Crossing Danger: A Shelby Nichols Adventure (12 page)

Josh stilled, thinking I’d answered his question without him saying a word.

“There’s some cookies I made in the freezer,” I said. “Do you want some? We can thaw them out in the microwave. They’re peanut butter.”

Enthusiastic agreement came from everyone, and I quickly opened the freezer to pull them out. After a quick zap in the microwave, they were perfect for dipping in milk, and none of the boys gave me a second thought after that.

Whew! That was close. Thank goodness for cookies and milk. Of course, putting up my shields would have been much better...and smarter. Savannah walked in and blinked to find the boys at the table. She hesitated a moment before going over for a cookie. Her gaze lingered on Cole, and I caught the unmistakable surge of desire flickering over her. She liked him...a lot...as in a huge crush.

Holy cow! I did not want to know that, but now that I knew, I had to know if Cole looked at her like that too. I listened carefully, but only picked up that he noticed her, but as Josh’s kid sister and nothing more...for now.

Relieved, I let out my breath and asked about her day. That seemed to break the spell, and soon the boys had gone outside to throw some hoops, and Savannah was talking a mile a minute. “So we’re going to Aikido tonight, right?” she asked.

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot. Yes we’re going.”

“Good.” She smiled, thinking how great it was going to be. “I’d better get my homework done then.”

I cleaned up the table and ate a cookie for courage since it was time to call Holly and let her know I’d failed to find the cop.

“Hey Holly,” I began, trying to keep my voice upbeat. “How’s it going?”

“Good. I think Chloe’s going a little stir-crazy though. Did you find him?”

“Not yet. After we left your house, I went back to the precinct and managed to talk to both cops, but it wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped. I mean...I know it’s not one of them, but I don’t know for sure if it’s the other one. It could be, but I just don’t know yet.”

“Oh...that’s not good.”

“I know...I’m sorry. I think if I talk to him again, I might know more.”

“Okay,” she said slowly. “So...what happens next? You’ll talk to him tomorrow?”

“Yeah. This time I’ll be better prepared. I think if Bates hadn’t left me out in the first place, this could have been resolved by now.”

“Yeah...what’s up with that guy? He’s a real jerk.”

I told her what happened with him after the interview and how mad it made me. Talking to Holly was always good therapy, but I had to be careful since Chloe was involved. “I left before Dimples got there, but I saw him in the parking lot. He was going to talk to Bates and decide what to do next. He should be calling Scott tonight. Scott might want to take Chloe home to his house.”

“I’ll give Scott a call and see what he thinks, but if you just need one more day, I’d feel better about keeping her here.”

Now it was my turn to sigh. “I hope I can figure it out by then, but if I can’t, maybe he should take her on a long trip or something.”

“We’ll see,” she said. “I’ll call you later and let you know what’s going on...and...thanks for everything you’re doing, Shelby. I don’t know what we’d do without you. Really, I couldn’t have a better friend.”

“Oh...well, it goes both ways. You know I’d do anything for you. I just wish I had more, but I promise to keep at it until I find him,” I said.

“I know you will,” she agreed.

We disconnected, and my lips turned down. I hated not knowing more. With my skills, I should have solved this case by now. I knew Holly would keep Chloe at her house as long as she needed to, but I also knew the longer she stayed, the more risk there was of someone finding out. Maybe Scott should take her on a trip somewhere.

***

Later that night, I soaked in the bathtub with my aromatherapy bath salts. The soothing scent of spearmint and eucalyptus helped relieve the tension, and the hot water helped my sore muscles after my Aikido lesson. I had to admit that taking Aikido was great for me...probably because I got to throw people around. Also, Holly had called to tell me they were keeping Chloe at her house, which I thought was a good idea. So, at least for tonight, things were under control.

After we went to bed, I finally had time to tell Chris all the details about my horrible day, ending with Dimples finding out my secret.

“Oh no,” he said. “How did that happen?”

“Well...I was kind of crying, and pretty upset when he got in the car. I guess I slipped up when I was explaining what was going through Bates’ mind.”

Chris’ eyes widened that I could make such a huge mistake, and he couldn’t constrain his disappointment that I had let Harris find out. I should have been more careful.

I tried not to feel bad, but after everything else, his censure hurt. “I know it’s my fault, but it’s not like I did it on purpose.”

Chris sucked in a breath. “I never said...oh...yeah...sorry.” He sighed and rubbed his chin, wishing I hadn’t heard that. He certainly didn’t want to dig a hole he couldn’t get out of. Oops. Now I’d heard that too.

“Shelby...sweetheart...it will be fine. I’m sure you were upset and didn’t mean for it to happen. I trust Harris. He was bound to find out sooner or later. Heck, I’m surprised he hadn’t figured it out before now. So it’s okay. He won’t tell anyone. Don’t beat yourself up about it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah...it’s okay.”

“Thanks honey,” I said and snuggled up next to him. “That makes me feel better.”

He pulled me into his arms and kissed me soundly, thinking he knew of a great way get my mind off my troubles...and keep himself out of the doghouse.

“Chris!” I swatted him.

“Hey...you can’t blame me. Besides, I think it’s working pretty good.”

He kissed me again, proving his point, and I relaxed into his arms. His love surrounded me in a protective cocoon and fed my growing desire. “Okay...I guess you’re out of the doghouse.”

He chuckled. “Oh baby, oh baby.”

***

I blinked my eyes open the next morning and jolted up in panic. What time was it? I checked the clock. Seven-thirty? Damn! I jumped out of bed and threw on my bathrobe before running downstairs.

“Hey mom,” Savannah said. “Dad and Josh already left. Dad said you needed to sleep in.”

“Oh...well that was nice of him. Are you ready to go?”

“Sure.” A car honked, and she grabbed her backpack. “See ya.”

“Okay...have a good day! Love you!”

I watched her get into the car and then ran back upstairs. I had thirty minutes to make myself beautiful before Ramos was supposed to be here, but maybe it wasn’t too late to change plans and have him meet me at the hotel.

I called his number, and he picked right up. “Babe.”

I let out a sigh. “Hey Ramos. Uncle Joey said you were picking me up at home, but I was wondering if I could just meet you at the hotel. Will that work?”

He chuckled. “Don’t want the neighbors talking?”

“Exactly,” I agreed.

“Yeah, that makes sense. See you there.”

At least I didn’t have to shower since I’d taken a bath last night. I got my make-up on in record time and went for the wind-blown look with my hair since that’s all I had time for. Satisfied, I hurried into my closet and stood there, hoping for inspiration to strike.

Blue jeans were off the list, but I had a nice pair of black straight-leg jeans and a new black-and-white blouse that should work. Along with my black boots and matching necklace and earrings, I’d look good enough for the Marriott.

I spritzed on some perfume and took one last look at my outfit before hurrying downstairs. I needed a black leather jacket for the best effect but, since I didn’t have one, I decided to go without, even if it was chilly. I grabbed my purse and opened the door, shivering a little. It was supposed to get up to the sixties today, but right now it was only in the forties.

I arrived at exactly eight-thirty, so I let the valet park my car, and hurried inside. With all the hurrying I was doing, I couldn’t wait to sit down and breathe for a minute. I hesitated in the lobby and glanced around. I’d never been inside the hotel before and didn’t know where to go. Catching sight of a familiar set of shoulders, I smiled and headed in that direction.

Ramos glanced my way and stood with a grin. He wore a sports jacket over an open-collared shirt with jeans and looked delectable. As I approached him, thoughts from a woman wondering who I was halted me in my tracks. I caught a few more thoughts and relaxed to know they were coming from a lady who’d been admiring Ramos. She was disappointed to see him meeting me.

I smiled and glanced knowingly at Ramos, who wondered what was going on. “Not something you need to know,” I said, reaching him. “So where’s breakfast? I’m starved.”

“Hmm...you know I have ways of making you talk.”

I burst out laughing. He’d said that with a Russian accent, and it was hilarious. He grinned. “This way.” But he was thinking,
you might be laughing now…but I wasn’t exactly kidding.

“I heard that...and you don’t scare me.”

“Really? I guess I’ll have to sharpen my image.”

Before I could respond, the hostess greeted us. Ramos took charge and asked if we could sit at the table by the window...right next to Blake Beauchaine. Ramos motioned me to take the seat closest to Blake, and he sat opposite. While I looked over the menu, I listened to Blake’s thoughts.

Outwardly, he ignored us completely, but I registered his surprise that Ramos had found him. He was impressed. Manetto must have better resources than he’d thought. Given that, the timing couldn’t be better. He just wished he had more information. He’d hit a wall in the investigation, and his window of opportunity was closing fast. But now that we were here, we presented him with a perfect break. He was going to eat his breakfast and observe me.
Shelby Nichols
.

He knew I worked for Manetto occasionally, and that I had my own consulting agency. But why did I come with Ramos? Manetto must want me here for a reason, but what could that be? It was a puzzle he aimed to figure out, along with the rest of Manetto’s organization. Maybe I was part of the puzzle that he could use against Manetto. He’d have to learn more, but it gave him a place to start.

Yikes! I didn’t like that one bit. Ramos took in my widened eyes and frowned, wondering what was going on. I swallowed and sent him a quick smile. The waiter came to our table and, since I hadn’t looked at the menu, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I think I’ll have an omelet...and some juice...no make that chocolate milk...and some toast.”

He nodded and turned to Ramos who quickly gave him his order. Just as our waiter left, another waiter came with Blake’s food and I relaxed, knowing he wouldn’t leave before I got to eat. I hoped.

“Did you see the paper this morning?” Ramos asked, wanting to start a conversation.

“No, I didn’t get a chance. What did it say?”

“Oh...just the usual,” he said. “I guess there was another shooting by the police. It seems like almost every day some cop kills someone.”

“Yeah...I know. It’s terrible. Must be all the guns. That reminds me...I want to get a black leather motorcycle jacket like yours...only one that fits me. Do you know of any good shops?”

Ramos’ lips twitched. He was wondering how I got from police shootings to leather jackets. There must be a connection in there somewhere. Maybe it was the guns?

“Yeah...that could be it,” I said. “I don’t like guns much, so I think of other things. Like clothes and shoes and maybe some nice jewelry. Guns are just bad, and they kill people.” Ramos lifted a brow in challenge, so I continued. “I know...there’s that whole thing about how guns don’t kill people, only people kill people, but I don’t entirely agree. I mean...just two nights ago my friend got shot. She almost died! She walks into her apartment, and these two guys are in there, robbing her. But if they wouldn’t have had a gun, instead of shooting her...well what could have happened?”

Ramos opened his mouth to answer, but I was on a roll. “I guess they could have attacked her, but she has mad Aikido skills...and she could have defended herself. And even if they got away, at least she wouldn’t have been shot.”

“I think I see what you’re saying,” Ramos said, but he was mostly being polite.

“You just think I’m nuts.”

“Now you know that’s not true,” he said, holding my gaze until I smiled. “But I do have a question. Does your friend have a gun?” I nodded, and he continued. “So what’s the difference?”

“She wouldn’t have used it to kill them.”

“Okay, that’s fair.” But he was thinking she might have used it if her life was in danger, so what was the difference?

He had a point, and I didn’t add that she had pulled her gun out to stop them, and since they’d used it to shoot her, that pretty much blew a hole through my argument. But I wasn’t ready to drop it yet.

“There’s this other case I know about,” I continued, brushing off his thoughts. “These two drug dealers decided to take out a couple of teenagers because they saw too much, but one of the teenagers had a gun and guess what happened?”