Page 102 of Ride the Lightning

Darnell heaved a long sigh. “I thought proving my dad didn’t kill Earl Ison would make me feel better, but it doesn’t. Knowing the truth doesn’t bring my dad back.”

“It doesn’t,” Felix agreed, “but you can give him a voice now through our podcast. People can learn about the kind of man Bo Cahill really was.”

“A man who would go to any lengths to protect his family,” Agnes said.

The Cahills asked for time to think about it. Darnell called Felix the following day and said his family had agreed to sit down for interviews for the podcast. The three of them would travel back to Darnell’s house in the coming weeks to go over their plans for the episodes and conduct interviews. Felix stressed they didn’t just want to make the episodeaboutthe Cahill family; he wanted to make itwiththem.

By the time Saturday rolled around, Jonah was exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. He briefly thought about rescheduling the barbecue so he could stay in bed with Avery all day and night, but a cookout with friends was exactly what he needed.

“The guest of honor is here, so the party can really start,” Royce said as he opened the gate and stepped into Jonah’s back yard. He carried a cooler in one hand and a platter of something in another. “Sawyer made fancy-schmancy snacks for everyone.”

“Jalapeno poppers aren’t fancy. Anything requiring more effort than squirting processed cheese from a can onto a cracker is fancy to Royce,” Sawyer said. He snatched the platter out of Royce’s hand and kissed his boyfriend on the cheek as he walked by. “Where do you want my fancy-schmancy snacks?”

Jonah helped himself to a few jalapeno poppers, then said, “Marla and Amos are inside setting up a buffet. She can find a place for them.”

“Guest of honor?” Felix asked. “Is it your birthday?”

“Nah. That’s in October,” Royce replied.

“Why would you be the guest of honor, then?” Rocky asked.

“I saved the day,” Royce replied. “Didn’t Jonah tell you?”

“Royce helped me replace the hot water heater last week after it died,” Jonah explained as he brushed another layer of barbecue on the ribs.

“Oh, I thought he was taking credit for the rat again,” Avery said.

They all laughed.

“Hey, Robby was part of the plan all along,” Royce said. “I deployed him as a diversion tactic, and it worked.”

“Robby,” Jonah snorted.

“Bullshit,” Sawyer said, returning to the back patio. “I saw you do a full-body shiver when my nephew brought out his hamster from his bedroom. You are not friends with any type of rodent, and you sure as hell wouldn’t train or name one.”

“Must you tell all my secrets?” Royce asked, hooking an arm around Sawyer’s neck and kissing him soundly on the mouth. “I did deploy the damn rat.”

“How?” Felix asked.

“I startled the fat fucker out of his hiding place when I ninja moved into a better position to get a bead on Malcolm. How I didn’t scream like a girl is beyond me.”

“Did you have to change your underwear afterward?” Rocky asked.

“Maybe,” Royce said with a shrug.

Yep. Having friends over for great food and tons of laughs was the perfect ending to an insane few weeks.

Sawyer hooked his arm around Royce’s waist and fed him a jalapeno popper. “So, what’s next?”

“For the podcast?” Jonah clarified.

“I meant your career with the GBI, but I’m curious about the podcast too.”

“Trexler fed my resignation letter through the paper shredder and asked for a second chance. His apology was sincere, and I still think my skills add value to the bureau. I’m going to give it a shot.”

“That’s great news,” Royce said.

“As for the podcast, we’re going to extend the Ride the Lightning episodes to include interviews with Bo’s family, so people can get their side of the story,” Jonah said. “We haven’t nailed down our next project yet. I still think Tess Hamilton is our best bet.”