Page 55 of A Simple Mistake
“Not to my knowledge.But Mr Conrad, really.My aunt was seventy-two when she died.She’d lived an active, busy life.How likely is it that a sister, even if itwasa twin, would still look like her?”
“That’s exactly what I meant to ask you.When you identified your aunt—”
“Oh, but I didn’t.My mother… I see.”
She picked up her teacup and sipped, more for something to do with her hands if Aidan was any judge.“You think your mother might not have looked too closely.”
“Her eyesight isn’t that good anymore.And… well.I’m not sure shewouldreally look, you know?But twins.I can’t get my head around that.”
“It would explain quite a few of the discrepancies we’ve seen.Like the ring you told me never left your aunt’s finger.Did your mother notice it was missing?”
“No.I noticed it when I was organising the funeral, and it wasn’t with her things.I should have mentioned that I suppose.”
“That would have been helpful.Mistakes happen, and so do thefts.”Aidan added that detail to his notes.“It goes beyond that, though.The coroner’s report mentioned the dead woman had badly bitten nails, but my associate, who looked over your aunt’s flat, said she kept an exceptional selection of nail varnish, and all photos show her with perfect nails.”
“Oh, yes.She used to say some women liked shoes, others liked handbags, and her abiding vanity was having perfect nails.”The fondness in her words was unmistakable, and Aidan wished he had all the answers.
“The coroner also mentioned signs of long-term tobacco use and it didn’t seem—”
“She didn’t smoke, no.But how did a twin sister we never knew existed end up in my aunt’s bed?And—more to the point—where is my aunt?”
“Exactly what we’re wondering.I think we have enough data to take it to the police, if you feel that’s the right way to go.”
“You don’t?”
Aidan gave her a smile.“The flat showed no sign of violence.Nor did it suggest your aunt left in a hurry or under duress.It’s therefore safe to assume she had a reason for her actions.”
“What reason?”
“You know her better than I do.”
“I feel as if I don’t know her at all!”Claire McTavish couldn’t keep the frustration from her voice.“I wish I’d left well enough alone.”
“No, you don’t.You’d be asking yourself questions until the end of time if you hadn’t come to me.”
“Touché.”She set the teacup down.“You think my aunt had a reason for putting a dead woman in her bed and taking off?”
“I do, yes.Though, if you think about it, she did more than that.She made people think shewasthe dead woman.Which makes me wonder what it is she could only do as her sister.”
“I really couldn’t say.”
“None of that,” Aidan admonished.“I don’t think for a moment that your aunt committed a crime.Nor do I think she planned this.To me, it seems like an opportunity presented itself.Her sister came to visit and died of a heart attack.All of a sudden, she had the chance to do something she couldn’t do before.We don’t know yet what that was, but we’re going to find out.Reserve judgement until then.”He poured more tea into Claire McTavish’s cup and made her drink it.
“You think she’s okay?”
“Yes.From all you’ve told me, she’s a resourceful woman.Even if she acted on impulse this time.”He watched as Claire McTavish drank her tea, aware she was racking her brain to remember anything that might shed light on her aunt’s actions.And he saw when she failed.“If there’s something to remember, it will come to you the moment you stop pushing,” he counselled.
“I know you’re right, but—”
“It’s difficult to do.I apologise for dropping such a bomb on you.I promise to call you as soon as I learn anything new.”
She set her cup on the table and stood.“And I’ll inform you as soon as I remember anything.I’ll talk to my mother—without sharing what you told me.Maybe she remembers Aunt Margot’s family.”
She put a brave face on what had been disturbing news, Aidan saw, and hoped she had the sense to call a taxi to get home.He saw her out, then reached for his phone and dialled Nico’s number.
“Jack is coming home Thursday.He just texted,” Nico yelled before Aidan could even announce himself.
“Hello to you, too,” he said.“Does that mean you’re too busy for a bit of snooping?”
