Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Who?”
“Don’t play games with us. We have information that says you’ve been sleeping with Keller.”
This time the mask couldn’t hide the complete shock. “That can’t be right.”
Raoul glanced at Connelly and his eyebrow raised just a fraction. He’d never asked how Connelly had come by this information, just accepted the truth of it.
Connelly spoke up. “Our source is very reliable, Mr. Savage. Just tell us the truth.”
They waited.
Finally Savage’s eyes narrowed and he raised his chin. “Okay, we fucked. So what?”
“When was the last time you saw him?”
“A couple days. He hasn’t been to work since Monday.”
“What can you tell us about him?” This came from Raoul, who’d pulled out a notepad—unlike Connelly, Raoul had not yet embraced technology.
“Nothing. I don’t know him very well.”
“Let’s start with his full name.”
“Keller Thompson. At least, that’s what he told me.”
“Do you have reason to suspect that’s not his real name?”
An odd shadow passed over Savage’s face—it looked a lot like fear. “Not until recently.”
“What happened?”
“Guys came by the club looking for him.”
“Can you describe these guys?”
Yep, it was definitely fear. This time it showed itself in the tightening of muscles, like he was about to run. Just in case, Connelly widened his stance inside the door frame.
“Big, scary. I wasn’t really paying attention.” He pushed a shaky hand through his hair. It was subtle, Connelly might not have noticed if he wasn’t laser focused on the guy, but there was a sheen of sweat on his skin. His eyes looked glassy and faraway even though he was alert enough to answer their questions. Upon closer inspection, he noted the dilated pupils and the faint redness around his nostrils.
All signs of drug abuse. He ground his teeth in frustration.
Raoul continued his questioning. “Can you tell me how long you’ve known Keller?”
“About a year. We started fucking around, like, three months after he started working...for Castor.” Now that was strange, that little pause meant there was something he wasn’t saying.
“Castor Stavros?” Raoul must have picked up on it too.
“The club owner.”
“Have you ever witnessed Keller using or selling narcotics?”
And boom! Savage froze, his entire body going into alert mode.
“Uh...”
“Mr. Savage, this will go much easier for you if you’re straight with us.”
* * *
“I’m concerned, Reid.” Captain Bell scratched his sideburn as he narrowed his eyes.
“Sir?” He should have seen this coming, especially after the incident with Briggs. He’d hoped the asshole would be too proud to complain—turns out he wasn’t. At least that was the reason he suspected for being called into the captain’s office without his partner.
“There are rumors. And you know as well as I do that rumors can turn into gossip faster than flies gather on shit.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“We’ve had this talk, son. I don’t like repeating myself, especially after I thought I’d made my point clear.”
“You were very clear, sir.”
Captain Bell eyed him, his lips twisting. “So why do I have to hear from my secretary that you were fraternizing with a drunk in my station?”
Connelly ground his molars so hard he wouldn’t have been surprised if they’d turned to dust. Fucking Briggs, he’d underestimated the guy’s nerve. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.
“He’s not a drunk.”
The way the captain frowned spoke of speculation.
Connelly cleared his throat. “That is to say, the victim in question was being mistreated by Officer Briggs, sir, because of his sexuality. I merely stepped in before the situation could escalate.”
“So you didn’t know him?”
Shit. “Well...uh...actually, I do, in fact...”
“Stop. Not another word.”
“Captain?”
“It doesn’t matter how you know him. That fact that you brought your personal shit into my station chaps my hide. I could suspend you right now—”
“Actually, you couldn’t,” Connelly said.
“Excuse me?” He sat forward in his chair menacingly and rested his elbows on the desk.
“Before I left the 32nd I had a long conversation with my union representative and a spokesperson for G.O.A.L. I’m afraid, in this matter, the law is on my side. I’ve been playing along in an effort to minimize conflict, but I’m over that now.”
G.O.A.L. was the Gay Officers Action League in New York City, and ever since the incident they’d been pressuring him to join.
An angry flush tinged the captain’s cheeks. “I don’t give a good goddamn. You are finished with that nonsense. I won’t have my precinct destroyed because you can’t keep it in your pants.”
“Are you angry because I’m gay and dating or because one of your officers is a bigoted asshole who would have arrested an innocent man?”
“From the sound of things, he is anything but innocent.”
Connelly stood. “All due respect, Captain. My love life is none of your concern. I will continue to see whomever I want to see regardless of your opinion on the matter. If that means I piss people off? So be it. I’m here and I’m queer. Get fucking used to it, as they say.”