Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lily should have spoken up and admitted to lying about the results of the postmortem – let them know there wouldn’t actually be an investigation. She kept her mouth shut though, intrigued to hear exactly what Mrs Patel had up her sleeve.
“We still have moving boxes down in our storage area,” Mrs Patel began eagerly. “Mr Patel can fetch them up, and I’ll make a start on packing up Mr Latham’s things.”
“In his flat?” Lily asked, interrupting her.
“Yes. And before you say it’s a crime scene and I shouldn’t go in there… how am I to know that?”
Lily opened her mouth to argue, but Mrs Patel wouldn’t be interrupted again.
“All I know is that Mr Latham died from a tragic accident. And since then, we’ve found out through legitimate means that he didn’t own the building at all.
” She threw her hands up. “I’ve also learned what a terrible situation the actual owner is in.
So, of course, out of concern for her, I need to help.
All I can think of is packing up Mr Latham’s flat and giving it a good clean. ”
Caroline shifted her weight. “I think you might get yourself into trouble for that.”
“Why? I’d only be doing what any good neighbour and tenant would do. And if anyone has a problem, I’ll point out that it was the police not doing their job properly. Why didn’t they properly secure the flat if it’s a crime scene?”
“I did tell them I have a key,” Caroline said. “I even said someone’s been in there.” She glanced at Lily and mouthed an apology through a grimace.
“You shouldn’t blame the police,” Lily said indignantly.
Mrs Patel deflated slightly. “Yes, you’re absolutely right.
They’re good people, doing the best they can.
I’ll take it higher up… say it’s the government’s fault for not funding the police properly.
Either way, I don’t think they’ll come down harshly on me.
And I’ll have disturbed the scene enough that they’ll never be able to draw any concrete conclusions.
” She nodded once, a triumphant smile on her face.
“You don’t need to go to that trouble,” Lily said, wincing.
“It’s no trouble at all,” Mrs Patel said. “Always happy to help a neighbour.”
Aiden snorted a laugh. “Happy to know you’ll have my back if I accidentally kill someone.”
She rolled her eyes at him.
Lily tucked her chin. “I mean you don’t have to do that because I lied about the postmortem results.”
“What?” Gigi’s head whipped to her.
“The postmortem showed the death was caused by him hitting his head on the table after a fall. As far as the authorities are concerned, it was accidental.”
“Which it was,” Liam muttered.
“I still have to confess,” Gigi said, her gaze darting around the room as though searching for someone to back her up.
No one spoke for a full minute.
“I don’t see why you should say anything,” Aiden finally said. “The man was a menace. He died from a fall. End of.”
“He died from a fall after I pushed him,” Gigi said.
Caroline cleared her throat. “You’d never have pushed him if he hadn’t attacked you, or if he hadn’t been letting himself into your flat to abduct your dog.”
“Too right,” Liam put in. “If you think about it, the fall was his fault.”
Gigi looked at Mrs Patel. “I have to confess, don’t I? It’s the right thing to do.”
It was Mr Patel who answered in a quiet, sure voice. “You’d have to go to court. And Liam would have to go too and tell them what he saw. That would be traumatic for him. Plus, Caroline would be under scrutiny over her actions. This isn’t only about you.”
“No,” Mrs Patel agreed. “It’s much bigger than just you.
I, for one, don’t want my taxes to be spent on a farce of an investigation.
Not when they’re bound to find you innocent in the end.
You’ll be doing the whole of society a favour if you keep quiet.
” She raised a hand and wagged a finger at Gigi.
“I’ll be very disappointed if you turn yourself into the police. ”
Aiden hooked his arms around his knees. “I suspect there’s one minor problem with this idea of a cover up.”
Everyone fell silent, waiting for him to continue.
“What about our neighbour who’s a copper?” He tipped his head at Lily. “Her boyfriend.”
“He’s right,” Lily said meekly. “That is a problem.” She chewed on her bottom lip, contemplating. Then she looked at Gigi, clutching the dog to her chest.
Mr Patel was right – it felt wrong that she’d have to go to court. Maybe the media would get hold of it too. Who knew how things would turn out for Gigi?
“I don’t have to tell Flynn,” she said hesitantly.
“As far as he’s concerned, it’s been ruled an accidental death.
He won’t look into it any further. Especially since he didn’t like the man.
Also, when it all comes out about Mr Latham being a conman, I really don’t think anyone is going to mourn his death. ”
“I’m not sure about that,” Mrs Patel said, pursing her lips. “That probably won’t work out well in the end.”
“I can keep a secret,” Lily protested.
“Maybe. But should you?” Mrs Patel asked forcefully. “Secrets aren’t a good foundation for any relationship. Honesty really is the best policy.” She lifted a hand and gave a little wave in Mr Patel’s direction. “Most of the time, anyway.”
Mr Patel opened his mouth, then seemed to think better of it and closed it again promptly.
“You think I should tell Flynn?” Lily asked.
“No, you can’t tell him,” Mrs Patel said. “He’d be duty bound to report it. I was only saying it’s not a good reflection of your relationship. That you were so quick to decide to keep it from him.”
“I… um…” Lily couldn’t come up with a response to that.
“It’s agreed then?” Aiden said, taking the attention from her. “What happened to Mr Latham stays between us?”
Lily’s mind raced, but she really couldn’t see how the truth was going to help anyone in this situation.
“I don’t know,” Gigi said. “Maybe I should just turn myself in. It seems unfair for you all to cover for me. Especially Liam. It’s unrealistic to ask him to never mention this to anyone.”
“I won’t tell anyone,” Liam said, moving and squeezing in beside Gigi on the sofa.
“I promise I won’t. And it’s like Mr Patel said – it’s better for me this way.
I don’t want to stand up in court. And I definitely don’t want my mum getting into trouble.
I’m only fifteen. They might take me away and put me in care or something. ”
“Please,” Caroline said, eyes welling up. “Please, just keep quiet.”
After a moment, Gigi nodded, and Liam leaned, bumping his shoulder affectionately against hers. Pixie wagged her tail and licked Liam’s face.
“Lovely,” Mrs Patel said. “I think everything is going to work out for the best. I’m hopeful Mrs Silverton will take over the building, and I think she’ll be a fair landlady.”
Lily nodded her agreement while digging into her pocket as her phone buzzed with a message from Flynn.
He told her it was fine to come back, and nothing more.
She shot off the couch and said a hasty goodbye.