Page 56 of A Poisonous Plot

“Yeah.”

“If you were trying to keep newcomers from coming to the islands, spreading the word that people are being poisoned seems like a good way to go about it.”

Slowly, Lily nodded. “The interview definitely gave me bad vibes about Gordon.”

“I’m surprised you’re not already questioning him.”

“I would be if I wasn’t seriously questioning my judgement.”

“In what way?”

“I thought it was Arthur, and then I decided it probably wasn’t. And then I thought there was something fishy about Denzel but I turned out to be way off. Now I think Gordon is suspicious…”

“That’s how investigating works,” Flynn pointed out. “You check out everyone who seems suspicious until you land on the right person.”

“Maybe, but I’m still questioning my judgement.” She dropped her chin to her chest. “Not only because I feel as though I’m chasing my tail trying to figure this out, but also because I just consumed ice cream that I think might be laced with poisonous plants.” She raised an eyebrow. “Overall, I’m questioning my choices.”

“I’ll admit that eating the ice cream seems like a bad call, but the rest of it is going well.”

“I told you, I’m chasing my tail.”

Flynn smiled as he leaned on the table. “The sergeant has been asking me for updates on your findings.”

“That makes sense. He’s concerned about who I’m going to upset next with my rogue investigations.”

“No,” Flynn said. “He wants to be kept updated because he thinks you get good information.”

“No, he doesn’t,” Lily insisted.

“He does.” Flynn grinned, endeared by her disbelief. “He even said I’m allowed to share information with you, because we get such good information from you.”

“Are you serious?”

Flynn leaned back in his seat, a warmth in his chest that he’d got the spark back in her eyes. “I doubt he’ll admit it to your face, but I think he’s pretty impressed by your work.”

“He should be,” she said, her self-confidence returning in a rush.

“You said you’ve crossed Denzel off your list of suspects?”

“Yeah. Turns out his alibi is airtight.”

“I thought you said he was lying about his alibi?”

“He was, but now I know why and it puts him in the clear.”

Flynn arched an eyebrow. “Should I ask?”

“No.” She shook her head. “Sometimes I have to keep things confidential.”

“Fair enough.”

“Really?” She looked sceptical. “You’re not curious?”

“I am curious, but I don’t think it will kill me not to know.”

She lifted a shoulder in a subtle shrug. “I’d tell you if I could.”

“Okay.” He smiled to reassure her that he didn’t have a problem with her keeping things to herself.

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