Page 86 of The Sunken Truth
“Don’t I usually?”
Not in the last week, he hadn’t. Her eyes widened. “Did you speak to the superintendent?”
“No. I’ll catch him tomorrow before he leaves.” His eyes fell to her lips and she had the vague notion he might kiss her.
He didn’t move, though.
“You’re pretty great at investigating, you know?”
She shifted her weight. “Yeah, I know.” Her tone was all false confidence. “The best on the Scilly Isles. Everyone knows that.”
His eyes twinkled as his smile widened. “You’re generally pretty great.”
“Obviously,” she said, keeping the light-hearted tone even as her heart squeezed.
These were the types of conversations they were supposed to avoid.
“Are we going to the pub, or what?” she asked. “I’m starving.”
“I see,” he said as they fell into step together. “Here I was thinking you were looking out for me because you were desperate to see me.”
She gave him a sidelong glance, wondering where all the flirting was coming from. “Shut up,” she muttered, swaying so she knocked her shoulder against his.
They continued in silence and were walking into the pub in no time.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Seren said as she poured their drinks. “It’s all a bit sad though, if you ask me. Benji must have been really desperate for money to cut Ryan’s hose.”
Lily frowned and cast a quick glance at Flynn. Apparently the gossip mill was lacking some relevant information.
“Yeah,” Flynn said bluntly, offering nothing more. Presumably Seren would hear the full story soon enough. For now, it wasn’t their place to say any more on the subject.
“Drinks are on me,” Seren said, beaming at Flynn. “A little thank you for keeping the islands safe for us mere mortals.”
“Thanks,” he replied bashfully.
“That seems unnecessary.” The deep voice sounded from the end of the bar.
Lily’s shoulders slumped at the sight of the superintendent and she caught the way Flynn’s jaw tightened.
“He did his job, which he gets paid for,” he went on bitterly. “I don’t think he needs free drinks on top.”
Seren smiled sweetly. “Then our opinions differ.”
“He didn’t even do a very good job,” the superintendent said, staring into his pint. “It took him way longer than it should have done to figure out what had happened. And in the middle of it all, he locked up some guy with no evidence that he’d done anything.” He pointed a finger at Flynn and his voice rose in volume so everyone in the vicinity turned to look. “Sloppy police work is what it was. Which is about all I’d expect from PC Grainger.”
Flynn’s cheeks blazed as he turned to Lily. “Let’s go somewhere else,” he said quietly.
“No chance,” she growled, not considering her actions for a moment as she marched over to the superintendent. “What the hell is your problem? Flynn is a great police officer and if you can’t see that, then there’s something wrong with you, not him. I imagine you’re only jealous of him being at the start of his career when you must be about ready for retirement. People like you are pathetic.”
“Lily,” Flynn said, tugging her elbow. “Let’s just go. It’s not worth it.”
“No!” There was no way they were going anywhere. She continued to glare at the superintendent, but directed her words to Flynn. “This isourlocal. I won’t leave because of him. If anyone’s leaving, it should be him.”
The superintendent lifted an eyebrow. “Needs a woman to fight his battles for him as well, I see.”
A deluge of abuse bubbled in Lily, but Flynn pulled hard on her arm. “We’re going,” he said firmly.
“No!” She looked to Seren for backup before her gaze finally went to Flynn.
