Page 86 of A Murder is Going Down

Elena: Obviously, that would have been … but … shit! Sorry, this tea is hot.

Patrick: I can’t believe … we’re in this situation.

Elena: There’s no we, Patrick.

Patrick: Seriously?

Elena: Don’t give me … face.

Patrick: So what are we … tell Heidi?

At the sound of my name, I perk up and look at Lilia before remembering she has no idea what part of the recording I’m up to.

Elena: Don’t ask me. You started this.

Patrick: I bloody did not. If you’d only … I could have told you it was …

Elena: I don’t think you understand …

Patrick: But Heidi?

The conversation is drowned out when a waitress arrives at Lilia’s table and start going on about the specials. Eventually, Lilia gets rude and tells her she only wants a coffee. The waitress disappears, presumably to procure and immediately spit into her coffee.

Patrick: … and talk.

Elena: Do you think that’s going to help?

Patrick: It’s … here. I’ll … flights … go home.

Elena: Patrick, no.

Patrick: Is having your family together really worth seeing your brother in jail?

Elena: Nobody’s … jail.

Patrick: They will if the police find out what happened.

Elena: How would they?

Patrick: Murder, Elena … We’re not talking about parking tickets.

Elena: Shut up for a sec.

Patrick: I don’t think …

Elena: Don’t turn around … friend of Heidi’s is behind you.’

Patrick: Like, spying on us?

Elena: I’m sure it’s a coincidence.

Patrick: When … whisper I can’t … if it’s sarcasm. Elena: Shhh. Talk about …(Then, in a louder voice.)What movies have you seen lately? Patrick: Actually, I’ve been getting really into folk horror … with a goat … the fire … mass suicide … so much blood … wears the goat’s head as a hat. I loved it.

While, under some circumstances, I would quite like to hear Patrick’s recommendations for folk horror movies, I pull my headphones off.

‘They’re talking about films. Is there anything after this?’ I ask Lilia.

‘Unless you want to know what your sister-in-law’s brother thinks about the Batman franchise, then, yeah, I think so.’