Page 25 of Deep Waters

“Porn?” Arnie asked.

“Some would insist not. There are other types of content on those sites, but I’d hazard a guess that the majority of what users pay for is the sex stuff. What does it have to do with the murders?”

“It doesn’t,” Dominic said. “But Jacob heard a rumour that Niko had posted videos to some of those sites.”

“For fuck’s sake.” Arnie scowled. “Is that really what people are talking about? The poor kid is dead, his family is devastated and they’re trying to smear his reputation. What does it matter? Do they think he had it coming because he posted a few dick pics? Talk about victim blaming.”

Dominic raised his hands. “Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just telling you what I heard.”

Arnie groaned. “You know, sometimes I think this place hasn’t moved on at all. It’s the same small-minded town I grew up in. Ugh. People can be awful.”

“Somepeople,” Dominic corrected. “A small minority.”

“Let’s change the subject, anyway,” Christian suggested. “It’s a bit grim for the dinner table, especially when you’ve gone to so much trouble.”

Arnie told him to take a seat at the table while he opened the wine. Dominic had prepared a starter of macaroni and crab, presented in small ramekins with a side salad and roasted cherry tomatoes. Christian leaned in and inhaled the delicious aroma as it steamed on the plate.

“You made this? It’s incredible.”

“Enjoy.”

The food was so good that they devoured it in complete silence. “Huge compliments to the chef. Thank you,” Christian said when they had finished.

“You’re welcome,” Dominic said, wiping his lips with a linen napkin.

After a moment, Christian realised that the guys were watching him across the table, mischievous smiles on their faces.

“What?” he asked.

They exchanged cunning glances before Dominic asked, “How are you getting on with the lovely Harry?”

“Oh, God, really?”

“Come on,” Arnie said over the top of his wine glass. “We want to know.”

“What can I say?” Christian laughed, feeling the heat colour his face. “He’s nice.”

“Nice? I think you can do better than that. I thought you said you were a writer.”

He sat back in his chair and blew out his cheeks. “Harry seems like a lovely guy. More than lovely. Actually, I met him for a coffee just before I came here.”

The couple exchanged another knowing look.

“Told you,” Arnie said.

“Told him what?” Christian asked.

“We speculated on why you were late,” Dominic said. “Harry was at the top of our list.”

Christian stared at them, open-mouthed. “I wasn’t that late.”

“But you’re usually punctual to fault.”

He laughed. “Okay. You got me.”

“So come on,” Arnie pressed. “What comes after coffee?”

“We’ll have to see. We’re going out in the boat again tomorrow, so that’s what happens next.”

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