Boomer stated to him to go home and get some needed sleep. “At least you have quiet neighbors beside you so you can sleep without being disturbed," he stated with a wicked grin, like he knew differently.
Braxton snorted at that, stating “I live beside Gertie Anderson. It’s anything but quiet over there when all of her sisters come over, plus Grace. It’s like a huge hen party and anyone else that gets sucked in becomes just as loud and annoying. Boomer, remember that time the PD was called by my other neighbor, Mrs. Smith, about Gertie’s house? They were mud wrestling in the back yard in a mud puddle they had made themselves? Poor Gertie just sat there on the sidelines, watching her sisters mud wrestle with each other, trying to not get dirty and playing referee. Cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Seems that Gertie watches life more than she participates. She’s been that way for a few years now. It’s kind of sad.” Cade and Boomer exchanged looks at that insight into Gertie Anderson and Braxton.
Cade sat there silently, soaking in this new info about his Red. Good Lord, now he couldn’t get the image out of his head of Kresley wearing a bikini and mud wrestling with one of her sisters or Grace. Sweat formed on his forehead and he was drawn back into the conversation from Boomer, who was calling his name with a knowing grin.
“What are you thinking about so hard, Cade? Could it be a certain red head that starts with the letter K, in a bikini with mud on her ass?”, Boomer laughed and held up his hands as Cade cut a glare his way.
“Wait, you and Kresley Anderson? Are y’all dating? I thought you had just gotten here a few days ago?”, Braxton asked.
“Yeah, well, I met her yesterday morning when my Aunt Mae introduced us and watched her land ass first in a puddle on the street and ticked her off when I laughed. Then she tripped me into the same puddle and disappeared. I came on to the scene last night at her business, but had no clue it was her. I took a look at her laying in the alley and her green eyes locked on to mine. I was a goner after that. She knows I’m interested. I’ve already interviewed her this morning about the events yesterday, but she is as lost as everyone else about Drake’s reasons”, Cade stated evenly.
“Good luck man. I’m happy for you if you know what you want and can go after it. If you want to know the truth, I’ve been eyeing her sister Gertie for awhile now. But Gertie shuts that shit down every time we talk. I’m not sure what’s going on with her, but there’s something there behind her eyes that I know that I need to understand, but she can’t talk about it for some reason. I’ll solve that mystery one day, but not now. Gertie is one of a kind and a great neighbor. She’s easy on the eyes as well. Hell, all of those girls are, even their mother when she was alive. There’s just something about green eyed red heads.”
Boomer sat between the two men, listening intensely. “Unless their blondes with big curls and big blue eyes. All of the Anderson girls, Grace included by proxy, just have that something extra. I’m not sure where they get it from, but it’s a mix of southern and Irish that just hits you right in the heart.”
Cade saw that Braxton was surprised by Boomer’s words. “Braxton, Boomer here is infatuated with Grace. It seems all three of us are being influenced by the crook of a finger from the Anderson girl tribe. And it feels really good.” Cade laughed after that last statement and gained two big smiles from Boomer and Braxton. All three made a non-verbal agreement to have each other’s backs in their pursuit of love.
“Okay, I’ve got to go home and get some sleep before I honestly turn into a zombie. Thanks again for working hard on this case. My brother may have not been the best man in the world, but he was my bro. Always there for me and my parents. I haven’t spoken to Claudia yet. They had to sedate her last night after she heard the news. She and my parents are supposed to go to the funeral home later today to start making funeral plans. My chief has given me some time off, so if you need me, here’s my cell number. You can text or call. I always have it on me.” Braxton gave his number to Cade, gave Boomer a fist bump, then left out of the office with heavy shoulders carrying a heavy burden.
“I like him. He seems solid”, Cade stated. He waited for a reaction from Boomer and just got another of his nods. “I just wish we had met under better circumstances. I’m trying to find good friends here and I think Braxton could be one, along with you. Will you be my friend, Boomer?”, Cade asked in a jokingly, sweet way that reminded Boomer of how a woman would ask something to manipulate.
Boomer snorted at Cade and then stated, “I guess I don’t have a choice, douche bag. Without me you’re going to totally screw up any chance you have of landing Kresley Anderson as yours before summer gets here.”
Cade laughed and stated he was looking forward to teaming up with the big buy.
Just then Officer Sloan Smith walked by Cade’s door and stopped at the threshold. “Hey guys, how are things?”
Both men stated fine. Cade asked, “Sloan, what’s your take on Drake Harris. Any insights?”
Officer Smith paused for a moment, then stated, “the only thing I’ve heard in my years being here is that the guy is basically a loser. It seems
