Chapter 7 - THE PIANO WITH THE FALSE BOTTOM
Kate's childhood home stood in a quiet neighborhood in Queens.
The paint was peeling.
The porch sagged.
And the upright piano still occupied the living room.
Her father had bought it secondhand when she was five.
He'd taught her three songs before his death.
Damon accompanied Kate and her attorney, Naomi Ellis, to the house.
Kate stood before the piano.
Her throat tightened.
“I haven't played it in years.”
Damon said nothing.
Naomi examined the instrument.
After careful inspection, she found a removable panel beneath the lower frame.
Inside was a sealed metal case.
Kate stared.
Her mother's handwriting appeared on the lid.
FOR KATE, WHEN THE TRUTH IS SAFE.
Inside were financial records.
Correspondence.
Trust agreements.
And a handwritten letter from Kate's father.
She opened it with shaking hands.
My darling Kate,
If you're reading this, it means your mother has finally decided you deserve to know the truth.
Kate began crying.
The letter explained that her father had helped Margaret protect evidence of the trust's diversion.
He feared the powerful people involved.
But he believed the records would one day restore money to the families who needed it.
Kate pressed the letter against her chest.
Damon looked away, giving her privacy.
Then Naomi found one final document.
A beneficiary list.
At the top was a name Kate recognized.
MARGARET BENNETT.
Kate stared.
“Mom was supposed to receive money?”
Naomi nodded.
“Your family was among the beneficiaries.”
Kate looked at Damon.
He appeared stunned.
The trust had been created partly to compensate families harmed by a factory accident.
Margaret's father had been one of the injured workers.
The money diverted decades earlier could have paid for medical care.
Education.
A different life.
Kate whispered:
“My mother worked herself sick while the money meant to help her was stolen.”
May you like
Damon's expression hardened.
“And now,” he said quietly, “we're going to make sure the truth comes out.”
