Chapter 14 #2
Tean nodded. “This is a group of people who have a lot of secrets.”
“See, I knew we were soulmates.”
Tean’s smile was small. But it was there.
“You couldn’t ask for a better group of suspects,” Jem said. “They’re all up here trying not to be who they are. They’ve all got something to hide.”
“We don’t actually know that, though,” Tean said.
“We’re assuming that because they’re trying to—to change who they are, for lack of a better way of saying it, that they’re also trying to hide it.
But those things aren’t necessarily true.
There’s a subpopulation of LGBTQ people who identify as Mormon and who are outspoken about being gay or trans, but who still attend services, attempting—to whatever extent possible—to continue to be part of the church. ”
Jem grunted. “The other problem is even if they were still closeted or hiding, is that actually a secret worth killing for?”
“For some of them. Possibly.”
“Really?”
Tean’s mouth twisted. “Absolutely. Siblings who threaten to go no contact if they come out. Parents who threaten to disown them if they come out. Fathers who threaten to kill them if they come out.”
Jem put down his cooling coffee. He felt like he needed to wipe his hands. “Shit. That’s messed up.” He looked more closely at Tean’s face. “Is that what your parents did to you?”
“No,” Tean said. And the next sentence, he said like he was closing a book. “I think I told you once: they decided to love me.”
Jem shook his head.
After a moment, Tean roused himself, sitting up straight. “The real question is opportunity. Aiden, Tafton, Sawyer, and Dean have alibis.”
“They’re each other’s alibis. And nobody else can verify that.”
“But if they worked together, we’re talking about a conspiracy. Is that what you think this is?”
“I don’t know. It all feels messed up.”
“Mckell and Nora alibi each other,” Tean said.
“Which leaves the two Mckell told me about: Quinn and Beckett.”
“And,” Tean said, “Stephen and Brigitte.”
“She didn’t do it.”
“I didn’t say she did.”
“You kind of did.”
“No. I’m saying she was alone, she has no one to verify her whereabouts. That’s all. The children were in bed. She could have left the chalet if she wanted to, and nobody would have known.”
“So, you do think she did it.”
“No.”
“Because you’ve thought it all out.”
“Jem—”
“Because she’s such a bad mom, she’s probably a killer too.”
A hint of helplessness worked its way into Tean’s voice. “I didn’t say that.”
Part of Jem knew he was overdoing it; part of him knew Tean was only pointing out the facts. It was Tean being Tean. He was so…pure about some things. And so good. Even if he didn’t like the possibility that Brigitte might be involved, he’d feel like he had to say something.
But another part of Jem kept thinking about their earlier conversation.
I was upset.
How do you feel?
Jem blew out a breath. “I know. I know that’s not what you meant. I’m just… It’s been a weird morning. I know you’re right. I know she could have…whatever. But I’m telling you, it wasn’t her.”
Tean nodded, but he didn’t say anything.
Trying for a lighter tone, Jem said, “Stephen, on the other hand, I wouldn’t trust as far as I could throw him.”
“It’s not just me, then?” Tean actually sounded relieved. “I thought maybe I was imagining it.”
“Tean, we caught him eavesdropping in the hallway.”
“I know, but I meant— I don’t know. It was a feeling I got.”
“Yeah, his vibes are shady as shit. And I’ll tell you something else, too: there’s no way that dude’s gay.”
“Well, he might be extremely cautious about giving any sign, especially since he’s supposedly Gerald’s first big success.”
“He’s not gay,” Jem said. “I know a sausage connoisseur when I see one.”
“Oh my gosh,” Tean whispered.
“I do! And Stephen hasn’t been doing any stuffing or being stuffed. I bet he hasn’t even done hand stuff.”
Tean shrank down like he was trying to melt under the table.
“Come on,” Jem said. “You can tell too.”
“I can’t tell, as a matter of fact.” Color was rising under the soft brown of Tean’s skin. “And I’d rather wait for someone to trust me enough to share that part of their life with me than jump to conclusions—”
“What about that delivery guy last week who practically pulled your zipper down with his teeth?”
“That didn’t happen!”
“I saw him make a pass at you,” Jem said. “You thought I didn’t, but I did.”
Shock made Tean’s mouth an O. Finally he recovered enough to say, “But I didn’t do anything.”
“I know, babe. That’s one of the reasons I love you.” And then he said, “What about these two guys who are missing?”
Tean was still blushing, and he had his jaw set like he wasn’t going to answer.
“It was cute,” Jem said. “It’s not your fault. You put off this insane energy that’s like stern but also sweet, like you’d take care of someone, but you wouldn’t let them get away with any bullshit, and maybe there’d be spankings.”
“No, I don’t— And there wouldn’t be—”
“That’s why so many younger guys are into you.”
With what sounded like horror, Tean said, “No, they’re not!”
“Oh, totally. I mean, I’m a younger man myself, and look at me. I couldn’t keep your dick out of my mouth.”
At that point, Tean picked up his napkin and covered his face. After what felt like a long time, he said through the fabric, “Why are you doing this to me?”
“Because this morning was awful. And I miss Scipio. And it’s all true. And I like making you blush. Plus, I think a part of you secretly likes it when I tease you.”
Tean yanked the napkin down. “I don’t.”
“Okay.”
“I’m serious.”
Jem held his hands up. “Message received.”
Tean glared at him, like he was waiting for more.
“I’m thinking,” Jem said, “we need to find those guys. The ones who were mysteriously missing last night. The ones nobody can find this morning. Because call me old-fashioned, but that’s sketchy as hell.”
It looked for a moment like Tean might continue to glare, but his expression softened—a little—and he said, “Quinn and Beckett. But how are we supposed to find them? The whole problem is that they disappeared.”
“You know,” Jem said, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve got an idea about that.”