Page 104 of Ride the Lightning

The three men clinked their beer bottles together.

Marla opened the door and poked her head out. “Is everyone ready to eat?” Jonah’s guests rushed toward the house at once, and Marla barely avoided the stampede. “Lord, those are some hungry boys,” she said, walking toward him, toying with the silver pendant she wore around her neck.

When SPD had executed a search warrant at Malcolm’s residence, they found the missing evidence and Trexler’s stolen laptop tucked under the seat of his car and Earl’s necklace hidden in one of his dresser drawers. Jonah had taken it to Jerry, who’d confirmed it was the necklace he’d purchased for Earl. Jonah told Jerry the details of Malcolm’s confession because the man deserved to know that Earl had truly loved him.

As far as Jonah was concerned, Marla was Earl’s next of kin. Without her, they never would’ve gotten justice for her friend. She touched the necklace often, and Jonah hoped it would bring her comfort in the coming… Days? Weeks? Months?

Jonah shoved the heartbreaking thought aside. He would not mourn her while she was still alive. “I don’t think it’s a trait we ever outgrow.”

“Listen,” Marla said seriously. “I need to extract another promise or two out of you.”

“More promises?” Jonah teased. “I agreed to keep your dog, I solved Earl’s case, and Marla the Magnificent supercomputer will help me fight crimes for decades to come.”

“She’s much more attractive than Stella.”

“Absolutely,” Jonah agreed.

“About the dog,” Marla said. Jonah knew what was coming next. “She’s Amos’s girl now, and I think they’ll need each other after I’m gone.”

Jonah swallowed hard and nodded. “I think you’re right.”

“I almost always am,” Marla said, looping her arm through Jonah’s.

“What are the new promises?”

“I want you to put a ring on Avery’s finger and love him until there’s no breath left in your body,” Marla said huskily. “He’s so good for you.”

“He is,” Jonah said. “When the time is right, I promise to put a ring on Avery’s finger and love him forever. Is that all?”

Marla laughed and patted his arm. “I saved the biggest request for last.”

“Bigger than solving a crime, offering to take your dog, and promising to marry Avery?” Jonah asked.

“Yes,” Marla said. “When HBO comes knocking at your door looking to make a documentary out of Ride the Lightning, I want you to promise me that you’ll get Ru Paul to play my part.”

Jonah threw his head back and laughed harder than he had all week. “I can’t promise you that.”

Marla sighed dramatically. “Lie to me if you must.”

“I promise.”

Marla leaned into him. “That’s my boy.”

Jonah pressed a kiss to her temple. “I love you, Marla.”

“Remember that when HBO wants to cast some basic bitch as Marla.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I love you too, baby. Ready to eat?”

Jonah smiled. “In a minute. You go on and make yourself a plate. I’ll be right in.”

When Marla went inside, Jonah tipped his head back and studied the fluffy white clouds in the brilliant blue sky.

“Is a storm coming?” Avery asked as he joined him on the patio.

“Not today,” he replied, though there was always a storm on the horizon. What was it Granny said about storms and rainbows?