Clay Richardson is a well-known artist who owns his own gallery. Quint Hawk, a police detective, makes contact with Clay when he sees a portrait Clay has painted in the window of the gallery -- a portrait of a homeless young man who was murdered just days before. Unfortunately, Clay has no idea who the subject was. Several months later, Quint contacts Clay to again ask about one of Clay's paintings. The subject has been murdered, as has a third man in another of his paintings. The reclusive artist and the handsome detective are drawn to each other as they try to determine what is happening and why. They come up with a plan to catch the killer -- a plan that could end up in their deaths before they can decide if there is more to their feelings than a couple of very good nights in Clay's bed.

The Element Case

“True. What I meant was, the perp didn’t force the door or a window open. He came late at night, shot the victim, and left.”


“In the case of the student, a neighbor did and called 911. The other man was found the next day by the building manager when the guy’s boss couldn’t reach him. He called, asking the manager to check on him because he hadn’t shown up for work. Apparently that had never happened before and he got worried.”


“I think I’m glad I wasn’t the poor manager.”


“He wasn’t a happy man,” Quint agreed. “Okay, you get to work. I’ll do what I’m paid for and also make certain your security is up to par.”


Clay did as he was told, getting back to the painting he’d been working on when the detective had arrived. He was so immersed in what he was doing that he jumped when he heard Quint clear his throat behind him.


“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Quint said. “Everything looks good but…”


Chapter 7