Page 80 of Seducer

“Because that’s where all information stops. There’s no mention of him being buried anywhere, including in a pauper’s field or if his body was donated to science. So the trail stops cold. I kinda thought you and your brothers might want closure.”

“Closure? I don’t think we need to reopen our pasts as they weren’t particularly happy times.”

“I hear you.”

A knock on my door I didn’t need or want. “What?”

My assistant knew the tone well enough to barely stick her head inside the door. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s a police detective here to see you?”

I slanted my gaze toward Walker. A bad time for him to just stop by. “Who is it and what is the reason for their visit?”

“Detective Mack Dannon and he said you’d know why.” She was gripping the edge of the door tightly enough that her knuckles were white.

Mack. What the fuck was he doing here?

“I’ll be there in a minute,” I told her.

“Yes, sir.” She closed the door and Walker bristled, immediately standing.

“Whew. A detective? Have you been on a killing spree lately?”

I was in no mood for his teasing antics at this point. “Go. I appreciate the information. I don’t need to tell you, but I will. If you mention either to anyone, you won’t need to be worried about your business any longer.”

“I do love it when you’re such a tough dude. Do you want me to slither out the back?” He laughed from seeing my face. “Just kidding. You can’t take a joke. Good luck with the detective.”

He walked out, closing the door behind him and I shifted from one file to the other. It was barely ten in the morning and alreadyit had been one hell of a day. Why did I have a feeling it was about to move from bad to worse?

I shoved the files into my desk and got up slowly. Perhaps Mack was here for a friendly visit. Then again, why use his professional name if that was the case? I headed to the door, opening it to see Mack flirting with one of the girls.

He seemed to sense I was staring at him, finally lifting his head. I couldn’t recognize the look in his eyes. But I was convinced he was here on business. He said something else to the girl and sauntered in my direction. At least the cops in this town knew how to dress in a suit that didn’t come from a cheap chain.

“What an interesting surprise,” I told him as I allowed him inside.

“Hey, I wanted to see how the rich and famous live and work. Since I had a feeling you’d never invite me to that castle you live in, I came here.” Mack was his typical jovial self, but I sensed an almost immediate tension between us.

“Well, then welcome to my humble office.” I immediately returned to my chair, sitting down and staring at him as he walked the entire room, scoping out my art, the books in the bookcases, the music CDs I stored here as well.

“Not so humble. Nice place.”

“Thanks, Mack, but why don’t we cut to the chase. Why are you here?”

He threw a look in my direction, laughing when he did. His gait was the same as I’d remembered, another highlight of how cocky he’d always been. He slid into the seat where Walker had been, staring at me with the kind of intensity I wasn’t used to.

Most men couldn’t hold eye contact. Women preferred scanning the rest of my physique. Mack had something on his mind.

“For the sake of our friendship, I won’t beat around the bush. Do you know a man by the name of Jerry Offsinger?”

I chuckled and planted a smile on my face. “He’s an interesting character who thinks his shit doesn’t stink. He and I had words the other night when he accosted a waitress at the club. You were there.”

“Yeah, I was there. However, I left pretty early. I understand you were hanging around.”

“I did. Until closing.”

He sighed. “Did you have another discussion with him?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Well, I’m asking because Jerry filed a complaint. Assault. He had the bruises to prove it too.”

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