 A shiver worked its way down Tyler’s spine as he unlocked the main lodge’s front door. Once they were inside, they shook snow off and shed their coats. “All the entrances to this building are secure?” “Yeah.” Tyler nodded. “Those windows don’t open.” He motioned to the wall of glass. It shimmered and vibrated when a gust of wind hit it. “I hope you don’t think less of me for what I’m about to say, but I’m really glad you showed up. Finding out someone is sneaking around here and camping out in a shutdown building is a little creepy.” Linden chuckled. It was a soft, mellow sound that made Tyler’s heart beat a little faster. “It’s a lot creepy. I wouldn’t like being here alone under those circumstances.” “I guess it’s a good thing for both of us, then,” Tyler said. Linden smiled and nodded, making Tyler feel warmth spread through his chest. “Coffee?” “That sounds fantastic. I need to check in with my office and Randy.” “You and Randy are… uh… close?” Tyler hoped he didn’t sound too disappointed—or pathetic. Linden smiled as he typed on his phone, presumably replying to the e-mails he’d read earlier. “We’ve been friends since college, were assigned to the same dorm room as freshmen and were roomies the whole time. It was a coincidence, of course, but we’re both gay, and it worked out well. He’s an investigative reporter—pretty good too. Randy sells stories to publications all over the world.” He put the phone down and studied Tyler. “However, we’ve never been anything but friends. Don’t light each other’s fires. There are things people will tell a reporter they won’t tell an FBI agent, or any law enforcement, so he gives me some help sometimes, and I give him a story sometimes.” That fact made Tyler happier and more relieved than it probably should have. “I really am happy you’re here. I guess I’m not a very suspicious person and wouldn’t have thought much of seeing those drapes open.” “That’s not a bad thing. Not at all.” Linden sat at the table while Tyler made coffee. “Do you know who Jeremy DeCompos is?” He turned his phone and showed Tyler a picture of a young, nice-looking black man. “He was transferred into my program a week or two before I… left. I remember the name, wouldn’t have put a face to it without that photo, and don’t really know anything about him. Why? Who is he?” Tyler was pretty sure he already knew the answer. “There was a body found in a burned-out abandoned building a few blocks from Hernandez’s apartment. Originally it looked like a vagrant. The fire was started in a makeshift pit, probably for cooking and heat. It’s still unclear which of them died first. Examination of DeCompos’s body will take longer due to the condition.” “Do you think it’s another murder meant to look like something else?” Linden nodded. “Yes. I do.” He got up and crossed to the pullout couch and his laptop briefcase. While Tyler poured large mugs of coffee and filled the small space with a rich aroma, Linden booted up his computer. “Let me show you a few things.”  Bait is available in eBook, paperback and through KoboPlus!     Comments are closed.
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