The Heat of Christmas: A Stonewall Investigation

“Do you think we’d make a good Amazing Race pair?” I asked as we entered back into the warmth of a cozy living room, the fireplace crackling and a Christmas carol playing through the record player sitting next to an elaborate nativity scene, all the figures life-sized and moving.

“I think so. We’d probably have a little drama at first and then work it out and be the couple everyone ends up rooting for because we’re so lovable and perfect.”

Maverick said it in a way that must have made it right. I nodded and kissed him. God damn I couldn’t stop kissing him. No mistletoe needed. Mav’s lips were made to fit against mine, and the way he melted against my body only proved it.

“We’ve got to stop kissing,” Maverick said against my lips, his tongue still dancing with mine. I smiled back and bit his top lip, sucking it between my teeth. His eyes locked with mine. I wanted to ravage him, there and then. Turn him inside out. Make him claw at the air and shout my name, I wanted to see him turn red and sweaty and shaky, unable to even stand after all the things I wanted to do—

A door opened to our left and we leaped apart as if our parents were strutting into the room. I rubbed the back of my neck and looked particularly hard at an uninteresting oil painting of a beagle holding some kind of bird in its mouth. Maverick chose to intently stare out the window, a hand under his chin in an attempt to look ‘detectively’.

“You guys find anything in here?” It was Andrew, his husband Declan at his side. They made a good-looking pair, their broad smiles and warm eyes complimenting each other and easily pulling people in. I trusted both of them pretty quickly and already made plans to visit Declan and Andrew at their equine therapy facility.

“Nothing, nope.” Maverick shook his head and shrugged, trying hard not to look like he was hiding something when he was clearly hiding something.

He wiped at his lips, some of the shine coming off.

“I heard someone start shrieking outside,” Declan said. “Who was it?”

“Griffin,” I answered. “Outside of the boathouse. No one else was around when it happened so we’re still not sure. Where were you guys?”

“In the kitchen,” Declan answered. That made Mav and I perk up and share a look.

“Where is it?” I asked, trying not to sound that needy for the information. A glance over Andrew and Deck’s shoulder at the infinity-spanning hallway behind them only emphasized just how much I really did need this information.

Andrew cleared his throat and spoke up first, cutting Declan off. He was smaller than him but he definitely eclipsed anyone around him with his energy—all positive energy. “Not that far from here actually. Just go down this hallway and you’ll see it on your left, you can’t miss it. There aren’t any doors and the smell of gingerbread is orgasmic.”

“Thank you,” Maverick said with a hand on his chest. Andrew cocked his head, a question rising in his light brown eyes.

“Why?” he asked point-blank. “Is there a clue in there? We didn’t find anything… crap, Deck, should we go back?”

“Oh no, no. That’s not it.” Maverick tried to backtrack. I could practically smell the smoke in the air from how fast he reversed. “I’m just thirsty. I think there’s supposed to be drinks for us in there.”

I nodded, impressed at Maverick’s ability to bullshit. He took something that may have genuinely been true—his slight thirst—and spun it into a valid excuse. Andrew’s smile slanted, but remained on his face. Declan glanced at his watch before telling Andrew he just got a message.

“Fox wants to meet with us in the sun room.”

Andrew gave him a surprised look but I jumped on it, spotting an opening in their armor. “Ah, so there’s an alliance forming, huh?”

Now it was Andrew and Declan’s turn to backtrack. They shook their heads, practically in unison, and assured us they weren’t working with anyone. “Besides,” Andrew said, “wouldn’t it help if we all worked together, anyway?”

“Not necessarily,” I said, an arm looped around Mav’s waist. “The more people involved means the more chances for the killer to infiltrate. Throw us off the actual trail. I like to keep my teams tight.”

Andrew nodded, eyebrow arched. He clapped his hands, the bells on his sleeves jingling with every move. “Well this tight little team is going to go check out the library.” Andrew put his hands on his hips and gave us a wink. “Good luck and don’t eat all the gingerbread cookies!”

We split up, walking opposite ways down the hall. Maverick and I followed Andrew’s directions, thinking we were getting close. There likely weren’t that many clues left and I already had a couple solid theories on who could be behind this. I just needed one last puzzle piece to slide into place and I was hoping I’d find that in the kitchens.