Page 29 of Crocodile Tears

Alex felt as if he was watching all this from a long way away. He knew what came next, and the part he was supposed to play. Neil had provided a service, and now he was calling in the payment; Alex had always known the price.

They stood there for a long time, gazing at each other, and then Neil lunged. He grabbed Alex, pulled him close, and kissed him hard on the mouth. His tongue was insistent, demanding entry. Alex opened up and let him in. Neil groaned and pushed his groin against Alex’s thigh; Alex could feel the hardness there.

Guiding him over to the bed, and still kissing him, Neil pushed him onto it.

“God, I love you. I love you so much,” he breathed. He straddled Alex’s body and began unbuttoning his shirt. “You have no idea howlong I’ve wanted you. Christ…” He pulled Alex’s shirt open. “I didn’t think I could have you. I didn’t think you’d even look at me.”

He stroked Alex’s nipples, then dipped his head and sucked down hard, making Alex gasp. His hands grabbed Alex’s jeans, and he tore them open, then he hesitated, his fingers poised over his boxers.

“Can I?” he whispered.

“Yeah.” Alex moved his hips. It was just sex. It didn’t matter. His mind was already starting to wander elsewhere.

Neil’s hands were shaking with excitement as he peeled Alex’s shorts down. Then he lowered his head and began sucking.

It was dark outside, and Alex wondered what his father would say if he knew what his trusted servant was doing to his son right now.

His mother’s scent wafted up from the scarf, washing over him, soothing and familiar, while Neil’s mouth moved clumsily on his cock. It was easy enough to give Neil this. It cost him nothing. His mother would have understood.

He threw back his head, surrendering to Neil’s unwanted advances, a mirthless smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Happy bloody birthday,” he muttered.

Chapter Five

OCTOBER 2095

Josiah

“Please perform your examination, Doctor Baumann,” Josiah ordered. “Send Alexander’s clothes to forensics and give him scrubs to wear. Remember to check for firearm residue on his hands. I’ll wait here.” He sat down at her desk and took out his holopad.

“If you want to go back upstairs, I can call you when I’m done,” she said, her eyes flickering with annoyance.

“And leave you alone with a possible killer? I don’t think so. I’ll remain here. You can perform the exam behind the screen,” he said politely, gesturing.

She shot him an angry glare, but gestured Alexander behind the screen.

Leaning back in the chair, Josiah took a small silver box from his waistcoat pocket and flicked it open to reveal two dark chocolates nestled inside. He never went anywhere without a small supply of good-quality chocolate – he wouldn’t touch the crap they sold in the Inquisitus vending machines. Selecting a raspberry cream, he savoured the flavour of the rich dark chocolate melting with the tangy fruit.

He gave the other chocolate a longing look, but decided to save it for later. His little break over, he checked his holopad to find thatReed was doing his usual efficient job; there was already a sizeable file on their prime suspect, as well as one on their victim.

He hesitated for a moment, torn between the two files, but then decided on Alexander first.

So far, the file was composed of only the initial data retrieval, edited into an easily digestible format by the AI bots, but even in its limited form it was bigger than most complete files – and it made for startling reading.

He came to the end and sat back, trying to digest what he’d learned. He’d suspected the IS’s blank façade was hiding some kind of mystery, but the more he found out about Alexander Lytton, the less he understood him.

He added a file note about the injuries on Alexander’s body, then stood as Baumann ushered his prisoner out from behind the screen.

Alexander was now dressed in plain blue medical scrubs, and Josiah was startled by how different he looked without the fancy clothes. The scrubs suited him far more, allowing his natural beauty to shine through.

Josiah studied him, trying to reconcile what he’d just read with the demure figure standing in front of him. According to the file, this man must be haunted by the most colossal demons, and yet he looked perfectly serene.

Becoming aware of his gaze, Alexander raised an eyebrow. “I’m guessing you’ve been reading up on me, indiehunter.”

“Yes, I have – and you’ll address me as Investigator Raine, please.”

“Or what? You’ll beat me?”

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