“Definitely! I was just hitting on him until you ruined it for me.”
“How will you ever forgive me?”
“A raise should help.”
Eliot waved his hand. “You’re making more than enough. Jonah, let’s go somewhere more private.”
I followed him deeper into the club, relieved he didn’t lead me down to the basement, like on the first night we met. I remembered Steven Nixson, the talented director who’d gotten a blowjob next to me, and who had later died a few years later from a heart attack while having sex with two prostitutes in Romania.
Eliot led me to a back office. I immediately noticed one of my sculptures standing on a shelf—an open palm holding a human eye. I had sold it to one of my anonymous clients three years ago.
Eliot sat behind his desk, following my gaze. “I never buy anything just to be nice. I cherish your talent, and I wanted to be surrounded by it.”
Despite myself, I appreciated him not trying to apologize. I sat on the other side of the desk.
“How did you find out I was behind that email address?” he asked.
“I had an event in my studio, and one of the guests recognized my work from your house.”
Eliot nodded. “I knew it was a matter of time. Rest assured that your art is presented with the utmost respect.”
“I don’t care. I’m here because of Hayden.”
“Who?”
I sat straighter, refusing to fall for his games. “You know who. Hayden. My… the detective who came to see you.”
His confusion seemed sincere. “I remember him, but I’ve no idea what brings you here to talk about him. Do you two know each other?”
What is happening?I leaned forward, my palms on the desk. “I need you to be honest with me, Eliot. Please.”
He nodded. “I’ll be as honest as I can, but you also need to be honest with me. Are you wired?”
“What? No.”
“Show me. I would not risk speaking freely otherwise.”
I sighed and stood, lifting my shirt before turning around. “Okay?”
“Almost.” His eyes traveled down.
“Jesus,” I hissed and dropped my jeans.
“Thank you. One can never be too careful.”
I raised my jeans and sat back down. I had so many questions, all battling on the tip of my tongue. I chose the most important one. “Do you know where Hayden is?”
“No. Why on earth would I know that?”
I believed him. God help me, but I did. “Hayden and I are together. He was investigating The Society, and yesterday he was kidnapped from his apartment. We dated last year until someone sent him an anonymous email with my old videos, edited to make it look like I was being willingly sexually tortured. We broke up after that and have recently gotten back together after Nick disappeared.”
Eliot cocked his head. “Does that mean you know Nick as well? Interesting.”
How could he not know that?
I bit my tongue and waited. I clearly had many missing pieces in my puzzle, and I needed him to help me solve it.
“Why would they send those videos of you?” he finally asked. “Because you were dating a cop?”
