Page 62 of Ride the Lightning
“Well, he understands things better now,” Marla said, pulling her hand free and patting her leg for Betty to follow her. “Come now, Betty. Mama needs a witness.”
Amos, who’d gotten out of the car and walked around to the passenger side, nodded at Jonah. It was a considerable improvement over the silent scowl Jonah typically received. He noticed Amos was dressed up in a pale gray suit, which accentuated the silver hair threading through the cobalt black strands. He’d paired the outfit with a yellow shirt and a floral tie similar to Marla’s dress, and Jonah knew it wasn’t a coincidence. Just what were they up to?
“Woman, a dog won’t count as a legal witness,” Amos said as Marla sashayed near.
“She will if I say so,” she countered sassily.
Jonah had a sneaky feeling he knew what was going on. “Give me five minutes to get dressed, and I’ll be your witness.”
Amos smiled at Jonah for the first time since they’d met, and Marla rocked on her high heels a bit. “Much obliged,” Amos told Jonah.
“Honey, you have a murder to solve,” Marla protested weakly.
“It can wait until after I give you away,” Jonah said. “Give me five minutes.”
“Take ten,” Amos said generously. “Our appointment isn’t for another half hour.”
Jonah darted inside the house and up the stairs. Before going to his closet to pick out an appropriate suit, he sent a group text to Marla’s wonderful friends he’d met on Tuesday. He didn’t expect them all to drop everything and rush to the courthouse, which was the only place they’d be getting married on a Thursday morning. Her friends could at least throw her a party to help her celebrate life and love. Wouldn’t it be better to do that with Marla while she was still alive rather than after she passed?
He didn’t wait to see what kind of replies they sent. Jonah had accomplished his goal and shifted his focus to getting ready. He chose a gray suit that was slightly darker than Amos’s and a yellow dress shirt he’d forgotten he owned. He completed his outfit with a simple gray tie and black dress shoes. He wished he had a hat to wear, but he wasn’t cool enough to pull it off.
Marla was sitting primly in the front seat of the Cadillac with Betty on her lap. Amos had lowered the ragtop down, so Jonah placed his hand on the side of the car and vaulted himself into the back seat.
“I’ve always wanted to do that,” Jonah said, smiling at Marla’s reflection in the side mirror.
Marla and Amos were shocked when every one of the people Jonah texted showed up to witness their wedding.
“What are y’all doing here?” Marla asked, turning a suspicious gaze on Jonah. “How’d you have enough time to make this happen?”
“Group text,” Jonah said. “I usually hate them, but you can’t deny how convenient they are sometimes.”
“I cannot believe you dropped everything to share this day with Amos and me,” Marla said, placing a hand over her heart. “I love y’all so very much.”
There was a group hug, and then it was Amos and Marla’s turn to get married. Jonah and Betty walked her down the aisle to stand before the judge with Amos and exchange their wedding vows. There wasn’t a dry eye in the courtroom, including Judge Jackson, who turned out to be Marla’s drag mother.
Afterward, the friends decided to do brunch at Daisy’s Place, but Jonah begged off so he could work the investigation. Amos and Marla dropped him off at his house before heading to the diner. He debated on calling Jerry Locke first or just showing up at his front door. One option was more polite, but it also gave Jerry the chance to dodge Jonah. That wouldn’t do because Jonah didn’t have time for games.
Jerry Locke lived in Southbridge, a prestigious golf club community with immaculate lawns and stunning homes. It seemed like the man had bounced back pretty nicely if he could afford to retire in this neighborhood.
His house was a massive replica of Tara fromGone with the Wind. Pretty, but not Jonah’s style. He parked behind a newer Mercedes Benz before walking up to the home and ringing the doorbell.
When the door opened, Jonah didn’t need to confirm the identity of the man who greeted him. It was uncanny how much this man looked like Royce Locke. If Sawyer wanted to know how well Royce was going to age, all he had to do was meet Uncle Jerry. The answer was really fucking well. The man’s blond hair was still thick and shot through with only a hint of gray. The laugh lines next to his eyes and mouth added character instead of detracting from his appeal. It was apparent he worked out and maintained his body well. Most noticeable was the appreciative once-over Uncle Jerry gave Jonah.
Jerry met Jonah’s gaze and smiled. “Can I help you?”
“Are you Jerry Locke?” he asked.
“Yes,” Jerry said, his smile never faltering.
“I’m a friend of your nephew’s,” Jonah replied.
There went the smile, and Jonah wondered if maybe he shouldn’t have led with that. “Which one?” Jerry asked warily.
“Royce,” Jonah replied, hoping it was the right answer. He knew there was a younger brother he hadn’t met yet.
The smile returned, and Jonah breathed a sigh of relief. “Would you like to come in?”
“Don’t you want to know why I’m here first?” Jonah asked. It never ceased to amaze him how trusting some people still were.