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

“We’re going to walk down to the brown car. I’ll open the door. You’ll get in. If you try anything stupid, I’ll shoot to wound but not to kill. Understand?”


“Yes.” Clay managed to whisper, his voice hoarse with fear. Clay looked around desperately as he unwillingly walked to the car, hoping someone—anyone—would see what was happening. The only person in view was a woman across the street pushing a stroller.


“Don’t,” the man said as if reading Clay’s mind. “You don’t want her death on your conscience as well.”


Chapter 31