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.I lllet you know how I get on with these damnedsnakes. As he disconnected, Aidan looked around theroom again.This room, Sam s son, didn t makeany sense when Aidan thought about the kissesthey d shared and Sam s suggestion that Aidanneeded to replace his memory of Baxter with someone else.A small pile of clothing sat on thefloor just inside the door.When he lifted the shirtfrom the top, he found it was his own, freshlylaundered.He smiled as he thought of Samspending the rest of the night doing laundry just soAidan would have clean clothes to wear.It felt&caring.He suppressed the wistful yearning thattold him Sam could love him.The man was justbeing nice to a guest in his home.Yeah.The big detective kissed all his gueststo within a few seconds of blowing their load.That made sense.Aidan was grinning as he left theroom.He found Sam in the kitchen, taking toast fromthe toaster. Um, good morning. Aidan stopped on theother side of the counter, suddenly awkward nowthey were face to face.Would Sam be angry withhim for stopping things last night? Good morning. Sam s voice was roughlyground gravel against the spitting and clicking ofthe ancient coffeemaker. There s coffee and toast if you want it.I could do eggs as well if you like,but I thought we should check out your housebefore it gets too late. The Sam he knew seemed to be back, cheerfuland kind, even if he did wear wariness in hisshadowed eyes. Toast is fine, thanks. Aidan shuffled on hisfeet. Would you mind if I had tea instead ofcoffee? Sam looked up from buttering his toast, hisgaze intent. I thought you just didn t like thecoffee from the station. Aidan smiled. I don t.I don t usually drinkcoffee before lunch or in the evening.It s too bitterfor the morning and keeps me awake at night if Ihave it too late in the day. While Aidan was talking, Sam took downanother mug and poured hot water into it beforepulling a tea bag out of the box on the bench anddropping it into the cup.Aidan swished the tea bagaround a few times before removing it, dangling itabove the cup, not sure what to do with it.Sam grabbed the tea bag string, his hand brushingAidan s fingers, making him jump a little.Heturned away to dump the tea bag in the sink andrinsed his hands.Still facing away from Aidan, Sam spoke. I m sorry about last night.I didn t mean to forceyou into something you didn t want. Force? Were you there, Sam? Aidan shookhis head as Sam turned to look at him. I wasn tforced, Sam.I just couldn t&. He shrugged. No, that s fine.I understand. Sam picked ahalf-eaten piece of toast off his plate, then droppedit again. I ll just get my things and I ll take youback to your place.We can check whether thesnake catcher has been, and you can pick up yourcar. THE snake was gone when Aidan and Sam arrivedat the house, but the front door was ajar.On thefloor, in the doorway where the snake had been, was a smear of blood. God, did he have to kill it to get rid of it? Aidan whispered the words, his voice incapableof making a louder sound.He d never expectedDoug to actually kill a snake, not with the way healways spoke about them.The man voluntarily keptsnakes in his house.Aidan put a foot on the firststep up but stopped when Sam grabbed his elbow. Wait a minute, Aidan. Sam nodded to thedoor. That wasn t like that last night. He pulledhis phone off his belt and started dialing beforeAidan could stop him. Doug s here, Sam. Aidan nodded at thebike sitting in Aidan s driveway beside his car. He obviously came to get the snake, and he schecking for more, like he always does. Hewalked up the steps and stepped gingerly over theblood. Doug? It s Aidan. He walked down thehallway, staying in the middle and watchingcarefully for snakes slithering along the floor justin case Doug had missed any.After the bedroomson either side of the hall, the house opened to the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas.Aidanstopped one step into the living room and stared atthe man lying on his floor. Doug? Is that Doug? Sam asked behind him. Yeah, Aidan stepped forward again. Doug? He looked all around but couldn t see anysnakes, so he dropped to his knees beside the largeman, his hand automatically going to his shoulder. Doug? Don t touch him, Aidan. Sam s voice washarsh.Aidan turned to see him speaking quietly intohis phone. Are you calling an ambulance? Tellthem he s been bitten by a snake so they knowwhat to bring. He hasn t been bitten by a snake, Aidan. Aidan s head swiveled between the two men,one on the floor beside him, one standing abovehim looking grim and serious. But& he beganthen stopped as he noticed Doug s face for the first time.His eyes were half open.Underneath hishead, running from his temple along the length of afloorboard and under the couch, was a thin line ofblood.BY the time the police and the ambulance arrived,Aidan was sitting, trembling, at the dining tablebetween the couch and the kitchen bench.Hestared at the floor underneath the back of the navyleather couch, waiting for the blood to comethrough from the other side.Logically, he knew ifthe line of blood wasn t already showing throughon this side of the couch, it probably wouldn t, buthe couldn t help but look for it.At least hecouldn t see Doug from here.A detective he recognized from his visits tothe police station sat down across from him
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