Page 15 of In His Sights

“Tease.”

When he returned, the bowl refilled, I speared him with my most seductive smile. “And speaking of getting in your ass… is it gonna be tight?”

His eyes sparkled. “You bet your fur.”

Chapter 8

Friday, May 25

RILEY STUCKhis head around the door, and one glance at his face was enough.

Gary’s heart plummeted. “He didn’t wait five months this time, did he?”

His pained expression was answer enough. “I spoke with Rob Michaels. He’s already at the scene, and the medical examiner is en route. An apartment in Jamaica Plain. And yeah, it looks like our guy’s handiwork.”

Gary grabbed his jacket. “Where’s Lewis?”

“He’s at the car.”

They hurried through the building, neither of them speaking. Gary’s mind raced, however.Ten days. Ten freaking days since the last one. Jesus.

Lewis was already behind the wheel and didn’t waste time talking once they’d clambered in. The oppressive silence in the car wound itself around Gary’s chest, tightening like a boa constrictor, gripping him until he fought to breathe.

“Why?” he murmured at last. “Why so little time between killings?”

“The last one made it into the media before we could blink. Maybe he gets off on seeing his work in print, in the news.” Riley stared out of the window as they hit Riverway. “I thought we had more time.”

“So did I.” One thought occurred to Gary, and he was reluctant to give voice to it for fear the act would somehow talk it into existence.

“What’s on your mind?” Riley’s quietly uttered question was yet another indication that more often than not they were on the same wavelength.

“What if he’s got a taste for it?”

Lewis snorted. “I think five bodies already told us the answer to that question.”

“Yes, but five murders spaced far apart. Now this.”

The low evening sun glinted on the calm waters of Jamaica Pond on their right, and it felt wrong that what promised to be a beautiful evening was about to be ruined with an unlawful death. Lewis turned left onto Pond Street, then a couple more lefts, until they pulled up outside two square red brick buildings, a path between them leading to a white portico. Two squad cars and the medical examiner’s car were already parked on the street, together with an ambulance. A police officer hovered by the entrance, and they strode over to him.

“Third floor, Detectives. We’ve sealed off access, and we’re interviewing the residents.”

Gary glanced at his badge. “Thanks, Dietrich.” He led the way into the building. They took the stairs in a hurry, and when they reached the third floor, yellow tape barred their way.

Officer Knox let them through. “On the right, guys.” Beyond the door was another officer, talking quietly with a man seated on a chair, dressed in shorts and a tee, his head in his hands. “He found the body,” Knox told them. “He works with the deceased. Guy didn’t show up for work this morning, didn’t call to say he wasn’t coming in. His boss tried to call but got no reply. That was totally out of character, so the boss got worried and sent this guy to check. When there was no answer at the door, he called the building supervisor, who let him in.” The officer’s face was pale. “He said his boss wouldn’t usually do something like that, but with another murder last week and knowing this guy was gay….”

“He thought he’d make sure everything was okay,” Gary surmised. They walked to the door, which was ajar, more tape across it.

“Evening, guys.” Rob Michaels met them as they entered the apartment’s narrow hallway. “The body’s through here.” He indicated the door directly in front of them.

As soon as Gary stepped into the living room, he froze. “Oh God.”

“What is it?” Riley was at his side.

Gary couldn’t breathe. Facing them was a bookcase, its shelves filled with books, framed photos, and ornaments.No. No. It can’t be.He walked over to the shelves, unable to take his eyes off the photo in its brightly colored frame.

“The deceased’s name is Cory—” Rob started.

“Peterson,” Gary croaked. Numbness stole over him, and pain speared through his chest.

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