Exiled from his homeland, Doran Taggart now runs a bookstore in his new hometown. His only companion is his cat, Inwe. His duties, despite his exile, are to protect the allies of his king and kill the king's enemies, should they appear where he now resides.
Detective Nick Groves is searching for leads in the disappearances of two men and a woman. In the process, he meets Doran and is instantly captivated by the violet-eyed young man. Soon afterward, things take a weird turn with his case. Is Doran the cause, and if not, does he know why these strange things are happening?
Nick must find answers to all this and more, while dealing with his growing feelings for Doran -- feelings that are reciprocated, even though Doran knows nothing can come of them. The men are, after all, from two different worlds. If Nick learns the truth about him, Doran is certain it will the end of any chance for the two of them to be together.
The morning after Doran's talk with his computer friend, Ms. Barkley strolled into the bookshop, crossing to where he was sitting behind the checkout counter. She rested an elbow on it and said straight-faced, "When can I start collecting the books I want?"
"You did it?" He sighed in relief. He'd hoped she could but hadn't counted on it.
"I'm the best," she told him with a grin. "Though if I were a good girl, I'd let the police know the holes that need fixing." She took a thick folder out of her bag and laid it on the counter. "I'm not certain there's much in there that will help, but you know what you're looking for. I don't. It's updated as of two this morning."
"Thank you. I'll let Janine know you have free range here."
"So she can glare at me for the next week?" The woman laughed, patting his arm. "I won't break you; I promise."
Doran nodded, already skimming through the information she'd gotten him. As he did, he began to frown and it deepened, the more he read. Finally, he closed the folder and got up. Tucking it under one arm, he went back to the office, closing the door behind him. After putting the folder in the safe, he sat down at the desk. Hesitating only momentarily, he took out the card the detective had given him and placed a call.
"Detective Groves here. How may I help you?"
"This is Doran Taggart. I wonder if we could meet somewhere and talk. I ..." He paused then bit the bullet. "I think I found a connection between the three missing persons you're looking for."
"Oh really? How?"
Blowing out a long breath, Doran replied, "If we can meet, I'll tell you."
"Maybe you tell me first and then I'll decide."
"No. Look, I'll be at the Starbucks a block from my shop in an hour. If you're there, you're there. If not ..."
"And your shop is where?"
Doran gave him the address and hung up before the detective could say anything more. He hated playing these games. It wasn't his nature not to take the bull by the horns, as the saying went, but with three others involved, he didn't want to chance rushing into things until he was certain he had all the facts straight. After putting the card in his wallet again, he checked the time then went back to work.
* * * *
Nick looked at his phone in surprise. Taggart had hung up on him without another word, after giving him the address of his shop. "What the hell?" he muttered, causing John to look over at him.
"Problems?"
"I don't know. No. Not problems per se. I got a call from an informant who has some information for me."
"One of your regulars?"
Nick nodded. He wasn't certain why he was doing it this way, other than perhaps he had the feeling Taggart wouldn't talk if he brought someone else along to the meeting. He pushed away from his desk, snagging his jacket as he stood. "I should be back in a couple of hours, at the most."
"You sure you don't want backup, just in case?"
"No, I know this guy. He's safe."
Taggart had said one hour, but Nick had no intention of waiting that long. He checked his weapon as he strode across the parking garage to his car. He might trust the man, but he wasn't a fool either. He still had the feeling that Taggart had been hiding something when he'd talked to him at his home the previous evening.
Nick found a parking space a couple of doors down from the bookshop, halfway between it and the Starbucks Taggart had mentioned. As he got out, he checked the neighborhood. It was about as he remembered it -- not upscale, but decent enough to support the small businesses that lined the street.
* * * *
Doran looked up when the bell jingled and froze. Of course, he should have expected this would happen, but he'd hoped the detective had some sense of honor. Enough to maybe walk by and check the place out and leave it at that before their meeting. And he was early, besides.
"May I help you," Doran asked, as if Detective Groves was just another customer.
Nick glanced around before turning his gaze to Taggart. "I'm looking for reference books, particularly about crime," he replied, playing along.
"They're off to the right, on the wall --" Doran pointed. "Right before the door to the office."
Nick nodded. He got the message, or Doran hoped he had.
