Page 51 of Willowbrooke
“He’ll probably be able to get out on bail. They won’t make him stay in jail, if that’s what you mean,” Margot replied solemnly.
Leo stepped back. “I heard she died, but I thought it was a botched robbery.”
“They’d been having an affair,” Margot revealed. “I knew about it while she was here, but it wasn’t my place—poor Alicia.” Margot turned to me. “Alicia is William’s wife.”
I nodded in understanding.
“William’s always been a bit of a playboy—going after women that were married for sport. Of course George never liked it, but there was too much history—too much money at stake. So he let it slide.” She sighed.
“I think Alicia’s always known—perhaps they have an agreement, one of those things they just didn’t discuss as long as he paid the bills and didn’t let things go public. He used to be more discreet, but maybe he’s losing his touch in his old age.”
“William always seemed so devoted to his wife,” Leodisagreed.
“Appearances, Leo—they’re so important in our circles. You saw exactly what they wanted you to see.”
Margot paused suddenly, spotting something on the desk. She stepped over to examine it. “I haven’t seen this in a while.” She pointed.
I stayed put, not wanting to expose the file folder beneath me.
Leo joined her at the desk. “Oh, I saw it in one of the books while we were cataloging them.”
Leo raised the notepad, where I had written the XXXX symbol I’d found in Christine’s journal. My eyes widened involuntarily.
“You know what it is?” Leo said, trying to keep the earnestness from his voice, but failing miserably.
“Oh sure—they’re William’s initials—he talked about using it as the logo for his company when we were growing up, but then when he and George went into business together, they had to pick a name that represented both of them,” Margot replied matter-of-factly.
“It’s a W and an M overlapping.” She took the pen from the desk, and I watched from afar as she showed Leo how they were written to form what I had previously thought were the consecutive “X’s.”
“Huh…” Leo stared down at the paper.
“Shame on him for writing in one of these books though—must have done it when we were children,” Margotscolded.
“Anyway, I’d better get going.” Margot began the trek across the room. “Leo, let me know when you are free for lunch next week—I’d love to catch up.”
“Of course,” he acquiesced.
“And do let me know if you’ll be joining us at the gala.” Margot turned her attention to me.
I nodded in agreement.
“I’ll walk you out.” Leo held the door open for his aunt.
“Thank you, dear.” She smiled up at him. “Good afternoon, Penny.”
I gave her a small wave, before releasing a long exhale the moment she was out of earshot.
Leo returned a few moments later, still out of sorts.
“Can you hide the folder in my room?” he asked, looking down at the papers I clutched to my chest. I couldn’t lose it like I had lost the journal.
“Sure.”
“And we’re going to talk about this business of yours when I get back,” he threatened.
“There is no business—I keep telling her that. I don’t know a thing about how to run a company. I’m just a designer.” My brow furrowed as he turned on his heel to leave. “Wait—where are you going?”
“I need to go down to the station and see if I can bail out William—I have to talk to him,” Leo said hurriedly.
