Chapter 8: The Blue Room Bene## Chapter 8: The Blue Room Beneath the Dust
Grandath the Dust
Grandma Pearl stared at the company name on Martin Hayes's phone.
Forma Pearl stared at the company name on Martin Hayes's phone.
For the first time since I'd known the first time since I'd known her, she seemed to have run out of answers.
"Richard bought Eleanor's childhood home?"" she her, she seemed to have run out of answers.
"Richard bought Eleanor's childhood home?"" she asked.
Martin nodded.
"According to the current title records, Cole Holdings acquired the property eighteen months ago. The asked.
Martin nodded.
"According to the current title records, Cole Holdings acquired the property eighteen months ago. The purchase was made through a holding company, but the beneficial ownership declaration identifies Richard Cole.""
"Why would he buy that purchase was made through a holding company, but the beneficial ownership declaration identifies Richard Cole.""
"Why would he buy that house?"" I asked.
Nobody answered immediately.
Then Grandma Pearl looked at the envelope in my hands.
"Because house?"" I asked.
Nobody answered immediately.
Then Grandma Pearl looked at the envelope in my hands.
"Because your mother left your mother left something there.""
I unfolded the letter carefully.
My mother's handwriting looked smaller than I remembered, but every curve was familiar. The capital L in my something there.""
I unfolded the letter carefully.
My mother's handwriting looked smaller than I remembered, but every curve was familiar. The capital L in my name always leaned slightly to the right. She used to tell me that handwriting revealed a person's patience, and that mine name always leaned slightly to the right. She used to tell me that handwriting revealed a person's patience, and that mine looked like I was always in a hurry to reach the end of a sentence.
I read her words aloud.
"If Vanessa returns, find the blue room. looked like I was always in a hurry to reach the end of a sentence.
I read her words aloud.
"If Vanessa returns, find the blue room. Trust the person who remembers the Christmas lights.""
I stopped.
"The Christmas lights?""
Grandma Pearl's Trust the person who remembers the Christmas lights.""
I stopped.
"The Christmas lights?""
Grandma Pearl's face changed.
She reached for the letter, reading the sentence face changed.
She reached for the letter, reading the sentence twice.
"Oh, Eleanor.""
"What does it mean?""
My grandmother sat down beside twice.
"Oh, Eleanor.""
"What does it mean?""
My grandmother sat down beside the hospital window.
"When your mother was a little girl, her parents the hospital window.
"When your mother was a little girl, her parents had a house outside town. It was an old Victorian place had a house outside town. It was an old Victorian place with a narrow staircase and a room at the back of the second floor.
Your grandfather painted that room blue because Eleanor begged him for a room the color of the winter with a narrow staircase and a room at the back of the second floor. Your grandfather painted that room blue because Eleanor begged him for a room the color of the winter sky.""
A faint smile crossed her face.
"Every Christmas, he wrapped colored lights around the window sky.""
A faint smile crossed her face.
"Every Christmas, he wrapped colored lights around the window frame. Eleanor would sit on the floor and watch them glow against the snow.""
I imagined my frame. Eleanor would sit on the floor and watch them glow against the snow.""
I imagined my mother as a child, sitting beneath the lights with her knees tucked against her chest.
"Who remembers the Christmas lights?"" I asked.
Grand mother as a child, sitting beneath the lights with her knees tucked against her chest.
"Who remembers the Christmas lights?"" I asked.
Grandma Pearl hesitated.
"Your mother's childhood friend. A woman named Margaret Ellis. They spentma Pearl hesitated.
"Your mother's childhood friend. A woman named Margaret Ellis. They spent almost every Christmas together until Margaret moved away.""
Martin checked his notes.
"I can locate the property's registered almost every Christmas together until Margaret moved away.""
Martin checked his notes.
"I can locate the property's registered owner and arrange a formal visit, but we shouldn't enter without permission or owner and arrange a formal visit, but we shouldn't enter without permission or legal authority.""
"I know someone who can contact Margaret," Grandma Pearl said legal authority.""
"I know someone who can contact Margaret," Grandma Pearl said.
"She lives in the next county. We haven't spoken in years,.
"She lives in the next county. We haven't spoken in years, but she attended Eleanor's funeral.""
I looked at the envelope.
"Why would Mom leave a but she attended Eleanor's funeral.""
I looked at the envelope.
"Why would Mom leave a message like this instead of telling you what was hidden?""
"Perhaps she feared someone message like this instead of telling you what was hidden?""
"Perhaps she feared someone was listening," Martin replied.
"Or perhaps she wanted the person who found it to follow a particular trail was listening," Martin replied.
"Or perhaps she wanted the person who found it to follow a particular trail.""
Grandma Pearl rose.
"Then we'll follow it properly.""
Before leaving the hospital, Martin arranged for the relevant.""
Grandma Pearl rose.
"Then we'll follow it properly.""
Before leaving the hospital, Martin arranged for the relevant records to be preserved and submitted the necessary requests for certified copies. He also contacted a specialist to examine the voicemail and the records to be preserved and submitted the necessary requests for certified copies. He also contacted a specialist to examine the voicemail and the forged withdrawal documents.
He was clear about one thing: the evidence forged withdrawal documents.
He was clear about one thing: the evidence suggested possible fraud and suspicious circumstances, but it did not yet establish that Vanessa or Richard had caused my mother's death.
We would need proof.
For suggested possible fraud and suspicious circumstances, but it did not yet establish that Vanessa or Richard had caused my mother's death.
We would need proof.
For once, I was grateful someone wasn't asking me to accept an easy answer once, I was grateful someone wasn't asking me to accept an easy answer.
By noon, Grandma Pearl had reached Margaret Ellis.
I sat beside her in.
By noon, Grandma Pearl had reached Margaret Ellis.
I sat beside her in the car while she spoke through the phone's speaker.
"Margaret, it's Pearl Bennett the car while she spoke through the phone's speaker.
"Margaret, it's Pearl Bennett.""
There was a long pause.
"Pearl?"" an elderly woman replied.
"I haven't heard your voice in years.""
"I.""
There was a long pause.
"Pearl?"" an elderly woman replied.
"I haven't heard your voice in years.""
"I wish I were calling under happier circumstances.""
When Grandma Pearl explained what we'd found, Margaret grew wish I were calling under happier circumstances.""
When Grandma Pearl explained what we'd found, Margaret grew quiet.
Then she said something that made my grandmother sit straighter.
"I wondered when someone would come looking quiet.
Then she said something that made my grandmother sit straighter.
"I wondered when someone would come looking.""
My heart started pounding.
"You knew about the blue room?"" I asked.
Margaret's voice softened.
"Are.""
My heart started pounding.
"You knew about the blue room?"" I asked.
Margaret's voice softened.
"Are you Lily?""
"Yes.""
"I remember you as a little girl. Your mother used to bring you to the you Lily?""
"Yes.""
"I remember you as a little girl. Your mother used to bring you to the house when you were small. You'd run up those stairs and try house when you were small. You'd run up those stairs and try to catch the Christmas lights with your fingers.""
I smiled despite myself.
"I don't remember that.""
"Your to catch the Christmas lights with your fingers.""
I smiled despite myself.
"I don't remember that.""
"Your mother did. She talked about it for years.""
Grandma Pearl leaned toward the phone.
"Margaret, mother did. She talked about it for years.""
Grandma Pearl leaned toward the phone.
"Margaret, do you know what Eleanor left there?""
"I know she went back to the house shortly do you know what Eleanor left there?""
"I know she went back to the house shortly before she died. She asked me to help her retrieve something from the blue room.""
"What was it?""
"I never saw what before she died. She asked me to help her retrieve something from the blue room.""
"What was it?""
"I never saw what she took. She wouldn't tell me. But she said that if anything happened to her, she took.
She wouldn't tell me. But she said that if anything happened to her, I should remember one thing.""
Margaret paused.
"She said the truth was hidden where I should remember one thing.""
Margaret paused.
"She said the truth was hidden where the light touched the wall.""
I looked at Grandma Pearl.
"The Christmas lights.""
"Yes," Margaret said the light touched the wall.""
I looked at Grandma Pearl.
"The Christmas lights.""
"Yes," Margaret said.
"The old lights left tiny marks on the wallpaper. Eleanor said the marks would help.
"The old lights left tiny marks on the wallpaper. Eleanor said the marks would help her remember where to look.""
Grandma Pearl closed her eyes.
"Did you tell anyone?""
"No. Eleanor asked me not to. her remember where to look.""
Grandma Pearl closed her eyes.
"Did you tell anyone?""
"No. Eleanor asked me not to. But about a year after her death, a man came to my house asking about But about a year after her death, a man came to my house asking about the property. He said he was a relative and wanted to know whether Eleanor had left anything there.""
"Was it Richard?""
"I the property. He said he was a relative and wanted to know whether Eleanor had left anything there.""
"Was it Richard?""
"I couldn't be sure. He had dark hair and a scar through one couldn't be sure. He had dark hair and a scar through one eyebrow.""
The same scar from the photograph.
Margaret continued.
"I told him I knew nothing. He eyebrow.""
The same scar from the photograph.
Margaret continued.
"I told him I knew nothing. He didn't believe me. He said the house had been sold and that whatever Eleanor left behind belonged to the new didn't believe me. He said the house had been sold and that whatever Eleanor left behind belonged to the new owner.""
"Did he threaten you?"" Martin asked from the passenger seat.
"Not directly. But he made it clear he would keep asking until he owner.""
"Did he threaten you?"" Martin asked from the passenger seat.
"Not directly. But he made it clear he would keep asking until he got an answer.""
Grandma Pearl thanked her and ended the call.
For several minutes, we sat in silence.
Then I asked, "If Richard owns the property, how are got an answer.""
Grandma Pearl thanked her and ended the call.
For several minutes, we sat in silence.
Then I asked, "If Richard owns the property, how are we supposed to get inside?""
Martin adjusted his glasses.
"We don't trespass. I'll contact the current owner through the registered company and request access we supposed to get inside?""
Martin adjusted his glasses.
"We don't trespass. I'll contact the current owner through the registered company and request access for an inspection. I'll also inform the authorities about the potential evidence.
If there's a legitimate basis for for an inspection. I'll also inform the authorities about the potential evidence. If there's a legitimate basis for a search, they can determine the appropriate legal process.""
Grandma Pearl nodded a search, they can determine the appropriate legal process.""
Grandma Pearl nodded.
"Do that.""
But before Martin could make the call, Grandma Pearl's phone rang.
It was my father.
".
"Do that.""
But before Martin could make the call, Grandma Pearl's phone rang.
It was my father.
"Pearl," he said urgently.
"Vanessa is back.""
My grandmother straightened.
"WherePearl," he said urgently.
"Vanessa is back.""
My grandmother straightened.
"Where?""
"At the house. She's packing.""
"Don't confront her.""
"I haven't. But there's something else?""
"At the house. She's packing.""
"Don't confront her.""
"I haven't. But there's something else.""
He lowered his voice.
"She found the spare key to Eleanor's office. She went upstairs and took something.""
He lowered his voice.
"She found the spare key to Eleanor's office. She went upstairs and took something from the desk before I could stop her.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did she take?"" I from the desk before I could stop her.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did she take?"" I asked.
Dad recognized my voice.
"Lily? I thought you were with your asked.
Dad recognized my voice.
"Lily? I thought you were with your grandmother.""
"I am. What did Vanessa take?""
"I don't know. A small metal box, I think. grandmother.""
"I am. What did Vanessa take?""
"I don't know. A small metal box, I think. She said it belonged to her.""
Grandma Pearl's expression hardened.
"Did you let her leave with it?""
"I She said it belonged to her.""
Grandma Pearl's expression hardened.
"Did you let her leave with it?""
"I tried to stop her, but she threatened to call the police and claim I was holding her against her will.""
"Daniel, tried to stop her, but she threatened to call the police and claim I was holding her against her will.""
"Daniel, you should have called the attorney.""
"I know!""
His voice cracked.
"I'm trying to fix this, Pearl. you should have called the attorney.""
"I know!""
His voice cracked.
"I'm trying to fix this, Pearl. I really am.""
Grandma Pearl softened slightly.
"Then tell me exactly what happened.""
Dad explained that Vanessa had returned I really am.""
Grandma Pearl softened slightly.
"Then tell me exactly what happened.""
Dad explained that Vanessa had returned around ten minutes earlier, carrying a large suitcase. She'd gone straight upstairs and entered the office. When around ten minutes earlier, carrying a large suitcase.
She'd gone straight upstairs and entered the office. When he followed her, she was already removing a small metal box from the desk.
He'd demanded he followed her, she was already removing a small metal box from the desk.
He'd demanded to know what she was doing.
She'd told him she was retrieving her personal property.
Then she'd said something that frightened him to know what she was doing.
She'd told him she was retrieving her personal property.
Then she'd said something that frightened him.
"She told me that if I cared about Lily at all, I'd stop asking questions about Eleanor's death.""
My throat tightened.
"What did you.
"She told me that if I cared about Lily at all, I'd stop asking questions about Eleanor's death.""
My throat tightened.
"What did you say?""
"I told her to put the box down.""
"And?""
"She laughed. She said I had no idea what say?""
"I told her to put the box down.""
"And?""
"She laughed. She said I had no idea what was inside.""
Grandma Pearl's eyes narrowed.
"Did you see the box?""
"Yes. Small was inside.""
Grandma Pearl's eyes narrowed.
"Did you see the box?""
"Yes. Small, rectangular, dark metal. There was a brass clasp on the front.""
I looked at Martin.
He was already searching, rectangular, dark metal. There was a brass clasp on the front.""
I looked at Martin.
He was already searching through the inventory of my mother's belongings that Grandma Pearl had brought from the office.
" through the inventory of my mother's belongings that Grandma Pearl had brought from the office.
"Does that description match anything?"" I asked.
He examined the list.
Then he stopped.
"PearDoes that description match anything?"" I asked.
He examined the list.
Then he stopped.
"Pearl, you need to see this.""
He showed her a line writtenl, you need to see this.""
He showed her a line written three years earlier.
*One locked metal box, last observed in Eleanor Bennett's office. three years earlier.
One locked metal box, last observed in Eleanor Bennett's office. Contents unknown.
Grandma Pearl looked at me.
"Your mother kept that box locked for years. I assumed Contents unknown.*
Grandma Pearl looked at me.
"Your mother kept that box locked for years. I assumed it contained private letters.""
"Could the safe-de it contained private letters.""
"Could the safe-deposit key have been inside?"" I asked.
"Possibly.""
My grandmother called my father back.
"posit key have been inside?"" I asked.
"Possibly.""
My grandmother called my father back.
"Daniel, listen carefully. Do not follow Vanessa. Do not threaten her. Preserve any messages she sends you, and contact the attorney if she returns.
WeDaniel, listen carefully. Do not follow Vanessa. Do not threaten her.
Preserve any messages she sends you, and contact the attorney if she returns. We will handle the box through proper channels.""
He agreed.
Then he hesitated.
"Pearl?""
"Yes?""
"I found something else in the will handle the box through proper channels.""
He agreed.
Then he hesitated.
"Pearl?""
"Yes?""
"I found something else in the office.""
"What?""
"A photograph. It was hidden beneath the drawer liner.""
Grandma Pearl went still office.""
"What?""
"A photograph. It was hidden beneath the drawer liner.""
Grandma Pearl went still.
"What photograph?""
Dad described it.
A photograph of my mother standing in.
"What photograph?""
Dad described it.
A photograph of my mother standing in front of the blue room, holding a small wooden box. Beside her was a little girl in a red dress.
The girl was Vanessa.
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"Vanessa knew Mom when she was a child?""
Grandma Pearl took the phone from front of the blue room, holding a small wooden box. Beside her was a little girl in a red dress.
The girl was Vanessa.
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"Vanessa knew Mom when she was a child?""
Grandma Pearl took the phone from Martin.
"Daniel, send me a picture of the photograph immediately.""
A few seconds later, the image arrived.
Martin.
"Daniel, send me a picture of the photograph immediately.""
A few seconds later, the image arrived.
My mother looked about twelve years old. Vanessa appeared perhaps eight. They stood beside the blue room's window, beneath aMy mother looked about twelve years old.
Vanessa appeared perhaps eight. They stood beside the blue room's window, beneath a string of Christmas lights.
On the back, my mother had written a date.
December 24.
And beneath it:
*Vanessa promised string of Christmas lights.
On the back, my mother had written a date.
December 24.
And beneath it:
Vanessa promised she'd never tell Richard where I hid it.
I she'd never tell Richard where I hid it.*
I stared at the words.
"What does that mean?""
Grandma Pearl's face had gone pale.
"Vanessa wasn't simply someone your mother met through the foundation.""
She stared at the words.
"What does that mean?""
Grandma Pearl's face had gone pale.
"Vanessa wasn't simply someone your mother met through the foundation.""
She looked at the photograph again.
"She was part of Eleanor's childhood.""
"But Vanessa said she barely knew Mom!""
"Apparently, she lied.""
Martin looked at the photograph again.
"She was part of Eleanor's childhood.""
"But Vanessa said she barely knew Mom!""
"Apparently, she lied.""
Martin leaned forward.
"If they knew each other as children, Richard may also have known Eleanor leaned forward.
"If they knew each other as children, Richard may also have known Eleanor much longer than we've been led to believe.""
Grandma Pearl nodded slowly.
"And if much longer than we've been led to believe.""
Grandma Pearl nodded slowly.
"And if Vanessa promised never to tell Richard where the box was hidden, that means she knew about Vanessa promised never to tell Richard where the box was hidden, that means she knew about it before your mother died.""
I remembered the voicemail.
Get the key, get the ledger.
Then it before your mother died.""
I remembered the voicemail.
Get the key, get the ledger.
Then the missing safe-deposit key.
The metal box.
The childhood photograph.
It was all the missing safe-deposit key.
The metal box.
The childhood photograph.
It was all connected.
But one question still troubled me.
"Why would Mom trust Vanessa enough to tell her where something connected.
But one question still troubled me.
"Why would Mom trust Vanessa enough to tell her where something was hidden?""
Grandma Pearl studied the photograph.
"Because your mother may have believed Vanessa was still was hidden?""
Grandma Pearl studied the photograph.
"Because your mother may have believed Vanessa was still the little girl she once knew.""
I looked at the smiling child beside my mother.
"What happened to make her change the little girl she once knew.""
I looked at the smiling child beside my mother.
"What happened to make her change?""
Nobody answered.
Then Martin's phone rang.
He listened, said very little, and finally thanked?""
Nobody answered.
Then Martin's phone rang.
He listened, said very little, and finally thanked the caller before ending the conversation.
"The attorney representing Cole the caller before ending the conversation.
"The attorney representing Cole Holdings has responded to my request," he said.
"Richard has agreed to allow an inspection of the property tomorrow Holdings has responded to my request," he said.
"Richard has agreed to allow an inspection of the property tomorrow morning, provided we sign a confidentiality agreement.""
Grandma Pearl's expression darkened.
"Why would he agree?""
Martin glanced at the photograph morning, provided we sign a confidentiality agreement.""
Grandma Pearl's expression darkened.
"Why would he agree?""
Martin glanced at the photograph.
"Because he believes whatever Eleanor left behind is no longer there.""
"Or because he wants to.
"Because he believes whatever Eleanor left behind is no longer there.""
"Or because he wants to see what we know," I said.
Martin nodded.
"That is also possible.""
Grandma Pearl folded the photograph carefully and slipped it into her bag.
"Then we'll make see what we know," I said.
Martin nodded.
"That is also possible.""
Grandma Pearl folded the photograph carefully and slipped it into her bag.
"Then we'll make sure we know exactly what we're looking for before we go.""
That evening, I returned home to find my father sitting alone in the living sure we know exactly what we're looking for before we go.""
That evening, I returned home to find my father sitting alone in the living room.
The Christmas tree was still on the floor.
He'd gathered the surviving ornaments into a small wooden crate. Bes room.
The Christmas tree was still on the floor.
He'd gathered the surviving ornaments into a small wooden crate. Beside him sat the broken gingerbread house, which Vanessa had apparently abandoned in her rush to leave.
He looked up when I entered.
"Lilyide him sat the broken gingerbread house, which Vanessa had apparently abandoned in her rush to leave.
He looked up when I entered.
"Lily.""
I stood near the doorway.
"Where's Vanessa?""
"At a hotel, as far as I know.""
"Do you know which one?""
He.""
I stood near the doorway.
"Where's Vanessa?""
"At a hotel, as far as I know.""
"Do you know which one?""
He shook his head.
I studied him.
"Did you really love Mom?""
His eyes filled with tears.
shook his head.
I studied him.
"Did you really love Mom?""
His eyes filled with tears.
"More than anything.""
"Then why did you let her die without finding out who was hurting her?""
He looked"More than anything.""
"Then why did you let her die without finding out who was hurting her?""
He looked as though the question had struck him physically.
"I thought she was sick. I thought the foundation as though the question had struck him physically.
"I thought she was sick. I thought the foundation investigation was making her anxious, and I believed the doctors when they said her condition had worsened.""
"But she was investigation was making her anxious, and I believed the doctors when they said her condition had worsened.""
"But she was afraid.""
"Yes.""
"And you knew that.""
He nodded.
I waited afraid.""
"Yes.""
"And you knew that.""
He nodded.
I waited for him to defend himself.
He didn't.
Finally, he said, "I was afraid, too. I was afraid of losing her for him to defend himself.
He didn't.
Finally, he said, "I was afraid, too. I was afraid of losing her, afraid of losing the business, afraid of discovering that someone I trusted had betrayed us. So I kept telling myself there would be time to deal, afraid of losing the business, afraid of discovering that someone I trusted had betrayed us. So I kept telling myself there would be time to deal with everything later.""
He looked at the broken ornaments.
"There wasn't.""
I sat down opposite him.
"I'm not ready to forgive you.""
"I know with everything later.""
He looked at the broken ornaments.
"There wasn't.""
I sat down opposite him.
"I'm not ready to forgive you.""
"I know.""
"But I want you to help us find the truth.""
He nodded, wiping his eyes.
"I will.""
For the first time, his promise.""
"But I want you to help us find the truth.""
He nodded, wiping his eyes.
"I will.""
For the first time, his promise didn't sound like an attempt to end an uncomfortable conversation.
It sounded like a commitment he understood didn't sound like an attempt to end an uncomfortable conversation.
It sounded like a commitment he understood would have to be proved.
Before I went upstairs, I placed the surviving glass snowflake on the mantel.
Then I noticed something beneath would have to be proved.
Before I went upstairs, I placed the surviving glass snowflake on the mantel.
Then I noticed something beneath the wooden crate.
A small piece of paper had been tucked inside the lining.
I pulled the wooden crate.
A small piece of paper had been tucked inside the lining.
I pulled it free.
It was a torn corner of an old photograph, showing a blue-painted wall and a string it free.
It was a torn corner of an old photograph, showing a blue-painted wall and a string of Christmas lights.
On the back, in my mother's handwriting, were three words:
Look beneath the star.
I turned toward my father.
"Where did this come from?""
He stared of Christmas lights.
On the back, in my mother's handwriting, were three words:
Look beneath the star.
I turned toward my father.
"Where did this come from?""
He stared at the paper.
"I've never seen it before.""
I called Grandma Pearl immediately.
When I told at the paper.
"I've never seen it before.""
I called Grandma Pearl immediately.
When I told her what I'd found, she was silent for several seconds.
Then she said, "Lily, do not lose that piece of paper. her what I'd found, she was silent for several seconds.
Then she said, "Lily, do not lose that piece of paper. Bring it to Martin tomorrow.""
"Why?""
"Because I remember the Bring it to Martin tomorrow.""
"Why?""
"Because I remember the blue room now.""
Her voice trembled.
"Your mother had a wooden star hanging above the fireplace. She blue room now.""
Her voice trembled.
"Your mother had a wooden star hanging above the fireplace. She told me she'd hidden something beneath it.""
"What?""
"I don't know.""
Grandma Pearl paused.
"But if the star is still there, we may finally find out told me she'd hidden something beneath it.""
"What?""
"I don't know.""
May you like
Grandma Pearl paused.
"But if the star is still there, we may finally find out what Vanessa and Richard have been trying to hide.""
