Page 54 of Beyond the Darkness
Hudson ignored him and focused on Benito.“And have you made any progress with that?”
“We’re getting there.We need to ask you some more questions.”Benito was a very handsome man, but what kept him from being attractive was his officious attitude.Hudson suspected he was the kind of cop who considered everyone to be guilty until they were proven otherwise.
“About your relationship with Julian King,” Kris added, delight at the question fused with derision for Hudson.
“I’m not sure what there is to tell you that I haven’t gone through before.”
“The two of you were close?”Benito asked.
“We were friends.Good friends, I would say, considering how short a time we’d known each other.”
“You used to go out with him,” Kris said.A statement, not a question.
Hudson prickled.“We went for food and drinks several times after work.Neither of us knew anybody here apart from members of the crew, so it made sense.”
Another snort.“Didn’t take you long to find someone, though.”
Hudson spoke to Benito but pointed at Kris.“Is it appropriate that he’s even here?Given his personal interest in me.”
“The only interest I have in you, mate, is as a suspect,” Kris said.
Benito ignored both of their remarks.“Did you ever go out for more than drinks and dinner after work?”
What the hell are they getting at?“No.Most nights I was back in the apartment by eight or nine at the latest.I don’t know what Julian did after that.”
“You knew he was bisexual?”Benito asked.
“No, as a matter of fact, I didn’t.Though I don’t see what difference it makes.”
“According to his ex-wife, he was quite open about his bisexuality.”
“So?He didn’t talk to me about it.There was no reason he should.”
“And it wasn’t unusual for him to make friends when he was working away from home.”
“Friends with benefits,” Kris added with an immature smirk.“Were you one of those friends?”
Hudson took a deep breath.He’d love to wipe that look off Kris’ face and couldn’t believe the audacity of these incompetent fuckwits.When he spoke, his voice sounded amazingly measured and calm.“No.Julian and I were friends and nothing else.Whatever it is you’re trying to imply, you couldn’t be more wrong.”
“I’m not implying anything,” Benito said.“I’m asking.Were you having a sexual relationship with Julian King?”
“And again, for anyone dumb enough not to get it the first time, no, I wasn’t.”He stood.“And if that’s all you’ve come to ask, you can leave so I can get back to work.”
They took their time getting to their feet.
“And if this is as far as your investigation has gotten after two weeks, you should be ashamed of yourselves,” Hudson added.“I’ve been looking into some of the things that have gone on around here in the last few years and it doesn’t make for the nicest reading.Like the Blyham Strangler, among other things.You and your colleagues didn’t come out of that smelling of roses, did you?”
Bentio stiffened.Kris’ face was cold stone.
“I saw what happened then and I can see exactly what you’re up to now.Using the victim’s sexuality against them.Blaming them for their own deaths.Because it’s convenient.Because it’s easy.What happens next?You probe around for a few more days before getting bored.Move on to another, juicer case.Move Julian’s murder to the cold cases archive.”
Bentio attempted to meet his gaze, failed and looked away.“Thank you for your time.We’ll be in touch if there’s anything else we need to ask you.”
Bentio went straight out of the door.Kris lingered.His mouth was pinched.His fists clenched.After a moment, glaring at Hudson, he let out an ugly laugh and followed his partner from the room.
Hudson realised he’d been holding his breath and released a sigh of relief.
Another perfectly fine day had been ruined.
