Three men: Neil Stafford, a scene designer. He is still infatuated with his first lover. It's reason he wants to go to their college reunion -- to see if he can finally put his feelings for Zeke behind him, with the help of his best friend. Zeke Hale, a lawyer. He's also a married, and very closeted, gay man although he clandestinely slept with as many guys as possible while in college, including Neil. Kev Deering, a waiter. He's been in love with Neil almost since they first met two years ago. However, for reasons of his own, he hasn't told Neil he's bi, so Neil treats him as his very safe, straight best friend and nothing more. Three men. One will be dead by the end of the reunion. One will be the primary suspect in the murder. One will do all he can to try to solve the murder.

The Reunion

Neil nodded in reply to what the woman said, while he watched Kev head to the bar. He isa nice man, and a good friend. I wish…He sighed. Wishes and horses and all that.


Kev came back several minutes later with a tray full of glasses and bottles that he set in the middle of the table.


“If your beers are warm, blame it on the five hundred people I had to wade through to get back here,” he said, getting laughs in reply.


“Is that the truth, or did Zeke get in your face again and you didn’t want to say anything?” Neil asked softly when Kev picked up his beer and scowled at it before taking a drink.


“It’s true. As a matter of fact, I didn’t see him,” Kev replied quietly. After glancing around, he added under his breath, “He’s probably necking in a dark corner with whichever woman he was dancing with last. Or he’s with one of his male conquests from back when—in a stall in the john. One of your rivals for his affections.”


Chapter 12