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 was done rambling and closed up my office for the day, made the drive to Casey’s bungalow, and decided to turn in. The place was free of smoke thanks to Toxic Mongrels, who cleaned every carpet, pillow, wall, and floor, making it sparkle and smell like the Gulf again.


Casey was already asleep, snoring. Seconds passed, and a state of drowsiness came over me. My eyes slid closed. It was dreamless night without any REM activity, which was exactly what I wantedPart 5: June 6, 20—


“Here is the remaining amount of money I owe you,” Margo Pagino said. “I’ve also given you a copy of my latest paperback, which I signed on the title page.” She looked melancholic with unrested eyes and no energy. Her face turned pale, and the real pearls around her neck looked too tight. She tried to smile at me but couldn’t, which told me that she could have been upset with her life at the moment, or over what she had in mind to discuss with me.


Chapter 40