Fast Money: A Shelby Nichols Adventure

by Colleen Helme

  Greg smiled and shook our hands; unsatisfied with the answers we gave. He might have to step up his plans, just to be on the safe side. After all he’d gone through, he wasn’t about to be thwarted now.

  I almost squealed with delight at my discovery, shutting the door to our office as soon as Greg left. “He’s the guy,” I whispered, leaning against the door.

  “He is?” Dimples eyebrows rose with surprise. “How can you tell?”

  “I just know. Now all we have to do is prove it. I don’t think Jessica is involved, but I think he’s been using her. He’s going to leave the country with the paintings soon, so we’ll have to find them before he goes.”

  “How did you know all of that? You only just met him.” Dimples was having a hard time believing how easy this was. I guess he’d forgotten the reason he brought me. He glanced at me and realized how he sounded. “Oh, of course…I forgot.”

  “We’ll have to find a way to question him again. If we could make him sweat and think we figured it out, it might be enough for me to get a reading on where he hid the paintings. Are there some kind of charges we could bring him in for?”

  Dimples was beginning to think I was a little overzealous. “Um…maybe. But I don’t want to scare him off if he’s the guy.”

  “That could be a problem since he’s planning to leave in two weeks.”

  Again, Dimples was faced with my ‘uncanny’ abilities, and wondering just exactly how I did it. Could he really trust my instincts? To stem further questions from him, I opened the office door and noticed that Greg and Jessica were just walking out the main entrance and into the parking lot.

  This was perfect. I motioned for Dimples to follow me and hurried over to the receptionist. “Wow,” I said. “They sure make a handsome couple.”

  “Yes, they do.” A tinge of jealousy escaped her tone and she glanced up to see if I’d caught it.

  I smiled. “Have they been together long?”

  “About three months I’d guess.” She was thinking that he’d moved in with Jessica right after they met, which seemed pretty fast. She couldn’t figure out what he saw in her. She was pretty, but she was one of the most uptight women she knew, and didn’t think that could be appealing to many men.

  “Well, thank you for the list. You’ve been terrific.” I glanced at both the staff list and the volunteer list and didn’t find what I needed. “Could I get Jessica’s home address? I don’t seem to have it here.”

  “Oh, sure.” She found it on her computer and wrote it on a sticky note. I thanked her and hustled Dimples out the door.

  “Where do you think a professional art thief would hide his paintings?” I asked.

  “You think he’s a professional?”

  “Yes, I do.” Something from Greg’s thoughts popped into my brain. “I know! Let’s check with Interpol and see if they have a most-wanted list. It wouldn’t hurt to see if anyone matching his description is there.”

  “Interpol?” Dimples wondered if I was letting this go to my head. “I’ve never worked with them before. I’m not sure I even know how to contact them.”

  “It shouldn’t be that hard. You’re a detective on the police force with some valuable stolen art. I’m sure they’d be interested.”

  “Okay.” He was not overly enthused about where I was going with this.

  We got into his car and I decided I’d pushed him enough for one day. “I’ll leave it to you to decide what to do next, but I’m telling you…he’s the guy.”

  “So in order for you to figure out where the paintings are, all you need is to be in the same room with him while he’s being questioned?”

  “Yes. That pretty much sums it up. I know that might be hard to arrange, and probably seems like a long shot to you, but I can do it. Think about it and let me know what you want to do next.”

  He huffed out a breath, knowing he couldn’t stake his entire investigation on my premonitions. He had to handle this the right way. “Are you sure you don’t want to look at the other volunteers on the list?”

  I considered it. Greg didn’t seem like the type to have an accomplice, and his thoughts were pretty straightforward about his plans. He never thought ‘we’, it was just ‘I’ or ‘me’, so that had to mean he was acting alone. I waited until we pulled into the parking lot of the police station to speak. “I think he was acting alone, but I’ll admit, I could be wrong.”

  Dimples shoulders relaxed. Just admitting that I could be wrong about something made him more comfortable with my premonitions. Go figure. “I’ll talk to Interpol and see if I can figure out something to bring him in so we can question him,” he said. “You’re sure he’s the guy?”

  “Yes,” I said firmly. “Let me know what you find out.”

  “Okay, thanks for your help.”

  “And Dimp…I mean Harris…” He glanced at me with a wry grin. “When we solve this case, will you check into maybe paying me for my services next time?”

  His eyes widened. That was not what he expected me to say. Then it registered that I’d said ‘when’ not ‘if’ and he smiled. “I think the mayor would be amenable to that, but we’ll have to think of a better way to phrase what you do. I don’t think he’d go for the ‘premonitions’ part.”

  I grinned. “You’re probably right. I’ll see what I can come up with.”

  I strolled to my car with a lighter step. I was happy and content to know I could make a difference. Telling them I had my own consulting agency made it seem more real, like I could really do it. It felt like the beginning of something important, and gave me hope that my ability wasn’t such a bad thing after all. If it could be used for good, maybe it was all worth it.

  I pulled into traffic and realized I would be driving right past Thrasher Development. Even though I didn’t want to talk to Uncle Joey, there was no reason I couldn’t see if his secretary, Jackie, knew where he was and when he’d be back. She might even know about the deposit. After all, she had set up my account in the first place. She must know something about his money and the business.

  Before I could change my mind, I pulled into the parking garage and found a place close to the elevators. I put the car into park and turned it off, but hesitated to open the door. A shiver went down my spine and spread to my arms, raising goose-bumps all over me. Cold fear seeped into my bones, and I found it hard to move. I knew this irrational fear was silly, but it was hard to shake off. The last time I’d faced those elevator doors, Kate and Walter had tried to kill me.

  I took a deep breath and pursed my lips. Walter was dead. Kate was gone, and Uncle Joey had followed her to Mexico. No one could hurt me now. There was nothing to fear. Filled with resolve, I got out of my car and marched to the elevators. I punched the button and stood with my head held high and my back straight. The elevator doors whooshed open, and I was proud that I only cringed a little. Inside the elevator, I hit the twenty-sixth floor, and allowed myself a small smile of victory.

  I was still smiling when the doors opened, and I turned toward the suite of offices that belonged to Uncle Joey. “Thrasher Development” was painted in big letters above the wooden doors framed by green potted plants. That was new.

  Curious to see what changes lay inside, I totally forgot my trepidation and eagerly pulled the door open. Jackie’s desk was in the same place as before, but the carpet and paint were new. Jackie straightened from a file she was working on, and a bright smile lit up her face.

  “Shelby! What a pleasant surprise. How are you doing?” Jackie was genuinely happy to see me. She wasn’t here the day all hell broke loose, but heard plenty about the huge bump on my forehead and my two black eyes. “You look great.” She couldn’t even tell I’d been clobbered in the head.

  “Thanks Jackie. Yeah, I’m all back to normal, thank goodness. How are things going here?”

  “Good,” she said. “In fact they just finished the remodeling last Friday. Mr. Manetto’s office looks great! Would you like to see it?” She was wondering what br
ought me here, especially since I’d nearly been killed, but figured I’d tell her when I was ready.

  “Yes. I’d like that.” She led me down the newly decorated hall to the double doors of Uncle Joey’s office, and held the door open for me.

  “Thanks,” I said, and glanced around the room. “Wow this looks fantastic.” It seemed almost sinful to step on the plush carpet. A deep mahogany desk and leather chair sat in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Matching bookcases and filing cabinets lined one wall, and at the near end was a fully functional wet bar. The other side held a conversation area with a small leather couch and leather chairs surrounding a coffee table. Earth tones and recessed lighting warmed the room. Beautiful paintings and potted plants gave it a professional feel. I wondered if Uncle Joey’s safe was still behind the biggest painting.

  While I admired the view, Jackie was thinking that she couldn’t wait for Joe to get back. Besides missing him herself, Vic, Ricky and Marc were giving her grief, and it would be a relief to have Joe here to take charge. She didn’t like feeling like their mother all the time.

  “You should see the bathroom,” Jackie said. She opened the door and flipped the light switch. Dark cabinets flanked by floor-to-ceiling marble covered the room. It was completed with a walk-in shower that had several nozzles. An enclosed toilet was on the other side.

  “Very nice,” I said, awed by the sheer elegance. The money it took for this bathroom would probably buy me a new kitchen, appliances included.

  “Mr. Manetto should like it.” A burst of hopeful anticipation slid across her mind. Jackie was sure he’d like it since she was the one who picked it out for him. She enjoyed pleasing him in any way she could. She was excited for Joe to come back, mostly so he could show her just how much he appreciated everything she did for him.

  To cover my shock at this revelation, I blurted the first thing that came to my mind. “Do you know when he’ll be back? He told me he was going after Kate and Hodges, but that was a few weeks ago.”

  “No. He didn’t say, but I’m hoping it won’t be long.” He’d told her about a big money transfer, so she knew he got the money back, but it hadn’t turned up in any of the usual accounts and it worried her. When she’d asked him about it, he’d said the money was somewhere safe, but she didn’t like not knowing where it was. She glanced at me with a gleam of speculation in her eyes. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Um…no. I just thought I’d stop by and see how the remodeling was coming.”

  She smiled, knowing a lie when she heard one. “Did Mr. Manetto put some money in your account?” she said in a teasing tone. “Is that why you’re here?”

  I didn’t think she’d be so direct, so I wasn’t prepared with a quick reply. “Why would he do that?”

  She flicked her wrist in a quick wave. “It’s just something he’d do. He doesn’t trust too many people, but don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.” She was good, and she didn’t seem too concerned that I had all that money. Now that I knew she was involved with Uncle Joey, I understood why he’d want to keep her around. She was loyal to him, so why didn’t he give her the money instead of me? Didn’t he know she was in love with him?

  She ushered me out of the office and back down the hall. She was thinking that it was good to know where Uncle Joey had put the money. Now she didn’t have to worry about it. She didn’t think I’d take that money and run. It was enough money to live on comfortably, and was probably tempting. The only problem would be looking over my shoulder for Ramos or someone else Joe sent to kill me. She glanced at me and smiled, thinking it was something I already knew in my dealings with Uncle Joey, and it wouldn’t be a problem.

  “Well, thanks for showing me the office,” I said. “And just for the record, Uncle Joey does put money in my account from time to time. I was hoping to talk to him about it, since I’m not working for him anymore. But I can wait until he gets back. And it’s not that much money.”

  She smiled, sure that she knew where the missing money was. “I’ll let him know you stopped by as soon as he gets back.” She couldn’t understand why I didn’t call him if I wanted to talk to him so bad, but that was my business, not hers.

  “That would be great. Thanks a bunch.” I smiled and left, realizing I didn’t know Jackie at all. I’d never had a reason to listen to her before, but she was pretty savvy when it came right down to it. Of course being Uncle Joey’s love interest probably had something to do with it. She’d also thought about Vic, Ricky and Marc. I didn’t know their names, but I had a pretty good idea they were Uncle Joey’s men I’d been in all those meetings with, but to whom I’d never been introduced.

  Now I knew three things for sure, Jackie was in charge of Uncle Joey’s business while he was gone, she was in love with him, and she was pretty sure I had the money. But did that really make any difference? She was more than a trusted employee, right?

  The drive home took me past the grocery store, and I decided I might as well stop there too, since there were some things I needed. I paid for my groceries and passed the ATM. It wouldn’t hurt to check once more on the money in my account so I stopped. After entering my pin number, I held my breath, only exhaling when the amount came up. It was all there.

  This time, I printed a receipt so I could show Chris. He’d need proof. It was the lawyer in him. I snatched the receipt and logged out as quickly as I could, casting a glance behind me to make sure no one noticed. Knowing I’d have to keep the receipt safe, I did the only thing I could think of and stuffed it in my bra. My grandma was like that. She kept all kinds of personal stuff in there, and I figured this was about as personal as it could get. Plus it seemed like there was plenty of room. Hmm…time to go bra shopping.

  Leaving the store, I noticed a big black SUV idling in the parking lot. The windows were darkly tinted, and I couldn’t get a look at the occupants. Wasn’t tinting your windows that dark against the law? My stomach did a nervous flip and I hurried to my car. Black SUV’s seemed more like the kind of car a police detective or FBI person would drive, not someone connected to a crime boss like Uncle Joey. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

  Driving home, I kept a watch for the SUV in my rearview mirror. With no sign of it following me, my stomach finally unclenched, and I could breathe again. I pulled into the garage and closed the garage door behind me, just to make sure.

  The door from my garage opened directly into my kitchen, making it easy to carry in my groceries. I put the food away, and spotted the leftover lasagna in the fridge. Yes! I did a happy dance. No cooking tonight! I briefly wondered if Chris would make it home in time for dinner, but since I’d already told him the truth, the pressure was off and I could relax.

  I straightened up my living room and caught a glimpse through the window of a car inching slowly past my house. My legs went weak. It was the black SUV. Panic fluttered through my chest as it pulled to a stop, and I ducked out of view. From my vantage point, I waited to see who would come out, but it just sat there. After what seemed like an enormous amount of time, it continued up the street, and I could breathe more easily.

  What was going on? I mentally slapped my head. I was such an idiot! Why didn’t I get the license plate number when I was at the grocery store? I could have seen it then, but now it was too late.

  I tried to think of who it might be, but only came up with who it wasn’t. Not the police, and Uncle Joey wouldn’t spy on me like that. Could it have something to do with the money? But that didn’t make sense either. No one knew about the money, except Uncle Joey, and possibly Jackie, but I didn’t think either of them would tell anyone.

  The sound of a service truck going up the street caught my attention. My jaw dropped to find a fed-ex van pulling to a stop directly in front of my house. The driver hurried to my front porch and rang the doorbell. Now what? He was holding a clipboard and an envelope. I opened the door and managed to sign the paper. He handed me the envelope with my name written i
n Uncle Joey’s handwriting. Dread filled my stomach.

  I thanked him, and after bolting the door, hurried into the kitchen and pulled the letter open. Inside was a single piece of paper. Shelby, it read, I made a deposit into your account. Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone, and don’t try to contact me. It could be a matter of life and death. I hope to return soon, but if I don’t come back in a few weeks, the money’s yours. He signed it, Joe E Manetto.

  Oh great! What did he mean by all this secrecy? At least I hadn’t tried to contact him, but what about my visit with Jackie? If this was such a secret, how come Jackie knew he’d made a deposit? If they were in a relationship, why didn’t he tell her? The life and death part didn’t seem very reassuring either. What had he gotten himself into? Why would he give me all this money if he didn’t come back? Was this just another way to get me to work for him again? More likely, it was payment for the grief this money might cause me. He must be in some kind of trouble. And now, I was involved too.

  This piece of paper was important, but I couldn’t leave it lying around for anyone to see. I needed to put it where no one could find it. I went into my room and got out my journal. I’d had it for about eight years and it was only half full. Most of it was filled with little anecdotes about my kids when they were toddlers. Not so much recently, but that’s what made it a perfect hiding place. I mean, seriously, who would want to read my journal? I stuck the letter in-between some pages and put the journal back on my shelf.

  Things were getting complicated. When Uncle Joey said not to tell anyone, I had to take that seriously. Especially since it was a matter of life and death. His or mine wasn’t so clear. That didn’t mean I wasn’t going to tell Chris. He needed to know what we were dealing with, and hopefully it wouldn’t freak him out. Telling him I’d stopped by Thrasher Development would probably make things worse, so it was better to leave that part out for now. I could tell him later if I needed to.