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“He died a few years before his mum, so life hasn’t been easy for him, but he has his routines and his garden. And he has a community of people who support him. He thrives here, but I hate to think how hard it would be for him to lose his job.”
“Don’t worry,” Lily said. “Once I figure out who’s behind all this, Arthur’s name will be cleared and your dad will realise he made a mistake. I’m sure he’s just worried and panicking. He’s been through a traumatic experience. Maybe you should give him a little leeway.”
Sally puffed her cheeks out. “I’ll see what I can manage.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Before she reachedthe end of the driveway, Lily had her phone to her ear. It felt good that things were back to normal between her and Flynn, and that she could call him without overthinking it.
“Everything okay?” he asked, answering quickly.
“Yeah. Do you know Gordon thinks Arthur is infatuated with Sally?”
“Yes. Sally thinks it’s nonsense, and Sergeant Proctor agreed with her.”
“Did you also know that he’s autistic?”
“The sergeant mentioned it.”
“You could have told me.”
“I thought it was pretty obvious. I’m also not sure what difference it makes. Would you rule him out of your investigation because of it?”
“I guess not.” Her words came out as a question.
“No,” he said. “You wouldn’t.”
“Okay. But with Gordon accusing him, I need to clear his name. And fast before he loses his job.”
“What’s the plan?”
“I’m on my way to Arthur’s place. With his knowledge of plants, he could be the key to figuring everything out.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but thought better of it. From what she knew of Arthur Penrose, he wasn’t likely to clam up at the sight of a police uniform.
“See you soon,” she said and ended the call.
When Flynn arrived at Arthur’s house – on foot and just a few minutes after Lily – she’d already knocked on the door and got no answer.
“He’s not here,” Lily told Flynn as he stepped onto the garden path.
“Are you sure?” He tipped his head to a wheelbarrow at the corner of the garden, which was loaded up with weeds and chunks of soil.
“He didn’t answer the door,” Lily said, wandering past Flynn to look around the side of the house. “I guess he probably is around here somewhere.” She jerked her chin towards the greenhouse door, which stood open.
There was no sign of Arthur when she stepped into the humid air of the glasshouse, but she assumed he wouldn’t have left the door open if he was going far.
“I think there are more plants than the last time we were here,” she remarked, wandering through the centre of the greenhouse.
Flynn walked past her to the end of the aisle. “Or maybe the plants have just grown.”
“You might be right,” Lily agreed, frowning as she eyed the tomato plants in front of her.
“This might be something.” Flynn’s voice got her attention. He was crouched down, sliding a cardboard box out from beneath the bench at the end of the row.
“What is it?” Lily asked, peering over his shoulder as he drew back the flaps on the box. Her eyes widened at the pouches of what appeared to be dried herbs. “They’re the same herbs that were delivered with the welcome boxes.”