Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Cabinet That Was Never Supposed to Open: The Cabinet That Was Never Supposed to Open
“Someone has already been there.””
Ad
“Someone has already been there.””
Adrian Vale's words followed me into the car, settlingrian Vale's words followed me into the car, settling over my shoulders like a weight.
I placed my mother's letter inside my bag and over my shoulders like a weight.
I placed my mother's letter inside my bag and climbed into the back seat. The interior smelled of leather and cedar. Outside, climbed into the back seat.
The interior smelled of leather and cedar. Outside, the Carter mansion receded behind us, its enormous the Carter mansion receded behind us, its enormous windows glowing gold against the darkness.
For the first time in seventeen years, I was leaving that house without wondering whether my father would come windows glowing gold against the darkness.
For the first time in seventeen years, I was leaving that house without wondering whether my father would come looking for me.
He hadn't stopped me.
He had handed me money, an looking for me.
He hadn't stopped me.
He had handed me money, an address, and a photograph of the woman whose memory I had spent my life protecting.
It wasn't enough to repair address, and a photograph of the woman whose memory I had spent my life protecting.
It wasn't enough to repair what he had done.
But it was the first honest thing he had given me in years.
what he had done.
But it was the first honest thing he had given me in years.
Adrian glanced at the box beside my feet.
“Is that everything you managedAdrian glanced at the box beside my feet.
“Is that everything you managed to save?””
“My sewing machine is in there. My sketches, some clothes, and a few to save?””
“My sewing machine is in there. My sketches, some clothes, and a few things Mom left me.””
“And the key?””
I held it up.
His expression changed when he things Mom left me.””
“And the key?””
I held it up.
His expression changed when he saw the number stamped into the brass.
“B-17.””
“You know what it opens?””
“I have saw the number stamped into the brass.
“B-17.””
“You know what it opens?””
“I have a strong suspicion.””
“Then tell me.””
He looked through the window as the driver turned a strong suspicion.””
“Then tell me.””
He looked through the window as the driver turned onto a quiet road.
“Your mother's studio used to occupy a building in the onto a quiet road.
“Your mother's studio used to occupy a building in the old textile district. The building was converted into commercial storage units after her old textile district. The building was converted into commercial storage units after her business collapsed. Each unit had a letter and number.””
“B-17 business collapsed. Each unit had a letter and number.””
“B-17 was hers?””
“Possibly. But I was told the entire property had been cleared years was hers?””
“Possibly. But I was told the entire property had been cleared years ago.””
“Who ago.””
“Who told you?””
“The company that acquired the building.””
“Vanessa's family?””
He nodded.
I pressed my told you?””
“The company that acquired the building.””
“Vanessa's family?””
He nodded.
I pressed my thumb against the key's worn teeth.
“Why would they keep a storage cabinet if they wanted to erase her work?””
“Because destroying something and hiding it are two different things.””
I looked at him.
“Do you think my mother's designs are still there thumb against the key's worn teeth.
“Why would they keep a storage cabinet if they wanted to erase her work?””
“Because destroying something and hiding it are two different things.””
I looked at him.
“Do you think my mother's designs are still there?””
“I think someone went to considerable trouble to make sure we wouldn't find out.””
The sedan moved through the sleeping?””
“I think someone went to considerable trouble to make sure we wouldn't find out.””
The sedan moved through the sleeping city, passing closed storefronts and gas stations washed in fluorescent light.
I watched city, passing closed storefronts and gas stations washed in fluorescent light.
I watched my reflection in the dark window.
At seventeen, I had imagined that leaving my reflection in the dark window.
At seventeen, I had imagined that leaving home would be the most frightening thing I ever did. I had pictured myself walking out home would be the most frightening thing I ever did. I had pictured myself walking out with a suitcase, feeling free and terrified at the same time.
I hadn't imagined leaving because with a suitcase, feeling free and terrified at the same time.
I hadn't imagined leaving because the people inside had decided my presence was inconvenient.
“Mr. Vale?””
“Ad the people inside had decided my presence was inconvenient.
“Mr. Vale?””
“Adrian, please.””
“Why did you promise my mother you would protect me?””
He was silent for severalrian, please.””
“Why did you promise my mother you would protect me?””
He was silent for several seconds.
“Because I failed to protect her.””
I turned toward him.
He rested seconds.
“Because I failed to protect her.””
I turned toward him.
He rested one hand on the armrest.
“Twenty years ago, I was young enough to believe that talent and honesty one hand on the armrest.
“Twenty years ago, I was young enough to believe that talent and honesty were sufficient protection against powerful people. I thought if Elena created something extraordinary were sufficient protection against powerful people. I thought if Elena created something extraordinary, the world would eventually recognize her.””
“But it didn't.””
“No. And when I realized what was, the world would eventually recognize her.””
“But it didn't.””
“No. And when I realized what was happening, I was too late to stop it.””
“What happened to her?””
He looked at me.
“That's happening, I was too late to stop it.””
“What happened to her?””
He looked at me.
“That's what the ledger may tell us.””
The car slowed beside what the ledger may tell us.””
The car slowed beside an old brick building surrounded by chain-link fencing. A faded sign identified it as a private an old brick building surrounded by chain-link fencing. A faded sign identified it as a private storage facility. Several windows were boarded up, and weeds pushed through cracks in the concrete.
Two storage facility. Several windows were boarded up, and weeds pushed through cracks in the concrete.
Two security lights flickered above the entrance.
“This place looks abandoned,” I said.
“It was sold six months security lights flickered above the entrance.
“This place looks abandoned,” I said.
“It was sold six months ago. The new owners planned to demolish it.””
“Who owns it now?””
ago. The new owners planned to demolish it.””
“Who owns it now?””
“A company associated with the Vale Group purchased the property last“A company associated with the Vale Group purchased the property last week.””
I stared at him.
“You bought the building?””
“I bought the land. The storage units week.””
I stared at him.
“You bought the building?””
“I bought the land. The storage units were supposed to be inspected before demolition.””
“And you found my mother's cabinet?””
“No. My were supposed to be inspected before demolition.””
“And you found my mother's cabinet?””
“No. My security team found signs of forced entry in the unit where the original records were believed to be stored.””
security team found signs of forced entry in the unit where the original records were believed to be stored.””
My stomach tightened.
“Someone got there before us.””
“Apparently.””
He opened theMy stomach tightened.
“Someone got there before us.””
“Apparently.””
He opened the car door.
A man in a dark coat approached us from the entrance. He was in his car door.
A man in a dark coat approached us from the entrance. He was in his fifties, with a silver beard and a small scar near his left eyebrow.
“Mr fifties, with a silver beard and a small scar near his left eyebrow.
“Mr. Vale,” he said.
“I'm sorry. We secured the site, but whoever entered knew. Vale,” he said.
“I'm sorry. We secured the site, but whoever entered knew exactly what they were looking for.””
“Did you call the police?””
“Yes. They've documented exactly what they were looking for.””
“Did you call the police?””
“Yes. They've documented the damage. They haven't found any sign of the intruder.””
Adrian turned toward me the damage. They haven't found any sign of the intruder.””
Adrian turned toward me.
“Nia, this is Thomas Reed. He manages security for the property.””
Thomas nodded.
“Nia, this is Thomas Reed. He manages security for the property.””
Thomas nodded politely.
“I'm sorry about your mother.””
I followed them inside.
The corridor politely.
“I'm sorry about your mother.””
I followed them inside.
The corridor smelled of damp concrete and old cardboard. Our footsteps echoed beneath exposed pipes. At the far smelled of damp concrete and old cardboard.
Our footsteps echoed beneath exposed pipes. At the far end, a metal door hung crookedly from its hinges.
Thomas unlocked it.
Beyond it stood a end, a metal door hung crookedly from its hinges.
Thomas unlocked it.
Beyond it stood a row of storage cabinets.
Most were empty.
Some contained broken furniture, old filing boxes row of storage cabinets.
Most were empty.
Some contained broken furniture, old filing boxes, and rusted metal shelves.
At the end of the corridor, a small blue plaque, and rusted metal shelves.
At the end of the corridor, a small blue plaque read:
*B-17.*
My hands began to shake.
I took out the key.
Adrian stood beside read:
*B-17.*
My hands began to shake.
I took out the key.
Adrian stood beside me, but he didn't reach for it.
“This is your discovery,” he said.
“You me, but he didn't reach for it.
“This is your discovery,” he said.
“You should open it.””
I inserted the key.
It turned with a dry metallic click.
The cabinet door opened should open it.””
I inserted the key.
It turned with a dry metallic click.
The cabinet door opened.
Inside were three empty shelves, a collapsed cardboard box, and a wooden case covered.
Inside were three empty shelves, a collapsed cardboard box, and a wooden case covered in dust.
Someone had torn open the box and scattered its contents across the floor.
I kn in dust.
Someone had torn open the box and scattered its contents across the floor.
I knelt.
Sketches lay beneath a broken picture frame. Several sheetselt.
Sketches lay beneath a broken picture frame. Several sheets had been ripped in half. A spool of silver thread rolled into the corner.
My throat had been ripped in half. A spool of silver thread rolled into the corner.
My throat tightened.
“They destroyed everything.””
“Not everything,” Thomas said.
He pointed to the wooden tightened.
“They destroyed everything.””
“Not everything,” Thomas said.
He pointed to the wooden case.
Its lid was scratched, but the brass clasp remained intact case.
Its lid was scratched, but the brass clasp remained intact.
I opened it.
Inside lay a thick blue ledger, a stack of envelopes, and a flat portfolio.
I opened it.
Inside lay a thick blue ledger, a stack of envelopes, and a flat portfolio wrapped in brown paper.
For a moment, I couldn't move.
The ledger was exactly wrapped in brown paper.
For a moment, I couldn't move.
The ledger was exactly the kind my mother had used to record fabric purchases and design measurements. the kind my mother had used to record fabric purchases and design measurements. On its cover, written in faded ink, were two words.
**EL On its cover, written in faded ink, were two words.
*ELENA CARTER.*
I lifted it carefully.
The pages smelled faintly of dust and oldENA CARTER.**
I lifted it carefully.
The pages smelled faintly of dust and old paper.
The first section contained fabric inventories, sketches, and handwritten notes paper.
The first section contained fabric inventories, sketches, and handwritten notes about her original collection.
Then I found a page marked with a red tab.
At the top was a date.
Seventeen years earlier.
Bene about her original collection.
Then I found a page marked with a red tab.
At the top was a date.
Seventeen years earlier.
Beneath it, my mother's handwriting formed a sentence that made my bloodath it, my mother's handwriting formed a sentence that made my blood run cold.
Marcus has signed the transfer papers. Vanessa's father now has access to every design in the collection.
I stopped breathing.
Adrian run cold.
Marcus has signed the transfer papers. Vanessa's father now has access to every design in the collection.
I stopped breathing.
Adrian crouched beside me.
“Keep reading.””
The next entry was longer.
*I confronted Marcus crouched beside me.
“Keep reading.””
The next entry was longer.
*I confronted Marcus tonight. He swears he believed the agreement was temporary. He says he can tonight. He swears he believed the agreement was temporary.
He says he can repair the damage. I want to believe him, but I no longer know whether the repair the damage. I want to believe him, but I no longer know whether the man I married understands the difference between protecting his family and selling it.*
My eyes burned.
man I married understands the difference between protecting his family and selling it.*
My eyes burned.
I turned the page.
*Mr. Whitmore has offered to returnI turned the page.
Mr. Whitmore has offered to return the collection if I sign a confidentiality agreement and surrender all claims to the designs. He says it is the collection if I sign a confidentiality agreement and surrender all claims to the designs. He says it is the only way to protect my daughter from a public legal battle.
I looked at the only way to protect my daughter from a public legal battle.*
I looked at Adrian.
“Whitmore?””
“Vanessa's father,” he said. Adrian.
“Whitmore?””
“Vanessa's father,” he said.
“Richard Whitmore.””
I continued reading.
I refused.
A second note had “Richard Whitmore.””
I continued reading.
I refused.
A second note had been written beneath it.
*If anything happens to me, the blue ledger must reach N been written beneath it.
If anything happens to me, the blue ledger must reach Nia when she is old enough to understand. I cannot let them turn my work into a lie.
ia when she is old enough to understand. I cannot let them turn my work into a lie.*
My fingers tightened around the page.
“Anything happens to her?”” I whispered.
Adrian's face was grim.
My fingers tightened around the page.
“Anything happens to her?”” I whispered.
Adrian's face was grim.
“Look at the next entry.””
The following page had been torn out.
Only a jagged“Look at the next entry.””
The following page had been torn out.
Only a jagged strip remained beside the binding.
I stared at it.
“Someone removed it.””
Thomas strip remained beside the binding.
I stared at it.
“Someone removed it.””
Thomas examined the torn edge.
“Recently. The paper is cleaner than the examined the torn edge.
“Recently. The paper is cleaner than the surrounding pages.””
My heart hammered.
“Then whoever came here knew about the ledger.””
surrounding pages.””
My heart hammered.
“Then whoever came here knew about the ledger.””
“And knew which page mattered,” Adrian said.
I looked at the envelopes.
“And knew which page mattered,” Adrian said.
I looked at the envelopes.
Most contained invoices and correspondence. One bore my mother's handwriting and was addressed to a lawMost contained invoices and correspondence. One bore my mother's handwriting and was addressed to a law firm. Another was addressed to Adrian himself.
The envelope addressed to firm. Another was addressed to Adrian himself.
The envelope addressed to him had never been opened.
He stared at it.
“I never received this him had never been opened.
He stared at it.
“I never received this.””
I handed it over.
He opened it carefully and unfolded the letter.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then.””
I handed it over.
He opened it carefully and unfolded the letter.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then he closed them.
“What does it say?”” I asked.
He handed it to me.
*Dear he closed them.
“What does it say?”” I asked.
He handed it to me.
Dear Adrian,
If you are reading this, I have finally decided to stop protecting people who Adrian,
If you are reading this, I have finally decided to stop protecting people who would never protect me.
Richard Whitmore has offered to return my original designs, but would never protect me.
Richard Whitmore has offered to return my original designs, but I believe he intends to destroy the records that prove how he acquired them. Marcus knows more I believe he intends to destroy the records that prove how he acquired them. Marcus knows more than he admits. He is frightened, and I no longer trust his judgment.
than he admits. He is frightened, and I no longer trust his judgment.*
I am going to meet a lawyer tomorrow. I have made copies of the agreements, andI am going to meet a lawyer tomorrow. I have made copies of the agreements, and I have placed the most important documents in a separate envelope.*
If I cannot I have placed the most important documents in a separate envelope.
If I cannot reach you, please remember that my daughter has done nothing wrong. Whatever happens to my collection reach you, please remember that my daughter has done nothing wrong. Whatever happens to my collection, she must never be made to feel that she owes anyone for the talent she inherited.
, she must never be made to feel that she owes anyone for the talent she inherited.*
Elena.
I lowered the letter.
“Did you knowElena.
I lowered the letter.
“Did you know she was planning to meet a lawyer?””
“No.””
“Did she ever contact you afterward?””
Adrian shook his head she was planning to meet a lawyer?””
“No.””
“Did she ever contact you afterward?””
Adrian shook his head.
“I received a message saying she had decided to withdraw from the industry. I believed her.””
“.
“I received a message saying she had decided to withdraw from the industry. I believed her.””
“Who sent it?””
He looked at the letter again.
“An assistant at theWho sent it?””
He looked at the letter again.
“An assistant at the company. I never questioned it.””
I stood abruptly.
“So someone company. I never questioned it.””
I stood abruptly.
“So someone intercepted her letter, took her designs, and convinced everyone she intercepted her letter, took her designs, and convinced everyone she had willingly disappeared.””
“That's one possibility.””
“It's what happened.””
had willingly disappeared.””
“That's one possibility.””
“It's what happened.””
“Nia, we need evidence before we make accusations.””
I turned away“Nia, we need evidence before we make accusations.””
I turned away, furious.
“My mother wrote this because she knew they were, furious.
“My mother wrote this because she knew they were trying to silence her. How much more evidence do you need?””
Adrian didn't argue.
Instead, trying to silence her. How much more evidence do you need?””
Adrian didn't argue.
Instead, he pointed toward the brown portfolio.
“Let's see what's inside.””
I unwrapped he pointed toward the brown portfolio.
“Let's see what's inside.””
I unwrapped it.
Beneath the paper lay a collection of original sketches, each signed by it.
Beneath the paper lay a collection of original sketches, each signed by my mother. There were evening gowns, tailored jackets, and intricate embroidery my mother. There were evening gowns, tailored jackets, and intricate embroidery patterns. Some had notes in the margins; others included fabric swatches carefully attached with tiny stitches.
patterns. Some had notes in the margins; others included fabric swatches carefully attached with tiny stitches.
At the bottom was a design for a midnight-blue dress.
The Last Light.
My eyes filled with tears.
This versionAt the bottom was a design for a midnight-blue dress.
The Last Light.
My eyes filled with tears.
This version had a different neckline from mine, but the constellations were unmistakable.
The same had a different neckline from mine, but the constellations were unmistakable.
The same asymmetrical arrangement.
The same tiny silver stars.
And, sewn into the corner of asymmetrical arrangement.
The same tiny silver stars.
And, sewn into the corner of the page, a small piece of the antique lace I had used in my own dress.
I pressed the sketch the page, a small piece of the antique lace I had used in my own dress.
I pressed the sketch against my chest.
“She knew I'd love this.””
Adrian's voice against my chest.
“She knew I'd love this.””
Adrian's voice softened.
“She probably hoped you would.””
I examined the remaining pages. Near softened.
“She probably hoped you would.””
I examined the remaining pages. Near the back was a small photograph of my mother standing beside a wooden cabinet in a bright studio.
On the back was a small photograph of my mother standing beside a wooden cabinet in a bright studio.
On the reverse, she had written:
For Nia, when she is ready.
I looked at the cabinet the reverse, she had written:
For Nia, when she is ready.
I looked at the cabinet in the photograph.
It wasn't the one in front of us.
It was larger, with a brass plate mounted in the photograph.
It wasn't the one in front of us.
It was larger, with a brass plate mounted on the front.
The plate read:
*ARCHIVE 001.*
“Where on the front.
The plate read:
*ARCHIVE 001.*
“Where is that cabinet?”” I asked.
Thomas examined the photograph.
“I've seen that unit before. is that cabinet?”” I asked.
Thomas examined the photograph.
“I've seen that unit before. It was in the original studio building, not this storage facility.””
Adrian's It was in the original studio building, not this storage facility.””
Adrian's expression tightened.
“The studio was demolished years ago.””
“Then where did the cabinet go expression tightened.
“The studio was demolished years ago.””
“Then where did the cabinet go?””
Thomas hesitated.
“There was an auction before the demolition. Most of?””
Thomas hesitated.
“There was an auction before the demolition. Most of the furniture and equipment was sold to private collectors.””
“Who bought it?”” I asked.
“I don't know.””
Ad the furniture and equipment was sold to private collectors.””
“Who bought it?”” I asked.
“I don't know.””
Adrian stood.
“We'll find out.””
I gathered the ledger, the lettersrian stood.
“We'll find out.””
I gathered the ledger, the letters, and the original sketches into my bag.
Then I noticed something tucked beneath the wooden case.
A small white, and the original sketches into my bag.
Then I noticed something tucked beneath the wooden case.
A small white envelope.
My name was written on the front.
This time, the handwriting was not envelope.
My name was written on the front.
This time, the handwriting was not my mother's.
It was my father's.
I opened it.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
*If you have found the blue ledger, then Vanessa has my mother's.
It was my father's.
I opened it.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
If you have found the blue ledger, then Vanessa has failed to stop you.
I need you to know that I did not understand failed to stop you.
I need you to know that I did not understand the full consequences of the agreement I signed. But I knew enough to be afraid the full consequences of the agreement I signed. But I knew enough to be afraid.
There is another document. The original transfer agreement was amended after Elena withdrew.
There is another document. The original transfer agreement was amended after Elena withdrew her collection. I have a copy.
If you want to know why Vanessa's her collection. I have a copy.
If you want to know why Vanessa's family has spent seventeen years protecting its reputation, look at the signature on the final page.
There was family has spent seventeen years protecting its reputation, look at the signature on the final page.*
There was no signature at the bottom of the note.
Only an address.
And beneath it, one final no signature at the bottom of the note.
Only an address.
And beneath it, one final sentence.
Don't trust the person who tells you the collection was destroyed.
I stared at the words sentence.
Don't trust the person who tells you the collection was destroyed.
I stared at the words.
Adrian read over my shoulder.
“Your father wrote this?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
I checked.
Adrian read over my shoulder.
“Your father wrote this?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
I checked the envelope.
No date.
I looked toward the corridor.
For the first time since entering the the envelope.
No date.
I looked toward the corridor.
For the first time since entering the building, I felt something other than grief.
I felt watched.
Thomas moved toward the door.
“Mr building, I felt something other than grief.
I felt watched.
Thomas moved toward the door.
“Mr. Vale, we should leave. Someone may have known we'd come here.””
Adrian nodded.
As we walked back through. Vale, we should leave. Someone may have known we'd come here.””
Adrian nodded.
As we walked back through the corridor, my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
A photograph appeared on the screen.
It showed my mother's blue the corridor, my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
A photograph appeared on the screen.
It showed my mother's blue ledger lying open on a table.
Someone had circled a name on one of the pages.
** ledger lying open on a table.
Someone had circled a name on one of the pages.
*ADRIAN VALE.*
Beneath the photograph was a message.
Ask yourADRIAN VALE.*
Beneath the photograph was a message.
Ask your new friend what he signed the night your mother disappeared.
I stopped walking.
Adrian turned new friend what he signed the night your mother disappeared.*
I stopped walking.
Adrian turned.
“Nia?””
I lifted my phone.
He read the message.
For the first time since.
“Nia?””
I lifted my phone.
He read the message.
For the first time since I had met him, the powerful man who seemed to know everything about my mother's I had met him, the powerful man who seemed to know everything about my mother's past looked genuinely afraid.
And before I could ask him a single question, he whispered four past looked genuinely afraid.
And before I could ask him a single question, he whispered four words.
“They know we're here.””
May you like
words.
“They know we're here.””
