, too. But she still tried to protect me.""
He covered his face.
"I know.""
I turned toward the hotel entrance.
"Did Vanessa keep the recorder?""
"I was afraid.""
I stepped backward.
"You're always afraid.""
He nodded.
"I know.""
"Mom was afraid, too. But she still tried to protect me.""
He covered his face.
"I know.""
I turned toward the hotel entrance.
"Did Vanessa keep the recorder?""
"I don't know. But I found something else.""
He handed me another piece of paper.
It was an inventory from the house.
One don't know. But I found something else.""
He handed me another piece of paper.
It was an inventory from the house.
One item had been crossed out.
A cassette recorder.
The note beside it read:
*Transferred to storage unit 184 item had been crossed out.
A cassette recorder.
The note beside it read:
Transferred to storage unit 184, Westbridge Self Storage.
I looked at him.
"When?""
"Three years ago.""
I called Daniel immediately.
He answered on, Westbridge Self Storage.*
I looked at him.
"When?""
"Three years ago.""
I called Daniel immediately.
He answered on the second ring.
"Amelia?""
"My father found something. Vanessa may have a cassette recorder that belonged to my mother.""
Daniel's voice the second ring.
"Amelia?""
"My father found something. Vanessa may have a cassette recorder that belonged to my mother.""
Daniel's voice sharpened.
"Where?""
I read him the address.
"Don't go there," he said.
" sharpened.
"Where?""
I read him the address.
"Don't go there," he said.
"I'll arrange for the investigator to secure the unit.""
"Could it contain the recording she mentioned?""
"Possibly.""
My father lookedI'll arrange for the investigator to secure the unit.""
"Could it contain the recording she mentioned?""
"Possibly.""
My father looked at me.
"There's something else.""
I turned.
"What?""
He hesitated.
"Vanessa told me the recorder contained more than one conversation.""
I stared at him.
"How many?""
"She said there at me.
"There's something else.""
I turned.
"What?""
He hesitated.
"Vanessa told me the recorder contained more than one conversation.""
I stared at him.
"How many?""
"She said there were several.""
"About what?""
He looked directly at me.
"About the night Claire died.""
I felt my chest tighten.
Before I could ask were several.""
"About what?""
He looked directly at me.
"About the night Claire died.""
I felt my chest tighten.
Before I could ask anything else, Daniel called back.
"The investigator has confirmed the storage unit is registered to Hartwell Consulting.""
I closed my eyes.
Of course anything else, Daniel called back.
"The investigator has confirmed the storage unit is registered to Hartwell Consulting.""
I closed my eyes.
Of course it was.
"Can they access it?""
"Not without following the appropriate procedure. But we're working on that.""
I looked at the envelope in my hands.
"Daniel it was.
"Can they access it?""
"Not without following the appropriate procedure. But we're working on that.""
I looked at the envelope in my hands.
"Daniel, what if the recording proves Mom agreed to give Vanessa the company?""
He paused.
"Then we'll examine the context, authenticity, and legal validity, what if the recording proves Mom agreed to give Vanessa the company?""
He paused.
"Then we'll examine the context, authenticity, and legal validity. But don't assume a recording proves what someone claims it proves.""
He was right.
Van. But don't assume a recording proves what someone claims it proves.""
He was right.
Vanessa had been building a story for eight years.
She could have edited conversations.
She could have removed sentencesessa had been building a story for eight years.
She could have edited conversations.
She could have removed sentences.
She could have taken my mother's words and turned them into something they never meant.
I looked at my father.
"Why are.
She could have taken my mother's words and turned them into something they never meant.
I looked at my father.
"Why are you telling me all this now?""
He lowered his head.
"Because last night, when I heard your mother's voice, I realized something.""
"What?""
"I you telling me all this now?""
He lowered his head.
"Because last night, when I heard your mother's voice, I realized something.""
"What?""
"I spent eight years trying to avoid the truth because I was afraid of what it would make me.""
He swallowed.
"But every time I stayed spent eight years trying to avoid the truth because I was afraid of what it would make me.""
He swallowed.
"But every time I stayed silent, I made you pay for it.""
I didn't answer.
He reached for my hand.
I stepped away.
"I'm not ready to forgive you.""
"I understand.""
"And I don't know silent, I made you pay for it.""
I didn't answer.
He reached for my hand.
I stepped away.
"I'm not ready to forgive you.""
"I understand.""
"And I don't know if I ever will.""
He nodded.
"I understand that, too.""
For the first time, he didn't ask me to make him if I ever will.""
He nodded.
"I understand that, too.""
For the first time, he didn't ask me to make him feel better.
He simply stood there.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Daniel.
<text color="secondary" size="xs">10 feel better.
He simply stood there.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Daniel.
<text color="secondary" size="xs">10:42 A.M. — DANIEL BROOKS</text>
The investigator has secured the storage unit under the appropriate authority. We found the cassette recorder.
Another message arrived.
*There:42 A.M. — DANIEL BROOKS</text>
The investigator has secured the storage unit under the appropriate authority. We found the cassette recorder.
Another message arrived.
There are six tapes.
I stared at the screen.
Six recordings.
Six pieces of my mother's final days.
Then a third message appeared.
One tape is labeled Amelia — are six tapes.
I stared at the screen.
Six recordings.
Six pieces of my mother's final days.
Then a third message appeared.
One tape is labeled Amelia — the truth about your birth certificate.
I read it twice.
My birth certificate?
I looked at my father.
He had gone completely pale.
"What?"" I whispered.
He the truth about your birth certificate.*
I read it twice.
My birth certificate?
I looked at my father.
He had gone completely pale.
"What?"" I whispered.
He shook his head.
"Amelia, don't listen to that tape.""
I felt my heart pounding.
"Why?""
He looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"Because your mother never wanted you to know that I shook his head.
"Amelia, don't listen to that tape.""
I felt my heart pounding.
"Why?""
He looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"Because your mother never wanted you to know that I wasn't your biological father.""
For several seconds, the world seemed to stop.
I stared at him.
Then I looked at the message again.
Six tapes.
And suddenly, the question wasn't just who had stolen my mother's wasn't your biological father.""
For several seconds, the world seemed to stop.
I stared at him.
Then I looked at the message again.
Six tapes.
And suddenly, the question wasn't just who had stolen my mother's money.
It was whether the family I had spent my entire life believing in had ever been what I thought it was.
I stepped away from my father.
"Who is money.
It was whether the family I had spent my entire life believing in had ever been what I thought it was.
I stepped away from my father.
"Who is my real father?""
He opened his mouth.
But before he could answer, Daniel called.
I answered without looking away from Richard.
"Amelia," Daniel said urgently.
"We've just my real father?""
He opened his mouth.
But before he could answer, Daniel called.
I answered without looking away from Richard.
"Amelia," Daniel said urgently.
"We've just discovered something about the sixth tape.""
"What?""
His voice dropped.
"Your mother recorded it two days before she died. And she named the man she believed discovered something about the sixth tape.""
"What?""
His voice dropped.
"Your mother recorded it two days before she died. And she named the man she believed was your biological father.""
I gripped the phone.
"Who?""
Daniel hesitated.
Then he said the name.
"Eleanor Whitmore's late husband, James.""
I turned toward Eleanor's hotel was your biological father.""
I gripped the phone.
"Who?""
Daniel hesitated.
Then he said the name.
"Eleanor Whitmore's late husband, James.""
I turned toward Eleanor's hotel suite.
Because the woman who had promised to protect my inheritance might have known something about my identity all along.
And if she had, I needed to know why she had suite.
May you like
Because the woman who had promised to protect my inheritance might have known something about my identity all along.
And if she had, I needed to know why she had waited eight years to tell me. waited eight years to tell me.
