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

“You were serious,” Clay said when he joined him, seeing that Quint was at one end of the long sofa.


“About putting it in front of the door? Yeah. The lock is shattered. The alarm box is useless. This should at least deter our friend if he decides to pay you another visit tonight. And no, I’m not really going to sleep on it.”


They got it moved then Quint said, “I’ve arranged for an officer to watch the building tonight for added protection. Tomorrow I’ll decide whether to let you stay here or move you to somewhere safer.”


“Pardon me? You’ll do what? I think that’s my choice and, for your information, I am not leaving. I’ll get the security company out here first thing in the morning, but this is my home and I will not let this bastard run me out of it. Got that?”


“Got it. And I figured that would be your response. Moving you was just an option.”


“Okay. For now, though, we should probably try to get some sleep.”


Chapter 23