Chapter 9: Beneath the Christmas Star
At eight the next morning, Martin Hayes arrived at our house with a legal folder, a digital camera, and a forensic evidence kit.
Grandma Pearl had arrived at our house with a legal folder, a digital camera, and a forensic evidence kit.
Grandma Pearl had already placed the torn photograph fragment inside a clear protective sleeve.
My father stood beside the front door, holding the metal key to his already placed the torn photograph fragment inside a clear protective sleeve.
My father stood beside the front door, holding the metal key to his car.
"Are we really going to find something?"" he asked.
Martin adjusted the strap of his briefcase.
"We're going to inspect car.
"Are we really going to find something?"" he asked.
Martin adjusted the strap of his briefcase.
"We're going to inspect the property lawfully, document anything relevant, and leave the examination of potential evidence to the appropriate specialists. We the property lawfully, document anything relevant, and leave the examination of potential evidence to the appropriate specialists. We should not assume the room contains anything until we see it.""
Grandma Pearl slipped on her gloves.
"Agreed.""
Then she looked at me should not assume the room contains anything until we see it.""
Grandma Pearl slipped on her gloves.
"Agreed.""
Then she looked at me.
"Ready, darling?""
I thought of the voicemail.
The missing ledger.
My mother's final letter.
The Christmas tree lying broken in.
"Ready, darling?""
I thought of the voicemail.
The missing ledger.
My mother's final letter.
The Christmas tree lying broken in our living room.
"No," I admitted.
"But I'm going anyway.""
The house stood at the end of a narrow country our living room.
"No," I admitted.
"But I'm going anyway.""
The house stood at the end of a narrow country road, surrounded by bare trees and a low stone wall.
It was smaller than I'd imagined from Grandma road, surrounded by bare trees and a low stone wall.
It was smaller than I'd imagined from Grandma Pearl's description. Its white paint had peeled in places, and several windows were boarded over. A rusted iron gate hung crookedly beside the Pearl's description.
Its white paint had peeled in places, and several windows were boarded over. A rusted iron gate hung crookedly beside the driveway.
Yet the house still possessed a strange dignity.
A driveway.
Yet the house still possessed a strange dignity.
A little stone path led to the front door. An old brass bell hung beneath little stone path led to the front door. An old brass bell hung beneath the porch roof.
And above the entrance, someone had carved a wooden star into the porch roof. And above the entrance, someone had carved a wooden star into the frame.
I stared at it.
"The star," I whispered.
Grandma Pearl followed my gaze.
" the frame.
I stared at it.
"The star," I whispered.
Grandma Pearl followed my gaze.
"Your grandfather carved that himself.""
A black sedan waited in the driveway.
Richard Cole stood beside it.
HeYour grandfather carved that himself.""
A black sedan waited in the driveway.
Richard Cole stood beside it.
He was older than the man in the photograph, with gray at his temples and a long scar cutting through his left eyebrow. He wore a charcoal coat and was older than the man in the photograph, with gray at his temples and a long scar cutting through his left eyebrow. He wore a charcoal coat and leather gloves.
His expression suggested that he considered our arrival an inconvenience rather leather gloves. His expression suggested that he considered our arrival an inconvenience rather than an event he'd been expecting for years.
"Pearl," he said.
"Richard.""
His eyes moved to me.
"So this is Eleanor's than an event he'd been expecting for years.
"Pearl," he said.
"Richard.""
His eyes moved to me.
"So this is Eleanor's daughter.""
"My name is Lily.""
"I know.""
He extended his hand.
I didn't take it.
His mouth tightened, but he quickly recovered.
"Your attorney explained daughter.""
"My name is Lily.""
"I know.""
He extended his hand.
I didn't take it.
His mouth tightened, but he quickly recovered.
"Your attorney explained that you want to inspect the upstairs room. I've agreed to let you in for a that you want to inspect the upstairs room. I've agreed to let you in for a limited period. Nothing leaves the property without my written consent.""
Martin stepped forward.
"That condition does limited period. Nothing leaves the property without my written consent.""
Martin stepped forward.
"That condition does not override any lawful preservation requirements. If we discover potential evidence, we'll document it and contact the authorities.""
Richard smiled not override any lawful preservation requirements. If we discover potential evidence, we'll document it and contact the authorities.""
Richard smiled without warmth.
"Of course.""
Grandma Pearl regarded him carefully.
"Why did without warmth.
"Of course.""
Grandma Pearl regarded him carefully.
"Why did you buy this house?""
"Investment.""
"An old property with a leaking roof and structural you buy this house?""
"Investment.""
"An old property with a leaking roof and structural damage?""
"Some people see potential where others see decay.""
"How poetic.""
He opened the front door.
"Shall we?""
The damage?""
"Some people see potential where others see decay.""
"How poetic.""
He opened the front door.
"Shall we?""
The interior smelled of dust, damp wood, and old wallpaper. Most of the furniture had been removed, leaving pale rectangles on the walls where pictures interior smelled of dust, damp wood, and old wallpaper. Most of the furniture had been removed, leaving pale rectangles on the walls where pictures had once hung.
The staircase creaked beneath our feet.
At the top, a narrow hallway ended at a faded had once hung.
The staircase creaked beneath our feet.
At the top, a narrow hallway ended at a faded blue door.
My heart began to pound.
Richard watched me.
"You've never blue door.
My heart began to pound.
Richard watched me.
"You've never been here before, have you?""
"No.""
"Then I wonder how you'll know what you're looking for.""
Grandma Pearl answered before I could.
"Her been here before, have you?""
"No.""
"Then I wonder how you'll know what you're looking for.""
Grandma Pearl answered before I could.
"Her mother left instructions.""
Richard's smile disappeared.
"Did she?""
Martin opened the blue door.
The room was almost mother left instructions.""
Richard's smile disappeared.
"Did she?""
Martin opened the blue door.
The room was almost empty.
A wooden bed frame stood against one wall. An old desk sat beneath the window. The empty.
A wooden bed frame stood against one wall. An old desk sat beneath the window. The wallpaper had faded from bright blue to a dull gray, and the ceiling showed wallpaper had faded from bright blue to a dull gray, and the ceiling showed signs of water damage.
But the window frame remained intact.
And around it, faint marks traced the outline of a string signs of water damage.
But the window frame remained intact.
And around it, faint marks traced the outline of a string of Christmas lights.
I stepped inside slowly.
For a moment, I could imagine of Christmas lights.
I stepped inside slowly.
For a moment, I could imagine my mother as a child, sitting on the floor beneath those lights.
I imagined her watching snow fall while her father my mother as a child, sitting on the floor beneath those lights.
I imagined her watching snow fall while her father read beside the fireplace.
I imagined her believing that the world was safe.
Then I remembered Vanessa's voice read beside the fireplace.
I imagined her believing that the world was safe.
Then I remembered Vanessa's voice.
Eleanor won't be telling anyone what she knows.
My hands curled into fists.
Martin photographed the room while Grandma Pearl examined the walls.
"Where was the star.
Eleanor won't be telling anyone what she knows.
My hands curled into fists.
Martin photographed the room while Grandma Pearl examined the walls.
"Where was the star?"" I asked.
Grandma Pearl pointed toward the small fireplace.
"There.""
Above it hung a wooden star, its?"" I asked.
Grandma Pearl pointed toward the small fireplace.
"There.""
Above it hung a wooden star, its paint chipped and faded. It was no larger than a dinner plate, with five uneven points and a tiny paint chipped and faded. It was no larger than a dinner plate, with five uneven points and a tiny hole in the center where a nail had once held it in place.
Richard folded his arms.
" hole in the center where a nail had once held it in place.
Richard folded his arms.
"That thing has been there for decades. If Eleanor hid something beneathThat thing has been there for decades. If Eleanor hid something beneath it, she certainly chose a poor hiding place.""
Grandma Pearl turned toward him.
"Perhaps she wanted someone to find it it, she certainly chose a poor hiding place.""
Grandma Pearl turned toward him.
"Perhaps she wanted someone to find it.""
Martin approached the fireplace.
"We should document the star and the surrounding area before touching anything.""
He photographed it from several angles, then examined the wall with a flashlight.
I.""
Martin approached the fireplace.
"We should document the star and the surrounding area before touching anything.""
He photographed it from several angles, then examined the wall with a flashlight.
I crouched beside the fireplace.
Something about the star looked wrong.
The bottom point sat slightly farther from the wall than the others. A crouched beside the fireplace.
Something about the star looked wrong.
The bottom point sat slightly farther from the wall than the others. A narrow shadow ran along its edge.
"Martin," I said, "could narrow shadow ran along its edge.
"Martin," I said, "could you look at this?""
He crouched beside me.
After examining the mounting, he carefully photographed the area and asked you look at this?""
He crouched beside me.
After examining the mounting, he carefully photographed the area and asked Richard whether he consented to the star being removed for inspection.
Richard hesitated.
"Why?""
"Because it appears to be mounted differently from the surrounding fixtures.""
"It's an old house Richard whether he consented to the star being removed for inspection.
Richard hesitated.
"Why?""
"Because it appears to be mounted differently from the surrounding fixtures.""
"It's an old house. Things shift.""
"That is possible. But we'd like to examine it.""
Richard looked toward Grandma Pearl.
Then at. Things shift.""
"That is possible. But we'd like to examine it.""
Richard looked toward Grandma Pearl.
Then at me.
Finally, he shrugged.
"Fine. Take it down.""
Martin loosened the mounting carefully.
The wooden star came away from the wall.
Behind it was a narrow me.
Finally, he shrugged.
"Fine. Take it down.""
Martin loosened the mounting carefully.
The wooden star came away from the wall.
Behind it was a narrow recess, barely large enough to hold a folded sheet of paper.
Inside lay a small envelope wrapped recess, barely large enough to hold a folded sheet of paper.
Inside lay a small envelope wrapped in yellowed cloth.
I stopped breathing.
Grandma Pearl covered her mouth.
Richard took one involuntary step forward.
in yellowed cloth.
I stopped breathing.
Grandma Pearl covered her mouth.
Richard took one involuntary step forward.
Martin immediately raised a hand.
"Please stay back.""
He photographed the recess, thenMartin immediately raised a hand.
"Please stay back.""
He photographed the recess, then the envelope, documenting its position before carefully removing it.
The cloth fell away.
On the envelope, documenting its position before carefully removing it.
The cloth fell away.
On the front of the envelope, in my mother's handwriting, were two words.
For Pearl.
My grandmother closed the front of the envelope, in my mother's handwriting, were two words.
For Pearl.
My grandmother closed her eyes.
"Oh, Eleanor.""
Martin examined the seal.
"The envelope appears old, but we should preserve it and document its condition before her eyes.
"Oh, Eleanor.""
Martin examined the seal.
"The envelope appears old, but we should preserve it and document its condition before opening it. If there's anything legally significant inside, we don't want to compromise it.""
Richard gave a dry opening it. If there's anything legally significant inside, we don't want to compromise it.""
Richard gave a dry laugh.
"You're treating an old letter like a national secret.""
Martin didn't look at him.
"Given the circumstances, caution is appropriate.""
He laugh.
"You're treating an old letter like a national secret.""
Martin didn't look at him.
"Given the circumstances, caution is appropriate.""
He placed the envelope in a protective sleeve.
But before he could secure it, Grandma Pearl noticed something else inside placed the envelope in a protective sleeve.
But before he could secure it, Grandma Pearl noticed something else inside the recess.
A small brass key.
She stared at it.
"The safe-deposit key.""
I looked at her.
"You're sure?""
She nodded slowly.
"Your the recess.
A small brass key.
She stared at it.
"The safe-deposit key.""
I looked at her.
"You're sure?""
She nodded slowly.
"Your mother showed me that key once. She said it opened a box at the bank where her mother showed me that key once. She said it opened a box at the bank where her father kept his most important documents.""
Richard's face had become expressionless.
Too expressionless.
Martin noticed.
"Mr. Cole, do father kept his most important documents.""
Richard's face had become expressionless.
Too expressionless.
Martin noticed.
"Mr. Cole, do you recognize the key?""
"No.""
"Have you ever seen this envelope before?""
"No.""
"Then you won't object to the authorities examining it.""
Richard's you recognize the key?""
"No.""
"Have you ever seen this envelope before?""
"No.""
"Then you won't object to the authorities examining it.""
Richard's jaw tightened.
"I've cooperated with everything you've asked.""
"And we jaw tightened.
"I've cooperated with everything you've asked.""
"And we appreciate that.""
Martin placed the key in a separate evidence bag.
Grandma Pearl looked at appreciate that.""
Martin placed the key in a separate evidence bag.
Grandma Pearl looked at me.
"This is why your mother told me to remember the Christmas lights. She wanted us to find the me.
"This is why your mother told me to remember the Christmas lights. She wanted us to find the room.""
"But why leave the key here?""
"Because she believed someone was looking for it at the house. room.""
"But why leave the key here?""
"Because she believed someone was looking for it at the house. She must have moved it before she became too ill to return.""
I stared at the envelope.
She must have moved it before she became too ill to return.""
I stared at the envelope.
"What if the safe-deposit box contains the original ledger?""
Grandma Pearl's eyes"What if the safe-deposit box contains the original ledger?""
Grandma Pearl's eyes filled with tears.
"Then we may finally learn who took the money.""
Richard turned toward the window.
"I think you've found filled with tears.
"Then we may finally learn who took the money.""
Richard turned toward the window.
"I think you've found what you came for.""
His voice was controlled, but his fingers had curled tightly around the edge of what you came for.""
His voice was controlled, but his fingers had curled tightly around the edge of his coat.
Martin noticed.
"We'll be leaving shortly. However his coat.
Martin noticed.
"We'll be leaving shortly. However, we may need to return with the appropriate authorization.""
"Of course.""
Richard walked, we may need to return with the appropriate authorization.""
"Of course.""
Richard walked toward the door.
Then he stopped.
"One piece of advice, Lily.""
I looked at him.
"Don't confuse finding toward the door.
Then he stopped.
"One piece of advice, Lily.""
I looked at him.
"Don't confuse finding a secret with understanding it. Your mother was very good at collecting pieces of information. Sometimes she drew a secret with understanding it.
Your mother was very good at collecting pieces of information. Sometimes she drew the wrong conclusions.""
I stood up.
"Is that what happened to her?""
His expression shifted.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely unsettled.
"What do you mean?""
the wrong conclusions.""
I stood up.
"Is that what happened to her?""
His expression shifted.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely unsettled.
"What do you mean?""
"You know what I mean.""
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he said, "Your mother was a good woman.""You know what I mean.""
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he said, "Your mother was a good woman. But she was surrounded by people she trusted too much.""
Grandma Pearl stepped forward.
"Are you talking about yourself, Richard?""
He But she was surrounded by people she trusted too much.""
Grandma Pearl stepped forward.
"Are you talking about yourself, Richard?""
He ignored her.
His eyes remained on me.
"Ask your grandmother why she didn't ignored her.
His eyes remained on me.
"Ask your grandmother why she didn't go to the hospital sooner that night.""
The words struck like a physical blow.
I turned toward Pearl go to the hospital sooner that night.""
The words struck like a physical blow.
I turned toward Pearl.
Her face had gone white.
Richard opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
"Thank you for visiting.""
.
Her face had gone white.
Richard opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
"Thank you for visiting.""
Martin gathered the evidence bags.
"We'll be in contact throughMartin gathered the evidence bags.
"We'll be in contact through your attorney.""
Richard smiled faintly.
"I have no doubt.""
We left the house in silence.
Once we your attorney.""
Richard smiled faintly.
"I have no doubt.""
We left the house in silence.
Once we were inside the car, I turned toward my grandmother.
"What did he mean?""
She stared through the windshield.
were inside the car, I turned toward my grandmother.
"What did he mean?""
She stared through the windshield.
"Lily—"
"Why didn't you go to the hospital sooner?""
She closed her eyes.
I"Lily—"
"Why didn't you go to the hospital sooner?""
She closed her eyes.
I felt something inside me breaking.
"Grandma, please. I need the felt something inside me breaking.
"Grandma, please. I need the truth.""
She took a long, shaky breath.
"Your mother called me at 9:40 that night. She said truth.""
She took a long, shaky breath.
"Your mother called me at 9:40 that night. She said Richard was coming to the house, and she was frightened. She asked me to meet her at the hospital.""
" Richard was coming to the house, and she was frightened. She asked me to meet her at the hospital.""
"Then why did you arrive at 10:52?""
Grandma Pearl's eyesThen why did you arrive at 10:52?""
Grandma Pearl's eyes filled with tears.
"Because I went to the house first.""
My heart stopped.
"What?""
"I thought I could retrieve the ledger before Richard found it. I believed that if I secured filled with tears.
"Because I went to the house first.""
My heart stopped.
"What?""
"I thought I could retrieve the ledger before Richard found it. I believed that if I secured the evidence, I could protect Eleanor and keep you safe.""
"Did you see Richard?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
the evidence, I could protect Eleanor and keep you safe.""
"Did you see Richard?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
"And Vanessa?""
"Yes.""
I stared at her.
"What happened?""
Grandma Pearl looked down at her"And Vanessa?""
"Yes.""
I stared at her.
"What happened?""
Grandma Pearl looked down at her hands.
"When I arrived, Vanessa was standing in the kitchen. Richard was near the back door hands.
"When I arrived, Vanessa was standing in the kitchen. Richard was near the back door. They were arguing about a document. I demanded to know what they were doing there.""
"What. They were arguing about a document. I demanded to know what they were doing there.""
"What did they say?""
"Richard told me I had no right to enter the property. Vanessa said Eleanor had asked them to come.""
did they say?""
"Richard told me I had no right to enter the property. Vanessa said Eleanor had asked them to come.""
"Did you believe her?""
"No.""
My grandmother began to cry.
"I searched the office,"Did you believe her?""
"No.""
My grandmother began to cry.
"I searched the office, but the ledger was gone. Then I heard a car outside. Richard left through the back door, and Vanessa followed him but the ledger was gone.
Then I heard a car outside. Richard left through the back door, and Vanessa followed him.""
"Why didn't you follow them?""
"Because I found something on the floor.""
She opened her handbag.""
"Why didn't you follow them?""
"Because I found something on the floor.""
She opened her handbag and removed a small photograph.
It showed my mother sitting in the blue room, holding a and removed a small photograph.
It showed my mother sitting in the blue room, holding a little wooden star.
On the back, she had written:
*If Pearl finds this, tell little wooden star.
On the back, she had written:
If Pearl finds this, tell her I tried.
I stared at the words.
Grandma Pearl wiped her eyes.
"I didn't know what she meant. I thought it her I tried.*
I stared at the words.
Grandma Pearl wiped her eyes.
"I didn't know what she meant. I thought it was a message about the foundation. I spent nearly forty minutes searching the house, looking was a message about the foundation. I spent nearly forty minutes searching the house, looking for anything she might have hidden.""
"And then you went to the hospital?""
"Yes.""
"Was for anything she might have hidden.""
"And then you went to the hospital?""
"Yes.""
"Was Mom still alive when you arrived?""
Grandma Pearl shook her head.
"No.""
I covered my mouth.
"Did you ever tell Mom still alive when you arrived?""
Grandma Pearl shook her head.
"No.""
I covered my mouth.
"Did you ever tell the police about going to the house?""
"I told them I had been there the police about going to the house?""
"I told them I had been there. I didn't tell them how long I'd searched or that I'd seen Vanessa and Richard together.""
"Why?""
"Because I was afraid they'd suspect. I didn't tell them how long I'd searched or that I'd seen Vanessa and Richard together.""
"Why?""
"Because I was afraid they'd suspect me of interfering with the evidence. I thought I could protect Eleanor's reputation and keep the family from me of interfering with the evidence. I thought I could protect Eleanor's reputation and keep the family from being destroyed.""
I stared at her.
"By keeping secrets?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Grandma Pearl reached for my hand.
"I am being destroyed.""
I stared at her.
"By keeping secrets?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Grandma Pearl reached for my hand.
"I am sorry, Lily. I thought silence would protect you. Instead, it left you surrounded by people who could lie to you without consequence.""
I pulled sorry, Lily. I thought silence would protect you. Instead, it left you surrounded by people who could lie to you without consequence.""
I pulled my hand away.
"I love you, Grandma. But I don't know what to do with this.""
She bowed her head.
"I understand.""
Martin climbed into the front seat and turned around.
my hand away.
"I love you, Grandma. But I don't know what to do with this.""
She bowed her head.
"I understand.""
Martin climbed into the front seat and turned around.
"The envelope and key will be documented and preserved. We'll request the necessary legal authority to access the safe-deposit box. If it contains the original ledger, we may finally have corroborating"The envelope and key will be documented and preserved.
We'll request the necessary legal authority to access the safe-deposit box. If it contains the original ledger, we may finally have corroborating evidence.""
I looked at the evidence bag resting beside him.
"How long will it take?""
"Hopefully evidence.""
I looked at the evidence bag resting beside him.
"How long will it take?""
"Hopefully, not long. But we need to do this correctly.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared, not long. But we need to do this correctly.""
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared on the screen.
There was no greeting.
No explanation.
Only a photograph.
It showed my on the screen.
There was no greeting.
No explanation.
Only a photograph.
It showed my mother in her hospital bed, her eyes closed, with mother in her hospital bed, her eyes closed, with Vanessa standing beside her.
The timestamp in the corner matched the night Mom died.
B Vanessa standing beside her.
The timestamp in the corner matched the night Mom died.
Beneath the photograph were nine words.
*Pearl wasn't the last person to see Eleanoreneath the photograph were nine words.
Pearl wasn't the last person to see Eleanor alive.
I looked up, my hands trembling.
Grandma Pearl saw my face.
"What is it?""
I turned the screen toward her.
She stared alive.*
I looked up, my hands trembling.
Grandma Pearl saw my face.
"What is it?""
I turned the screen toward her.
She stared at the photograph.
Then she whispered something I couldn't understand.
Martin took at the photograph.
Then she whispered something I couldn't understand.
Martin took the phone and examined the image without touching the screen.
"We need to preserve this immediately. Don't reply the phone and examined the image without touching the screen.
"We need to preserve this immediately. Don't reply to the sender.""
I nodded, barely breathing.
Another message appeared.
This to the sender.""
I nodded, barely breathing.
Another message appeared.
This time, it contained a name.
A nurse.
And beneath it, a final sentence.
**"Ask time, it contained a name.
A nurse.
And beneath it, a final sentence.
*"Ask Nurse Patricia Wells why she signed Eleanor's death report before the doctor Nurse Patricia Wells why she signed Eleanor's death report before the doctor arrived.""*
Grandma Pearl gripped my arm.
"Patricia Wells," she whispered.
arrived.""**
Grandma Pearl gripped my arm.
"Patricia Wells," she whispered.
"You know her?""
My grandmother looked at me, her face filled with a horror I had never seen before.
"She was your mother's nurse.""
Then she looked"You know her?""
My grandmother looked at me, her face filled with a horror I had never seen before.
"She was your mother's nurse.""
Then she looked back at the photograph.
"And she was the person who called me at 11 back at the photograph.
"And she was the person who called me at 11:06 that night to tell me Eleanor had died.""
Martin immediately contacted the attorney and:06 that night to tell me Eleanor had died.""
Martin immediately contacted the attorney and reported the new message. The photograph would need to be authenticated, and the hospital would need reported the new message. The photograph would need to be authenticated, and the hospital would need to clarify the timing and meaning of the records.
None of us could safely assume that a timestamp or an accusation established what had to clarify the timing and meaning of the records. None of us could safely assume that a timestamp or an accusation established what had happened.
But one thing was undeniable.
Someone knew exactly what we had found.
happened.
But one thing was undeniable.
Someone knew exactly what we had found.
Someone knew where we'd been.
And someone was determined to make sure we never reachedSomeone knew where we'd been.
And someone was determined to make sure we never reached the truth.
Grandma Pearl leaned back against the seat, staring at the photograph.
Then the truth.
Grandma Pearl leaned back against the seat, staring at the photograph.
Then she whispered the words that ended our journey home.
"Patricia wasn't supposed to be on she whispered the words that ended our journey home.
May you like
"Patricia wasn't supposed to be on duty that night.""
duty that night.""
