Rachel shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Most of my guests gave up on The Underground a while ago,” Roman added. “It was mostly a meat market masquerading as a BDSM club. That’s why we started hosting private parties.”
“Did Parker feel the same way?” Leland asked.
“I think so, but we weren’t that close.” His lips twisted in distaste. “I didn’t care for the man much, either.”
“Yet he was in your house, red flags and all,” Leland said, not cutting him any slack.
He didn’t argue, just stared at him for a moment. “You care about her.”
Leland went still, his version of slamming a door shut. “Not relevant to this discussion.”
Roman held his gaze for another second. “Fair enough.”
Dev stepped in before the tension could sharpen further. “Tell me what you know about him.”
“Not much. We’re acquaintances moving in the same social circle.”
Rachel snorted softly. “He thinks confidence and dominance are the same thing.”
“They aren’t,” Roman said flatly.
No one disagreed.
“Did he know Julia?” Dev asked.
“She said yes to a scene with him, so I doubt it,” Rachel muttered.
“I can’t say if he did,” Roman said, not contradicting her. His gaze shifted to Leland again. “Most men in that room noticed her as soon as she walked in. She has a look some doms gravitate to.”
Leland understood precisely what he meant. It struck like a blow to the chest. Julia was beautiful and naturally commanded attention. Lately, she exuded loneliness and hurt, vulnerabilities a predator would easily home in on. More blame for him to shoulder.
Dev got them on track again. “Do you know where we can find him?”
Roman slid a business card across the table. “My contact info. Parker has a townhouse in Miramar. His address is on the other side. Works as a medical sales rep. That’s all I know.”
Dev’s phone buzzed at the same time Leland’s did.
“Excuse me,” he said.
Leland didn’t bother with niceties. He opened Callan’s text. Jack Parker’s driver’s license photo filled the screen alongside a detailed list of his vital statistics. He picked up the card as he slid out of the booth.
Dev tossed several bills onto the table. “We appreciate you coming in to talk to us.”
“It’s the least we could do,” Rachel said.
Leland didn’t hear the rest as he pushed through the glass doors.
Dev caught up with him in the parking lot. “Maybe I should get someone else to come with me.”
The look Leland shot him over the hood said it all.
“Okay, but try not to kill him before we get answers.”
Leland beeped the door locks and slid behind the wheel, making no promises. Notably, Dev hadn’t said,Don’t kill him at all.
***
