Page 22 of In His Sights

“It feels as if I’ve done nothingbutfall apart the last two days.” When she gazed at him with obvious concern, he sighed. “You’re right to avoid the alcohol route. It sucks.” At least he’d gotten stuff done before he hit the tequila, not that it had helped. None of their friends had heard from Cory, and looking at his apps proved fruitless.

“Ah. Thanks for the advice.” She tilted her head. “But you didn’t mind meeting me?”

“Mind? Why would I mind?” he lied. After a moment’s hesitation, he took a careful step. “When was the last time you spoke with Cory?”

Beats of silence.

Nina leaned back in her chair. “Is that an official question? You’re on this case? I didn’t think the police department would allow that.”

He swallowed. “I’m not asking as a cop—I’m asking as Cory’s best friend. And you’re right, by the way. I’m not allowed to work this case—at least not the parts of it that concern Cory. I saw him a week ago. We met at a bar.”

She took a drink from her cup. “I know. He called me Sunday night when he got home. That was the last time we spoke.” Her lips twitched. “He says you still have the hots for him.” That spasm was back, but this time she didn’t school her features. “Jesus. I keep thinking of him in the present tense, and then it hits me again, a sharp fucking knife lancing into my gut.” She shuddered. “My parents are talking about funeral homes, the service, the freakingmusic, and while I know they’re only doing that because they need to be doingsomething, I want to scream at them that none of that shit matters. None of it will bring him back.” Her eyes glistened. “Who would want to kill Cory? He’s—hewas—the sweetest guy ever.” Nina’s face hardened. “It was him, wasn’t it? That guy who’s been killing gay men.”

Gary couldn’t speak. He handed her a paper napkin from the stand, and she wiped her eyes.

Nina inhaled deeply, then drank half her coffee. “I’m sorry. You can’t talk about this. But I had to talk to someone, and he… he loved you like a brother.”

“I felt the same.” Well, not at first, but that had been a long time ago, and whatever feelings Gary had had for Cory back in high school had morphed into something better, something solid.He could never be Brad, but he was the next best thing.

When the thought occurred to him, he knew he should keep it to himself, but the words poured out before he could rein them in. “Did Cory mention dating anyone new?” He could hear Cory’s voice, clear as a bell.

Dating? How sweet.

Nina shook her head. “No.” Her eyes widened. “Wait—yes. He said some guy had sent him a dick pic, and when Cory asked to see the rest of him, he sent a photo.” She fanned herself. “Gorgeous guy.I’dhave dated him. Talk about movie-star looks.”

Gary froze. “Yousawthe photo?”

“Yeah. Cory forwarded it to me.” A hint of a twinkle in her eyes. “He didn’t send the dick pic, though,” she added with a pout that was so like Cory’s it was uncanny.

He smiled. “He’d think of that as corrupting the innocent.”

Nina stared at him, her mouth open, then guffawed, tears trickling down her face as she hugged her middle. At nearby tables, customers stared in their direction, then returned to whatever activity occupied them. When she finally had herself under control, she sagged in her chair. “Oh God. Thank you. That’s the first laugh I’ve had since I heard.” She chuckled. “Innocent? Honey, I haven’t been that since tenth grade. Bless him. Hewould’vethought that too.”

Gary couldn’t get his mind off the photo. “Can I see it?”

Nina gave him a speculative glance. “That’s the detective talking. Sure.” She pulled her phone from her purse, scrolled, then handed it to him.

Gary gazed at the screen. “I see what you mean about movie-star looks.” The man was in his thirties, maybe, with a firm jaw, piercing blue eyes, and perfectly coiffed hair.

And nothing like Kris Lee Arill. If itwastheir man, the photo would lead them nowhere, just like the others he’d used.

He handed the phone back.

Nina snorted. “I told Cory this guy was out of his league.”

“Maybe you should send it to the police.”

She frowned. “But I already did. I showed it to that detective who visited. Stevens? Is that his name?”

There was a fluttering in his stomach. “When was this?”

“Friday night. David and I went straight to my parents when they called me with the news. There were two detectives. Stevens and….”

“Detective Watson?”

She nodded. “That was it. I can barely remember the conversation—I was that numb. But they asked the same questions you did, so I showed the detective the photo, and he gave me a number to forward it to.” That tilt of her head again. “I thought you said you’re not involved.”

“I’m not. The fact that neither of my coworkers informed me of their visit should tell you that.” Not even Riley.I guess he’s a cop first and a friend second.“You said your parents are arranging the funeral. Any idea when it will be?”

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