Chapter 40
Eavesdropping
Arriving at the Square, the bustling midday crowd surprised Shelley.
In the centre, a colourful mosaic of paving stones formed an actual square, surrounded by bars, restaurants, trinket shops, and a few tour kiosks.
This is cool, she thought, her eyes scanning the crowd to ensure Gray wasn't anywhere in sight.
Her gaze swept across the perimeter and landed on something unmistakable—dolphin trainers.
She'd recognize them anywhere. At the far side of the Square, four people in matching shorts and polo shirts sat chatting.
The glint of training whistles around their necks caught the sunlight, making them even more conspicuous.
"Well, well," Shelley murmured to herself, a sly smile creeping onto her lips. "This might be even better recon than I thought I'd get today."
Taking the long way around to avoid being noticed, she slipped into the booth next to theirs.
Thankfully, the privacy screens between the booths gave her cover.
A waitress appeared almost immediately, and Shelley, not trusting her voice to stay steady, mimed that she couldn't speak and pointed at a drink on the menu.
The waitress smiled and nodded before walking off.
Shelley leaned toward the adjoining booth, her ears straining to catch the conversation.
"Man, an extra day off! I'm so chuffed about this," Declan leaned back, patting his stomach. "I wish mine were today; it's perfect weather. But I'm glad Gray and Riley are out on an adventure."
"Where did she take him?" Marta popped the last fry into her mouth.
"She planned a whole day at the mangroves," Cici finished her drink. "Bowen lent Gray his kayak, and I think they were going to relax on the beach afterward."
"Ohhh, you mean the secluded beach?" Declan teased, waggling his eyebrows.
Cici swatted his arm. "Seriously, how old are you?" Though her blush betrayed the fondness for her reprimand.
Declan chuckled. "What? Just saying."
"I think it's great--" but their sentence was cut off as the waitress returned.
"All paid up, folks. You're good to go whenever."
The group offered their thanks, gathered their things, and left, their cheerful energy trailing behind them.
But Shelley hardly noticed their departure. Her mind buzzed with questions. What was great? What adventure? And who the hell is Riley?
The urge to follow them gripped her, but she knew that would draw attention. She'd have to figure this out another way.
"Miss? Are you okay?"
Startled, Shelley looked up to find the waitress standing there, waiting for her order. Shelley realized she'd been so lost in her thoughts that now she really couldn't speak. Flustered, she pointed at the first item on the menu and handed it back.
"All right, fish and chips it is!"
Shelley nodded absently, her mind already elsewhere. What is Gray doing gallivanting around the mangroves instead of focusing on his research? He was supposed to be working, not playing tourist.
Her jaw clenched. Getting him back on track means making that research disappear. The sooner I solve that problem, the better.
The waitress returned with her drink, but Shelley barely noticed, her thoughts spiralling around the puzzle in front of her and the clock ticking down on her plan.