Secrets That Kill: A Shelby Nichols Adventure

by Colleen Helme

  Ramos stood near the door like he could hardly walk into the room. He seemed ready to bolt. “Shall we sit down?” I asked him.

  He glanced in my direction, but the photos sitting on the bookcase behind me caught his attention. Drawn to them, he picked one up and studied it, his face full of shock and wonder. I turned to look, and found myself gazing at two young boys. Ramos and Javier. They must have been about six and twelve years old. Ramos had a protective arm around Javier.

  Clearly shaken, Ramos put the photo down. There was another photo of his mother and Javier, and Ramos frowned, thinking he had forgotten what his mother looked like. She was so pretty and young. He didn’t remember that about her. He swallowed past the lump in his throat. He didn’t know if he could do this.

  At that moment, Javier’s wife came into the room, carrying a baby. She noticed Ramos looking at the pictures and smiled. “That’s Javier’s family,” she explained. “That’s him there, with his brother, and in that one, he’s with his mom. His brother died when he was about twelve years old, and his mother soon after.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, surprised that they believed Ramos was dead. I glanced at Ramos, who swayed at the news.

  “This is our son,” she said proudly. “We named him Alejandro, after Javier’s brother.”

  “He’s adorable,” I said, fawning over him. “Look at all that dark hair. How old is he?”

  “Nine months,” she said. “He’s starting to crawl all over the place, so I have to keep an eye on him.”

  I spoke and listened with half an ear, while concentrating on how Ramos was taking this. He had gone so still, it was like he wasn’t even breathing. After a few deep breaths, he seemed to recover, and finally looked at the baby, drinking in this miracle. He couldn’t get over the fact that Javier had named his child after him. At that moment, the baby caught Ramos’ gaze and smiled, moving his arms up and down.

  Javier’s wife glanced at Ramos. “He usually does that when he sees his father.” She spoke to the baby and changed his position on her hip so we could see him better.

  All at once, it was too much for Ramos. “Excuse me. I’ll be outside.” He hurried to the door, thinking that as much as he wanted to embrace Javier and his family, he couldn’t stand the thoughts of ever bringing them harm. He wouldn’t do that to them. He glanced at me, telling me in his mind that I needed to do this for him. I had to keep him anonymous, in order to keep this little family safe.

  I nodded, my heart breaking for him, and he left. Javier’s wife glanced at me in confusion. Why had he left in such a hurry? Was it something she said? He seemed upset.

  “Don’t worry about my assistant,” I said. “He probably had to make a phone call or something. I’m sorry, but I don’t even know your name.”

  “Oh…it’s Anna…Annalie, but I go by Anna.”

  “So what’s Javier studying in school?” I asked, taking a seat on the couch. I wanted to make her comfortable, and find out as much as I could about them. I was sure Ramos would want to know everything.

  “He’s working on his CPA.”

  “Oh, that’s great. I’m sure this money will come in handy then.”

  “Yes it will, but to be honest, I don’t know anyone who would give us that much money. Are you sure you have the right Javier Moreno?” She was thinking I could be wrong, and she didn’t want to get her hopes up too much.

  I smiled and nodded. “I’m almost one hundred percent positive, or I wouldn’t have told you about it. But I do have an obligation to my client to make sure. That’s why I have to ask Javier a few questions.”

  “I understand,” she said. Excitement buzzed through her, and her eyes lit up. Fifty thousand dollars was more than she’d ever dreamed of. There was so much they could do with all that money. Javier could go to school full time and graduate this year. She might even be able to quit her job at the restaurant. But she shouldn’t get ahead of herself, just in case.

  “Does Javier work and go to school?” I asked.

  She explained his work at the bank, and answered my other questions about him and his schooling. Then she told me how they met in Orlando when they were in high school, and their decision to get married and come to Miami to attend school. “Javier’s had to work full-time while he’s been going to school. That’s why it’s taken so long for him to get his degree.”

  A car pulled into the driveway, and Anna jumped up, eager to greet her husband and find out if the money really belonged to them. Javier practically ran into the house, bursting with curiosity and excitement. I introduced myself and began to explain the situation to him, wishing Ramos could have been here to see him up close.

  They looked so much alike, even with some of the same mannerisms in the way they stood and spoke. I was surprised that Anna didn’t notice, but if she thought Ramos was dead, it wouldn’t have crossed her mind. However, there would have been no doubt if Ramos had stayed in the house.

  Javier was wracking his brain, trying to think who in the world would have given them so much money.

  “So,” I finished my explanation. “I just need to ask you one question.”

  “Sure,” he said.

  “I need you to give me your mother’s full maiden name.”

  His brows drew together. “Is that all?” At my nod, he quickly continued. “Her name was Rosa Anna-Maria Mendez.”

  I smiled broadly. “That’s right,” I said. “You are the one I’ve been looking for.” I pulled the check out of my purse. “This belongs to you.” He took it from my hands and opened the envelope, then staggered to see the actual amount, and his breathing turned shallow.

  “This is all for me?” he asked, glancing at me, his eyes serious and questioning.

  “Yes,” I said firmly. “It’s yours.”

  “I’d like to know who would do this…is there anything you can tell me?”

  “I’m sorry, but it’s not possible. My client wishes to remain anonymous. But there is something you could do. I gave your wife my card, and here’s another one for you. I would love to hear from you every so often, at least once or twice a year. Could you do that?”

  He took the card I handed him. “I’ve written my address on the back, but you can just send me an email. Perhaps when you graduate? And any other milestones you have in your life?”

  “Of course,” he stammered.

  “Thank you.”

  “Is this so you can tell your client?” he asked. “Is he someone I knew in Orlando?” Javier was thinking it had to be someone who knew his real name if they knew his mother. He had only changed his name after his mother died because Fitch had insisted, telling him it was necessary to keep him safe from the gang and give him a new beginning. He’d moved in with Fitch, who became his legal guardian, and started at a new school. But he couldn’t think of anyone from that point on, even his teachers or church leaders, who had money like this.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t give you any more information,” I said. Javier’s shoulders fell with resignation. “However, it is my hope that at some future date it will be possible to tell you. For now, please don’t worry about taking this money or let it trouble you in any way. It is a gift freely given. You don’t even have to keep in touch with me if you don’t want to.”

  “No,” Javier said. “That’s not it at all. It’s just such a surprise.”

  I nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”

  Javier and Anna looked at each other, excitement and happiness radiating in their faces and from their thoughts. I knew they wanted to jump up and down and share this moment together, but they were too polite to do that in front of me.

  “Well,” I said. “I need to be on my way. It was nice to meet you.”

  They both said the same to me, shaking my hand enthusiastically. Anna even gave me a quick hug, which I was happy to return. I walked out onto the porch, surprised to find Javier following me.

  “Do you know him well?” he asked. “Your client?”

  “Yes, I do,” I an
swered, my eyes misting. “He’s a good man.”

  Javier’s eyes filled with tears. “Please tell him thanks for me,” he said. “And that I wish to meet him someday. I’d like to thank him personally.”

  “I will Javier,” I said, sniffing. “I promise. Now…go kiss your wife or something!”

  His face split into a wide grin, and in that instant, he looked just like Ramos. I waved, then turned away to hurry to the car.

  Chapter 14

  I sat down beside Ramos and buckled my seat belt. “That was amazing,” I said, wiping my eyes. “They’re such a cute family.”

  Ramos nodded, unable to speak. With one last glance at the house, he pulled away from the curb and began the drive to the airport. His emotions were close to the surface, especially as he’d watched Javier talk to me on the porch. He didn’t know if he’d ever see Javier again and needed some time to pull himself together.

  We rode in silence for a few minutes. Then Ramos flipped on the radio and found a station playing salsa music. I smiled and started nodding my head to the beat, and pretty soon, Ramos was doing the same.

  “Hey, is there another fish taco place around here?” I asked. “I kind of missed breakfast.”

  “Let’s check,” Ramos said, thinking he hadn’t eaten breakfast either.

  Using our GPS, we found another Hector’s. Elated, I ordered three fish tacos and enjoyed each one with gusto. “I’ll never think the same way about fish tacos again,” I said. “I’m even beginning to like salsa music too. How crazy is that?”

  “It must be something in the tacos,” Ramos said, smiling. “You know, when I left Orlando, I tried to leave all of this behind me. I was making a new life for myself and didn’t think there was any place in it for what I’d left behind. I haven’t listened to that kind of music for fifteen years. But now, I’m okay with it. I’m finally okay with my past.”

  “How does it feel?” I asked.

  “Good. It feels damn good,” he admitted.

  As we finished up, Ramos called the pilots to let them know we were on our way. Back in the car, we turned up the music, and by the time we got to the airport, Ramos was even singing along in Spanish, surprising me with his nice baritone voice.

  Smiling, I knew that from this point on in my life, I’d never hear salsa music or eat another fish taco without thinking about my time in Florida with Ramos.

  It didn’t take long to check in the car and walk to the tarmac with Uncle Joey’s jet. The pilots were waiting like before, and soon we were settled inside, only this time, Ramos took the seat facing the front beside me. The pilot told us the flight would take about three and a half hours from here, so we should settle in and make ourselves comfortable.

  Soon, we were in the air, headed for home, and this adventure was finally coming to an end. “I guess I should call Chris so he can pick me up,” I said.

  “Let me call Manetto first,” Ramos said. “He’ll probably send the limo and we can drop you off.”

  “Okay,” I agreed.

  Ramos made the call and settled the arrangements to take me home. I called Chris but it went to voicemail, so I left a message. Then I called his office and spoke to his secretary, making sure she’d let him know exactly when I’d be home. I hoped my messages got through, because I really wanted him to be home when I got there.

  “I guess that’s it,” I said, surprised at all of the emotions going through me. I was happy to be going home, but I was also a little sad it was over. How crazy was that? I’d enjoyed learning how to play poker. Heck, I’d enjoyed beating Carson out of a million dollars even more. Plus, I’d actually stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, and I couldn’t forget the great dress, shoes, and jewelry from Neiman-Marcus. But I had to admit, the best part of all, was meeting Javier, Anna, and little Alejandro.

  Ramos reached over and took my hand, surprising me. “Thank you,” he said. “For what you did. I couldn’t have done any of it without you.” He raised my hand to his lips, turning it to place a soft kiss in the center of my palm, never once taking his gaze from my face.

  My heart rate doubled, and my breath hitched, but I managed a wobbly smile. “Um…you’re welcome.”

  After a quick squeeze, he released my hand. I swallowed and got my breathing under control, picking up from Ramos that he’d noticed my difficulty and couldn’t help being pleased over it. Especially since he’d managed to ‘kiss’ me after all.

  I snorted and shook my head. “You’re incorrigible!”

  His lips turned up in a knowing smile. Then he got serious, and his eyes shone with curiosity. “Tell me about Javier.”

  I’d wondered when he’d be ready to talk about that. “He’s so much like you, especially in his mannerisms, that it’s kind of scary.” I related everything Ramos had missed, including Javier’s parting words, and my excitement that he would keep in touch with me. “I never picked up anything from his mind that he thought the money could have come from you. They both think you’re dead, but if Anna mentioned that you were there with me, and maybe told him what you looked like, it might make him wonder.”

  “Possibly,” Ramos agreed. “But she seemed pretty focused on the money.”

  “Yeah, she was. They were both so excited and thinking how much the money would help them out. I wanted to take a picture of them with my phone for you to have, but I figured that wasn’t such a good idea.”

  “You’re right, it wasn’t,” he agreed.

  “But maybe someday you can get together with them, right? I know Javier would like to meet his “anonymous benefactor” and thank him personally.”

  “Maybe,” he said. He didn’t think it would ever happen. Not with his lifestyle. There would always be somebody out there who could be a threat to them. He’d made too many enemies.

  “But aren’t they more like Uncle Joey’s enemies?” I asked.

  “Babe, I’m his man. It’s the same for me as it is for him.”

  “Well, you know Uncle Joey’s getting older,” I said, not willing to let it go. “He’s going to retire someday. You could retire too. Maybe even change your last name again or something. Don’t give up entirely.”

  Ramos huffed, glancing at me and thinking I wasn’t going to let this go and I was a pain in the butt. “All right, if you quit bugging me about it, I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Good.” I smiled, satisfied that I’d won this round. Plus, I had no intention of letting it go, not when I could keep him updated about Javier from the emails I was sure he’d send me. Maybe there was hope for Ramos after all.

  “So, did you really tell Javier I was a good man?” he asked.

  “Uh-huh, but don’t let it go to your head. I know how important your bad-boy image is.”

  He chuckled. “Thanks Shelby.”

  I smiled and laid my head back on the seat. Ramos noticed and showed me how to put the seat back and my feet up, just like I was in first class. Relaxed, I closed my eyes and soon fell asleep.

  ***

  “Shelby.” Ramos nudged me awake. “We’re almost home.”

  I sat up, closing my mouth and hoping I hadn’t been snoring, or worse, drooling. I rubbed my face to find it dry and let out a relieved breath. I pushed my seat back into the upright position and checked my phone for any messages I’d missed. It was empty, and I was a little disappointed that Chris hadn’t tried to call me back or left a text.

  “When will we land?” I asked.

  “In about half an hour,” Ramos said.

  I had time to visit the bathroom, and after freshening up, felt much better. Taking my seat, I pulled out my phone and texted Chris with the time I’d be home and telling him that I couldn’t wait to see him. This time I got a text back, but it was only a smiley face. What did that mean exactly? I knew he was probably busy, but couldn’t he have sent me a little more than that? I mean, I’d been gone for days. Heck, I’d nearly been killed! Of course, he didn’t know that, so I cut him some slack. Still, it made me a little anxious to see him.
>
  The plane landed smoothly, and excitement to be home swept over me. Coming down the stairs, I was surprised to find the limo parked close by. As we got closer, the door opened, and Uncle Joey stepped out, a big grin on his face.

  “Welcome back,” he said. The chauffeur took our bags to place them in the trunk, and Uncle Joey took my hands. “I’m glad you came through that all right. Ramos said it was close.”

  “Yeah,” I stammered. “Thanks for sending him after me.”

  He lifted his brow. “It was the least I could do since you were only there because of the letter I asked you to deliver.” He ushered me inside the limo, and I sat down in the section behind the driver. It was nice that Uncle Joey was being so reasonable. Then I picked up the other reason he was so pleased, and that was the million dollars I’d won.

  Uncle Joey and Ramos both sat opposite me, and we were soon on our way. “I wish I could have been there to see you play poker,” Uncle Joey said. “Now that would have been fun. Would you consider playing with some of my friends sometime?”

  “Sure, as long as they don’t try to kill me when I beat them,” I answered.

  Uncle Joey chuckled. “Don’t worry about that.”

  “And you could play too,” I added.

  “Oh no, not me. I know better, but it would be fun to get the boys together. What do you think Ramos?”

  “You’d definitely be entertained. And I think Shelby would really enjoy beating everyone.”

  He knew me well. “That’s true,” I agreed.

  “We’ll have to set it up sometime,” Uncle Joey said. He asked mundane questions about our trip before the conversation turned to business matters between Ramos and Uncle Joey. I tuned them out, watching the road and hoping the driver knew where he was going. I didn’t want to end up at the office. I listened to his thoughts, hearing enough to know that he did, and I could quit worrying. But that wasn’t all I heard, and my stomach tightened with alarm.

  We pulled up to my house, and the chauffeur got out to get my bag from the trunk. With him gone, I could finally talk. “Uncle Joey, did you know your chauffeur is a spy?”