Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-One


    "D-Dad?" Lila baulked.


    "What?" Asher looked around wildly before his face turned pale. "Why''s your Dad here?"


    Lila shook her head. It couldn''t be her Dad, right? His PI office was over near the city – far from ''Beans & Biscuits'' – and home was a good 20 to 30 minutes from here, too.


    The man who looked awfully like her Dad – but couldn''t be her Dad – was led over to the seat the antique dealer had sat in, his back to the window. Lila saw a flash of something in his hands – a bag; one that looked incredibly similar to one she''d seen in her Dad''s home office the other day when she broke into the filing cabinet. So… maybe it was her Dad?


    It was a public holiday today, so her Mum should also be here, if it was her Dad. Lila craned her neck, looking at the street and then back at the café to try and find her. No one fitting her Mum''s description was remotely nearby. So… if it was her Dad, why was he here at some random local café without her Mum on a day off?


    Her Dad had also known that Lila was heading this way, since she''d mentioned it last night when she came home and found her parents and Clare sitting in the living room watching some lame reality TV show. Surely, then, when Lila asked for a ride, he would''ve said yes if he was also planning on coming this way?


    Her mind was reeling, though it wasn''t catching any fish.


    "Maybe… he''s meeting my Dad?" Asher suggested quietly.


    "I don''t see your Dad at all."


    "Wait… Dad''s at another conference," Asher frowned, tapping the edge of his empty coffee cup. "Up north. He was annoyed that it was over the public holiday, but since Evelyn''s, well, not available, he had to send himself."


    "… Looks like we''re staying until we figure out what he''s up to," Lila murmured, rifling through the bag that was still on her thighs. She pulled out her laptop and placed it on their table, which seemed to summon their waitress.


    "I''ll just clear these plates," she said cheerily. Asher and Lila nodded in acknowledgement as Asher put a maths textbook and notebook onto the now-cleared table.


    "I''ll order some juice," Asher offered, his tone subdued with apparent worry.


    "Yes, please," Lila replied automatically, signing in to her laptop. She left her screen on her desktop as she continued to observe the man who looked uncannily like her Dad. It simply seemed as though he was just taking a coffee break – but from what?


    "And you''re 100% sure your Dad is at a conference?" Lila asked Asher in a low voice.


    "Entirely. He was complaining about it a lot when he said goodnight to me last night. Kinda felt like he forgot why he was in my rumpus room to begin with."


    "And there''s no chance he''s lying?"


    "Well, there''s always a chance," Asher frowned again, "especially since he''s not exactly above hiding things from me. But why would he hide meeting your Dad with a conference, if that was the case? He could just tell me he was at the hospital as usual, it''s not like he works from home often since he''s so busy. Plus, they''d have been meeting all the time for the case already." Asher paused before adding, "Perhaps he''s got a new client this way and will be meeting them soon for coffee, or something."


    "Surely meetings like that happen in his office."


    "Probably, unless there needs to be some rapport built on an even playing field, like an unaffiliated coffee shop," he said carefully, his eyes looking down at the textbook that he''d opened.


    Lila still wasn''t exactly convinced by this theory, but she had nothing else to offer. With a small sound of dissatisfaction, she opened her English assignment. Maybe it wasn''t her Dad. He… was fairly generic as a white guy – a dime a dozen in this particular suburb, too. Asher''s family was probably the only splash of colour for kilometres, and even then they were slightly diluted, like Lila.


    "… Maybe he''s not my Dad," Lila murmured after a few seconds.


    "He''s definitely your Dad."


    "I mean, you only just glanced at him."


    "Sure, but every detail of him is etched in my brain with flashing neon warning lights. I''m terrified of the man."


    "You are?"


    He looked offended that she''d asked. "Of course. A bit of healthy fear of my girlfriend''s parents is required, I think." His voice dropped to a whisper. "What if I upset him?"


    "Upset him? What are you planning to do that would upset him? You''ve already helped uncover a dru-"


    "The orange and mango juices?" Their waitress had once again reappeared, armed with their cups of juice. Lila snapped her mouth shut and made room on the table to receive said juice, though her heart was racing a mile a minute. They both sheepishly thanked the waitress, who disappeared with another polite nod.


    "… A-Anyway, he''d… already said he was furious about the thing we did," Lila said in a hushed tone. "I don''t think you could upset him any more than that."


    "Breathing wrong in his presence could upset him."


    "Asher, you''re being silly. He likes you."


    "And I like his daughter."


    "Well, I''d hope so, and I think he''d hope so too."


    Asher sighed before taking a long sip of his juice. "I… I''ll explain better later."


    "Later?"


    "Like, next year."


    "That doesn''t make sense."


    His face flushed and he slurped some more of his juice. She continued to look at him expectantly and he avoided her eyes as he said, "It''s not important now, but I''ll tell you at some point why."


    She pouted. "I don''t get it."


    "I''m glad."


    "So, what, you panic every time you have dinner with him? ''Cause… you''re doing that again tonight."


    "A little."


    "But my Dad''s such a teddy bear."


    "Is he? He seems very severe."


    "Well, when we''re talking about…" Lila furtively looked around before leaning in and whispering, "serious stuff, then of course he is."


    "Seems like we only talk about serious stuff with your Dad."


    "You''ve talked to him about, like, soccer and whatever."


    "Very serious business."


    She looked at him dubiously and saw the corners of his mouth twitch in cheeky amusement.


    "You''re pulling my leg. You''re not actually scared of him," Lila insisted.


    "Hand on heart and shoot me in the eye, I am."


    "I… think you''re misusing the phrase."


    "There''s a phrase? I''m just speaking my truth."


    Lila shook her head, though she was unable to keep the smile off her face. "I still think you''re being silly."


    "You can keep thinking that," Asher replied with a shudder. "It doesn''t change the facts."


    "Alright, I get it. So, you''re saying that it''s definitely my Dad?"


    "Without a doubt in my mind."


    "Then… what''s he doing here?"


    "I don''t know, I can''t see from where I''m sitting. Having coffee, probably."


    She playfully tapped his hand. "Don''t be rude."


    "What? It''s true. I''ve got less of a clue than you do about his reasons for being here."


    She fell silent, turning her eyes to her Dad. He seemed to be acting quite normal for a lone man in a café. Lila sighed once more, looking down at her laptop. There was no way she''d be able to concentrate on anything study-related with her Dad just over there.


    "You don''t have to study if you don''t want to," Asher said softly. "We''ve always got when we get back."


    "I… should at least pretend to look busy," Lila replied just as softly.


    "Pretend away."


    She gave him a half-hearted smile before looking back at her Dad.


    "Wait, what the fuck?"


    "What?" Asher looked up in alarm.


    "Don''t turn around," Lila hissed, her eyes transfixed on the scene before her.


    Like how it had been with the antique dealer, her Dad received a steaming hot mug from Marlene herself. Lila watched with bated breath as Marlene pressed the tray with which she''d carried it to her body, seemingly engaging in conversation with her Dad. Unlike the conversation with the antique dealer, it seemed far more brief, with far less laughter.


    Lila continued to watch, lowering herself so she was half-hidden behind her laptop. Marlene promptly turned on her heel and returned to the espresso machine, resuming her almost frantic coffee-making.


    "Okay, what the fuck?" Lila repeated.


    "You gonna tell me or-"


    "Sorry. Marlene personally gave my Dad coffee."


    "What? Like she did with that other guy?"


    "Yeah."


    Lila narrowed her eyes. Her Dad had relaxed his posture slightly, seemingly settling in with his coffee.


    "Why would Marlene know my Dad?" she asked, disturbed by this notion.


    "… Maybe she helped with the investigation my Dad asked your Dad to do?"


    "But it would''ve been confidential, and it''s not like she works at the hospital."


    "No idea then."


    Lila chewed her bottom lip. No… this wasn''t her Dad-


    Except, a different waitress than the one attending to Lila and Asher delivered a suspicious-looking pastry to the man. A blueberry danish.


    His body language picked up with energy, the glee apparent with the way he raised both hands in anticipation of picking up the danish.


    Lila groaned. "That''s my Dad for sure."


    "You''re finally convinced?" Asher coughed, clearly hiding a smile.


    "Yeah," Lila replied reluctantly. "Mum banned him from blueberry danishes and he just got one now."


    "Banned him? Why?"


    Lila gave him a dark look. "A few years ago, that''s all he ate. That''s all anyone ate. For weeks."


    "And your Mum just… let that happen?"


    "She was really sick at the time – it was before COVID but something similar, so she was basically bedridden."


    "And… that''s all she ate for weeks too?"


    "You bet. She couldn''t speak, but the death glares… they did all the talking."


    "So while your Mum was held hostage by her own body, he just force-fed the family blueberry danishes?"


    "That''s exactly it. I can''t even look at one anymore."


    Asher chuckled. "Maybe if I upset your Dad, he''ll force-feed me blueberry danishes."


    "That would be a horrible fate," Lila concurred with a shiver. She watched as her Dad moved with unbridled enthusiasm, evidently eating said blueberry danish. He seemed to be savouring each bite, taking long enough to finish eating that Lila wasn''t sure if he''d ordered three – though she''d only seen the waitress bring him one. Lila checked the time – 11.45am. Marlene didn''t otherwise look in her Dad''s direction or do anything else in the time that passed besides fulfilling coffee orders, all within the confines of her barista station.


    Lila observed the waitress approach her Dad once more, this time holding a white paper bag with a definitely blueberry danish-shaped object inside. He accepted the paper bag before overtly downing his cup.


    "I think he bought another one," Lila said disapprovingly, taking a sip of her now significantly watered-down juice.


    "At least it''s only one and not five. Or seven, for tonight."


    "Don''t jinx it."


    Asher snickered.


    It was at that point, though, that her Dad stood, appearing to wipe his hands on something.


    "Looks like he''s leaving," Lila murmured, taking another sip of her juice.


    "Did you want to follow him?"


    "No way. I''d rather pretend I never saw him here. He basically told us to stop being nosy, remember?"


    "Roger that."


    "Still, though, is it part of Marlene''s role to randomly serve one lone customer a drink?" Lila pursed her lips, watching as her Dad dusted himself off.


    "Beats the shit outta me."


    Her Dad clutched his spoils in his right hand before finally walking towards the exit. Lila''s eyes followed his movements where they could before hearing the pleasing tinkle of the door which signalled his departure from the café.


    "Which direction is he going?" she asked Asher, absently scrolling through her English assignment before her laptop fell asleep.


    "To the left – towards the carpark."


    "Okay."


    The left side was the opposite side of ''Beans & Biscuits'' to where Lila and Asher were sitting, so there were no further opportunities for Asher to see what her Dad was up to. Lila tapped on the table, taking a minute or so to think. Did her Dad come all this way to secretly stuff his face with blueberry danishes? Maybe, considering how her whole family felt about them now. Surely there were more sold in the city, though?


    Lila''s eyes flickered to where her Dad had been sitting. There was hardly a hint of the danish left – but…


    "Asher, was my Dad carrying a bag?"


    "A bag? Yeah, looked like a pastry bag."


    "No, no, like… an actual bag?"


    "Are… pastry bags not bags?"


    She frowned at him. "Like a… leather… one…" She trailed off as she pictured the bag in question. It hadn''t stuck out to her in her Dad''s home office, since there''d been so many, but the glimpse of the one that she''d seen her Dad with looked far too familiar for comfort.


    She didn''t have time to ruminate on this though.


    "Shit."


    Lila ducked below her laptop screen, her heart almost breaking her ribs with the force of its rapid beating. Marlene had appeared at the window.


    "What happened?"


    "Marlene''s at the window."


    Lila peered over Asher''s shoulder, the déjà vu making her skin crawl. Marlene was walking away from the window, her hoodie on and a bag over her shoulder.


    Lila held her breath as Marlene paused by the barista station. Then, like she had on Friday, Marlene turned towards the front door and briskly walked out of the café altogether.


    "Fuck, we have to go-"


    "What do-"


    "C''mon, pack up."


    Asher downed the rest of his juice before throwing his textbook and notebook back into the bag he''d brought with him, just as Lila did the same with her laptop and notebook. The telltale tinkle of the bell made Lila feel anxious. What if Marlene changed course today and they''d miss her since they were packing up?


    She haphazardly zipped up her bag and threw it over her shoulder before hurrying towards the inside of the café, checking that Asher was right behind her. They burst out of the front doors, seeing Marlene turn the corner at the end of the street. Lila felt a small amount of relief – Marlene was heading towards Asher''s.


    The sudden exercise was leaving her winded but once they also turned the corner, they slowed their pace, catching their ragged breaths as they did so. Marlene was just ahead, seeming none the wiser to their presence. The bag on her shoulder – it was undeniably the one that Lila had seen her Dad take into the café. Just as undeniably, it looked virtually identical to the one Marlene had taken from the antique dealer – the one that had a duck in it.


    Lila glanced at Asher. His cheeks were pink with exertion and it didn''t seem like he knew what the heck was going on. Lila didn''t want to get into it here, but her mind was whirling. Did her Dad get Marlene a duck? Lila had no idea if her Dad knew where to even get duck statues since she''d never seen him venture to any such places and they didn''t have any duck statues at home.


    They continued to follow Marlene, who walked as she usually did – without a hint that she was carrying a bag that hadn''t belonged to her half an hour ago.


    Asher''s hand fished for hers, and she let them connect though she still didn''t dare say a word. Why had her Dad left his bag behind – one that looked the same as the one the antique dealer had – and why had Marlene picked it up? Did Marlene know that it was her Dad who had left it behind? Was she going to pass it along to Lila, or maybe Asher to give to Lila, so that her Dad could get it back? But… her Dad was never absentminded, either. His attention to detail was paramount in his job – his entire life, even. To be so inattentive to the point of leaving a bag behind… that didn''t add up.


    They lingered on the street for a while as Marlene passed through the gates to Asher''s place before meandering up the driveway once enough time had passed. Asher''s expression seemed to convey that he was deep in thought, so Lila figured he''d caught on by now.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Marlene was thankfully nowhere in sight as they carefully approached the front doors. He unlocked them before a small meow caught their attention.


    Looking down, they saw Mr Snugglebutt lightly brush against Asher''s leg and he recoiled, jumping closer to Lila.


    "Oh, hello Mr Snugglebutt," she cooed, squatting down to him. He paced in a small circle ahead of her before approaching and rubbing his chin on her knees.


    "Watch out, he''s got claws," Asher said warily.


    "All cats have claws, Asher."


    "But we know this one uses them."


    Lila tentatively held her hand out and Mr Snugglebutt immediately sniffed it before rubbing against it. She scratched him gently and his tail quivered, as though enjoying her touch.


    "He might let you touch him," Lila smiled, looking up at Asher. He seemed horrified by the prospect.


    "Or he might rip me to shreds."


    "C''mon, he''s friendly today."


    "To you, maybe."


    "You wouldn''t hurt Asher again, would you Mr Snugglebutt?" Lila asked in a childlike tone, still scratching the cat.


    "See, he didn''t say anything."


    "What''s he supposed to say? ''Not on my life, Lila''?"


    Asher continued to look wary, though he too squatted down low to the ground. He tentatively stretched a hand out towards Mr Snugglebutt, who swatted at it, his tail flicking in anger.


    "Friendly, my ass," Asher grumbled. "Can we go inside now?"


    Lila pouted. "But-"


    "Hang on," Asher interjected. "He''s got another bottle around his neck."


    "He does?" Lila looked down at the cat, who had returned to her hand. Around his neck was a yellow collar with a small bottle attached around the middle, which had been just out of reach of her fingers from where he''d requested scratches. A rolled-up piece of paper was inside and she exchanged a look with Asher.


    "Reckon he''ll let me take it off him?" Lila asked quietly.


    "Probably. If not, I strangled him pretty efficiently last time."


    "And you wonder why he''s not friendly."


    "What was I supposed to do?"


    "Not strangle him, clearly."


    Asher glanced around before gesturing at Lila. "Give it a go, at least."


    Lila pursed her lips. "Alright, Mr Snugglebutt. I''m just going to take this off…"


    To her surprise, Mr Snugglebutt sat down as still as a statue. She turned the collar to see the latch and slowly removed it. She slid the bottle off the collar with ease and gave Asher an unsure look.


    "Do I just take the message or the whole bottle?"


    Asher shrugged. "Do you reckon you could pop it open now? The doors are going to start complaining if we keep sitting out here with them unlocked."


    Lila tightened her grasp on the bottle. "… I''ll just take the bottle."


    "Alright. Pass it here and I''ll put it in my pocket."


    She did so before replacing the collar around Mr Snugglebutt''s neck. He had remained extraordinarily still – right up until she tested that the collar was indeed secure. He shook his whole body before giving another meow.


    "Thanks, kitty," Lila said affectionately, giving him one last scratch under the chin. He meowed again before sauntering off, towards the side gate that Marlene usually used.


    "You reckon he''s going home?" Lila asked after they watched him go for a few moments.


    "Probably. Though… we just saw Marlene go through that gate. Surely she didn''t have time to write a message and put it on his collar just now. So… who did?"


    Lila pressed her lips together. "Gabriel?"


    "Why would he bother?"


    "Maybe it''s their thing, him and Marlene. Something fun to entertain each other, sending messages in a bottle via cat."


    Asher paused. "… Maybe. I won''t ask him, though."


    "Good idea. At least, not until we read the note."


    "Yeah. Do you need help standing?"


    Lila shook her head. "I''m good, thanks."


    They wordlessly stood and entered through the front doors. They started making their way to the rumpus room, with Lila hardly noticing Gabriel in the kitchen.


    "Ah, you came back," Gabriel''s cheerful voice cut through Lila''s musings on what they''d seen at the café and the message in the bottle. They both looked at him before Lila smiled.


    "Of course we did," she said pleasantly. "We promised we''d have lunch here."


    "I hope you''ll have room for it," Gabriel grinned. "It''ll make you wish you were staying for dinner, too!"


    "I''d be inclined to agree, but I have a major soft spot for tocino," Lila lamented. "Plus, Clare is bringing Alex over to meet the family."


    Gabriel gawked at her. "It''s that serious?"


    "Apparently so," Lila smiled. "Not sure how it''ll go if it gets out that we''ve met him before at Coolisimo."


    Gabriel''s expression now changed to one of concern. "Maybe you should stay here for dinner."


    "If we don''t go, I think that''ll look more suspicious," Asher interjected. "Besides, he was very intimidating at Coolisimo. It''ll be interesting to see what he''s like when he''s not in ''bartender catching underaged teens in a club'' mode."


    Gabriel''s concern only grew on his face. "But your mother-"


    "I think… we''ll just have to hope for the best," Lila said, giving him a gentle smile. "No need to be so concerned."


    Gabriel seemed ready to say something else but instead nodded.


    "Let us know when lunch is ready," Asher said with a return nod.


    "Of course," Gabriel murmured. He stood in the kitchen for a moment longer before heading back into the butler''s pantry.


    With that, Lila and Asher headed up to the rumpus room, with all of Lila''s questions burning her throat. As soon as Asher closed the door behind them, she turned to him.


    "Okay, firstly, what do you think is in the bag?"


    "You don''t want to know what''s in the bottle first?" he asked, his tone surprised.


    "I do, but… I''m still feeling really weird about the café stuff."


    Asher paused. "I feel like I know what you''re talking about with the bag thing, but give me more context."


    "Well-"


    "Come, sit down first."


    She complied, placing her bag next to the couch. He sat next to her and she shuffled closer to him, placing her head on his shoulder.


    "So, Dad went into the café with a bag," she began, staring at the blank TV screen. "Then, he left without it. Marlene finished her shift early again and took the bag that he''d left behind. At least, that''s what it looks like. The bag looks almost identical to the one the antique guy left behind on Friday. So, what do you think is in the bag?"


    Asher paused. "A… duck?"


    "But why would my Dad get her a duck?"


    "Your family doesn''t have any duck statues lying around, right?"


    "Definitely none that I know of."


    "So it''s unlikely that he sold a duck statue on, like, Facebook marketplace then."


    "Very much so."


    Asher pursed his lips. "No idea, then. Maybe she bought the bag?"


    "But she already had one, from the antique dealer."


    "Maybe it''s a set?"


    This answer didn''t satisfy Lila at all. It seemed like Asher could tell, for he fell silent, resting a finger on his chin in contemplation.


    "I really can''t think of anything," he finally said in defeat.


    She sighed. "Damn."


    "Maybe she''ll talk about it on stream tonight?"


    "It''s the only thing I can hope for," Lila grumbled, pressing herself deeply into the couch in protest. Asher eyed her carefully before pulling her into his arms.


    "We can''t do anything about it now," he said, squeezing her gently. She melted into his hug, enjoying how his touch enveloped her in his warmth.


    "Yeah, but… it makes me just want to break into the cottage again. Especially now that I have my own lockpicks."


    "Did I create a monster?" he asked, his tone teasing.


    "Maybe."


    He kissed her on the side of her head. "Let''s not do that. At least, not anytime soon. We''ll see what''s on her stream tonight, since it''s a Wednesday. Then, if there''s nothing, we can think about what to do to find out."


    "… Okay," Lila mumbled, nestling herself closer to him. "Sometimes, I don''t like it when you''re reasonable."


    "Really? Sorry-"


    "I''m only joking. Your reasonable self is probably why we''ve survived so far. You''ve got the right amount of caution."


    "That I constantly throw to the wind."


    She giggled. "Yes, but I think that''s my influence."


    He didn''t respond for a moment before he gently squeezed her again. "Bit of A, bit of B. Or should I say L?"


    She giggled again, reaching out to lightly touch the ''L'' on his chest. "Definitely L."


    He smiled fondly at her. "You''re adorable."


    She flushed and hid in his chest to mask it. He wrapped his arms around her with a tighter grip.


    "You''ll kill me," he whispered in her ear.


    "Can''t have that," she mumbled into his body. "Then who''ll hug me like this?"


    He gave a deep belly laugh, one that jostled her slightly. "That''s true," he said, "I don''t want there to be anyone else who hugs you like this. Guess that means I need to work on being invincible."


    "Please do."


    He laughed again, though this time it was soft. "I will, for you."


    She swallowed before lifting herself up to see his face once more. He was blushing and his eyes were glued to hers. Neither moved for a second. Could she steal a kiss?


    As if he had the same thought, he leaned in and she eagerly met his lips. The passion flowing through her veins drew her whole body forward, almost to the point of straddling him. It seemed like he didn''t notice – or perhaps even encouraged it, with the way he gripped her hair. He pulled down on her strands, forcing her lips to connect to his with more force – something that she found herself to enjoy far more than she thought possible. She felt like she was glimpsing where his desires were taking him, and her curiosity was telling her to comply without making any moves of her own so she could see what else he''d do.


    Even so, it was beginning to feel really warm in here. Her shirt – she needed to take it off, otherwise she''d overheat.


    With her lips still busy with his, she began to lift the hem and was surprised to find his hands meet hers. He tugged upwards, and her breath halted. Was he helping her?


    As soon as she had the thought, he roughly pulled her shirt down and broke away.


    "Wait, wait, wait," he muttered frantically, his expression entirely flustered, "no-"


    "Asher, it''s-"


    "No," he repeated firmly, letting go entirely, his eyes wild with what looked to be thousands of thoughts and emotions each fighting for dominance. At the moment, it looked like guilt was prevailing.


    She sat up, sinking into the couch between his legs as quickly as her hopes. It''d… been going so well.


    "Sorry," he whispered, bringing his hands over his eyes. They were shaking, though she couldn''t tell from what.


    "That just makes it worse," she replied, unable to look at him anymore, lest the tears behind her eyes fell.


    Nothing was said for far too long. Lila moved further back, away from him, now feeling much too cold and hugging her torso to keep a shred of that fleeting warmth she''d had only seconds ago.


    After what felt like hours, but could only have been minutes, she felt him move.


    "Here," he said softly, prompting her to look at him. He''d sat up as well, averting his eyes from hers. In his hands was the bottle from Mr Snugglebutt''s collar and he carefully dropped it into her hands, as though afraid to touch her. Would… that fear linger?


    She didn''t find any of her usual enthusiastic curiosity as she turned the bottle in her hands. Somehow, it just kept getting worse and worse, every time they kissed and he''d panic like this. And, despite how he''d made her feel during breakfast, she was beginning to fall back into those feelings that she''d had in the car with Clare. He made her happy, yes… but this was really stinging.


    "You… don''t want to open it?" his voice was hesitant, barely above a whisper. She sighed. It''d… be a good distraction, at least.


    "I''ll open it," she said just as quietly. She fumbled with it for a few awkward seconds before the lid gave way. She tipped the bottle into her hand, grabbing the paper as it slipped out.


    She unfurled it with a frown. It looked like a black-and-white picture-


    "That''s us," she said, the shock twisting her stomach until it was nauseous. "It''s a picture of us."


    "What?" Asher leaned forward, inspecting the paper in her hands. It was indeed a printed black and white picture of Lila and Asher, both laughing, at ''Beans & Biscuits''. Judging by the outfits, it''d been taken that day and from the right side – likely from the café next door. She hadn''t seen anyone with a camera or felt anyone watching them at all that day. That realisation alone made her shiver.


    Asher shuddered, sitting back with gritted teeth. "This is like Piper all over again."


    "If… she wasn''t dead, I would be inclined to think that she''d taken it…"


    "Unless she''s not dead."


    Lila stared at him. He was joking, right?


    "I-I think she''s dead," he quickly explained, "but I mean, I don''t know for sure. It''s not like I''ve seen her body."


    "I doubt the reporter would give out fake news without another news piece apologising for the fake news since it was so horrible. Plus, the Police haven''t put a contrary statement out there."


    They both looked back down at the photo, the nausea Lila felt not letting up any. Had they attracted a new stalker? Why? And a new stalker who put photos of them on Mr Snugglebutt, no less…


    She looked back down at the photo, taking in as many details as she could. The picture was actually… kind of sweet. She had no idea what it looked like when they were together from an outsider''s perspective, but, to her, she looked happier than she''d ever been. Asher, too. Despite what she''d felt moments ago, she really loved being with Asher. If only he''d-


    "Is there anything on the back?" he asked. She blinked up at him, unable to register what he''d said for a moment. Then, she turned the photo.


    There was something written so lightly in the centre that Lila hadn''t noticed it when she''d first taken the paper out of the bottle. It was a series of numbers, letters and symbols that made no sense to her.


    WU° EP'' RY.EO" 3


    QTE° PW'' RT.OW" 2


    "I have absolutely no idea what this is," Lila said, passing it to Asher. He brought it close to his eyes, peering at it intently.


    "I''m not convinced that it''s words," he said after a few moments. "Other than that, I have no idea."


    "Not words?"


    Asher shook his head. "Or, at least, not a legible sentence."


    "Why would someone print a picture of us and write this behind it?"


    "Not sure. I''d expected a message, maybe like the one about Mr Snugglebutt''s real name, but… there are hardly any letters for a message."


    Lila was entirely stumped. "Maybe… we should do some studying for now. Reset our brains and look at it again after lunch?"


    Asher checked the time on his phone. "That works. Should give us about an hour."


    He placed the note back into the bottle and put the lid back on. Lila pulled out her laptop and English notebook once again. Trying to work on her assignment was almost impossible, with the chaos running through her mind of what she''d seen at ''Beans & Biscuits'', the mystery of the photo and accompanying note, what Asher had said about Alice''s predicament, and… her want for him to touch her again – even if it was just a light brush against her arm. But he was steadfastly working on his maths. Not even his eyes drifted to her as he worked, let alone any part of his body.


    She gave a soft sigh before setting aside her laptop. He looked up.


    "Just going to the bathroom," she explained, standing up and heading to the spare bathroom. Cooling herself down with some water had helped in the past, so she tried it again. It took a bit longer than she''d hoped, but it gradually worked to bring her focus back. Her English assignment was due very soon, so she really needed to finish it – especially when Ms Shard''s more general tips from marking their drafts were fresh in her mind.


    With more determination, she sat on the couch and found two cups of juice sitting on the coffee table. She picked up the one closest to her and turned to Asher, who''d returned to studying as though nothing had happened.


    "Thanks for the juice," she smiled, taking a sip.


    "You''re welcome," he said, his gaze still on his work. "I realised I hadn''t poured some. Bit rude of me."


    "I''ll forgive you."


    "I''m glad."


    Something seemed off about his response. Was it the cadence? She looked at him suspiciously, however he seemed to be concentrating on his work. It was likely, then, that it was due to having divided his attention between her and his studies.


    She took one more sip before setting her cup down. She dived into her English assignment, making a satisfying amount of progress that stopped only when the shrill tone of the intercom startled her.


    Asher sighed, obediently heading to the intercom.


    "Hello," he said once he reached it.


    "Lunch is ready," Gabriel''s joyous voice responded.


    "Thanks, Gabriel."


    Lila stretched and put her laptop to sleep. She wasn''t exactly starving as they headed downstairs but it changed when she reached the dining room and inhaled the tantalising scent of spiced pulled pork.


    Three plates of humble pulled pork burgers and homemade, rustic chips sat patiently on the dining table where Lila, Asher and Gabriel typically sat.


    "Eat, eat," Gabriel called from the kitchen as they took their seats. "Just sorting out some punch."


    Lila popped a chip into her mouth, letting the chicken salt settle on her tongue before grabbing hold of her burger. Slivers of tomato and lettuce poked out of the sides, but of most importance was the pulled pork calling her name.


    As expected, it was delicious, the unexpected sweet tang of applesauce enhancing the flavour of the pork as she chewed.


    Gabriel entered not a moment later, brandishing a jug of punch and pouring some for both Lila and Asher. He bustled to his own seat, his eyes resting on Lila for a moment.


    "How is it?" he asked with an all-knowing smile.


    "Delicious, as always," Lila gushed. "I love it."


    "Glad to hear it," Gabriel chuckled before tucking in to his own burger.


    They ate in silence, with Lila savouring each bite. Eventually, her plate was completely empty and she''d had more than her fair share of punch.


    "That was amazing, Gabriel," she beamed. "Thanks."


    "You''re very welcome, Lila. Unfortunately, I now have an absurd amount of pulled pork and applesauce left over to enjoy all on my lonesome tonight," Gabriel ended his sentence with a dramatic sniff.


    "There''s worse things you could be left with," Asher replied.


    Gabriel huffed. "Of course there is. No company, for one thing."


    "I''m sure Marlene will join you if you ask her very nicely," Asher quipped.


    "She''ll have to," Gabriel nodded. "Otherwise, I''ll complain endlessly tomorrow."


    "No, please let it end!" Asher responded in mock horror.


    Gabriel gave Asher a reproachful look. "Someone''s lively today."


    "You make it sound like it''s a bad thing."


    Gabriel pressed his lips together before turning to Lila. "Lila, knock him down a peg or two, will you? His lack of devastation is insufferable."


    She laughed. "I''m sure he''s very devastated, Gabriel, as am I. Apparently, today''s the only day that works, as they''re both not on shift since it''s a public holiday."


    "Ah. I did approve that roster."


    "So this devastation is of your own making," Asher raised an eyebrow at Gabriel.


    "Yes, yes, well. If I hear that you didn''t eat lots of tocino, I will go back to feeding you only cheese slices. You mustn''t be rude."


    "Like I was going to do that," Asher replied petulantly.


    Gabriel cracked a smile before winking at Lila. "Alright, I''ve had my fun now. We''ll leave here at 3.30, shall we?"


    Lila almost forgot that Gabriel was taking them to her parents'' place. "Yes please."


    She stood in unison with Asher and they both returned to the rumpus room. They had just under an hour before they would be leaving again.


    "So, what now?" Lila asked as she sat on the couch.


    "I think I''ll have a look at some codes I wrote down in my spreadsheet. The one I used to read the last message from Mr Snugglebutt''s neck. Maybe one of the ones I tested will work for this photo," he replied before disappearing into his room. He reappeared just as quickly with his laptop and sat next to her.


    He seemed to be sitting a little bit closer than he had after their kissing earlier that afternoon. Lila was glad since she had been worried that he wouldn''t want to touch her at all after that. With a surreptitious glance at his legs, she figured that if he kept drifting this way, he''d eventually touch her leg with his own.


    "Alrighty," he muttered, picking up the bottle and taking the photo back out, "let''s see what I''ve got…"


    Lila inched closer to him, peering over his shoulder. His spreadsheet was quite detailed and contained several different tabs. He flicked through them all once before returning to the first and frowning at the writing on the back of the photo.


    Lila was again fascinated by the way his expression rested when he was in deep focus. She wondered briefly about what it would take for him to look at her that way before subtly shaking her head. She was being ridiculous.


    "Do you see anything?" Asher asked after a few moments had passed.


    "M-Me?"


    "Yeah. I mean, I made this thing, so I might be missing something." He passed his laptop and the photo over to her.


    "I''ll check, but I''m really not great at decoding stuff."


    "Have you tried?"


    She hesitated. "I''ve… tried enough."


    "I bet it''ll just be like when you picked the lock at Marlene''s. You''ll find something that solves it in an instant after I''ve agonised over it for ages, and then I get to look at you in awe and jealousy."


    "You were jealous?"


    "Of course. I was supposed to show off how cool I was."


    "You were plenty cool before that. I mean, you were the reason why we were in her cottage opening that other door in the first place."


    "I''m glad you think so. My point still stands though."


    She shook her head, unable to hide her grin as she turned her attention back to his spreadsheet. Nothing… seemed to be lining up. Asher had said that it didn''t look to be words or a message – so what was it? If they could figure out what it was supposed to be, then decoding it would be much easier.


    "What do you think this is?" Lila asked quietly, opening another tab of his spreadsheet to no avail.


    "The writing?"


    "Yeah. Since it''s not words."


    "I''ve been trying to think, but nothing''s coming to me. Something about it feels ridiculously familiar, but I have no idea why."


    "I think once we figure out what it''s supposed to be, decoding it will be easier."


    "You''re right," Asher said reluctantly, taking the laptop back from her after she finished looking through the last tab. "I guess we''ll be studying for the next however long. Coming back to it later might help. Besides, we don''t have much time left."


    "Okay."


    Asher put a timer on his phone as Lila returned to her English assignment. Though she was successful in completing more of it, the back of her mind wouldn''t let go of the mystery behind the note. Whatever had been written down was clearly intentional, and it seemed as though the delivery to them specifically via Mr Snugglebutt was just as intentional.


    Marlene, though, had been flat out the entire time she was working that morning. Yes, she''d taken the time to deliver a coffee to her Dad and left early, but there was no way she could have gotten across from them at the café next door, taken a picture, printed it and put it on Mr Snugglebutt in time for Lila and Asher to encounter him at the front doors.


    It didn''t seem like a Gabriel thing to do, either. If he''d taken a picture of them, he would simply give it to them. It seemed like Gabriel took delight in seeing people''s reactions, so to deprive himself of that joy and write an odd note on the back of it? Doubtful at best.


    So… someone else had access to Mr Snugglebutt.


    Someone who could be an accomplice to murder? Now two murders? Was the message meant to be a threat somehow; to say that Lila and Asher were next on the hitlist?


    She shuddered, causing Asher to look up at her.


    "Whoa, your face is super pale. Everything okay?" he asked, setting aside the laptop that he''d been working on.


    "Y-Yeah. Just freaked myself out."


    "About what?"


    "Well… you know how we were thinking that… if Marlene was involved in Piper''s murder, she must''ve had an accomplice? Since she was in Vanuatu with you and your Dad when Piper died."


    "Yeah?"


    "It couldn''t have been Marlene who took this picture of us. Not that I had eyes on her the entire time, but she was so busy, there wouldn''t have been a way for her to leave the café, go to the one next to ''Beans & Biscuits'', take a photo of us, print it, write a code and then put it on Mr Snugglebutt''s collar. The printing, code and collar part alone had to have been done after she finished her shift and there was absolutely no way she had time to do that since we were right behind her and Mr Snugglebutt was already waiting for us at the front."


    "You suggested before that Gabriel could''ve done it," Asher replied, though his expression conveyed his own doubt about that.


    "If it had been something like, I dunno, a shopping list, or a fun joke, or something about her obscene amount of ducks, I''d be confident that it was Gabriel sending a message to Marlene," Lila said. Her continued suggestion was making her skin crawl. "But a photo of us? I mean, firstly, I don''t think he''d tend to go out for breakfast, and it seems like he''s someone who needs company. Secondly, if he did take a photo of us, I''m sure he''d just give it to us so he can see our reactions."


    "I agree,"Asher said, looking disturbed by that conclusion. "I''m definitely not going to ask him about it."


    "Yeah, let''s not."


    They both paused before Asher threw his hands into his hair.


    "If it is a murder accomplice, then surely it means they know that we know there''s someone else? Are we next?" he sounded on the verge of panic.


    "… I don''t know."


    His eyes met hers and he quickly grabbed her hands. "Lila, it''s important that you stay safe."


    She hadn''t heard him sound quite so serious, desperate and terrified all at once and it made her shudder once again. "Asher, you need to stay safe, too."


    He shook his head. "I''ll be fine."


    "I bet Jason thought that, too."


    His eyes widened before he looked down, towards their hands. "I… bet so too."


    "Should we… go to the Police?"


    "And say what? We found a random picture of us in the collar of my maid''s cat? There''s hardly anything to go off. I doubt there''re any fingerprints besides ours – especially since it looks like it was printed on printer paper. We''ve probably wiped any that was on the bottle by accident since it''s so small."


    He was beginning to ramble. It was as though she could see his mind spiralling right there. With one forceful tug, she pulled him to her and he landed with his head on her chest.


    "Sor-"


    She gently placed her hands on the back of his head, the touch cutting his attempted apology short. His hair was soft as she ran her fingers through it, the feeling calming her down as much as he seemed to be whilst in her embrace.


    "Asher," she said softly, "let''s not unravel here. It''s only a theory."


    She felt his arms move to her waist and clutch her firmly as he turned his head slightly to talk. "Theories can be right, though."


    "I know, but if we scare ourselves silly, we''d become recluses."


    "Being a recluse sounds perfect right now."


    Though she was trying to sound brave, she couldn''t disagree with Asher''s statement. "If we become recluses, how are we meant to finish school?"


    He made a disgruntled sound but didn''t say anything.


    "Or go on dates?"


    He remained silent. She continued to caress his head until she felt his entire body relax. She smiled as her own body fully relaxed. She couldn''t imagine that anyone else could make her feel quite like this so quickly, her worries almost entirely forgotten. If she could hold him forever, she was sure to find endless peace.


    Disappointingly, Asher''s alarm blared, causing Asher to groan in frustration. She let him go and he sat up, his face red from being pressed against her.


    "Looks like we have to pack up and not be recluses," he sighed, turning it off. He seemed to be avoiding her eyes but instead of questioning it, she started packing up. Once she''d collected everything, she turned to Asher who was holding the photo in his hands.


    "Ready to go?" she asked.


    "Yeah… well, sort of. I want to keep this safe-"


    "Did you take a picture of both sides?"


    He pulled out his phone with a grimace. "No."


    She removed the photo from his hands and unfurled it so he could take pictures on both sides. Once that was done, she took the bottle from the table, placed the photo inside and closed it.


    "I''m guessing you don''t want this to stay here, in case Marlene finds it?" she asked, looking up to find him staring intently at his phone.


    "Definitely not," he said shortly, pocketing it. "If the accomplice theory is right, it could''ve been a message meant for Marlene – to tell her that we''ve been watching her."


    She hadn''t thought about that. "Alright. I''ll take it home with me."


    She slipped it into a zip-up pocket in her bag, which Asher immediately placed on his shoulder. With that, she started to head downstairs, with Asher just behind her.