Out today, 'It Takes a Photographer - Quint and Clay Art Crimes Book 5'!

 It Takes a Photographer

Quint and Clay Art Crimes Book 5

https://www.jms-books.com/edward-kendrick-c-224_229/it-takes-a-photographer-p-3806.html 

It Takes a Photographer - Kindle edition by Kendrick, Edward. Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/it-takes-a-photographer-edward-kendrick/1124332362?ean=9781646567393

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/it-takes-a-photographer-1

 

GENRE: Gay Mystery Romance
LENGTH: 21,606 words
RATING:

Olivia is a photographer working at Rory and Lou's art gallery. While taking pictures at the party Clay and Quint throw to celebrate the adoption of their son, she captures what seems to be a murder in the building behind them.

Lou and Quint take it upon themselves to investigate -- unofficially at first -- with the help of Rory and Gideon Monahan. When they find out the presumed victim is alive and denying anything happened, they dig deeper. Things heat up as Rory goes undercover to try to learn the truth while the others delve into the backgrounds of the people involved and Olivia finds more photos relevant to the case.

Now all they have to do is find out what the photos really show, and if what looked like a murder may be even more than it seems.

EXCERPT:

Two days after the party, Olivia strode into Valencia Gallery as soon as it opened, looking ... disturbed was the first word that came to Lou's mind as she came into the office. He wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for the fact his hours at the precinct had changed. He was now working two to ten.

Olivia had a portfolio under one arm that she set down on the desk.

"I have to show you something," she said, flipping it open. "Tell me if I'm crazy."

"Okay." Lou waited while she thumbed through the pictures before laying three of them out in front of him.

"What do you see?" she asked.

"Quint. And Clay holding Jamie, sitting on one of the lounge chairs. They all look very happy. Okay ... Jamie looks more like he's about to fall asleep, poor baby."

"Look behind them."

Lou did, then asked, "What am I supposed to be seeing?"

Taking a magnifying glass from her purse, she handed it to him. "Look at the window to the right of them, in the building behind them. I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't been trying to decide how to crop the photos."

Lou did, then frowned. "It might not be what it looks like," he said, tapping one of the pictures.

"But you do see it. It's not my imagination."

"Yeah. He seems to have his hands around her throat. At least, I guess it's a female ... or a male with long hair. Hard to tell from the profile." Lou looked up at her. "Can you ... Did you blow this up?"

She nodded, taking another photo from the portfolio.

"What's going on?" Rory asked, coming into the office. "Oh, you have pictures from Clay and Quint's party. Great. Can I see?"

"Just these," Olivia replied. "I wanted Lou to look at them."

Rory rested his hand on the desk, leaning in to take a look. "So much love," he said quietly.

"Unfortunately, that depends on where you look," Lou replied, pointing the window behind Quint and Clay in one of the photos, then to the blow-up of it that Olivia had made.

Rory whistled. "Not so much love there, from the look of it." He glanced at Olivia. "Do you know which building this is?"

She shook her head. "What you're seeing is all that I got of it."

"Then we need to pay Clay a visit so he can let us up on the roof," Lou stated, piling the photos together then handing them to her.

"Kevin and I can watch the place while you're gone," Rory said. "Unfortunately, we're not exactly booming with business, even though it's Sunday."

Lou nodded, offering to drive, which Olivia accepted.

On the way over to Clay's place, she asked, "Do you really think he was killing her?"

"Or him. It's hard to tell. The room is too dark. If they had been a little closer to the window ..."

"It was late afternoon and the sun was behind that building," Olivia replied. "I tried to enhance it, but I can only do so much."

"And you're the expert, so that's probably the best we'll get." Lou realized he should let Clay know they were on their way over. When Clay answered, Lou only asked if he was going to be home for a while.

"Yep. Jamie's asleep, so I'm taking advantage of that to get in some painting."

"I bet." Lou chuckled before they hung up.

Clay let them into the loft a few minutes later, putting a finger to his lips, pointing toward the screen blocking off an area at the far end of the main room before leading them into his studio. "So what's this all about?" he asked.

Olivia handed him the portfolio.

"I want copies of all of these," Clay stated, spreading the photos out on his work table. Then he came to the blow-up of the window. "Or not." He looked at Lou. "Is this what it looks like?"

"That's what I need to find out. First, though, we have to go up to the roof so we can figure out which building it is."

"Sure. Come on." Clay turned to Olivia. "Would you mind terribly --?"

"Staying here, in case Jamie wakes up? Not at all."

Taking the photos with them, Clay and Lou went up to the rooftop patio. It didn't take them long to determine which building was in the photos. Leaning on the railing, Lou counted the floors from the sidewalk to the window in question. "Seventh floor, rear. It looks like it's an apartment building."

"Probably, although, since she took the pictures Friday afternoon, it could be a business."

"Only one way to find out." Lou counted the windows across from the corner of the building. "Okay, I'll leave you to it and see what I can find out."

 

Don't Touch Me! - 48

"Nice…sink."

"Yep."

"Nice…shower."

"It is," Brent agreed. "You'll get a better view from inside it."

"I'm…" Cody looked at the shower, then at Brent. "Scared," he admitted.

"Cody, we're only taking a shower. Nothing more. Okay, maybe a bit more because I'll try to work the kinks out of your shoulder. But if it's all you can handle, that'll be it." He caressed Cody's cheek. "I promise."

"I feel like…this isn't fair to you," he said, looking down at Brent's half-erect cock.

"I'm fine. Yeah, if you want the truth, I definitely have designs on your virtue," Brent replied with a wicked grin, "but not until we're both absolutely certain you're ready. So get your fine ass in there because I am, with or without you."

Brent stepped into the shower stall, turning on the water and adjusting the temperature. After a long moment of wondering if he really could do it, Cody joined him.

Brent moved aside so Cody could get under the water. The heat felt wonderful and Cody began to relax—until he turned and saw Brent watching him. Cody's body responded in ways which would make it extremely clear to Brent he wasn't immune to very physical attributes of the man who was now smiling at him. Suddenly, he was in Brent's arms, being kissed with a hunger that matched his own.

Then, very unexpectedly, Brent released him, moving an arm's length away. "I didn't plan on doing that," he said, looking conscience-stricken. "But…"

Well aware Brent wasn't going to push him into something he wasn't certain Cody could handle, Cody almost allowed his apology to stand…but didn't. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Brent, asking quietly, "Do you hear me complaining? I got in here, knowing what might happen. In case you didn't notice, I'm not unaffected by you standing here in all your naked glory." He took Brent's hand, pressing it to his own hard cock.

"Naked glory?" Brent chuckled.

"So I'm a writer. I get clichéd at times—at least according to my editor. Can we go back to the subject at hand? Or in hand?" Cody moaned when Brent stroked his cock.

"I'm all for that, but not in here. Making love in a shower sounds sexy but it can be damned uncomfortable. So wash up and let's take this into the bedroom, if you haven't changed your mind by then."

"That is not going to happen," Cody said emphatically. Then he realized his reply could be taken two ways. "I mean, my changing my mind."

They washed quickly, rinsed off, and once they were out of the shower, dried off. Then, grinning, Brent picked Cody up, tossed him over his shoulder and carried him into the bedroom, depositing him on the bed before Cody could protest—which he wouldn't have.

"What do you like?" Brent asked, kneeling over Cody.

"To…to be touched by someone I love," Cody murmured.

"Like this?" Brent brushed his fingertips lightly over Cody's nipples.

"Oh, yes," Cody managed to reply as a spasm of need went straight to his groin. "Just like that."

"Or this?" Brent bent, gently nipping Cody's earlobe. He smiled when Cody hissed in a breath, moving to the other ear to nibble. All the while, his fingers danced across Cody's chest, working their way lower and lower, following the fine line of hair leading down to what Cody prayed was Brent's ultimate destination.

Don't Touch Me! - 47

Since they were in the workout room at his apartment complex, upstairs meant Brent's place on the fifth floor. Cody picked up the bag holding a change of clothes, following Brent to the elevator. A few moments later they walked into a spacious living room with large windows along one wall looking out over the park across the street.

"Nice," Cody commented, setting the bag by the sofa.

"Thanks. I like it. Do you want something to drink?"

"Water, and lots of it?"

"I think I can handle that." Brent went into the open kitchen on the left side of the living room, coming back with two tall glasses of ice water, handing one to Cody.

"Slow down," Brent cautioned when Cody gulped half of it.

"I need to replace all the liquid I sweated out," Cody countered, wiping his hand over his forehead.

Brent grinned as he stripped off his tank top, using it to dry his face. Cody eyed him with a sudden hit of lust. Not that he didn't know Brent was well built, but with his chest bare now, his muscular form was definitely visible.

"Careful, my man. I might think you have immoral intentions, from the look on your face."

"Very immoral, but I don't think I've got the energy to carry them out." Cody rubbed his shoulder again. "Or the ability right now."

"Come with me." Brent led the way to his bedroom. "Lie down and I'll see what I can do to ease your aches and pains. Or better yet, let's get you into the shower. Hot water will do wonders for you."

Cody's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"Always works for me."

"I mean…"

Brent smiled. "I don't have to join you, if you don't want me to. And if I do, we don't have to do more than just wash up."

Impulsively, Cody replied, "Let's do it. I mean shower. Together."

"You're on." Brent quickly stripped off the rest of what he was wearing. "It's easier to shower if you're naked," he pointed out when Cody stood there eyeing him.

"What? Oh…yeah." For a moment Cody felt shy. After all, compared to Brent, he was far from muscular. Still… He pulled of his clothes quickly before he changed his mind.

"Nice." Brent's tone was full of approval. "Very nice."

Cody tried not to blush. "Not like you."

"Nope. You're smaller. More compact. But still damned close to perfect."

"Brent," Cody hissed. "Quit."

Brent laughed. "You know you turn red from head to toe when you're embarrassed?" Putting his hand at the small of Cody's back, he steered him into the bathroom.

 

Don't Touch Me! - 46

"You need to put your whole body weight into it," Brent told Cody the Saturday following their run-in with Garey. "Try again."

Cody stepped in fast, thrusting his shoulder against Brent's chest hard enough to cause Brent to take two steps backward.

"Now, while I'm momentarily off guard, bring your arm up crossways and hit my throat."

"No way," Cody protested. "I could really hurt you."

Brent nodded. "If you followed through, you would. I'm trusting you to pull your move at the last second. So, chest, then throat."

After taking a deep breath, Cody did what Brent told him to, stopping a bare inch from the contact point on Brent's Adam's apple.

"Perfect. Again."

They practiced the move several times before going on to the next lesson. By the time the hour was over—because an hour was all Brent had allotted so Cody wouldn't become overwhelmed—Cody began to feel at least a small amount of confidence. He thought he might—just might—be able to at least stop an attacker long enough to get away. He said as much, adding, "If I can make myself hit him in the first place."

"Cody," Brent replied sharply, "you have to remember one thing. He has violent intentions toward you. If you don't counter with violence, if you let the ingrained thought get in your way that good people shouldn't counter violence with violence—instantly and as much as you're capable of—you will go down."

Cody nodded. "I understand that up here,"—he tapped his temple—"I just have to, like you said, get past the idea there has to be some other means to protect myself without using aggression."

"When a man intends to harm you, there isn't."

"Like the guy in the alley."

"Exactly. He could have wanted a lot more than just to give you what he considered a warning. He had you cornered, from what you said. Taking wild swings at him would only have egged him on. Use what you're learning now and you'll be able to get away from someone like him, hopefully leaving your attacker on the ground wondering what the hell just happened."

"Makes sense," Cody said, rubbing his shoulder, which ached now that the adrenaline from his lessons was wearing off. Suddenly it occurred to him, never once, throughout the whole exercise, had Brent hit him. He'd feinted as if he was going to, but that had been it. On the other hand, Cody had gotten in more than a few blows to Brent's body while practicing his moves.

"A few aches and pains?" Brent asked, chuckling.

"Yeah, but probably not nearly as many as you have," Cody told him. He paused, then added, "I know why you didn't hit me. You were afraid it might bring back memories and set off my paranoia again. But—" he looked squarely at Brent, "—next time, don't baby me. Okay? I don't think I'll break down, but isn't it better I find out now, with you than later if some SOB tries something?"

Brent nodded. "You're right. I'm not sure I was consciously avoiding hitting you. But yeah, I didn't. Next time though…" He grinned, tapping Cody's nose. "Next time watch out because we'll really go at it tooth and nail. And you won't fall apart."

"I hope."

"I know." Brent put his arm around Cody's shoulders. "Despite what you're thinking, what we did today was still, to all intents and purposes, an attack situation, and you made it through just fine. And worked up a sweat in the process, so grab your stuff and we'll go upstairs and cool down."

 

Don't Touch Me! - 45

 

"I guess I should be glad none of them came looking for me."

"Why would they? They were doing a favor for your father, from what Garey said. Besides, it happened what? Seven years ago, right? They got their jollies whaling on you and probably forgot about it the next day."

"Like me," Cody said dryly. "Although not for the same reason."

Brent smiled. "Calming down a bit, I see."

"Trying to. I'm even beginning to get hungry." As if his words called him, the waiter appeared to hand them menus. Cody opened his, asking, "What's good?"

"This," the waiter replied, leaning in to tap one of the items. As he did, his arm brushed Cody's.

For an instant, Cody panicked, his breath coming out in fast bursts. Then he took hold of his emotions. It's not an attack. He's not going to hurt me. He looked up at the man, with a crooked smile. "If you recommend it, I'll have some."

"Some what?" Brent asked, his gaze locked on Cody.

"Umm…" Cody had to check. "Meatloaf and mashed potatoes."

"Make it two," Brent told the waiter. When the man left, Brent took Cody's hand. "You did it!"

Cody grinned. "I did. I came close to losing it, but I fought the feeling and damn it, I won." He sobered. "At least this time."

"Each time it'll get easier." Brent squeezed Cody's hand. "I'll be honest with you. I wasn't certain, after everything with Garey, you'd be able to hold it together. But you succeeded." He smiled, murmuring, "Lean closer." When Cody did, Brent kissed him.

Cody returned it, saying a moment later, "Is that my reward for not losing it?"

"Nope. It's because I like kissing you and will use any reason to do so."

"You are so good for my morale."

"Anything to keep that smile on your face."

"You make it easy."

Brent leaned back, eyeing him. "This might not be the time, since this isn't a romantic setting with music and candlelight, but just so you know, I'm beyond just caring about you. I love you."

Cody's pulse raced, but he didn't want to go all gushy—which was the way he felt—so he replied as calmly as possible, "Good, because I love you too."

"Nice to know." Brent winked. "So show me." When Cody gulped, Brent shook his head. "Not that way. Damn. First off, we're in public. Secondly, there's a big difference between kissing and cuddling, and taking things to the next step. We won't do that until I'm very sure you can handle it." He grinned suddenly. "I just left myself open to some very ribald replies."

Cody laughed. "You did, but I get what you meant." He might have said more if the waiter hadn't arrived with their meals. When he left, Cody beckoned Brent to come closer so they could kiss. "I do love you," he whispered. "And in time I really will be able to show you just how much."

"I know," Brent replied softly. "There's no hurry. I just wanted you to know how I feel and that it's reciprocated."

"It is." Cody smiled happily. "More than you can ever imagine."

Brent tapped Cody's nose. "Wonderful. Now, let's eat before it gets cold."