Page 93 of Kiss Me Honey Hone

“We use it in the labs.”

“I see. What for?”

“Experiments.” Peter’s tone was flat, devoid of elaboration.

“Of course.” Kenny chuckled, nodding as though it all made perfect sense.

Peter began walking again, his limp more pronounced now, as if he were trying to put distance between them.

“Did you have any more thoughts on why I came to Vijay at all?” Kenny called after him, shoving his hands into his pockets, tone edged with casual curiosity. “We’re all baffled, you see. Could use a brilliant mind like yours on the case.”

Peter paused but didn’t turn. “No,” he said shortly, his voice clipped. Then he started walking again, faster this time.

Kenny felt the ice beneath his feet cracking, the conversation and the chance slipping away. Jack hovered in his periphery, ready to step in, so Kenny dropped into a softer, more personal tone.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Kenny rushed to get in front of him, “but Vijay mentioned you’ve had some difficulties?”

Peter stopped again. Looking him directly in the eye that time.

“Sorry to be so forward, but I’m a chartered psychologist by trade. Maybe I can help?” Kenny fished out his wallet, slipping a business card from within the folds and handed it to Peter. “If ever you want to talk about anything…anything at all. I’ve worked with lots of…people like yourself. Traumatic upbringings, etcetera. I’m happy to work through anything with you.”

Peter hesitated mid-step, tension thickening, and Kenny thought he might say something. As if this was some movie and he’d spill all his secrets and cry and Kenny would nurse him through it, get him the help he deserved and save the day. But then Peter squared his shoulders, and he continued walking, disappearing into the shadows.

Jack appeared at Kenny’s side. “He’s spooked.”

Kenny nodded. “Yeah. But I know who he is. So we have more than we did before. Now you can put a team on him.”

“To get a team on him, I need more than your gut feeling. I’m gonna have to really think about this.”

“I’ll head back to my office. Get his name from the staff list. See what I can find out internally. I’ll send you what I have, then you must have enough to go question him, at least. Say you’re going door to door?”

“I just don’t want him spooked enough that he runs. Or worse.” Jack nodded over at Aaron by the shop door, arms folded and watching them. “When are you going totell him?”

“Never.”

Jack tutted. “Relationship built on trust and honesty again, I see.”

“If I can get through this without him knowing, then there won’t be any need for him to. Ever.” Kenny glanced back to Aaron. “Can you get him protection?”

“I can look into it. I’ll get an officer on him at least until I can speak to the Chief.” Jack squeezed his arm. “Tell him not to go anywhere. Do anything stupid.”

Kenny nodded, then walked back to Aaron by the shop door.

“Well?”

“Jack’ll look into him.”

Aaron dropped his arms to his side. “That’s it?”

“What did you expect would happen?”

“He’d arrest him!”

“It doesn’t work like that. He needs proof. Areasonto arrest him. Collect evidence against him. Buying lip balm in bulk isn’t a crime. There are rules and procedures he has to follow. But we are now one step ahead, knowing he works here in the chemistry labs as a technician.”

“And in the meantime,” Aaron gritted his teeth, “anyone around here whose blonde, female or related to aHowellis a sitting duck?”

Kenny crooked a finger under Aaron’s chin, stroking his thumb along his bottom lip. Very foolish and completely dangerous considering where they were, yet Kenny couldn’t seem to prevent himself from wanting to touch him. Reassure him. And he lowered his voice to an excruciatingly intimate level.

---