by Bliss Carter
Kresley just shook her head and went back behind the booth with her sisters and Grace. Aunt Mae and the other older women had moved off to a nearby booth that was selling raffle tickets for one of those photo boudoir sessions. She kept meeting Cade’s gaze over and over, telling him without words that she wished she could be kissing him right now. If his heated blue eyes could speak, Kresley’s body would be laying down on his bed, no clothes between them and her back arching up for more of his physical attention. Kresley needed to cool off before she had a heat stroke. She and Cade had not taken their relationship any further physically than heavy kissing and petting. It was a mutual decision made to take things slow and if they were both in this for the long term, that it would make when they did decide to make love all that more special. It was at heavily desired times like this that Kresley regretted that decision.
She looked around and noticed the men who were lined up, ready for their kiss. Most were in regular plain clothes, but there were some in uniform. She saw firefighters, male nurses, EMTs and police officers lined up to get a chance to kiss an Anderson. She recognized some of them, but others she didn’t. Kresley looked over to her sister, Gertie. She couldn’t believe that Gert had volunteered to do this. Kres had decided that Gertie was doing it to push herself to get past the physical barrier she had put up between her and the opposite sex. Kresley didn’t know if this was the way to do it or not, but she wasn’t going to argue with Gertie now. She was going to watch and carefully wait if anything negative happened. Kresley could see that Cade followed her eyes to Gertie and he nodded at Kresley, telling her that he understood her thoughts and would be watching her sister as well. Kresley’s heart melted at that. He took such good care of her and her sisters and Grace. She blew him a kiss as a thank you. Cade just smiled and caught the kiss in the air, then took his fist down past his jeans waistband and opened it over his manhood. Kresley blushed furiously and laughed at his antics. He just wiggled his eyebrows and then went back to tormenting Boomer.
Cade laughed as he noticed Kresley’s blushing face at his flirtatious actions. He and Boomer continued to talk as he waited for his kiss with Grace. Cade noticed the guys who were in line for Gertie’s kiss. He recognized Braxton Harris, Drake’s brother. He and Braxton and Boomer had hung out several times in the past month. Braxton was a good guy and Cade approved for him to try his hand out wooing Gertie, if she wanted it. He had already warned Braxton to proceed with caution with anything to do with Gertie. He told him he couldn’t tell him why since it was her story to tell, but he did tell him that scars run deep and not to give up on her if he really wanted to get to know her. Braxton took his advice seriously it seemed. Cade also noticed Officer Sloan Smith in line to kiss Gertie. Cade was slightly surprised the quiet man would partake in something like this, but to each his own. Cade nudged Boomer and motioned to Officer Smith. Boomer just shrugged and said that Sloan was a loaner most of the time, but Boomer knew that he had noticed the red-haired sisters before.
Cade juggled his viewing time between the sisters and Kresley. She was manning the money bucket, avoiding any would-be kissers. He would catch her eye every few minutes and smile at her, loving how happy it seemed to make her when his attention was on her. Soon, Boomer’s turn came to the front of Grace’s line and Cade observed Grace looking up at Boomer nervously, as if she were holding her breath. Her big blue eyes were wide and she licked her lips. Boomer seemed to hesitate for a sec until Cade nudged him with his foot at the back of his leg. He propelled Boomer forward a little and then his mouth was on Gracie’s. As kisses went, it was gentle and brief, at least it was to Cade. But he could see how effected his friend was when he pulled back from the blonde bombshell. He watched Boomer push a lock of hair behind Grace’s ear, tweak her nose with his finger and give her a heavy, flirtatious smile. Boomer sauntered away from the booth, with Grace looking at him as if he was a piece of steak and she hadn’t eaten yet. Cade laughed at that and just shook his head.
Next up in the kissing line was Braxton, standing in front of Gertie expectantly. Cade saw how shyly Gertie smiled at Braxton, pushing her hair away from her face nervously. Braxton wasted no time and put his hands on either side of Gertie’s cheeks, thumbs resting beside her lips and pulled her across the booth to him. He kissed her heavily, his lips coming down hard on hers, nudging them open. Cade became a little concerned that Gertie would push Braxton away harshly, but she surprised him and Kresley it seemed when she just stood there, seeming to take Braxton in with surprise and obvious acceptance. When he pulled away from her, Gertie looked like lightning had struck her, like she had never seen Braxton before in her life. He said something to her and Cade could see her stutter for a second, then Braxton walked away with a big smile and left Gertie staring after him in a stupor. Good for him, Cade thought. If he had learned anything in his time spent with Kresley, is that if you wanted an Anderson sister, you just had to go for it. He was glad Braxton was taking his advice or he hoped he was.
Cade turned back to the kissing booth line and noticed that Officer Sloan Smith was looking angry. He was a few men behind Braxton in Gertie’s line, but as the firefighter captain had laid a kiss of epic proportions on Gertie, Sloan had almost violently torn himself out of the line and stalked off. What the hell was up with him? Cade would have to look into what that was all about later on.
The rest of the afternoon went by quickly and soon it was time to break down the kissing booth. Cade and Boomer helped the women box up everything and gather the money. Kresley was pleased to count out $1700 in kiss money. That was a lot of kisses, but at least they weren’t done by his Kres. Boomer seemed to hover around Grace, but when Cade overheard him ask Grace if she could go to dinner with him, he winced when she turned him down, saying that she had to go pick up her son from the babysitter and spend some time with him. He silently encouraged Boomer with a nod to not feel defeated. There would be a next time. He heard Boomer tell her he understood and could he have a rain check for later on. Cade was relieved when he saw Grace give him a smile and say yes. Watching those two dance around each other was damn painful to watch.
He and Kresley walked hand in hand towards the parking lot, making a move towards his truck. She had ridden with one of her sisters there that morning and chosen to ride home with him, wherever he wanted to take her. Cade chose for them to go back to his house to spend time with each other. They grabbed takeout on the way home at Dante’s Italian and then ate in front of the TV, watching a romantic comedy together, until the doorbell rang, intruding on their alone time. Kresley could see that Cade was upset at the intrusion and she hoped it wasn’t one of her sisters. Cade stood up and went to the door, opening it with a less than warm greeting ready to give to the person on the other side.
Cade was shocked by whoever was standing there, Kresley noticed from the couch. She couldn’t see who was there, but when she heard a feminine voice, she stood up and headed over to where her man stood. At the door was a beautiful, raven haired woman, with blue eyes and tanned skin.
The woman looked between Cade and Kresley and stated in a soft, sultry voice, “Well hello there. Cade, do you want to introduce us?” Kresley cocked one eyebrow, then looked expectantly at Cade and waited for him to answer.
Cade could only stare at the door like it was the portal to hell and Satan was on the other side.
Chapter Sixteen
What the hell are you doing here, Shelton?”, Cade asked, in shock. He opened the door wider and ushered the woman inside, sliding over to Kresley and wrapping his arm around her waist. He watched as Detective Stella Shelton walked into his home, uninvited, and not welcome if he had a choice. But if she was here, Cade knew it wasn’t on personal business, which worried him. He had closed any opportunity between he and Stella a long time ago and wanted no part of her now.
Kresley nudged Cade with her elbow, instigating introductions more quickly than what he would probably have done. “I got you Red. Stella, this is Kresley Anderson, my gir
lfriend. Kresley this is Detective Stella Shelton. She and I worked with each other in Nashville for a while and she’s moved to the Atlanta PD in the last several months from what I hear.”
“Hello Kresley, it’s nice to meet you. Come on Cade, you can introduce me better than that. We dated each other for many months back in Nashville, Kresley. Best months I had with a man”, Stella stated smugly, shooting looks at Kresley. Cade’s dark expression and low growl should have been an indication for her to stop talking, but she didn’t. “Cade, I wish I could say I’m here on a casual visit to check in and spend time with you, but unfortunately I’m here in an official capacity. You were my contact point for this visit, to my surprise. I hadn’t realized you were living here exactly.” As she spoke, she looked around Cade’s living room, taking in her surroundings, including Kresley being held tight by Cade.
Kresley was dressed in casual jeans and a v-neck tshirt, her red hair curly and flowing down her back. No makeup except mascara and probably smelling of sweat and the Georgia sunshine, Kresley felt inferior next to Stella. She didn’t feel like having a conversation with one of Cade’s ex-girlfriends. Were they lovers once upon a time? Had Cade loved her? Kresley didn’t like this feeling weighing her down right now, her imagination picturing Cade and this woman together. She slowly drew within herself and she heard Cade and Stella talk, hands in her back pockets and shoulders slouching. She kept her eyes downward and was lost in her own thoughts when she heard her sister’s name. “What was that?”
“I was telling Cade that a cold case involving your sister, Gertrude, was put on my desk this week. There have been several sexual assaults in the same area as hers in the last few months and they match the MO used in her case. Cade had called my captain the other day and asked for a copy of her file, which led to me coming here to see why he wanted to see her case”, Stella stated matter of fact.
Kresley looked worriedly from Cade to Stella, then back to Cade, where her gaze rested. Why had he wanted to see Gertie’s cold case from her assault? And why hadn’t he said anything to her? About Gertie or about Stella. Kresley looked at Cade with very apparent doubts in her eyes.
Cade stood patiently, watching Kresley think through everything, and waited for her to look at him. He knew her like the back of his hand, so he understood that she wanted to know why. And he knew she wouldn’t ask in front of Stella. “Baby, I wanted to see Gert’s cold case from the Atlanta PD because I wanted a clearer picture of the evidence that they had, the info from witnesses, the time frame it happened, all of it. I didn’t say anything to you because one, you were out of town with Gertie and I didn’t want to bring it up over the phone, and two, because I just requested it a few days ago. I would have told you tonight. So, no worries, okay? And as for Stella and I, we dated a few years ago for a few months. I ended things when I knew they weren’t going to work out between us. Remember what we talked about earlier at the Kissing Booth? Stella and I went our separate ways with no drama. Isn’t that right, Stella?” Cade held Red’s hand, kissing her fingers gently. He could feel when the tension left her. But she became rigid again at Stella’s next words.
“I remember things very differently than you do Cade. You left me with no explanation. And stopped all communication. So, I never knew why we ended. But hey, congrats on landing such a beautiful Georgia woman. I’m sure she’s a peach”, Stella stated with enough sarcasm in her voice to compete with Birdie for queen of sarcasm.
Cade opened his mouth to reply, but Kresley beat him to it. “Ms. Shelton is it? While I’m not privy to many of Cade’s past relationships before me, I am knowledgeable of the man who I see on a daily basis now. And I can assure you that Cade is a respectful, affectionate and very considerate man, who keeps me well satisfied in all ways. But any one, man or woman, who wants to come near me and say anything negative about him without evidence or merit is going to get the worst bitch slap of their life. So unless you want me to kick your ass, I would encourage you to speak on what you need to in reference to my sister’s cold case and any other police work you need to know, then get the hell out and hop you’re happy ass back on your broom back to Atlanta.” Kresley paused after this speech and then gave the sweetest, southern smile that her own mother would have been so proud of her for. She batted her green eyes at the woman and then stood there, waiting and watching. If she could take Birdie in mud wrestling, she could handle this chic.
Kresley then turned to look up at Cade. She could feel his arm around her waist and it was tight like a vise. He had his mouth open, then would close it, only to open it again, trying to find words to say. He looked like a damn goldfish. She took matters upon herself to get this visit wrapped up and this woman out of here.
Kresley turned back to Stella and asked, “Tell me what Gertie’s case has in connection to these other cases in Atlanta. Is it connected to my drugging last month, too?” Kresley looked at Cade as she asked that last question.
“You were drugged? That isn’t in any notes I was given about your sister.” Stella eyed Cade silently, telling him without words that she needed everything. Now. “Let’s finish up exchanging info and I’ll be out of your hair soon.” Kresley noticed that Stella kept a good distance between she and Kres. All three of them sat on the living room couches and Cade began to speak.
“Kresley was drugged about a month ago at Club Vue outside Mercy Springs. It was GHB according to the ER. I was lucky to be there when her symptoms started, so whoever drugged her wasn’t able to get her alone to carry out whatever plan they had. And before you ask the surveillance videos didn’t show the bar or bartenders fixing drinks that night. So, there isn’t footage of Kresley’s drinks being fixed or anything being put into them at her table. I thought it was a hell of a coincidence that she and her sister were both drugged with GHB, even though it was in two separate cities and a few years a part. Plus, a murder took place at the back of Kresley’s business with no clear motive and we have no evidence of who it could have been or why. It all just seems to tie together, but I’m not having luck in finding those strings that attach the events to each other.”
“The cases in Atlanta, including Gertrude Anderson, don’t have any physical evidence that we’ve been able to pick up on. No semen, no saliva, no condoms, no fingerprints. It’s like this guy is a ghost. They all were drugged and GHB was found in their systems afterward. This last victim, though, tells us that the perp is escalating in behavior. She was tortured, then murdered. So now we’re dealing with not only a serial rapist, but a murderer as well. We were wondering if Gertie could remember anything from her attack.”
“No, my sister doesn’t remember anything. She has avoided talking about it all together for years and just now started seeing a counselor. The counselor brought up hypnosis as a possibility, but Gertie is scared it will bring back memories that she would rather just forget exist.”
“While hypnosis is a helpful tool, not everyone can be put under and it doesn’t always help with details needed. Also, sometimes anything brought out in a hypnosis session is not admissible in court. So, if Gertie decided to try hypnosis, it is totally her decision and not something we will request.”
Cade spoke up at this point to wrap up the visit, feeling the tension in the air. “How about this? Leave me Gertie’s case file and I’ll send you a copy of what we have on what happened with both Drake Harris and Kresley’s drugging. Let’s talk more over the phone when we both have had a chance to look things over and see if we can find similarities, etc. Does that work?”
“Yes, that works for me. I’ll head on back to Atlanta then and will wait for the copies to get to me on Monday. Send to my email encrypted, okay?”
“Will do. Thanks for bringing the case file Stella. Kresley and her sisters mean the world to me. I’m trying to figure things out so they can be safe.”
“I can see that Cade and I’m sure they appreciate it. But I do believe from Kresley’s own words that they can handle themselves just fine. I’ll be leaving now to
find my broom outside”, Stella stated sarcastically and left out the front door quietly. The door closed behind her and left a very quiet lull between Cade and Kresley.
Cade walked over to the front door and locked it, then went around the living room, shutting the plantation blinds so he and Kresley could have privacy. He turned back to Kresley, ready to see how she wanted to start their conversation, but she surprised him by turning around and walking up his stairs. Cade stood there and watched her walk away, butt swaying with each step she took to the bridge at the top.
“Are you coming up?”, Kresley called down to Cade and he didn’t think twice. He quickly headed up the stairs behind his woman. Life was never boring with an Anderson girl.
Chapter Seventeen
The shadow was back in Atlanta again. It wasn’t a city that he was fond of, but to find the right target, he knew he had to go where the most variety was in abundance. He didn’t care what size, color, or race the woman was. She just needed to be a warm body to take his aggressions out on and find some relief with. Why were women such whores? Why couldn’t they be virginal, pure play things that never got dirty? He tried to find the virgins, but after a few hours of play, they were then too dirty to keep. The last woman couldn’t keep her screams to herself, so he didn’t have a choice but to shut her up for good. Watching her life drain out of her eyes felt so amazing. It almost made him want to masturbate and come all over her. But that would have been a bad decision on his part. No evidence left behind for the cops to find. Maybe he’d find a red head tonight so he could get this fantasy out of his head of those stupid Anderson girls. It was almost too much today, watching them from afar at that stupid redneck fair. And that detective, Cade, with his nose so far up Kresley Anderson’s ass. Not much got by him it seemed. The shadow would have to be careful. At that moment, a pretty brunette walked by his table and he turned to watch her walk towards a group of friends. Well, hello there, Angel. Let’s play a game.