Page 26 of Spotted at Lighthouse Bay
“She’s quite famous, and she had a beautiful poem about what you do with your one wild and precious life. Check it out later.”
A grin spread across Mia’s face. “Sheila told me you were a professor, but I didn’t expect you to assign me homework.”
Adelaide laughed. “I taught English as a second language. I’m not exactly a scholar.”
“You sound like one to me.”
Adelaide’s phone rang and she answered. “Oh, okay. Thanks, Joey. We’ll head back soon.”
Mia’s heart sank. It was already time to go back.
“I’m so sorry,” Mia said with a groan. “I wasted your time.”
Adelaidetsked. “Don’t you dare be sorry. I’m glad we were here. Really glad.”
“Maybe I can help with something else? I could go back to Lawrence’s neighborhood and see if anyone knows the mystery guys who went door-to-door.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Adelaide said.
“Please,” Mia said, dropping her half-empty smoothie into the cup holder. “I need to feel useful, and I could really use a distraction.”
Adelaide stared at her. “Are you sure? Getting involved with one of my mom’s schemes can be…all-encompassing.”
Mia took a deep breath and smiled. “All-encompassing sounds perfect right now.”
“Only if it doesn’t cause trouble for you.”
She popped her sunglasses on and put the car into reverse. “No trouble at all. It’ll be nice to get out of my head.” Mia forced a smile. “Thanks, Adelaide.”
Nine
On the flight back, Addy insisted Rick take the front seat again. It was not an entirely selfless act on her part, but he seemed engaged enough, talking to Joey.
In the back, she was free to dig through Flex Knock’s website. She couldn’t find any other phone numbers, or even an email to contact someone at the company. She had to fill out the “contact us” form on the website. She added her phone number at the bottom and hit send.
When she searched the address, it showed a run-down strip mall. Was there really an office there? Or was this whole thing a scam? If it was all a scam, maybe Lawrence hadn’t really lost his house…
“Sorry I rushed you,” Joey said, crackling into Addy’s headset. “I can probably bring you out again in a few days. It’s just been so busy recently with Lottie’s pending arrival.”
“I understand,” Addy said. “Please don’t worry about it. If I need to, I can take the ferry.”
“Hopefully you don’t get stranded,” Joey said. “I really hope they figure something out with the ferries.”
“Me too,” she said, and she meant it. Though she could think of worse things than being stuck on a beautiful island.
They landed, Russell’s dock floating on the glittering water in the distance. After Joey shut off the plane, Addy thanked him for his help, then started up the hill to Patty’s cottage. Rick followed an arm’s length behind.
“I hope you’re not sick of being my bodyguard yet,” she said, turning to smile at him.
He shook his head. “Not at all.”
“You even got to see some action today.”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“You’re very strong,” Addy said. She stopped walking. “I mean, it was impressive how you picked those guys up.”
He stopped, a half-smile pulling at his lips, the dimple flashing ever so briefly. “You were pretty impressive, removing that reporter.”
