Chapter 9 - The Woman at the Service Door
Vanessa had not seen her mother in fourteen months.
Now Renee’s face filled the security tablet.
Older. Thinner. Hair tucked under a hood. But unmistakable.
Daniel looked at Vanessa. “I’m sorry.”
She barely heard him.
“How did she get into your house?”
Nobody answered.
Then Margaret said, “I did.”
Daniel turned. “What?”
“I let her in.”
The shock on Vanessa’s face was so complete that Margaret looked away.
“Why would you let my mother into your house?”
“She called me eleven days ago. Said she had information about Emily.”
“You met with her and didn’t tell us?”
“I thought she was trying to extort me.”
“Was she?”
“At first, I thought so.” Margaret’s voice softened. “Then she showed me a photograph of Emily I had never seen.”
Celeste sank into a chair.
Daniel noticed. “You recognize the photo?”
Celeste said nothing.
Margaret continued. “Renee said Emily had been working with someone named Rowan before she died. She told me the cedar box contained proof.”
Vanessa looked at the key in Margaret’s hand. “So you gave her the key?”
“No. I told her to leave.”
“Then how did she get it?”
Margaret looked toward Celeste.
Celeste’s composure finally shattered.
“My father made that key.”
Daniel stepped forward. “Your father?”
Celeste’s eyes filled with tears. “His name was Edward Rowan.”
Margaret’s hand went to her mouth.
Celeste continued. “Emily used his last name when she worked privately. E. C. Rowan meant Emily Claire Rowan—not because Rowan was her real name, but because my father mentored her.”
Daniel stared at her. “You knew my sister?”
“I was seventeen. She was twenty-four. She practically lived in our studio that summer.”
Vanessa looked at the dress again.
Celeste whispered, “The cranes were not designed for your wedding.”
“Then what were they for?” Vanessa asked.
May you like
Celeste looked at Margaret.
“For a wedding Emily never got to have.”
