Deep in Death: A Shelby Nichols Adventure (28 page)

She set her glass down, thinking I certainly had my share of adventures. Then she was suddenly struck with the brilliant idea that she could write a book about me from all of them. Then if I wouldn’t tell her any more details, she could make some up, and maybe add a few characters to make it juicy…although she had a sneaking suspicion that the real details were probably better than anything she could come up with. Once she got it in book form, it would probably become a best-seller. If she ever got laid off her job, or decided she needed a change, that’s just what she’d do, and she sincerely hoped I’d go along with it.

Yikes! I didn’t like hearing that, and I didn’t want anyone writing about me. I was in enough trouble already. “So…how’s the investigation going with the Attorney General?”

“Haven’t you heard?” she asked. “My article ran on Friday, and it caused quite a stir. The city council is asking for a complete investigation into the allegations. Even a few councilmembers have called for his resignation.”

“Wow, that’s huge. Way to go.”

“Thanks. I appreciate your help on that.” She was thinking how grateful she was for my help, and hoped I’d help her again.

“So, are you and Dimples still dating? How’s that going?”

She blushed a little, transforming from a jaded journalist into a lovelorn puppy. Wow. She had it bad. I sure hoped Dimples felt the same.

“It’s good,” she said. “Except when I’m on the job I think I probably get on his nerves a little, but otherwise, we’re doing great.”

“Nice,” I said, happy for her. Taking a deep breath, I relaxed back on the swing and closed my eyes. Reliving that horrible night had brought all the fear back and, for some reason, made me a little shaky.

“Hey…are you all right? After everything you’ve been through…I just can’t imagine it.”

My chest tightened that she noticed, and sudden tears came to my eyes. I sniffed, but couldn’t hold them back. “Wow…I guess I am struggling a little. You know, with my family, I’ve been trying to make light of it and be strong, but now that you ask…I have to tell you, I really thought I was going to die. It was pretty bad.”

Billie handed me a tissue and listened while I poured out my soul. By the time I got done, I felt more like myself.  “Thanks. I feel so much better now.”

“Sure…that’s what friends are for. And don’t worry…I won’t print a thing about it.”

“You’d better not,” I said, laughing. Billie said goodbye and I watched her leave. Sharing all of those emotions had drained me, and with the gentle swaying motion of the swing, it wasn’t long before I took a nice little nap.

***

The next day I made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies and divided them onto three plates: one for Dimples, one for Geoff, and the other for Ramos. I took the first plate to Geoff, happy to find him doing well, and even better, his wife wasn’t mad at me. After visiting for a few minutes, he handed me a small box with a blue ribbon tied around it. “Here it is. Just like you wanted.”

“Thanks Geoff.” I’d had a nice chat with him the day after the fire, and tucked this special gift into my purse.

Everyone was jealous of Dimples at the police station, but he was nice enough to share his cookies. It also earned me some extra points with the police chief, so it all worked out well. Even Bates took a cookie and thanked me. Who would have thought that could happen? Best of all, I’d dropped in at a time when no one needed my help, so I could actually leave when I wanted to.

Hoping my luck would hold, I drove to my last stop at Thrasher Development. As I entered the elevator, my stomach clenched with a sudden fit of nerves. I took a deep breath and tried to relax, wondering what was wrong with me. I didn’t have anything to be nervous about.

The elevator doors opened and my nerves turned into excitement. I sure hoped Ramos was there so I could get this over with. Jackie sat at her desk and jumped up to give me a hug.

“Shelby! It’s so good to see you. Are you all right? We heard about the fire.” She was thinking that Joe wasn’t happy with me for that, but he’d just have to get over it.

“Yes…I’m fine, just a little smoke inhalation. I brought something for Ramos. Is he around?”

“Yeah, he’s with Joe in his office. Why don’t you go on back?”

“Okay, thanks.”

I hurried down the hall and found the door open, so I knocked as I entered. Uncle Joey sat at his desk, and Ramos stood next to him, holding some papers in his hand. They both glanced up and smiled to see me.

“Shelby! What a pleasant surprise,” Uncle Joey said. “Come on in. I’m glad to see you’re all right. Come sit down.” He motioned to the chair in front of his desk, thinking I looked pretty good for someone who’d nearly died. The way Ramos had taken off like that, only telling him I was in deep trouble, had given him quite a scare. And this time, it didn’t even have anything to do with him. What was up with that?

“I just brought you some cookies,” I said.

Ramos chuckled, his brows lifting with surprise. He’d forgotten that I’d said I’d make some cookies for him, and was secretly pleased. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had done that. “Nice. What kind are they?”

“Chocolate chip,” I said. I set the plate down on Uncle Joey’s desk and took off the plastic wrap. Both of them grabbed a cookie and started eating.

“These are great,” Ramos said. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” I said. “So…how are things going around here?”

“Pretty well,” Uncle Joey said. He was wondering if it was too soon to ask for my help with something. I raised my brow at him and he shrugged. “All right…there is something I need your help with, but it can wait. Right Ramos?”

“Yes,” Ramos agreed. He was thinking he might have to fly back to Seattle for a few days. If he found what Manetto was looking for, the job would go smoother if I could help out. But that was something for another day. Right now he just wanted to enjoy his cookie.

I smiled and stood, ready to go home before I got roped into something I wasn’t sure I wanted to do. I needed a break for Pete’s sake. “Well…guess I’ll be going. Enjoy the cookies.” I glanced at Ramos, wishing there was a way I could tell him I needed a moment alone with him.

“I’ll walk you out,” he said, reading the need in my eyes.

“Thanks.” Relieved, I smiled up at him and turned to leave. I caught a hint of curiosity from Uncle Joey, but only smiled and waved at him before sauntering out of the room. As we walked down the hall, I glanced at Ramos and whispered. “I have something else for you.”

Puzzled, his brows drew together. “Like what?”

“Here…I’ll show you.” I took the blue-ribboned box out of my purse and handed it to him.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“Open it and see,” I said.

He glanced down the hall to find Jackie watching us and scratched his brow. “Let’s go in the conference room.”

I nodded and followed him inside, grateful to have some privacy. He sat on the edge of the table and pulled the ribbon. It came apart and he stuffed it in his pocket. Next, he took off the lid and peered inside, then pulled out a shiny golden wristwatch and studied it.

“It’s handmade,” I said, excited. “Geoff…the guy with me in the basement…he makes them as a hobby and I got this one for you.”

Ramos didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t expected anything so nice, and it took him by surprise.

“Look at the back.”

He turned it over to find the inscription I had Geoff put there for me.
To Ramos, My hero, From Shelby
. “I know you probably think it’s corny, but I didn’t know what else to say. I mean…I don’t know how to thank you for always being there, and I just needed you to know how much it means to me…and to thank you for saving my life…and…”

He reached out and clasped my upper arms in his firm grip. “Babe…it’s perfect. Thank you.” He caught me up in a tight hug before pulling back to glance at me. His gaze caught mine then traveled to my lips. “I don’t know if this is better than a kiss,” he growled, “but I’ll take it.” He smiled that sexy half-smile of his and let me go, then pulled his gaze away as he fastened the watch around his wrist.

Breathless, I took a step back and swallowed. “Well then…good. I’m glad you like it. I guess I’ll be going now. See ya.” I didn’t wait for a response, but hurried out of there, passing Jackie with a little wave. It wasn’t until I got in my car that I relaxed. A few minutes later, I shook my head and berated myself for being so nervous. That was just silly. It was Ramos. I didn’t have to act that way around him. From now on, I was miss-cool-chick; no more swooning for me.

Still, I needed some friend therapy real bad after all I’d been through, and I couldn’t wait to talk to Holly. Even though I’d had a nice chat with Billie, Holly was the only person with whom I could share all the juicy details. I called her on the way to the car and set it up for the next day. Just doing that relieved some of the tension in my shoulders, and I looked forward to spilling my guts.

***

Friday dawned bright and clear, making it the perfect day for a wedding. I’d only had a few bouts of anxiety since I’d talked to Holly, but the shadow of death still haunted me. It was hard not to think about being locked up in the basement with no way out, but I knew it had to stop, so I pushed it from my mind and decided to enjoy this gorgeous day.

I put on that lovely dress, and it was so fun that I had to twirl around in it a few times. The material floated around me, making me feel beautiful and feminine. Chris donned his black suit, and my heart raced to find him looking so good. He smiled, thinking how good it felt to escort such a beautiful woman.

“That’s just what I was thinking…only the other way around…about you I mean.”

Tiffany’s wedding was held in a beautiful little chapel with stained-glass windows, and decorated with all kinds of flowers and draped material. Chris and I got there early and sat down in the back. A few minutes later, Tiffany’s dad approached us and I introduced him to Chris.

“Thank you for coming,” he said. “It really means a lot to Tiffany. In fact, she asked if I would come out and find you. Could you go talk to her for a minute?”

“Of course,” I said, and followed him to the bride’s room. He knocked and opened the door to let me inside.

Tiffany turned, her eyes alight to see me. “Oh Shelby, thanks for coming.”

“Tiffany! You are stunning,” I said, taking her hands and giving them a squeeze. The silky folds of her dress hung perfectly from her waist with delicate lace overlaying the pin-tucked bodice.

“Thanks. Do you think my mom would have liked it?”

“I’m sure she would.” I gave her a careful hug. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Just then a slight breeze from the open window touched my skin, bringing with it the scent of gardenias. Tiffany caught her breath and we glanced at each other in wonder.

“Your mom,” I said. She nodded, her eyes glistening with tears. I didn’t hear any words this time, but got a strong impression that I needed to tell Tiffany something. “I think your mom wants you to know that she’s okay where she is and that she loves you.”

“Thanks Shelby,” she said. “I think you’re right.”

Her maid of honor came in, so I squeezed her hands and left the room. As Tiffany came down the aisle a few minutes later, I could tell something about her had changed. The dark shadow of sorrow and pain had lifted, leaving her vibrant and happy.

A feeling of peace came over me, banishing the shadow of the last few days, and I realized that even though I’d put on a brave face, nearly dying because of a crazy killer had taken its toll. It had worn me down more than I’d thought. But now that fear was gone, and being here was just what I needed. There were a lot of bad things that happened in this world, but there was also a lot of good, and I needed to remember that.

Thanks Darcy
. A hint of gardenias touched my senses and I smiled, knowing I would never smell that flower again without thinking of her.

After the ceremony, we enjoyed a delicious dinner, and Tiffany’s family and friends treated us like royalty. It was a relief to be accepted and looked after by virtual strangers. Once the dancing got started, Chris took my hand and led me to the dance floor. He held me close and I enjoyed being in his arms. It was also fun to hear people thinking what a handsome couple we made…and how much in love we looked.

“What are you smiling about?” Chris asked.

“Well…I just heard that we make a great couple. What do you think? Is it true?”

Chris smiled. “Of course.” Then his gaze turned pensive, and he couldn’t hold the thoughts he’d been trying to shield from me any longer. “Shelby…I know I’ve haven’t always been happy about your whole mind-reading thing. I’ve had a difficult time of it, and this case…It was bad, and I wished you’d never taken it. But being here with you…I just want you to know how proud I am. These people had a horrible thing happen to them, but look around you. They’re celebrating. It’s all because of you and I couldn’t be prouder.”

“Oh Chris…thanks. I know I put you through a lot…”

“Yes you do,” he interrupted. “But you’re an amazing woman Shelby…and right now, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” His lips met mine in a gentle kiss, and I was afraid my heart would burst with love for this man. We had come such a long way from the day I started reading minds. It had been so hard on both of us, but now I realized we were closer because of it.