Page 67 of The Sunken Truth
He avoided meeting the superintendent’s eye when he walked into the sergeant’s office to tell him of his plan to visit Eustace Tremayne.
Leaving the station, he felt a stirring of hope that maybe he could figure everything out before the superintendent left.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
AskingPippa to borrow the boat again left Lily feeling slightly sheepish, but the friendly cafe owner seemed genuinely happy to loan it out. Standing in the shallows with the boat swaying on the waves beside her, Lily kept an eye out for Flynn. She didn’t have to wait long before she spotted him striding down the beach.
Stopping before the waterline, he removed his boots and socks.
“I tried calling Eustace,” he said, pushing the boat further out with her. “But he didn’t answer.”
“It must have been Kurt who gave him the artefact.” Lily held the boat steady while Flynn got in, then seated herself at the helm.
“I’d like to hear that from Eustace before I speak with Kurt.” He looked towards Hugh Town. “The ferry leaves in an hour and a half, so hopefully it doesn’t take long to squeeze the information out of Eustace.”
Lily started the engine and kept a gentle pace until they were in deeper waters. While they skipped over the waves,she had the idea of investing in a boat of her own. Having the freedom to move around the islands on her own schedule would be good. Or simply head out for a ride and visit more remote spots.
Having the wind in her hair and the sun on her face soothed her soul in some primitive way.
They tied up at the quay on Bryher, then set off walking north at a hearty pace.
“What are we going to do if he denies having the artefact?” Lily said when the house came into view.
Flynn frowned. “I don’t think he’ll deny it.”
“If he does, I’ll ask to use the bathroom and have a quick poke around to see if I can spot anything that looks as though it’s just been pulled off an ancient shipwreck.”
“No,” Flynn said. “You’re not doing that.”
“Why? It’s a good plan.”
“You can’t go snooping around his house.”
“What’s your plan, then?”
“I don’t have a plan because I can’t imagine he’ll deny it. Not when he’s already told Mr Hunter about it. The only obstacle I can foresee is him refusing to say who he got it from.”
“What are we going to do in that case?”
At the garden gate, Flynn paused and eyed her with amusement. “Probably just remind him of the laws against people selling salvaged items. And remind him that whoever gave him the box sabotaged dive equipment to get their hands on it.”
“Do you really think that’s going to get him to crack?”
“Maybe.” He strode to the door and pressed the bell, triggering its tuneful chime. “Some people actually respect the law.”
“Are you insinuating I don’t?”
“No.” He grinned. “You just seem to live by your own laws.”
“We’ll play it by ear,” Lily said. “But if I go to the bathroom, make sure you keep him chatting so he doesn’t notice if I’m gone for too long.”
The door opened and Eustace raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “I had no intention of hiding it. I’ve already told the man from the museum about it and he’s coming to take a look later. If he insists on taking it away, I won’t stop him, even though I think it’s rightfully mine.”
“Hi,” Flynn said when he finally stopped talking. “Is it okay if we come in and have a look at it?”
“Yes, of course.” He turned and set off down the hall, indicating they should follow with a wave of his hand. “I’ll show you. The man from the museum told me not to touch it, but I couldn’t resist cleaning it up a bit.”
Lily glanced at Flynn as they followed Eustace into the kitchen.
