Chapter 2: The Secret Beneath the Leather
Nobody moved.
Vanessa's words hung above the ballroom like smoke.
My mother stared at her.
"What did you just say?""
Vanessa immediately looked away.
"I didn't mean it like that.""
"Then explain what you meant," I demanded.
She straightened her shoulders and forced a laugh.
"This is getting ridiculous. We're standing in front of two hundred people because of an old cookbook.""
I held up the book.
"Then why are you terrified of what's inside it?""
"I'm not terrified.""
"Your hands are shaking.""
She looked down.
Her fingers were trembling.
My mother reached for the book.
"Marcus, please. Your father told me never to let anyone destroy it.""
I turned toward her.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She swallowed.
"Because he made me promise.""
"Promise what?""
"That I would only show you the letter when the time was right.""
I looked at the damaged binding.
"What letter?""
Mom's lips trembled.
"I don't know exactly what he left. I never opened it. He said it was meant for you.""
Vanessa made a small choking sound.
"That's impossible.""
I turned.
"Why?""
She shook her head.
"Your mother is confused.""
"Stop speaking about my mother.""
The words came out harder than I intended.
Vanessa took a step back.
Across the room, my uncle Richard approached us.
"Marcus, perhaps we should move somewhere private.""
I shook my head.
"No. Whatever this is, it started in front of everyone. I'm not hiding it.""
Richard looked uncomfortable.
He had been my father's closest business partner for nearly twenty years. After Dad died, he helped Mom settle the estate and guided me through the early years of running the family company.
If anyone knew about my father's private affairs, Richard might.
"Richard," I said, "did you know Dad hid something in this book?""
His expression changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
"Your father kept a lot of things private.""
"That's not an answer.""
Richard glanced at Vanessa.
Then he looked at my mother.
"Evelyn, perhaps we should discuss this tomorrow.""
My mother shook her head.
"No. Not anymore.""
She reached for the cookbook.
"Your father told me that if anything happened to him, I should keep this book close. He said one day Marcus would need to know the truth.""
My throat tightened.
"Why didn't you tell me that twelve years ago?""
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of what?""
She looked at Vanessa.
"Of the people who wanted what your father left behind.""
The silence returned.
Vanessa suddenly grabbed her handbag.
"I am leaving.""
I stepped in front of her.
"You're not going anywhere until you explain why you tried to destroy this book.""
"I have nothing to explain.""
"You knew something was hidden inside.""
"I didn't.""
"Then how did you know not to open it?""
She stared at me.
Her mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Amara quietly approached my mother.
"Mrs. Carter, would you like to sit down?""
Mom nodded.
Amara guided her toward a nearby chair, then returned with a glass of water.
I noticed that she kept watching Vanessa.
"Amara," I said, "you mentioned that the lining had been opened recently. Are you sure?""
She nodded.
"I've worked here for four years, Mr. Carter. I helped Mrs.
Evelyn organize the family display this afternoon. The book was intact when I placed it on the table.""
Vanessa turned sharply.
"Nobody asked you.""
Amara lowered her eyes.
"I was only explaining what I saw.""
"Then stop talking.""
I stepped between them.
"Don't speak to her like that.""
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"You're defending a waitress against your own fiancée?""
"I'm defending someone who has shown my mother more kindness tonight than you have.""
Her face twisted.
For the first time, I saw the woman beneath the expensive makeup and carefully rehearsed smiles.
She wasn't embarrassed.
She was angry that people had witnessed her losing control.
I turned back to the book.
The hidden paper was caught beneath a narrow strip of leather. I carefully loosened it with my fingernail.
A folded envelope slid onto my palm.
It was yellowed with age.
My father's handwriting was on the front.
*For Marcus. Only if someone tries to take what belongs to our family.*
My heart began pounding.
I recognized the handwriting immediately.
The capital M.
The slightly crooked letters.
The way Dad always underlined my name twice.
I hadn't seen his handwriting in years.
My fingers shook as I opened the envelope.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
There were only four lines.
Marcus,
If you are reading this, someone has already discovered the secret I spent years protecting.
Do not trust the person who claims to love you while trying to erase your family.
Before you sign anything, find the blue folder in the basement office.
And ask Richard what happened on November 14.
I read the letter twice.
Then a third time.
November 14.
My father had died on November 14.
A car accident on a wet highway outside Columbus.
At least, that was what I had been told.
I slowly raised my head.
Richard had gone completely still.
"Richard?""
He swallowed.
"What?""
"What happened on November 14?""
His face looked suddenly older.
"Marcus, this isn't the place.""
"Did you know about this letter?""
"No.""
"Then why do you look like you've seen a ghost?""
He glanced toward Vanessa.
She had stopped pretending to be offended.
She was watching Richard now.
And for the first time that evening, I realized the two of them were afraid of the same thing.
I folded the letter and slipped it into my jacket.
"Where is the blue folder?""
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"Your father's basement office was cleared out years ago.""
"By whom?""
"Me.""
"Why?""
"Because the company needed the space.""
I looked at him.
"My father died twelve years ago. Why would you clear out his private office?""
Richard didn't answer.
My mother rose from her chair.
"Richard, you promised him.""
He closed his eyes.
"Please, Evelyn.""
She stepped closer.
"You promised my husband you would protect Marcus.""
Richard looked toward the floor.
And then Vanessa spoke.
"Marcus, I think you should hear the truth from someone who actually understands what happened.""
I turned toward her.
"What truth?""
She opened her handbag and pulled out a small black phone.
For a moment, she stared at the screen.
Then she looked at Richard.
He shook his head.
"Don't.""
Vanessa ignored him.
She pressed a button.
A recording began playing.
My father's voice filled the ballroom.
"Richard, if anything happens to me, make sure Marcus never signs those papers.""
My knees nearly buckled.
The recording continued.
Then another voice answered.
May you like
Richard's voice.
"Don't worry. He'll never know.""
