Page 31 of Pure Killers

Light falls on the corner of his mouth, those blackened lips curving into a smile. “My Little Shadow, this is Tregam. If you haven’t murdered someone, you’ve sure as hell thought about it.”

While that’s not exactly a confession, it’s not a denial either. “You’ve been following me.”

Another non-denial. “You’ve piqued my interest.”

“Who are you?” More and more, I fear he could be someone known to me, even trusted.

Needler laughs. “How easy do you expect this to be, Little Shadow?” Lips curving into a smile caught by the faint light, he adds “That would cost much more than a kiss.”

The fluttering in my chest consumes my stomach too now. That traitorous dream intrudes into my thoughts. Would I? If itmeant knowing the truth? The fact that I can’t answer that with a simpleno, tightens my jaw. I take a step back, and his head tilts towards the stairs. “Go. If you want, you can leave your way tonight.”

Cautiously, I move for the exit, eyes on him still, but he only lets me go. I turn away then, trying not to feel his eyes on my back as I run.

***

"Can you do me a favour?" I ask, "Just between us."

Seb squints at me, slightly suspicious. I can't blame him.

I hold the little tube with three different cotton swabs. I'd regretted it, that first morning, the moment I'd washed my face and brushed my teeth, in my bleariness wiping away any DNA that might have still been on me from the kiss. Had going back last night been partly for this purpose? Yes, as foolhardy as that was. Especially since even if it did turn up something, I'd have trouble explaining where I got the samples… Two from my lips, one from under my nails, where his skin would surely be. The scratch on his neck was a bonus, one I wasn’t counting on. But it has to show up something, doesn’t it? "Run those for me."

He looks surprised but takes the vial in his white-gloved hand. Between the high collar of his lab coat and his glasses, it’s hard to read his expression. "Y-you don't want me to t-tell anyone about this?"

I give a tight smile. I waited until Rosie went home. She might be alternative, but I know she'd never do anything in her lab that wasn't strictly by the books. "Only a quick DNA test, just in case."

"Okay… sure."

I let out a tense breath. "Thank you, Seb."

***

Dirk is driving. We've left the city proper for the Southern edge of Tregam, where the buildings give way to green rolling hills and estates with more security than most banks.

"Can't wait to hear how hard these people's lives are," Dirk mutters, a pseudo-castle rolling by out his window.

I give him a look. "This guy’s partner was just brutally murdered and outed as all kinds of things. Let’s not judge too fast."

Dirk snorts. "As if he didn't know. How can you run for office with a guy and not get some hint…"

"We've all heard of wives who didn't know their husbands had girls tied up in the basement, or who didn't know their children were the ones skinning the neighbourhood cats. It’s possible."

"Possible, not probable."

"As always, you're a ray of sunshine, partner," I muse.

Dirk huffs a laugh, finally smiling at me. "That’s me. Did you see Talisof went in today?"

"And he'll never come out," I mutter. When he turns his attention back to the black river of a road, I frown at his profile. "Why are you wearing a scarf?"

It’s olive green, sitting loose around his neck.

"Because it’s cold?"

"You don't usually wear scarves."

Dirk raises an eyebrow. "You don't usually comment on my wardrobe."

"Well, I just…" I trail off, tearing my gaze away. I resist looking again. What do I think? That if I look past that scarf, I'll find…

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