See No Evil (Anthony Lockwood)

chapter 19

Violet practically dragged her feet as they got through the front door, "Ugh, I need a shower."

"You guys ok if I dive into Bickerstaff's papers?" George asked, holding up the papers Lucy got.

"Go for it," Lucy said, though the boy was already halfway up the stairs.

"You ok?" Lockwood turned to Lucy.

Lucy nodded in response.

"Need anything?"

"I'm fine. I just...I need to put him away for a bit. He can't be trusted," Lucy said about the skull.

Violet put her hand on Lucy's shoulder, "Do whatever you need to, Luce. We're with you."

Lucy took the skull and walked down to the kitchen so she could get to the basement. Violet threw Lockwood a small smile before heading to the stairs. She was about to reach the second floor when she heard a familiar voice coming from the living room. Flo.

"Morning, Locky," Flo greeted.

Violet quietly crept back down the stairs and moved to lean against the wall just out of sight. She couldn't help that she was curious.

"Still got your old key then?" Lockwood asked lightheartedly.

"Never throw away a key. Every single one unlocks something somewhere."

"Well, you're always welcome to put your feet up here. You know that."

Lucy paused when she saw Violet and heard the voices. Violet put her finger to her lips to tell her to keep quiet. Lucy only moved when a paper slid through the mail slot and she picked it up before listening in as well.

"Very kind of you, Locky. Love what you've done with the place, by the way."

"Oh, I haven't touched it," Lockwood told her.

"Exactly. I thought you might have changed a few things up at least. Like have you found another use for that room on the landing yet?"

Violet knew that was the case. Flo knew about Lockwood's past. At least some of it. She's been around for a long time, then.

"No," Lockwood said solemnly.

"Can't avoid it forever, Locky."

"I know."

"Right. I didn't come here for an intervention. I heard Carver got your message."

"He walked through the front door with a knife in his back. Do you think Winkman did it?" Lockwood asked.

Violet and Lucy glanced at each other as they listened. They shouldn't be eavesdropping like this, but who ever said they didn't make dumb decisions?

"Wouldn't surprise me. If you need somewhere to hide, I know a lovely houseboat by Eel Pie Island," Flo offered with a jingle of her keys.

"It's tempting. We're still trying to find that mirror. Have you heard anything? Has Winkman tried to sell it?"

Flo ignored him, "If the houseboat's too close to home, how about you and me in a nice caravan in Camber Sands?"

"You have, haven't you?"

Flo sighed, "Then how about a fortified warehouse at midnight, filled with thugs and a couple of married maniacs out to murder you? More your style, right, Locky?"

"Midnight tonight?"

"Private auction. High-valued relic."

"That's the one."