And since the Burgosovs would have to wait for the second dress, she might be able to question them further about the shoes. The ones that didn’t exist. Or might exist. It was all so confusing. Just like her dad going missing in action. No one had found him, yet he was presumed dead.
She’d looked up that word—presumed. It meant something was supposed true based on probability. There was a great probability that her father was dead and a great probability that the Burgosovs were lying in order to get her to help them.
Well, Kate couldn’t do anything with presumptions, but she could do something to help those people counting on her now. Once it was all over, she could go back to being regular Kate Allen, aspiring window artist. Her flights into fantasy would have to come through her work, and another girl on the other side of the world would discover the secret world of Kopciuszek.
Kate swapped out the packages, then closed the metal door. Clang. Before leaving, she dug into her purse for a stick of gum. Her throat was already closing up on her, and she wasn’t even face-to-face with a Burgosov yet.
As she rifled through her purse, she came across the business card the FBI agents had left her. She didn’t know why she’d kept it, other than it was a card from an FBI agent—how often would she get one of those in her lifetime?
FBI agents. A thought tickled around the edges of Kate’s memory. There was something important there. What? She chewed her gum and thought, all too aware of the time she was wasting. Then it came to her. That was it! She had to make a phone call.
Chapter Forty
The night was warmer than it had been in months, but with a slight breeze, the skin on her arms instantly raised in goose bumps.
Kate and Johnny stepped away from the small group of people loitering near the window, waiting for a glimpse of the new scene when the curtains were raised. There was no sign of the Burgosovs.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes.” She patted the bag she had retrieved from her locker. “Do you think Adalbert is okay? It worries me that he didn’t answer his phone and he’s not here.”
“He’s a swell guy. Knows what he is doing.”
Kate shifted her bag higher up on her shoulder. It was a shame they had to give away Adalbert’s copy of the ball gown. Even though not as detailed as the original, the dress was amazing. Any of the high-society women hanging around the Cinderella windows would trip over each other to get at the look-alike.
“I can’t tell the difference between the dresses,” said Johnny, as if reading her thoughts. “Maybe they can’t either, and this whole feud will stop. I mean, they probably have never seen the dresses up close, right?”
“Maybe.” Kate shivered.
Johnny gripped her hand and squeezed. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you. Army trained, remember?”
In return, Kate smiled nervously. His grip would at least help keep her hands from shaking. Well, maybe not. She liked how her hand felt in his, and that was making her a little nervous, too.
They walked down Fifth Avenue in silence. The farther away they got from Harmon-Craig, the quieter the streets became. Clearly, the excitement of the night was at the department store.
Tiffany’s was up ahead, and the dark forms of two men leaned against the marble wall. Above them was the round Tiffany clock, carried on the giant shoulders of the statue of Atlas. The clock hands both pointed straight up to the Roman numeral twelve. Midnight. She couldn’t help notice that Tiffany’s window display held wedding rings. Had the whole town gone romantic?
The tall Burgosov marched over to them and snatched the bag. He grunted as he pulled out the package and tossed it to his buddy. “Open it, brother. Make sure is Kopciuszek dress.”
Turning back to Kate, he asked, “Anyone see you?”
“Don’t worry. Take the dress.” She tried to keep her voice from shaking. “I couldn’t get the wedding dress for you yet. My boss has it on the manikin.”
He sneered. “Ball gown the important one. Ludmilla only want wedding dress for spite.”
The other Burgosov tore open the package and shook out the dress on the street, not caring when the skirt dragged on the sidewalk. “Ludmilla said to check,” he muttered. The first words he’d uttered.
Kate’s heart stopped. He was examining the dress too closely. He would see that the dress was a fake. She looked at Johnny.
Johnny shook his head ever so slightly. Don’t panic.
Then the Burgosov smiled. “Family crest is here.” He stuffed the dress into the duffel bag.
The other thug nodded and smirked. “Finally.”
“What family crest?” Adalbert had said nothing about a family crest.
“Hidden stamp. Proof we find dress, little American girl. Nice doing business with you.” He grinned, revealing a gap between his two front teeth. Then the scowl returned to his face. “Wedding dress next. We meet again like this, under the clock. Ha, ha. Fitting place, no? Kopciuszek has trouble with clocks.” He poked at the duffel bag his cohort carried. “Happy to teach those Kolodenkos lesson.” He and his partner turned, and he hailed a cab.
“Wait!” she called, trying to stall them. They were leaving too fast. She needed to slow them up and give herself enough time for her plan. “What about the shoes? You said you could help me.”
“Shoes?” The talker questioned and looked at his brother. Then he grinned. “Tak, yes. Later, after the other dress.”
Kate sucked in her lips as her heart fell. He looked clueless. “You don’t have them, do you?”
“Of course we have shoes!” he said, his eyebrows rising high on his forehead.
Tears welled up in Kate’s eyes, and she looked away from him. She didn’t want him to see how much she had hoped he was telling the truth.
“Awk. Don’t always be crying. I have a heart. There are no shoes,” he confessed. “They are missing for years. Like famous Amber Room near Saint Petersburg, they disappear.” He looked quite pleased with himself. He punched his brother in the arm. “Best idea I have yet!” And they laughed like he had told a great joke.
Kate should have tried to stop them again, but she was too disappointed to learn the truth about the shoes. Adalbert had been correct. It was a good thing she didn’t risk the Kopciuszek dress for the shoes. She’d done one thing right.
The Burgosovs got into the cab and slammed the door.
With this first, and hopefully last, handoff over, Kate didn’t have to hide being scared. She let out a deep breath and leaned against Johnny. She forced herself to watch them drive off.
Suddenly, two police cars drove up, blocking the taxicab front and back. Officers surrounded the car. “Step out of the cab, slowly and with your hands up,” said one of the officers.
Kate and Johnny backed up against Tiffany’s, giving the officers room. Johnny bent down to whisper in her ear, “Was this part of the plan?”
Kate nodded. “Last minute. Sorry I didn’t tell you, but I didn’t know how it was going to work out.”
The officers grabbed the Burgosovs and handcuffed them.
“What are you doing?” asked the tall Burgosov. “We do nothing wrong.”
“There’s been a report of a burglary at Harmon-Craig. The famous Cinderella dress has gone missing. We saw you put it in that bag.”
“That girl sold me fancy dress,” he said and pointed with his head toward Kate. “She is thief. I’m innocent.” He stared at Kate with his dark, focused eyes.
Kate felt the weight of centuries of hatred and animosity bore through her. If she wasn’t scared before, she was now. These Burgosovs were not a forgiving bunch.
The officer looked at Kate.
She held up empty hands. “I work for Harmon-Craig. I would never steal from them.”
“Well, the lady who called ’er in said two big men took the dress. She had them frocks on loan to Harmon-Craig and wants ’em back. Let’s bring you all in, and we’ll talk about this at the station.”
Kate shook he
r head in confusion. What lady? Who wants them back? That’s not what had happened. She was the one who called them. They must be making up a cover story for her to keep the Burgosovs from knowing she turned them in.
While the Burgosovs were placed in a car and driven off, the officers sent Kate and Johnny to stand by the other police car.
“One moment,” said the officer signaling into the backseat. “There’s someone who’d like to talk to you.”
Agents Gillespie and Bristow, the two men who visited Kate and her mother in their apartment, stepped out of the squad car. Gillespie shook Kate’s hand. “Nice work, young lady. We believe the Burgosovs are responsible for the missing artwork, not your uncle. They were also seen traveling in a similar path in Europe, almost as if they were following him.” He shook Johnny’s hand. “No matter now. We’ve got the thieves we need. Thank you for your help.”
“Let’s take you back to Harmon-Craig,” said the first police officer. “Mrs. Kolodenko would like to meet you.”
Kate’s heart skipped a beat. “Did you say Mrs. Kolodenko? She’s here?”
“At the store.”
With a sweeping gesture to the backseat, Gillespie let Kate and Johnny in first before climbing in. Johnny gave Kate’s hand a squeeze and continued to hold it.
“Mrs. Kolodenko suggested that if the Burgosovs thought they got caught for their own stupidity—and thankfully, they’ve left a long trail of evidence—that they would leave you alone. But if there ever is a next time, be sure to call the police earlier to work out the sting operation. Don’t put your own neck on the line.”
Kate found her voice. It was still a little shaky. “Yes, sir.”
Back at Harmon-Craig, they arrived as the curtains in the main window rose to the delight of the waiting crowd. Minutes later, the doors of Harmon-Craig opened as the Fashion Show and Benefit let out. Mr. G had made his deadline. The crowds were too thick for Kate to get a clear view of the window. All she could see was that it was glowing, turning the crowd into a row of silhouettes.
The officer led the way through the throng and into the store. He brought them to the back of the store and to the service elevator. They stopped at the floor for the executive offices.
Johnny led the way to his dad’s office. It was a large room, furnished simply with a desk at the far end and a seating area, complete with sofa and chairs around a coffee table. As soon as they walked in the room, everyone stood. Aside from Adalbert and Mr. Day, there were two women. One had white hair, styled in a sweeping updo. Her face, though lined with age, was very pretty and seemed familiar. The other looked like she was Floyd’s age. She was petite with black hair and rosy cheeks. She wore a classic black dress with a tailored overcoat.
Kate’s throat squeezed as a sense of loss grew in her heart. She wasn’t ready to see the dresses go anywhere.
Adalbert was first to Kate’s side. “It went well? You are fine?” His bushy eyebrows knit together in worry.
She smiled. “Yes, we’re fine. Although I was a bit scared when I first gave them the dress. I thought they were going to see it was a copy right away.”
“They were looking for a family crest,” said Johnny.
“I almost forgot about the crest myself,” said Adalbert. “Elsie remembered.”
“She is a dear,” said the older woman. “I look forward to spending time with her before I have to leave.”
“Oh, pardon me,” said Adalbert. “May I introduce Fyodora Kolodenko De Luca and her granddaughter, Princess Nessa. This is my niece Kate and her friend, Johnny.”
Kate stared, not knowing what to say. Finally, she gave an awkward curtsy the way the dance instructors tried to teach her in class.
The women laughed and came forward to greet her with the three-kiss greeting. A kiss on one cheek, then the other, and back to the first.
Fyodora Kolodenko had a petite frame like Aunt Elsie, yet she held herself with a natural grace Aunt Elsie lacked. “So, you are the clever young lady.” She spoke with a light voice, dappled with a faint accent.
“Your Highness?”
“The war devastated my homeland. Elsie’s contacts are all gone. We tried to get in touch, but there was no answer. I had no idea where in the world Elsie was and was afraid the gowns were lost forever. But when I saw my ball gown in the fashion papers in France, I knew.” She reached for Kate and grabbed both her hands. “I knew that was my dress. It was as clear as a telegram. I can’t thank you enough for what you have done.”
Kate curtsied again, the air expanding in her chest. Something good had come from all her mistakes. She imagined the ball gown hidden in her locker, listening in on their conversation, a big smirk on its face, if it were to have one. It would be pleased that it caused such a ruckus and brought out its true owner. The silly thing outsmarted everyone involved in its keeping.
Gillespie cleared his throat. “I’ll need you all to come down to the station tomorrow to give your statements, please.” He signaled to an officer to hand out a business card with the address. “Till tomorrow then,” he said before leaving.
Fyodora turned to Mr. Day. “May we stay and see the dress? The crowds out front are too thick right now.”
“Our head designer is still here putting together the remainder of the displays. I’m sure he would open the side door for you to look into the window box.”
She turned to the younger girl, Princess Nessa. “Are you ready to see your inheritance?”
Nessa’s pretty face lit up. “I’ve been waiting since the day you told me.” Her voice was young and sweet. She spoke to Kate. “I only found out the history of the dresses before our trip here. I had no idea. You can only imagine my dreams since finding out!”
Kate nodded. She knew exactly what Nessa’s dreams were like.
They followed Mr. Day down to the workroom where the men were finished celebrating the main window and getting organized to work on the rest of the windows that night.
“Mr. Garfinkle, may I introduce the owner of these fine gowns we have been displaying, Fyodora Kolodenko.”
Mr. G looked up from his clipboard and focused in on Mrs. Kolodenko. His mouth gaped open. He stuttered several syllables, pointing to the front of the store. “My photo. You’re my Cinderella.”
Suddenly, Kate understood what he was trying to say. It was the reason Fyodora looked so familiar. “Your face is on our new manikin. We had it made special for the Cinderella windows.”
“I told you that was you,” said Nessa. “That’s what caught my eye, otherwise, I may have walked right past that French newspaper. The article was talking about the New Look protestors. I asked Babcia when she had posed to become a manikin. Instead of answering, she took one look at the dress and started making plans to come to America.”
“But how?” Fyodora looked at Mr. G, amazed.
“I took your picture. On vacation in Prague.”
“Well, if that don’t beat all,” said Roy. “This window sure is one for the history books.”
Kate caught Adalbert’s eye. The dress has personality. And power. Could its magic have put Mr. G and Fyodora together all those years ago, laying down the seeds for their reunion? The thought made Kate’s head spin.
Mr. G signaled that they should follow him. He unlocked the door and held it open for Fyodora and Nessa. They could see through to the crowd outside, with people smiling and pointing at the final Cinderella wedding window and the magnificent wedding dress.
“This gown has not had a public viewing since my daughter’s wedding.” She clucked her tongue. “It is such a shame to have to keep it hidden. It probably needed a good airing out, anyway.” She turned and looked at her granddaughter. “And what a fine way to display the dress, in a Cinderella tribute window in New York City. What would Kopciuszek have thought?”
“It is more beautiful than I have words for, Babcia,” said Nessa. “If only my sister could have worn it. Her day would have been complete.”
Fyodora hugged Nessa. “Your
sister had a beautiful wedding day because she was in love. Her final months were happy enough, even without the dress.” They pulled apart. “She would want you to have it next, and when you see her in heaven, you can tell her all about it. This way, some good can come out of this war. Two sisters can share the enchantment without a battle over the gowns. She in her growing-up years, and you in your grown-up years.”
Kate lowered her eyes, feeling like she was eavesdropping on something she shouldn’t know about. This family had obviously had their own tragedy during the war.
Then, for the first time, Fyodora lifted her eyes from the dress to the manikin. She gasped at the likeness, then laughed. “That looks like me on my wedding day, when I wore that dress.”
Mr. G lifted his hands in a shrug. “I hope you don’t mind finding yourself in our window. And may I thank you most graciously for allowing us to use these beautiful gowns. They have been pure magic in our windows.”
Kate covered up a smile. Mr. G didn’t realize how magical.
“I am honored for my likeness to be in the window of your fine store. And you are welcome for the use of the dresses,” said Fyodora. “Our family has preserved these dresses for centuries. At the start of the war, Adalbert and his lovely bride Elsie, at considerable risk, rescued the dresses for us and brought them to America to keep them safe. We are grateful to be reunited with them.”
“Excellent,” said Mr. G. “Now, please excuse me. I’ve got a long night ahead of me.”
Mr. Day escorted everyone out front where Fyodora had a car and chauffeur waiting.
Johnny gave Kate a hug good-bye. “Glad everything worked out,” he whispered into her ear. “Want me to take you to the police station tomorrow?”
She nodded as he went back inside with his dad. A lump was gathering in her throat. These princesses were so kind, and yet they were going to take the dresses away. Kate didn’t know how badly she wanted to become Keeper of the Wardrobe until now. Before, it felt like a bit of a game she played with Elsie. But after the events of the past few weeks, she understood how real everything was. Roy talked about the history books. Well, she wanted to be a part of history, even if her story never got told.
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