Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
“Do we not need the Boy Wonder for this one?” When Gary glanced at him, Lewis held up one hand. “Hey, relax, I got the memo. I was just wondering why you didn’t bring him along, that’s all.”
“Dan’s working with Riley. He’s taking Dan to Marius Eisler’s place and then Cory’s.” At least those scenes were relatively fresh. He and Lewis were about to interview Anthony Silver, who’d hooked up with Marius and Cory via Scruff. Silver was in construction, presently working out near Duxbury.
“You know what I think?”
Gary chuckled. “No, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
“I think Riley has a little crush on Porter.” Gary stared at him, and Lewis’s brow furrowed. “What? It happens, right? And Riley could be bi for all we know.”
“And you’re okay with that?” Lewis’s 180-degree turn made Gary’s head spin. “Because up till now, you haven’t been the most LGBTQ+ friendly cop I’ve ever worked with.”
Lewis fell silent, and Gary pondered his suggestion. He didn’t think Riley was crushing on Dan—he was simply a decent human being. Riley had admitted his grandmother had similar gifts. Maybe he felt comfortable around Dan.
So what’s my excuse? Gary couldn’t explain why Dan was frequently in his thoughts. What shocked him was the form those thoughts took. He’d been down this road before, a long time ago.
It was a phase back then. It wasn’t real.
Except it felt all too real now.
Lewis sighed. “Something you said yesterday made me think.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. When you asked if I was gonna be part of the solution, not the problem. I guess I haven’t really been a team player up to now, have I?
Well, that’s gonna change. I’m having what Travers would call an ‘attitude adjustment period.’ This case revolves around gay guys, so I need to alter the way I think.
And I don’t really have anything against them. ”
“Let me guess. Some of your best friends are gay.” Gary couldn’t keep the sarcasm from seeping into his voice.
Lewis snorted. “Okay, I wouldn’t go that far. But Travers was right about one thing. The state takes a dim view of LGBTQ discrimination. I don’t want anything on my record.”
“So you’re playing it safe and losing the attitude? You’ll get no complaints from me.”
“Besides, I’ve got a good feeling about this guy.”
“Silver?”
“Yup. He’s been interviewed a few times, suspected of violence and stalking, but no charges were ever brought against him.
Maybe we’re about to get lucky.” Lewis reached into his pocket and pulled out a packet of gum.
He offered it to Gary, who declined, then popped a piece into his mouth. “This case gets weirder and weirder.”
Gary knew he was referring to Robin Fields.
Examination of his phone and records revealed none of the apps used by the previous victims. The toxicology report would take a day or two, but so far, Del’s initial findings were that death appeared to be the result of cardiac arrest. He’d found evidence of heart disease. “What were your thoughts?”
Lewis shrugged. “Maybe the killer tied Robin to the bed, he struggled, and it was all too much for his heart.”
“And maybe the GHB helped him on his way,” Gary suggested. “We know it has a short half-life, but it’ll show up in the urine sample.”
“You still think the boyfriend did it?”
“Yeah. At least, that’s what my gut is telling me.” They’d gotten a search warrant for Quinn Dalmont’s phone records. They’d also contacted Robin’s lawyer to get access to his will. And Riley was going to check Quinn really was visiting family the whole weekend, especially Monday evening.
Lewis pointed. “That must be it.”
Ahead of them were road signs diverting traffic, and beyond, large flatbed trucks were loaded with wide-bore black pipe or similarly sized metal coupling rings.
A forklift hoisted a section of pipe like it weighed nothing, carried it through the air on chains, and lowered it into a deep ditch, where guys stood in high vis jackets, waving it into position.
All around was the chug of heavy equipment engines, the clang of metal on metal, and the smell of burning plastic, dirt, and cigarette smoke.
A man in a reflective jacket and white hard hat approached them as they got out of the car. “You the cops? I was told to expect you.”
They fished out their badges and held them up for inspection. “We need to talk to Anthony Silver,” Lewis announced.
The guy pointed to the ditch, where a construction helmet was visible above the mound of dirt. “Ant’s down there. I’ll get him.”
They waited as the guy went over to the edge of the ditch and hollered down into it. A moment later, Silver clambered out.
“He’s a big son of a bitch,” Lewis muttered as Silver strode toward them.
Everything about Silver was big, from his large hands to his muscular thighs barely constrained by his jeans to his broad chest. He took off his helmet, and his bald head gleamed in the afternoon sun. His goatee was black and his eyebrows bushy.
He came to a halt in front of them. “What can I do for you?” His voice rumbled out of him.
Gary held up his badge. “Anthony Silver?” He gave a curt nod. “I’m Detective Mitchell, and this is Detective Stevens, from Homicide. We’d like to ask you some questions about Marius Eisler and Cory Peterson. Maybe some other men too.”
Silver frowned. “Who?”
Lewis arched his eyebrows. “Please, don’t even go there.
We know you hooked up with both those guys.
Scruff ring a bell? We can even give you the dates.
But we’re not interested in what you got up to with ’em—we’re more interested in what you were doing the nights of May fifteenth and May twenty-forth.
And while we’re at it, March eighteenth, 2016, December second, 2016—”
“Wait a minute.” Gary could have sworn Silver paled beneath his tan. “You think I’m the fucker who’s killing all those gay guys? Why the fuck would I do that? I’m gay, for Christ’s sake.”
“Then come with us to the precinct. We’ll take a DNA swab, and if it doesn’t match any of the DNA from the crime scenes, we can eliminate you from our inquiries.”
Silver shook his head. “Nope. I’m not your man. And I’m not going to any police precinct.”
Gary frowned. “If you’re innocent, then why not?”
Silver’s eyes bulged. “Because I don’t want to end up on some police database where you guys have my DNA forever, that’s why not.”
Lewis reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of cuffs. “Look, buddy, we can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
Silver snorted. “I’d like to see you try.” He glanced around, his fists clenched.
Goddammit, Lewis.
Gary held up his hands. “Listen to me, okay? Just listen.” He had a feeling Silver would make a run for it, and the odds of them getting a search warrant, based on what they had so far, were pretty slim.
“If you bolt now, you’ll only be making it worse for yourself.
” Gary kept his voice low and even. “All we want to do is ask you some questions. And take a swab.”
“Jesus, Ant, do what he says,” the guy in the flak jacket whined. “You’re no good to your mom if you’re in jail for resisting arrest or beating up a cop.”
“Yeah, listen to your coworker.” Gary didn’t break eye contact. “Come with us?”
Silver swallowed. “Okay. Am I under arrest?”
“No, you’re coming with us voluntarily. All right?”
“All right. But only so you can take your damn swab. Then you’ll know I’m not the guy you’re looking for.” He turned to his coworker. “This won’t take long.”
The guy waved his hand. “Just get it over with. And call us if you need us to arrange a lawyer. I’ve got a few contacts.”
“It’s not gonna come to that.” Confident words, but Silver’s gaze flickered toward Gary and Lewis as he uttered them.
You’re hiding something.
But was it murder, or some other guilty secret?
Gary walked out of the interview room to find Dan standing by the window.
“Well?” Dan broke off when Silver was escorted out by an officer. Lewis followed, pausing in the doorway.
“The officer will show you to the main desk,” Gary called after Silver. “If you wait there, I’ll be along with your stuff.”
“And it had better be all there,” Silver hollered back.
Gary waited until he was out of sight. “We’re letting him go.
We don’t have probable cause to apply for a search warrant.
The DNA test will take a while, so right now we have nothing to hold him on.
However, he can’t provide alibis for the dates in question, so we need to find witnesses who can ID him at any of the crime scenes before we can pull him in again.
” He tilted his head. “You might be able to help us, however.” He waited for Lewis’s customary eye roll or derisive snort, but nothing was forthcoming.
Wow. A leopard can change its spots after all.
“Tell me. What do you need?”
Gary held up a brown paper sack. “I’ve got his personal effects here. How about before I return this to him, we go to the case room and you see what you can learn from them?”
Dan nodded. “Sure.”
Another glance at Lewis revealed an impassive expression, and Gary heaved an internal sigh of relief. Finally. He wasn’t sorry to see the back of Lewis’s animosity.
When they got into the small room, Dan sat, his fingers pressed to his temples.
“Is everything all right?” Gary inquired.
“Just a headache. It’ll pass.” Dan held his hand out for the sack. He reached into it and removed Silver’s wallet. He didn’t open it, but after placing the sack on the floor, he held the wallet with both hands, his eyes closed.
Lewis watched from the doorway, arms folded, his gaze focused on Dan. “We can’t take too long over this,” he said quietly. “Silver’s waiting. Let’s not give him any grounds for a complaint.”
Gary narrowed his gaze. “Then let Dan work. Give him some quiet.”
After a minute or two, Dan opened his eyes and shuddered. “This guy has a temper.”
“Tell us something we don’t know,” Lewis muttered. When Gary aimed a hard stare at him, Lewis fired one right back at him. “Well, we do, don’t we?”
“Showing his photo to any witnesses might bring results.” Dan dropped the wallet back into the sack and handed it to Gary. “I don’t like the way he makes me feel.” He winced, then cupped his head.
“Is your headache getting worse? Do you want some Tylenol?”
Dan shook his head carefully. “Migraine coming, I think. I get them now and then.” He gestured to the sack. “This is one nervous dude. Almost bordering on fear.” Another wince.
It was something. Maybe Silver wasn’t as innocent as he claimed. “We’ve told him not to leave Boston.”
Riley entered the room, holding an envelope. “I’ve had copies done of the photo we took of Silver. I’m gonna revisit the crime scenes, see if anyone recognizes him. Then I’ll interview his coworkers, his neighbors….” He glanced at Dan. “Hey, are you okay? You look awful.”
Dan got to his feet. “I think I’ll go to my hotel and lie down. Hopefully this won’t hang around too long.” His eyes were squeezed into slits, his face pale.
“Want me to arrange a ride for you?” Gary asked. Riley was right, he did look as if he was in a bad way.
“No. Believe it or not, concentrating on driving will actually dim the pain a little.” He met Gary’s gaze and attempted a smile. “Hey, don’t look so worried. I’m not about to crash. I’ve driven in far worse states than this.”
“Why don’t we call it a day?” Lewis said. “For you, at least. Don’t feel you need to hurry back.”
Gary stared at Lewis, then looked away, unsure whether to be surprised or shocked by Lewis’s solicitous tone. “Lewis is right,” he said at last. “Take the rest of the day off, and we’ll see you tomorrow. Who knows, we might have some news by then.”
“But I haven’t told you yet about the visits to the crime scenes with Riley.”
“You told me, didn’t you?” Riley’s eyes were kind. “So I’ll tell them.”
“Okay.” The pain had to have been bad, judging by the way Dan was squinting at them. “Till tomorrow.” He left the room.
“Poor guy,” Riley murmured. “My grandmother used to get terrible migraines after a séance. Maybe it’s something to do with being psychic.” He held up the envelope. “I’ll get right on this.” Then he too was out of there.
Lewis unfolded his arms and wandered over to the board to gaze at the photos. “You wait and see. It’s not psychic ability that’ll nail this guy—just good old-fashioned policing. Like you said.” He looked at Gary over his shoulder. “And you know I’m right.”
I’m not as sure as you are that Dan can’t help us.
Gary’s stomach churned. He knew it was wrong, but the thought of Dan not being there for the rest of the day sent relief surging through him, alleviating tension he hadn’t even been aware of. He recognized the root of that tension, however.
Being around Dan was starting to feel like a constant battle to hide his emotions—and his attraction to him.
An attraction he could no longer deny.