This one came from an unfamiliar number.
*You need to stop looking into Margaret Langford. She isn't the person you should be worried about.*
I typed a reply.
*Who is this?*
Three dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
A second message arrived.
*Ask your father who actually financed the acquisition of Sterling & Rowe.*
My fingers went cold.
My father had told me Carter Holdings financed the entire purchase.
I had personally reviewed the documents.
Or at least, I thought I had.
I called him.
He answered on the first ring.
“Evelyn?””
“Dad, I need you to tell me something.””
“What is it?””
“Who financed the acquisition?””
“Dad?””
Finally, he spoke.
“Where are you?””
“At headquarters.””
“Leave immediately.””
“Why?””
His breathing sounded uneven.
“Because I made a mistake.””
“What kind of mistake?””
He lowered his voice.
“The money didn't come from Carter Holdings.””
I gripped the phone.
“Then where did it come from?””
My father took a long breath.
“From a trust established twenty-eight years ago. A trust I thought had been closed.””
“Whose trust?””
His answer came quietly.
“Your mother's.””
I stopped moving.
My mother, Eleanor Carter, had died when I was nine years old.
For most of my life, I had believed she had left behind very little. My father rarely spoke about her finances, and every time I asked, he told me she had preferred a simple life.
“What trust?”” I whispered.
“Evelyn, I should have told you before the acquisition.””
“Then tell me now.””
He paused.
“Your mother wasn't just a shareholder in Sterling & Rowe.””
I looked through the glass wall at the executive offices.
“Who was she, Dad?””
His voice broke slightly.
“She was the person who originally built it.””
And before I could ask another question, he said something that made the entire acquisition feel like a lie.
“Your mother owned more of Sterling & Rowe than anyone ever knew. And Margaret Langford was the last person she trusted before she died.””
Chapter 5: The Employee Who Kept My Mother's Secret
I arrived at the Madison Avenue store shortly after nine the following morning.
I hadn't slept much.
My mother's letter had remained on the bedside table all night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her handwriting.
Look for the woman who kept the original records.
Linda Reed.
I had asked my legal team to locate her.
The report arrived at 7:15 a.m.
Linda had worked for Sterling & Rowe for nineteen years before being dismissed eleven months earlier.
Her termination letter cited alleged misconduct involving a missing necklace.
The necklace had later been recovered.
But the company had never corrected her employment record.
Her daughter, Sophia, still worked at the store.
I found Sophia arranging a display near the back of the boutique.
When she saw me, she immediately straightened.
“Ms. Carter.””
“Good morning, Sophia.””
“Is everything all right?””
“I need to speak with your mother.””
Her expression changed.
“Did something happen?””
“Not that I know of. I believe she may have information about the company's original ownership.””
Sophia glanced around.
Then she lowered her voice.
“My mother won't come near this place.””
“She says some doors should stay closed.””
I understood that fear.
I also understood that it wasn't going to help anyone if we allowed it to continue.
“Would you give her my number?””
Sophia hesitated.
Then she nodded.
“I'll ask.””
Before she could walk away, a familiar voice came from behind us.
“Evelyn Carter.””
Margaret Langford stood near the entrance.
Today, she wore a cream-colored designer suit and carried a structured leather handbag.
Her hair was perfectly styled.
Her smile was not.
“I heard you've been asking questions about me.””
“I've been asking questions about the company.””
Margaret glanced at Sophia.
“Shouldn't you be working?””
Sophia stiffened.
I stepped between them.
“She's speaking with me.””
Margaret gave a little laugh.
“Of course. I suppose everyone wants a moment with the new owner.””
She looked at the display.
“Although I must say, this place has become rather chaotic.””
“Good morning to you too, Margaret.””
She ignored the remark.
“I understand you've been reviewing old financial records.””
“That's correct.””
“Then you should know that some matters were settled years ago.””
“By whom?””
“By people who understood the business.””
I folded my arms.
“Are you referring to yourself?””
“Your mother and I were close.””
“My father told me.””
“Then he should also have told you how difficult Eleanor could be.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Don't talk about my mother as though she isn't here to defend herself.””
Margaret stepped closer.
“Your mother was a wonderful woman. But she was not a practical businesswoman.””
“She built this company.””
“She designed pretty clothes. That is not the same as running an international corporation.””
“Then why did you spend so many years trying to control what she built?””
For the first time, Margaret's expression slipped.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
She leaned closer.
“Be very careful, Evelyn. You have inherited a complicated situation, and you don't know all the people involved.””
“Then help me understand.””
“I don't owe you an explanation.””
“No. But the employees you mistreated deserve one.””
Her cheeks reddened.
“You have no idea what I have contributed to this company.””
I glanced at Sophia.
“Neither do the employees, apparently.””
Margaret turned toward her.
“Young woman, I would strongly advise you to remember who pays your salary.””
I stepped forward.
“That's enough.””
Margaret looked at me.
I continued.
“From today onward, no employee will be threatened for speaking to me. No employee will be punished for reporting misconduct. And no customer will receive special authority over the people working here.””
Margaret gave a cold smile.
“Enjoy your little revolution.””
She turned toward the entrance.
Then stopped.
“One more thing. If you insist on digging into the past, you might want to ask your father why he allowed your mother to sign those papers.””
My heart skipped.
“What papers?””
Margaret adjusted her handbag.
“Ask him.””
She walked out.
Sophia watched her leave.
Then she whispered, “She knows you're looking.””
“I noticed.””
Sophia looked toward the glass doors.
“She's more frightened than she wants you to believe.””
Sophia took a breath.
“Because my mother has something Margaret has spent twenty years trying to find.””
Before I could ask what it was, my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice spoke cautiously.
“Yes.””
“My name is Linda Reed.””
I stood straighter.
“Linda. Thank you for calling.””
“I don't have much time.””
“Somewhere safe.””
“Can we meet?””
There was a pause.
“Not at the store.””
“Of course.””
“And don't bring your father's lawyers.””
I looked at Sophia.
“Because I don't trust anyone who worked with Richard Carter during the original investigation.””
My stomach tightened.
“My father?””
Linda exhaled.
“I know what Eleanor wrote to you. I know she wanted you to find me.””
I lowered my voice.
“You knew my mother?””