Page 18 of Artful Deceit

“Did you find him?” Saffron called, breaking Lily from her thoughts.

“No. I might try againtomorrow.”

“We’ll be out on an excursion to Tresco Abbey Garden in the morning, but we’ll be here in the afternoon.”

“Thanks.” That was good to know.

On the walk back to Hugh Town, a constant prickle of anxiety plagued Lily, and her thoughts wouldn’t slow down. Certain she’d be no use in the ice cream shop, she didn’t return directly but wandered aimlessly.

Or so she thought. The fact that she ended up outside the police station would suggest it wasn’t so aimless after all.

She pressed her lips together as she stared at the grey building, wishing she could go inside and tell Flynn everything. She’d feel better if she could confide in someone.

Not just someone – in Flynn.

Emotions caught in her throat.

She couldn’t share this with Flynn. Thanks to her uncle, she had to deal with it alone.

Chapter Nine

The sightof Lily outside the station brought an instant smile to Flynn’s face. She hadn’t noticed the police car, and he put the window down to call out to her, but paused at the haunted look on her face. His smile fell away as a ripple of fear crept up his spine.

Something was wrong.

“Lily!”

Her head shot up, and the sadness that had been there vanished so quickly he wondered if he’d imagined it.

“Looking for me?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she replied, stepping into the road with a smile so unnatural he knew for sure there was a problem.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“Because you look…” He shrugged. Maybe he was imagining things. “Hop in,” he said, reaching across to open the passenger door. “I can drop you home.”

“Thanks.”

“Busy morning?” she asked while she pulled her seatbelt around her.

“Yes. I take it you heard about the latest break-ins?”

“No. What happened?”

“I assumed you wanted the inside scoop.” He raised an eyebrow. “But you just wanted to see me?”

“Yes,” she said, and the heat colouring her cheeks made him wonder what exactly was going on with her. “How many more break-ins have there been?”

“Two more this morning. All the properties had their doors unlocked. Someone’s taking advantage of the islanders’ trusting nature. We’re putting out alerts for people to be vigilant and lock their doors.”

“Where were the break-ins?”

“One on Church Street, and one on Buzza Street. Near your place, actually. You haven’t seen anyone suspicious, have you?”

She shook her head. “Do you have any leads?”