“Yeah. Cause I pushed my number under his door a week ago. He would have used it if he’d seen it.”
“Why do you think that?”
Aaron grinned. Winked. Held out his arms to display himself.
Kenny pinched the bridge of his nose.
“You and he were…?” Bentley waved the hand clutching his pencil.
“No. He wanted to. Like, I said, edging out.”
“And you were willing?”
“Nah.” Aaron chewed the inside of his cheek in suggestion. “Takes a special someone to get in my mouth.”
Bentley glanced over to Kenny. Kenny ripped his gaze from Aaron to shake his head at the detective. Yet another silent understanding between them both. Although there was an unspoken between them, too. A slither of Bentley trying to work something out with his better knowledge.
“Thank you, Aaron.” Bentley shut his notepad. “You’ve been helpful.”
“Have I?”
“For now.”
“I can go?”
“Yes. But we’ll need to speak to you again. An official interview. I’d urge you to keep this quiet until the announcement from the university. We’ll also be sending officers to your dorm. Check Rahul’s room. Might be an idea to stay away from that for a while? Do you have any family local? Can you go home for a night?”
Aaron stood. Laughed. Shoved his bag over his shoulder. “Care kid. No parents.”
“Ah. I see.”
“S’okay. I got invited to a house party with five gay third years tonight. Wasn’t going to go, but you just pushed me into a gang bang.” He made his way to the door, where Kenny blocked his exit. “Excuse me.”
Kenny gave him a look, then clicked open the door, using his back to open it. Aaron stepped into the corridor where the PC stood as guard.
“Don’t go far,” Kenny said, voice hushed, then checked his watch. “Get to your lecture. I’ll talk to you later.”
Aaron turned to leave, then stopped, twisting back to Kenny. “If I have any other thoughts I’d like to share, who do I call?”
“Call the Ryston Police Station.”
“And ask for?”
“The detective in charge.”
“What’s his name again?”
“Detective Inspector Bentley.”
Aaron chewed on his bottom lip. “Jack Bentley.”
Kenny narrowed his eyes. “DIBentley.”
Aaron nodded. “Yeah. DIJackBentley?”
“Yeah.” Kenny’s chest rose, but Aaron twisted on his heel and left, memories flooding over him in waves.
Chapter thirteen