Page 36 of Ride the Lightning
“Instead of boring-ass black plastic, why not make a blush pink computer with silver or gold accents?” Marla said as she walked to the living room.
Jonah and Betty followed her. “That’s not a bad idea.” He draped a soft blanket over Marla, then gently settled Betty on her lap.
“It’s a brilliant idea, which is why you should name a supercomputer after me.”
Now that Marla had planted the seed, ideas began to take root. Jonah was suspended from work and needed to stay busy, after all.
Marla and Betty were fast asleep before Rose shot Blanche’s vase in Jonah’s favorite episode. He took the lists Marla made him and tiptoed down the hall to his home office, where he made measurements and looked for blush pink computer components. Then Jonah buckled down and searched for information on the list of people Marla made for him. She might’ve known where they lived and worked, but he wanted to know things they might’ve kept secret from her, such as their criminal history. Since his GBI access was locked down, Jonah used the same kind of service PI’s used to search public records. He found a few misdemeanors for some of Earl’s friends, but nothing that concerned him.
A few hours later, he checked on Marla and saw she was still sleeping. Betty stood up and looked at Jonah with expressive eyes.
“Do you need to potty?” he whispered. Betty’s entire body vibrated as she wiggled her ass end. “I’ll take that as a yes,” Jonah said, getting her down so she could follow him out the front door.
He sat on the porch steps while Betty sniffed every other blade of grass until she found the perfect spot to take a shit. She kicked up her legs afterward and trotted back to Jonah with a hopeful look in her eye.
“I don’t have any of those Beggin Strips you like, but I’ll stockpile them soon.” Jonah heard a car slowing down in front of his house and got the surprise of his life when he glanced up and saw Avery pull into the driveway. Jonah stood up and crossed the yard with Betty right on his feet, barking as viciously as she could. “Exit the car at your own risk,” Jonah said when Avery pushed his door open.
Laughing, Avery got out of his car and squatted down to greet Betty, who’d charged fearlessly toward him. “I didn’t know you have a dog. I would’ve pictured you with something bigger and meaner to help push the badass image you try to project.”
“I don’t have a dog…yet,” Jonah said, ignoring Avery’s other remark. “This is Marla’s dog. Her name is Betty.”
Awareness washed over Avery’s face, softening his beautiful eyes. “Hello, Betty,” he said, extending a hand for her to sniff. Betty must’ve liked what she smelled because she stood on her hind legs and placed her paws on his dress pants. “I’m glad you’ll have each other,” Avery said, looking into Jonah’s eyes.
“So am I,” he admitted.
Avery scratched behind Betty’s ears and under her chin before running a hand down her sleek back. Jonah had never been jealous of a dog before now. “You’re the best girl, aren’t you, Betty?” The dog barked twice and collapsed onto her back. Avery laughed at her antics and rubbed her tummy.
“That means yes,” Jonah said, wondering what Avery would do if Jonah threw himself down and presented his belly and other things for rubbing. “I think she’s enjoying the belly rub a lot.”
Avery must’ve heard something wistful in his voice because his head snapped up, and their gazes collided and held. Avery rose to his feet and smiled nervously. “I bet you’re wondering what I’m doing here.”
“I am,” Jonah said, closing the distance until there was only a foot separating them. Avery hadn’t even acknowledged the text he sent earlier.
Avery swallowed hard, then reached into his pocket and withdrew a flash drive. “I copied everything I could find about Earl Ison and Bo Cahill.”
Jonah accepted the flash drive from Avery without tearing his gaze away and slid it inside his front pocket. His fingertips tingled after brushing against Avery’s palm. “I hope you were careful. I’d hate for you to get in trouble because of me. Besides, Felix already has a copy of Bo’s case file from DeKalb County. That’s why he was comfortable going public.”
“Trexler requested the case file last week, even after he told you no.”
Jonah’s mouth fell open. “Where’d you hear that?”
“From Desiree who’d heard it from Tabitha. I told you the cousins liked to talk,” Avery replied. “Anyway, I hacked into Trexler’s computer and copied the files for you.”
“Avery,” Jonah sighed. “You shouldn’t have done that. What if—”
Avery’s scoff interrupted the flow of words. “I was cautious, and there’s no way Trexler will know I was in there poking around. I wanted you to have the information in case DeKalb County deliberately withheld information from Felix.”
“What makes you think they wouldn’t withhold the same information from the GBI?” Jonah asked.
“They may have, but someone else in law enforcement is more likely to help cover up a botched investigation than an uncompromising reporter like Felix,” Avery said.
Jonah nodded. “Good point.”
“I’m very astute, Jonah,” Avery said. He’d struck a playful, teasing tone, but the devilish look in his eyes was pure mischief. “You know what else Iobservedlast week?”
“What?”
Avery closed the small distance between them until there were only a few inches of air between their bodies. His nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. “You didn’t like it when I went on a date.”