Welcome to Hurricane Bay, Florida, where the act of arson isn’t uncommon. When a popular gay bar, the Flaming Flamingo, burns to the ground with bartender Rudy inside, fear rocks the Gulf-side community. Bar owner Peter Rotunda wants to learn who destroyed his business and committed murder. Soon after the incident, Rotunda hires adorable and sexy private investigator Axle Dupree to take the case.<br><br>Axle is a fresh private eye with exemplary charm. Not only can he woo the pants off his boyfriend Casey, but also just about every other guy in town. Soon a list of alleged suspects builds: wealthy Laura Monigal, who has a history of arson; mysterious faux-cowboy Clifton Monigal; a Daisy Dukes-wearing circus performer; and a “fluff” romance writer.<br><br>As June unfolds, conversations are sharp, road trips into the Everglades become overwhelming, and spying is necessary. But after applying heat to the suspects, Axle learns who the murderer is ... and so much more about his community.

Heat

No one was at home, which was just my luck. So much for playing prudent investigator when there wasn’t anything or anyone to investigate. Clarissa’s condo looked empty of her inhabitance. Although the place looked furnished and dusted—I noticed those pertinent details after peering inside its half-moon-shaped windows—it was bare of the owner, a maid, or caretaker, which all of the Alcove Bay residences had. The place was tidy but sealed closed, without any activity whatsoever. Having my head held low, emotionally disjointed at that moment, I left a few minutes after arriving, realizing a dead end when I saw one. 39: The Drift


Chapter 37