Page 33 of Death on the Rocks

In anticipationof spending some time holed up in her room, Lily bought a bunch of snacks from the supermarket before making her way back to the bed and breakfast.

After a couple of hours, she got bored with looking at the same four walls. Since the house was quiet, she ventured downstairs and made herself a cup of tea in the breakfast room. Taking it to the living room, she took a seat, then pulled out a heavy book on Cornwall’s wildlife from the shelf under the coffee table. The photos were stunning, making Lily think of Vinny and his talent for photography. A pang of sadness hit her until an image of the naked girl came back to her, leaving a jolt of anger in its place.

Even if it turned out he was a criminal, he didn’t deserve to die, she told herself. And if his death wasn’t an accident, the truth should be known. She checked her watch, wishing PC Grainger would at least keep her updated with what was happening.

The sound of the doorbell had her setting the book aside and craning her neck to listen as Mrs Miller’s footsteps sounded through the breakfast room and along the hall. The voices were muffled, prompting Lily to move closer to the doorway.

“I think she’s here,” Mrs Miller was saying. “Upstairs, as far as I know. I can check…”

Lily poked her head around the doorframe.

“There she is,” PC Grainger said, removing his hat as he stepped inside. He locked eyes with Lily. “I just need a quick word with you about your witness statement. Is now a good time?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“It shouldn’t take long. Can we use the living room?” he asked Flora.

“Of course. Can I get you a cuppa or anything?”

He declined and moved purposefully into the living room with Lily, closing the door behind him.

“It’s not an issue that my fingerprints are on the camera, is it?” Lily asked, lowering herself onto the couch again while PC Grainger sat on the armchair.

“What?”

“I was thinking that if you check the camera for fingerprints you should be able to find out who stole it… but mine will also be on there. And yours and the Miller’s. I guess Alanna and Marc could have plausibly handled it, too.”

PC Grainger scratched at his forehead and the strain in his eyes gave the impression he might have a headache.

“No one will be checking for fingerprints,” he said with a soft sigh.

“Sorry. Have I gone all CSI again? How will the investigation go?”

“There won’t be an investigation.” He pulled his shoulders back as he sat straighter.

“How come?”

“As things stand there isn’t any evidence that the camera was stolen. Just misplaced.”

“But it was in the shed,” Lily reminded him. “And then magically appeared in the neighbour’s garden.”

PC Grainger’s cheek twitched and he tilted his head.

“And what about the photos I saw?” Lily asked.

“The problem is we don’t have those photographs.”

“But you have to investigate,” Lily said urgently. “Surely you need to examine the possibility that his death wasn’t an accident.”

“There isn’t anything to suggest it was anything other than an accident.”

It took her a moment to wrap her head around the unexpected turn of the conversation. “But there is!” Her voice rose. “The photos and the fact that the camera was hidden.”

“I’m afraid we can’t start an investigation based on hearsay.”

“I don’t understand.” She shook her head and tried to catch his eye, but he seemed determined not to make eye contact. “Are you saying you don’t believe me?”

He took a steady breath and appeared to be choosing his words carefully. “I’m sure you can imagine how upsetting it would be for Mr Roth’s family if we started an investigation with no evidence to back it up.”

---