Page 33 of Zero Divergence
“And you’re his alibi, buddy,” Sawyer said. “Blakemore claims the two of you met on Friday, and he spent all his free time with you. He said he arrived home around four thirty this morning.”
Jonah cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s true. I mean, I don’t know where he lives, so I can’t vouch for the time he arrived, but he left my place at just after four.” He sighed heavily, and Royce imagined he scrubbed one of those ham-sized hands over his face. Now that he knew Jonah was Kendall’s mystery man, it was hard not to picture them together. They were as different as night and day in looks, size, and demeanor. Of course, he’d only seen Blakemore at one of the lowest times in his life, so it was unfair to judge his personality based on the encounter. Jonah had obviously liked what he saw and hadn’t wanted to let go of him.
“We’re going to interview his coworkers at The Cockpit to verify he clocked in and out when he was supposed to and hadn’t disappeared for great lengths of time,” Sawyer said.
“Um, he was probably late returning from one or two dinner breaks over the weekend,” Jonah said sheepishly.Damn. How skimpy are the servers’ uniforms?
“Does that mean you hung out at The Cockpit while he was working?” Royce asked.
“Some, but I didn’t stick around for the entire duration of his shifts.” Jonah cleared his throat. “Just a good chunk of each one.”
Sawyer and Royce exchanged grins.Poor Felix.Royce hadn’t missed the way Felix had nearly come in his pants when he laid eyes on Jonah.
“Where is Kendall now?” Jonah asked.
“He said he was going to pack a bag and go stay with a friend,” Royce replied.
“I should’ve asked for his phone number,” Jonah groused.
Royce clicked the flashlight back on and aimed his phone at the sheet of paper. “I’m going to do you a solid, and I want you to remember it someday. Got a pen?”
They heard Jonah opening drawers on his end. “Why can’t I ever find a pen when I need one?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Royce said. “I’ll text it to you after I clear it with Blakemore first.” He shouldn’t assume it would be okay with Blakemore if Jonah had his number just because they spent a lot of time naked together over the weekend. One could argue that Blakemore would’ve given his phone number to Jonah if he’d wanted the big man to have it.
“Yeah, okay,” Jonah said. “That’s only fair. Thanks, Royce.”
“No problem. Talk soon, big guy.” Royce disconnected and called Blakemore’s number.
“Hello,” Blakemore said. It was apparent he’d been crying again.
“Mr. Blakemore, this is Sergeant Locke calling. We confirmed your alibi with Jonah, and he’d like to speak to you. Is it okay if I share your number with him?”
“You called him this early?” Blakemore asked, sounding astounded.
“Jonah is a friend,” Royce told him. “He’s worried about you.”
“Oh,” he said softly. “That’s nice. It’s okay if you give him my number. Thank you for checking first.”
“No problem. Take care,” Royce said before ending the call.
“I don’t want to start an argument, but ‘take care’ isn’t technically the same as a goodbye.”
“Bullshit,” Royce groused as he texted Blakemore’s number to Jonah. Then he turned his head and looked at Sawyer, who looked ridiculously gorgeous in the glow from the dashboard. “You’re too handsome for your own good.”
“Shut up.” Sawyer absently raised his hand, touching his face where the skin was still pink and healing.
“I bet the waiters at The Cockpit fought over serving you,” Royce teased. “I know how you like to leave a big tip.”
“How do you even know I’ve gone there?” Sawyer asked.
Royce laughed. “You made a face when Blakemore said he worked there.”
“I made a face?” Sawyer shook his head. “You’re just guessing and looking to rile me up or trick me into answering a question before you have to ask it.”
Sawyer wasn’t entirely wrong, but Royce recognized the effort Sawyer exuded tonot reactto the name of the club. His facial expression was more neutral than usual, which Royce had learned was his way of masking what he was feeling or thinking. Since they’d been talking about Blakemore and The Cockpit at the time, Royce knew damned well what had rattled his composure. Throw in Jonah’s smitten reaction to Kendall, and there was only one question on Royce’s mind. “How sexy are their uniforms?”
Sawyer squirmed a little in his seat before answering. “Pretty damn hot. It’s an aviator theme.” Sawyer described the uniforms in minute detail. “Not that I imagined Blakemore in the uniform or anything.”