Chapter 1
-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-
This isn’t the first time and won’t be the last.
Cherry thought as she steered her white Tesla down Philadelphia’s dark, rain-soaked streets. The rims on her tires gleamed with sophistication as they navigated the slick, wet roads. January’s latest thunderstorm had drenched the city in its usual fashion, leaving Cherry grateful for the bright lights that illuminated the tall buildings. Their glow spilled across the city like grapes on a vine, weaving through the darkness.
Gazing ahead, Cherry saw the hazy blur of the red light through the rhythmic swishing of her windshield wipers. She gently pressed her black boot against the pedal, and the vehicle slowed to a halt just before the white crosswalk line.
Stalled at the stoplight, Cherry listened to the rain as it pounded on her roof like pebbles shooting from the sky. Pedestrians crossed the wet-drenched streets. Some huddled underneath their jackets as they scurried across. Water droplets flew from the heels of their shoes as they splashed into unforgiving puddles.
Turning her head, Cherry glanced out her driver’s side window, noticing a few others walking through the park’s dark walkways. The hoods of their parkas tightly over their heads, braving the storm.
“How silly to walk in this thunderous rain,” Cherry muttered to herself while gripping the steering wheel tightly. Rainy weather always made her a bit nervous. The rumbling of the thunder and the constant beads of rain that beat down on her windshield only made her anxiety worse.
The thought reappeared, shooting into her mind like a ricocheted bullet.
The Gleason Murders.
Julia couldn’t take the case, so it was handed to Cherry. Julia was Cherry’s favorite co-worker, another female FBI agent. But Julia became a newlywed last year and has since morphed into an expectant mother, preventing her from taking on any more cases. Just a few months ago, Julia submitted her request for a two-year leave of absence. It was approved, and Cherry knew The Gleason Murders case would land on her desk.
This wasn’t the first case that was thrown into Cherry’s lap. She had plenty of other cases that had funneled down the pipeline due to others leaving the job due to stress, illnesses, car accidents, leave of absence- those sorts of things. Cherry was the go-to person, and she knew it. All because she was too good at her job. Chief Brownlow knew Cherry had what it took to bring down the grittiest and the grimiest of them all.
Cherry’s phone beeped, calling for her attention. Her eyes veered down to her brightly lit screen on her dashboard, where the incoming message was transcribed:
Chief Browlow:Hey, Johnston! Contact me ASAP. I’ve got an important new case that will take precedence over everything! It’s an assignment handed down from President Cooper himself.
Cherry’s eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat.
An assignment from President Cooper!
She had never once in her life had an assignment handed down to her by the president. It startled her. Not in a bad way, but she felt overwhelming discomfort as she internally questioned herself and her abilities.
Will I be able to handle such a duty?.. After all, it is from the president himself.
Anxiously, she tapped her screen with her index finger. Hitting the return call button. She waited for her Bluetooth to make the call, and then she listened as it rang.
The road ahead of her was slippery. She couldn’t wait to be inside her high-rise condo, curled up on the couch while sipping on a nice glass of red wine. That’s all she wanted in that moment.
“Chief Brownlow.” He answered in a stern yet raspy voice.
“Hi, Chief.” She greeted, “It’s Cherry. I got your mess...”
Before Cherry could finish her sentence, Brownlow, filled with excitement and optimism, interrupted her, “Johnston!” He had always referred to Cherry by her last name, as did most of her colleagues. Only a few called her Cherry, and it was Julia and Tasha. Cherry had grown close to them over the years, and they became friends. Other than those two, she was known as “Johnston.”
“I know it’s late, but I need you to get down to the office.” He continued, “I have to discuss this very important case with you. It’s a high-profile case, and I can’t discuss it over the phone. We have some leads, and I know you’re the best person for the job.”
Cherry sighed, peering down at the blue-illuminated digital clock on her car’s dashboard.
10:45 PM
She was excited about this forthcoming case, but it’d already been a long day. All she wanted was the comfort of her bed and the smooth silk of her sheets pressed against her skin.
“Look, Chief.” She began, “I’m looking forward to hearing more about the case, but I can’t come in now. I’m just getting home from the office after working on The Gleason Murders case. It’s been a long-day affair, and I need some rest.”
Brownlow breathed a sigh of disappointment into the phone, “Understandable.” He replied in a professional tone, “Will you be able to make it down here in the morning?”
“Yes,” She promised.
“What time?” He asked, impatience trailing his tone like a lion sniffing the footsteps of his prey.
“I’ll be down there at 8:00, Chief.”
“OK, see you then.” He replied.
Ending the call, she steered her car into the large parking structure where her condo was situated just on top.
As she veered her car into her assigned spot, she pressed her thumb down on the button, cutting the engine. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head into the headrest.
The past few years had overwhelmed her more than she ever imagined possible. The Gleason Murders case was one of the most difficult cases she had ever been assigned. Cherry was sure she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown due to the stress, but she was stronger than she knew.
What particularly concerned her was her team’s investigation into the Gleason Murders. She recently discovered it was tied to the high-ranking Russian Mafia- the Kovalenko family. The case was beginning to consume her, and her team failed to gather the concrete evidence they needed. Leaving the Gleason family without answers as they yearned for closure and truth.
Cherry held a special place in her heart for them. She desperately wanted their murders solved, too. But every avenue led to a dead-end.
Opening her door, she stepped outside. The cool, damp air greeted her. She slung the strap of her briefcase onto her shoulder and shut the door. Her heels clicked against the thick cement, the sound echoing throughout the spacious garage as she made her way to the elevator.
Cherry reached out, gently pressing the arrow-up button. She watched as the arrow illuminated with a soft green glow. The faint hum of the elevator could be heard as it slowly reached her floor. The metallic doors hissed as they spread open.
Cherry gazed inside and froze, taken aback by the sight in front of her. Inside stood a tall man, about 6′4. His frame was muscular, his ab’s nearly ripping through his Tuxedo. He looked as if he had just done a shot for GQ magazine. Cherry’s eyes dropped down to his hands, where they hung at his sides, and her heart fluttered.
Oh God, I can only imagine what he can do with those giant hands!
“Hello.” He said, offering a smile.
Cherry smiled back, “Hi.” She said nervously. She felt the accumulation of sweat creeping through her pores as she walked inside.
The man was so sexy; she almost couldn’t contain herself.
To Cherry’s surprise, the man wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close in one fluid motion. In a graceful dip, he lowered her body as if they were dancers caught in the final move of a passionate tango. His lips hovered over hers for a heartbeat before meeting them in a slow, heated kiss that sent warmth flooding through her.
“Will you be mine?” he whispered, his voice soft and gentle yet full of intensity.
Cherry’s eyes widened, and she gasped. Placing her hand over her heart, she blushed.
The man immediately turned to her, his eyes meeting hers, “Are you alright, miss?” He asked, concern spilling over his face.
Embarrassed, Cherry wiped the sweat from her forehead with her arm, “I’m sorry.” Just then, the elevator dinged. Cherry lifted her head, gazing up at the red highlighted number 12 displayed on the elevator.
Finally, she thought. It felt like she had been on that elevator forever.
A rough creaking noise sounded through the space as the elevator came to a halt and the doors opened.
Cherry quickly stepped off, placing her black boot on the gray carpet of the 12th floor.
“Goodnight.” The man said, watching as she walked away.
Cherry turned back around and forced a half-smile. “Goodnight,” she replied, watching the metallic doors close.
She briskly made her way down the hallway, stopping in front of #842. As she stood before the door, she rummaged through her purse, retrieving her keys. Just as she was about to slip the key into the lock, she noticed an envelope taped to the door. Her brow furrowed as she carefully peeled the envelope back.
Slowly, she lifted the flap and pulled out the letter. Unraveling it, her eyes lay on the black ink.
Good evening, Cherry.
I hope you can keep secrets. If not, there will be a massive problem between you and me. Shot me an email at [email protected]. Looking forward to hearing from you.
With Love,
Your Secret Admirer
