Page 94 of Mann Hunt
Luke shook his head. “He’s obviously head-over-heels in love with you, and why not? You are about as gorgeous as they get. On top of that, it’s obvious that he doesn’t like me. But I guess I’m the competition.” Luke took the exit towards the hotel. “Are you sure you’re a detective?”
Before Declan had a chance to reply, Luke said, “We’re here.”
They pulled into the parking lot. Declan jumped out of the car and ran to the hotel front desk. Luke was right behind him.
Luke flashed his badge. “We have a potential hostage situation. You need to give me the key card to room…”
“Two-oh-five,” Declan shouted.
The young man behind the counter said nothing but, with shaking hands, passed a key card to Luke. As they reached the door, Declan heard muffled yells. Luke drew his gun, tapped the key card to the reader and shoved the door open with his foot, yelling, “Police. Stay where you are. Put your hands on your head where I can see them. Now!”
Declan followed Luke into the room. Charlie was on the bed naked with Justin straddling him. Both had their hands on their heads.
Before Declan could say anything, Luke shouted, “Justin Neves, I’m authorised to take you in for questioning regarding the death of Ian Mann. Please…disengage yourself from Mr Watts and get dressed.”
“Charlie, are you all right?” Declan asked.
“I’m fine!” he yelled as Justin dismounted.
“What’s happening?” Justin cried.
Luke pulled him away from the bed and said, “Where are your clothes?”
Justin pointed to a heap on the floor. “Please,” Justin sobbed. “I didn’t do anything. Charlie, tell them I didn’t do anything.”
Before Charlie could reply, Luke said, “Declan, search his clothes for a weapon.”
Justin looked confused. “Charlie…how do these people know you?” His voice was cracking. No one answered.
Declan checked all of the pockets of Justin’s clothes, but found nothing except his wallet, cell phone and a keychain with an Axemen tag. He handed the contents to Luke.
Declan looked at Charlie and said, “Go into the bathroom and get yourself cleaned up."
As soon as Charlie had left, Declan watched Justin get dressed. Then Luke put him in handcuffs. He turned to Declan and said, “I’ll take care of Justin. Can you get home by yourself?”
“I can use Charlie’s car,” Declan replied as Luke roughly escorted Justin out of the room.
Declan waited for Charlie as he finished showering and getting dressed.
When he came out of the bathroom, Charlie packed up his things in silence and followed Declan, who dropped off the key card at the front desk. “Room’s paid for,” he said, then he led Charlie out into the cool of the night.
“I’ll need the keys. I’m driving,” he said to Charlie, who seemed to not care. His face was an unreadable mask.
As they drove off Declan said, “Why didn’t you answer my texts?”
“I was busy,” Charlie said, turning his head away and staring out the window.
They drove on for a few minutes before Declan broke the silence. “I checked into the CCTV footage. I saw Justin there. He had some sort of fight with Ian. He had a knife. I was worried about you.”
Charlie muttered, “I already knew about the fight with Ian.”
“What do you mean?” Declan asked.
“Justin told me about it,” Charlie said. “He just wanted the photographs back. Ian wanted to publish the pictures but Justin was terrified that people would find out he was gay if anyone in town saw them.”
“So nobody in town knew he was gay?”
“He hadn’t told anyone. Keeping a secret like that can eat away at you. I know—I haven’t told my folks yet. But I’m lucky. At least I have friends to talk to about it. Can you imagine what it’s like for a guy like Justin? Alone out here… Do you even remember what it was like to come out? He’s scared, that’s all. You have no idea how bad it can be. You’re so confident, I bet it was easy for you.”
