Page 9 of The Sunken Truth (Lily Larkin Mysteries #5)
Chapter Nine
Concerned about how Flynn’s evening was going, Lily was still wide awake when Seren messaged her late in the evening, inviting her out for an early morning diving session.
Since they were going shortly after sunrise, Lily could be back before the ice cream shop opened, so it didn’t take a lot of pondering.
Of course she wanted to go. That was even before Seren told her Flynn was going.
She fell asleep a lot easier, knowing she’d see him first thing.
Bright and early, she got a message from Flynn, saying he was outside. She went straight down to meet him.
Her eyes trailed over his uniform. “When Seren said you were coming, I assumed you’d be off duty. Since when do you start work at this time?”
“Apparently since a mysterious shipwreck emerged.”
“Is it your fault that we’re going so early, then?” she asked as they walked over to the beach.
He shook his head. “I only called Kit to ask if I could go out with them again. He said I was welcome to join them, but they were going early. They think the visibility might be better first thing – before all the other divers murk up the water.”
“That’s a good idea.”
He nodded. “He also expects the site will get closed to the public, so he wants to get out there while they still can.”
“Is that likely? That it’ll get closed down?”
“I don’t know much about salvage laws for shipwrecks, but the sergeant also thinks it’s likely.”
She cast him a sidelong glance, taking in his fresh appearance. “You’re looking way more cheerful than I expected. I take it dinner with the superintendent wasn’t so painful after all?”
“It was okay. I mean, the man is a snake and I absolutely don’t trust him, but he insinuated he was willing to put everything behind us and start with a clean slate. Apparently, the sergeant has been saying nice things about me.”
“And he came all the way out here for that?”
Flynn looked thoughtful for a moment. “He said he was due a visit anyway, but that he was also keen to see how I was getting on.”
“I think you’re right not to trust him.”
“I know, but if I can prove to him I’m good at my job, I think he might give me a second chance.”
“So you didn’t sleep with his wife?” Lily muttered.
Flynn stopped and stared at her. “What?”
“If you’d slept with his wife, he probably wouldn’t let that go, would he?”
His wide smile made his eyes sparkle. “Why would you think I’d slept with his wife?”
“Because you once told me that the situation that landed you over here was to do with you sleeping with someone inappropriate. ”
“Did I say that?”
“Isn’t it true?”
“There was a thing, ” he said, looking thoughtful. “But that was never really the main issue.”
She glared at him. “I wish you’d just tell me instead of being all mysterious.”
When he didn’t reply, she set off again, shaking her head as she continued towards the water’s edge.
Flynn stopped to remove his shoes and socks, then hurried to catch her up in the shallow water. “I’ll make you a deal. If I win over the superintendent, then I’ll tell you everything.”
She nodded and heard the gentle putter of the boat arriving from around the headland. “You’ll definitely win him over,” she said confidently. “You’re an excellent police officer and he’s bound to see that.”
“You may be biased,” he said gently. “But thanks.”