Chapter 9: What Val## Chapter 9: What Valeria Found in the Walls
I stooderia Found in the Walls
I stood in the kitchen, listening to Valeria's voice through the ceiling.
in the kitchen, listening to Valeria's voice through the ceiling.
"The original is still here.""
She said it again, more quietly this time.
"I just"The original is still here.""
She said it again, more quietly this time.
"I just need to find it before she does.""
A door closed upstairs.
I remained where I was, afraid that even the smallest movement might reveal that I had heard her.
The need to find it before she does.""
A door closed upstairs.
I remained where I was, afraid that even the smallest movement might reveal that I had heard her.
The original.
She wasn't talking about the power-of-attorney form. That document had already been submitted to the broker, and the broker had confirmed original.
She wasn't talking about the power-of-attorney form. That document had already been submitted to the broker, and the broker had confirmed that the application was on hold.
She was talking about Eduardo's agreement.
The one he had hidden somewhere in this house that the application was on hold.
She was talking about Eduardo's agreement.
The one he had hidden somewhere in this house.
The one that could establish my rights to the business interest he had retained.
I waited several minutes before going upstairs.
Valeria's bedroom door was closed. I could hear the television playing inside, but there was no further conversation.
I went into my room.
The one that could establish my rights to the business interest he had retained.
I waited several minutes before going upstairs.
Valeria's bedroom door was closed. I could hear the television playing inside, but there was no further conversation.
I went into my room, locked the door, and called Rebecca.
"I think Valeria is looking for the original agreement," I whispered.
, locked the door, and called Rebecca.
"I think Valeria is looking for the original agreement," I whispered.
"Why do you think that?""
"I overheard her say it was still here and that she needed to find it before I"Why do you think that?""
"I overheard her say it was still here and that she needed to find it before I did.""
Rebecca was silent for a moment.
"Did she mention where she thought it was?""
"No.""
"Then we did.""
Rebecca was silent for a moment.
"Did she mention where she thought it was?""
"No.""
"Then we shouldn't assume she knows its location. But we should treat the possibility seriously. Keep Eduardo's letter secure, and don't tell her what you've found.""
"I won't.""
"We should also arrange to have the house shouldn't assume she knows its location. But we should treat the possibility seriously. Keep Eduardo's letter secure, and don't tell her what you've found.""
"I won't.""
"We should also arrange to have the house's relevant documents reviewed and make a record of the condition of the areas where you keep your papers. If anything appears to have been disturbed, document it without moving's relevant documents reviewed and make a record of the condition of the areas where you keep your papers. If anything appears to have been disturbed, document it without moving more than necessary.""
I looked toward the locked cabinet.
"I understand.""
"One more thing, Elena. Do not conduct a confrontation alone if you believe it could more than necessary.""
I looked toward the locked cabinet.
"I understand.""
"One more thing, Elena. Do not conduct a confrontation alone if you believe it could become threatening. We can handle the legal issues through the appropriate channels.""
After the call, I placed Eduardo's become threatening. We can handle the legal issues through the appropriate channels.""
After the call, I placed Eduardo's letter inside the locked document case.
Then I sat at the edge of my bed and tried to understand what I had heard.
Val letter inside the locked document case.
Then I sat at the edge of my bed and tried to understand what I had heard.
Valeria had been searching for the original agreement before I knew it existed.
She had asked about the house, my will, and my husband's old business.
She had prepared a power-of-attorney form.
She had submittederia had been searching for the original agreement before I knew it existed.
She had asked about the house, my will, and my husband's old business.
She had prepared a power-of-attorney form.
She had submitted a disputed property authorization.
And now she was looking for a document she believed was hidden somewhere in my home.
It was no longer possible a disputed property authorization.
And now she was looking for a document she believed was hidden somewhere in my home.
It was no longer possible to dismiss these events as unrelated misunderstandings.
But I still needed to know what she wanted from the agreement.
The following morning, I woke early and went downstairs to make coffee.
The house was quiet.
I opened to dismiss these events as unrelated misunderstandings.
But I still needed to know what she wanted from the agreement.
The following morning, I woke early and went downstairs to make coffee.
The house was quiet.
I opened the kitchen curtains and watched the pale winter sunlight spread across the garden. The roseb the kitchen curtains and watched the pale winter sunlight spread across the garden. The rosebush near the fence had lost most of its leaves, but a few red petals remained clinging to the branches.
Eduardo had alwaysush near the fence had lost most of its leaves, but a few red petals remained clinging to the branches.
Eduardo had always said that roses were tougher than they looked.
I had never understood why he loved them so much.
Now I thought I did.
At 8:20 said that roses were tougher than they looked.
I had never understood why he loved them so much.
Now I thought I did.
At 8:20, I heard footsteps behind me.
Valeria entered the kitchen wearing a cream-colored sweater and dark, I heard footsteps behind me.
Valeria entered the kitchen wearing a cream-colored sweater and dark trousers. Her hair was tied back, and she carried a notebook.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning.""
She poured herself coffee.
Then she opened the notebook and placed it on the counter.
"I've trousers. Her hair was tied back, and she carried a notebook.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning.""
She poured herself coffee.
Then she opened the notebook and placed it on the counter.
"I've been thinking about what happened.""
I waited.
"I know things have become difficult," she continued.
"I know you don't trust me right now. But I been thinking about what happened.""
I waited.
"I know things have become difficult," she continued.
"I know you don't trust me right now. But I want us to find a way forward.""
"What kind of way forward?""
She took a breath.
"I want us to find a way forward.""
"What kind of way forward?""
She took a breath.
"I think we should have a family meeting. Just you, Luis, and me. No lawyers, no outsiders, no accusations.""
I stirred my coffee.
"Why?""
"Because we're family.""
She said the word think we should have a family meeting. Just you, Luis, and me. No lawyers, no outsiders, no accusations.""
I stirred my coffee.
"Why?""
"Because we're family.""
She said the word as though repeating it might restore its power.
"We need to discuss the future," she continued.
"The house, the debts, your estate, and the as though repeating it might restore its power.
"We need to discuss the future," she continued.
"The house, the debts, your estate, and the old business arrangement.""
I put down the spoon.
"My estate is not a family project.""
old business arrangement.""
I put down the spoon.
"My estate is not a family project.""
Her expression tightened.
"I'm not saying it is. I'm saying we need transparency.""
"Transparency begins with honesty. You can start by explaining why you submitted a document bearing my signature without my permission.""
She looked away.
"I already told you that the documentHer expression tightened.
"I'm not saying it is. I'm saying we need transparency.""
"Transparency begins with honesty. You can start by explaining why you submitted a document bearing my signature without my permission.""
She looked away.
"I already told you that the document was preliminary.""
"And I have already told you that I did not sign it.""
She closed the notebook.
"Fine. We can discuss that with your lawyer. But I still think you was preliminary.""
"And I have already told you that I did not sign it.""
She closed the notebook.
"Fine. We can discuss that with your lawyer. But I still think you owe Luis an explanation about his father's business.""
"Luis is welcome to speak with Rebecca about any information that is legally relevant to him.""
"You're his owe Luis an explanation about his father's business.""
"Luis is welcome to speak with Rebecca about any information that is legally relevant to him.""
"You're his mother. You shouldn't need a lawyer to talk to your own son.""
I looked at her.
"Then perhaps you should have remembered that before involving a lender in mother. You shouldn't need a lawyer to talk to your own son.""
I looked at her.
"Then perhaps you should have remembered that before involving a lender in my property.""
She gripped the edge of the counter.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then she said, "I know about the agreement.""
My heart gave a my property.""
She gripped the edge of the counter.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then she said, "I know about the agreement.""
My heart gave a hard thump.
I kept my face still.
"What agreement?""
"The one Eduardo made with Martin Shaw.""
I hard thump.
I kept my face still.
"What agreement?""
"The one Eduardo made with Martin Shaw.""
I took a sip of coffee.
"What do you know about it?""
Her eyes searched mine.
"I know your husband kept something from you. I know he retained an interest in a business that could be worth a considerable amount of money. And I know that the took a sip of coffee.
"What do you know about it?""
Her eyes searched mine.
"I know your husband kept something from you. I know he retained an interest in a business that could be worth a considerable amount of money. And I know that the original agreement is somewhere in this house.""
I set down the cup.
"How do you know that?""
She smiled faintly.
"Because I original agreement is somewhere in this house.""
I set down the cup.
"How do you know that?""
She smiled faintly.
"Because I have been doing my research.""
"Research doesn't give you the right to search my home.""
"I'm not searching your home.""
"Then have been doing my research.""
"Research doesn't give you the right to search my home.""
"I'm not searching your home.""
"Then how do you know the original is here?""
Her smile disappeared.
For the first time, she seemed to realize that she had revealed too much.
"I how do you know the original is here?""
Her smile disappeared.
For the first time, she seemed to realize that she had revealed too much.
"I didn't say I knew exactly where it was.""
"No. You only said it was here.""
She stared at me.
Then she picked up didn't say I knew exactly where it was.""
"No. You only said it was here.""
She stared at me.
Then she picked up her notebook and walked toward the stairs.
"Enjoy your coffee, Elena.""
I watched her go.
My hands were trembling.
her notebook and walked toward the stairs.
"Enjoy your coffee, Elena.""
I watched her go.
My hands were trembling.
She knew about the agreement.
She knew the original was hidden somewhere in the house.
But I still did not know how sheShe knew about the agreement.
She knew the original was hidden somewhere in the house.
But I still did not know how she had discovered either fact.
I called Martin immediately.
"Valeria knows about Eduardo's agreement," I told him.
"She believes the original is in had discovered either fact.
I called Martin immediately.
"Valeria knows about Eduardo's agreement," I told him.
"She believes the original is in the house.""
Martin swore softly.
"Did you tell her?""
"No.""
"Then she must have found the house.""
Martin swore softly.
"Did you tell her?""
"No.""
"Then she must have found another reference to it.""
"Where?""
"I don't know. Eduardo may have mentioned it in correspondence, or she may have found something in his old business records.""
I thought about the cardboard box Luis had given her.
The another reference to it.""
"Where?""
"I don't know. Eduardo may have mentioned it in correspondence, or she may have found something in his old business records.""
I thought about the cardboard box Luis had given her.
The old tax documents.
The deed.
The papers she had claimed she was organizing.
"Martin old tax documents.
The deed.
The papers she had claimed she was organizing.
"Martin, did Eduardo keep copies of the agreement in his office?""
"He might have. I gave him a signed copy when we finalized the arrangement, but he, did Eduardo keep copies of the agreement in his office?""
"He might have. I gave him a signed copy when we finalized the arrangement, but he wanted to keep the original.""
"Why?""
"He said the original belonged with the person whose interests it protected.""
I closed my wanted to keep the original.""
"Why?""
"He said the original belonged with the person whose interests it protected.""
I closed my eyes.
"Me.""
"Yes.""
I thanked him and called Rebecca.
She advised me not to search frantically or move every object in the house. Instead, we would arrange eyes.
"Me.""
"Yes.""
I thanked him and called Rebecca.
She advised me not to search frantically or move every object in the house. Instead, we would arrange for a careful review of the records and preserve anything relevant.
But I couldn't stop thinking about Eduardo's letter.
*Somewhere he could reach for a careful review of the records and preserve anything relevant.
But I couldn't stop thinking about Eduardo's letter.
Somewhere he could reach without anyone knowing.
I spent the afternoon in the study, looking through the places where Eduardo had kept important papers.
I examined the desk drawers, the filing cabinet, and the old wooden shelves without anyone knowing.*
I spent the afternoon in the study, looking through the places where Eduardo had kept important papers.
I examined the desk drawers, the filing cabinet, and the old wooden shelves. I checked the backs of folders and the envelopes tucked between books.
Nothing.
Then. I checked the backs of folders and the envelopes tucked between books.
Nothing.
Then I remembered something.
When we first moved into the house, Eduardo had insisted on installing a narrow cabinet behind the built-in bookcase in the study. He I remembered something.
When we first moved into the house, Eduardo had insisted on installing a narrow cabinet behind the built-in bookcase in the study. He said it was a useful place to keep spare keys and household documents.
I had forgotten about it completely.
I moved the books aside.
The cabinet was still there said it was a useful place to keep spare keys and household documents.
I had forgotten about it completely.
I moved the books aside.
The cabinet was still there, hidden behind a row of old reference manuals.
Its small brass lock had a keyhole, but I could not find the key.
I examined the, hidden behind a row of old reference manuals.
Its small brass lock had a keyhole, but I could not find the key.
I examined the wood around the frame.
There were fresh scratches near the bottom.
My breath caught.
Someone had tried to open it.
I stepped back and photographed the marks.
wood around the frame.
There were fresh scratches near the bottom.
My breath caught.
Someone had tried to open it.
I stepped back and photographed the marks.
Then I called Rebecca.
"I've found a concealed cabinet in Eduardo's study. It appears to have been disturbed.""
"Don't force it open," she said.
"PhotographThen I called Rebecca.
"I've found a concealed cabinet in Eduardo's study. It appears to have been disturbed.""
"Don't force it open," she said.
"Photograph the area and keep a record of what you've found. We can decide how best to inspect it.""
"I won't touch it.""
I took several more photographs and sent them to her.
Then I heard the front door open.
Luis had returned the area and keep a record of what you've found. We can decide how best to inspect it.""
"I won't touch it.""
I took several more photographs and sent them to her.
Then I heard the front door open.
Luis had returned.
I went downstairs.
He stood in the hallway holding a small suitcase.
"Mom, I need to talk to you.""
"What's happened?""
He looked exhausted.
"Valeria and.
I went downstairs.
He stood in the hallway holding a small suitcase.
"Mom, I need to talk to you.""
"What's happened?""
He looked exhausted.
"Valeria and I had a terrible argument last night. I told her we needed to stop trying to solve our debts through your property. I told her we needed to I had a terrible argument last night.
I told her we needed to stop trying to solve our debts through your property. I told her we needed to find somewhere else to live.""
I nodded.
"What did she say?""
"She said I was weak. She said I was choosing find somewhere else to live.""
I nodded.
"What did she say?""
"She said I was weak. She said I was choosing you over my own marriage.""
He swallowed.
"Then she told me something about Dad.""
I felt my chest tighten you over my own marriage.""
He swallowed.
"Then she told me something about Dad.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"What?""
Luis set down the suitcase.
"She said Dad had made a private agreement with Martin Shaw that.
"What?""
Luis set down the suitcase.
"She said Dad had made a private agreement with Martin Shaw that could affect the inheritance. She said you were keeping it from me because you wanted to control the money.""
I looked at could affect the inheritance. She said you were keeping it from me because you wanted to control the money.""
I looked at him carefully.
"Did she show you anything?""
"No. She said she had seen references to it in the business records.""
"Did she tell you what the agreement actually said?""
"No. She only said it might mean him carefully.
"Did she show you anything?""
"No. She said she had seen references to it in the business records.""
"Did she tell you what the agreement actually said?""
"No. She only said it might mean the money wasn't entirely yours.""
I took a slow breath.
"Your father retained an interest in an old business arrangement. The company is investigating the records. My attorney is handling the the money wasn't entirely yours.""
I took a slow breath.
"Your father retained an interest in an old business arrangement. The company is investigating the records. My attorney is handling the matter.""
Luis nodded.
"I understand.""
"Do you?""
He looked up.
"Yes. I know it's not my money just because Dad was my father.""
I was surprised by the answer.
He continued.
"I've been thinking about everything that's matter.""
Luis nodded.
"I understand.""
"Do you?""
He looked up.
"Yes. I know it's not my money just because Dad was my father.""
I was surprised by the answer.
He continued.
"I've been thinking about everything that's happened. About the power-of-attorney form. About the loan application. About the way Valeria has been talking about your death.""
His voice broke.
"I keep trying to tell myself that she is frightened and desperate. But I happened. About the power-of-attorney form.
About the loan application. About the way Valeria has been talking about your death.""
His voice broke.
"I keep trying to tell myself that she is frightened and desperate. But I can't keep using that as an excuse.""
I reached for his hand.
He held it tightly.
"Mom, I don't know what will happen to my marriage. I don't even know whether Valeria wants to save it anymore. But I don't want to become the kind of man who stands by while someone hurts his mother.""
Tears filled my eyes.
"Then don't.""
He nodded.
"I won't.""
For a moment, we stood together in the hallway, can't keep using that as an excuse.""
I reached for his hand.
He held it tightly.
"Mom, I don't know what will happen to my marriage. I don't even know whether Valeria wants to save it anymore. But I don't want to become the kind of man who stands by while someone hurts his mother.""
Tears filled my eyes.
"Then don't.""
He nodded.
"I won't.""
For a moment, we stood together in the hallway, holding hands.
I wanted to believe that this was the beginning of a real change.
But the sound of a car pulling into holding hands.
I wanted to believe that this was the beginning of a real change.
But the sound of a car pulling into the driveway interrupted us.
Valeria was home.
She entered carrying a large cardboard box.
When she saw Luis's suitcase, she stopped.
"What's that?""
Luis stood straighter.
"I'm going to stay with a friend for a few nights.""
She stared at him.
"You're leaving me?""
"I'm giving us space to think.""
She laughed sharply.
"You mean your mother has finally won.""
"No, Valeria. This isn't a competition.""
She placed the cardboard box on the dining table.
"Then perhaps you should see what your mother has been hiding.""
My stomach tightened.
"What is that?""
She opened the box.
Inside were old papers, several folders, and a small envelope marked with Eduardo's name.
"I found these in the garage," she said.
"Among your husband's old business records.""
Luis stepped closer.
"Why were you going through those?""
"Because someone had to find out the truth.""
She pulled out a folded document.
"I believe this is what you've both been looking for.""
I stared at the paper the driveway interrupted us.
Valeria was home.
She entered carrying a large cardboard box.
When she saw Luis's suitcase, she stopped.
"What's that?""
Luis stood straighter.
"I'm going to stay with a friend for a few nights.""
She stared at him.
"You're leaving me?""
"I'm giving us space to think.""
She laughed sharply.
"You mean your mother has finally won.""
"No, Valeria. This isn't a competition.""
She placed the cardboard box on the dining table.
"Then perhaps you should see what your mother has been hiding.""
My stomach tightened.
"What is that?""
She opened the box.
Inside were old papers, several folders, and a small envelope marked with Eduardo's name.
"I found these in the garage," she said.
"Among your husband's old business records.""
Luis stepped closer.
"Why were you going through those?""
"Because someone had to find out the truth.""
She pulled out a folded document.
"I believe this is what you've both been looking for.""
I stared at the paper.
The heading was partly obscured by a crease, but I recognized Eduardo's signature near the bottom.
Valeria held it up.
"The original agreement.""
My heart hammered against my ribs.
"Where did you find it?""
She smiled.
"In a place.
The heading was partly obscured by a crease, but I recognized Eduardo's signature near the bottom.
Valeria held it up.
"The original agreement.""
My heart hammered against my ribs.
"Where did you find it?""
She smiled.
"In a place your husband thought nobody would ever look.""
She placed the document on the table but kept one hand over the signature.
"Now," she said, "perhaps your husband thought nobody would ever look.""
She placed the document on the table but kept one hand over the signature.
"Now," she said, "perhaps we can finally discuss what this family is owed.""
I did not move.
"That document belongs to the estate records. My attorney needs to review it.""
Valeria laughed.
"Of course she does.""
Luis stepped between us.
"Give Mom the document, Val we can finally discuss what this family is owed.""
I did not move.
"That document belongs to the estate records. My attorney needs to review it.""
Valeria laughed.
"Of course she does.""
Luis stepped between us.
"Give Mom the document, Valeria.""
She looked at him in disbelief.
"You don't even know what's in it!""
"Neithereria.""
She looked at him in disbelief.
"You don't even know what's in it!""
"Neither do you.""
"I know enough.""
"Then let Rebecca review it.""
Valeria's fingers tightened do you.""
"I know enough.""
"Then let Rebecca review it.""
Valeria's fingers tightened around the paper.
For a moment, I thought she might tear it.
Instead, she folded it and placed it inside her handbag.
"No," around the paper.
For a moment, I thought she might tear it.
Instead, she folded it and placed it inside her handbag.
"No," she said.
"Not until I get what I came for.""
I stared at her.
"What do you want?""
She looked directly at me.
"Your agreement to use the business money to clear our debts. And your promise that Luis will inherit this house she said.
"Not until I get what I came for.""
I stared at her.
"What do you want?""
She looked directly at me.
"Your agreement to use the business money to clear our debts. And your promise that Luis will inherit this house.""
The room went silent.
Luis shook.""
The room went silent.
Luis shook his head.
"Valeria, you can't demand that.""
"Why not? It's what we need.""
"It's not ours to his head.
"Valeria, you can't demand that.""
"Why not? It's what we need.""
"It's not ours to demand.""
She turned toward me.
"You have enough to live comfortably. You don't need every penny. We need a future.""
I felt a deep sadness settle over me.
She still believed that my security was negotiable because she demand.""
She turned toward me.
"You have enough to live comfortably. You don't need every penny. We need a future.""
I felt a deep sadness settle over me.
She still believed that my security was negotiable because she wanted something more.
"Valeria," I said, "I will not make financial decisions under threat.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Then you leave me no choice.""
She wanted something more.
"Valeria," I said, "I will not make financial decisions under threat.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Then you leave me no choice.""
She opened her handbag and removed a second sheet of paper.
This one was a photocopy of an old handwritten note.
I recognized Eduardo's writing immediately.
She placed it opened her handbag and removed a second sheet of paper.
This one was a photocopy of an old handwritten note.
I recognized Eduardo's writing immediately.
She placed it beside the box.
"Your husband wrote this before he died," she said.
"And if you refuse to cooperate, I'll make sure Luis sees every word.""
I looked at the page.
beside the box.
"Your husband wrote this before he died," she said.
"And if you refuse to cooperate, I'll make sure Luis sees every word.""
I looked at the page.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
So was the date.
It had been written three months before Eduardo's death.
I leaned forward to read the first line.
*IfThe handwriting was unmistakable.
So was the date.
It had been written three months before Eduardo's death.
I leaned forward to read the first line.
If anything happens to me before this matter is resolved, Elena must never be told that…
The rest of the sentence was anything happens to me before this matter is resolved, Elena must never be told that…*
The rest of the sentence was hidden beneath Valeria's hand.
She smiled.
"Now, Elena, do you want to know what your husband was hiding from you?""
I hidden beneath Valeria's hand.
She smiled.
"Now, Elena, do you want to know what your husband was hiding from you?""
I looked at my son.
Luis was staring at the page, his face drained of color.
And for the first time since this nightmare looked at my son.
Luis was staring at the page, his face drained of color.
And for the first time since this nightmare began, I realized that the secret inside Eduardo's agreement might not be about money at all.
It might be about the one person I had spent my began, I realized that the secret inside Eduardo's agreement might not be about money at all.
It might be about the one person I had spent my entire life believing would never betray me.
My husband.
May you like
entire life believing would never betray me.
My husband.
