Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
A feminine voice pulled Lily from her thoughts as she ambled down the lane away from Gideon’s place.
“Excuse me!” the woman in front of the cottage called, waving madly.
“Hi,” Lily said, glancing around to check she wasn’t actually trying to get the attention of someone else.
“It’s Lily, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” With a nervous smile, she veered in her direction.
“I don’t mean to bother you, but I’ve seen you walking past several times.”
“Oh.” Her smile wavered. “I like to stretch my legs and make sure I get my steps in for the day.”
“I wondered if you were investigating?”
Lily fixed her features into a confused expression.
“I’ve heard you do that sort of thing,” the well-dressed woman said quickly.
“And I was actually hoping you were. I don’t feel safe in my home any more.
And I wanted to let you know that if you wanted to speak to me about the burglary, I’d be very happy to tell you everything I know.
I’ve already told the police everything, and I don’t think I was at all helpful, but just in case you had questions, I’d be very willing to speak with you. ”
Realisation dawned on Lily. “You were burgled?”
“Yes. I want the culprit found, and I don’t care who finds them.”
Lily felt a little stupid. She’d been so sure she knew who the suspects were that she hadn’t even thought of speaking to anyone who’d been robbed. Maybe questioning the woman would be helpful.
“Would you like to come in for a few minutes?” the woman asked. “I’m Hilary, by the way. Hilary Phillips.”
“Nice to meet you,” Lily said, walking to the front door with her.
“It’s actually a relief that you’re looking into this,” Hilary said, closing the door behind them and gesturing to the minimalistic living room on the right.
“I know the police do their best, but they’re always stretched.
And, as I said to my husband, it’ll be easier for you to look into things when you’re not bound to rules and procedure.
Also, people will be guarded around police officers, won’t they? ”
“I think the police do a great job,” Lily said, feeling slightly uncomfortable at the conversation.
“They do! Don’t get me wrong – I didn’t mean to say anything against them.
Only that I’m glad you’re looking into it too.
I’m absolutely beside myself thinking there’s such a person out there.
I don’t even care about what they took. It’s the fact that they were in my home.
” Her shoulders shook as she shuddered. “It gives me the creeps.”
“I imagine it must feel awful,” Lily said, knowing exactly how awful it felt. “Can you tell me everything you remember from that night?”
Hilary nodded eagerly, then launched into a waffly account that provided no more information than Lily had got from Flynn. “It’s probably not helpful,” she said eventually.
Lily smiled. It really wasn’t helpful, but she didn’t like to say that she’d hit a dead end.
“I’m going to keep looking into it.”
“Thank you. I’m so grateful.”
“If I could ask you a small favour,” Lily said, standing. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention to anyone that I’m investigating this.”
“Definitely.” Hilary’s eyes widened. “I totally understand. It would be much harder to look into people if they knew you were after them.”
“Yes.” That hadn’t been entirely what she was thinking. “It’s probably also best if you don’t let the police know that you spoke to me. I always keep them informed of anything I find, but until I find something, I prefer to keep things quiet.”
“I imagine they might feel you’re undermining their profession or something.” She dragged an imaginary zip across her lips. “Mum’s the word. Just let me know if I can help.”
“Thank you.” Back in the hallway, Lily’s gaze snagged on an envelope on the console table. “Is that for Len Marrack?” she asked, tipping her head at the envelope with Len scribbled across it.
“Yes. Lovely man. We always pay him in cash. He prefers that. Heart of gold he has. Sweeps out the gutters for us at no extra cost. If there were more Len Marracks, the world would be a better place.”
Lily mumbled her agreement, but her mind was whirring with a brand-new theory as she stepped out of the house.
After checking the Mermaid Inn to see if Seren was working – and finding she wasn’t – Lily realised she had her very own source of local knowledge right in her ice cream shop. Jessica could probably tell her where Len lived.
Focused on getting back to the shop, she almost didn’t spot Len rushing out of Pippa’s cafe. Even if she hadn’t looked up in time, his booming voice would have got her attention as he ranted into his phone.
He stopped on the other side of the promenade, staring out to sea as he continued his conversation.
“It’s got to be tomorrow,” he bellowed. “We already agreed on it.”
Lily inched closer, hoping he wouldn’t spot her hovering behind him.
“You’ll get your usual cut,” he retorted. “If I give you more, it’s not worth it for me. All you have to do is load it onto the Scillonian, then hand it over to my guy at the other end. It’s pretty much no work for you.”
He shook his head and let out a low grumble. “I know things are hectic at the harbour, but things are always hectic. This can’t wait. I’ll see you in the morning.” It seemed he’d cut off the call to avoid giving the person on the other end a chance to argue.
“Afternoon, Len!” Lily said cheerfully.
“Hello, Lily,” he said, but barely looked at her as he took off, striding along the promenade towards the pub.
He’d always seemed like a salt of the earth kind of guy, but wouldn’t that perception make it all the easier for him to get away with committing crimes?
Plus, given his profession, he’d know exactly who left the doors unlocked and when the best times to rob people were.
He’d even be able to peer into their windows beforehand and check what he wanted to grab.
Anyone seeing him would assume he was working.
Being a window cleaner was the perfect alibi for theft. Especially for someone like Len, who people trusted.
It was sad to think he’d break that trust, but Lily couldn’t afford to dwell on that.
For now, all she had to focus on was finding her backpack.