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’ve taken the liberty to spend some of my hard-earned money on my own detective. Inside the binder is your killer and arsonist, Mr. Dupree. Tell me if you agree.”


I could not be any more baffled by our meeting. The cases were closed. I had learned who had burned down the Flaming Flamingo and Bungalow Fifteen, and I had also learned who accidentallykilled Rudy Shower. My time with Laura seemed irrelevant and a waste. What pony had she tried to present to me, and why?


“Open the binder, young man. Learn the truth.”


I became her puppet. I didn’t want to insult her in her own home, which would have been rude of me. I had manners and considered myself a gentleman. Bad behavior was uncalled for, and this is why I opened the binder.


Chapter 47