Murder on the Down Low Read Online Free PDF Page A

good-looking man, Lamont could charm the pants off his white coworkers one second, then quickly slide into hip-hop mode with the effortless ease of a stoplight turning from red to green. The attraction between the two men had been instantaneous, though both had been slow to act upon it. Unlike Eugene, Lamont had never dealt with women and had made it clear that he was looking for a serious relationship.
    Standing in the church vestibule now, Eugene felt burdened with guilt. Why had the new AIDS drugs left him feeling strong and healthy, but allowed Maya to whither away? Even Lamont remained healthy and HIV negative. God obviously wanted him to live the rest of his days with the guilt of Maya’s death.
    Eugene entered the sanctuary and took an aisle seat near the back of the church. As the pews slowly filled, he decided to make a run to the men’s room before the service began.
    The north wing of the church had been renovated since Eugene’s last visit. As he made his way inside, he took a second to admire the restroom’s new marble floor and silvery-black granite countertops. Just as he was finishing up at the urinal, a handsome black man with short wavy hair entered the restroom. He had to be in his mid-forties, but Eugene could tell even through his conservative blue suit that he was in excellent physical shape. The man greeted Eugene with a friendly smile.
    With one lingering look, Eugene knew. He quickly zipped up and hurried over to the sink to wash his hands.
    “I haven’t seen you here before,” the man said. His body faced the urinal, but his eyes were on Eugene.
    “Haven’t been in a while.” Eugene hoped that his clipped response conveyed that he did not welcome prolonged conversation.
    “Well, welcome back, brother. I’m Derek. Derek Stevens.”
    “Eugene Nelson.”
    “Hold up a minute.” Derek stepped away from the urinal, his pants still unzipped, briefly exposing himself.
    Eugene needed to leave. Now. He grabbed a couple of paper towels from the metal box on the wall and quickly dried his hands.
    “Bishop Berry really puts down the word,” Derek said, as he washed his hands. Their eyes met a second time and Derek smiled that smile again. “And there’s a pretty cool men’s group here you should consider joining. If you’d like to hear more about it, give me a call.” Derek reached inside his breast pocket and pulled out a business card.
    Eugene looked down at the card, glad to have someplace else to rest his eyes.
    “And if you’re interested in investing, I can help you out with that, too. I’m a broker with Morgan Stanley.” Derek was putting it all on the table. Before Maya, Eugene would have jumped at the opportunity.
    Eugene headed for the door.
    Derek followed him into the hallway, where an attractive woman dressed in a designer suit stood waiting. “This is my fiancée, Latrice. We’re getting married in November.”
    Latrice beamed and swooned at the same time.
    Now Eugene knew without a doubt that God was speaking to him. Maya had worn that same look of adoring pride every time Eugene  nervously introduced her to men from his past. But there would be no more lies. And no more life on the DL. As Eugene made his way back to his seat, he tossed Derek’s card into a metal trashcan.
    Bishop Berry’s sermon turned out to be exactly what Eugene needed. Not preachy or condemning, but thought-provoking and compassionate. His message—
God Is Talking, Are You Listening?
—seemed tailor-made for Eugene. By the time the ushers passed the offering, Eugene was ready to toss his entire wallet into the plate.
    When Bishop Berry extended an invitation to join the church, something lifted Eugene from his seat and before he knew it, he was floating down the center aisle to enthusiastic handclapping, hearty nods, and a few pats on the back.
    “Welcome, brother.” Bishop Berry gave him a hug. “Welcome to the Ever Faithful family.”
    Eugene stood facing the congregation as tears poured