Page 43 of Four for a Boy

“I would be. Think about it, Chad, everybody in masks, he or she could walk out of the front door in full view of the camera, lead their next victim to their car, or van, or whatever vehicle they have and you wouldn’t have a clue who they were. It’s perfect. No need to risk trying again while the spotlight is on The Desperado. All they have to do is wait a few weeks, and number three is as good as gone.”

Chad sighed and pinned the flier to the whiteboard.

“Do you think anyone will dress as me?” Romeo asked.

“Would that make you happy?”

“I’m not sure. I’m curious, that’s all.”

“That smile in your voice means you’re more than curious.”

Chad turned in time to see Romeo force the smile from his lips.

“Don't be jealous.” Romeo whispered.

“Jealous?”

“That I have fan that might dress up as me.”

“That doesn't make me jealous.”

Romeo hummed. “What does it make you then?”

Chad searched for the right emotion. Concerned. Disturbed. Worried. He didn’t answer.

Romeo reached for the bottom of Chad’s shirt and tugged him closer. “Shall we put the detective and killer away and be boyfriends for the night?”

“I think that’s a great idea.”

Chad bit his lip and refused to move when Romeo tried to pull him to the door.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

He stepped back from Romeo’s grasp and didn’t stop until he was standing next to the board. “Is there anything about the victims you find … interesting?”

Romeo glanced between the pictures. “Not really. Should I?”

“No.”

“Chad…”

“I just thought, maybe because of your serial killer insight, you might see something I couldn’t.”

Romeo looked again. Chad stood beside the board, waiting for something to click, but Romeo shook his head. Ally’s overprotective nature had taken over, but if Romeo saw the similarities too, Chad would concede.

“They’re both average looking men.”

Chad bowed forward and muttered under his breath. “Wow.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing, let’s go inside.”

Romeo waited until Chad was close enough before dragging him out by his shirt.

The magpies weren’t chattering and fluttering around the field, but were perched on top of the outhouse, their beady eyes watching as Romeo led Chad into the house.

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