Lie or Die: A Shelby Nichols Adventure (21 page)

“Eddie wanted his business, but he was willing to let Lanny manage it for him, as long as he got most of the profits. Lanny wouldn’t hear of it, and threatened Eddie to leave or be killed by his men. That was when Eddie had three of Lanny’s security men brought in. All of them were dead, killed by Eddie’s new gang members.

“Of course, Lanny caved. But it didn’t matter. Eddie shot him right there in front of everyone. He was sending a message, you see. Then he took over the business. That’s where he’s setting up shop right now. He’s declared war on me, and he’s got the gangs on his side. Or so he thinks.” 

“Not the South End, right?” I asked.

“No,” Uncle Joey said. “They’ve gone underground. Along with others who’ve seen what Eddie’s up to.”

“Why is he coming after you? Is he really doing all of this for Kate? So she can get revenge by taking over your organization?”

“That’s part of it, but not all.” Uncle Joey grimaced, before looking me straight in the eyes. “No. It’s you he wants, Shelby. He’s doing all of this for you.”

Chapter 13

“Me?” I squeaked. Then it hit me. “Kate told him about me.” I felt the blood drain from my face as the implications set in.

“Yes,” Uncle Joey agreed. “You were relatively safe until yesterday, when she proved it to him. That’s when Eddie decided to make his move. She must have made a deal with him. Take me out and set her up in my place. In return he would get you.”

“And she would get my husband.” The familiar stirrings of hate ran through my blood, replacing the chill that had been there a moment before. “Well, she can’t have him.”

Uncle Joey smiled. “It might have worked if they’d been able to grab you. Lucky for us, that didn’t happen. Now all I have to do is find an incentive for Eddie to leave my city.” He was thinking about a favor he needed to call in.

My phone rang, making me jump, and I fumbled to see who it was. “It’s Chris,” I told Uncle Joey. “I’d better answer.” He nodded and I pushed talk. “Hey Chris.”

“Shelby! I saw you leave in a hurry. Are you all right?”

“Yes. I’m with Uncle Joey and Ramos.” I could tell him about Doug Carter and my near-abduction later. “What’s going on?”

“Plenty,” he said, his voice filled with anger. “We’re having a quick recess, and I just got a note from Kate. She claims she has proof of Adam Webb’s guilt, and will turn it over to the prosecution unless Manetto agrees to meet with her.”

“Proof? Where would she get something like that?” I asked.

“Kate was actually working on this case with Gary,” Chris said. “She must have made a copy of all her case files before she left. Or at least the files related to Manetto. She was his main contact in the firm you know.”

“That’s right,” I groaned. “Just a minute. Let me tell Uncle Joey.”

I repeated Chris’ message, and Uncle Joey’s eyes narrowed into tiny slits. He was wondering what Kate was up to. It didn’t make sense. There was no way… “Tell him to let her know there’s no need for that. I’ll meet with her and Eddie, but no one else.”

I relayed the message to Chris. “Who’s Eddie?” he asked.

“The guy with her,” I explained. “That’s her partner. And Chris, stay away from him, he’s bad.”

He sighed. “Got it. I’ll call you back.”

I turned to Uncle Joey. “What are you doing? It’s got to be a trap.”

“I’m sure it is,” Uncle Joey said. He glanced at Ramos. “Why don’t you take Shelby to your apartment and get her a drink or something. I’ve got some phone calls to make.” Dismissing me, he picked up his phone and scanned through an old address file on his desk.

“Come on,” Ramos said. He glanced at me with a sympathetic smile, holding the door open. “Don’t worry,” he said, as we passed into the hallway. “Manetto will take care of this.”

I couldn’t muster the strength to answer and followed mutely behind Ramos. I sure hoped Uncle Joey knew what he was doing. He seemed to be feeling sorry for Kate, and I didn’t like that. She wasn’t a nice person. But why had she told me to run? It didn’t make sense, unless she thought Doug would have a better chance to catch me. But it seemed like he was thinking I’d come out earlier than he’d expected. Of course, with Ramos and Uncle Joey there, he had to get me first. 

This Eddie person was bad. I felt sorry for Lanny, getting shot like that. Then I remembered Doug. He was dead too. How many more people would die before this was over?

Ramos ushered me into his apartment and grabbed a Diet Coke from his refrigerator. Without asking, he filled a glass with ice and poured the drink. How did he know I liked it best that way? I took it and followed him into the living room.

He was thinking about the meeting last night, and how his friend, Bennie, who was a part-time security guard there, had let him in to spy on the meeting. They’d hidden from view and watched the whole thing. There was nothing they could do to save Lanny or the other guards, and it had taken them most of the night before they could slip away without being seen. Which turned out to be a good thing since he’d overheard Eddie telling Doug to grab me during the first recess at the courthouse.

By the time he slipped out, Doug had already left for the courthouse. It was a close call, but they’d gotten me away from him. Now was the time to take advantage of the situation, but they needed to act fast. It was good to know Bennie wasn’t the only one willing to help them avenge Lanny’s death. With Manetto working quickly to find others, they could win this fight.

Ramos thought about me and realized I’d just heard what he’d been thinking. He didn’t mind too much. I needed some encouragement, and he was happy to provide it. Especially when he didn’t even have to say a word.

I chuckled. Ramos was one of a kind. “You know the first time I met you, I was surprised you liked country music. I’ll bet not too many people know that about you.”

He grimaced. “You’re right. It doesn’t fit my image. I should be more like the heavy metal type, right? Just don’t tell anyone.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.”

“I’ll bet you know a lot of secrets,” he said. “Most you probably shouldn’t.” He was thinking about Uncle Joey.

“A few,” I agreed. “Although knowing what people think has been tough, and mostly downright awful.”

“When did it start?” he asked, curious.

I told him the story of getting shot in the head at the grocery store. How I knew Kate was after my husband clear back then. I also mentioned how hard it was for Chris at first, but now he seemed to handle it better. I explained how Kate found out, and how all this time I forgot she knew. “That sure back-fired,” I said.

“Yeah, but you had to do something,” he said. “Or they might have killed you.

I shook my head, wishing I had been more careful. How many more people knew my secret because of her? “The worst time though, was with the Mexicans.” I laughed. “They thought in Spanish, so that didn’t help me at all.”

“I’ll bet,” he chuckled. “Good thing you got away from them.”

“Yeah, well…that’s your fault.” Besides today, Ramos had saved me plenty of times. I wanted to tell him thanks, or maybe smack him in the arm, but he was uncomfortable enough right now.

“What about your help with the police?” he asked, filling in the awkward silence. “Do they know?”

“Nope. They think I’m psychic, and that I have premonitions.”

“Ah,” he grinned. “That explains a lot.”

I told him about saving the little girl’s life at the apartment complex, and how scared I was. “But it sure felt good to save her. It was a close call though.” I’d never forget her struggle for breath with the plastic wrapped around her head. Just thinking about it sent chills up my spine.

My cell phone rang. It was Chris. If anything, the chills got worse.

“Kate wasn’t happy,” Chris began. “But she agreed to hold off on her evidence. I just wish you were here to tell me if she was lying or not. I told her to talk to Manetto herself, and leave me out of it. I hope that was okay. Court is reconvening now, so I have to go. Did they…are you sure you’re all right? That Eddie guy is one cold dude.”

“Yes. I’m safe. I’ll fill you in on all the details later. Now you need to concentrate on the trial. David’s still with you, right?” I asked.

“Yes, don’t worry about me. I’ll call as soon as I can.”

We disconnected and I let out a sigh. “She’s agreed to meet. I guess she’ll call Uncle Joey herself.”

“Good,” Ramos said. “We’d better go back and let Mr. Manetto know.”

“I wonder what he has planned,” I said.

Ramos smiled and said, “Something good.”

He was wondering what had happened to Kate. It was hard to believe she could turn so hard on Manetto. She always was the selfish type, but Manetto had taken her under his wing. She should be more loyal than that. Sure, she had gotten involved with Walter, and run off with Hodges, but Manetto had let her go. Now she was with Eddie Sullivan. That had him worried. He was a ruthless killer, but that also made him a lot of enemies. Nice that Manetto knew a few of them.

“Good to know,” I said. Reminding him that I could hear everything he was thinking. When he didn’t seem angry about it, I had to ask, “Why doesn’t what I do seem to bother you?”

He shrugged. “I don’t let things bother me.”

“Right,” I said. It was mostly true. That’s how he became Uncle Joey’s right-hand man. On the other hand, I knew he had a soft spot for me, and that was more likely the real reason.  

Ramos knocked on Uncle Joey’s door, and we entered.

Uncle Joey ended the call he was on and glanced up at us. “That was Kate,” he said. “She wanted to set up the meeting at Lanny’s in one hour. Just me and Shelby with Kate and Eddie.”

“You’re not going to agree, are you?” I asked, alarmed.

“I already did,” he said. “It’s better to do it now, before Eddie has all his men in place. What do you think, Ramos?”

“I can call Bennie and make sure Lanny’s other guards are with us.”

“Do it,” Uncle Joey said.

Ramos left the room and I frowned. “What does she want? What if it’s a trap?”

“I’ll deal with it,” Uncle Joey said. He glanced at me and sighed. “I’m sorry you have to come. Kate’s promised to leave Chris and your kids alone if you’re there.”

“Damn her,” I swore under my breath.

“Don’t worry,” Uncle Joey said. “I’ve got your family under my protection. Nothing will happen to them. But I still need you there.”

“You’re forgetting that they know I can read their minds.”

“No, I’m not,” he said. “Kate might be pretty sure you can hear them, but they don’t know the whole truth. You might make all the difference in the outcome, and I’m not above using your ability for that. As long as you’re willing.”

“Of course,” I answered. “But how will we communicate? I can’t just tell you what they’re thinking.”

“Why not?”

“They’ll hear,” I said. He raised his brows like I was forgetting something. “Oh, I guess they already know.”

“Exactly,” he agreed. “It could work against them. I want to know exactly what Kate is thinking, and I’ll bet Eddie does too.”

“Yeah, until he has a sharp-shooter take you out. Then I’ll be stuck with him forever.”

“That’s not going to happen,” he said. “I have a plan.”

***

One hour later, we pulled into the club’s parking lot in a stolen car. Part of Uncle Joey’s plan was to leave no trace that we’d been here, and Ricky had provided us with this car. It was wiped clean, and we wore gloves to keep it that way. Another vehicle was waiting with Ricky nearby for a fast get-away.

Riding in a stolen car was bad enough, but arriving here, my heart started to race, and I thought I might faint. Could I do this? Was I ready to face Kate, and the black-hearted Eddie Sullivan?

Not really, but I didn’t have much choice. Uncle Joey was counting on me, and so were a lot of other people. I got out of the car on shaking legs, and forced myself to walk toward the doors. It felt like I was walking toward a firing squad, and it took all my courage to put one foot in front of the other. I sure hoped Uncle Joey’s plan worked.

His friends from the South End had agreed to keep the other gangs away. He called in a lot of favors, and several other friends had agreed to take up position around the club as an extra layer of defense. They were out there somewhere, watching us right now.

The club had a deserted air about it, giving a false sense of security. Eddie had agreed to meet with us alone. But on his turf, I doubted he’d stick to it. He probably had people watching us too, and chills ran down my spine.

Ramos should be inside by now. He came ahead with Bennie. Apparently there was a secret way in. If Eddie had some of his men hidden, Ramos should find and disarm them before they could shoot us. At least that was the plan.

Uncle Joey glanced at me. He was thinking I looked terrible, like I was about to puke or something. I needed to straighten my spine, throw my shoulders back, and hold my head up. Negotiating called for looking tough and smart, not like a whipped puppy. Where was that sassiness he admired in me?

“Okay, I got it,” I whispered, straightening my back. There was a compliment in there somewhere, right?

Uncle Joey pulled open the door, and it squeaked loudly in the silence. That was nothing compared to the bang as it slammed shut behind us. “Really?” I frowned at Uncle Joey, but he just shrugged.

Dim light came from a few windows, and it got dimmer as we approached the arena. At the top of the stairs, we could see two spotlights shining on the ring below, keeping the rest of the arena in darkness. Kate stood in one corner of the ring with Eddie pacing beside her. I took a deep breath, pausing to get my bearings before starting down the stairs.

Uncle Joey went first, and I followed behind, worried about how Ramos was supposed to find Eddie’s men in the dark. Of course, Uncle Joey was thinking it was good it was dark, since that would help Ramos do his job. Hmm…maybe he was right, and I should think more like him.

Hearing our footsteps, Kate glanced up at us, relief showing on her face for a split second, before she covered it with a sneer. From here, I couldn’t get a good reading on her thoughts, but I could sense her sweating with nervous energy and fear. In contrast, Eddie seemed to have nerves of steel. Sweet anticipation rolled off him in waves. We had come. Now was the moment of truth.