Chapter 4: The Woman Who Knew My Mother's Secret
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Richard Hawthorne had tried to return my mother's designs.
And Patricia had known.
Seven years.
Seven years of knowing that the family business might have been built on stolen work.
Seven years of pretending nothing had happened.
"Mrs. Hawthorne," I finally said, "I need you to explain.""
"Not over the phone.""
"Why not?""
"Because Patricia has people monitoring everything connected to the family. She has already contacted your attorney, hasn't she?""
I glanced at Laura's business card on my desk.
"How do you know about my attorney?""
"Because I warned her years ago that this day might come.""
I stood and walked toward the window.
"Where can we meet?""
"Tomorrow morning. Nine o'clock. There's a small restaurant on the outskirts of Hartford called Miller's Café. Use the back entrance.""
"Why the back entrance?""
"Because I don't want Patricia knowing we spoke.""
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Then I called Laura.
She listened carefully as I explained everything.
"Do not meet her alone," Laura said immediately.
"She says she has information about my mother.""
"That doesn't mean she's trustworthy.""
"She might be the only person who knows where the original documents are.""
Laura was quiet for a moment.
"All right. I'll arrange to be nearby. But don't sign anything, don't hand over the box, and don't agree to any private settlement.""
The next morning, I drove to Connecticut.
The sky was gray, and rain tapped against my windshield.
I had barely slept.
The wooden box sat on the passenger seat, wrapped in a canvas bag.
At exactly nine, I entered Miller's Café.
An elderly woman sat alone in the back booth.
She had silver hair, a navy coat, and a small pearl brooch pinned to her collar.
She looked up.
"Maya?""
"Yes.""
She stood.
For a moment, she simply stared at me.
Then her eyes filled with tears.
"You have Eleanor's eyes.""
I sat across from her.
"You knew my mother?""
Evelyn nodded.
"She was the finest designer I ever met.""
"Then why did your family destroy her business?""
Evelyn lowered her gaze.
"Because my brother was weak, my father was greedy, and Patricia was determined to control everything.""
She removed a photograph from her handbag.
It showed my mother standing inside a large design studio.
The walls were covered with sketches, fabric samples, and framed photographs.
Behind her was a sign.
BENNETT HOUSE COUTURE.
"Your mother built this studio from nothing," Evelyn said.
"My mother, Margaret, adored her. She wanted Eleanor to design a collection that would preserve the Hawthorne family name.""
"Then why did they take it?""
"Because the collection became more valuable than anyone expected.""
Evelyn stirred her coffee.
"My father wanted to purchase the designs outright. Eleanor refused. She had agreed to a partnership, not a sale.""
"Was there a contract?""
"Yes. A very specific one.""
She opened her handbag again and removed a folded piece of paper.
It was a photocopy of a legal document.
I leaned closer.
The heading read:
*BENNETT HOUSE AND HAWTHORNE DESIGN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.*
My eyes moved down the page.
There were signatures.
Eleanor Bennett.
Margaret Hawthorne.
And Richard Hawthorne.
The agreement stated that Bennett House retained ownership of its original patterns, trademarks, and artistic designs. The Hawthorne company received limited commercial rights in exchange for royalties and a permanent partnership.
I looked up.
"This is real?""
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't my mother use it in court?""
"Because the original signed agreement disappeared after my father's death. Your mother had a copy, but it wasn't complete. The Hawthorne lawyers claimed the missing pages changed the terms.""
I studied the document.
"Where are the missing pages?""
Evelyn's fingers tightened around her coffee cup.
"Richard kept them.""
"Where?""
"In a private archive at the Hawthorne estate.""
"Does Patricia know?""
"She knows they existed. She doesn't know where he put them.""
I thought about the mysterious patch inside Vanessa's wedding gown.
"Could the documents be hidden in the dress?""
Evelyn looked startled.
"What makes you ask that?""
I showed her the photograph Vanessa had sent.
Evelyn stared at it for a long time.
Then she covered her mouth.
"Oh, Eleanor.""
"What?""
"That embroidery.""
She pointed to the small patch beneath the lining.
"Your mother used to hide things in the same place on every important gown. She called it the memory seam.""
"What's inside?""
"I don't know. But Eleanor once told me that the truth would always survive if she could keep it close to the fabric.""
My heart began racing.
"Then we need to get the dress.""
Evelyn shook her head.
"Patricia won't let you near it.""
"Then I'll have to find another way.""
She reached across the table.
"There's something else. Richard left a letter for Eleanor shortly before he died. He gave it to me and asked me to deliver it.""
I stared at her.
"Did you?""
"No.""
"Why?""
"Because Patricia threatened to have me declared incompetent. She controlled the family finances, the lawyers, and even my access to the estate. I was frightened.""
Her voice cracked.
"I've lived with that decision for seven years.""
She placed a small envelope on the table.
My mother's name was written across it.
Evelyn pushed it toward me.
"I think it's time you read it.""
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
Dear Eleanor,
I have made a terrible mistake. My father and I allowed the company to use your designs without giving you the credit or compensation you deserved.
I have found the original agreement. I have also discovered that the missing pages prove you retained ownership of the collection.
Patricia knows I intend to return everything to you.
I don't trust what she might do.
Please forgive me for waiting so long.
Richard.
I read the final lines.
If I cannot deliver these documents myself, look for the blue ledger in the east library. Everything is there.
My hands trembled.
"East library?""
Evelyn nodded.
"At the Hawthorne estate.""
"Then that's where we need to go.""
Before she could answer, her phone vibrated.
She glanced at the screen.
All the color drained from her face.
"What is it?"" I asked.
She turned the phone toward me.
A message from Patricia.
I know where you are. Come home immediately. We need to discuss your little meeting.
Evelyn slowly put the phone away.
Then she looked at me with frightened eyes.
"She's been following me.""
A black SUV pulled into the parking lot.
Evelyn grabbed my wrist.
"Maya, whatever happens, don't let Patricia get that box.""
The passenger door opened.
And a man in a dark suit stepped out.
He was carrying a leather folder.
Evelyn whispered two words.
"Richard's lawyer.""
May you like
Then she looked at me.
"He's not supposed to be alive.""
