The subdivision developer filed bankruptcy, and most of the contractors lost everything, including Jerry. He moved to Florida in 1983 or 1984, I think.”
They chatted a little while longer but didn’t learn anything that tripped additional red flags. Sandy thanked them for looking into his friend’s death as he walked them out. Rocky opened the door to leave and jerked to a stop. A sexy guy with broad shoulders stood on the other side. Based on Kendall’s description, Jonah figured they were gawking at none other than Drew Callahan.
“Drew,” Sandy said, confirming Jonah’s suspicions. “You’re earlier than usual.”
The dark-haired behemoth with pale eyes and an engaging smile looked from Jonah to Rocky before focusing on his uncle. “I wanted to chat with you before you left.”
“Okay,” Sandy said. “I was just seeing my friends out, so I’m all yours now.”
“Why don’t you introduce me to your handsome friends?” Drew asked, studying them carefully.
“Rocky Jacobs,” the PI said, extending his hand. “We just met your uncle today.”
“They’re responsible for the police reopening my friend’s murder investigation,” Sandy said proudly. “Rocky is a private investigator, and Jonah is with the GBI. He also is good friends with Marla.”
Drew smiled when he heard Marla’s name. “She’s such a firecracker.”
“That she is,” Jonah agreed, shaking the hand Drew offered him. “It’s good to meet you.”
“Same,” Drew said, returning his attention to his uncle. “I can come back later if this isn’t a good time, Uncle Sandy.”
“Nonsense,” Sandy said, then faced Jonah and Rocky. “I want you fellas to join me for lunch soon. We have the best chicken wings in town.”
“I’d love to,” Rocky said, not tearing his eyes away from Drew. “I’m embarrassed to admit this is my first visit.”
“Do you have a business card?” Drew asked. “I’d love to call you and set up a private tour.”
“Oh, um,” the usually unflappable man stammered. “I do somewhere.” He patted his pockets, smiling like he’d struck gold when he discovered one. “It has my office and cell phone number on it.”
“Great,” Drew said. “Expect to hear from me soon.”
Rocky and Jonah exchanged farewells with Sandy and Drew, then retraced their steps to the back door.
“Oh. My. God.” Rocky sounded as winded as if he’d just finished a 5k race.
“Going to be okay to drive?” Jonah teased.
“Why aren’t you flustered?”
“He’s a good-looking guy, but he doesn’t crank my gears like he does yours,” Jonah said. “Seriously, do you want me to drive us to the next interview?”
“Fuck you, St. John,” Rocky snarled as he increased his stride. “Just try and keep up.”
Their next stop was Daisy’s Place, where they hoped to find the owner, Daisy Gallagher. Marla said Daisy was another queen from back in the day who’d turned her love of cooking into a successful business. She’d noted that Daisy made the best pies on the planet. Seeing the dessert display made Jonah’s mouth water.
“Do you mind if we get a bite to eat while we’re here?” Jonah asked Rocky. “I’m starved.”
“I could eat,” Rocky said.
“Yo, Dais,” yelled a burly man wearing head-to-toe leather. “I found one of your fake fingernails in my scrambled eggs.”
“The fuck you did, Edgar,” a deep voice said from the kitchen. “Keep it up, and you’ll be digging them out of your ass.”
Edgar’s laughter rumbled and crackled like a Harley Davidson motorcycle. “Oh, baby,” the man yelled back.
A few seconds later, a six-foot drag queen stepped out of the kitchen wearing a cotton candy-colored wig the same hue as her waitress dress. She carried a heavy tray laden with plates and cups, but it didn’t prevent her from stopping at several tables to dish up sass. As she neared them, Jonah saw the name Daisy stitched across one chest pocket.
“You boys sit wherever you like, and I’ll be right with you,” Daisy said, smiling at them. “Don’t pay any attention to my Edgar and me. We’ve been yelling at each other for twenty-five years. Keeps the fire burning, if you know what I mean. I promise you nothing weird is in the food, and I never threaten to shove my fingers up anyone else’s ass.”
Nonplussed, Rocky said, “Good to know.”
Jonah followed Rocky to a booth in the middle of the room. He was aware of curious eyes on them and figured Daisy’s was the kind of place that drew a steady crowd of regular patrons. If Rocky noticed the attention, it didn’t seem to bother him. He flopped down on the bench seat. The menus were tucked behind the