The Harlequin - 33. Chapter 33

Adam was treated to a breakfast by the two detectives. At first, he wasn’t hungry and didn’t order much, only coffee and toast, but A.J. ordered extra food, all of which was Adam’s favorites. When the dishes arrived, Adam’s five senses kicked in, and he devoured most of them.

He was full and awake as he sipped on his second coffee. Artie ordered another pot of the dark brew as the waitress cleared the dishes."

"Feel better?” asked A.J.

“I actually do,” confessed Adam. “Now what is it that you needed to tell me about the killer?”

Artie opened his small notebook with the information.

“The killer’s name was Jay Marcel. He worked part-time as the groundskeeper at the cemetery where all this started. The knife that was removed from Patrick’s chest was the same weapon used on Gavin Martin,” said Artie. “He and Cain Rollins were roommates living in a townhouse on the college campus where Cain worked. When we went to search the residences we found evidence connecting Jay to Gavin’s murder. Gavin’s cell phone, clothing, and house keys were amongst Jay’s belongings in a suitcase in his closet. We also found several photos of Jay and Patrick dressed in cosplay costumes looking very sociable.”

“Patrick called his name out in your apartment when he tried to distract Marcel from killing you,” A.J. said.

“I was there.”

“He’s also the guy in the picture with Patrick. The gloves we found on the scene matched his prints. Also, the mattress had traces of not only his semen, but samples from several different people,” continued Artie.

“Patrick told me he never performed sex acts with anyone but Gavin.”

“That’s what he said—his sample is being run now.”

“What—how? He was stabbed. His parents wouldn’t…wait. Damnit A.J. you took it from my bed?”

“We need this case closed. Without any holes Adam, and Patrick’s motives are still in the air.”

“He was fucking stabbed.”

“Yes, but the knife never reached his heart, which tells us that the killer wasn’t aiming for him. He was trying to kill you, the same way he killed Gavin in the graveyard.”

“Patrick flipped me off of him, he must have seen Marcel coming.”

“Or was it staged to look like he was trying to save you? Maybe he had a change of heart at the last minute.”

“Shut your mouth, A.J.”

“Hey, watch it Potter. Don’t talk to him like that.”

“Or what Artie, are you going to get mad?”

Artie rose from his seat, alerting other dinners. A.J. stood, grabbing his lover’s shoulders and looking directly at him.

“Artie its’ okay, let me finish.” Artie slowly sat down, and everyone around them seemed to calm as well. A.J. focused on Adam again. “Adam, I know this is hard to swallow. But you have to admit it seems strange Patrick knows Cain and he recognized Jay in your apartment with the mask still on. How did he know?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s what we need to find out. Once his parents leave, we’re going to ask Patrick.”

“I want to be there.”

“You should go home and shower, then come back.”

“No.”

“Come on, Potter.”

“You come on, Artie. I’m not leaving so you two can go and question him without me. If he’s going to talk, it will be better if I’m there.”

Artie and A.J. glanced at one another, trying to think of a better reason not to let Adam come with them, but thought of none.

“Fine Potter, but if you interfere with our questioning I’ll have you arrested. Got it?” said Artie.

Adam rolled his eyes and ate another piece of bacon.

“What about Justin? Did you already interview him?” Adam asked.

“No, we had stopped by his room, but he was still asleep.”

“I want to be with him when you question him.”

“That’s fine, he named you his power of attorney so it would be right to let you be present,” said A.J.

“He did?”

” We thought you knew.”

“I just hired him. Why would he want me to be his power of attorney?”

“You’ll have to ask him.”

“Have you spoken to the doctor?”

“She said besides dehydration, bruising, and a few stitches, he will make a full recovery.”

“I feel like a prick for not thinking about him.”

“He was unconscious, Adam. There was nothing you could have done. The killer was after you.”

“…and Patrick.”

“Yes,” corrected A.J. “…and Patrick.”

“We should visit Justin first,” suggested Artie. “Everyone finish and I’ll pay the bill.”

“We’ll wait outside for you,” said A.J.

“Do me a favor. Get one blueberry muffin for Justin,” said Adam.

“Sure, no problem.”

**************

Justin lay still as a strapping nurse named Tobey took his vitals. He had long straight black hair, honey skin, and a firm body. Justin, who was still sore from being with Cain, enjoyed the contact when the nurse’s fingers brushing his bare chest as he checked the seal of the sensors tracking his heartrate. Or when he held his wrist as he timed his pulse. Justin so wanted his next job to be a sponge bath.

“So, how am I?” asked Justin, looking up at the brown jewel eyes that looked back at him. A soft smile came across Nurse Tobey’s face.

“Your vitals are normal. Next I’ll need to check your stitches.”

“If you must,” Justin said, with a sigh rolling onto his side as the nurse investigated the injury to his sore bottom.

“Everything seems to be fine. Are you in any discomfort, Mr. Shi?”

“Sore, very sore.”

“Then I’ll go get you a pain killer.”

“That would be nice, Nurse Tobey.”

They locked eyes when Tobey pulled the sheet and blanket up higher on Justin’s chest. At that moment, Justin’s soreness went away, turning into a hungry ache. Slowly they leaned in to kiss, when a knock came at the door, and Adam’s voice rang out.

“Hello, Justin are you awake?”

Tobey jerked back, but Justin grabbed his arm.

“Don’t worry he’s only my boss,” he whispered and Tobey flashed another smile his way.

“I’ll go get that painkiller for you.”

“Thank you.”

Tobey opened the door and greeted the three men.

“You can go in; Mr. Shi is awake.” The three visitors stepped aside and eyeballed the attractive nurse. Adam raised his eyebrows as he turned to walk in, holding a small cake box. A.J. started to follow when he realized Artie was still staring at the handsome nurse.

“Did you want him to get you something?” A.J. asked his boyfriend. Artie snapped his head around and smiled his guiltily at his partner.

“Nothing you haven’t already perfected.”

“Good save. We’ll talk later.”

Artie was about to speak when A.J. turned heel and walked into the room.

Adam presented Justin with his sweet treat and watched as he opened it.

“Blueberry muffin, thank you, I hate hospital food.”

“I’ll go pick you something up for lunch after I see Patrick.”

“Patrick, he’s here?”

“Yeah, the real Harlequin broke into my place again and stabbed him.”

“What—is he…?”

“He’s fine; he’s recovering in ICU.”

“So Cain wasn’t acting alone?”

“No. Jay Marcel was the one who killed Gavin Martin. Cain was working with him.”

“Did Patrick know him?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m glad to see you’re all right.”

“Just sore,” Adam said. Rubbing his neck.

“So the killers—are in jail?”

“No. Cain and Jay are dead, both shot.”

“Cain too—I thought…”

“He stole a police car and tried to run me and Patrick down at the graveyard.”

“Wow, I missed all the excitement.”

“I’ll tell you all the crazy details when you get back to work. For now, how are you?”

“I’m fine—well—I will be when the stitches dissolve.”

“Justin, Detective Cutter and I would like to ask you some questions if you’re up to it?” asked A.J.

“Well, okay.”

“So, you knew Cain.”

“Yeah, he was a professor at my school.”

“You were living with him?”

“No—not really. He allowed me to live in his townhouse because he moved in with his boyfriend.”

“So you two weren’t having a sexual relationship?”

“Oh, sure we were. His new boyfriend didn’t like S&M, but I loved it. Cain would come over when he was—frustrated, and I took care of his needs.” Justin’s response came off so nonchalant that Adam wondered what else his under twenty-one-year-old assistant was involving himself in when off the clock.

“So you were fine with him having a boyfriend?”

“Sure, I didn’t want a boyfriend; I wanted to have fun.”

“Did you know a Jay Marcel?”

“Cain’s boyfriend’s name was Jay. I didn’t know his last name.”

“You’ve met him?”

“No, not face to face. Cain would talk about him or I’d hear a phone conversation between them.”

“Do you know if Jay was fine with Cain going to you for—rougher sex?”

“Not sure. Whenever I asked, Cain would pretend he didn’t hear me. So I dropped it.”

“Did Cain ever mention Patrick Valdez?”

“No.”

“Have you ever met Patrick before all of this?”

“No.”

“What happened the last day you went to the townhouse?”

“Everything was normal at first. Cain was there to surprise me. He had my car fixed and detailed. I wanted to thank him, so I went to get ready.”

“Ready?” asked Artie.

“Yeah, chaps, boots, and my collar—ready,” Justin said with a shrug of his shoulders.

“Okay, then what happened?” A.J. said, envisioning Justin in those very items.

“Well, he was taking a while. Then he barged into the room yelling at me about having the computer from work showing Adam’s website.” He glanced at Adam, who stood by him. “Cain never flipped out on me like that before. He was pissed to find out I worked for Adam. He even broke the laptop in two. Sorry, boss.”

“Don’t apologize, you didn’t know he was a lunatic,” said Adam.

Justin thought over his next words. “Do you want me to tell you what we did?”

“That won’t be necessary,” said A.J. “What happened after that, Justin?”

“Well, he tied me up and fucked me. Then he whipped me with a riding crop, I guess until I passed out. I woke up in that room.”

“Did Cain speak to you when he held you in that room?” asked Artie.

“No, but he did talk on his cell a lot.”

“Do you know to whom?”

“No, but he was yelling a lot about being left to do all the work and something about finishing him. I don’t who he was talking about.”

“Who freed you?”

“Patrick.”

The room door opened, and Nurse Tobey entered holding a tray with a small paper cup holding two pain killers and a cup of water. The three men standing turned to him as he crossed the room to Justin’s bed.

“I’m sorry, but Mr. Shi needs his rest now,” he said, setting the tray down on the rollaway table and sliding it towards the bed.

“Alright, we’ll let you get your rest,” said A.J., who turned to Artie, and both left the room.

Adam walked over to Justin and took his hand, squeezing it gently.

“Justin, why did you make me your power of attorney?”

“My parents live overseas and after meeting your family I just wanted someone I can trust. If you want me to take you off, I’ll understand.” Adam ignored his statement.

“You’re staying with me until you’re better and I help you find a new place.”

“Thanks, boss.” Adam placed a soft kiss to Justin’s forehead, fighting back thoughts of what could have happened.

“I’ll see you later, with lunch.”

“And another muffin?”

“Sure,” he looked toward Tobey. “Take care of him.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” replied Tobey, with a smile.

Adam walked out and saw A.J. and Artie talking. Artie turned to Adam, who seemed calmer.

“Now when we see Valdez, you’re to stay out of the questioning.”

“Fine.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I only want to see Patrick, not to interfere with your investigation.”

“Fair enough, so long as we’re clear.”

“Oh, we’re clear.”

“Because if we catch him in a lie…”

“Cain and Jay tried to kill him…”

“Correction, both men tried to kill you,” said Artie. “Patrick was collateral damage.”

“Fine, they were his stalkers.”

“Or his co-conspirators.”

“Where’s innocent until proven guilty, Artie?”

“We’ll find out the truth once we talk to Patrick,” said A.J.

“Then what are we waiting for?” said Adam, stepping aside. “I’ll follow you, detectives.”