Page 33 of In His Sights

“Don’t be,” Gary told him. “It happens more than you’d realize. And if it gets him the help he needs, I guess it’s almost worth it.” He gestured to the evidence box. “Were you able to learn anything?”

“Nothing of any use, I think.” He shuddered.

“What’s wrong?” Gary and Riley asked simultaneously.

“I didn’t pick up anything from the killer, but….” He shivered. “So much fear. These guys knew they were going to die.”

“You couldn’t see what they saw?” Riley’s face fell. “Does that ever happen? You know, as if you’re looking out through their eyes?”

“If you’re asking me for a physical description of the bad guy, I’m sorry, no, I can’t give you that.” Dan picked up one of the evidence bags. “The best way I can describe it is… it’s as if their belongings soaked up all the raw, strong emotions they were experiencing. I’m not saying it doesn’teverhappen the way you suggest—because now and again, it does—but it’s rare.” He stared at the board. “What interests me are these letters the killer carves into their skin, especiallywherehe cuts them.”

Riley walked over to the board. “What about them?”

“What do they call it when you get a tattoo there? A tramp stamp? Maybe that’s a comment on his victims.”

“He appears to choose guys who are on Grindr, Scruff, and other such apps. All the victims were very sexually active, and witness statements indicate a high volume of ‘visitors’ to their homes. So your theory could be right. Maybe he saw them as promiscuous.”

“We think that’s how he’s targeting them,” Gary added.

Dan pointed to the heap of Scrabble tiles on the desk. “Good idea. Has it helped?”

Riley huffed. “If you’re asking what the letters mean, we haven’t worked that out yet. But it did help us solve a puzzle.” Gary listened as Riley brought Dan up to speed on their theories about mystery man Kris.

Dan shivered when Riley got to the part about the anagram. “Okay, that just gave me chills.” He glanced at the board once more. “Do you think the letters are in a specific order, or is the killer giving you a puzzle to solve once you have them all?”

“We’ve tried multiple combinations, but so far they make no sense. And now we know he’s in this for the long haul, I think your puzzle idea is the correct one.”

“Thereissomething I’d like to try,” Dan murmured. “But I’d need you to do something for me.”

“What is it you need?” Gary asked. “And when do you want it done?”

“Not today—I need to recharge my batteries first—but tomorrow, possibly.” Dan touched the photos of the ropes and cuffs. “These might be more use than the jewelry, especially as the killer will have handled them.”

“I’ll have them sent up first thing tomorrow,” Gary confirmed.

Dan studied the images. “Maybe he’s into BDSM. Then again, maybe it’s a red herring, but he’s used them with all the victims.” He turned to look at Gary. “Were any of the victims into BDSM? Was there any evidence of that at the crime scenes?”

Gary shook his head. “What would you look for as evidence?”

“Leather, bondage gear, toys, slings, photos…. Maybe you should look at the Grindr and Scruff accounts again,” Dan suggested. “Cross-reference any guys who hooked up with all the victims and who are into leather, etc. But you’ll already have done this.”

Riley nodded. “The list is growing. We need to interview more of them. Maybe we need toreinterview some of them.”

“Cory wasn’t into all that. At least, he never mentioned it.” Gary didn’t think the topic had ever come up in conversation.

“How long were you two in a relationship?”

Gary froze. “What?”He thinks we were lovers? Dear Lord.How much does he know? How much does he see?He felt naked, under scrutiny, his secrets laid bare for all to see.

A flush crept across Dan’s cheeks. “Sorry. That’s none of my business.”

Gary struggled to claw back some semblance of calm. “No, you… you took me by surprise, that’s all. Cory and I, we were just friends,” he said as Lewis strolled into the room.

“Besides, Gary is straight,” Lewis interjected.

What the actualfuck?

Before he could get a single word past the lump in his throat, Lewis scowled. “Well, you are. What’s wrong with that?”

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