Page 22 of Death on the Rocks

Lily dropped her gaze back to the statement in her hands and let her eyes sweep over the final few sentences. “This all seems correct,” she said after a moment.

“Good. I’ll just need your signature on it.” He nudged a pen across the desk.

She picked up the pen, then hesitated. “I was thinking about something…”

“If you need me to change anything, I can do that. It’s not a problem.”

Lily was momentarily confused, until she saw him glance at the paper in front of her.

“Oh, no. There’s nothing wrong with the statement. I was only thinking earlier about his camera. Vinny’s camera. The one that was lost or stolen or whatever.”

“What about it?”

“I just…” She tipped her head to one side. “Don’t you think it’s odd that he had his camera stolen and then the next day…” Okay, when she said it out loud, it seemed a bit of a leap to think the two things were connected. Instead of finishing her statement, she tapped the pen on the desk.

“There really isn’t anything to indicate that what happened was anything other than a tragic accident.” He ran a hand overhis jaw, drawing attention to his dark stubble. “It seems that Mr Roth had a run of bad luck.”

“Bad luck?” Lily covered her mouth with her hand to disguise her involuntary snort. “The guy’s dead.”

PC Grainger scrubbed his hands over his face. “Sorry. Poor choice of words.” His eyes went to the paper on the desk. “Are you sure there isn’t anything you’d like to amend or add?”

“No.” Quietly, she scribbled her name, then pushed the paper across the desk.

“If you think of anything else, feel free to get in touch.”

“Thanks.” She moved on autopilot to the door, saying a curt goodbye as she left.

Chapter Fifteen

The eventsof the past twenty-four hours had kept Lily's thoughts firmly away from the reason for her trip to St. Mary’s. Something which seemed like quite the feat considering how much the photograph of the ice cream shop had consumed her in the past months.

It only came back to her when she passed the solicitor’s office while wandering back through Hugh Town after leaving the police station.

Without a lot of thought, she pressed the doorbell and was surprised by a loud buzzing sound a moment later. The door opened with a click when she pushed it. Stepping inside, she glanced around the barren hallway with bright white walls. A door to her left opened and a tall, wiry man appeared and squinted over his reading glasses.

“Can I help you?” he asked with a blank look.

“Maybe. I’m not sure. Are you Paul Greaves?”

“Yes.”

“The solicitor?”

He eyed her warily. “Yes. You’re not local, are you?”

“No.” She shifted her weight. “I wondered if I could ask you a few questions about the property near Porthcressa Beach that was once an ice cream shop.”

He rolled his eyes dramatically. “Did Kit Treneary send you? Because I can only tell you what I’ve told him many times – it’s not for sale.”

“I don’t want to buy it,” she said quickly. “I’m only interested in…” Her brain stuttered. Whatwasshe interested in? Why had she got so obsessed with an old photo and a flicker of a memory?

“I’m just interested in knowing more about the building and the owner,” she finally said, with a surge of confidence that came from knowing that she wouldn’t be satisfied until she found out everything she could. Eagerly, she dived into her bag and took out the photograph. “I remember visiting the ice cream shop when I was young,” she told Mr Greaves. “I recently found this photo and spent quite some time tracking the place down. If you could spare five minutes to talk to me, I’d appreciate it.”

He blew out a breath and retreated into the room, leaving the door open in what Lily assumed was as an invitation to follow.

“Thank you so much,” she said trailing after him. “I promise I won’t keep you long.”

The room contained a large desk and a leather office chair. Two more chairs were placed at the other side of the desk, and a sideboard held tea and coffee making equipment. Taking a seat opposite Mr Greaves, Lily’s eyes roamed the wall of bookcases behind him before settling on his expectant features.

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