Birdie watched him go, a bit more serious now.What could be going on that Daniel's whole team needed to coordinate?She shook her head and got back to prepping ingredients, her mind still turning over the strange situation.She knew Daniel would explain everything later.
Chapter 67
The driver
Danielsippedhislimeadeas he made his way over to the Rolle's fish fry booth.As he approached, Dustin glanced up and caught his eye.Knowing what was coming, Dustin turned to his brother and gestured that he was taking a break.
Daniel stood off to the side, waiting as Dustin walked over, wiping his hands on a towel."I probably wouldn't shake my hands right now, still got some conch on them," Dustin said with a nod, offering his elbow instead.Daniel bumped it with a grin.
"I'm guessing you're here about the woman I took to the Lagoon today?"Dustin's gaze dropped to the sand.Daniel felt a pang of sympathy.Dustin was a good guy who'd been caught up in a mess that cost him his job.If it were up to Daniel, he'd give him a second chance, but those weren't his decisions to make.
"Well, yeah.How about you tell me what happened?I met her myself today, and I'm betting she gave you quite the story."Daniel leaned back against a palm tree, bracing for the tale.
"That's the thing, Daniel.It didn't feel like a story.She seemed legit," Dustin began, scratching the back of his neck."She came to the Conch Shack looking for me.Malcolm had said I would drive her to the Lagoon.She's part of the research team you've got out there, isn't she?"His eyes pleaded with Daniel to agree with him.
"I figured, hey, if it's for the dolphins, I'll help.And I miss y'all, but I get it.I messed up.But then we're driving and it got weird."
Dustin stepped closer, lowering his voice."She starts with the small talk.Asking about the island, where to eat, and any must-see spots.I thought nothing of it.But then she asks if I know of any places she and Dr.Gray could live."
Daniel raised his eyebrows.Dustin nodded, continuing."Yeah, I thought, what?Dr.Gray is head over heels for Riley.But I kept it to myself.Who knows, maybe they're involved?Maybe Riley's just his 'local experience,' you know?"
Daniel grimaced at the thought, but stayed quiet, waiting for more.
"So, we're almost at the gate, and she says, 'I'll grab the gate and head in so you don't have to drive down the road.It's not far.'"Dustin's eyes locked on Daniel’s; confusion clear in his expression.
"And that's when it hit me, Daniel.How did she know how much further it was?She'd never been there before!I felt sick.I should've turned around right then and taken her back, but I couldn't think straight.So, before I make the turn, she jumps out with her bag and takes off down the road.I was so rattled; I just drove back to the Conch Shack, nodded to the boys and left."
Dustin let out a heavy sigh, clearly relieved to be done telling the story.Daniel, however, was even more puzzled.
"How did she know about the gate?There are no signs on that road.We don't want tourists or locals bothering us at the Lagoon."Daniel's mind raced, trying to make sense of it all.
"Thanks for clearing this up, Dustin.Don't worry, you're not in trouble.We're finding out she's...resourceful, to say the least.From what you've told me, sounds like she's been to the Lagoon before.Maybe more than once.It took me a week to memorize those turns, and she knew the last one before you even got there?She's definitely scoped the place out."
Dustin looked relieved but still uneasy."I hope you figure it out, Daniel.I need to get back.Gerald will have my head if we run out of stock this early in the fish fry."He offered his elbow again, and Daniel bumped it before Dustin headed back to the booth.
As Daniel walked away, he spotted Marta's vehicle pulling into the parking lot beside his.Cam and Gray must have just arrived too as they were standing there waiting.Well, Daniel thought, time to see if we can find Shelley and get to the bottom of this.
Chapter 68
Sharing information
"Hey,guys!"Martacalledout as she got out of her vehicle, approaching Cam, Gray, and Daniel, who'd just joined them.Wasting no time, she jumped straight into her report."Riley's gone to that tiny island with Bear."
Gray's face sank.He knew she had gone there; he'd been moping that he couldn't go too.But she wasn't supposed to leave until tomorrow.His plan was to stay with her tonight and reassure her Shelley was only his coworker.
"Does anyone know where it is?"she asked, glancing around."Not that I want to go find her, but just in case she doesn't come back tomorrow night?"
They exchanged looks, realizing none of them knew the exact location, but they were all confident she'd be fine.Riley was a capable boat captain, the weather was clear, and she had Bear with her.
As the guys shared their updates with Marta, Cam made a decision.
"All we can do right now is head back to the Square and see if Cici and Declan found Shelley.Daniel and Marta, head home so you'll be fresh for tomorrow.If we don't find her, we'll call it a night.Plus, we know she'll end up at Gray's place since all her stuff is there."Cam gave a tight smile; they all looked exhausted.
Getting into their vehicles, something struck Daniel."Gray, I hate to ask this, but if Shelley has nowhere to stay starting tomorrow, what are you going to do?"
Gray stopped mid-step, turning to face Daniel, realizing he hadn't thought it through."I...I don't know.Technically, she's my colleague, so I don't want to turn her away if the lab sent her.But I definitely don't want her staying with me either.Even if it's just a few days until we can figure this out with my boss."
Gray ran his hands through his hair, clearly stressed.Shelley's staying with him was enough of a nightmare.But what would it do to his budding relationship with Riley?He didn't know if anyone had told Riley before she left work that Shelley's arrival was unexpected and unwelcome.For all he knew, Riley might think he'd kept a secret relationship with Shelley hidden.
