But the plan required Holden to move quickly. He only allowed himself to nuzzle against Kit’s soft hair as he patted his darling down.
He had already left Kit’s phone in his friend’s bedroom. Taking the phone was easy, with the beautiful way Kit responded to kissing. He threw his entire self into it, completely absorbed. Slipping the phone from his pocket was as easy as slipping the drug into his beer had been.
Now, that was a rush. Taking control of Kit right in front of James Zhou. The only thing better would be if that fucking detective was there too. Holden smiled above Kit’s drooping head.
James would remember that moment for the rest of his life.
Holden found a strange object in Kit’s pocket. A heavy, steel-rimmed black coin. Holden wasn’t sure what it was, which was concerning. To be safe, he slipped it in his own pocket. He would get rid of it on his way out.
Reluctantly, Holden set Kit down on the ground, propping him up against the railing. He had to clean up some evidence before taking Kit out the back. Before pulling his gloves on, Holden caressed Kit’s slender throat again.
Holden’s forensics classes never talked about how beautiful the quiet moments of a crime could be.
Kit’s pulse was so sweet and steady. His every breath was entirely under Holden’s control. The dim light softened his features, and Holden imagined Kit would look like this after sex. Fucked out and sleepy, vulnerable and pliant. This would onlybe better if Kit was awake, watching Holden with those beautiful green eyes.
Maybe Kit would smile softly, just for Holden.
If only Holden could have Kit’s full attention all the time. If only Kit didn’t expect Holden to share. Holden didn’t blame Kit, though. It wasn’t Kit’s fault for being so perfect, for so many people wanting him.
Holden didn’t even blame Kit for breaking up with him today. Of course Kit didn’t understand Holden yet, because Holden had to keep too many secrets from him.
That was all over now. No more secrets. No more deception.
And just one last murder.
“That’s all I have today,” Bishop said. “I’m sorry I don’t have more news for you.”
He sat in one leather armchair, and Mr. and Mrs. Wellington shared the couch across from him. Bishop used to meet them in their hotel room, but a few weeks ago they rented this house to stay in San Corvo until their son’s murder was solved.
Unfortunately, it was starting to look like they would be here for a while.
Mr. Wellington shook his head. “Don’t apologize. You’ve already done so much for us. For Tim…”
His face crumpled, and his wife slid her arm behind him.
Bishop looked away to give them a shred of privacy. He hated these conversations. The no-news updates. Disappointing families never got easier. It was almost worse when they wereunderstanding like this. Bishop knew how to handle the angry ones.
Of course, Bishop had more progress on the SCU case than he was able to share with the Wellingtons. For most of his jobs, Bishop didn’t coincidentally murder his prime suspects.
“Really, Matthew, I don’t know where we would be without you,” Mrs. Wellington said. “Just the fact that the police are taking Timothy seriously now is so important to us.”
Mr. Wellington nodded and got to his feet. “Don’t know where we would be right now if we hadn’t heard your name.”
Gathering his things together, Bishop paused. “Where did you hear my name, anyway? I get most of my clients from in-state.”
“One of Timothy’s friends, wasn’t it?” Mr. Wellington nudged his wife. “Gave us a business card.”
Mrs. Wellington contemplated as she straightened her dress. “Yes, we ran into him at the campus café, when you were buying me that terrible latte.”
“After you screamed at the police chief, yes,” Mr. Wellington said approvingly.
“I was firm with him. You have to be firm with those people.” Mrs. Wellington snapped her fingers. “Holden!”
Bishop’s attention sharpened.
“Holden Radley, that was his name.” Mrs. Wellington smiled. “Such a nice boy.”
Unease trickled cold along the back of Bishop’s neck. The sudden, undeniable instinct that something was wrong. Why would a normal college student be handing out Bishop’s business card?
