ng to the others last night. If Serena had been there, she’d have known. I wasn’t keeping secrets from her. Well, I was at first. I was trying to deal on my own, but I realized my idiocy and that I needed my people.”
Vern sighed and got out another set of photos that he handed to Jayden.
“I told you this was weird.” Jayden said throwing the photos down. “She’s someone I had a fling with at eighteen years old. All of a sudden she appears from nowhere asking to meet. When we’re outside, she flings herself at me. It’s a fucking set up and when I find out who did it I’ll drain the bastard.”
“Last but not least.” Vern announced, and he showed a video of Flynn meeting his ex.
“We were just talking about this last night. I have no idea how Rose knew I was there. The competition I was there for, I entered under a different name. Plus you can’t see from the photo but Rose is five months pregnant. She’s happily married.”
“Can you call Rose and find out how she knew?” Vern asked. “It could give us a clue.”
I watched as Flynn took out his cell and hesitantly called the number. I knew he didn’t really want to contact his ex again, but we had no choice. Once again speaker phone ensured we all heard it.
“Hey, Rose. Sorry to trouble you.”
“No problem, Flynn. I can’t stay on long though. I’m out to playgroup in five.”
“Sorry, I never asked. Who told you I was in New York? I was so caught up with things I never asked you.”
“Oh she asked me not to say, didn’t want you thinking she was out to cause any bother.”
“It’s important, Rose.”
There was a pause.
“It was Cynthia. We’ve kept in touch since I left. I know it’s strange, but I spent a lot of time at Carbon Beach and I like to know what’s happening there still.”
“But how did she know I was there?”
“No idea, you’ll have to ask her yourself. I must go, Flynn.”
“Okay. You take care.”
“Cynthia?” Jayden said. “Why would she give a fuck what any of us do?”
“I’ve no idea.” Flynn said.
“Well, she features in my blackmail.” I said. “But other than that. I have no idea why she’d be playing us all.”
“Looks like we need to do some more investigating on this woman.” Vern said. “I’m trusting you guys. I’m going back to the hotel to tell Serena what you just told me. Then I’ll be in touch. Don’t try to talk to this woman until we know how Serena wants to handle things.”
We nodded and gave murmurs of agreement.
Leaving the room I pointed up the beach. “Talk of the devil, that’s her.”
Vern stared and then turned to us.
“Well, she’s not a devil, boys. But she is a shapeshifter.”
21
Serena
“I know Cynthia’s a bitch but why would she try to ruin our relationship?” I asked my father when he returned from seeing the others.
“That’s something that the lady herself needs to be asked. Looks like she’s been using those skills of hers to get up to who knows what trouble.”
“Good job my father has a knack for reading the supernaturals among us, isn’t it?”