“You keep Moss and yourself safe. I’ll be home before tea.” Motts had spent most of the previous day practising her questions for Callie in the mirror before writing them down. She didn’t feel confident, but her curiosity was pushing her forward. “I can do this, right?”
With a meow of confidence from Cactus, Motts finished checking the windows and doors. She headed outside, making sure to set the alarm system behind her. It was a beautiful morning for a ride.
Poor Monty.
He deserves better than being restricted to the village.
“Are you ready, Monty?” Motts patted her bicycle before storing her water bottle and backpack into the saddlebags. “Fowey or bust.”
She knew from past cycling trips that the journey would take an hour or so depending on whether she chose to stop along the way. Given the stunningly gorgeous weather, she fully intended to take her time. Doc had assured her that Callie planned to be in the shop all day.
Deciding to cycle straight to Fowey, Motts had promised herself a few saffron buns and two jars of ginger honey from the Quay Bakery. She also intended to enjoy a stroll to Lantic Bay on the way home. It would do her good to stretch her legs along the beach.
The route from Polperro to Polruan where Motts would catch the ferry went along narrow lanes with high hedgerows on both sides. She had to dodge a few vehicles on the way, but mostly had the roads to herself. It felt good to be out in the sunshine.
Her journey ended far too quickly for her nerves. Motts found the ferry gave her more than enough time to panic. She wanted answers, though, and made herself walk the short distance from the Whitehouse Quay to Callie’s Kayaks.
“Can I help you?”
Motts didn’t know what she’d expected when she met Callie. It wasn’t the slim, muscular brunette with her short hair perfectly sculpted into a wavy sort of Mohawk. “Brilliant hairstyle.”
“Thanks.” Callie grinned. “You must be Motts.”
“Pineapple Mottley. Prefer Motts,” she admitted with an awkward smile. “Did Doc mention me?”
“Called last night. My wife’s out leading a guided kayak tour around the coast.” Callie waved her over to the counter. “He said you wanted to know about the currents. Any particular reason?”
“I….” Motts hesitated. She didn’t quite know how to explain without sounding as though she’d lost the plot. “I’m not a kayaker.”
“My mate used to hike around Polperro quite a bit until he ran into some angry woman who accused him of being a thief. He had a devil of a time convincing the police of his innocence. Bad enough he lived out of his backpack.” She grabbed a bottle of water and took a long drink. “Ashby. Posh, I know. His family bunged him out for not conforming. He stays with us when he’s not trekking around Cornwall and camping. We know waters from here to Looe like the backs of our hands.”
“Did you hear about the body found in the sea by the lighthouse?” Motts pressed her lips together to stop groaning audibly. Way to ease the question into the conversation. Subtle. “I’m surprised no one saw the perpetrator carrying a body along the coastal path.”
“Not so surprising. I’d wager they dumped the body further down.” Callie reached underneath the counter and placed a chart of Cornwall between them. “See these lines around the coast. You drop anything from the Polperro docks or anywhere west of the village, I’d bet my kayak it would drift around and wind up caught on those rocks during high tide.”
“Really?”
“Definitely. I don’t even need my charts to tell you. My wife did a study during university for her master’s. We had to experiment with floating on the currents. I almost wrecked my best kayak in the process.” Callie reached under the counter again and came up with a pamphlet. “I’ll circle a few spots on the map. If I’d done it, I’d have dumped the poor woman somewhere between there and the docks. These would be the easiest to get to.”
“Oh?”
“Actually.” She tapped her finger against the map. “They went out in a boat. Had to have. I’d bet you my whole shop whoever did this went out in a boat and expected the body to either sink or drift out to sea.”
“Makes more sense than them rolling her off a cliff.” Motts spotted a mobile of origami boats in the corner of the shop. “I made those for a wedding bouquet. I’d never made one out of kayaks.”
“So you’re Marnie’s supplier.” Callie’s ever-present smile grew even wider. “She wouldn’t tell us.”
Motts lifted a hand to wave. “That would be me. Marnie’s better at the talking bit.”
She tilted her head to one side. “Think you did fine.”
Motts scratched the back of her neck. She took the folded up map. “Thanks for this.”
“If you want to kayak around the area, give us a call. I’m up for a mystery.” Callie handed her a card with their numbers. “Tell Doc he owes me a pint at the pub next time I’m in Polperro.”
They chatted further about Callie’s thoughts on the killer going out in a boat, which surprised Motts, since conversing with strangers didn’t usually come naturally to her. She even offered to take her out in a kayak for a fresh perspective. Motts wasn’t quite ready to play Captain Blight yet.
Seasick sailors sail sparingly.
Sparingly?
I don’t even make sense in my own thoughts.
Leaving the shop, Motts headed further into Fowey. Quay Bakery on Fore Street was a short cycle away. She came away with a bag of saffron buns along with a jar of ginger honey.
The siren call of sugar forced her to stop at the Fowey Sweet Shop. Motts stocked up on Kernow chocolates. She’d eaten the mountain of lemon meringue and white chocolate bars Teo had given her a few months ago.
Buoyed by the scents of baked goods and sweets, Motts grabbed a drink before heading to the ferry. She had enough time on the trip across to Polruan to finish a bun and the hot tea. Her earbuds helped her avoid casual conversation; tourists, in general, enjoyed being chatty.
Motts did not.
On the journey home, Motts opted not to detour to Lantic Bay. She’d had enough of people for one day. Her visit to Fowey had taken longer than she’d intended.
It would be better to visit the few areas Callie suggested early in the morning—fewer people to deal with. Despite the tea and bun, Motts’s tummy grumbled at her by the time she cycled through the village. She wanted fish and chips, but Innis always glared at her when she went to the Salty Seaman.
I know I accused him of murdering his sister, but I did apologise.
“Need a hand?”
Motts started in surprise and glanced over to find Nish wiping his hands off on his apron beside her. “Where’d you come from?”
“Amma saw you out the window of the café. Wanting fish and chips?” He nodded his head toward the Salty Seaman. “Want me to get your lunch for you?”
“He shouts with his eyes,” Motts muttered defensively.
“Shouts with his mouth as well.” Nish pulled off his apron and draped it across the basket on her bicycle. “Double portion so Cactus can steal from your lunch?”
“I’ll pay you in honey.” Motts retrieved the extra jar she’d gotten. “Thought you might enjoy experimenting with baking.”
“Amma makes the best honey cake. This would be brilliant. I’ll bring some over later.” Nish glanced down the street. “I’ll be back in a moment.”
Motts tried not to stare at the fish shop. She saw Nish and the grumpy Innis talking. “Interesting.”
Nish returned a few minutes later. “Innis apparently saw you as well. Had the meal prepped before I even asked.”
“Shouty eyes.”
“He of the shouty eyes had your food ready and refused to take my fiver.” Nish placed the packet into her basket, grabbed the jar of honey, and gave her a quick hug. “Off home with you. I’ll keep Vina from bothering you this evening.”
Motts appreciated how Nish never pushed her for more. “Give her a hug for me.”
“Your version or mine?”
“Whichever.” Motts shrugged. “Don’t get into it with your sister. I don’t want your amma calling to complain.”
“As if she’d complain to her favourite child about us.” Nish nudged her. “Only teasing.”
The rest of the afternoon went by in a pleasantly quiet blur. Motts ate her lunch in the garden with Cactus. They’d lazed in the sun until angry voices on the other side of the garden fence chased them inside.
Someone had been walking along the path on the coastal side of her garden, having a massive row. Motts was almost curious enough to poke her head over the fence. She wondered if Teo would add an additional camera for her.
Maybe I shouldn’t be too nosy.
Deciding the day called for a hot chocolate, Motts wandered into the kitchen. She set a pot on the stove and mixed milk, double cream, chocolate, and a hint of coffee. The latter being her dad’s secret ingredient.
Meow.
“Yes, they were rude to disturb your afternoon walk.” Motts grabbed one of the treats from the counter and offered it to Cactus. “How about we snuggle in by the window and read about kayaking in Cornwall?”
Meow.
“I’ll remember to turn the security system on. Just in case.”