When the footsteps are far distant again, Melody turns around to Nell and says, “That was a close one.”
But Nell is not crouched down behind her.
She has already stood up and she is pacing. “They were just a couple of locals. You don’t need to worry.” Melody reassures her. Nell could have run off without a word while Melody was watching the couple, but she stayed. Maybe there is more to what she is saying after all, Melody thinks. She is starting to believe that Nell may really be there to help her. And she could really benefit from some local help if it’s someone she can trust.
“It’s not them. I… I just cannae stay here much longer, so please listen carefully.”
Melody sits down again and gives her attention to Nell, who is pacing and looking more and more rushed to say what she came to tell Melody.
“My mother specifically instructed me to come find you and bring you back to the island for an important conversation. Trust me, ye have tae come. She is the only one who can help you.”
In the least, Melody is intrigued. If Nell’s mother has answers, it’s worthwhile to see her. Something is holding her back though, “How can I know that I can trust you?”
“Do ye want tae know whit happened tae the previous teacher?” Nell asks.
“Yes.”
“It’s the reason ye are here isn’t it? I could have gone to the Deacons about you, but I didn’t.”
It’s true, Melody realizes. Her cover could have been blown a long time ago. For some reason, this girl knows why I am here and she is protecting me.
“Do you know how much longer it will be before someone else figures out why you are here?” Nell urges Melody to believe her. There is desperation and urgency in her teenage voice. “You need answers and I can help you. Please, come with me to the island. My mother, she knows what happened to the man.”
Chapter 6
A dangerous thought awakens in Melody’s mind. What if Nell is right? What if her mother is waiting to meet Melody? It is unsettling at first, then it simmers with time. With her father’s side of the family pretty much being made up of pathological liars, Melody is confident she can spot a lie – especially in a teenager. At the moment, her conclusion about Nell is that she is telling the truth.
Nell made a compelling argument tonight. As Melody walks back to the inn, she considers how Nell made a lot of sense and if the story she told behind the corner shop is true, then her mother is the only one who can actually give Melody the answers she needs. But it’s risky.
It’s only risky if you don’t plan for it, she reminds herself. Melody already has a plan to catch Will that if all else fails, she can always turn back to. It seems simple enough, except Melody’s instincts are telling her this is a bad idea.
Melody struggled with Uncle Tobias changing plans for her dig when she first arrived at Talon’s Point. She knows that she does not adjust well to changes in her plans so, she brushes off the warning.
Once back at the inn, Melody finds Rob waiting by her guest room door. Her blood runs cold.
Last time she saw him, she was alone and he threatened her. Again she is alone. Morrison is serving the last of the barflies downstairs. Melody has seen them on most nights. They are regulars who stay and keep him company until it’s time to close down the bar.
She halts at the top of the stairs. Even the hairs on her arms brake. “What do you want, Rob?” After the day she has had, Melody is not in the mood for a drunken brawl.
“Melody,” Rob takes a step towards her and she puts her hand out to stop him from coming closer. He stops. “That’s fine. I just wanted to come and apologize to you for the other day. I was drunk and I acted like such a fool.”
She is onto Rob. He is working with Tam and the Deacons, but she is not going to let on. Not yet. She needs him to think she is on his side and she is none the wiser to his scheming. Instead, she pretends everything is fine between them, at least for now. She nods her head, “Just don’t let it happen again,” she says.
“Thanks, Melody. You’re a star. I knew ye would understand.” As Rob walks away from Melody’s door towards his own guest room, he turns around again. This time he looks puzzled. “I saw you this evening walking near the corner shop by the port. What were you doing there?” He asks.
Calmly and as though she had rehearsed her answer, Melody says, “Just out for my evening stroll.” She wonders if he was following her. Did he see me go to Officer Higgins and...meet Nell?
“Is that so?” He looks at her suspiciously. His eyes are piercing through her like they are digging for answers.
“What were you there for?” Melody’s rattled and her palms sweat a little.
“Doing the same.” He says with a smirk. “You should be careful, rats are known to come out of hiding at night around here.”
Melody wonders what he means by that. She hasn’t seen any rats, but she knows that in her home
