Page 76 of A Spot of Tea
He turned east again, gripping the controls until his hands hurt.
How selfish could he be? He’d only thought of his side of things. It was reasonable for Eliza to wonder if he was the robber. Why hadn’t he listened to her? Why did he have to immediately attack, to treat her like the enemy?
She hadn’t even accused him of being the robber. She said she didn’t care. All she wanted was for him to stay, but she knew he wouldn’t.
That was what set him off. Not that she’d said it. That she was right.
He splashed to a landing, tied off the plane and ran. His feet pounded the dock, then the rocks, then the grassy hillside.
Leaving wasn’t an option. He wouldn’t even consider it. He had to help her.
He broke through the trees. The tea shop was straight ahead and a black SUV that had its reverse lights on.
Eliza’s Granny stood outside, waving a dish rag.
He picked up his pace as Granny yelled at the SUV. “Go on now! Go home! Get out of here!”
“Hey!” He reached her and stopped, sucking in gulps of air. “Mrs. Granny Patty.”
She turned her head, a smile flickering on her face. “Patty is fine.”
“I ran into Eliza—”
“Shush!” She snapped at him with the towel. “Come inside. Now.”
The tea shop smelled of cinnamon and the warm air soothed his lungs. Sheila was seated at a table, along with Mackenzie and Russell.
“Was that the ATF?” Joey asked.
Mackenzie narrowed her eyes. “How do you know about that?”
“I ran into Eliza. She showed me the warrant.”
“Where is she?” asked Mackenzie. “What did you do with her?”
He put his hands up. “Nothing. She’s safe. I flew her to the sea pen site. I thought she could hide in your office, Russell.”
He nodded. “Good idea. We’ll stop improvements for a bit. Tell the workers there’s a permit thing.”
“Is it warm enough over there?” asked Sheila. “Can you take me to her? I don’t want her to be alone.”
Joey nodded. “Of course. No problem.”
Mackenzie stepped forward, her finger pointed at his nose. “Hang on. I’ve been calling her phone nonstop, but she hasn’t answered. How do we know you didn’t kidnap her?”
“I didn’t kidnap her and I am not the robber!” Joey shouted. “The only thing that happened was I accidentally helped the robber fly away, but—”
Mackenzie poked him in the shoulder. Hard. “Go and tell those agents you know who did it and that it wasn’t my sister!”
“I don’t know who it was,” he said. “I swear. I didn’t pay attention to the guy. I thought Eliza could figure it out.”
She scoffed. “I don’t believe you.”
“Okay, enough,” Sheila said, standing up. “We need to stop arguing and find a way to help Eliza.”
Patty threw the dish towel over her shoulder. “I agree.”
“How do we know he’s not setting us all up?” Mackenzie said.
