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’ve lived at your place forever. I figured you had to decide if you were willing to share it permanently or give it up.”


“This is where you work. This space is perfect for you. Me? I’m flexible.” Quint leaned against the work table, looking at Clay. “Yeah, I’ve been there for a while, but that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to move, and it would be easier for me to do that than for you and—”


“So you’re saying you want to live here?”


Quint frowned. “You don’t like the idea? Okay, I know it hasn’t worked well for you in the past but I thought…”


Stepping in front of Quint, Clay put his hands on his lover’s shoulders. “I think it’s a fantastic idea.”


“I figure, if you don’t want me moving in here or if you think this place was too small for both of us, that I, we, could turn my office into your studio but it’s pretty small and there’s not much natural light and so—”


Chapter 38