Page 49 of Dead in the Water

Five minutes later, the door hinges creaked when he walked into the Mermaid Inn. Approaching the bar, Seren tipped her head in acknowledgement but didn’t smile. Apparently, he was back in her bad books.

“Have you seen Lily today?” he asked, deciding not to attempt small talk.

Shaking her head, she walked over to him, taking up position across the bar.

“She didn’t work today, and she’s not at home,” he went on.

“Maybe she’s at home but ignoring you.” She tilted her head and glared at him. “Would you blame her?”

Flynn rubbed at his brow. “Possibly not. But I didn’t come here for a lecture. I came because I’m worried about Lily. I’m sure she’s been digging around, asking questions about the man who died. She was annoyed that the police weren’t investigating it further.”

“I doubt she really has a problem with the police not investigating,” Seren said. “I’m fairly sure she’s mostly annoyed at you for cancelling your date.”

He sighed heavily. “That as well, but it’s not really the point. For now, I’m more concerned with where she is, and if she’s okay. Can you just tell me for a fact that she’s at home and fine?”

Seren’s features softened as she drew in a breath. “I haven’t heard from her today, but I know she was planning to be out for most of the day. She asked Kit to call in and check on Jessica at the shop.”

“Where did she go?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, but I guess you’re right that she’s trying to get information from the friends of the guy who died.”

“They were out on their boat today.”

“In that case, she may have been on a sailing trip.”

“Really?” Flynn slid onto the bar stool beside him. “You think she’d go out on a sailing trip with a bunch of strangers?”

“You think shewouldn’t?”

It only took him a moment to ponder that. Of course she would.

“She’s avoiding me because she’s angry with me,” he said. “And I understand that, but I just need to know everything is okay with her… she won’t answer her phone or reply to my messages.”

Seren didn’t hesitate for long before taking her phone out.

“I’ll message and check she’s okay, then you have to promise to give her space. Don’t go banging on her door if she doesn’t want to see you.”

“Promise,” he said. “Can I also have a pint, please?”

She’d just set it on the bar when a response came through from Lily. He focused on his drink instead of dwelling on how quickly she’d replied to Seren.

“Is she okay?” he asked, when Seren stared at her phone for far too long.

“She’s okay. And she is also as crazy as I thought. She went out on the boat with them today.”

Flynn rolled his eyes. “But she’s home and fine?”

Seren opened her mouth, then closed it again. “I’m not sure I should share this information with you. If she wanted you to know where she was, she’d tell you herself.”

“So she’s not at home? Is she at the hotel?”

Seren groaned. “You guessed that! I didn’t tell you. And I’ll neither confirm nor deny it.”

“I’ll bet she wanted to speak to Joseph’s son.” He shook his head. “Thank you for checking on her for me.”

“I don’t get it,” Seren said, leaning to rest her elbows on the bar. “You obviously care about her.”

“Of course,” he muttered, eyes on his pint.

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