Devon James stared at the paintings in silence. In truth, she never understood the whole abstract art thing. It was all just a bunch of crazy-looking images to her. Several of the paintings looked as if they were done by a third grader and when she checked the price, just to satisfy her curiosity, her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. She took another sip of her champagne and moved on.

Glancing over her shoulder, she caught a glimpse of Jesse talking to the woman that coordinated the event. Jesse was smiling and laughing and it caused Devon to smile, but when she caught sight of Cayden, her smile faded.

Cayden King was standing alone staring at the door as people entered the gallery. There was a look of disappointment and fear on his face. He looked scared, almost as if he were lost. Shaking her head, Devon walked toward him.

“Relax,” she said as she approached him, taking him by surprise. He jumped slightly and turned toward her.

“I am relaxed,” he responded as he stole another glance at the entrance, then turned back toward her.

“I can practically see the stick up your butt. Want me to pull it out?” She smiled.

“Shut up,” Cayden said as he glanced at the door again.

“Szymon said that he was going to come here tonight. He’ll show up. I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who goes back on his word, even if he is a dirty cop.”

“He’s not a dirty cop,” Cayden rejoined.

“Fine, he’s a slightly soiled cop,” Devon teased, causing Cayden to smile a bit and ease up. “The point is that he keeps his word,” Devon explained.

“I know,” Cayden sighed, “but after what happened last week, I keep thinking that he doesn’t want anything to do with me. It feels like he’s trying to avoid me. Every time I called him, he said he was busy or he had something to do.”

“Maybe he was telling the truth. He’s a homicide detective, I’m sure he has a lot of cases and stuff like that.”

“Wait a second,” Cayden said, “now you’re defending him? You don’t even like him.”

“Oh my God, you’re right. I need another drink,” Devon said as she tossed back the rest of her champagne.

Cayden smiled and rolled his eyes. “I just feel like he doesn’t want to see me anymore.”

“Why? Because you refused to make out with him in the bathroom? Because you want a boyfriend that’s not afraid to show affection in front of other people?” She questioned. “It’s not like you’re asking him to throw you on the ground and fuck your brains out in front of everyone.”

“Enough with the visuals,” Cayden laughed.

“Seriously, though,” Devon said as she took a step forward. “He’d be crazy if he didn’t show up and he’d be even crazier to let you go just because he’s scared of what other people might think of him.”

Gage Matthews stared at the refreshment table in silence. Glancing over his shoulder, he stole a glance at Devon and saw that she was talking to Cayden. “Dammit,” he said to himself as he turned back to the table and reached for one of the crackers, shoving it into his mouth quickly.

He glanced at Devon again and saw that she was standing alone staring at one of the paintings. Just as he was about to turn to walk toward her, he lost his nerve and turned back, shoving two more crackers into his mouth.

“What are you doing?” Cayden questioned as he joined Gage at the table.

Pulling at his collar, Gage turned to Cayden and sighed. “I hate wearing ties,” he admitted. “The only reason I’m doing it is because it’s for Jesse. I feel bad about what happened and I want to make it up to him.” Gage stole a glance in Devon’s direction.

Cayden smiled and nodded. “Is that all?” He questioned.

“What do you mean?” Gage asked as he glanced at Cayden curiously.

“Well, you keep looking at Devon. You’ve been looking at her all night. Maybe you should just say something to her,” he said.

Gage sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know what to say to her,” he admitted. “Every time I find the courage to walk up to her, I back out. I don’t know what’s wrong. I never have this problem with other girls.”

“Devon’s not just another girl,” Cayden informed him.

“No shit, Sherlock,” Gage replied. He paused for a moment. “Did she tell you what happened?”

“You mean in the dressing room?” Cayden questioned, a smile beaming across his face. “She told me.”

“Shit,” Gage grumbled, slightly embarrassed. “I figured she would.”

“It’s no big deal,” Cayden said, “and if it’s any consolation, she’s every bit as confused about it as you are.”

“She is?” Gage questioned.

“Yes, but if you tell her I said that, I’ll deny it,” Cayden laughed. He watched as Gage stared at Devon. She was looking at a painting on the wall. It made Cayden smile to see Gage so focused on Devon. He only wished that someone would focus on him like that. He glanced at the door with a sigh.

“Screw this,” Gage said, “I’m going home.”

“Gage wait,” Cayden said as he stopped his friend from leaving. “Just walk over there and talk to her.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Gage admitted, “and if I say the wrong thing, she might kick my ass.”

“Just stay cool. Be relaxed. Compliment her on something. Ask her what she thinks about the paintings. Try to find one that you both like. Whatever you do, just go over there and talk to her already. You’ll never know what’ll happen if you don’t say something,” he explained.

“Okay,” Gage said as he breathed in deeply. “I’m going over there.” He paused for a moment as he glanced at the table. “I just need a few more crackers . . .”

“Hey you,” Kathryn Hayes said as she stepped over to Cayden and smiled. “Are you enjoying yourself?” She questioned. “I noticed that you keep watching the door. Are you expecting something bad to happen?” She questioned.

“No,” Cayden responded as he glanced at the door. “I’m expecting someone.”

“Oh, Szymon, that’s right,” Kathryn said as she glanced around. “I haven’t seen him yet. Are you sure you gave him the right address?”

“Yes,” Cayden said with a nod. “I don’t think he’s coming.”

“Of course he’s coming,” Kathryn explained. “He’d be a fool not to.”

“That’s what I keep telling myself,” Cayden admitted.

“Well listen,” Kathryn said softly, “if he doesn’t show up, I know that there are a few people here that would love to talk to you,” he explained.

“Yeah right,” Cayden laughed.

“No, I’m serious,” Kathryn explained. “I invited a few of my dance friends here tonight and they’ve been asking about you all night,” she explained.

“Are you serious?” Cayden questioned as he glanced around. “People have been asking about me?”

“Well duh,” Kathryn smiled. “You’re only like the most adorable guy here tonight,” she explained as she playfully pinched Cayden’s cheeks, causing him to laugh.

“Don’t let Jesse catch you saying that,” Cayden teased.

“Yeah well, you’re the most adorable gay guy here tonight,” Kathryn explained. “Jesse’s the most adorable straight guy,” she added playfully.

“Then it’s a good thing for you that one of us is into women,” Cayden chided.

“Yeah,” Kathryn agreed, “otherwise I’d have to get a strap-on.”

“Gross!” Cayden laughed as he shook his head. He stepped over to a roped off area, protecting a covered canvas. “What do you think this is?” Cayden questioned.

“It’s one of Jesse’s,” Kathryn answered. “They’re revealing it later tonight.”

“Have you seen it yet?” Cayden questioned.

Kathryn paused. “He’s very protective of it. He hasn’t shown it to anyone.”

“Not even you?” He questioned, causing Kathryn to shake her head. Cayden glanced at the canvas again. “Then it must be really special.”

“Whatever it is,” Kathryn responded, “He put a lot of work into it. I just know that it’s going to be the best piece he’s ever done.”

Cayden turned and glanced at the covered canvas for a moment. “It’s got to be something really good then,” he said.

“Well, we’ll find out soon enough,” Kathryn said as she glanced around and spotted Jesse talking to an older woman who seemed a bit too hands-on. “Excuse me,” she said, “Jesse looks a little uncomfortable. I should go save him.”

Cayden smiled and watched as Kathryn approached Jesse and steered him away from the older woman. He glanced away and saw Devon and Gage standing in front of a painting, carrying on a conversation. He smiled. His friends seemed to be paired up and having a great time. Glancing at the door, Cayden King hoped to find the other half of his pair.

It happened in an instant. Cayden King’s face lit up with happiness. There, standing in the doorway was Szymon Skubisz, dressed formally. It was almost as if someone had reached into Cayden’s head and pulled out a fantasy. Szymon glanced around the room until his eyes locked with Cayden’s and he smiled. Cayden’s heart skipped a beat.

He started to walk toward Szymon when the fantasy shifted and turned into a nightmare. Andrea Darling emerged from the doorway and joined Szymon. Cayden paused. He didn’t know what to do. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, like the drums of a war dance.

He was tempted to walk right up to Szymon, but something held him back. A sense of relief came over him a moment later when Cecilia Nakamura entered the room and locked arms with Andrea Darling. Szymon lead Andrea and Cecilia over toward Cayden and smiled.

“Hello,” Cayden said awkwardly as they approached.

“Cayden,” Andrea said with a smile as she reached over and gave him a hug. “It was great of you to invite us. I just love art,” she explained.

“Yes, thank you,” Cecilia added as she glanced around. “Oh, there’s champagne. I could use a drink after the day I’ve had. We’ll just leave the two of you to your own devices,” she added with a smile as she glanced over at Szymon and shot him a look before pulling Andrea away.

“What was that look for?” Cayden questioned.

“Cici tore me a new one. She said I was acting like a jerk. I’m sorry about bringing Andrea here tonight. I should have told you,” Szymon explained. “She needed to get out of the house for a little while and she knew I was coming here so I told her that you asked me to invite her. I hope you’re not mad,” he admitted.

“It’s no big deal,” Cayden admitted.

“I hope not,” Szymon said, “because you’re going to have to get used to seeing her.”

“What do you mean?” Cayden questioned.

“Well, I’ve been thinking a lot this past week and I realized that I don’t care who knows about me as long as I get to be with you,” he admitted, “and I plan on being with you for a very long time.”

Cayden stared at Szymon with disbelief. This was his fantasy. The thing that struck him as odd, however, was that in his fantasy he knew exactly what to say and he knew exactly what to do. Yet now, as he stood in front of Szymon, he was drawing a blank.

“Don’t say anything,” Szymon said as he took a step forward. “Just listen to me. I want to be with you, and only you. I want to be able to hold your hand,” he said as he reached down and grasped Cayden’s hand.

Cayden glanced at their hands in silence as they intertwined. He looked back into Szymon’s eyes, still unable to say anything.

“I want to be close to you,” Szymon continued as he glanced into Cayden’s eyes and placed Cayden’s hand on his chest so that he could feel his heart racing. “And I want to kiss you,” Szymon said softly as he leaned forward and pressed his lips against Cayden’s.

When he pulled away from Cayden, he stared into his eyes. “Say something,” Szymon teased.

“I can’t,” Cayden responded with a smile. “You said it all.”

“So what do you think about this one?” Gage questioned as he and Devon stepped in front of a painting. He glanced at it, then back at Devon. “I think it’s cool. Do you like it?”

“I don’t get it,” Devon admitted. “What is it supposed to be?” She tilted her head slightly so that she could see it from a different angle. “I think it’s upside down.”

“No it’s not,” Gage said as he tilted his head as well. “Hmm . . . maybe it is,” he said.

“Morning Glory,” Devon said as she read the title. “It’s a black square with a blue dot on the side. How the hell is that supposed to be Morning Glory?” She questioned. “I love Jesse, but some of the shit he paints is weird,” she added.

“Hey, don’t be so harsh, I actually like it, I think it looks good,” Gage explained.

“That’s the thing about art,” Devon said. “Anyone can slap some paint on a canvas and call it a masterpiece. Now this,” she said as she stepped to the side, “this I like.”

Gage glanced at the painting that Devon was referring to. The painting captured the image of a woman standing in front of a window. “It’s just the back of a woman’s head,” Gage noted. “I don’t get it.”

“Well, you have to ask yourself what’s going on in the painting,” Devon explained. “You can’t really do that with that circle and dot crap. But with something like this, it makes you think.”

“Think about what?” Gage questioned as he glanced at Devon.

“Well, for starters, what is she looking at? Is she looking at the sky? Is she looking at the trees?”

“You can’t tell,” Gage said, “because all you can see is the back of her head.”

“That’s why it makes you think,” Devon explained. “You don’t really know what she’s looking at, so you have to imagine. I mean, is she smiling? Is she sad? Is she crying? And why is she looking out of the window in the first place? Is she waiting for someone to come home? Is she dreaming of going out into the world?”

“You see all of that in just one painting?” Gage questioned. “Strange.”

“What’s so strange about it?” Devon questioned. “Just because I don’t like art doesn’t mean that I can’t understand it,” she added. “Well, some of it, at least,” she corrected. “Let me break it down for you in terms that you can understand,” she explained as she took a step back.

“Good,” Gage explained. “Because I really don’t get it.”

“Let’s say that both of these paintings are women.” She pointed to Morning Glory. “This is the kind of woman that you normally go for. She’s very visual and pretty-looking and attractive, but in all actuality, she has no substance. She’s just another pretty girl,” she explained as she turned toward the second painting. “Now, this woman is different. She’s every bit as pretty-looking and attractive, but she has something that the other woman doesn’t, she has substance. She’s more than just shapes and colors. “

Gage glanced at Morning Glory, then back at the painting that Devon was standing in front of. “I see what you mean,” he said. “This one gives you something to think about whereas this one just gives you something to look at.”

“Exactly,” Devon smiled as she stepped over to the next painting.

Gage glanced at Morning Glory for a moment, then at the painting of the woman staring out of the window. “This is Devon,” he said to himself as he too stared out of the window.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please?” An attractive Asian woman said as she glanced around the room. “I want to thank you all for coming here tonight. My name is Kia Chandler and I am especially proud to introduce our featured artist for the evening,” she explained. “Let’s all give a round of applause to Jesse Martinez, the amazing man that created all of these wonderful pieces here tonight,” she said.

Standing beside Kia, Jesse nodded sheepishly as the entire room broke out into applause. “Jesse’s art was featured here last year as well and the show was such a success that we asked him back this year,” she explained. “Now, before we unveil the last piece of the night,” Kia said as she motioned to the covered canvas, “Jesse would like to say a few words.”

Jesse nodded as Kia handed him the microphone, and glanced at the crowd in front of him, slightly intimidated. He looked down at the floor for a moment, then glanced up, catching Kathryn’s eye. She smiled at him. “Breathe,” she whispered. He nodded.

“First of all, I would like to thank everyone for coming here tonight. The piece that I am about to unveil is something that I’ve worked very hard on. It’s very special to me because it’s dedicated to a woman that I loved very deeply,” he explained.

He glanced at Kathryn again and she nodded, urging him to continue. Staring into her eyes, he found the strength. “Tragically, she was murdered and taken from me. It was extremely difficult to deal with,” he explained as he glanced at Kathryn, then searched the crowd for his other friends.

He smiled at Devon and Cayden. When he spotted Gage, he gave him a nod and Gage nodded back. “With the help of my amazing friends, I learned that she will always be with me, in my heart, and so I painted a portrait of her so that her beauty and love would be captured for all time. I call it Julia,” he said.

Jesse reached over and grabbed the sheet that was covering it. Slowly, he began to pull it off as he stared into the crowd. When people began to gasp in horror, Jesse Martinez’s eyes widened and he panicked.

Turning toward the canvas, Jesse stumbled back and fell to the ground in shock. The once beautiful portrait of Julia Taylor had been destroyed. The canvas was slashed in several places and red paint had been splashed all over it.

Shaking his head, Jesse scrambled to his feet and lunged at the painting. “Who did this?” He cried as he grabbed it and threw it to the ground. “Who did this?” He yelled at the crowed, anger radiating from his every pore. He shook his head and storm away from the exhibit.

“Jesse!” Kathryn yelled as she chased him. “Jesse! Wait!” Whispers began to circulate through the crowd as Jesse pushed through in an effort to get to the door.

“Get out of my way!” He screamed as tears began to stream down his cheeks.

“Jesse!” Devon called out as she too began to chase him outside.

Throwing open the door, Jesse Martinez fell onto his knees on the sidewalk and cried. Kathryn reached his side and bent over to hold him. “Jesse,” she said softly. “I’m so sorry.”

“No!” He yelled as he shrugged her off. “No!”

Devon sprinted outside and joined Kathryn beside him. “Jesse,” she said as she reached for his face and held it with her hands. “Look at me,” she said, “look at me!”

“Why?!” Jesse cried. “Why did they do that?”

“Jesse, it’s going to be fine. It’s going to be okay. We’re here for you,” Kathryn said

“They destroyed her,” Jesse whispered. “It wasn’t enough that they killed her and took her from me, but they destroyed her,” he sighed. “They destroyed her . . .”

“No,” Devon said as she shook her head. “They can’t destroy her, because she is right here,” she said as she pointed to his heart. “She’s right here, and they can’t take that from you. They can’t.”

“I have to get out of here,” Jesse said as he stood up from the pavement. “I have to go.”

“Then we’re coming with you,” Devon said as she helped him up, and Kathryn nodded in agreement.

Cayden King turned to Szymon Skubisz and stared into his eyes. Szymon could see the fear in Cayden’s eyes and nodded as he reached over and gave him a hug. “Someone really hated Julia Taylor,” he whispered.

“Szymon,” Cecilia Nakamura said as she approached them. She was holding Andrea’s hand and leading her through the crowd. “This is serious,” she said.

Cayden, still secure in Szymon’s arms, glanced over at Andrea and she offered him a smile. He smiled back, despite the situation, and stepped away from Szymon.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Szymon asked Cecilia.

“It’s our killer,” Cecilia agreed as she reached for her cell phone. “I’m calling this in,” she said as she let Andrea’s hand go. “This is Detective Nakamura,” she said as she held the phone to her ear. “Put me through to the Chief,” she added before stepping away.

“I’ll handle the crowd,” Szymon said as he stepped away from Cayden. “Folks,” Szymon called out. “There’s no need to be alarmed. I’m Detective Skubisz with the NYPD . . .”

As Szymon addressed the crowd, Andrea stepped over toward Cayden. “That was pretty shocking,” she said as she glanced at him.

Cayden nodded. “Yeah, he worked hard on that portrait and someone went and destroyed it.”

“Not that,” Andrea noted. “Szymon’s a cop, and you learn to deal with this sort of thing,” she admitted. “I meant the fact that he actually kissed you and hugged you in front of everyone,” she explained.

“You saw that?” Cayden questioned, slightly embarrassed.

“Don’t worry,” Andrea smiled. “He’s my best friend. I want him to be happy, and you make him happy. Just between us, he’s never done anything like that for as long as I’ve known him. He’s always been too afraid to do anything publicly, but he did tonight . . . because of you. He doesn’t want to lose you. Just promise me one thing,” she said.

“What?” Cayden questioned.

“Promise me that you’ll be patient with him. He might mess up a few times and he might do the wrong thing. He’s been gay for as long as I can remember, but he hasn’t been out until very recently . . . with you. He’s only just learning what that’s like.”

“Me too,” Cayden admitted. “I guess we’ll just have to learn how to be patient with each other.”

“Yeah, but on the other hand, don’t be afraid to give him a good swift kick in the ass when he acts like an ass, because Lord knows that he’s going to do that often. But still, he’s worth the trouble,” she smiled.

“I hope so,” Cayden said with a smile.

“You hope what?” Szymon questioned as he approached them.

“Nothing,” Andrea said, “mind your business,” she added with a smile as she playfully elbowed Cayden in the side.

“Yeah, mind your business,” Cayden agreed.

Cecilia stepped over toward them and sighed. “Andrea, I have to stick around, but you should get home. Let’s get you a cab,” she said.

Andrea nodded. “Sammy’s probably driving the sitter crazy anyway,” she smiled. “Think about what I said,” she told Cayden before allowing Cecilia to lead her out of the art gallery.

“What did she say?” Szymon asked curiously.

“Mind your business,” Cayden smiled.

“I’m sorry it took so long, sometimes investigations can go on for hours,” Szymon said as they sat in the back of the cab. He was frustrated that they weren’t able to find any leads on who vandalized the painting.

“Don’t apologize,” Cayden responded, “you were just doing your job. I’m just sorry that someone had to go and ruin the night.” He glanced at Szymon and saw that he was preoccupied with something. “What’s wrong?” He questioned.

“I’m just frustrated,” Szymon responded with a sigh. “I feel like a failure.”

“Why?” Cayden inquired as the cabby took a right.

“We still haven’t been able to find Julia’s killer and now this person is taunting us by vandalizing her portrait. There just isn’t enough evidence and even the letters you found under the floorboard were no help. I just wish there was something more that we had to go on,” he explained.

Cayden paused for a moment. “I have something to confess,” he said softly.

Szymon turned toward him curiously. “What?”

“Okay, before I say anything, I just want to let you know that I didn’t mean to do anything wrong. I was just trying to help.”

“Cayden,” Szymon said seriously, “what did you do?”

“When I found those letters under the floorboard, I also found something else . . . I found Julia’s diary and I kept it.”

“You did what?” Szymon questioned. “Cayden, it was stupid of you to hold onto her diary. She could have written about something important. Why did you keep it? You need to give it to me,” he demanded.

Cayden glanced away, upset that Szymon was coming down on him so hard. “I know,” he responded. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to help find her killer.”

Szymon could see that Cayden was upset and he sighed, reaching over to grab his hand and give it a squeeze. "I’m sorry for yelling at you,” he said, “I’m just frustrated and it’s not your fault, but do you understand that by holding onto her diary, you interfered with a criminal investigation?”

“Yes,” Cayden replied.

“Did you read it? What’s in it?”

“Well,” Cayden responded, “Julia wrote about having an affair with Gage and how she got pregnant and didn’t know who the father was.”

“Is that why you asked me if Julia was pregnant?” Szymon questioned, “because you read it in her diary?”

“Yes,” Cayden admitted.

“From now on, I want you to be honest with me,” Szymon said. “If you find something or learn something about this case, I need you to tell me.”

“I will,” Cayden replied as he glanced into Szymon’s eyes.

“Trust me,” Szymon pleaded.

“I do,” Cayden responded.

“Wait a second,” Szymon said as he sat forward.

“What?” Cayden questioned.

“Back when you first moved in and you found Julia’s letters and the diary, someone tried to kill you for them, didn’t they?” He questioned.

“Yes,” Cayden responded, slightly confused. “What are you getting at?” He asked.

“Well, who knows that you kept her diary?” He asked.

“Devon knew,” Cayden responded, “but on Christmas, I got drunk and blurted it out in front of everyone,” he explained, “so now everyone knows.”

“Cayden, your life is in danger again. If the wrong person finds out that you have Julia’s diary, then they might come after it again.”

Cayden paused for a moment as he realized that Szymon was right. “Oh my God,” he whispered.

Standing on the elevator, Cayden glanced at Szymon. “Do you really think that someone is going to try to kill me again?” He questioned.

“I hope not,” Szymon responded, “but I can’t say for sure. After what happened tonight, I don’t want to take any chances. Whoever killed Julia Taylor may have been pissed off enough to vandalize her portrait. They could be pissed off enough to try to take her diary again. We have to get that diary out of your place.”

“Yeah, well the faster, the better,” Cayden agreed as the elevator came to a stop on the eighth floor. They stepped out of the elevator and continued down the hall.

“Hold on,” Szymon said as he saw Cayden’s door slightly ajar. He motioned for Cayden to stop as he reached for the gun at his side. He put his finger on his lips, asking Cayden to be quiet as he slowly pushed open the door. Cayden followed and Szymon’s eyes widened.

“I don’t want to stand there alone,” Cayden whispered softly. Szymon paused for a moment, then nodded.

“Fine,” he whispered, “just be quiet.”

The lights in the apartment were off as they crept inside. A crash in the bedroom caught their attention, causing Cayden to jump slightly. He grabbed Szymon’s arm, causing him to pause and look back. He nodded in the direction of the bedroom, informing Cayden that they were going to find the source of the noise. Cayden nodded back.

As they approached the door, they could see a light on underneath and shadows of movement. Reaching forward, Szymon placed his hand on the door and pushed it open. Stepping into the room with his gun ready, Szymon Skubisz yelled “Freeze!”

On the bed, Elijah Montessori sat naked on another man’s lap. He glanced back with horror at Cayden and Szymon. “Holy shit!” He yelled as he jumped off the bed and sprinted into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him.

The man on the bed sat up and grabbed the sheets to cover his naked body. His eyes widened with surprise when he saw the gun in Szymon’s hand.

“Wait a second,” Cayden said as he stood forward and pointed at the naked man, recognizing him instantly. “You’re the guy that was with Devon!” He exclaimed. The man’s eyes widened even more when he realized that Cayden had walked in on him having sex a second time.

“Wait,” he said as he put his hand up, “Don’t shoot me. Let me explain,” he said as he got up from the bed and began gathering his clothes.

“Explain what? That you’re going through this building apartment by apartment and sleeping with everyone? ” Cayden questioned. Szymon glanced at him curiously.

“It’s not like that,” the guy said. “Devon wasn’t home . . .”

“So you decided to screw her neighbor instead?” Cayden questioned. “You make me sick. You have two seconds to get your things and get out of my apartment,” Cayden demanded. “Or my friend here is gonna make sure you never do this to anyone ever again.”

“No problem,” the guy said as he snatched up his clothing and started for the door.

“Hey!” Cayden called out, “that’s my bed sheet!”

“Sorry dude,” the guy said as he dropped the sheet and ran out of the apartment naked.

Szymon shook his head and glanced over at Cayden. “Never a dull moment,” he said as he slipped his gun back into the holster and snapped it shut.

The door to the bathroom opened and Elijah Montessori stepped out, wrapped in a towel. “Cayden,” he said, “I’m so sorry for having sex in your bed.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Cayden said as he crossed over to the nightstand, “but you’re the one that’s gonna clean the sheets,” he explained as he opened the drawer on the nightstand. Pausing, he glanced at Szymon.

“What is it?” Szymon questioned as he took a step forward.

“The diary,” Cayden said softly. “It’s not here. Elijah, did you go through my stuff?” He questioned.

“No, I just kinda . . . used your bed,” Elijah admitted.

“Yeah, and you better clean it.” Cayden said, before glancing at Szymon. “I left the diary right here before Jesse and I left for the gallery. Did that guy go through my stuff?” Cayden questioned.

“No, we kinda tore each other’s clothes off and went at it when we got into the room. But the front door was open when we got here,” he explained.

Cayden stood up and sighed. ” Szymon . . . someone stole Julia’s diary.”