But not just anywhere. “Somewhere on camera,” Archie said.

Gretchen smiled. “Yes.”

“You wanted me to see you,” Archie said.

Her eyes smoldered. Archie wanted another pill.

“Did you like it?” she asked huskily. Her hand slithered down the front of his shirt. “Seeing me?”

Archie caught her by the wrist, just as her fingers began to plunge under the waistband of his pants. “You saw him bring the body out of the boathouse?” he asked.

Gretchen twisted her wrist out of his grip. “He brought her body up a half hour before dawn,” she said, as Archie let her slowly walk her fingers back up his shirtfront. “He used a kayak from the boathouse to float her fifteen feet from shore, and then he dumped her.” She drew a small circle over one of his shirt buttons with her finger. “I could tell from the sound of the body going in the water that he’d weighted her down. Once you woke up and stumbled off toward the house, I figured I’d better pull the girl out of the lake, and leave her where you might find her.” She unbuttoned his shirt and moved her finger inside, stroking the scar tissue that pebbled his chest as Archie stiffened. “I borrowed the kayak, untethered her, and I towed her body across the lake to a neighbor’s dock.” Her touch felt electric. His skin prickled with heat. “Hauling silt-covered corpses through freezing water is not my favorite way to start the day, so I hope you appreciate it,” Gretchen said. She worked loose a second button and smiled at him playfully. “Happy birthday,” she said.

Gretchen’s hand moved deeper under his shirt, her fingers sweeping lightly over his skin. Archie coughed. “You didn’t kill her,” he said. “But you let her die.”

“I guess that makes me guilty of negligent homicide,” Gretchen said, her fingertips tracing his heart-shaped scar. The scar had blocked his hair follicles and the skin there was smooth and sensitive. “Do be sure to add that to the list,” she continued. She gave him an exasperated look. “Really, darling, you’re nitpicking. I thought you’d be pleased to have a murder to solve.”

Archie pulled away from her, wiped the sweat from his lip, and started buttoning his shirt. “I’m never pleased to have a murder to solve,” he said. His chest burned.

Gretchen glared at him, pouting.