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

“To clean up, which you should do too.”


“Such enthusiasm,” Quint muttered as he watched Clay disappear into the bathroom. He had a strong feeling at this point that that’s all it had been for Clay—a good bout of sex because they’d both been horny after their time at the club. Not that he really objected. He had nothing against some down-and-dirty lovemaking on occasion. And if it happens again, and we’re still compatible and interested, why not let it become something regular in our lives? Screwing someone you get along with doesn’t have to be anything more than that.


Quint gathered up his clothes and when Clay left the bathroom, Quint went in, got rid of the condom, and then washed and dressed. He came back into the bedroom to find it empty and went in search of Clay. The man was in his studio, wearing only jeans, contemplating the unfinished painting of Quint with a thoughtful expression.


“Having second thoughts about it?” Quint asked.


Chapter 16