The Woman in the Yellow Dress
Chapter 05 - The Woman in the Yellow Dress
Elena Moretti had loved yellow because, she said, too many people in Adrian's family wore black as though the sun itself were an enemy.
He remembered her standing in their kitchen with flour on her cheek, laughing as Lucia attempted to stir pancake batter. Elena would sing old Italian songs off-key and insist that no board meeting was more important than breakfast.
Eighteen months later, Adrian could barely remember the last ordinary morning they had shared. Her death had left him numb. Vincent took over the family estate's practical affairs while Adrian buried himself in work.
Now Adrian unlocked a small cabinet that held Elena's letters. Among them was a copy of her final estate memorandum. She had placed certain assets in trust for Lucia, with an independent trustee if Adrian became unable to serve.
He had known that. What troubled him was a later amendment Vincent had recently asked him to sign. It would put additional control in Vincent's hands during Adrian's extended travel.
Adrian hadn't signed it. Vincent had grown increasingly irritated.
His attorney, Miriam Ross, reviewed the documents the following morning.
“There is nothing inherently wrong with delegation,” she said. “But why does your brother want sole authority over Lucia's trust assets?”
“Because he says I'm distracted by grief.”
“Are you willing to accept that explanation?”
“No.”
Miriam recommended a full audit and warned him not to assume any disputed document was fraudulent until it had been examined.
As she left, Teresa called. Adrian's mother had spent the previous evening phoning staff and relatives, asking why he was treating Vincent like a criminal.
“Lucia has always been sensitive,” Teresa said. “Children invent stories.”
“She's four, Mom.”
“Exactly. Vincent has been doing his best.”
“Then why was she hiding under a restaurant table?”
Teresa went silent.
Adrian waited.
Finally she whispered, “Because she remembers what happened the night Elena died.”
Adrian sat down. “What are you talking about?”
May you like
His mother answered with a question.
“Has anyone ever told you why Elena took that road in the first place?”
