Page 9 of Lethal Seduction

“He was already working here… I couldn’t just fire him. He was a good employee. I even offered to make him a manager, but he was proud. Too proud to take handouts, he’d said. He repeatedly told me he didn’t want anything from me, but to have a father figure in his life.” Tears well up in Stanley’s eyes again and he shakes his head. “We’d grown close over the past year… I’d even contemplated telling my wife about him because I couldn’t imagine him not being part of our lives.”

“Do you know of anyone who would want to hurt your son? Someone that might have become jealous of your relationship with him? You mentioned before this place was a rumor-mill, even something that seems implausible could help.”

Stanley doesn’t respond right away, but stares off into the distance, his eyes darting back and forth. I’ve seen this many times before, the victim’s loved one desperate to help, but unable to focus on anything other than their pain and loss.

“I have no idea who could have done this. I’m so sorry, Detective. If there was anything at all I could do to help, I promise you I would.”

“I believe you, sir,” I say and put my hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Here’s my card. If you remember anything… or hear anything that might help, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

Stanley takes the card and studies it for a moment, then puts it into his front pocket. “Thank you, Detective.”

I take a few notes as I walk away from the owner and stop midway to the main entrance. I put the pad back into my pocket and head straight for my car. I need coffee, and I need it now.

Coffee Cravings, the coffee shop I love to go to, isn’t far from the golf club and they have the best iced mocha cold brew. With pedal to the metal, I make record time as I slow into the parking space. As I approach the entrance, a couple catches my eye. The female is cute, physically fit, and appears even at this distance to be the male’s friend rather than lover. Their dynamic is true and platonic. I refocus my attention on the male, decently dressed, thin, with boyish good looks and if I were to guess—gay. Butterflies fill my belly. Something about this guy tugs at me, and for the first time in a while, I want to actually get to know someone… him. It feels weird, since I haven’t even spoken to the guy.

I hurry to catch the door as it starts closing behind them. They stand in line in front of me and I rack my brain to come up with a reason to speak to him. I’m about to give up when he drops his wallet.

Reaching down, I pick it up before he even turns around. When I tap him on the shoulder, he turns, and our eyes meet. His light brown eyes sparkle in the light. He’s beautiful and not in the shallow sort of way as my previous date had been.

“Oh, thanks,” he says and snatches the wallet from my hand. His female friend turns and checks me out; if her eyes were fingers, I’d have arrested her for unwanted groping.

“Got to be careful these days,” I say. “People love to steal each other’s identities.” Shit, I sound like an overbearing father. Or maybe even a creepy serial killer.

Awkward glances from him tell me I need to change my approach or simply give up.

“My name’s Michael,” I say, extending my hand.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Michael. I’m Tina and this is my friend Patrick.”

Tina nudges him in the side and he shoots her a dirty look, his cheeks blushing red. He’s clearly not interested.

“Great to meet you,” I say. Waiting for some kind of response from the guy, my stomach tightens. Gosh this guy is so cute, but he might not like me since I feel I look a bit older than him. Not to mention, I’m not absolutely ripped like a gym-bro. Inwardly, I sigh and I feel my shoulders slump, ever so slightly. It sure would have been nice to make a connection after such a shitty date the other night.

Cutting my losses, I look away, pretending to be interested in a stupid mug for sale on the shelf next to me in line.

They turn back around, and it’s clear from their body language, Tina either wants me for herself or for her best friend, but Patrick is not interested in the slightest. He probably wants a gym rat or something, and while I’m plenty strong, I’d say I have more of a muscular dad body—quite fit, but not a lot of definition in my abs. Tacos, pizza, and the occasional beer—never going to be completely ripped enjoying my life like that.

Anyway, I mind my own business in line and order my coffee. By the time I get a straw and napkins, I turn back around, and Tina and Patrick have left the shop. Oh well, wasn’t meant to be. I sit down at a little table in the corner of the place andtake out my personal cell phone, open the dating app and begin swiping left and right. Dammit, the pickings are slim on here this morning. My mind tells me to uninstall the app, but my heart tells me there’s still a chance to find love. To find my forever.

5

PATRICK

Tina and I arrive to work a bit early and there is no way we are going to go inside until the last possible second. After all, we aren’t sadists, and the club doesn’t pay us extra if we get there before our shift starts.

Seas the Day Country Club sprawls impressively with its eighteen-hole golf course, a forty-thousand square foot clubhouse, multiple pools, tennis courts, and even horse stables. The circle drive, lined with palm trees and punctuated by a massive back-lit fountain, showcases what talented landscapers, architects, and designers can accomplish with enough money.

“You know, Patrick, the hunky guy at the coffee shop was giving you the eye,” Tina says.

“What eye?” I ask. “There’s no way he was gay.”

“And why is that?”

“Simple,” I say. “When he adjusted his suit jacket, he had a badge.”

“So?”

“And he had a bit of a funky odor. Gays in suits don’t do that. They make sure they smell delightful just in case they encounter one of their own.”

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