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.”
“Oh, the lady who they suspect killed her three husbands,” Sawyer said. “That would be a good one.”
“I have an idea,” Felix said. “I was going to pitch this to you later, but why not now?”
“Go for it,” Rocky said.
“You guys all know who Cameron Spencer is, right?” Felix asked.
“The guy who owns like a dozen car dealerships in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida?” Royce asked.
“That’s the one,” Felix said. “I have battled with his dealership for months over the extended warranty I purchased with my new car a few years ago. When my transmission blew, I didn’t fret about it because I bought the added coverage. I keep getting the runaround about why the bumper-to-bumper warranty won’t pay for the new transmission I need.”
“That’s why you’re driving your shaggin’ wagon around so much,” Rocky said.
Felix rolled his eyes. “Woody Wagon.”
Rocky snorted. “Same difference, even though I don’t know how you pick up so many dudes in that old thing.”
“The guys are more concerned about the driver’s skills than what he’s driving,” Felix told him.
“Touché.”
“Anyway,” Felix said, “the dealership told me I didn’t properly maintain the car, which nullified the warranty. After I provided receipts and service records from their dealership, they still balked. I’ve talked to everyone in their organization from my original salesman to the service department manager and even the general manager. All I get is bullshit excuses. I tried speaking to Cameron Spencer, but, apparently, he only shows up when it’s time for publicity stunts or to shoot commercials.”
“Ugh. I can’t stand Spencer’s commercials,” Royce grumbled. “They’re like nails on a chalkboard.”
“Worse,” Avery said.
Royce raised a beer to salute him.
“I started searching the internet for others who had similar problems,” Felix said. “I found several instances where customers had issues with both their extended warranties and gap insurance policies. I think something fishy is going on. The kicker is a lady called me yesterday and said she’d taken proof to Jude Arrow—”
“The Straight Shooter,” Royce said, mimicking the news reporter’s voice. Everyone laughed except Felix. He winced. “Sorry, man.”
“This woman said she has proof that the gap insurance policies and extended warranties were issued by Spencer’s shell companies,” Felix