Page 41 of Ride the Lightning

Kendall heaved a sigh. “It’s going to be a long one. I’m working extra hours this week to assist with a big case. I still haven’t adapted to some of the other attorneys’ personalities. I miss Vivian every day, but I’ve really struggled at work lately. She worked hard but never took the staff for granted. She’d treat us to lunch on grueling days. These other guys just keep expecting more and more.”

“Have you considered looking for another job?” Jonah asked.

“Absolutely,” Kendall said emphatically. “I need to finish getting my degree first. My final exams are next week, which is why I’m going to a study group after work tonight. The finish line is so close, and I cannot afford to fuck it up right now.”

“You’re going to do great,” Jonah assured him.

Kendall crossed his fingers, blew Jonah an air kiss, and headed out the front door. Before he could shut it behind him, Jonah heard Kendall say, “Well, hello there, sexy. This is a pleasant surprise.”

Who the hell was on his porch so early?

“Let’s go back inside, and I can turn a pleasant surprise into a stupendous one,” said a familiar voice.

Rocky Fucking Jacobs.

Jonah rolled his eyes and crossed to the front door. “Rocky, can you even spell stupendous?” he asked. “Leave Kendall alone. He needs to get to work.”

“You just want to keep the prettiest boys to yourself,” Rocky said. “Have a great day, darlin’.”

“You too, handsome,” Kendall said, blowing Rocky a kiss.

“I will punch you in the balls if you pretend to catch the air kiss,” Jonah groused.

Rocky turned to face him. “What the hell is your problem this morning?”

“What are you doing here at eight thirty?” Jonah asked instead of answering his friend.

“I cleared my schedule so we can conduct interviews.” Rocky raked his eyes over Jonah’s T-shirt and sleep pants. “Is that what you plan to wear?”

“I just got out of bed, fuck face.”

“Wow. Someone needs caffeine. Why don’t you go upstairs and get ready while I make some coffee? I could use another cup too.”

Jonah crossed his arms over his chest. “Why are you coming with me to interview Earl’s friends?”

“Because you don’t have a badge right now,” Rocky said.

“Marla has probably told them to expect me, and none of them will be hostile.”

Rocky nodded. “That’s true, but what if they give you new leads? Those people might be hostile or refuse to talk because they don’t trust you.”

“And they’ll trust a private investigator?” Jonah asked.

“They’re more likely to trust a PI or a reporter over a cop. Felix is tied up today, so you’re stuck with me. If a situation warrants it, I’ll introduce myself as a PI and you as my associate. It’s not likely they’ll want to see your license once I show them mine.”

It made sense, and Jonah was relieved Rocky wasn’t tagging along because he didn’t trust Jonah to get the job done right. “Exhibitionist,” Jonah teased before heading upstairs to get ready.

Jonah returned downstairs showered, dressed, and raring to go twenty minutes later.

Rocky glanced up from his phone when he heard Jonah’s approach. “I wasn’t sure how you take your coffee, so I didn’t doctor a cup for you.”

“No problem.”

“I’ll drive while you navigate,” Rocky said when they stepped onto the porch a few minutes later.

“The Cockpit is our first stop,” Jonah informed him.

Rocky set his travel mug in the holder and rubbed his hands together gleefully. “This is going to be a great day.”