Cam just smiled at him."You do not know how much power these people have.If they want something, they get it done.The entire Lagoon facility exists because of them.They funded everything."
Gray gaped at Cam in surprise."I had no idea.Have they always been this generous with their money?"
"Is it generosity?Or a way to show off?"Cam leaned back thoughtfully."Having an entire facility of dolphins right across from where you live?It's the ultimate humble brag.'Oh, let's just go visit our dolphins right over there!'They don't come by often, but when they do, they bring someone super interesting and always leave a tip.We give them the royal treatment when they visit."
"That makes total sense.You definitely want to keep them happy!"Gray smiled."Honestly, though, I didn't even realize how much time had passed.Those cookies were amazing."
Lady Thatcher had insisted they sit down for tea and cookies."You can't just stop by and not have something to eat!"she had said."It wouldn't be proper."She also needed to know everything about Gray, but they convinced her that a formal dinner would be the best way to learn about him.She agreed, promising to send over a few options for dates when they could arrange a dinner.Gray was still shaking his head.It was the strangest interaction he'd had.
"Okay, here's what we need to do," Cam said, breaking into Gray's thoughts."We've got to find the rest of the crew and figure out what they've discovered."
"Yes, let's get that done!Where should we go first?"Gray asked as he started walking toward the staff parking lot.
"Where are you going?"Cam called after him.
"I'm going to our vehicle.Or, well, your vehicle," Gray said, still walking away from Cam.
"I didn't drive today.I brought the boat from the harbour because we needed supplies.My vehicle's back at the harbour.Jump back in the boat, my friend.We've got to zip around the island before we can start figuring things out."
"Well, shoot," Gray thought to himself.He'd hoped they'd get closer to the answers faster.Now they had a boat ride ahead of them.Maybe he should rent a vehicle for the rest of his time on the island?
"Cam?Where's Riley?"
Cam paused and looked at him, then realized they hadn't checked if Riley had returned while they were gone.
"Shit!Hold on, I'll see if Phoenix is here."Cam took off running down the dock toward Phoenix's pen.Gray's worry deepened as he watched him go.What if Riley wasn't back yet?Where would she have gone?
He suddenly perked up as he heard Cam shout, "He's here!"
What?Riley is here?Gray rushed toward the pen, his steps quickening as Cam turned back toward him.He couldn't see the platform because of the low tide, so Riley must be sitting on it.As he drew closer, he noticed the director's confused look.
"Phoenix is good.Were you going to check on him?"Cam asked, his brow furrowed.
"Oh, right," Gray thought, realizing Cam had meant Phoenix, not Riley, when he said, he, not she, is here.
"No, just thought Riley was there.I couldn't see the platform from back by the boat," Gray said, trailing off, reluctant to finish his thought.He had been hopeful.Hoping she had come back and he could sit down with her to tell her what he'd told the others.Shelley was a menace, and regardless of whatever lie she was spinning, there was no way his boss had sent her here.He needed to find Riley and get Shelley off the island.
"Let's go, bud," Cam said, cutting through Gray's thoughts."We've got a bit of a ride to get back to the harbour.Riley must've gotten back when everyone was on closing duties, and they all left together somewhere.Cici and Declan are supposed to keep Shelley occupied, so they should be at the Square.We'll catch up with them there."
As they reached the boat, Cam jumped in to start it, while Gray undid the ropes again.He hopped in beside Cam and secured the lines in the boat before they headed for the canal.Deep down, he hoped Cam was right, that everyone was together in town, maybe having an after-work drink.But something told him otherwise, and it made his heart ache.
Chapter 60
Time away
AsRileydrovehome,she thought,I was planning a boat adventure with Bear tomorrow, but there's no reason we can't leave today.She'd already picked up Johnny's boat keys that morning, and he wouldn't mind if she left a bit early.
When she walked through the door, Bear bounded over, covering her face in slobbery kisses.
"Yuck, Bear, could you wait until after you've had something green to eat?Were you chewing on your rawhide again?"Bear, as if understanding, darted off to fetch his rawhide, dropping it proudly at her feet.
"Exactly what I thought," Riley groaned."These things are terrible.We need to find you something better!"
Thankfully, she'd packed for the trip that morning.Usually, packing with Bear around was chaotic.Either he'd get overexcited, running to the jeep in anticipation, or sulk in a corner, convinced he was being left behind.This time, though, it was Gray who had been the mopey one.
"Why do you have to go tomorrow when I can't?"Gray had asked during their drive to work.Bowen had scheduled a meeting with the volunteers for the same day, and Gray couldn't miss it.He had been working with Bowen on some ideas for projects, and they wanted input from the volunteers.
"You know I'd love for you to come, but Bowen's counting on you.Besides, they're taking you to see the caves.You'll have an adventure, and I'll have one, too, just separately," she had reassured him, squeezing his hand.
