Page 11 of Bold Encounter
"If you say so."Cadie's tone made it clear she didn't believe a word of it.
*****
Genevieve slept fitfully, haunted by Jason's recent behavior.But when she woke up, she remembered Abe's strong hands and his gentle voice.The good thoughts calmed her.
The smell of coffee drew her to the kitchen, where Cadie was having coffee.Genevieve grabbed a mug and poured some for herself then sat at the table.She feared that she looked as wiped out as she felt.
Cadie knew her well."What's really going on with that guy Jason?"
Genevieve sipped her coffee."I'm not sure, but he is bugging me."She paused, remembering earlier encounters."He has a controlling personality.When I was in his band, I saw him face off with musicians who questioned his decisions."
"Hmm, that isn't good."
"Nope," Genevieve said."And it was often a simple matter of a band member suggesting a different song selection or arrangement.Jason would explode and belittle the person in front of everyone."
"That's extreme."
"It was too much for me," Genevieve said."I left the band, which angered him.But that was too bad.I was making smart moves for my career, and working for him wasn't one of them."
"I'm sure he didn't see it that way."
"No, he didn't," Genevieve said."Quite the opposite.He pressured me to go out with him, even though I was already dating someone else."
"It seems like he thinks a lot of himself," Cadie said."Since I started working with you, I haven't heard of Jason or his band."
"Consider yourself fortunate."
After they finished their coffee, Cadie drove her home.Genevieve thought about squeezing in a nap, since the lack of sleep was getting to her.She used her key, and they entered the building and took the elevator up to her condo.
As they approached her front door, Genevieve stopped, and Cadie bumped into her.A white envelope was taped to the door with her name scrawled across it in bold black letters.
"What is it?"Cadie asked, peering over her shoulder.
Genevieve pushed on her front door, noticing that it was already open.Someone had been in her condo.Fearing the worst, Genevieve grabbed the envelope and opened it.
She read the note:Your future is mine.Tell your cop friend to stay out of it.
Cadie said, "You need to get Abe here, right now."
Genevieve texted, and Abe replied that he was on his way.She pushed the door open with her foot but didn't see anyone inside.Cadie followed her into the living room, but it was quiet.
Genevieve paced with her phone clutched in her hand.She didn't know how Jason knew where she lived, which made her wonder what else he knew."No doubt Abe showing up after my performance last night didn't sit well with Jason."
"It's like the stuff you were telling me," Cadie said."It doesn't appear that he's changed.Maybe you should stay with me for a few more days."
Genevieve shook her head."I can't let him chase me out of my own home."She wouldn't let Jason Thornton intimidate her."I don't know why he's bugging me now.But he's going to have to back off."
A sharp knock at the door made both women jump.Cadie peered through the peephole in the door before opening it.
Abe filled the doorway, his broad shoulders blocking the hallway light.He wore jeans and a dark blue button-down instead of his uniform, and Genevieve felt a flash of heat despite the circumstances.
"Where's the note?"he asked without preamble, stepping inside.
She handed it to him."It was taped to my door when we got here."
Abe examined the paper, his expression darkening."I'll take this to the station and see if we can get prints from the note or the envelope."His gaze swept the apartment."Have you checked to make sure nothing's been disturbed?"
"Not yet," Genevieve said."We called you right away.I'm glad Cadie was with me."She proceeded to introduce her to Abe.
