Chapter 9: The Name Nobody Wanted to Hear
By ten o'clock that morning, the Carter living room had Nobody Wanted to Hear
By ten o'clock that morning, the Carter living room had become an impromptu investigation room.
Documents covered the coffee table. Dorian had packed become an impromptu investigation room.
Documents covered the coffee table. Dorian had packed away his equipment and left the family with photographs of the compartment and away his equipment and left the family with photographs of the compartment and its contents. Evelyn had drawn the curtains halfway to reduce glare on the its contents. Evelyn had drawn the curtains halfway to reduce glare on the old papers, while Celina sat beside Zebulon with her father's handwritten notes arranged in old papers, while Celina sat beside Zebulon with her father's handwritten notes arranged in date order.
Rosalind stood near the restored tower.
She had not sat down since discovering the name.
" date order.
Rosalind stood near the restored tower.
She had not sat down since discovering the name.
"Tell us who Margaret Bell is," Celina said.
Rosalind rubbed her forehead.
"Tell us who Margaret Bell is," Celina said.
Rosalind rubbed her forehead.
"Margaret was Samuel Price's younger sister. She handled his business correspondenceMargaret was Samuel Price's younger sister. She handled his business correspondence when he became ill.
My father believed she had signed a settlement accepting payment in when he became ill. My father believed she had signed a settlement accepting payment in exchange for transferring Samuel's remaining interest.""
"Believed?"" Zebulon asked.
"That was what Arthur told him.""
Evelyn's exchange for transferring Samuel's remaining interest.""
"Believed?"" Zebulon asked.
"That was what Arthur told him.""
Evelyn's voice sharpened.
"And you said your father paid her to keep silent.""
Rosalind shook her head.
"I said he paid her. I don't know what voice sharpened.
"And you said your father paid her to keep silent.""
Rosalind shook her head.
"I said he paid her. I don't know what she agreed to. I was repeating what my father told me when I was a teenager she agreed to. I was repeating what my father told me when I was a teenager.""
Saylor sat at the far end of the sofa.
"Did.""
Saylor sat at the far end of the sofa.
"Did anyone ever look for her?""
"Not that I know of.""
"Then how can you assume she was paid anyone ever look for her?""
"Not that I know of.""
"Then how can you assume she was paid to keep silent?""
Rosalind turned toward her daughter.
"I didn't say to keep silent?""
Rosalind turned toward her daughter.
"I didn't say I was certain.""
"But you said it as if you were.""
The I was certain.""
"But you said it as if you were.""
The room fell quiet.
Saylor looked surprised by her own words, room fell quiet.
Saylor looked surprised by her own words, but she continued.
"We can't keep deciding what people did based on what somebody but she continued.
"We can't keep deciding what people did based on what somebody else remembers. We need to find out whether Margaret signed that document, whether she received the else remembers. We need to find out whether Margaret signed that document, whether she received the money, and whether she understood what she was signing.""
Evelyn studied her granddaughter-in money, and whether she understood what she was signing.""
Evelyn studied her granddaughter-in-law.
"That is a sensible approach.""
Rosalind looked wounded.
"I am trying to help-law.
"That is a sensible approach.""
Rosalind looked wounded.
"I am trying to help.""
"I know," Saylor replied.
"But helping doesn't mean we get to skip the difficult questions.""
"I know," Saylor replied.
"But helping doesn't mean we get to skip the difficult questions.""
For a moment, Rosalind appeared ready to argue.
Then she slowly sat down.""
For a moment, Rosalind appeared ready to argue.
Then she slowly sat down.
"You're right.""
It was the first time Saylor could remember.
"You're right.""
It was the first time Saylor could remember hearing her mother admit that without adding a qualification.
Celina lifted one of hearing her mother admit that without adding a qualification.
Celina lifted one of her father's notes.
"He wrote that he had located a descendant of Samuel her father's notes.
"He wrote that he had located a descendant of Samuel Price. He didn't include a full name, but Price. He didn't include a full name, but he mentioned a community restoration workshop.""
Dorian had photographed the pages before leaving, and Celina used the photographs to examine the faded he mentioned a community restoration workshop.""
Dorian had photographed the pages before leaving, and Celina used the photographs to examine the faded writing.
A few lines were difficult to read, but one address was clear enough to identify a neighborhood in writing.
A few lines were difficult to read, but one address was clear enough to identify a neighborhood in southwest Atlanta.
Zebulon called a local historical society and explained that the family was southwest Atlanta.
Zebulon called a local historical society and explained that the family was trying to trace the descendants of a carpenter who had worked in Atlanta decades earlier. After several transfers trying to trace the descendants of a carpenter who had worked in Atlanta decades earlier. After several transfers, he was given the name of a retired archivist who specialized in historic Black-owned, he was given the name of a retired archivist who specialized in historic Black-owned businesses.
The archivist agreed to meet them that afternoon.
Before they left, Evelyn insisted that the original businesses.
The archivist agreed to meet them that afternoon.
Before they left, Evelyn insisted that the original documents remain secured in her study.
Rosalind offered to take the papers to her documents remain secured in her study.
Rosalind offered to take the papers to her attorney, but Evelyn refused.
"Until we understand what we have, they stay here.""
Rosal attorney, but Evelyn refused.
"Until we understand what we have, they stay here.""
Rosalind's jaw tightened.
"You still don't trust me.""
"I trust you to be afraid of whatind's jaw tightened.
"You still don't trust me.""
"I trust you to be afraid of what these documents might reveal," Evelyn answered.
"That is not the same as trusting you to protect them without interference these documents might reveal," Evelyn answered.
"That is not the same as trusting you to protect them without interference.""
Rosalind said nothing.
The meeting took place in a modest brick building beside a.""
Rosalind said nothing.
The meeting took place in a modest brick building beside a community arts center. The archivist, Dr. Vivian Brooks, community arts center.
The archivist, Dr. Vivian Brooks, was a Black American woman in her sixties with silver-framed glasses and a voice that carried quiet authority.
She listened was a Black American woman in her sixties with silver-framed glasses and a voice that carried quiet authority.
She listened carefully as Celina explained the discovery.
When she saw the photograph of Samuel Price, her expression changed.
carefully as Celina explained the discovery.
When she saw the photograph of Samuel Price, her expression changed.
"I know this family," she said.
Celina leaned forward.
"You do?""
"Not"I know this family," she said.
Celina leaned forward.
"You do?""
"Not personally. But Samuel's granddaughter donated several boxes of personally. But Samuel's granddaughter donated several boxes of family records to our archive years ago. Her family has been trying to document his work for a long time.""
Dr family records to our archive years ago. Her family has been trying to document his work for a long time.""
Dr. Brooks opened a drawer and retrieved a folder.
Inside were photographs of restored furniture, copies. Brooks opened a drawer and retrieved a folder.
Inside were photographs of restored furniture, copies of workshop invoices, and a handwritten letter from Samuel's granddaughter describing the family's belief that his of workshop invoices, and a handwritten letter from Samuel's granddaughter describing the family's belief that his business partner had taken credit for his work.
"Her name is Denise Price," Dr. Brooks explained business partner had taken credit for his work.
"Her name is Denise Price," Dr. Brooks explained.
"She lives outside the city now, but she visits the.
"She lives outside the city now, but she visits the archive regularly. She has spent years collecting evidence of her grandfather's work.""
Evelyn clasp archive regularly. She has spent years collecting evidence of her grandfather's work.""
Evelyn clasped her hands.
"Could she be the rightful heir?""
"Possibly. But that requiresed her hands.
"Could she be the rightful heir?""
"Possibly. But that requires legal review. The important thing is that the family has not disappeared, and their records may corroborate yours.""
Ros legal review. The important thing is that the family has not disappeared, and their records may corroborate yours.""
Rosalind stared at the letter.
"Does Denise know about the settlement?""
Dr. Brooks looked at her.
"Shealind stared at the letter.
"Does Denise know about the settlement?""
Dr. Brooks looked at her.
"She knows that a settlement was mentioned in old family correspondence. She has never found a signed copy. According knows that a settlement was mentioned in old family correspondence.
She has never found a signed copy. According to the records here, Samuel's family disputed the terms for years.""
Saylor felt cold.
to the records here, Samuel's family disputed the terms for years.""
Saylor felt cold.
"So they never accepted it?""
"Not according to the materials I've reviewed.""
Celina looked down at her"So they never accepted it?""
"Not according to the materials I've reviewed.""
Celina looked down at her father's notes.
He had spent years trying to find exactly this information.
She imagined him sitting at his desk late at night, surrounded by papers, father's notes.
He had spent years trying to find exactly this information.
She imagined him sitting at his desk late at night, surrounded by papers, determined to correct a wrong he had not committed but could determined to correct a wrong he had not committed but could not ignore.
"He knew they were still looking," she whispered.
Dr. Brooks nodded.
not ignore.
"He knew they were still looking," she whispered.
Dr. Brooks nodded.
"Your father contacted me once. He asked whether the archive held records of"Your father contacted me once. He asked whether the archive held records of Samuel's partnership.
He seemed determined to establish the truth, but he died before we could Samuel's partnership. He seemed determined to establish the truth, but he died before we could arrange a full review.""
Celina's eyes filled.
"Why didn't anyone tell us arrange a full review.""
Celina's eyes filled.
"Why didn't anyone tell us?""
"Your father asked us to wait until he could verify the original agreement. He didn't?""
"Your father asked us to wait until he could verify the original agreement. He didn't want to create false hope or expose the Price family to public speculation.""
Evelyn looked want to create false hope or expose the Price family to public speculation.""
Evelyn looked toward Rosalind.
"And your father knew all along that the dispute was unresolved.""
Rosalind lowered her toward Rosalind.
"And your father knew all along that the dispute was unresolved.""
Rosalind lowered her head.
"It appears he did.""
Dr. Brooks placed a finger on the photograph of Samuel head.
"It appears he did.""
Dr. Brooks placed a finger on the photograph of Samuel's granddaughter.
"If you want to do this properly, the next step is to contact Denise's granddaughter.
"If you want to do this properly, the next step is to contact Denise. Don't promise her money. Don't promise her ownership. Tell her what you've found and offer.
Don't promise her money. Don't promise her ownership. Tell her what you've found and offer her access to the records.""
Celina nodded.
"I want to meet her.""
"Then I'll her access to the records.""
Celina nodded.
"I want to meet her.""
"Then I'll arrange it.""
They returned to Evelyn's house shortly before sunset.
The day had changed everything.
What arrange it.""
They returned to Evelyn's house shortly before sunset.
The day had changed everything.
What had begun as a mystery about an antique tower had begun as a mystery about an antique tower had become a question about generations of wealth, hidden wrongdoing, and a family that might have had become a question about generations of wealth, hidden wrongdoing, and a family that might have benefited from an injustice without ever knowing its full extent.
Saylor benefited from an injustice without ever knowing its full extent.
Saylor helped Evelyn put away the documents before returning to helped Evelyn put away the documents before returning to the kitchen.
Rosalind followed her.
For a moment, they stood together without the kitchen.
Rosalind followed her.
For a moment, they stood together without speaking.
Then her mother said, "You were right this morning.""
Saylor looked up.
"About speaking.
Then her mother said, "You were right this morning.""
Saylor looked up.
"About what?""
"About asking questions instead of accepting the easiest explanation.""
Saylor leaned against what?""
"About asking questions instead of accepting the easiest explanation.""
Saylor leaned against the counter.
"I learned what happens when you tell yourself a story because the the counter.
"I learned what happens when you tell yourself a story because the truth is inconvenient.""
Rosalind's expression softened.
"Yes. You did.""
S truth is inconvenient.""
Rosalind's expression softened.
"Yes. You did.""
Saylor hesitated.
"Mom, I know I'm not in aaylor hesitated.
"Mom, I know I'm not in a position to ask you for much. But I need you to understand something. When you position to ask you for much.
But I need you to understand something. When you closed my account, I thought you were abandoning me.""
"I was trying to stop enabling you closed my account, I thought you were abandoning me.""
"I was trying to stop enabling you.""
"I know that now. But I spent years believing that if I made enough money, wore the right clothes, and.""
"I know that now. But I spent years believing that if I made enough money, wore the right clothes, and looked successful, nobody would ever be able to make me feel small again.""
Rosalind looked successful, nobody would ever be able to make me feel small again.""
Rosalind listened without interrupting.
"I thought you were ashamed listened without interrupting.
"I thought you were ashamed of me because I wasn't as accomplished as you wanted me to be. So I started pretending. And when the of me because I wasn't as accomplished as you wanted me to be. So I started pretending.
And when the pretending became expensive, I lied to Zebulon. When I felt threatened by Celina, I destroyed something pretending became expensive, I lied to Zebulon. When I felt threatened by Celina, I destroyed something she loved.""
Saylor's voice broke.
"I kept hurting people because I couldn't stand the thought of anyone seeing she loved.""
Saylor's voice broke.
"I kept hurting people because I couldn't stand the thought of anyone seeing me as ordinary.""
Rosalind stepped closer.
"You're me as ordinary.""
Rosalind stepped closer.
"You're my daughter. You never had to earn that.""
"Then why did it feel like I did?""
Her mother looked stricken.
For several seconds, she seemed unable to speak my daughter. You never had to earn that.""
"Then why did it feel like I did?""
Her mother looked stricken.
For several seconds, she seemed unable to speak.
Finally, she said, "Because I taught you that achievement was the safest way to receive approval.
Finally, she said, "Because I taught you that achievement was the safest way to receive approval. I praised your accomplishments and tried to correct your mistakes, but I didn't always show you that I loved you when you. I praised your accomplishments and tried to correct your mistakes, but I didn't always show you that I loved you when you had nothing to prove.""
Saylor wiped her cheeks.
"I don't want to keep living like that.""
"Then don't had nothing to prove.""
Saylor wiped her cheeks.
"I don't want to keep living like that.""
"Then don't.""
"I have debts to repay. I have to rebuild my marriage, if Zebulon will let me. I need.""
"I have debts to repay. I have to rebuild my marriage, if Zebulon will let me. I need to find a way to make things right with Celina.""
"Those are your responsibilities," Rosalind said gently to find a way to make things right with Celina.""
"Those are your responsibilities," Rosalind said gently.
"I can support you while you face them, but I cannot face them for you.""
Saylor nodded.
"I understand.""
Rosalind.
"I can support you while you face them, but I cannot face them for you.""
Saylor nodded.
"I understand.""
Rosalind reached for her hand.
This time, Saylor did not ask for money or a reached for her hand.
This time, Saylor did not ask for money or a promise that everything would be all right.
She simply held her mother's hand and let herself cry.
Later that evening promise that everything would be all right.
She simply held her mother's hand and let herself cry.
Later that evening, Celina received a call from Dr. Brooks.
Denise Price had agreed to meet them.
She wanted to see, Celina received a call from Dr. Brooks.
Denise Price had agreed to meet them.
She wanted to see the original partnership agreement, examine the missing schedule, and hear what the Carter family intended to do.
The meeting was scheduled for the original partnership agreement, examine the missing schedule, and hear what the Carter family intended to do.
The meeting was scheduled for the following afternoon.
Celina told Evelyn, then called Zebulon.
For the first time since the the following afternoon.
Celina told Evelyn, then called Zebulon.
For the first time since the bridal shower, her brother sounded hopeful.
"We might finally be able to give Dad what he wanted," he said.
"Maybe bridal shower, her brother sounded hopeful.
"We might finally be able to give Dad what he wanted," he said.
"Maybe," Celina replied.
"But we have to be prepared for what the documents actually say.""
"I know.""
"And if the Price family was," Celina replied.
"But we have to be prepared for what the documents actually say.""
"I know.""
"And if the Price family was cheated, we can't protect our reputation at their expense.""
Zebulon was quiet for a moment.
"Ag cheated, we can't protect our reputation at their expense.""
Zebulon was quiet for a moment.
"Agreed.""
Celina ended the call and walked into the living room.
The wine tower stood beneath the windows, restored and gleaming. Shereed.""
Celina ended the call and walked into the living room.
The wine tower stood beneath the windows, restored and gleaming. She ran her fingers over the tiny mark beneath its lower joint.
Her father had hidden the truth inside something ran her fingers over the tiny mark beneath its lower joint.
Her father had hidden the truth inside something beautiful.
Perhaps he had believed that one day, someone would finally look closely enough to find it.
Then Celina noticed a new beautiful.
Perhaps he had believed that one day, someone would finally look closely enough to find it.
Then Celina noticed a new message from an unfamiliar number.
*My name is Denise Price. Dr. Brooks told me message from an unfamiliar number.
My name is Denise Price. Dr. Brooks told me you found the agreement. Before we meet, there is something you need to understand.
A you found the agreement. Before we meet, there is something you need to understand.*
A second message appeared.
*My grandmother never received a settlement. She spent the last years of her life second message appeared.
My grandmother never received a settlement. She spent the last years of her life trying to prove what happened to her brother.
Celina's trying to prove what happened to her brother.*
Celina's heart pounded.
Then the third message arrived.
*And the person who signed the document claiming she accepted heart pounded.
Then the third message arrived.
And the person who signed the document claiming she accepted the money was not my grandmother.
Celina read the sentence twice.
Across the room, Evelyn the money was not my grandmother.*
Celina read the sentence twice.
Across the room, Evelyn turned toward her.
"What is it?""
Celina looked up, her face pale.
"The signature on turned toward her.
"What is it?""
Celina looked up, her face pale.
"The signature on the agreement may be a forgery.""
Evelyn stood slowly.
Rosalind appeared in the agreement may be a forgery.""
Evelyn stood slowly.
Rosalind appeared in the doorway, drawn by their voices.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Then Rosalind whispered, "If that signature is forged, the doorway, drawn by their voices.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Then Rosalind whispered, "If that signature is forged, my father may have helped Arthur Carter steal an entire family's inheritance.""
Saylor looked at the restored tower.
The damage she my father may have helped Arthur Carter steal an entire family's inheritance.""
Saylor looked at the restored tower.
The damage she had caused at the bridal shower could be repaired with skilled hands, patience, and money.
But the damage had caused at the bridal shower could be repaired with skilled hands, patience, and money.
But the damage hidden inside the family's history was different.
May you like
And tomorrow, they would meet the woman whose family had paid hidden inside the family's history was different.
And tomorrow, they would meet the woman whose family had paid the price for it. the price for it.
