Chapter 4 - Lila Saw Vivienne Taking Papers From Walter’s Desk
The reason for the letters emerged slowly.
Walter liked Lila.
That was the simplest part.
Whenever we visited, she sat beside him.
Asked about the framed medals in his study.
Wanted to know why the mansion had an American flag displayed indoors.
Walter told stories.
Lila listened.
Vivienne hated how easily that happened.
One afternoon, Lila wandered toward Walter’s study looking for colored pencils.
The door was partly open.
Vivienne was inside.
She was removing papers from Walter’s desk and putting them into a leather portfolio.
Lila asked:
“What are you doing?”
Vivienne spun around.
Apparently frightened enough that Lila remembered her expression.
“Nothing.”
“Those are Uncle Walter’s.”
“I know.”
“Does he know?”
Vivienne walked toward her.
“What did I tell you about wandering through adult rooms?”
Lila backed away.
That evening she received another note.
Keep your mouth shut about things you don’t understand.
She showed me.
This time I paid attention.
Not enough.
But more.
I asked Walter whether anything was missing from his study.
He said no.
Vivienne was sitting beside him.
She answered before he could finish:
“Grant, are we seriously interrogating everyone because a child found another silly note?”
Walter became irritated.
I backed off.
Mistake number two.
Later, Lila whispered:
“Dad, she looked scared.”
I told her:
“Let me handle it.”
Then I didn’t.
May you like
Not properly.
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