In that audio...does Tommy ever mention JO by name? I hear a lot of "he"s, but I don't recall him mentioning JO's name.
Nope, I don't believe he does, and to take this conversation a bit further...
Granny Flo is telling Tommy what she heard FIRST, which was the Ron coming home, calling Tommy for help, etc...Tommy cut her off several times by saying, "That's BS!"
I have no understanding as to why anyone believes that Tommy would not cover for Ron.
When you are involved in a crime with others, you tend to implicate people that are NOT involved first. When the time comes where you are being implicated in that crime, that is when the blame game begins. (with the real players involved-if evidence is there to implicate)
IF Tommy is involved, (say in helping clean up or disposing of Haleigh's body), OF COURSE he would cover for Misty and Ron. He would be covering for them in return for the same.
Mortal enemies have been known to cover for each other as to not implicate themselves in a crime they did together.
Its not rocket science, it's self preservation.