Page 38 of The Sunken Truth (Lily Larkin Mysteries #5)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Calling and arranging to meet the superintendent might have been a good idea but that would give him the option of ignoring Flynn.

Also, the way Flynn had left the pub without saying anything left a bad taste in his mouth.

Lily was right – this was their home and if anyone should have left the pub, it should really have been the superintendent.

He took a deep breath before pulling on the brass doorhandles and stepping into the Mermaid Inn. When there was no sign of the superintendent at the bar, Flynn’s eyes trailed around the room.

“He’s not here,” Seren called across the bar, while continuing to pull a pint. She set it in front of an old guy, then wandered over to Flynn.

“When did he leave?”

Seren shrugged. “Not long after you and Lily. We had a minor disagreement and he wasn’t very happy when he left.”

“A minor disagreement about what?” Flynn asked.

“About whether he could continue drinking here.”

Flynn’s chest expanded. “You refused to serve him?”

“Of course I refused to serve him. No one gets to sit and talk about our police officers like that. I’d have kicked him out while you were still here, but I was enjoying watching Lily tear strips off him too much to intervene.”

Flynn’s lips pulled upwards. “She was pretty great.”

“I don’t know where the superintendent went.” Seren gave his arm a squeeze. “But the guy is clearly an idiot. I’d just stay out of his way if I were you.”

“I would, except he’s also my dad, and possibly my only chance at being able to stay here longer.”

Seren’s eyes widened. “He’s your dad?”

“Don’t look at me like that,” Flynn warned. “I’ve had all the sympathetic looks I can take from Lily.”

“Fine, but you’re having a hug whether you like it or not!”

Flynn chuckled when she flung her arms around him. It was a far cry from when he’d first arrived on the island and all she could do was scowl at him.

“You’re going to extend your stay?” she asked, releasing him.

“I want to,” he told her. “So far, it’s not looking likely.”

“But if your dad pulled strings to get you over here, maybe he could pull more to get you to stay…”

“That’s what I’m hoping.”

She tilted her head and got a dreamy look in her eyes. “Then you can get together with Lily and live happily ever after.”

“That’s the plan,” he said, then laughed at her surprise. “First, I have to find the superintendent and convince him to let me stay.”

“I’m keeping everything crossed,” she said, then wished him luck before he walked out of the pub.

The thought of his dad being kicked out of the Mermaid Inn kept Flynn amused as he wandered through Hugh Town. On the downside, it meant he was likely to be in a worse mood than usual, but Flynn didn’t have the time to wait for his mood to be right.

There was a possibility his dad would have headed over to the Old Town Inn to continue drinking there, but Flynn thought it more likely he’d have opted for the hotel bar.

He was right. In the entrance to the underground bar, he hesitated, watching his dad stare vacantly at the opposite wall with a beer on the table in front of him.

He didn’t react when Flynn took the seat opposite him, nor when he ordered himself a beer from the passing waiter. Only when Flynn’s drink had arrived did he finally speak.

“They wouldn’t serve me in the pub after you left,” he said without inflection.

“Seren is a friend of mine. She wouldn’t have appreciated the way you spoke to me.”

“Not just her.” He took a swig of his drink. “The barman also refused to serve me, and one or two customers made their opinions known too. Then the owner arrived and as soon as they told him I’d insulted you, he told me to be on my way. Didn’t care that I was a superintendent.”

Flynn felt a warm flutter in his chest as he imagined the scene in the pub.

“It seems you’re well liked around here,” his dad said.

Flynn didn’t comment.

“The sergeant also spent the last few days singing your praises and telling me what an outstanding officer you are.”

Flynn waited a beat. “If you have a point, I’m not sure what it is.” Heaven forbid his dad admit he might be good at his job. More likely, he’d believe Flynn was a con artist and had everyone fooled.

“I don’t think I have a point. I was just commenting, that’s all.”

They fell into silence and Flynn’s heart sped up as he contemplated raising the subject of staying longer on the Scillies.

“Gina is threatening to divorce me,” his dad said out of the blue.

Taken aback, Flynn was lost for words. His dad didn’t share anything from his personal life, so it felt weird that he’d mention his marital problems.

“I didn’t realise you were in contact with her,” he added.

“I’m not really,” Flynn said. “We just email about Jake and Rosie sometimes. Mostly, around their birthdays when I want to know what to buy them.”

He nodded slowly. “Funny that, because she suddenly knows a lot of stuff about my relationship with you. Stuff she isn’t very happy about.”

“She emailed me a while back,” Flynn said. “Asking how often I was in touch with you, and how much I saw you when I was growing up…”

“And you made out that I was the problem in our relationship?”

Realisation dawned on Flynn. “Are you about to blame your marital problems on me?” It was an effort not to laugh. “Did Gina really only just realise what a terrible father you’ve been to me?”

His eyes flashed with anger. “I didn’t want to be a father back then. Your mother knew that. I provided for you.”

“I don’t think paying child support is really what makes someone a good father.” He slouched back in his chair. “Are your problems with Gina the reason for your visit? You’re trying to convince her you’re a decent person, so you’ve come to visit your son?”

He shook his head but didn’t verbally deny it.

“If it helps I can email her,” Flynn said. “Tell her you were here and it was good to see you and spend time with you.”

His dad’s features scrunched with suspicion. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I want something from you, too.” He paused and took a breath. “You pulled strings to get me posted here. I’d like you to pull more strings so I can stay.”

In the silence, Flynn’s heart thumped furiously. “I’d be out of your way. You can go back to pretending I don’t exist and I swear I’ll go along with that. I’ll never mention to anyone that we’re related.”

Finally, he stopped talking and held his breath, waiting for an answer.

“The sergeant already asked me about it,” his dad said slowly. “I spoke to some people, but it’s not a possibility.”

“Can you speak to someone else?” Flynn asked desperately. “Or speak to them again?”

“It won’t make any difference. There isn’t a permanent position for another PC and I can’t create one. I would if I could.”

With his chest tight and his thoughts hazy, Flynn stood.

“Wait,” his dad said when he took a couple of steps away. “Could you still talk to Gina?”

“I can speak to her, but I think it would be better for your marriage if I didn’t.”

“Flynn. Please…”

“I’ll stick to my other promise,” he said softly. “I’ll never tell anyone at work we’re related ever again.”