Objects of Virtue

Chapter 08

"Thought I'd find you out here. How're you holding up mate?" Liam said reaching out and embracing Louis, his arm flung around Louis' shoulder.

"I'm alright," Louis replied, blowing out a steady stream of smoke, watching it spiraling up into nothingness. "How are the girls? They ok?"

"As good as can be expected, Lou, they're so young, losing both your parents at that age mate, can't expect very much from them now can you," Liam said, shaking his head slowly. "Look – mate, I didn't want to bring this up right now – but I think I better tell you anyway"

Louis turned to face Liam, his interest peeked. "What is it Liam?"

"Well, this morning, before we left, I had a quick look at all the security footage for the last couple of months, just to see if we'd missed anything, and well – I don't know – I – I -well – I saw something a little strange?" Liam replied, his face a picture of conflicting emotions.

"Alright, mate – what was it then?" Louis asked, his cigarette forgotten in his hand.

"I mean. It could be nothing really. Maybe the video glitched and the footage was lost, but the thing is – about a month ago – 26th of April to be precise – well – Lottie went into your room? And well she didn't come out? Doesn't make sense – I know, I mean I checked Lou,  I went over it a couple of times whilst you dressed – but she just sorta disappeared. Never came out of your room. I don't know, just seemed strange, you know?"

"That's fucking weird mate! Why'd she go into my room Liam?" Louis asked confused.

"Dunno mate, but I thought I'd tell you before the police get the idea to check the tapes, Lou. It just seems so strange," replied a very concerned Liam. Hesitating momentarily Liam proceeded to ask,  "Lou, when did you last go into the vault?"

"Shit – Liam, I don't remember – March? Early March?"

"It's beginning to look suspicious Lou, I love Lottie, just as much as you do, she basically my little sister too man, but its beginning to look awfully suspicious. It's not going to be long before Harry asks to see the footage from a couple of months ago. And I can't make this disappear you know? It's just going to complicate matters even more? What do we do Lou, I'm drawing blanks," Liam asked.

"Let's just get this over with first, Li," Louis replied tight lipped, throwing away the cigarette that had burnt out to a stump. "Let's get today over with Li."

The two boys walked back into the funeral parlor, still silent and empty expect for Daisy and Phoebe. Louis found it strange that Lottie still hadn't arrived seeing that she had left before them. Just as Louis began to dial her number, she walked into the room, Lewis closely behind. Louis found it even stranger that she spent practically seconds beside the coffin before taking a step back and walking away. Why was she acting so indifferent? The thought was plaguing Louis' mind when he stood up to approach her, when he noticed that Simon had arrived.

"Louis, my condolences once again," Simon said taking Louis' outstretched hand and shaking it firmly, the two of them walking towards the coffin. "He looks peaceful, doesn't he? He should've smiled more, Louis. But he was always so involved with everything he rarely had the time to enjoy the life he was making. Money can buy you a lot of things Louis, but it can't buy you your life. Remember that my boy." Wise words indeed, Louis thought as he watched Simon make his way over to Charlotte, embracing her for a moment and then moving onto his other sisters. People were beginning to fill into the parlor. Most of them were his father's employees, some of them who he already knew and others he had never seen before. They all eventually made their way over to Louis to offer their condolences and swiftly moved on. He hated it. Having to smile back at them when all he wanted to do was run away. It wasn't long before Simon approached Louis and made introductions to a man he supposed was someone important. He really didn't know anymore and he was glad that Liam was right by his side. Louis simply nodded and made mindless small talk, pretending to smile as one introduction became five and five became fifteen and fifteen began to blur into each other until Louis couldn't tell the difference anymore. They were teaming in like ants in black suits all their faces looked the same. Louis just wanted out.