Page 77 of Joey

“No.” Grey chuckled. “Yes. Go for it.”

Joey inhaled, exhaled and turned on the machine. The familiar buzz filled the air, and Joey relaxed. This was just another tattoo. There was nothing to worry about. Joey laid the needle down and started the name. It didn’t take long, but the moment he’d finished, he wanted to scrape it off—as if he could. Everything felt wrong about Grey now that he knew he’d been at the party.

Taking a risk, he said, “I saw some pictures of the party the night Elliott died. I’d forgotten how many people were there. Faces I recognised. Faces I didn’t. It all merges together sometimes, but photos make it easier to remember.”

Grey had tensed when Joey had started talking. “Did you see anyone of interest?”

Ethan shook his head at Joey, and he heeded the advice. “No. Just the usual faces.”

Grey relaxed, and Joey finished covering it and talking through the aftercare.

“Thank you, Joey. I appreciate it.” He turned to Ethan. “How was your first tattoo experience?”

Ethan smiled, though Joey could see it was strained. “Good. Maybe one day, I’ll have one.”

Grey slipped his shirt back on and tucked it in. “Fingers crossed, this won’t be my last.”

It would be the only one Joey ever did for him. “If you head down the stairs, Ani will sort you out.”

Grey’s expression tightened and then eased, and he smiled. “Great. It was nice to see you again.” He headed for the door. “Did you have an enjoyable time in Cardiff?”

Joey schooled his expression, but a chill skated down his spine. He smiled. “Yes, all good. Same as always.”

Grey nodded. “See you later.” He closed the door behind him, and Joey leaned against the table, staring at the door.

“What’s wrong?” Ethan asked, closing the distance between them.

Joey collected his thoughts. “I never told him I was going to Cardiff. I told him I was going to Bath.” He met Ethan’s gaze. “What the fuck is going on?”

Ethan slid his arms around Joey, and Joey nestled his face into Ethan’s neck. “I don’t know, sweetheart, but I have a feeling it’s all coming to a head.”

Joey lifted his head. “Why?”

It was Ethan’s turn to stare at the door. “While you were tattooing him, Grey didn’t have a grimace or anything that I would expect a first-timer to have. He was almost…smirking.”

Joey’s stomach churned. “I knew I shouldn’t have done it. Something was telling me not to.”

Ethan sighed. “I don’t want to say it, but do you think Grey had something to do with Elliott’s death?”

Joey stared at him. “I really don’t know.”

“He’s hiding something.”

Joey nodded. “He is. But what?”

Neither spoke, and Joey pulled his phone from his pocket. “Detective Harmon? It’s Joey Reynolds. Can I ask a question?”

“You can ask, but I reserve the right to not answer.”

“Fair enough. Have you found out anything about Grey Kennedy?”

The detective was silent, and Joey thought he wouldn’t answer. “I have,” he said hesitantly. “Why do you ask?”

“He’s just been here for a tattoo, and he called me the other day.” He went on to describe the phone call, the tattoo and when Grey had asked about Cardiff.

Harmon sighed. “Keep this to yourself, all right? We have reason to believe Grey Kennedy is working with his father.”

Joey closed his eyes and dropped his head. “Why would he do that? Elliott had been trying to stop that from happening.”

---