Page 22 of Dead in the Water (Lily Larkin Mysteries #4)
Chapter Twenty-Two
Not knowing where Lily was left Flynn entirely unsettled.
When she hadn’t responded to his message at lunchtime, he’d called in at the shop, but she wasn’t around.
Jessica didn’t know where she was. Presumably, she was investigating the death of the guy in the harbour, but after a casual scout around the hotel, Flynn learned that the owners of the yacht had gone out to sail around the islands.
Surely that meant Lily had to put her investigations on hold.
He tried calling her again after work, then went over and rang her doorbell, but it seemed she was intent on avoiding him. That, or she’d got herself into some kind of trouble. A chill ran through him and he stared up at her living room window before pressing the bell again.
“At least let me know you’re okay?” he grumbled to himself, typing out another message for her.
He paced across the promenade and frowned at the horizon before deciding on his next move.
Five minutes later, the door hinges creaked when he walked into the Mermaid Inn. Approaching the bar, Seren tipped her head in acknowledgement but didn’t smile. Apparently, he was back in her bad books.
“Have you seen Lily today?” he asked, deciding not to attempt small talk.
Shaking her head, she walked over to him, taking up position across the bar.
“She didn’t work today, and she’s not at home,” he went on.
“Maybe she’s at home but ignoring you.” She tilted her head and glared at him. “Would you blame her?”
Flynn rubbed at his brow. “Possibly not. But I didn’t come here for a lecture. I came because I’m worried about Lily. I’m sure she’s been digging around, asking questions about the man who died. She was annoyed that the police weren’t investigating it further.”
“I doubt she really has a problem with the police not investigating,” Seren said. “I’m fairly sure she’s mostly annoyed at you for cancelling your date.”
He sighed heavily. “That as well, but it’s not really the point. For now, I’m more concerned with where she is, and if she’s okay. Can you just tell me for a fact that she’s at home and fine?”
Seren’s features softened as she drew in a breath. “I haven’t heard from her today, but I know she was planning to be out for most of the day. She asked Kit to call in and check on Jessica at the shop.”
“Where did she go?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but I guess you’re right that she’s trying to get information from the friends of the guy who died.”
“They were out on their boat today.”
“In that case, she may have been on a sailing trip.”
“Really?” Flynn slid onto the bar stool beside him. “You think she’d go out on a sailing trip with a bunch of strangers?”
“You think she wouldn’t? ”
It only took him a moment to ponder that. Of course she would.
“She’s avoiding me because she’s angry with me,” he said. “And I understand that, but I just need to know everything is okay with her… she won’t answer her phone or reply to my messages.”
Seren didn’t hesitate for long before taking her phone out.
“I’ll message and check she’s okay, then you have to promise to give her space. Don’t go banging on her door if she doesn’t want to see you.”
“Promise,” he said. “Can I also have a pint, please?”
She’d just set it on the bar when a response came through from Lily. He focused on his drink instead of dwelling on how quickly she’d replied to Seren.
“Is she okay?” he asked, when Seren stared at her phone for far too long.
“She’s okay. And she is also as crazy as I thought. She went out on the boat with them today.”
Flynn rolled his eyes. “But she’s home and fine?”
Seren opened her mouth, then closed it again. “I’m not sure I should share this information with you. If she wanted you to know where she was, she’d tell you herself.”
“So she’s not at home? Is she at the hotel?”
Seren groaned. “You guessed that! I didn’t tell you. And I’ll neither confirm nor deny it.”
“I’ll bet she wanted to speak to Joseph’s son.” He shook his head. “Thank you for checking on her for me.”
“I don’t get it,” Seren said, leaning to rest her elbows on the bar. “You obviously care about her.”
“Of course,” he muttered, eyes on his pint.
“And you don’t just see her as a friend, do you?”
He rolled his shoulders, uncomfortable having this conversation with Seren.
“You two should be together,” Seren said firmly. “Just tell her you’re an idiot and you made a mistake. Ask her on a date.”
“It’s not that simple,” he said wearily.
“Only because you’re making the situation more complicated than it needs to be. Worry about the future later.”
He took a long swig of his pint. “Thanks for the advice,” he said flatly.
She muttered about him being an idiot as she walked away.
He wouldn’t disagree with her there.