Page 40 of Old Money
“Patrick,” I mouth to Theo. His face freezes, midchew.
“They were at the club—he and Susannah. The Yateses too.”
“Wow,” he says, sitting.
That’s nothing, I think, recalling the rest of my morning: the family, the text, Liv Yates on a horse.That’s not even the headline.
Isaac brings me a lopsided sandwich and a handful of potato chips piled on a plate. He sets it on the coffee table, along with a glass of ice water.
“Godthat looks good,” I say, meaning it.
Isaac and Theo snicker at each other as I pick up the water and gulp it gratefully down.
“Can I get the mail, Dad?” Isaac asks, and Theo nods.
“I call the paper!” Simon shouts, bolting for the door, determined not to be left out of anything, chores included.
“Did you talk to them?” Theo asks.
“Only Susannah. It was pretty fucking awful.”
“Damn, I bet it was.”
Simon and Isaac come bounding back inside, swinging the door open too hard. It slams against the wall. We both wince and Theo swears under his breath.
“Come on, guys, we talked about this.”
He sighs and goes to assess the damage.
I put my plate on the coffee table and sink back into the couch, relieved for a moment of semisolitude. If I still have a job tomorrow, I’ll go to it. If not, I’ll make my appointment at the police station. I still can’t believe they approved my request. Sure, they ratted me out to Jamie at the same time, but still. There’s got to be another catch. It doesn’t seem—
“Wait,” I say, sitting upright. “Theo, wait.”
I get to my feet. But I’m too late.
Theo stands beside the open front door, holding the newspaper. He walks slowly back to the couch, his eyes still on it. He drops it on the coffee table.
Public Notice: Briar’s Green Police Department has processed a request filed by A. Wiley under the NYS Freedom of Information Law (Article 6, Sec. 84–90).
“Theo,” I begin, but he stops me with a hand.
“God, you know what?” He looks at the paper, surprised, almost smiling. “I was thinking,What’s she doing at the club? What’s the plan there?Because obviously, therewasa plan.”
Now he looks at me.
“Okay, Alice? I wanna be clear about the obvious part. Even the boys know you’re not here for some temp job.”
I stay quiet, keeping my cool. Although I don’t have much left today.
“But it never occurred to me you’d go back to the cops,” Theo says, hardening. “Those cops.”
“I didn’t want to worry you,” I say, and Theo gives a gasping laugh.
“Well, good news, I’m a hell of a lot more than worried now,” he says, taking a seat. “I think I’m getting close to scared, to be honest, so how about you just tell me. Please. Please tell me what you’re doing here.”
“I’m just—” I reach for the words. “I’m looking for information. About Caitlin, and what happened.”
“Right, I got that much.” He snorts, eyeing the paper. “And what are you planning to do with it?”
