Page 93 of A Murder is Going Down

‘Ben thought it was stupid, too.’

That shuts me up. I look towards the counter to see Ben busily tapping on his phone. Messaging his other secret girlfriend or researching romantic dates for himself and Lilia? The jury is very much out.

‘How did you evenhavea photo of Aunty Sam?’ I ask, when Lilia’s silence makes it clear it’s my turn to say something. ‘Have you been stalking her too?’ (This is a bit much, coming from me, but it’s important to remember that Lilia doesn’t know about me AirTagging Patrick, which I’m pretty sure means it never happened.)

‘You think I don’t have photos of Aunty Sam?’ Lilia says, looking insulted.

It’s possible the past few months have erased my memories of how entwined Lilia had been with my family before Ben happened.

‘I showed him the most recent one I had. It was Aunty Sam, you and Felix at her birthday party. You looked super cute. Remember you’d had that haircut?’

I resist asking to see the photo, but only just. ‘My hot chocolate’s getting cold.’ I point at the table, where my drink (and family) is now waiting for me.

‘I showed Adam the photo and asked if he was sure it was the same person he saw the night Felix died. He said he was sure, that he’d got a good look at her face.’

‘Right.’ I’m disappointed. I wanted doubt. Aunty Sam, it seems, is right up there with Patrick and Elena on the list of people I can’t trust.

‘But then he asked, “Who’s the guy?”’

‘What?’ I’ve lost track of what Lilia is saying.

‘Adam asked about the guy standing next to you and Aunty Sam,’ Lilia explains slowly.

‘But wasn’t that Felix?’ I ask, not sure what I’ve missed.

‘Yes!’

‘Adam didn’t recognise Felix? But he met him the night Felix died and didn’t he say he’s got a great head for faces?’

‘That’s why I’ve been trying to call you. That’s why I’ve tracked you down here like a stalker. Adam acted like he had never seen Felix before,’ Lilia says, a little louder.

Heads turn towards us and I force a smile, like we’re two girlfriends discussing weekend plans that could involve a trip to the beach – not murder.

‘What did you say?’ I ask Lilia.

‘I told Adam that it was Felix. Adam kind of frowned and looked at the photo again. Then he said something like, “Oh, I guess I didn’t recognise him.”’

‘What does that mean?’

There’s a hand on my shoulder, which makes me leap. I turn to see Patrick behind me.

‘Your drink’s getting cold,’ he says.

I wish I knew how much he’s heard.

Now

‘Does any of this sound familiar to you?’ I ask Marianne.

‘What exactly?’

‘This story. The story I’m telling you. Have you heard it before?’

Marianne shakes her head. ‘No. Why?’

‘Just asking.’

We look at each other. I’m waiting to see if she has any follow-up questions; Marianne’s probably waiting for me to get to the end.