∞∞∞
From the shadows of a store’s back door and stoop down the alley, a dark shape stood silently without moving. They didn’t want to draw attention to themselves, but wanted to make sure to get all the info they could regarding the crime scene. They didn’t leave behind any evidence, they made sure of that. They always made sure of that. It had felt good to feel the way Drake’s head cracked and caved as the metal pipe made contact. The grunt of noise he made as he fell to the pavement, spilling that stupid milkshake still echoed in their head. The smell of blood, almost a copper smell had made them queasy, but it soon passed. They did the right thing. Drake deserved everything he got. Didn’t he? And that red-haired slut. She was part of the problem as well, right? Well, can’t question it now anyway. What’s done is done. Drake Harris had learned his lesson the hard way. And Kresley Anderson would be next. Hopefully no one else would have to learn.
Chapter Four
Kresley looked around the small cubicle she was put into at the ER. Only a curtain separated her from the views of the nurses and doctors at their central desk location. She was alone for right now and honestly needed it. Grace had stayed quiet in the ambulance and so far here at the ER. No questions had been asked from Grace yet and it was sort of freaking Kres out because Grace was never that quiet. Never. Not even during the prayer at church services.
Kresley had so much churning in her brain. Drake Harris was dead. At the back door of her business. Why? And why was he there at all? He and Claudia are scheduled to get married in a few weeks. Well, was scheduled. Poor Claudia. This will devastate her. Kres had met with she and Drake just this morning about last minute changes. She hadn’t noticed anything strange going on during their appointment. Not unless you counted Claudia’s father, who hovered just a little too much over his only daughter. Besides thinking of the horror of finding a dead body near her, Kres soon began thinking of the very much alive and smokin’ body of the man who confused the hell out of her. Cade wasn’t what she was used to in a man. Well, in a man that showed interest in her. He said that he would see her at the hospital, but Kres doubted it. Why would he bother? She was just Kresley. Nothing special. Red hair, freckles, green eyes, lover of 80s music, hated pickles and loved wearing the color pink. Oh, and a workaholic.
She was interrupted in her thoughts when her phone dinged the laugh of the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz, which meant a text from one of her sisters or Grace had arrived. Oh, wonderful. It was a group chat. This should be good.
Birdie: Kres, what the hell’s going on? Do u have ur phone with u?
Kresley: yes. Don’t know what’s going on right now. Waiting. Grace is somewhere here. No doc yet.
Francie: I’m OMW now. Be there in 5. If doc is cute, hold him 4 me.
Kresley: I’ve had hit in the head. Don’t care about your flirt-on.
Grace: I'm stuck in the hall. Talking to pastor Fred. He's showing me pics of new grandbaby. Baby is not cute. Sad. Has mono brow.
Gertie: Sorry Kres. ILY but no hospitals. Can’t handle it. I sick as sister
Gertie: duck.
Gertie: *angry emoji*
Gertie: I SUCK. Suck as a sister. Damn auto correct
Kresley: you do NOT suck. Well as a sis anyway. As a texter yes. Turn off auto correct. I get it. No worries Gert.
Grace: Kres kissed a boy
Birdie: WTH????
Francie: define boy please. Cougar Kres in the house?
Gertie: under age Kres? Really? You know better.
Kresley: No cougar. He isn’t a boy, he's all man. And HE kissed ME. Twice. Okay, so I didn’t stop the kisses. But I didn’t start it. WTG Grace. Stir that pot. Need a bigger spoon?
Grace: *GIF of witch stirring cauldron and laughing*
Francie: be there in 1 min then can get scoop. Don’t text any more info. It’ll piss off Birdie and Gertie since they aren’t there to hear it. Grace, meet me at Kres’ bed. Out.
Kresley: Doc here. Older dude. Ear and nose hair. Good luck Francie with that. I’m jelly. Later girls. Out.
Kresley silenced her phone and concentrated on the ER doctor standing by her bed. Dr. Davis asked her some questions and took a look at her head and face. He stated he would send her for a head CT to rule out a concussion, but didn’t think she would have one. Better to be safe than sorry he said with a fatherly pat on her hand. Kresley smiled and thanked him, just as Grace and Francie ripped the privacy curtain back with a flourish. Francie did everything with a flourish. And a wicked sense of humor as well. So, it was no surprise to Kresley when Francie started talking as if their text conversation were still going on.
“So, you kissed some boy. Okay, spill the tea”, Francie stated loudly as she walked by the doc, pausing to smile sweetly at him. Dr. Davis paused when he heard the words kiss and boy, but when he looked at Kres, confused, she shook her head quickly in a no answer and gave a weak smile. He nodded his head back and left the area, moving on to his next patient.
“No tea to spill. Lots of crap to clean up first. Then tea after.”
“I don’t know what any of that means Kres. I get a call from Grace, who is partly talking gibberish and partly saying something about a dead body at the warehouse
