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“How does that happen? A Hollywood actor meets a Hilton Head Sergeant? Did she arrest you or something?”
“We grew up together.” Now my bare feet shuffle. “It’s a long story.”
“We’ve all got those.” She steps back, and I can breathe easier. “Well, see ya at the next meeting and for coffee next week.”
“Yeah.” Karen’s also wearing a black leather jacket. It’s December, but it’s not that cool today. It just reminds me of Cade. “See ya.”
The afternoon goes by too quickly, and the doorbell rings promptly at four o’clock. I draw a deep breath while Scarlett answers the door and checks credentials.
“Hey stranger,” Scarlett greets Cade.
They know each other?
Cade stands in my foyer in black slacks and a white button, and she’s here to work while her beauty still pummels my heart.
“Hey there,” Scarlett greets another woman. She’s dressed in a deputy’s uniform, along with another who enters behind her.
Cade makes the introductions. I shake hands, and the other woman, Scarlett seems to know too. I recognize her now. I’ve seen her at my sister’s pool with Cade. Penny’s her name, and she’s staring me down like I killed her family.
My mama takes Nicolas to his room and leaves us in the living room. I’m an asshole because I don’t have enough furniture yet for everyone to sit on. So I stand with the others while Cade sits down with Renie on my one sofa.
“I need to ask you some questions about Derek Baucom.” Cade touches Renie’s hand. “Would you like some privacy for that?”
“No,”—Renie lifts her chin—“I didn’t do anything wrong, so there’s nothing to hide.”
The smile that takes Cade’s face, fuck, it’s beautiful.
She’s proud of Renie.
I am, too.
While Cade asks questions about the last time Renie saw Derek, she jots notes on a little pad. When the questions get more personal, the care in Cade’s questions, I’ve never seen her like this. I’ve imagined what she must be like on the job. Smart, strong, a badass; like a fish born in police waters. Hell, she was. Mama G was pregnant with Cade when she was sworn in.
But this is a Cade I’ve never seen. How she’s so respectful to Renie. She doesn’t push but gets the information she needs to help her. This must be what she’s like with all the victims…
All the victims.
Ten women, Cade told me… and they all looked like her at eighteen.
The evil of it. The guilt of it. I never appreciated how much it must haunt Cade. How she gets this desperate look in her eyes to catch the three men who did it.
Well, two men now.
That’s what Lorraine said; it sounded like Cade was desperate, not wrong.
And I’ve been a morally righteous ass because I know the feeling now. I’m desperate to keep my sister and nephew safe from that man.
It sickens my soul that Derek Baucom went after my sister. I still hear his laughter. I still see his mudflap girl tattoo. I still see the infinity necklace I gave Cade swinging from his neck while Derek held me down and TJ ripped into my flesh.
It hurt so much, it burned…
“Who’s a pretty boy, now?” Derek hissed in my ear before he punched it.
“We’re gonna make you real pretty for her.” My ear was ringing, but I heard his snarl. Flames, a pain I’ve never known, burned to my core while he laughed in my ear. “Even your blood is pretty, boy.”
“Excuse me.”
I can’t breathe. Knots choke my throat, and I need air. Standing outside by my pool, I stare at the calm horizon, but my mind isn’t. It feels frazzled like wires want to unravel, but I need them to stay connected. To stay in control.
