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

Tristen Trintar, Peter’s ex-lover, had been arrested on September 11 for having sex with underage boys. A raid and meltdown by the Hurricane Bay Police Department occurred at The Rapture. Tristen was cuffed and taken to jail.


Something told me he wasn’t getting out anytime soon.


Margo Pagino requested a private luncheon with me at The Red Oyster Bar next to the Gulf. We had a private room with our own waiter, an adorable Cuban named Carlos Bontanna. Margo decided to have a liquid lunch, and I chose oysters on the half shell, a small salad, and two Long Island iced teas.


Over one of seven rum and Cokes, she asked, “Is it true that you thought I was the arsonist and murderer?”


I didn’t lie, nodding. I couldn’t possibly tell her a fib when she already knew the answer to her question because of local gossip at the bakery, First St Catherine’s Church, and the post office.


Chapter 53