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

“I understand. How was he when he got back?”


Clay sighed. “Clingy for a while. He didn’t seem to want to talk about the vacation other than to say he and Matty had reconnected and spent most of their time together.”


“So the bond between them was still strong.”


“After that Christmas, I’d say yes. It’s not like Matty came out here or Travis went to visit him, but they called each other on and off. When I’d overhear some of the conversations, which was rarely, Travis was always bubbling on about how happy I made him. It was embarrassing.”


“Okay. We have Travis telling his brother—or at least implying—that you two were the perfect couple. Then the two of you break up and he heads back down to Texas, either home or to where his brother’s living. Chances are he cried on Matty’s shoulder then…then it gets strange.”


“Meaning the whole new name thing then going to Oregon?”


“They might have had a falling out.”


“That would sort of negate Matty having a reason to come after you.”


Chapter 28