Even worse. Why hadn’t Cade told her? She’d never given anyone head before and this public display was sure to have ruined her career prospects. Had she been drunk? Had he taken advantage of her? Or was she already in love even before her accident?
“The blowback from that incident is over, although people in our town might still be talking about it. What’s done is done. I told you not to look.” Andie’s mother gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You had your Hollyweird adventure, now it’s time to go home.”
Andie spied the ruby red slippers necklace on her night table. “I miss Dad. I really do.”
# # #
Cade’s head ached after spending the night in a noisy and smelly jail cell. Even worse, the other inmates hadn’t let him sleep, and each new one who came in ribbed him about losing the Super Bowl as soon as the others made it known that he was the LA Flash quarterback who’d screwed up.
However, nothing about his situation was bad compared to the pain and anguish he must have put Andie through. Telling her they were through, asking her to leave and go home was a desperate move to save her from his problems. She was too pure for him. Too caring and lovable, everything wonderful, with a loving family to go back to. He couldn’t drag her down his drain of dysfunction and ruin her life.
The hurt on Andie’s face when he’d told her to go away sliced through his heart. He’d had to turn away and not look back, knowing she was watching as the squad car drove away. This was the end. No more dreams and fantasies of having a normal life with Andie. Guys like him didn’t get to destroy other people’s lives, especially a woman as trusting and loving as Andie.
Hopefully, she and her mother had gotten in touch with Roxanne to take care of Bret and were on their way to the airport. This mess wasn’t theirs to clean up.
The lock clicked and the door to the cell opened. A prison guard said, “Prescott, you have a visitor.”
Great. About time.
He’d used his single phone call to ask his agent, Rob Cash, to hire him a lawyer. This entire scene smelt like trumped up charges, and any decent lawyer should be able to get him out easily. He’d also asked Rob to hire a security guard to watch the rehab and protect his mother, because while Cade was stuck in jail, the real killer would have more opportunity to attack.
The guard led Cade through a series of locked doors and unlocked the door to the visitation room. Ronaldo Silver sat there, smirking and looking supremely confident. What was he doing here and who had called him?
“You have fifteen minutes,” the guard said, leaving Cade shackled. “I’m right outside, so don’t try anything funny.”
Cade adjusted his chains and sat, picking up the phone receiver. “Wow, news travels fast. What are you doing here?”
“Getting you a lawyer.” Ronaldo lifted an eyebrow and leaned forward. “I don’t trust the one Rob Cash hired.”
What made Ronaldo think Cade could trust him? Wasn’t he in cahoots with Dick on the baby passing deal?
“In that case, I’m taking the public defender,” Cade replied. “I know I’m innocent.”
“No way. That’s suicide,” Ronaldo said. “Whoever’s framing you is clever and determined.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“Because I’m your friend.”
“Didn’t look that way with you siccing Declan on Andie.” Cade all but growled.
Ronaldo thumbed his lip and shook his head. “Declan has history with her. As soon as he found out Andie was involved with the show, he wanted in. Besides, I was watching out for you. If she really was still hung up on Declan, then it’s better to find out now.”
“True, but what about the King David show?” Cade could see the logic of Declan, but not the entire farce of a show.
“What about it? It got Andie out to LA, and I got to have some fun with the creative types. Besides, I’m still trying to line up funding. After my aunt beat me up, she asked for a copy of the script. We might make a go of it anyway.”
Ronaldo was nothing, if not optimistic, always with a big scheme going on—delusions of grandeur.
Cade waved his hand. “Whatever. I just don’t want Andie to get hurt.”
“You need to get out of jail first.” Ronaldo crossed his arms. “Talk to the attorney. He’s really good. Owen Williams. He looks like one of those bumbling nerds, kind of pudgy and confused, but all the while, he’s getting information and solving your case.”
“Sure.” Cade shrugged and hunched his shoulders. What did he have to lose? It wasn’t as if Rob had gotten back to him with the lawyer yet. “Do you really think Andie has talent?”
“Do you?” Ronaldo tapped the tabletop. “That’s all that’s important, isn’t it?”
“She’s the most incredible woman in the world. Talented, warm, caring, and more than I deserve.”
“That’s good, but what does that have to do with getting you out of jail?”
Cade rubbed both sides of his face and sighed. “Nothing. I sent her away. Told her to go home.”
“Why? The entire King David show was designed for her. If my aunt decides to fund me, I’ll still need her.” Ronaldo also had a one-track mind. Didn’t he realize how much Andie had lost by coming out to California? She’d lost touch with her father who was paralyzed by a stroke, had her reputation ruined by that indecent photo, and now, she’d lost her memory because of a car accident. He should never have enticed Andie to Hollywood with the King David deal.
“I love her,” Cade muttered, finding it hard to breathe past the lump in his throat. “I can’t let her ruin her life for me.”
“Oh, that’s all well and noble. I should knight you right now, Sir Cade O’Chump.” Ronaldo huffed. “I’m betting she’s not leaving.”
“She has to. I broke up with her.” Cade’s stomach ground like pebbles caught in a food processor.
“You what? Oh, that’s rich. Just too rich. You find true love and you tell her to go away.”
“For her own good. Besides, her mother showed her a paternity report saying I’m Bret’s father.”
“Are you?” Ronaldo raised his eyebrows.
“Impossible. I only slept with Roxanne on New Year’s Eve, and Bret was conceived last November.”
“Maybe you forgot. I mean, you always had more than one woman. Maybe Roxanne was mixed in a threesome and you didn’t notice.”
“I always used protection.”
“Sure, sure, that’s what they all say.” Ronaldo chuckled. “The thing is, you don’t realize when you slip up, because if you did, you would have remembered to bag your boner.”
“Look, I didn’t slip up.” At least not with Roxanne. She was his agent’s sister and off-limits. At least until New Year’s Eve when a combination of champagne goggles and Roxanne’s full court press convinced him to give it a whirl.
Ronaldo tapped on the plastic. “Bud, or should I call you BD for Baby Daddy, I see you’re worried.”
“No. Not at all.” He hadn’t slept with any party girls since he’d met Andie, so he was in the clear. “No need to worry. I stopped partying after the Super Bowl disaster. So, who’s this lawyer?”
“Owen Williams, criminal defense. He’s a good ol’ boy. Prosecutors never see him coming. He looks like a bumbling fool, but he’s sharper than a prick on the tip of the Space Needle.”
“Enough.” Cade fisted his eyes. “Just get me out of here.”
“Sure thing, BD.” Ronaldo glanced at his watch. “Got a meeting. Later, dude.”
“Later.” Ass. But then, Ass was his only friend. “Appreciate it, man.”
Cade bit his tongue and hung up the handset. What a mess he’d made of his life. As one of his foster mothers used to say, Trouble always comes home to roost.
Chapter 3
“When’s Roxanne coming for her baby?” Andie’s mother asked for the hundredth time the next morning. “If she doesn’t show up by tomorrow, I might have to call Child Protective Services.”
“No, you can’t.” Andi
e reached for the baby as they settled in the kitchen. “It’ll kill Cade for his son to go into foster care.”
As much as she wanted to go home and see her dad, she couldn’t stand the thought of not leaving Bret in good hands.
Andie’s mother handed Bret to her. “You’re admitting Bret is Cade’s son?”
“Not admitting anything without another DNA test,” Andie said, patting her dog, Gollie. “Cade already has fatherly feelings for Bret and since he used to be a foster child, he would never want to see Bret go into the system.”
The dogs, Red and Gollie, milled around them in the kitchen, waiting to be fed. Last night, when Cade had been arrested, they’d barked themselves hoarse. Gollie was her golden retriever and collie mix, whereas Red was Cade’s champion Irish setter. They’d been fast friends ever since they met, and Andie hated the thought of splitting them up.
“I see.” Andie’s mother poured dried dog food in the dog dishes and filled the water bowl. “Another day has gone by, and we’re still here. We also need someone to take care of Cade’s dog.”
“How about the dog walker? Are we shipping Gollie home?” Andie sorted through the mail as she waited for the formula to warm. “We should do another DNA test. I’m going to fill out the forms.”
Why was her brain so scattered? She should stick to clearing Cade from the charges, not worrying about dogs, babies, and DNA.
“Shouldn’t Cade have a lawyer contact us about his dog and baby?” Her mother patted the dogs. “I’d like to buy the airline tickets soon.”
Andie hugged Bret and cuddled him. “I can’t see myself leaving Bret to foster parents. It’s not his fault he has flaky Roxanne for a mom.”
The microwave dinged, signaling Bret’s formula was done. Her mother tested it and handed it to her, sighing. “He’s such a sweet little thing, but we can’t stay indefinitely.”
“Maybe I’ll stay.” Andie offered the bottle to Bret who latched on, his eyes gazing at her adorably. “Even though Cade told me to leave, he’s still a friend in need. I can’t leave him without speaking to him at least.”
Besides, no matter what notoriety Cade brought her, including the indecent images, he himself had treated her well. If he’d lied about Bret, he must have had a good reason.
“He’s lucky to have you.” Her mother opened the refrigerator. “But I’m worried about you. What exactly do you want to do with your life?”
Andie gazed deep into Bret’s baby blue eyes and sniffed his powdery baby scent. A flood of contentment and love comforted her. “I don’t know, but right now, Cade needs me. So do Bret and the dogs.”
“If you’re staying, you should find a job.” Her mother set a frying pan on the stove. “Don’t be like me. I lost all interest in a career when I met your father. Followed him all over the world and forgot my dreams.”
“Do you regret it?” Andie set the bottle down and turned Bret over her shoulder to burp him.
“No, not at all.” She opened the refrigerator. “Taking care of you and seeing the world, listening to you and your father discuss his archaeological finds and being a part of it. It’s been an adventure.”
“What did you want to do that you gave up?” Strange how she knew and yet didn’t know her mother.
Mom cracked an egg, a secret smile lighting her face. “Write mysteries. I guess now that you’re all grown up, there’s nothing stopping me.”
Andie rose from her chair and gave her mother a hug, folding her into her arms with Bret in between them. “I love you, Mom. Once I remember what my dreams are, I’ll follow them.”
# # #
Cade sat across from his new lawyer, Owen Williams. The guy was a good ol’ country boy from Louisiana who was self-deprecating while cracking jokes—clearly someone police and opposing counsel underestimated.
Unfortunately, Cade was in no mood for down-home bonhomie.
“Can we cut to the chase and get me out of here?” Cade said.
Owen took out a white handkerchief and wiped his sweaty forehead. His face was already beet red, and he wasn’t even in court.
“Not a problem. The evidence is circumstantial. Witnesses reported a big man, football-player-sized, wearing dark glasses, shipping a package at the post office. Do you have any idea who might have used your credit card?”
“Maybe my brother, Donnie. Although I haven’t missed any cards.” Cade clenched his fists. “I haven’t seen him lately, and he usually asks to borrow money.”
“Anyone else have access to your cards? Or your account number? These days they can create a card with the number encoded on a magnetic stripe and not actually have your card.” Owen twiddled his fingers.
“No idea.” Cade shrugged. He had all his accounts on auto-pay and rarely monitored them, relying on the card companies to notify him in case of fraudulent use. “It could be any random hacker. That happens a lot.”
“Not when it’s tied to a heroin package mailed to your house.” Owen pursed his lips and blew out a breath. He tapped his head with a finger, indicating he was thinking hard.
“Like, duh,” Cade huffed. “If I wanted to give my mother heroine packets, why would I go to the post office wearing dark glasses and mailing them with my own credit card? Do the police think I’m stupid?”
“Not unless they thought you were purposely trying to draw attention away from yourself,” Owen said. “Framing yourself to prove you didn’t do it.”
“That’s way too convoluted.” A gnawing feeling shuffled inside Cade’s stomach. Sounded like a bad mystery novel, but it apparently got Owen thinking, because he twirled his mustache and hummed, then kicked back and studied the ceiling before burping and wiping his forehead. Cade was surprised he hadn’t scratched his balls.
After a few more seconds of down-home man grooming, Owen said, “I think someone wants you out of the way so they can go after your mother. You’re cramping someone’s style. The police say an anonymous tip led them to you.”
Obviously, someone was framing him. Why were the idiotic police detaining him and not out there finding the real criminal?
“The charges are bogus.” Cade slammed his palm on the table. “As my lawyer, you should get me out of here.”
“I’ve some investigations to do, and I will present my findings to the judge and district attorney. Anything else you need?”
“Yes, can you find out who’s taking care of my baby, er, I mean, Bret? My girlfriend and her mother were caring for him, but they need to go home to New York. The last thing I want is for Bret to go into foster care. His birth mother, Roxanne Cash, is not that trustworthy. I’ve been worried.”
“Sure thing. I’ll stop by right away.” Owen nodded. “In fact, I’d like to speak to her. What’s her name again? Andie Reed?”
“Andie Wales.” Cade gritted his teeth. “As far as I know, she never took her husband’s surname.”
It hurt him even to refer to Declan as Andie’s husband.
“Very sad case,” Owen said. “Ronaldo said she lost her memory and thinks she’s still married to him.”
“She was trying for a divorce, but yeah, she has no memory of anything that happened for the last two years.” Cade shifted in his seat. “I broke up with her, now that I’m in so much trouble. I don’t want her spending money to bail me out.”
“Whoa, wait.” Owen snorted. “You’re getting out of here soon, no bail needed. Whoever called in the tip was lying. Do you have an alibi for the time when the witness claimed you mailed the dope?”
“I don’t. It was during a break in practice. The post office was close to the stadium. Any football player could have done it. Don’t they have security cameras?”
“Not this one.” Owen rubbed his nose. “The thing is, you have no motive. Someone’s framing you. I’ll go through the list of your teammates, starting with the other quarterback and his buddies.”
“Great. I have to get out of here. My mom’s in more danger with me in here, and there’s Bret and my dog who need carin
g for.”
“Your mom’s safe at the rehab facility with the extra security,” Owen said. “I’m going to talk to Andie and her mother. Maybe they have some ideas. After all, they discovered the drugs in the diaper bag. What if they’re the ones who are framing you?”
“No way.” Cade’s heart launched to his throat. “Go easy on Andie. She’s had a traumatic brain injury.”
“Sorry, can’t go easy on anyone.” Owen blinked, shaking his head. “Everyone’s a suspect until I clear you.”
“Except Andie. What motive would she have to frame me?”
“You never know.” Owen scratched his chin. “Maybe she wants Bret all to herself. Some women have a hyperactive maternal instinct. Ever heard of the ones who attack a pregnant woman, cut the baby out and keep it for themselves?”
“Forget it.” Cade’s voice lowered to a growl. “Leave Andie out of this. She’s going home anyway.”
“Not if I subpoena her, she isn’t.” Owen’s voice also grew raspy. “She had means and opportunity. All I need is a motive and believe me, I’m a going to ferret it out quicker than a coonhound treeing Daniel Boone.”
“Forget it. You touch Andie and you’re fired.” Cade narrowed his eyes and huffed steam from his nose.
“Don’t be stupid.” Owen didn’t blink. “I’m betting she’s a lot stronger than you give her credit for. Besides, according to my timeline, she was in the hospital when the drugs were mailed. I just wanted to see your reaction to suggestions of her guilt.”
“Leave her out of it. She has enough on her plate.” Cade’s heart cringed at the thought of Andie being disturbed.
“Oh, I’m sure she does. No worries. I’ll be gentle with her, but I’ll speak to her just the same.”
Chapter 4
“Hey, Andie,” her mother said from the door. “There’s a lawyer here to see you. Owen Williams.”
Andie had just returned from walking Gollie and Red. The two dogs barked and lunged for the door despite still being leashed.
“Hush, you two.” Andie strained to hold them back. “Let me send them out back. Is this about Cade?”
Boxed Set: Intercepted by Love (The Complete Collection): Books One - Book Six Page 49
