Chapter 4 Aaron
four
Aaron
I know something about your brother. Can we meet for coffee?
I stare at the text and try not to let hope flare in my chest. We’ve been through this at least a dozen times already because the reward for information my parents have offered has succeeded in bringing in a ton of tips.
My parents have passed all of them—even the one from the psychic who said a clue to Zack’s death could be found in Alamo Square under one of the cypress trees—onto the police.
Unfortunately, most of them are from people just hoping for the reward money.
I won’t say they’re out and out lying, but they sure as shit don’t know anything about Zack’s murder.
Reading the text again, I shake my head and call Kit.
“Tell me again about the guy who ran into you two nights ago,” I say without preamble.
Kit sighs. I’ve asked him for these details at least four times since he told me about the encounter.
“Like I told you before,” Kit pauses long enough for me to make an encouraging sound so he’ll keep talking.
“The guy just ran into me. He wasn’t texting or scrolling on his phone, wasn’t doing anything but walking and not paying attention.
From the way he checked me out, definitely into guys, gave me a good once-over, but when he saw the flyers in my hand, he went as pale as Snow White’s ass, grabbed a flyer and took off. ”
“What did he look like?” I ask. I’ve flipped back to the text from the unknown number and stare at it as Kit describes a good-looking guy with dark hair and blue eyes, about five ten, built but not a gym rat.
Of course, this won’t help me figure out if this text is a legit lead, but as he talks, I can see this guy in my mind and know he’s exactly Zack’s type.
“Why the interest in some weird rando?” Kit asks.
“I got a text this morning, and I’m thinking it’s from him. Says he knows something about Zack, not the murder, but Zack, and he wants to meet in person.”
“Uh, you’re not thinking about doing that, are you, Nancy Drew?”
“If he’s legit, I’d be an idiot not to.”
“And if he’s some psycho headline chaser who gets his kicks from tormenting the families of murder victims? They’re out there, you know. I hear about them all the time on my true crime podcasts.”
I try not to roll my eyes. Since Zack’s death, Kit has become obsessed with bingeing those shows. When I mentioned it to my sister, wondering if it was healthy, she told me everyone processes grief in their own way. This is Kit’s, and I should leave him alone according to Shayna.
“If you do meet him,” Kit continues, “I’m coming with you.” And then he gasps. “What if he’s actually the murderer?”
When I can’t persuade Kit that it’s highly unlikely this guy is the one who killed Zack—“Do you know how many times the murderer inserts themselves into the investigation in some way?” he’d asked—I agree to meet the guy in a public place and let Kit be in the vicinity to observe.
And then I arrange to meet the guy who texted me for coffee.
I recognize him as soon as he walks through the door, and see Kit do the same from his vantage point at a table on the other side of the space.
Even if Kit hadn’t seen him the day he’d grabbed a flyer and ran, we’re both well aware that Zack had a type, and this guy fits that to a T right down to the faded and strategically torn skinny jeans, the old band shirt, and a black jeans jacket.
His brown leather shoes are a step up from the sneakers I expect, but he’s definitely Zack’s type.
And mine, for that matter, when I’m actually attracted to someone.
I signal to him, and he tips his chin at me, then points at the counter to indicate he wants to order something first. Nodding, I glance at Kit and wish the book he’s holding was less obviously a prop. Where did he even find a bodice ripper romance? And is that actually Fabio on the cover?
“Hey, sorry I was a bit late.”
The guy slides into the seat across from me which puts his back to Kit, making it impossible for Kit to see the guy’s reactions to my questions. We didn’t really think this all the way through, but there’s nothing for it now.
“No worries,” I say and hold out my hand. “I’m Aaron. I’m Zack’s older brother.”
“Zack…” the guy says quietly, then reaches out to shake my hand. “I’m Nick, and…um…I think I might be the last person who saw your brother alive.”
My eyebrows almost reach my hairline before my brain fully kicks in with the voice of reason. There is no way this guy—Nick—is telling me he killed Zack. He must realize how his words sounded to me because he looks horrified.
“No, no,” he says quickly. “Before that. We…Zack and I…” He takes a breath and glances at me. “We—”
“Hooked up,” I say.
Nick looks relieved that I’ve named it and sits back just as his coffee is delivered to the table along with a delicious-looking tart that smells as incredible as it looks.
Or maybe that’s Nick who smells so good, spicy with a touch of vanilla.
Internally, I roll my eyes at myself. Now is not the time to be checking out one of Zack’s randos. No matter how good looking he is.
“Yeah,” Nick says, nodding his head. “We found each other on an app, and I actually didn’t even know his name until I saw the flyer. He left my apartment…when we were done, and that’s all I can tell you. I wish I knew more.”
Disappointment makes my shoulders sag. I knew it was too much to hope that Nick would be the key to unraveling this entire mystery, but still I had hoped. As much as I think he’s being truthful, though, I get the feeling he’s holding something back.
“Any little thing could help us figure out what happened, so thank you,” I say.
“It’s not really anything.” Nick picks up his fork, then puts it back down, picks up his coffee and takes a sip.
“It’s more than we knew before,” I say softly. “Now we know where he was coming from.”
I study Nick’s face as he glances around the coffee shop and see the moment he recognizes Kit. He looks confused, but then his brows crease, and he glares at me as he gestures at Kit. “Backup?” he asks.
Resigned, I wave Kit over. “For whatever’s about to happen, I apologize,” I say as Kit gathers up his things and bounds over to us. “He’s been listening to true crime podcasts as a way to deal with his grief.”
Kit slides into the seat next to me. “What’s up?” he asks.
“You are a terrible undercover operative,” I tell him.
With a shrug, Kit extends his hand toward Nick. “Hi, I’m Kit, Zack’s best friend.”
Nick slowly reaches out and takes hold of Kit’s hand. “Nick.”
“He hooked up with Zack,” I say.
“I live in Hayes Valley,” Nick adds. “About a block away from where…well…” He coughs. “Yeah.”
“So, he was coming from your place,” Kit says. “Where did you guys meet up?”
“Kit!”
“No, it’s okay,” Nick says. “If it was me, I’d want to know everything as well.” He turns so he’s facing Kit full on. “We matched on Grindr. I was in Spike’s and Zack was around the corner. I had my car, so I drove us back to my place.”
“Did you guys have anything to drink when you got there? Smoke anything?”
“We had wine that neither of us finished.” Nick’s eyes turn icy as he stares at Kit. “Do you want to know what positions we used as well?”
Kit smiles, but it’s his snarky, bitchy smile, and I can tell this will all go sideways if Kit lets loose with a biting comment.
Without thinking, I reach across the table and take hold of Nick’s wrist. “I’m sorry.
Kit is…” I glare at him, then turn my attention back to Nick.
“We’re all struggling to figure out what happened to Zack and deal with his death.
Some of us are coping better than others. ”
With a snort, Kit sits back in his chair and folds his arms over his chest. “I can tell you’re not telling us everything you know. So, I’m warning you, if you hurt this family, if you come after them or try to con them in anyway…”
“Enough,” I say. “I think I can handle it from here, Kit, you can leave.”
He stares at me for a long moment before he gathers up his things and stands. “Call me when you’re done.”
I wave him off but don’t say anything until he leaves the coffee shop. I’m half expecting him to turn at the last minute and do that “I’m watching you” move pointing from his eyes to Nick, but he doesn’t. When it’s clear he’s left, I turn back to Nick.
“Sorry about that.”
“He’s pretty intense.”
“Yeah. He and Zack go back to like preschool, I think.” I shake my head. “We were all a bit protective of Zack, which looks like it didn’t end up mattering in the end.”
“Hey.” Nick reaches across the table and lays a hand on my arm.
His hand is warm and a few sparks run across my skin from the contact.
“You can’t blame yourself. From what I saw, Zack was perfectly capable of taking care of himself.
” Pulling his hand back, he winces. “Sorry. Was that awkward for you? I’m not sure what’s proper etiquette here. ”
“It’s fine,” I say and smile at him. When Nick smiles back, I’m struck by how gorgeous he is with vivid blue eyes framed by long, dark lashes. “I’m well aware of who my brother was and the way he lived his life.”
That seems to help Nick relax a bit. “I really wish there was more I could tell you,” he says.
“You guys didn’t talk about anything? Zack didn’t happen to tell you where he was going after he left your place?” I already know the answers to my questions, but I have to ask anyway.
Nick shakes his head. “We didn’t really talk. I’m sorry.”
“In a way, it would have been stranger if you had.”
“Yeah,” Nick agrees, but I hear a note of regret in his voice. He lifts his head and stares at the door. “I guess hookups weren’t unusual for either of us.”
“That was pretty much all Zack did,” I say. “He never wanted anything long-term, said he was aromantic and didn’t see the point in romantic relationships.”
With a shake of his head, Nick gives out a bitter laugh. “Sounds like Zack and I would have gotten along well. Now, I wish…”
“Wish what?” I ask.
Another shake of his head dismisses my question. “Nothing.” He glances at my face and then away.
The silence between us is awkward, but I can tell I’m not going to get anything else out of Nick at the moment.
I meant what I said to him, the smallest detail could be important, so I’m not willing to walk away without letting him know he can contact me if he thinks of something I should know.
I dig my wallet out from my back pocket and extract one of my business cards.
“I know it’s weird, finding out about Zack, but if anything else occurs to you or you just want to talk, feel free to get in touch with me.
” I hand him the card. “It helps knowing where he was before he…yeah, and that you weren’t an asshole.
” Sputtering as soon as the word is out of my mouth, I try to apologize but Nick is laughing as he takes my card.
The sound is light and melodic, happy notes that warm my heart for a moment.
“It’s okay,” Nick says. “I understand what you mean, and I’ll let you know if I think of anything.” He slips the card into a pocket on the front of his messenger bag. “Though I had your number already because of the flyer.”
“Oh, right. Yeah.” I rub the scruff on my chin to cover my embarrassed smile. “Anyway…I should go.”
“Sure.” Nick holds out his hand. “It was nice to meet you, Aaron. I wish it could have been under better circumstances.”
I shake his hand, our contact lingering a touch longer than necessary, and then get out of the coffee shop as quickly as I can.
Even though I can’t see him, I’m conscious of Nick’s attention on me as a walk to the door.
Despite telling myself not to, once I’m standing on the sidewalk, I look back and our gazes meet.
Nick nods at me. He’s not hiding that he was watching me, and I like that, like that he has the confidence to be upfront and own his actions.
Whatever else I’ve found out today, the one thing I’m pretty sure I know is that Nick is not Zack’s killer.
Now I just have to convince Kit of this.