Russian Roulette: A Kai Logan Mystery

By Kevin Goode-Lee

Kai Logan is a simple man trying to live a simple life. He's a cisgendered bisexual in his early 30s and works as a casino dealer in one of the biggest casinos in Maryland. He loves his job and his friends, straight ally Jane Barnette and his gay HIV-positive friend Jordan Norton. They always get together every Tuesday to go to karaoke night at their favorite gay bar, and then to their favorite restaurant for a late-night dinner. That was the ritual.

But that ritual was taken away when Jordan is found murdered in his apartment by Kai and Jane when he doesn't show up for karaoke night. After learning that Jordan had a huge crush on him, and against Jane's wishes, Kai looks into his murder and finds himself in the middle of scandal, blackmail, and revenge. He's playing Russian Roulette with his life. Will he emerge victorious or will he be number one...with a bullet?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781312385658

Book preview

RUSSIAN

ROULETTE:

A KAI LOGAN MYSTERY

BY

KEVIN GOODE-LEE

Copyright © Kevin Goode-Lee All Rights Reserved

ISBN: 978-1-312-38565-8

For Grandma

CHAPTER 1

It was just another night at the Lilliput for Sync or Sing Karaoke Night. The Lilliput is our go-to place to unwind from a long week, have a drink, and have some fun. The brick walls were filled with history, pictures of days gone by. There was a cartoon poster of a bulky, muscular sailor with an anchor tattoo, a Join the Navy poster and a map of the Inner Harbor close by. There were also three pride flags hanging from the wall, with one proudly being displayed on the window looking out towards Eager Street. Jane, Jordan, and I walked up the stairs past the bar and podium where the host will be sitting and sat on the long, ugly, gray couch. It was an eyesore, but it was comfortable. Jordan left the group to get the first round of drinks.

I needed this, Jane said. Pulling her long strawberry blonde hair from her eyes.

We all did, I told her. Not two minutes later, Jordan, with his skinny, fast ass comes back with the drinks and his new trick of the night. He was a skinny, white guy with black bouffant hair and looked like he did not know what day it was. In other words, a perfect match for Jordan.

So, who’s the new dick, Jordan, Jane blatantly asked. I tried to hold back my laughter and looked away.

This is Darren, Jordan replied.

Donny, he corrected.

Whatever, he said. I invited Darren/Donny to sit down, and we had our drinks. As I sipped mine, I cringed.

This is NASTY! I took another sip, against my better judgment. Jordan, you dumbass, I didn’t want rum in this!

Sorry, Jordan says as he sits his pale, skinny ass on Darren/Donny’s lap and starts to flirt with him. I rolled my eyes in dismay and went to the bar to speak to the bartender, Moody, and get the drink that I initially wanted.

The Lilliput was the best gay bar in Downtown Baltimore located on the corner of Eager and Charles Street. It was the best due to its bartender, Moody. Moody was awarded Best Bartender in Baltimore for the past three years and everyone came to get a drink from him. He was five-foot-six, with a hairy chest that he loved to show off and skin-tight blue jeans. He had a heart of gold, but he didn’t take shit from anyone. He immigrated to the U.S. from Egypt when he was 18 as a refugee, due to the anti-LGBTQ laws. He’s a great friend and one hell of a bartender. He was also Jordan’s ex. Moody walked towards me after finishing with another order.

Hey Kai!

"Moodaayy!

So, who’s Jordan’s new chicken head of the night? Moody and Jordan broke up on not-so-good terms. Moody was found in bed with Jordan’s roommate in a failed attempt to prank Jordan and Jordan kicked both of them out. Although nothing happened between him and the roommate, Moody still felt a bit guilty about it. Jordan never forgave him for that incident. Moody still had feelings for him and worried about him.

That’s Darren, or Donny, or whatever the fuck his name is, I replied.

How long do you think, I asked. We always took bets to see how long Jordan would keep his new boy toy.

I’ll say a week, Moody said.

Three days, I struck back.

You’re on! We shook hands on it and I ordered the vodka and cranberry I originally wanted.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sync or Sing. I’m your hostess with the mostess, Miss Sherry Blossom. Sherry Blossom, Baltimore’s favorite clownfish drag queen was out hosting as I put Jane and my name on the song list to sing. I walked back to where Jane, Jordan and whatever the fuck that other guy’s name is was.

I signed us up for karaoke, I told her.

Why, Kai, she whined.

Because we’re here to have fun and we’re gonna have some fun dammit, that’s why! Jane was in her early 40s and a very good friend of mine ever since I started at Horseshoe Casino, which wasn’t far from where we were at in Downtown Baltimore. She was big-bosomed, loud, and just like Moody, she didn’t take any shit. She loved her friends and her three kids, who also happen to be my godchildren with another friend of ours, Krista. I told her to get out of the house because the kids were driving her nuts. She’s always trying to set me up with somebody. But I still love her all the same.

After the first six performances, which included a very shaky Like A Prayer, a very dismal God is a Woman, by someone I haven’t even heard of, and a very shitty rendition of Cher’s Believe, Sherry Blossom got back on the microphone.

And now, you know who it’s time for now: Big Daddy Nasty and Bio Queen, Kai and Jane. We were regulars at the bar so much that Sherry gave us nicknames for when she introduced us. Big Daddy was given to me because of my size and Jane’s Bio Queen, or biological queen, came from her love of drag queens, specifically Sherry Blossom. I grabbed the mics and we started to sing Bang Bang by Jessie J in the middle of the bar downstairs. I absolutely despise the song, but I like the chorus and it’s a crowd favorite, not to mention Jane’s favorite song. I learned it so we can sing it together. After four minutes of hell, and putting on a brave face, we were finally done and we went to sit back down on the couch.

Alright, let’s hear it for Big Daddy Nasty and Bio Queen! The whole bar cheering and applauded us as we went back to sit down on the couch.

You guys were great out there, Darren/Donny said.

Thanks, I replied. I was so thirsty after that. My throat was dry. I’m gonna get another drink. I went back to Moody to get a refill and speak more about our favorite subject.

Can I get another refill, please Moody?

Okay, he said. As he said that, he happened to notice something behind me that made it look as though he was upset. I turned around to see what he was looking at. He was starting at Jordan and Darren/Donny. Moody has always felt bad about how they ended their relationship and was hoping to make amends and start over again. But Moody tried to hide it.

Look, I said. "Why not explain yourself to him? Hopefully, he will understand and you two can get back together again.

No, Moody sighed over the screeching singer. Why not the two of you?

Jordan and me? I was surprised he would say that. Nooooo. I think we’ll just stay friends and leave it at that. With Jordan going from man to man every week that I see him, I doubt he has any time for long-term romance. Besides, I’m in the process of a divorce. I’m not trying to get into anything right now.

Hey, I heard behind me. It was Jordan who didn’t have his boy toy with him.

Where’s Darren or Donny or whatever the fuck his name is, I asked.

He’s gone. Fucking weirdo! He wanted to do it here in the bathroom. I acted sad for him.

That’s a shame.

I’m hungry, Jordan lamented. Can we get something to eat?

Yeah, sure. I went to grab Jane and tell Sherry Blossom goodbye as we were leaving. Before leaving, I hugged Moody too and told him to take care of himself. We exited the Lilliput and all three of us walked across Eager Street to get to our cars. Jordan didn’t have a car, so I have him a ride home. But he always finds a way to get to the bar before Jane and me.

Hey, Jane? Do you want to come with us to get something to eat?

No, Kai. I already ate before I came out. I’m gonna go and see to the kids.

Alright. Be careful getting home and hi to my god kids for me! Jordan and I then hugged Jane and she got into her ancient 1997 Lincoln Continental and drove off. Jordan and I got into my 2017 Blue Ford Focus. Jordan seemed to be preoccupied about something.

Are you okay? You’re not upset because of that guy you just met, are you?

No, he said. I’m just hungry. Besides, he wasn’t gonna satisfy anything with that little dick he had. We both burst out laughing.

Damn! Tell me how you really feel, I said. We exited the parking lot to go to our favorite late-night spot, Italiano’s.

CHAPTER 2

Jordan and I arrived at Italiano’s, where we were greeted by those working behind the counter. I frequent this place so much with Jane that they knew us by name.

Hey, Kai!

Hey, Destiny! Jordan came with Jane and me to Italiano’s before but not as frequently. He didn’t recognize anyone there.

Just sit anywhere and someone will be with you shortly.

Thanks, Dez, I said. I took a couple of menus off the tables near the door as I escorted Jordan to a table on the other side of the restaurant, next to the statue of the Italian chef winking at you when you came in the door.

Italiano’s wasn’t just a small restaurant on the corner of Washington Boulevard. It was my second home. I knew the owners, Maria, and Georgios, and their two sons, Bill, and Nik, who sometimes worked there. You were always greeted by that statue winking at you when you came in, and you got a look at all of the delicious desserts on display near the cash registers. The food there was great, as were the people that worked there. I’m there all the time. I’m also glad they stay open until four in the morning after a night of drinking and Sync or Sing. Jordan and I waited until we saw Antonio came up to the table.

Antonio is the waiter at the restaurant at night. Aside from being a pretty face, he’s the epitome of customer service. He knows the specials, the regulars, and always gives me something free on the side. He came up to the table in his uniformed white shirt and black pants, his perfectly coiffed hair and a cologne that still lingers when he leaves.

Hey Kai, Antonio said as we embraced in a hug.

Hey, Antonio.

What’ll it be tonight?

My usual, please, I answered.

One bowl of cream of crab soup, grilled chicken wrapped in a tortilla, and extra crispy fries?

You know me too well! We laughed.

And what about your friend here, he asked, extending his hand in greeting to Jordan. They have never met.

What would you like Jordan?

You know what, he replied. Give me the same thing as Kai. He then shook Antonio’s hand.

Two of everything please, I requested.

Gotcha. Antonio took our menus. I’ll be back with your breadsticks.

Thank you. After we put in our orders, Jordan started to look dour.

Okay, I said. You’ve been moping ever since we left the bar. What the hell is wrong with you? Jordan’s hazel eyes shined like emeralds against his tears. His tears would land on his alabaster skin as he looked up towards me to speak.

You gotta promise not to tell anyone else.

I promise, I said. Antonio walked back up to the table to give some fresh, piping hot breadsticks and thick marinara sauce. Thanks, Tony!

Of course! Antonio started to walk away towards the kitchen.

Now, what is it, I demanded. He lifted his head.

I haven’t been with anyone since my last boyfriend, the one after Moody, he started. I looked at him confused.

Ok…? That’s when he quietly blurted it out.

I’m positive. My eyes widened.

Positive? As in HIV? Jordan nodded his head. Oh wow. How long?

It was about the time I ended things with Moody, Jordan explained. I slept with some guy who said he was a friend of Hunter’s and I did it so I could get back at him for taking Roman away from me.

That would mean you had this for two years now.

"Yeah. I messed