wanted to tell Royce without discussing the facts with Jonah and Rocky first.
“When and where is the posse meeting this morning? Sawyer and I want to be there.”
“Posse? Are Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid up to no good again?”
“Cut the bullshit,” Royce groused. “I got the truth out of Rocky last night when he was frantically looking for you.”
“Then why did you ask who I’d pissed off if you already knew?”
“I wanted to see how much you were willing to tell me.”
“Not much,” Felix admitted.
“And yet, I’m surprised and hurt.”
It was Felix’s turn to scoff. “Were you assigned to my case?”
“Yep, so I started calling you. Then I called Jacobs since I couldn’t get in touch with you. He found out you left with Arrow, and I tried calling him a few times, but I guess he was busy tending to your injuries.”
“You could’ve left a message,” Felix countered. “You could’ve driven over to Jude’s house if you were anxious.”
“Rocky told me not to,” Royce said.
“And you listened?”
“Jacobs might be an annoying asshole, but the man has excellent instincts, and they’ve served him well as a PI. He was worried about your injuries but seemed relieved once he found out who you were with.”
“I’m only a little roughed up and feeling pretty grateful at the moment,” Felix said. “I have to call Rocky and figure out when and where we’re meeting. One of us will text you.”
“See that it happens. There will be hell to pay if I have to exude any effort in tracking your asses down.”
Felix snorted. “Royce, your threat might’ve worked if I haven’t personally seen you baby talk to your enormous cat. One of us will call you.” It wouldn’t be him, but he’d be sure to pass along Royce’s message.
Felix disconnected the call. “Speaking of cats, can we run by my place so I can change my clothes and beg my cat’s forgiveness.”
“You have a cat?”
“The cat has me,” Felix countered. “Pul came with the house.”
“Pull? As in you’re pulling my leg.”
“One L. It’s short for Pulitzer.”
Jude laughed.
Felix scowled. Did Jude think Felix’s dream of being awarded the prestigious journalism prize was hilarious? “What’s so funny?”
“I have a terrarium in my home office. Guess what my turtle’s name is.”
Felix tried to think what a broadcast journalist’s equivalent to a Pulitzer was. He grinned when it came to him. “Peabody.”
“Yep.”
They headed to Felix’s house, where he phoned his claim into his insurance company before searching out his feisty feline. Pul was stretched across Felix’s bed like he didn’t have a care in the world, but he glared at his human with eyes that promised revenge.
“You still have food and water in your bowl,” Felix said. If the cat could roll his eyes or flip him the middle claw, he would’ve done it. “I’ve replenished your supplies, my king.” Felix curtsied, but Pul yawned as if Felix was boring him.
“That’s some cat,” Jude said.
Felix smiled. The cat was missing half a tail, a chunk of one ear, and only had one eye. He’d been through hell and back before Felix arrived on the scene. Felix spent a fortune getting rid of his fleas, ear mites, mange, and even his testicles. The last one was still a sore subject, no pun intended. Now Pul was a spoiled house cat who lived a lavish life. “He’s a little rough around the edges like me, but we have an understanding.”
“This is his house, and you live in it?” Jude asked.
“You’re familiar with cats, then?”
Jude laughed. “I’ve had a few over the years.” He approached the bed with his hand out.
“Careful,” Felix cautioned. “You might lose a digit. I have plans for all of them later.”
Jude grinned impishly over his shoulder before returning his attention to the beast on the bed. “I think you’re a magnificent boy.”
“Thanks.”
Jude laughed at Felix’s antics but continued making nice with Pulitzer. The cat sniffed his fingers before looking up at the big man’s face. Felix would swear on a stack of Bibles that the feline narrowed his eyes and assessed Jude. Pul must’ve liked what he saw because he rubbed his head against Jude’s outstretched hand and emitted a rattling, rumbly sound.
“That’s some purr,” Jude said.
“My boy didn’t have a lot to be happy about until we met. His skills got rusty.”
“Gives you character, doesn’t it, handsome?” Jude said, scratching behind the cat’s ears with skillful, strong fingers. Pul closed his eyes and leaned harder into the touch. “Too bad. I couldn’t win over