Page 402 of Sticks and Stones
“Do you have a sexual relationship with Julian?” he asked.
The man didn’t smile, but he did answer.
“But of course. I was once a student who received scholarships. Julian and I were close then, and when I graduated, he helped me by giving me this job. I’ve been with him for four years now. If not for Julian, who knows where I would be? He’s big into helping those less fortunate.”
Gene had many a comment to make about how he was helping himself to plenty of men. He was predatory, and that was the bottom line.
But he played nice.
“What about the last picture of the young man?”
Trevor handed his phone back to him.
“He was always here. Julian was teaching him the ropes of navigating government. His businesses deal with the government a lot, and Graham wanted to get an internship. Julian helped him.”
Ethan had to ask.
“And in return?” he asked.
The man looked confused.
“What do you mean? In return, they were friends,” he stated.
Uh-huh.
“He was sleeping with him too. That’s more than friends,” Blackhawk admitted.
Trevor laughed.
“Well, boys will be boys,” he said. “Julian is a free spirit. He likes to meet lots of people, and he enjoys those meetings. Why are you so interested?”
Gene told him.
“Those three students were found dead. They were abducted, drugged, sexually assaulted, and then sold to someonebuying people. They were sex trafficked. Do you think your boss is capable of that?”
Trevor contemplated it.
“I’m sorry about their deaths. That’s a shame. As for if my boss could pull that off…”
They waited.
“Gentlemen, if Julian was going to do what you just suggested, I assure you that there would be some evidence that was left behind, correct?” he asked.
Oh, that was ballsy.
Or was Trevor pointing them in the direction?
Ethan pushed.
“So he could do it?”
Trevor shrugged.
“I’m sure logistically he could, but then I’d know about it. Julian doesn’t drive, and I’d have to take him to do the nefarious things you’ve brought up. He’d have to take a limo, and the driver would know. That would leave a trail, and I assure you, my boss is very careful.”
They stared at him.
Now, Gene knew he’d been right.
