Page 39 of Kiss Me Honey Hone

“Peter.” Menon gestured to Kenny. “This is Dr Lyons. Our very own criminal psychologist expert. Worked on that Howell case, you remember?”

Peter stared blankly at him.

“Anyway, he’s working on a new case and came to me with a question about compounds and absorption. I know your knowledge is far greater. Specifically, have you come across any substance designed to remain stable externally and deliver lethality through mucous membranes?”

Peter looked between the two men before settling on Menon. “No. Nothing like that. It’s not feasible.”

Menon frowned. “Not eventheoretically? Let’s pretend we’re writing a crime thriller here. Selling it to the bigwigs in Hollywood.”

Peter shook his head. “Not possible.” His eyes darted to Kenny for a split second before looking back at Menon. “Can I get back to work?”

Menon sighed. “Yes, of course.” He waved him off. “Thank you, Peter.”

Peter retreated without another word, slipping back into the shadows of the lab.

“Brilliant chemist.” Menon waited until the door closed before continuing. “But not the most social, I’m afraid. I’m suspecting some undiagnosed disorder. Ah, perhaps you can help on that front? He’s had a few…challenges. Bounced around universities, as they didn’t seem to know what to do with him. But I have a nephew with autism, so I’m determined to help the young man. Can’t put him in front of a class, though. He’s not much of a people person.”

Kenny nodded absently, filing the exchange away. “Thank you, Dr Menon. Your insights have been invaluable.”

“If you need samples tested or further advice, don’t hesitate to ask. The students love a real-world case.”

Kenny shook his hand again and left the office, mind churning. Menon’s explanations confirmed the killerhadto be meticulous, knowledgeable, and methodical. Someone with access to specialised equipment and a mind for detail. Now for the harder task of figuring out why the person chose the victims they did. Once he had that established, it would help paint a clearer picture for the police to start interviewing potential suspects. But it certainly added weight to his theory enough to let Jack know where his thoughts were. And he’d do that once he’d attended to his actual work.

Which included taking a lecture.Aaron’slecture.

How on earth did he think that was a good idea?

CHapter ten

Dance Little Liar

Aaron had hoped he’d have time to run to his room on campus and change before his morning lecture, but pissing about in Kenny’s office had made that impossible if he wanted to turn up on time. Stuck in his party gear, he was. Although it smelled of fresh washing powder and luxury softener, even his ripped jeans felt softer somehow. Thankfully, he’d stuck his student ID into the back of his phone case, so could buzz himself into Lecture Theatre Two. Attendance recorded so no unauthorised absence would be going down on his file. What he lacked, though, was anything to take notes with.

Did he really need notes anymore when he had Kenny?

Didhe have Kenny?

Chewing that over in his rabid mind along with the paper burning a hole in his back pocket, he sat on the back row of tiered seats, other students tumbling in moaning about the early start on a Monday, and waited for the games to begin.

The game being who broke first.

“Oi, oi.” Mel sidled up next to him, dumping her bag on the desk in front. “Where the fuck you been?” She dragged out hertablet with the keyboard and the textbook they were working from with colourful tabs sticking out of it.

“You got any paper? Pen?” Aaron asked instead of answering the obvious.

“Where’s your stuff?”

“In my room.”

“You not been there all weekend?” Mel fished out a notebook and pen from her bag and handed it over.

“No.” He kept his eyes on the notes.

“I’ve been calling you. Sent a dozen texts.”

“Yeah, I know. Sorry, had my phone off all weekend.”

“Taylor has also been calling me.” She clicked her keyboard onto the tablet, ready totap tap tapher way through the next hour’s lecture. “You two had a fight?”

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