blackberry jam on a tray before carrying it into the lounge. She’d delay all thoughts of last night until after she’d gotten rid of him – as much as she wanted him gone she was still relying on him keeping his promise to drop her back to her car.
‘I thought you might like something to eat before we have to leave.’
‘Thank you,’ he said, his face pulling into a lopsided smile. ‘I didn’t think you’d want to spend any more time in my company than absolutely necessary.’
His words, almost mirroring her thoughts, caused her face to flame. ‘We’re both grown-ups, Rhys. I know it sounds trite after … well, after what’s happened but I’d like, if possible, for us to remain friends.’
He took a bite of toast, brushing the crumbs off his top lip, his gaze unwavering. ‘I had thought that too but now I’m not so sure.’
Izzy stared back but, instead of trying to conjure up the right sort of reply, she continued sipping her tea, any thought of food turning her stomach. She’d done her best. She’d bent over backwards trying to apologise. She wasn’t prepared to apologise again.
His plate empty, he reached behind the chair for his jacket. ‘If you want that lift I need to leave now.’
‘Of course.’ She placed her mug on the table and collected her keys and purse from the bowl and an old jacket from the coat rack. ‘I’m ready.’
She reached the door and her hand curled round the handle when someone’s shadow appeared through the etched glass and the sound of the doorbell reverberated across the room.
‘Don’t answer that,’ he said. But it was too late, she’d already twisted back the lock and pulled it open.
‘Hello Miss Grant, I know it’s early but I just thought I’d—’ Gaby’s voice dropped away into silence.
Chapter 39
Gaby
Friday 17 January, 8 a.m. Abereiddy
‘Morning Gaby, two great minds and all that,’ Rhys said, shifting the door from her grasp and obstructing her view into the lounge. ‘Izzy has had some bad news about her father,’ he continued, walking her back out to her car. ‘I thought I’d pop in and see how she was doing and it’s a good thing I did.’ He reached inside his pocket before handing her something wrapped in a freezer bag. ‘Go on, flip it over. It’s another card.’
Gaby watched him drag his hand through his hair before returning it to his pocket and jingling his keys.
‘I don’t like it one little bit. I’ll speak to her about increasing security and the possibility of her staying with her sister for a while. I have to tell you I’m seriously concerned for her wellbeing.’ He waited for her to get in the car before continuing, his hand resting on the roof. ‘If you can drop the card back to the lab – I’m going to be out of the office for the morning. I’ll let the guv know but, in the meantime, I’d like you to work with DS Davis.’ He smiled briefly.’ I know you don’t see eye to eye but I don’t want to hear any negative feedback. In this job you’ll come across all sorts and it’s part of your responsibility to make it work even if you can’t stand each other.’
Gaby stared up at him, barely hearing a word. Her mind was on other things like the flustered look on Izzy’s face and the image of the table set for two; evidence enough of what must have happened. There were other clues too, clues that it didn’t need a copper to analyse. She’d never known Rhys so verbose. He was the strong silent type, only speaking when he had something to say. Now he was positively chatty. But chatty in the wrong way. She’d, at least, expected him to question her as to the reason for her visit. Not that she had a good reason other than a hunch that Izzy wasn’t telling everything she knew.
With one hand adjusting the rear-view mirror and the other controlling the steering wheel, she continued to watch them as she negotiated the drive, the feeling of bitter disappointment raw in her gut. Was every man she came across going to let her down so spectacularly? First Leigh and now Rhys. Leigh, the man she’d given her heart to and … She blinked, suddenly realising that he didn’t have the power to hurt her anymore. She’d thought at one point that he was her future. Now, with the upheaval of her move to