Page 37 of A Murder is Going Down

‘I’m talking theoretically. Also, Amanda took veganism very seriously.’

(This is me adjusting my assumptions about Patrick’s sexuality accordingly.)

‘Well, you’re theoretically making me regret saying anything nice to you at all. Have you been well behaved?’ Michael asks.

‘When am I not?’ Patrick says.

‘Constantly.’

‘How long have you guys lived together?’ I ask, because this sibling banter is at risk of turning into sibling bickering.

‘When Mum died, Michael and Elena moved back home to save me from the prospect of living with Uncle Alex and Aunt Olive,’ Patrick says.

‘That’s kind of sweet.’

‘Then Elena got swept off her feet by your brother and moved over here.’

‘Sorry,’ I say, not sure why I’m apologising for my brother.

‘Patrick and I will have to go back to Melbourne pretty soon – the Victorian school term starts up next week,’ Michael says.

‘I don’t think there’s anyurgency,’ Patrick says.

‘I’m sure you don’t,’ Michael says. ‘Sucks for you that I’m your legal guardian, doesn’t it?’

‘Elena needs me here,’ Patrick says.

‘Elena can come back with us if she wants.’

‘Not until the insurance stuff is sorted,’ Patrick says.

‘Patrick,’ Elena says.

‘What?’

‘It’s very sweet that you want to help, but Michael’s right – you need to go to school,’ Elena says. ‘Mum will haunt us from the grave if we let you half-arse Year 11. I’m fine.’

‘You’re not fine. You might be broke.’

‘Sorry, what?’ Michael asks.

‘If the cops think Felix killed himself, Elena won’t get any money from his life insurance,’ Patrick says.

‘Did Felix kill himself?’ Michael asks, then looks at me. ‘Sorry. Should we be talking about this?’

‘It’s okay,’ I say.

‘We don’t think he killed himself,’ Patrick says. ‘I just can’t see it.’

‘I thought it was an accident,’ Michael says.

‘Or the other thing,’ Patrick says.

Michael laughs, but it’s not a proper laugh. ‘Murder?’

‘People do get murdered, you know,’ Patrick says.

‘But by who? And why?’ Michael seems half-amused, half-horrified. He and Elena exchange awhat the fuuuulook. Having to parent your little brother must kind of suck sometimes.