“Where before that?”
“Chicago.”
“You travel much?”
“All the time, lately.”
Mercer could overlap with Anna Bellamy. But not the earlier disappearances. He was a creep, a possible emotional predator, and he’d definitely follow up, but he didn’t fit cleanly. Alec’s expression showed he’d reached the same conclusion.
Mercer stiffened slightly. “Am I a suspect?”
“Should you be?” Alec challenged.
“No. You’re looking in the wrong direction.”
“Maybe,” Leland said. “But we’ll decide that.”
By the time they returned downstairs, Pete was back, pale and irritated from whatever conversation he’d had with his security contractor.
“This is going to cost me, but the footage will be uploaded by nine tomorrow morning,” Pete said tightly.
“Money well spent for the safety of your patrons is what you meant to say. Right?” Alec replied.
Pete became immediately defensive. “Look. I’m cooperating. And no matter what you think, I care about what happens here.”
Leland glanced toward the crowded floor. “If you want this place to be more than a hunting ground for creeps, a word of advice. Get rid of your bouncers and hire actual dungeon monitors.”
Pete blinked. “You think that’d help?”
“It’d help the submissives,” Leland said. “Which is usually good for business.”
Alec nodded. “Right now, your setup relies on people speaking up after something goes wrong.”
“That’s too little, too late,” Leland added.
Pete’s expression tightened, as if he already knew that. “You guys know about this stuff. Would you be willing to consult? On the monitors and the security?”
Leland shook his head. “We’re tied up with a case.”
Alec’s tone stayed matter-of-fact. “You couldn’t afford us anyway. But I know someone solid. I’ll have them call you.”
Pete exhaled. “That would be great. Thanks.”
They left without another word.
Outside, the late afternoon heat had him sweating before they reached the car. When he looked over at Alec, he was grinning.
“What’s funny? Is this about the guy you know?” Leland asked.
“I said nothing about a guy.”
“Did I just hallucinate that?” Leland asked after they got in, and he had fired up the engine and switched the AC on max.
“Remember the new member who Dev gave the boot to a few months back?”
“The one who was only interested in snooping?”
Alec nodded.
