A Poisonous Plot (Lily Larkin Mysteries #3)

Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Out in the car park, Denzel hauled bags of soil from a trolley into the back of his truck. Directly in Lily’s path, it would be awkward to ignore him. Not that she wanted to. While she felt as though she was turning people against her at every turn, she could at least clear the air with him.

“Hi,” she said, stopping beside the trolley.

He gave her a cursory glance and tipped his chin, but didn’t pause in loading his truck.

“Mirren explained everything,” Lily said, filling the uncomfortable silence.

Again, he only acknowledged her with a quick flick of his chin.

She wasn’t sure what else to say. She could apologise, but she wasn’t convinced she owed him an apology.

“Okay, then,” she muttered as she set off again.

She was all the way to the other side of the car park when the crunch of tyres on gravel made her stop and turn.

Denzel’s window rolled down as he slowed beside her. “Need a lift?” he asked.

Suspicion swept up Lily’s spine, and she glanced around while she stalled for a reply.

“I was stressed the other day,” he said, rubbing at his jaw. “Which is no excuse – I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.” He caught her eye and lifted an eyebrow. “I’m sorry.”

“Okay,” Lily said, nodding her acceptance.

“Do you want a lift home?”

She shrugged before deciding she didn’t need yet another trek across the island.

“Kit thinks he’s done something to offend you,” she stated bluntly, while she pulled the seatbelt around her.

“What?” His features crinkled in concern as he looked across at her. “Why?”

“Because when he invites you over to his place, you make excuses.”

He pulled out onto the road and kept his eyes fixed ahead for a moment. “I make excuses because I’m in a relationship with his mother and he doesn’t know. It’s a little uncomfortable.”

Lily nodded. “He thinks you just got fed up with him asking for help with his DIY projects.”

“I enjoy helping him with his renovations.” A muscle twitched in his jaw.

“Maybe you should tell him that.”

He leaned onto the steering wheel. “I can’t. Not until Mirren tells them what’s going on between us. Every time I see Kit, or his brothers, I feel deceitful. I’ve known them since they were kids and this whole situation feels extremely awkward.” He slowed at a junction and glanced up and down the road before pulling away again. “Which is why I got so het up when you were quizzing me.”

“I can see that now.”

“It wasn’t only that.” He cast her a sidelong glance. “I was also annoyed with you for questioning Arthur.”

“Nobody seems to like me questioning Arthur,” she said with a sigh.

“Because everyone knows he would never hurt anyone. And he only ever sees the best in people. Which means that even when you question him, he thinks you’re his sweet new friend and wants to help you.”

“I am very sweet,” Lily said, smirking. “And if everyone went out of their way to help me, my investigations would go much more smoothly.”

“I’m sure,” Denzel said. “But I would appreciate it if you’d back off Arthur.”

“I haven’t entirely written him off my list of suspects, but he’s also not top of my list any more.”

“Am I still on your list?” Denzel asked as he manoeuvred through the streets of Hugh Town.

“No. You’re off it. You can thank Mirren for that.”

Lily caught his flash of a smile at the mention of Mirren, but it was gone again in an instant.

“You really believe someone is intentionally poisoning people?” he asked, pulling up to the curb on the road that ran behind the promenade.

“Yeah. I do.” She reached for the door handle.

“Hang on a sec,” he said, then cleared his throat.

Lily looked at him quizzically.

“I wanted to ask you something…” He trailed off, looking thoughtful. “Actually, it doesn’t matter. Never mind.”

Her insatiable curiosity meant Lily didn’t move an inch, but tilted her head while she waited for him to change his mind and ask his question.

He rubbed his knuckles against his forehead. “I was just wondering,” he muttered eventually. “This is really embarrassing, but I keep thinking that the reason Mirren won’t tell her family about us is because she doesn’t see it as a long-term thing.” He winced as he looked at Lily. “Did she say anything to you?”

She felt a jolt of sympathy for him. “She didn’t say much.” Frowning, she tried to recall her conversation with Mirren. “I definitely got the impression she likes you a lot – and she said she was planning on telling her sons soon.”

“Okay. That’s good. Sorry, this is awkward, isn’t it?”

She shook her head. “It’s fine.”

“Are you okay?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. “You look a little peaky.”

She inhaled through her nose, trying not to focus on the slight discomfort in her stomach. It was probably down to stress.

Or so she hoped.

“I think I’m okay,” she said, before hopping out of the car and heading for the comfort of home.