Secrets of the Weeping Willow

by Kathleen Anastasia

  It was not the money as she had originally had believed. It was this little piece of paper that was lying in front of her, which showed the world, who he truly was. Tears filled her eyes as she wondered what her mother had been thinking, once more. Why her mother had not just brought this information to someone in authority who could have taken Roger back to where he belonged.

  Then a brown bag tucked tight within the hidden section of the box caught her eye. She brushed aside the clippings to reach inside, the brown bag surprisingly heavy. Her fingers skimmed the outline of the object within its depths, the crackling of the paper loud within the quiet room. Elizabeth looked over her shoulder as if she was looking at something she was not allowed to see. She pulled back the edges as she opened it; a gun wrapped in plastic lay within. Elizabeth’s heart jumped in fear as she dropped it as though it was a poisonous snake ready to strike.

  She closed her eyes, her palms grinding against them, in an empty gesture of erasing the horrors she was uncovering. Her chest caught in a sob, as she opened them once more, understanding the terror her mother must have felt when she discovered this information. She had found him for who he was, seeing through the lies and facial alterations to the truth. Now Elizabeth wasn’t quite sure what she was supposed to do with it all. If prison couldn’t hold him before what made her believe it could again and knowing this was what her mother must have felt.

  Elizabeth gathered her composure as she scooped up all the items from the box into the bag she had brought along.

  Chapter 43

  Elizabeth had forgotten to check if Leo was still standing near the newsstand when she left the bank in a daze. Startled when he comes up beside her, placing his hand on her elbow as they walked silently back to the hotel.

  Elizabeth paused as they walked into the hotel lobby. A small smile lifted her lips slightly as she asked him if he could give her an hour to look over what she had uncovered. Surprised by the calmness of her voice with the request.

  But, as she walked through the door of their hotel room her composure crumpled under the weight of all she uncovered. Her fingers numb as she threw the bundle she held onto the bed the contents suddenly unbelievable heavy. Finding herself more confused and frightened than she had ever been before in her life.

  Her eyes drawn to the bundle, the silence almost deafening as her legs finally gave out beneath her, the mattress soft as it caught her, finally letting her tears run free as she curled into a ball next to the bundle. Elizabeth was not wanting to think of the mess she was in, but the evidence was more than she could ignore, now wishing she had remained ignorant of all that was.

  After a time, she wasn’t sure how long, but her hiccups had finally ceased. Elizabeth took a deep breath and looked over to the items scattered on the bed, the VHS tape caught her eye. She had thrown it aside before, but now she found herself curious as she picked it up, to turn it in her hand. The cover blank with no markings to indicate what was on the tape, she looked over to the television that rested on the top of the dresser in front of the bed.

  Not seeing any form of VHS machine available, she picked up the phone to call the front desk, asking to borrow a VHS player. The clerk let her know he would send one up immediately, and thanking him, she sat on the bed staring at the blank screen waiting.

  It was not long at all before a bellhop was at her door as promised with a black plastic case. She watched emotionless as he set it up, then mindlessly slipped him a twenty when he was done in thanks. Then, remembering that she was now a multimillionaire, she pulled out a hundred instead, glad that she had, the foresight to take a hefty withdrawal from her new account before leaving the bank. She watched as his eyes lit up in pleasure as he pocketed the bill quickly into a side pocket, telling her that if she needed anything to call him personally and he would help her, he had said with a wink. She had nodded her head in acknowledgement as she watched him quickly back out of the room, most likely afraid she would change her mind.

  Her heart beat against her chest in an irregular rhythm as she rubbed the play button, finding it hard to apply the pressure to start the tape and debating whether she should instead just forget whatever could be on it, not sure if she was mentally prepared for more. This was the last of the evidence and obviously what her mother had been talking about in the letter, the item that incriminated her along with Roger.

  Elizabeth’s mind played over what could be, wondering if she has already seen the worst of what was. Subconsciously, she pressed down more firmly on the button, and the tape started to play on the screen. The date, January 5th, 1992, property of 2nd 7th bank located in Newland, Wisconsin, flashed across the screen first, identifying itself as a security camera tape. There was no sound to the tape, just images of a normal day in a small town, people coming and going. clerks laughing as they talked to each other on their down time.

  Then all humor dissolved when two people in ski masks stormed onto the screen waving guns. They ushered customers and clerks to line up along the teller counter on their knees, one individual being struck across the face with a butt of a gun by one of the masked men. The person next to him, obviously a woman by the figure, turned to say something which was brushed off.

  The female robber then skirts around the counter to gather together the money that a scared clerk is shoving into the bags. Then the scene became frantic when the man guarding the hostages started to wave his gun once more, yelling. A man slowly gets up from his knees to stand, fear visible on his face as he answered whatever was asked. The woman who had been gathering money, came back around the counter, shoving the man forward with her gun, forcing him to walk to the back.

  Then everything happening at once; for no reason that Elizabeth could see. The one guarding the hostages started to simultaneously point his gun to each individual, their bodies folding to the floor as he executes them one by one.

  The video in black and white, the blood black as it pools around their heads. Elizabeth felt as if she was watching a horror movie, not real life, and the people were actors who would get up and walk away at the word “CUT”. She was horrified by what she was seeing, but unable to stop herself from watching the scene play out.

  The woman who had ushered the gentleman to the back rushed in from the back, a hand going across her chest, and her body recoiled from the nightmare. As the other masked man reached for her mask, pulling it forward and off, Elizabeth’s breath caught when she saw a long spool of hair fall from the mask.

  Elizabeth knew, even before she was too look up, who it was. The woman seemed to not care that she had become exposed to the camera as she brushed her hair aside as she looked up, her eyes full of horror and pain as she fell to her knees. The face was not one of a stranger looking up from the crumple she was on the floor, but, it was, instead, the face of her mother, Lily. The masked man turned so he was now facing the camera, his gun raised.

  But it wasn’t the gun Elizabeth saw, it was the eyes that captured her mind. It was the eyes that always followed such horror. Elizabeth jumped back from the screen when it is shattered from the bullet placed directly into its glass.

  Sitting, staring, Elizabeth watched the fuzz fill the picture that only a few moments ago showed such unbelievable horror. Her mind still numb, her body reacting to what she saw, bile rose as her stomach clenched. She stood to rush to the bath, her back hunched as all that she had eaten that day left her in a spasm of violence. Elizabeth hugged the porcelain toilet as she relived the horror on the screen over and over until nothing was left to give.

  A small amount of relief washed over her when she felt a cool washcloth brush her brow, she turned from the toilet to sit back on the hard ceramic floor, her eyes looking up to Leo’s concerned eyes. Her voice soft, hesitant, “Did you see?”

  “The video?”

  Elizabeth nodded, unable to find her voice as a rush of tears gathered in her throat once more.

  Leo’s nodded in af
firmation, his eyes full of concern as he pulled her back against his chest, his hand gentle as it combed back her hair from her face, his lips brushed her forehead.

  Elizabeth’s voice soft, “My mother...” she began as she pulled back to look into Leo’s green eyes. Finding herself wanting him to understand, “She was there. But, she didn’t....”

  Leo pulled her back into his arms, “I know darling.”

  Time seemed of no meaning as they sat on the bathroom floor, her head resting on his chest, his heart steady and sure, as her own heart hardened piece-by-piece as the moments went by, the video playing incessantly in her mind.

  Until, finally, Elizabeth knew what she needed to do. She pulled away from Leo her hand stroking his thigh in reassurance just before she stood to walk over to the sink; the water cold as she cupped it within her palm to bring it up to her face. Elizabeth felt the water cleanse her, washing out the vile taste from her mouth; her voice surprisingly strong as she talked over her shoulder to Leo. “Could you call Jeff and let him know we are ready?”

  “Is that what you want then?”

  “Yes,” Elizabeth said as she braced herself against the sink, surprised by how calm she felt with her new determination. She turned back to look at Leo, her voice hard, “That bastard is going to be waiting. But this time we will be ready.”

  A look of surprise crossed Leo’s face as he stepped toward her, “What do you mean by that?”

  “Exactly what it sounds like.” She said as she brushed past him, stepping back into the bedroom.

  Leo quickly followed, his voice full of concern, “We are not going to go back there, if the only reason....”

  The shrill of the phone stopped him from continuing as they both stared at it as it rang again. Elizabeth knew without even picking it up, who it was, she looked back up to Leo as she lifted her eyebrows, “I believe that would be the bastard now.” She said calmly as she lifted the receiver, her voice cold, “I was wondering how long it would take you to find out where I was?”

  Roger laughed, sending a chill through Elizabeth as she found herself angry that he still could. “You were always a creepy child, with that sixth sense of yours. Always knowing who was calling before the phone ever rang. Although, I’m glad to see we can just skip the formalities and get right down to business. You have something I want and I have something you want.”

  Elizabeth felt the floor slide out from under her as she sank down onto the bed. Her hand shook slightly as what he said settled down around her heart, piercing it like a needle, knowing he had Aurora, the one thing she would want, without being told. Her perception of what she felt grew stronger as she gained the knowledge of her past. Aurora did what she feared. Her confidence and anger, which was keeping her going, was slowly crumbling under the burden of guilt. Guilt that she was the reason her friend was in such grave danger.

  Elizabeth cleared her throat determined for him not to see her fear, thus her weakness, “May I talk with her?”

  “Now, why would I let you do that?” Roger said, his words full of arrogance and self-righteousness.

  “Because, I have what you have been so patiently waiting for. Furthermore, I need to hear....”

  “Elizabeth. Elizabeth. Is that you?” Aurora asked, her voice full of panic and fear.

  Elizabeth felt her heart catch at Aurora’s voice, tears springing to her eyes at the danger she knew Aurora was in. But, she needed to play this smart, she needed to keep her emotions out of this otherwise Roger would play on them and she would lose. “Aurora.” She said quickly, attempting to keep her voice calm in an attempt to calm Aurora.

  Aurora’s voice dropped to a whisper, Elizabeth hearing the tears that laced them heavily, “Elizabeth. I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t want to hear any of that now. I want you to just listen now...”

  “But...”

  Elizabeth interrupted her, afraid she only had a moment to say what she needed to say. To tell her what she needed to do to survive, this nightmare they were both in. “No. Stop. Aurora. Listen to me. I need you to stay calm that is the only way you are going to get out of this alive. Do you hear me? He won’t hurt you as long as I have what he wants. So don’t do anything foolish.” Aurora’s sob the only reply. “Aurora, do you hear me?”

  “Now what are you trying to tell her to do?” Roger asked. “Because you know I don’t deal well with...”

  “Don’t you dare, you lying piece of shit,” Elizabeth said calmly, her panic replaced by the anger she felt toward him and what he has done. “Because, if I find out you have done anything to harm her, you will never lay your hands back on what was taken.”

  “Now, Elizabeth. I hate threats. I thought you remembered that. Or don’t you remember what happened to your mother the last time she tried to threaten and blackmail me.” Roger said, a hint of anger in his voice, giving Elizabeth a clue that she was hitting a raw nerve.

  Taking in a deep breath, Elizabeth tried to still her racing heart and rising anger. “Roger, just tell me what you want?”

  “Well, well. If you found what I was looking for, you know what I want.”

  “You mean the newspaper clippings that show you for the sadist pig you are.” Elizabeth snapped out.

  “Now, is that anyway to talk to someone taking care of a friend for yours.” Roger asked, arrogance now filled his words.

  Elizabeth leaned forward to lay her head in her open palm, her breath released out slowly through her nose in an attempt to calm herself. She didn’t want to endanger Aurora further with her unchecked anger and words that could drive Roger to do something violent to her, just to prove his point. “I’m sorry. What do you want?”

  “Now, that is better. So, let’s get to business now. First of all, I do want those articles back, along with that little piece of paper that had accompanied it…the security tape you can keep, I already have a copy.” He said with a chuckle.

  “Ok. Done.” Elizabeth said as she looked over to Leo, who stood close in an attempt to hear both sides of the conversation.

  “And I better not find out that you have made any duplicates. Because I wouldn’t hesitate in dealing with the situation.” An almost pleasure filled his voice with the threat. “Oh, but of course. Last, but by no means least, I would like a nice tightly sum to support myself on. Shall we say five million by tomorrow night should be about right.”?

  “What? I can’t come up with that kind of money in so little time.” Elizabeth said as she stood, her voice rose in panic.

  Roger laughed, “I’m sure you can find a way. When we meet I’ll have an account for you to transfer the funds into.”

  “What if I can’t come up with that sum by then?”

  “Now, I don’t want to hear such negativity. You’ll find a way if you want to see your friend again.” Aurora’s sobs came across the phone, tearing Elizabeth up inside.

  “Roger, listen to me. There is no way I can get that amount of money in that amount of time. You have to give me at least one more day.”

  Elizabeth held her breath with his long pause. “Ok. But no longer than that.” A note of impatience filled in his words. “Oh, and one more thing. We do this between just you and I. If you bring that thug along that you have been bedding, then.... well let’s just say-it won’t be pretty.”

  Elizabeth looked over to Leo as she answered, “Fine. Just let me know where and I’ll be there.”

  “Why, you know where. I’m surprised you would have to ask.” He said just before the phone went dead in Elizabeth’s ear.

  Elizabeth sat back down on the bed as she laid the phone back down on its cradle. Looking up at Leo, “Ok. We have a little glitch in my plans.”

  Leo leaned against the entertainment console, his eyebrows raised. “I heard.” He said before he pushed away from the large piece of furniture and walked back over to her. “What the hell was Aurora thinki
ng, going back to New Orleans? I thought she understood the danger.”

  Elizabeth sighed as she leaned back against the backrest of the bed. “I knew she would do this.”

  A flash of anger crossed Leo’s face. “You knew this and didn’t stop her. After what happened to you, you just let....”

  Elizabeth jumped up from the bed, to storm over to Leo, her body shaking in anger as she confronted him. “Don’t you go there. I didn’t just let her go back to New Orleans. I talked to her until I was blue in the face. But she has it in her head that it wasn’t Roger who was the danger it was actually you.” Elizabeth said as she stepped closer to him, her finger poked into his chest to give emphasizes. “She was convinced that it was you who was manipulating me.” Leo’s green eyes turned a dark deadly green as he looked down at her hand. Her heart skipped a beat as she stepped back, lifting up her hands in apology. She let out a deep breath before she continued, “What are we doing? Fighting with each other. I’m sorry Leo. I didn’t mean to accuse you. I’m just frustrated and hopping mad at the whole situation. Aurora was only trying to protect, help me. She had no idea how truly evil he is. Her life has been sheltered from such evil. I tried to explain but, until you experience and live through it, you can’t fully comprehend it. ”

  Leo’s eyes soften as he watched her. “I’m sorry too, baby. Did she say what changed her mind?”

  Elizabeth turned to walk to the window overlooking the garden out back of the hotel talking over her shoulder as she walked. “She told me, that after you talked to her and convinced her that she needed to leave New Orleans for her own safety, she started to get it into her head that she could talk to Roger and make it better. But instead, when she talked to him he convinced her that he was innocent of all wrong doing.” Elizabeth turned back, surprised to find Leo right behind her. “She didn’t want to believe that she had fallen for someone that could be so hateful and evil. And who am I to blame her.”