Deep In Death: A Shelby Nichols Adventure

by Colleen Helme

  “Um…where are you?” I asked.

  “At my place.”

  “Did you get the lists?”

  “Yes.”

  “Great. You need to come to Jackie’s hotel room. We’re all here and we can go over the lists together.”

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll be there soon.”

  We disconnected, and I turned to Uncle Joey. “You want Kate to know you’re alive, right?”

  “Yes. Of course,” he answered. “But not the Passinis. I want them to suffer for a while. Maybe even be suspected of murder by the police. It would serve them right for trying to double-cross me.”

  I could understand his sentiments and knew I’d probably feel the same way. I hoped that didn’t make me a bad person. Since the explosives didn’t have anything to do with them, it was obvious they were being framed. That meant that whoever did this knew them pretty well and was probably an associate of theirs. It would sure be nice to get the lists and figure it out.

  As we finished cleaning up our breakfast dishes, Kate knocked at the door. My heart pounded, knowing it was the moment of truth. I hoped she wouldn’t be too mad at me for not telling her they were alive over the phone. Again Jackie pulled the door open and let Kate in. Her somber expression flooded with shock to see Uncle Joey and Ramos. She even squealed and hopped up and down on her feet…kind of like she was seeing a couple of ghosts.

  Once she got over her surprise, Uncle Joey related the story of their survival and the explosion. With renewed interest, they poured over the lists. “Are you sure this is everyone who was on the boat?” Uncle Joey asked Kate.

  “Yes,” Kate answered, growing tired of him asking the same question over and over again.

  “Even the servers?”

  Kate pointed out the servers on another page. “Right here. And just below that are all the people from our company.”

  “I can’t believe any of them would do it, but you never know.” Finally Uncle Joey glanced my way with a hard expression. He was thinking this was a job for me, and probably the only way they had any hope of finding the person responsible.

  “It looks like we’re going to have to use our secret weapon if we want any answers,” he said, looking straight at me. Everyone turned their gazes my way. I nodded to the unspoken question, and Uncle Joey smiled. “Good. This is what we’ll do…”

  ***

  The next evening, I was sitting in a mortuary with two caskets that held the remains of the bodies Nick had identified as Uncle Joey and Ramos. I didn’t know how they did it, but the Passinis pulled some strings and got the bodies released to us for a memorial service before we took them home.

  It was a little creepy, knowing there were real remains in those caskets, some of which were blown up into little pieces. Even worse was knowing the bodies were the Passini security guards. I had no idea how the Passinis got the bodies out of police custody, and since it probably involved something illegal, that was fine with me.

  Earlier, Kate and I had talked to all of the servers and crew who had been on the yacht that night and eliminated them as suspects. Now we were at the funeral home where Kate had made sure all of the guests from the tragedy would come to pay their respects. Several had gathered, with more trickling in all the time.

  It was my job to listen to them and find out which one had planted the explosives. At the time Uncle Joey suggested it, it seemed like a good idea, but now I wasn’t so sure. Especially with thoughts of what the bodies looked like coming from most everyone. Seeing what they were thinking in their heads kind of curdled my stomach.

  Jackie portrayed the grieving widow to perfection, with Kate and me standing in as her nieces. I felt kind of guilty for deceiving everyone, mostly because of how genuinely sorry they felt for us. On the other hand, I didn’t feel a bit guilty for the two women who came through separately to pay their respects to Ramos. They were both beautiful and, with tears flooding their eyes, they thought a few things I’d rather not know. My face flushed red and I couldn’t get my shields up fast enough.

  I noticed a man come in by himself and glance around as if expecting trouble. Finding none, he quickly made his way to the casket under Uncle Joey’s picture. He stood with his head bowed, but his lips were moving and I tuned into his thoughts. Again, my ears turned red, but this time it was from the rash of four letter words slipping from his mind. This guy had strong feelings for Uncle Joey, but I couldn’t tell if they were good or bad. I mean…from all the swearing it seemed like they were bad, but maybe that was how bad guys talked to each other and it was really good.

  I had to get close enough to find out and maybe ask him a few leading questions, so I stood just to the side and behind him and tried to piece thoughts that didn’t contain swear words together. I got that he knew Uncle Joey from way back when, but something had come between them, and they hadn’t spoken for years. He took a risk coming here, and he hoped no one noticed him since it wouldn’t do to be seen paying his respects to his enemy, even if he was an old friend.

  I quickly turned away before he noticed me staring, and fiddled with a pot of flowers on a table. His gaze wandered toward me but soon slid away, and he abruptly turned and left. It was like a breath of fresh air once he was gone, and I sighed with relief. I glanced at the casket and noticed a piece of paper that wasn’t there before.

  Making sure he was gone, I snatched it up, and hurried to a chair in a small corner. The writing was hard to read, but I made out most of the words and realized it was a tribute of sorts. “From one bad SOB to another, RIP.” The signature baffled me since it was mostly a bunch of flourishes and dots. Maybe there was a D in there, or an R, but I couldn’t be sure. I slipped it into my pocket, deciding to give it to Uncle Joey later. Who knew? Maybe it was a long lost friend who’d reached out one last time, and Uncle Joey would want to renew the acquaintance?

  Four new people, three women and one man, arrived at the end of the line, so I made my way over to Jackie and Kate. From what I could pick up, these were some of the employees from Kate’s office, and I listened with interest. For the most part, they were feeling sorry for Kate and thinking she was probably blaming herself for the whole incident, and rightly so. They certainly didn’t need the Passini Shipping Company, and getting saddled with that group was going to take a lot more work than they wanted to give. They were relieved and hopeful that the merger had been called off.

  The man with them was thinking the opposite and hoping the merger had gone through. It made good business sense, and now that the Passinis looked like they were responsible for the explosion, he hoped Kate would take action against them…hopefully by squeezing them out of their company altogether. If he knew Kate and Manetto’s organization, the Passinis wouldn’t be around very long. It was just the opportunity he needed…

  “Hi Zack,” Kate greeted him. “I’m so glad you came. This is Jackie, Uncle Joey’s wife, and my…cousin, Shelby.”

  Zack’s brows rose. He had no idea Manetto was married. When had this happened? He hoped it wouldn’t change anything. “Nice to meet you both,” he said. “I just wish it was under different circumstances.”

  We murmured our thanks and Kate continued. “Zack is really the one running the company,” she said. “I would have been lost without him.” Zack mentally agreed, and with animosity thought that it was his company no matter what she said.

  “Oh yes,” I said. “Kate told us about you. You’re her office manager?”

  The title aggravated him, just like I thought it would, and his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yes, that’s me.”

  “Well…you must do a wonderful job. Kate speaks very highly of you.”

  He nodded his thanks, then spoke directly to Jackie. “I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. Manetto will be missed.” He chatted for a few minutes more and then moved respectfully to the casket. His actions betrayed his satisfaction that Uncle Joey was dead, and piqued my interest. There was definitely more to him than he let on.

  I
stepped to his side and glanced at Uncle Joey’s photo above the casket. “I can’t believe he’s really gone.” I tried to make my voice light with sorrow. “I don’t know what we’ll do without him.”

  Zack raised one brow questioningly. “Were you close?”

  “Yes. He was a really good uncle…almost like a father in a lot of ways.” I tried not to snort while I said that. “He wasn’t supposed to die, especially getting blown up like that. I hope we find the person responsible.” I turned to pin him with a hard gaze. “Uncle Joey’s death will not go unpunished.”

  Zack was thinking that for a sweet-looking thing, I certainly had a bloodthirsty streak. He never would have pegged me for that type, but he figured it must run in the Manetto gene pool. Good thing he had his bases covered. “I understand completely, and I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you.”

  Zack nodded and turned away, eager to leave now that he’d made his appearance. He joined the ladies he’d come with and, after conferring together, they all left to get drinks. Between them, they were speculating about how Uncle Joey’s death was going to affect the company and the merger, and Zack wanted to make sure no one thought he was any different.

  Well, something was definitely up with him. I couldn’t say for sure that he had planted the bomb, but he certainly had something to do with it, and I was positive I could find out with a little more questioning. I knew what bar they were headed to, but going there without backup was not a good idea. I’d just have to wait until I could discuss it with Uncle Joey and Ramos.

  After he left, Kate kept giving me expectant glances and asking in her mind if I’d found the bomber yet. It made me wish that this mind thing could go two ways just so I could tell her to back off. I was ready to take her in the other room and let her know what I’d heard when the police detective from the docks came in.

  He was thinking how the Passinis had a lot of friends in high places, and proving any kind of guilt where they were concerned was practically impossible. He’d found out that Manetto had ties to organized crime, and this looked like a hit by the Passinis. He hoped that by coming here, he could get someone on the Manetto side to talk, and put the Passinis away once and for all.

  He caught sight of me and thought that since I’d loved my uncle so much it might be easy to get me to talk, or at least give him a hint if the Manettos were out for revenge. I didn’t seem like the bloodthirsty type, so maybe I’d be willing to offer information in return for a conviction against the Passinis, rather than see more bloodshed. It was worth a shot.

  “Hello, Ms. Nichols,” he said. “I have some new evidence and thought you might like to hear it.”

  “Um…okay. Is it about the Passinis? Because I already know they didn’t plant any explosives. I’m pretty sure it was either an accident or someone else.”

  The detective blinked and took a step back. “How do you know all that?”

  “I’ve got my resources.”

  “But everything I have points to them. Maybe your resources have it wrong. Don’t you want to put them away for killing your uncle?”

  I shrugged. “Normally I would, but I don’t think they did it.”

  “Then who did?”

  “Beats me. But I’ll let you know if I hear anything new, okay? Sorry I couldn’t be any more help.”

  “Sure.” He nodded, greatly disappointed that I’d stonewalled him so easily. I knew a lot more than I was telling but, unless I cooperated, he wasn’t going to get it out of me. “Here’s my card. Call me anytime.”

  “Okay.” I took the card and wondered how he’d feel when he found out they were still alive. Probably a little upset. I watched him leave, listening carefully to his thoughts. He was pretty sure I’d never call him, but at least he’d done his job and no one could fault him for that.

  Glad I’d gotten out of that rather quickly, I took a deep breath and caught Nick’s gaze. He was wondering what the cop wanted, but from the way I’d handled it, decided not to worry. He glanced at his watch and, noting that the allotted time was up, quietly ushered the stragglers out.

  “That was exhausting,” Jackie said, slumping onto a chair. “Remind me to tell Joe that he can’t die again. Going through that once was enough.”

  “I’ll bet,” I said.

  “Did you find the killer?” Kate asked. That caught Jackie’s attention and she straightened.

  “I got some good impressions,” I answered, since Jackie was right there. “Why don’t we go back to the hotel and talk it over.”

  Kate pursed her lips, wishing I’d just let Jackie in on it so we could talk freely. Jackie was Manetto’s wife for Pete’s sake…what difference would it make? It wouldn’t hurt her to know the truth about me. Maybe she’d let it sli…

  “Don’t you dare,” I whispered.

  Her gaze caught mine, and her lips twisted. “It would make things easier.”

  I narrowed my eyes and lifted a brow. “Not for me.”

  “Fine,” she said, shrugging. Turning to Jackie she said, “Are you ready to go?”

  Bewildered by our exchange and knowing she’d missed something, Jackie glanced between the two of us. “Yes.” She thought about asking what was going on but, knowing my history with Kate, decided to stay out of it.

  I let out my breath and smiled at her. “Good…uh…let’s go then.”

  We arrived back at the hotel and followed Jackie into Uncle Joey’s room. “I need a drink,” Jackie announced. “That was hard on me.” She kicked off her shoes and opened the fridge. “Joe, you’ll be happy to know that a lot of people were sad to see you go. Right guys?” She turned to the rest of us expectantly.

  “Yes. Definitely,” Kate and Nick agreed, nodding their heads.

  I nodded my head too, only I knew it wasn’t true. What Jackie had taken as sorrow that Uncle Joey was dead, was mostly them feeling sorry for her as the grieving widow. Most people didn’t care that much and a few had even thought “good riddance.” I glanced up to find Uncle Joey’s gaze pinned on me, but his lips were twisted in a self-deprecating smile. I smiled back, relieved I didn’t have to explain anything to him.

  “That’s reassuring,” he said. “As much as I’d like to hear all about it, let’s hear what Shelby found out first.”

  Everyone’s gazes locked on me, so I took a deep breath and blurted it out. “I think it’s Zack, but I don’t know much more than that…like why he did it, or anything.”

  “What?!” Kate gasped. “He can’t be…he’s been helping me…it can’t be him…”

  “Interesting,” Uncle Joey said. “I wonder why he’d do that.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m sure we could find out if we talked to him. He was going for drinks with the girls from the office. We might be able to track him down there.”

  “I have a better idea,” Uncle Joey said. “Let’s head over to the shipping office and Kate can ask Zack to meet her there to discuss some business. Once he gets there we can find out.” He was thinking about torturing him, but if I came that wouldn’t be necessary. Maybe he should leave me at the hotel.

  My eyes widened. I didn’t want to part of any kind of torture, but I also didn’t want to be left behind. I wanted to see Zack’s face when Uncle Joey and Ramos showed up. He’d probably wet his pants, and it would serve him right. Damn. Did that mean I had a bloodthirsty streak? I wasn’t even a real Manetto, but I was certainly starting to think like one. Maybe it was time for me to go home.

  “I’ll call him right now,” Kate said. She’d gotten over her surprise and was eager to know why Zack had done it. Unfortunately, so was I.

  Kate made the call, telling Zack she’d be there in half an hour, giving us about fifteen minutes to get set up and in our places. Uncle Joey and Ramos pocketed their guns, prompting Kate to make sure hers was in her purse. Nick patted his pocket where he kept his knife, and Jackie slipped a pair of handcuffs and brass knuckles into her purse.

  I kind of felt left out since
I didn’t even have my stun flashlight with me.

  We trekked out to the cars and I picked up that both Ramos and Uncle Joey were happy to escape their rooms. They didn’t even try to disguise themselves. What was the point? Now that they knew their enemy was Zack, they were officially back from the dead.

  I rode with Nick, glad to spend as little time with Kate as possible. She was starting to get on my nerves, and I had to admit that this interrogation was going to be a bit difficult with both Nick and Jackie out of the loop about my secret. That reminded me of my interrogation with Dimples a few days ago, where the guy had stabbed his wife a gazillion times. I handled that pretty well, and no one knew I was reading minds. So this should be a piece of cake. Unless Kate messed it up somehow.

  We arrived at the building and Kate unlocked the doors. At nine-fifteen, it was dark and gloomy, but Kate went inside without turning on the lights. “Follow me closely,” she said. “I don’t want to turn on the lights in case Zack gets here before we’re ready.”

  The rest of us followed behind and soon we were all bunched up because no one could see where to go. I was about to say something when I tripped. My momentum carried me into someone’s back and he stumbled forward. I tried to pull back, but my legs got caught in his and we both went down hard.

  Before I could untangle myself, a light came on in an office down the hall, and there I was, sprawled on top of Ramos. Somehow he had managed to catch me in his arms and take the brunt of the fall, or I probably would have hit my head against the wall.

  “Oh crap! Are you okay?” I scrambled to get off him, planting a hand on his stomach and pushing myself up. His breath whooshed out with an involuntary groan. “Oops…sorry!” I pulled my leg up and nearly kneed him in the groin.

  Ramos grabbed my upper arms and rolled me over so he was on top. Straddling me, he got to his feet and then helped pull me up. Loud snickering came from Uncle Joey, and soon Jackie and Nick joined him.

  “Come on, you guys,” Kate hissed, standing in the doorway of her office. “We need to hide you before Zack gets here. What are you doing?” No one bothered to answer her which was fine by me. I was embarrassed enough as it was.