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

“I love Bobby with all my heart, even when he has been at his worst. Although he has broken me numerous times, I will always love him. Approximately two years ago, he learned the identity of his real father. Bobby had taken an interest in Underground Spectacle and decided to turn his back on me. My child wants nothing to do with me now, which baffles me. Part of me understands why, of course, because I have no limits in loving him. The other part doesn’t, though. I thought…”


No longer having an appetite, I cut her off, finding it impossible not to. “You thought if you hired me, I could bring Bobby back to you, right?”


Our waiter checked on us, asking if we were fine. Margo shooed him away with a wave of her right hand, beginning to tear up at the corners of her eyes. Then she nodded at me.


Chapter 41