At that moment, Grace came barreling out of the back door and came face to chest with Cade, who was standing among the other police officers and EMTs who had gathered to see where the shrill screeching was coming from. Thank goodness they had loaded the deceased into a body bag and was in the process of getting the victim onto a gurney to take him over to the ME’s vehicle. But the blood stain on the pavement was still there, along with the yellow police tape. Kresley braced herself for Grace’s spastic comments and was shocked when all she heard was silence. Cade moved to the side at Kres’ hard nudge on his back and she finally saw Grace’s face. It was currently in a state of a bright blush, wide frightened eyes and a frantic pulse in her neck. Grace was looking up at Cade, speechless. Then her gaze bounced over to where Officer Boomer Collins was working and the blush only got brighter. Grace has had a crush on Boomer for nearly two years now and Kresley wished one of them would make a move already. Kres knew that Boomer noticed and crushed on Grace as well because he would sneak glances at her whenever they were in the same room together and he would also make excuses to come by on “patrol” at the office, just to drop in and visit with her for a few minutes each day.
“Grace, here I am. I’m okay sweetie. Stop screeching please. I’ve got a hell of a headache already and you aren’t helping”, Kresley stated as Grace finally looked over at her. Let the mothering begin.
“Oh, Kres, bless it. What in the world happened honey? Who did this to you? It was one of those stupid kids who hang back here. I knew it! I knew they would be trouble”, Grace stated, her voice getting louder and louder. She then noticed Cade standing by Kresley’s gurney with his hand on top of hers, fingers entwined. She and Kresley began silent communication with each other using only lifted eyebrows and squinting of the eyes. Kres basically told her to keep her mouth shut and she would tell her later.
“Grace, this is Detective Cade Grantham. Cade, this is my best friend, Grace Puckett. She can ride with me in the ambulance to the hospital and can pick up her car later. She will get in touch with my sisters and make sure I’m taken care of at the ER. Don’t worry about coming to check on me out of obligation”, Kresley said as the EMTs prepared to lift her into the ambulance. She was totally trying to dismiss the man.
Dismiss him? Cade couldn’t believe she was trying to get rid of him. Okay, Red, let’s play. “Wait guys, give us a minute please”, Cade asked as he eyed Kresley. He then looked at Grace and silently asked for the same. Grace raised her eyebrows sky high at that silent request and was about to snark back something to him when she caught a look from Kresley, asking her to back off. Grace gave in and easily moved away from them, walking over to where Boomer was standing.
Cade refocused on Red again and stated, “Kresley, baby, I’m going to be coming to the ER whether you think I need to or not. I want to see for myself that you’re okay and everything checks out fine with your head. I get that you’re confused and what’s happened tonight is strange and made you feel out of sorts, but let’s make something clear. I’m interested in you. Period. And not just for sex and not just because my aunt wants me to be interested. Something clicked when we shook hands this morning and I think you felt it, too. The electricity between us couldn’t be ignored and I still feel it now hours later. You do, too, sweetheart.”
It wasn’t a question that he asked her, it was a statement. But it was something she couldn’t deny. “You’re very sure of yourself, which I often admire in an asshole”, Kresley stated cheekily, but as she saw the look of irritation cross his face and his mouth begin to open to retort, Kresley decided to be honest. “You’re right, Cade, I did feel something and just now thinking about how you’ve tried to keep me calm and focused on anything but the fact that someone I know is dead at the back door to my business has me feeling not just grateful, but out of sorts as well.” She could see he was liking her honesty, but that’s all she was going to reveal right now. Kres gave him a real, genuine smile and said that she’d see him at the hospital and for him to get back to work. Cade gave her a small salute and quietly leaned down, planting a quick, but very firm kiss on her mouth before letting the EMTs load her into the ambulance. She watched him through the windows of the doors as they drove away with her and Gracie. Kres gave him a sweet, brief wave goodbye and then closed her eyes.
Cade watched the ambulance until it pulled completely out of the alley and out of his sight. Then he went back to his job, discussing with both police officers every detail about the deceased and any evidence gathered. He quickly learned the dead male was Drake Harris, a long-standing citizen of Mercy Springs. He was CEO of his family’s marketing business and owner of the ’69 Mustang parked close to the back door of the warehouse. The only injury that was found so far was a severe hit to the back of the head with some type of object. It wasn’t
