Deep in Death: A Shelby Nichols Adventure (4 page)

“Um…sure. Tell her to give me a call.”

“Great. I will. Let me know how it goes. Uh…there is something else. I’m a little worried about her…she’s following a lead on something and won’t tell me what it is. Makes me think it’s not exactly legal, you know? Maybe you could talk to her about it?”

“Okay, I’ll see what’s up.”

“Thanks Shelby,” he said, smiling with relief. “And thanks for helping with the case. That was…remarkable.”

I smiled and said goodbye, then made my way out of the precinct before he asked me to do anything else. As much as I’d liked helping him out, I was glad to leave. Sure, I’d solved the case, but seeing the images in Spencer’s mind of killing that poor girl sickened me.

Now I had to worry about what Billie was into, but I knew she was a big girl and could take care of herself. So what she was involved with probably wasn’t too bad. After all, she was a martial arts expert. In fact, as soon as my arm was better she was going to help me learn Aikido, so Dimples was probably just a little over-protective, and it wasn’t anything to worry about. I hoped.

I took a deep breath and got into my car. As I drove to Thrasher Development, I wondered what Uncle Joey wanted from me. It didn’t sound like it would be too unpleasant, and now that I was on my way there, I put everything else from my mind.

A rush of eagerness to see him and Ramos flowed over me, making me doubt my sanity. Maybe I really should go see a shrink and get some help…or…just go to lunch with Holly. Yes, talking to her was what I needed. That would be a lot more helpful, and definitely more fun.

That settled, I pulled into the parking garage and walked to the elevators, grateful no one was trying to kill me today, and that I didn’t have to look over my shoulder like a few of the other times I’d been there. I emerged on the twenty-sixth floor and grinned to see the familiar suite of offices with Thrasher Development in big letters across the top.

Jackie sat at her desk, and a big smile popped over her face when she caught sight of me. “Shelby! How are you doing? How’s the arm?” She was Uncle Joey’s secretary…and his main squeeze.

“Hi Jackie. I’m fine…the arm’s healing and I’m ready to get back to work.” Did I really say that out loud? I’d better see if Holly was free for lunch tomorrow.

“Great! I know Joe will be happy to see you.” She was thinking Ramos would be happy too. Especially today, with the big fiasco he’d unwittingly brought down on them. She felt kind of sorry for him and was glad none of it was her fault.

My elation turned to concern for Ramos. How could he be in trouble? If he was, then I certainly hoped I could help him out.

“Hang on a minute and I’ll let him know you’re here.” She picked up the phone and told Uncle Joey I had arrived, then replaced the receiver. “He said to send you on back.”

“Okay.” I headed down the hall to his office, grateful I’d picked up who else was in the office from Jackie’s mind before going inside. At least now I’d be prepared to see my former nemesis. I was also grateful I looked good in my black leggings and tall boots, with a three-quarter-inch sleeved lace-print tunic. I even had the necklace and earrings on that matched.

I knocked, and then opened the door to go inside. Yup. There was Kate. She’d been after my husband at one point, and it was all her fault I was now involved with Uncle Joey. She was also one of the few people who knew my secret. I don’t know why, but just seeing her made something primal in me wake up, and I knew if I was a cat, I’d be hissing and baring my teeth right now.

Our gazes met, and I kept a neutral expression on my face. At least that’s what I thought until I heard Ramos thinking I looked like I wanted to bite her head off. So much for trying to look composed. I scowled at him and he just smiled back, thinking he was sure glad to see me, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Shelby.” Uncle Joey stood. “Glad you could make it. Come on in and have a seat.” He motioned to the chair next to Kate, and I sat beside her even though it was the last thing I wanted to do.

“Hi Kate,” I said. “What brings you here?” I wanted her to know she was on my turf.

She glanced at Uncle Joey, hating that she had to ask me for a favor, but she’d run out of options. “I need your help.” It came out a bit stilted, as if she’d just taken a bite out of a lemon wedge.

Hmm…I smiled. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. I caught Uncle Joey’s mental reprimand of
play nice now
, and it kind of spoiled the moment. But then I picked up that he’d already said the same thing to Kate, so it wasn’t so bad.

Ramos settled back in his chair and glanced between us, thinking this could be highly entertaining, and that he hoped for a good show. But he was also grateful for anything that might get the attention off his involvement in this mess. I turned my smile to Kate. “What’s going on?”

She pursed her lips, unhappy that I hadn’t agreed to help her right off the bat. She didn’t want me to think she would grovel, so she put on a nice smile, but it suddenly faltered when she realized I knew exactly what she was thinking and there was no way she could fool me. She mentally cursed, and my jaw dropped at the blast of four letter words flowing from her mind.

“Whoa,” I said under my breath.

She caught that remark and her face got all blotchy with embarrassment and frustration. Taking a deep breath, she managed to calm down. Still hoping Uncle Joey might step in, she sent a quick glance his way, but his raised brow and pursed lips let her know she was on her own.

“Here’s the deal,” she began. “I run the shipping company Uncle Joey and I “inherited” from Eddie Sullivan after his death.”

I remembered Eddie Sullivan well, since he’d tried to kill me. Lucky for me, Uncle Joey killed him first. Uncle Joey then sent Kate to Seattle to take over what she could of Eddie’s businesses. “You got a shipping company out of it. That’s good,” I said, mostly because it kept her in Seattle and out of my life. “How’s it going?”

“Really well,” Kate said, preening a little. “I’ve got a great manager who’s taught me the ropes, and things are running smoothly. My problem is with another shipping company. We’ve been competing for many of the same contracts, and they approached me about a merger between our businesses. It would be great for us, but I’m not sure we can trust them. I was hoping you could tell me if the man I’m working with has ulterior motives.” She was really thinking that it was Uncle Joey who didn’t trust him, but that was Ramos’ fault. If Ramos hadn’t stuck his nose in where it didn’t belong, she wouldn’t be here right now trying to defend her position.

I picked up a strong impression of the man in question, and if he looked anything like she was thinking he looked, there was a lot more to their relationship than she let on. Of course, Uncle Joey already knew that. He was thinking Kate had a problem where men were concerned and that’s why he’d sent Ramos in the first place. It was just too bad Ramos had been discovered before he could get to the root of the problem. He was supposed to be better than that.

I glanced at Ramos, and he shrugged, but deep down he wasn’t sorry Kate had found him out and waylaid his plans. Even if it put him in a hot spot, he figured Manetto should give Kate the opportunity to fix the problem herself. Sometimes Manetto was a little too heavy-handed where she was concerned. That’s probably what drove her to side against Manetto in the first place with Walter, a man now dead, who had tried to take over Uncle Joey’s organization a few months ago.

“Okay,” I said, more intrigued than anything. “I’ll help. Just so you know…my going rate is five hundred dollars an hour.” I quoted a sum higher than my normal fees, but she was desperate, and I’d learned from the best how to take advantage of that. I glanced at Uncle Joey for his approval. He hid a smile, but was thinking she probably would have paid more if I would have started a little higher.

“Great,” she said, relieved I hadn’t asked for more. “I thought maybe you could meet us for lunch tomorrow? Around one? He has an appointment at two, so once he leaves, you can tell me what you picked up and we’ll be done.” She was thinking that even if it took a little longer than an hour she wasn’t about to pay me more. Oops, did I hear that? Her gaze caught mine and she shrugged, hoping I wouldn’t be offended.

“That should work. How about we meet at The Cheesecake Factory and you pay for lunch?” Since that was one of my favorite restaurants, I figured if she paid, it wouldn’t matter if we went over the hour.

“All right, I’ll see you there at one.” She glanced at Uncle Joey. “And if you don’t mind, I can do whatever I need to from there. Without your involvement.” She included Ramos in her statement, then stood and haughtily sauntered out of the room.

We all breathed a sigh of relief to have her gone, and I glanced at Uncle Joey. “She’s not too happy with you. Maybe you should just leave her alone from now on.”

Uncle Joey’s lips twisted. “Not a chance. I’ve invested heavily in the business, and I’m not about to let her ruin it because of some man she’s attracted to.”

I couldn’t fault him for that. “Hmm…you’ve got a point there.”

He nodded, agreeing with me wholeheartedly. “Now…tell me how you’ve been. We’ve kind of missed you around here.”

I smiled that he would admit to missing me. It made me feel warm inside. “To be honest, I’ve been a little bored.” At his raised brows, I continued. “Not that I miss getting shot at or anything. That part’s been great. It’s just that I’ve kind of gotten used to doing stuff for you. So tell me…Chris made it sound like you wouldn’t be calling me so much. Is that right?”

“I told Chris what he wanted to hear,” he began. “I knew you needed time to heal and I know he doesn’t like that you work for me. But don’t ever forget that you and I have an arrangement, and it’s not up to your husband how I do business.”

His steely-eyed gaze caught mine, sending the message loud and clear that he wasn’t about to take orders from Chris. “However,” he continued. “I understand his concern for your safety. I have no desire to see you get hurt, so for now, I’ll try to keep things simple. Things like meeting with Kate, or coming here for special appointments.” He was thinking that sending me on errands hadn’t turned out so well, so he was willing to compromise. If I used my abilities where he could keep an eye on me, I should be safe. “If your husband can’t handle that, then I suggest you don’t tell him.”

His meaning was perfectly clear to me. I also picked up a certain amount of satisfaction when he thought of Chris, but I couldn’t understand why. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”

“Good. I’m glad that’s settled.” He let down his guard and I picked up that he tried not to get attached to most people, but I was like family now, and he’d do what he could to keep me safe.

“Thanks,” I said. “I appreciate that.” He pursed his lips, realizing once again how he couldn’t keep much from me.

Maybe now was a good time to leave since I didn’t want to make him mad. “Well, I guess I’ll go.” I stood, and both Uncle Joey and Ramos stood as well.

Uncle Joey glanced at Ramos. “I guess you’re off the hook for this fiasco with Kate. Do you think Shelby will be safe meeting with Kate tomorrow, or do you think she’ll get shot at?”

Ramos chuckled. “Who knows…it is Shelby we’re talking about. Maybe I should go too, just to make sure.” He liked teasing me, but behind his words he was thinking how easy it was for me to get into trouble without even trying.

“Hey…I’m touched and all, but I’m sure I’ll be fine. It’s just lunch. What could go wrong?” I heard both of them thinking that where I was concerned…anything could happen. Especially considering how much Kate and I hated each other. “Come on guys, unless you think Kate’s going to try to kill me…which I know you don’t, I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?” Ramos asked, stepping close enough to invade my private space, and gazing deep into my eyes.

“Yeah.” Having him this close made my heart flutter, and I knew I wouldn’t mind having Ramos along, not for his protection, but because I liked the eye-candy part of being with him. That probably made me a bad wife…dang. “Yeah…” I repeated, stepping away. “You shouldn’t come…I mean…you don’t have to come. I’ll be fine. I’ve got my stun flashlight, so I can take care of myself.”

His eyes narrowed with a mischievous glint. “Hmm…okay. I certainly don’t want to make you nervous.”

“I’m not nervous. I just think…I mean…I’m sure you’ve got better things to do, right?”

He was thinking
nope
, but was saved from answering by the ringing of Uncle Joey’s phone. “Yes?” Uncle Joey asked. “Ah…yes we’re done. Send him on back.” He set the phone down on the receiver and glanced at Ramos. “It looks like Shelby will be fine without you.” To me he continued, “Just don’t forget to let me know what you find out about Kate tomorrow.”

“Sure. No problem. See you later.” I opened the door, eager to leave, and nearly collided with a man entering Uncle Joey’s office. “Oh…excuse me.” I stopped short, but we were so close I could smell his aftershave. Our gazes caught and I couldn’t help the shiver of danger that passed over me. He had the classic Italian features of olive skin, a straight nose, and black wavy hair. His keen, dark eyes glanced over me in appreciation, and his nostrils flared.

“Please, excuse me,” he answered, with a slight accent. “I didn’t know such a lovely woman was here or I would have waited before I barged in.”

“Oh…it’s all right,” I said, my voice breathless. My pulse raced and it was hard to keep from fanning my face. I ended up putting a hand over my heart instead. “I was just leaving.”