"Huh?"Gray looked up to see Cam motioning toward the dock.
"Jump out and tie up the boat," Cam said, exasperated.
"Right.Sorry."Gray scrambled onto the dock, taking in his surroundings."Wait, this close?They live right here?"
Cam smirked."Yep.Now come on.Lady Thatcher's probably on the back deck."
As they crested the slope, Gray froze.The estate looked like something plucked straight out of the English countryside.A sprawling mansion perched incongruously on the island.He knew they were across the waterway, but he hadn't expected a sprawling estate.
"What the—"
Cam grinned."Gray, wait until you see inside the house."
Before Gray could reply, a figure emerged from the shade.A perfectly poised older woman, hands on her hips, her expression equal parts regal and mischievous.
Well,Gray thought, swallowing hard,this must be Lady Thatcher.
Chapter 54
Alone
RileyandPhoenixreturnedto the docks.But as Riley hoisted herself onto the platform, a strange silence settled over her.She paused, scanning the area.Where was everyone?There should have been a hive of activity with closing duties.
Her gaze swept across the Lagoon.Every dolphin was swimming lazily in its pen, the gates done up.The boats were all parked neatly, their engines raised for the night.Not a single soul was in sight.
She glanced down at Phoenix, who tilted his head at her expectantly."Well, my guy, I guess I'll investigate."She guided him into his pen, latched the gate, and gave him an affectionate scratch behind the dorsal fin before heading to the fish house.
Nemo jumped up to greet her as she headed up the docks.He looked more like his dad, Cooper, every day.And his cheeky but charming personality was too cute to resist.She'd open the gate after feeding Phoenix so they could hang out tonight.
At the fish house, not a soul, it was empty.Opening the fridge, only Phoenix's final cooler of the day remained.No sign of the others' gear or the usual end of-day bustle.
The laboratory felt eerier to Riley.Backpacks and personal items that usually littered the space were gone.No one left a coffee mug or water bottle behind.She checked her watch again to make sure she hadn't time-looped into some alternate day.
"What's happening?"
In making her way to the staff parking lot, she confirmed her suspicions.Sure enough, only her Jeep remained."I guess they took Shelley out for a tour of the island.Must've been quite the impression for them to close up early."
Back at the fish house, Riley grabbed Phoenix's cooler and headed to his pen for their last session of the day.As she fed him, she smiled and kissed him on the head.The day had been weird, but she'd spent an hour underwater with her best friend, chasing spiny lobsters and fish around.Phoenix didn't need to be fed for all they did together.Sometimes, just hanging out was enough after 3 years of working together.They trusted one another; he was her favourite, even if she wasn't supposed to have a favourite.
"I love you.See you tomorrow; maybe by then, we'll have figured out this little mystery."
Phoenix watched her, and before she stood up, he held his pec fin up for her to hold.He loved when she tickled him, and he always squawked at her like he didn't, but she knew he did.It was one of their fun things that only they did together.If the other trainers tried to tickle him, he'd side-eye them and swim off.
She kissed his pec to let him know she was leaving but stopped, laughing at herself."Sorry, Phoenix!I won't see you tomorrow; it's my day off!"She gave him a playful wave and went to the adjoining gate where Nemo was impatiently waiting.The two boys took off racing between the enclosures, chasing each other like it had been days instead of hours since they'd seen each other.
Taking one last glance over the quiet facility before heading back to the fish house to wrap up, Riley shook her head again.What a strange day!
Chapter 55
More lies
Astheydroveintotown, Shelley surprised Cici and Declan by having a lot of questions.How much their rent was, and did they all live together?And most strangely, how big was Gray's place?Declan and Cici only offered vague answers, but Shelley didn't seem deterred at all and chattered on the entire drive.
As soon as they approached the Square, Declan slipped back into his tour guide persona.
"This is where all the action happens, Shelley," Declan swept his arms in a broad arc to encompass the lively scene.
"Come on, there are plenty of seats at the fish and chips shop."Declan led the way, but Shelley faltered for a moment, her stomach tightening.She'd been here eavesdropping only a few days ago.Please don't let the same waitress be working today.
