Page 32

Chapter 32

Anders

I call Jahmar for what feels like the hundredth time. Anxiety clutches at my chest as another call goes unanswered. He told me that sometimes he keeps his phone in a locker, but on a day like today, when detectives want to question him, he needs to answer the fucking phone. Unless it means he’s been detained...

There’s a few hours until my shift starts, but I’m already in Jahmar’s apartment. I’m always here these days; I’ve practically moved in. It’s fucking blissful waking up next to him each day, and I’ll do anything to protect that. I have a sceptical plan; let’s hope I can pull it off.

Someone aggressively knocks on the front door, making me flinch. For a moment, I wonder if it’s Jahmar; he’d use a key, though. Another authoritative knock has my insides clenching. It’s the kind of knock that only people in a position of power can achieve.

“Mr Erikson, it’s the police. Open up.”

“Fuck,” I hiss, straightening myself out before approaching the door. I check my reflection in the fridge, and I’m about ten shades paler than usual. I force myself to take in a calming breath before exhaling shakily.

I can do this.

Flinging the door open with more force than necessary, I internally cringe.

“Hello, is everything alright?”

“Good afternoon. Mr Erikson, right?”

“That’s me.” I try to shove on a smile, but it feels wonky on my face.

“Great. My name is Mike Dixon. I work for the West Yorkshire Police. I wanted to ask you a few questions about a case I’m working on. Would you mind if I came in?”

“Sure, of course. Erm, this is my boyfriend’s place, he isn’t here at the moment. Did you need to speak to him? I mean, I could try calling, but he’s probably working. He’s a doctor, actually. Tough work that,” I ramble as heat climbs up the back of my neck.

I guess I can’t do this.

“You seem a little tense, Mr Erikson. Are you alright?”

“I’m fiiine,” I drawl in a high-pitched voice that would give Ross from friends a run for his money.

The detective raises an eyebrow at my odd behaviour.

“Sorry, it’s not every day a detective turns up at your front door.”

“Of course, well, I just have a few questions about Jahmar’s whereabouts on a couple of nights recently; nothing to worry about.” He softens his tone, but it’s too late. Suspicion radiates off him in buckets. He wants to create a false sense of security so my guard is down. I’ve watched enough CSI to know when I’m being led into a lion’s den.

“So, can I come in?”

“Fuck, yes, sorry.” I wince at my language, stepping aside to let him pass.

He eyes the place critically like he’s looking for clues; he won’t find any. Jahmar and I made sure to clear out anything that could incriminate us, including that huge trunk.

“Would you like a drink?” I ask, swallowing the dryness in my throat. I could probably do with wetting my whistle, preferably with something strong.

“I’m good, thank you. Would you like to take a seat?”

I nod, plonking myself on one of the mishmash dining room chairs. I don’t fancy sitting on the sofa next to him, especially knowing all the filthy things Jahmar and I have done on it. I don’t need this detective tainting that for me.

“Ok, Anders, I’ll cut to the chase. You don’t mind me calling you Anders?”

“It’s fine,” I grunt. I’d rather my name not be on his lips right before he destroys my life and the only chance I have of happiness.

“We have reason to believe that your boyfriend is involved in some serious offences, so we want to get to the bottom of it and figure out his whereabouts during these incidents.”

“Erm, ok, what kind of offences?” I ask because I’m sure that’s what a normal boyfriend would do if a detective told them that. Mission Play Dumb is in full force.

“I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you right now.”

“Ok, I understand. So, what do you want to know?”

“On September twenty-sixth and October twelfth, where were you?”

I ponder for a moment to make it convincing. “Can I check my calendar? I was probably here with Jay or working downstairs.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

I pretend to check my calendar, aimlessly scrolling through the months. “Oh yes, I was working and then stayed here.”

“Hmm, I see.” He leans back on the sofa like he owns the place. “Can anyone besides Jahmar corroborate that?”

“My colleague Femi could confirm, or I have proof.”

His eyes widen at that.

“Actually, it doesn’t matter.” I brush it off, hoping to pique his intrigue.

“No, please, Anders. If you have any more information or evidence to confirm where you both were, it would be very useful.”

The detective leans forward like an eager pup, begging for a slice of ham. I have him right where I want him.

“Well, it’s a little embarrassing, sir.” I drop my eyes and pretend to blush like a scandalised Victorian lady.

“I’m sure it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. It would really help us get to the bottom of our case. At the moment, it’s not looking good for your boyfriend.”

“Ok, well, I have to warn you, it’s pretty explicit.”

He huffs in frustration, then plasters on a fake smile. I can tell the suspense is killing him—as it should.

“Anders, nothing will shock me, and so you know, withholding information from the police is a criminal offence.”

“Alright, one moment.”

I jump onto my security app, willing my hands to stop shaking. I think the person I hired did a pretty good job, but maybe not good enough to get past a detective.

This is it; time to sink or swim.

Once I find the recording, I hand my phone over. He watches it for a few seconds, face falling into a hard grimace.

“Fucking hell,” he mumbles. “Why are you showing me this?”

“Sorry, I probably should’ve explained. Jahmar and I are into voyeurism and exhibitionism. We like to record ourselves together, or I’ll just watch him, depending on the mood.” I chuff a laugh as the detective’s eyes widen as he watches me pound Jahmar on the tiny screen.

“If you look at the date and time, you can see what we were up to that night.”

His eyes bounce around the screen, and then he blows out a breath, locking the phone and turning it upside down on the coffee table like he’s witnessed an exorcism. Tell me you’re straight without telling me you’re straight. Clearly, our homosexuality has scarred him for life.

“I can show you the other recordings if you like.”

“No, it’s fine, I think I’ve seen enough.” His eyebrows scrunch together like he’s completely lost. My little stunt has clearly fucked up his investigation. Tension eases out of my shoulders; he bought it.

“So, is that all?” I ask, trying not to sound too cocky.

“For now.” He pulls out a card and hands it to me. “Let me give you my card in case anything pops up.”

I take it from him out of courtesy. “Sure, thanks.”

As he goes to leave, he eyes the bedroom, looking up at the fan. Did I just give Mike a bi-awakening? He seems a little off-kilter.

I show him out and lean against the door, slipping down it until I land on my arse. Laughter bubbles out of me.

I can’t believe I showed a man of the law a video of me railing my boyfriend. The lengths I’ve gone to to protect Jahmar are truly insane, but I’d go further; fuck, at this point, I’d probably kill for him. He has me in a chokehold, and I don’t want to come up for air.