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Dan glanced at him. “You remember I registered surprise? Well, what if…?”
“Don’t stop there.”
Dan studied the board. “What if they were surprised because they knew him but didn’t think he was gay?”
“That doesn’t make sense. He contacted them all on Grindr. Why would he be on Grindr if he wasn’t gay?”
Dan arched his eyebrows. “You said Lewis was on Grindr. Ishegay?” Gary blinked, and Dan nodded. “Exactly. Think about it. Kris Lee Arill approaches them, but we know he uses fake photos. He arranges to meet, probably using WhatsApp. And when he turns up….Bam. It’s not the guy they expect, but they know him, or at least recognize him. But maybe they didn’t have a clue he was into guys.That’swhy they’re surprised.”
“And none of them show him the door, because…?”
Dan’s brows lifted again. “He’s obviously a good-looking guy.” He sighed. “I don’t think that theory holds water.”
“Keep going. Any more theories?”
“Just one. I think you’ve been looking in the wrong direction.”
“What do you mean?”
Dan held out his hand. “Coffee, now. I need caffeine to make my brain work.”
Gary chuckled and handed it to him. “Continue. Which direction should we have been looking in?”
Dan smiled. “What if Grindr—and all the other apps—were red herrings?”
Gary became still. “Continue.”
“You’ve assumed he uses the apps to choose his victims. Okay, let’s also assume Riley is going to come through that door and tell youallthe victims were taking PrEP. What ifthat’show he chooses them? Think about what I said when I first saw the letters. He’s giving them a tramp stamp. That fits. Maybe he sees anyone taking PrEP as promiscuous. God knows he wouldn’t be the first to leap tothatconclusion.” He took a long drink.
Gary couldn’t drink. His pulse quickened, and adrenaline shot through his system. “Let’s take the assumptions a stage further. You said if they were on PrEP, they’d need to get tested. What if that’s where they knew him from? They’d seen him at a sexual health clinic.”
“So heisgay after all?” Dan gaped. “What is he doing, making a tour of all the clinics, picking out guys to be next on his list?” A violent shiver rippled through him. “It gives me the creeps.”
“You still feel he’s doing this out of some desire for vengeance?”
Dan shuddered. “I can’t get those words out of my head. ‘I’m doing this for you.’” He whooshed out a breath. “Wow. What a mind trip. One minute I’m bringing up us getting tested, and suddenly I’ve steered the investigation onto a new path.” He drained his cup. “What else can I do for you? I’m on a roll.”
“I think you’ve done enough for today. Besides….” He studied Dan’s face, noting the faint shadows under his eyes.
“What?”
Gary bit back a smile. “You look as tired as I feel.”
“And that surprises you? Seeing as neither of us got a lot of sleep last night?”
He didnotwant to think about that right then, not with the prospect of Lewis walking in there at any minute. “Look, we’ve got calls to make, records to chase up. Why don’t I take you back to your hotel and you can have a nap?”
Dan frowned. “Firstly, I don’t need you to take me anywhere. There’s this wonderful thing out there called Uber.”
“Indulge me.” Gary closed the gap between them. “I want to make sure you’re safe, okay?”
“We’ve talked about this already. And I’d agree with you, one hundred percent—ifthe killer had left a very different note on Jack Noonan’s body.” Dan gripped Gary’s shoulders. “He didn’t write some dire warning that I would be next if I interfered, did he? If he’d done that, I promise you, I’d have you at my side twenty-four seven. But think about it. Helaughedat me, Gary. He doesn’t think I can find him. I don’t think I’m even on his radar. So please, don’t be worrying about my safety. Not when you have far more important things to think about.”
“And if I wanted to take you back to the hotel so I’d have the chance to be alone with you for a short while?”
Dan’s breathing quickened. “Can’t argue with that, especially when you’re standing close enough that I can still smell the shampoo you used this morning, and youknowwhere that thought took me.”
Lord, his dick reacted. “You said firstly. What else?”
