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

“Still as busy as I remember,” Clay commented when he and Quint entered Toppers. “And the majority of the guys are still young.”


“Around here that isold,” Clay replied while searching for an empty table or a couple of seats at the bar.


Quint harrumphed. “I’m old. You’re still in your prime.”


“Thirty-five and counting. There.” Quint pointed to two men vacating a table not too far from the dance floor.


“Are we drinking?” Clay asked once they were seated. “Can you drink, since I suspect you’re on duty?”


“I can and will,” Quint replied as a waiter appeared. “Beer?” When Clay nodded, Quint ordered for both of them. After the waiter left, Quint said quietly, “Let’s forget why I’m with you. If you think of me as a cop, we won’t be able to pull this off.”


“What? Cops don’t date or go to clubs?” Clay chortled softly.


Chapter 13