Page 44 of In His Sights

“Can I say something here?” Dan’s clear, deep voice rang out.

Travers nodded. “Mr. Winton, this is Dan Porter, who is helping us with the case.” The two men exchanged polite nods.

Dan turned to Lewis. “What you may not know, Detective Stevens, is that GHB is a pretty frequent sex-related drug among gay men. I won’t go into details here of what effects it produces, but itiscommonplace.”

“And I supposeyouhave firsthand experience of this?” Lewis retorted, his face flushed.

Gary’s chest constricted, but Dan met Lewis’s heated gaze, his eyes cool. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.”

Gary envied Dan his calm.

Dan wasn’t done. “You can’t assume anyone who has GHB is the killer. That’s like saying if someone dies from being stabbed with a kitchen knife, then anyone who possesses a kitchen knife has to be a murderer.”

“I’ve spoken with my client about the dates of the murders,” Mr. Winton interjected. “He has alibis for all of them.”

“Then we need to check them,” Lewis retorted.

Mr. Winton consulted his notepad. “The last murder? Cory Peterson? Mr. Monroe was in Chicago, attending a convention known as International Mr. Leather. Between one and two thousand people attended, and on the day in question, at least several hundred men saw him.” He cleared his throat. “Including myself.”

Lewis blinked. “How can that many people have seen him? It isn’t possible.”

“Mr. Monroe is a well-known face at these events. He was on stage for most of the day. Marius Eisler’s murder? Monroe was in LA, giving a demonstration of rope bondage at Eagle LA.” Mr. Winton regarded Travers. “So unless you’re assuming there aretwokillers out there, do you still want to check his alibis? I assure you, they will all stand up to scrutiny.”

Travers stood. “Thank you for speaking with us, Mr. Winton. There will be no charges against Mr. Monroe, and he’s free to leave.” They shook again.

“Now we’ve cleared all that up, I trust you’ll get back to finding the real killer.” Mr. Winton’s face fell. “I meet a great many gay men, and most of them are frightened by this.”

“We’re doing all we can,” Travers assured him. With a final nod, Mr. Winton left the office. Travers ran his fingers through his hair. “Christ. This is a mess.”

Lewis was on his feet, staring at Dan. “So you’re into all this? Whips, chains, and drugs? With guys?”

Dan stared at him, but Travers got in first. “I don’t give a damn if he is or he isn’t. His personal life is none of your affair. Carry on like this, Stevens, and it’ll sound as if you’re victimizing Mr. Porter on account of his sexuality. I don’t have to remind you what a dim view the state of Massachusetts takes of attitudes like that, do I?”

“No, sir.”

“For the record, Detective Stevens?” Dan lifted his chin. “Yes, I’m gay. It isn’t a secret. No, I’m not part of the BDSM lifestyle, but I know people who are. No, I don’t use GHB myself, but again, I’ve met others who do. It has a not-unearned reputation as a date-rape drug, and in this instance, a maniac is using it to kill gay men. But please don’t assume the same of every GHB user.” He gave a cool smile. “And now we’ve gotthatout of the way, let’s concentrate on finding the killer.”

“I second that.” Travers drew in a deep breath. “Damage control time. Gary, you’re back as lead investigator, but Riley will be in on all your interviews.” He speared Gary with a look reinforced with steel. “I told the chief you were one of the best detectives on the force. Now prove me right.” Someone rapped on the door, and Travers barked out, “What is it?”

Officer Dietrich peered around it. “Sir. A call just came in. A body’s been discovered.” His face was pale. “Looks like another one.”

Jesus fucking Christ.

Chapter 16

RILEY WASat the wheel, and Lewis was in the passenger seat. Ahead of them loomed the tall glass-and-steel elegance of the huge apartment complexes on Liberty Drive, and beyond lay Boston Harbor. Blue sky, calm water… and they were on their way to a crime scene.

“Murder doesn’t belong in a place like this,” Dan murmured beside him.

Gary shivered to hear his thoughts echoed. He glanced at Dan. “Murder doesn’t belong anywhere.” Dan raked his fingers through his hair, disturbing its perfection. His knee bounced, and his breaths were short.

Gary didn’t have to be psychic to read Dan’s body language. “What’s up?”

He closed his eyes for a second or two before replying. “Are you sure I should be here?”

“Travers okayed it,” Riley said as he took a right off Seaport Boulevard. “He agreed with us that it’s important for you to see the crime scene.”

“He agreed with you and Gary, you mean,” Lewis muttered. “No one asked my opinion.”

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