‘But Tony said there were no suspicious circumstances. Said he’d had some kind of medical episode?’
Dominique nodded thoughtfully. ‘It would certainly appear so.’
‘You don’t agree?’ Maya frowned; a niggling sensation caused the hairs on the back of her neck to prickle.
‘I’m not saying that. God knows, the police and people like Tony and you know more than me. The flat was insecure, but that’s not unusual. Mr Baron had mobility issues, so he kept the door unlocked so we could come and go. He was lying on the floor of his lounge, and like Tony said, had clearly had a heart attack or something. It’s just…’
‘Mama, what?’
‘His medication, including his nebuliser, were still on the table next to his chair. I would have thought that once he started to feel unwell, they would have been the first thing he would have reached for. It seemed strange to me he was on the floor rather than in his chair.’
‘Perhaps he tripped on the way back from the toilet or something?’
‘Yes, that’s what Tony surmised. Honestly, would you listen to me pontificating. Your job has turned me into an armchair detective.’ Her contagious laugh filled the room and offered Maya some much needed relief. Time with Dominique was better than therapy. She was good company and radiated an inner calm that was almost hypnotic.
‘Are you still enjoying the job?’
‘Yeah. Yes, I am. I just keep wondering if I’m good enough. Whether I’m suited to it.’
Dominique sucked her teeth and shook her head.
‘Of course you are, girl. What makes you say that?’
‘Because I keep fucking up, Mama. I’m trying my best, but I just keep showing myself up. I embarrassed myself at my first death and the situation with the journalist makes me want to cringe. And Kym is furious at me because of my conspiracy theories.’
Dominique let out a low husky laugh. ‘Oh, Maya. Stop being so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes. You’re just unlucky to make yours so… publicly.’
Maya laughed with her for a while until her face fell again. ‘Nicola in my office has a degree in forensics. She’s never messed up. Maybe I’ve been fooling myself thinking I can do such a complicated role with such limited experience.’
Dominique flashed an angry glare at Maya. ‘Now you listen to me. You are intelligent, observant, quick-witted and capable. You don’t need qualifications to prove how competent you are…’
‘But…’
‘No buts. There’s a new doctor at the surgery who has qualifications coming out of his ears. No doubt medically he knows his stuff, but I’ve never met anyone who lacks so much common sense. And his people skills leave a lot to be desired. He’s so insular he doesn’t know how to talk to his patients. You would run rings around him with your personality and compassion. And if you ask her, I’m quite sure Nicola will give you plenty of examples of where she’s messed up in the past.’
Maya smiled weakly as Dominique continued. ‘I am so very proud of you and everything you have achieved. Not to even mention the wonderful, caring person you have become. God knows life hasn’t always been easy for us. We’ve had our fair share of challenges and upset, and no one would have blamed you if you’d turned out differently. You have more life experience than most people twice your age, and that counts for a lot.’
Maya couldn’t meet Dominique’s eyes as tears threatened to spill. She buried her face further into Jet’s warm black fur while she composed herself.
‘Do you ever think about him?’ Maya asked tentatively.
‘Naylor?’ Dominique took a huge glug of wine. ‘I have nightmares about him occasionally. Other than that, no. I made a conscious effort years ago not to let him live in my mind. As far as I’m concerned, he’s gone. Out of our lives. He may as well be dead.’ Despite her bravado Maya noticed the slight tremble of Dominique’s lower lip.
‘He’s not, though, is he?’ Maya said quietly. ‘As much as we might wish it, he’s still very much alive.’
For a while, there was nothing else either of the two women could say. Marcus Naylor was very much the spectre at their feast.
24
Nowak was grateful to be alone in his cell. He felt he could breathe a little better knowing he didn’t have to share the air for a while. Naylor had gone to the exercise yard, leaving Nowak to masturbate while watching Loose Women. He was now watching the news and wondering about Naylor’s reaction to the SOCO he’d seen on the television. As much as Naylor was good company, it was a luxury to have this time alone to think without having someone else in such stifling proximity.
Donnelly was due in to see him and the thought cheered him nearly as much as if it had been Markita on the visiting order. In fact, one of the many things he was keen to discuss with Aiden was the lady in question. He still felt as if she was giving him the brush-off and he was convinced she had something to hide. He had no doubt that whatever it was, Donnelly would get to the bottom of it and sort it out for him.
The man was like a brother to him. He could trust him with his life and liberty – couldn’t he? Although he was pleased that Donnelly was out, he couldn’t help feeling a bit resentful. He hated being locked up and it seemed much worse knowing his best mate and girlfriend were carrying on with their lives outside and without him.
He refused to even consider the prospect that he might be sent down for a stretch. There was a reason he and Donnelly paid so much money to their lawyers. It was something they both considered at the start of their criminal career as a good investment. He was hoping it would only be a matter
