Page 7 of The Sunken Truth (Lily Larkin Mysteries #5)

Chapter Seven

Once the shop was closed for the day, Lily nipped to the supermarket for drinks, then headed to Flynn’s place. He buzzed her in and was waiting in the open doorway to his flat on the first floor.

“Hey,” he said, eyebrows knitted together. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Thought you might fancy a drink.” She held up a six-pack of his favourite local beer.

“You should have messaged. I was planning on an early night.”

“It’s eight,” she said. “That’s extreme.”

“Yeah, well, I was just going to chill for a bit and go to bed.” He looked pointedly down at his grey joggers and white crewneck T-shirt. “I’m not exactly dressed for entertaining.”

“You don’t need to entertain me. And I reckon I’ll survive your casual attire.” She smiled as she waltzed past him and into the living room. After setting the beers on the coffee table, she looked back at Flynn, who hadn’t moved from the doorway and still had his hand on the handle.

“You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want,” she said with a sigh. “I just got the feeling you weren’t having a good day, so I thought maybe you’d like a drink and some company.”

“I won’t be good company,” he said sadly.

“You don’t need to be.” The anguish in his eyes cut right through her and she wished she knew how to get him to open up. Surely, whatever was going on would be easier to deal with if he talked about it.

Slowly, he closed the door. He’d only taken one step towards her when the doorbell rang. With a small shake of the head, he pressed the button to buzz whoever it was into the building.

“Are you expecting someone?” Lily asked.

“I’d hazard a guess and say it’s Sergeant Proctor or PC Hill. Apparently, everyone feels the need to check up on me this evening.”

Lily smiled. “You could just be thankful that you have such good friends.”

He managed a small smile and Lily took it as a win.

Footsteps sounded in the hall as soon as Flynn opened the door.

“Ah,” a deep voice said. “There you are. Do you usually just buzz people in without checking who it is?”

Flynn’s shoulders tensed. “I’m usually pretty good at guessing who it is, but I’m starting to think that using the intercom is a solid idea.”

Superintendent Brand stepped into view and looked into the flat.

“Hello again,” he said, his smile more of a smirk.

Lily’s jaw tightened. “Hi.”

“Looks like you have a fun evening planned,” he said, his judgemental gaze shifting to the beers on the table .

“Just having a drink with a friend,” Flynn said through gritted teeth.

“Always did know how to relax after a shift, didn’t you?” The superintendent winked at Lily. “I see some things haven’t changed.”

Instinctively, Lily rose from the chair. “He’s off duty. He’s allowed to have a drink with a friend.”

Flynn shifted, blocking Lily’s view of the superintendent. “Did you need me for something?”

“I was at a loose end,” the superintendent said. “Thought maybe you could show me around a bit.”

“I thought Sergeant Proctor gave you a tour,” Flynn said.

“He did, but it was all shop talk.”

“It’s not a great time,” Flynn said, pointing over his shoulder with his thumb.

“Come on.” The superintendent threw his hands up. “I haven’t eaten, and I fancy a drink. I assumed you’d be the right person to show me the best pubs on the island.”

“Your choices are limited,” Lily said, moving beside Flynn. “Just pick one. You can’t go wrong.”

“It’s fine,” Flynn said, flashing her a pleading look.

“You’re not on duty,” she pointed out. “He can’t boss you around.”

“I didn’t mean to boss anyone around,” the superintendent said, his words smooth and smarmy. “Just thought Flynn might save me from dining alone. If it’s a big deal, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“Great,” Lily said. “Enjoy your evening.”

“Lily!” Flynn hissed.

“What?”

His shoulders sagged. “Can we take a rain check?”

“You’re going to just do what he tells you? ”

The superintendent chuckled. “You really know how to pick ‘em, don’t you?”

Lily didn’t need to look down to know that Flynn’s hand had curled to a fist. There was no way he’d let that comment go.

Except, when she looked at him, he didn’t look angry. He looked defeated.

“Sorry,” he said to Lily. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Turning, he headed for the bedroom. “I need to get changed,” he called over his shoulder. “Give me a minute.”

Lily glared at the superintendent and was all set to stalk out of the flat when she thought better of it.

Instead, she followed Flynn. He only noticed her when she quietly closed the bedroom door behind her.

“What are you doing?” he asked, apparently unconcerned at her catching him removing his jogging bottoms.

“I don’t get it.” She took a seat on his bed with her back to him to give him some privacy. “Why are you letting him push you around?”

It was an effort to keep her voice calm when what she really wanted to do was shout at him and give him a good shake. But he was acting so out of character that it was unnerving.

“Sometimes it’s easier not to fight.”

“That doesn’t sound like you.”

A moment passed before the mattress sank as he sat beside her.

“The superintendent and I go way back,” he said. “He’s the reason I’m here. He can’t stand me and he wanted me out of the way.”

“Why?” she asked quietly.

He sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t want to tell you. ”

A lump formed in her throat and she told herself not to take it personally.

“Sorry,” he said. “But it’s a long story and some of it reflects badly on me. I don’t want you to know, because I don’t want you to know the worst parts of me.”

Tears stung the back of her eyes. “You couldn’t tell me anything about your past that would make me think differently about you.”

“Thank you,” he breathed.

She smiled. “You’re still not going to tell me?”

“I have to deal with him.” He pointed at the door.

“He seems vile,” Lily said. “I hate that he talks to you like you’re nothing and you just take it.”

“He’s a superintendent,” Flynn said. “He has the power to make or break my career.”

“It seems wrong that your career depends on one man’s opinion of you.”

“Maybe. But…”

“What?”

“This might be very na?ve of me, but he got me transferred over here. Which means he probably has the sway to make my posting here more permanent.”

“He could make it so you could stay?”

“Maybe. But since the sergeant already told him I want to stay, he won’t do it out of spite.”

“You need to get him to like you?” Lily asked dubiously.

“That’s probably unlikely, but if I change his opinion of me… get him to see that I’m a decent man and a good officer, there’s a chance I could persuade him. I haven’t decided if I’ll stoop to begging, but…”

“Please don’t,” Lily said. “It’s not worth it.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” He turned and looked her deep in the eyes. “I really want to stay. ”

All she could manage was a nod. She bit her lip, wanting to tell him she’d beg on his behalf if he thought it would help, but kept the thought to herself.

“Thank you for coming over today,” he said. “I appreciate it.”

“Of course.” She stood and smiled at him. “We’ll have the beers another night. Good luck with him.” She pointed in the vague direction of the living room.

“Thanks,” Flynn said wearily. “I expect I’ll need it.”