Lie or Die: A Shelby Nichols Adventure

by Colleen Helme

  “Is he okay?” I asked.

  “I don’t know, but it’s Ramos. He should be fine.”

  “Let me know when you hear from him,” I said.

  “I will,” he answered. “In the meantime, I need you to be careful. Why don’t you go to the trial where David can watch out for you? I’ll see about Ramos.”

  “Okay.” We disconnected, and my stomach clenched. I hoped Ramos was all right, but I couldn’t shake the bad feeling his absence caused.

  I backed out of my driveway, my senses alert for anything out of the ordinary. I couldn’t spot anyone following me and soon pulled into Chris’ parking garage. I left my big bag with the stun flashlight in the car, slinging my little purse over my shoulder, knowing I could never get it through security.

  I hurried to the courthouse, through security, and up to the third floor courtroom. More people were crowded into the room today, but I found a place to the back on the right side and sat down.

  From everyone’s thoughts, I gathered that Chris was wrapping up his defense, and maybe even today the jury would be sent out to deliberate. I couldn’t help admiring my husband. He looked so handsome and confident. Everything he said and did was impressive.

  Lots of people were thinking the same thing, and my heart swelled with pride. One thought stood out over the others, sending a spike of alarm into my chest. It’s one thing for me to think my husband is hot, but it’s a different matter for someone else. Especially when that someone sounded an awful lot like Kate. How dare she? What was she doing here?

  This time, I kept my cool. I wasn’t going to let her catch me again. Keeping my back ramrod straight, I glanced over my shoulder. She was sitting one row behind me in the center section. She’d been waiting for me to find her. As our gazes met, she winked.

  I turned my head away, but not before I caught her amused smile. Yuck. Did she really think that would faze me? Probably. Jerk. I caught a glimmer of amusement from the man sitting beside her and glanced at him. It wasn’t her partner, Doug Carter. Nor was it anyone I’d ever seen before. He had close-cropped dark hair, a hard-edged face with deep-set eyes, and a hawk nose. His mind was like a cavernous black hole, full of dark things like greed, hate, and envy.

  The power of those feelings shook my senses, and I recoiled from them like I would a poisonous snake. Bile rose to my throat in revulsion, and I instantly threw up my shields. Who was this guy? Was he Kate’s partner?

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, signaling a text message. I glanced at the message, anxiously chewing my bottom lip. Before I could read it, I heard the words in my mind, Run Shelby! Get out! I was sure it came from Kate. But why would she be telling me that?

  Confused, I checked the text message. It was from Ramos, and it said, “Get out of there. Now.” What? He was telling me the same thing? How did he even know where I was? With my heart pounding, I decided to follow Ramos’ advice, and left the courtroom in a rush, hurrying down the hall to the staircase.

  Footsteps pounded behind me, and I doubled my speed. Kate and her partner weren’t supposed to be following so quickly. How did they get out so fast? I glanced back to find two men in suits rushing down the stairs. One of them was wondering where I was going in such a hurry. The other guy was thinking about his client, and hoping she’d wait until he got to the office. I slowed down, relieved they weren’t after me.

  After they passed me, I continued through the lobby and pushed through the double doors leading outside. I spotted Ramos standing beside Uncle Joey’s black car, and started toward him, dizzy with relief.

  All at once, something sharp jabbed me in the ribs, followed by a harsh whisper in my ear. “Keep walking. Don’t make any sudden moves, or I’ll put a bullet in you.” It was Doug Carter. He clamped his hand on my shoulder and roughly jerked me against him.

  He was thinking I’d messed everything up by leaving the courtroom so fast. He pulled me toward the parking garage and down the steps to the bottom level. I knew I had to make my move soon. If I got in a car with him, I might as well be dead, so what was the difference?

  I listened to his mind again, but his thoughts kept repeating, don’t think about it, don’t think, don’t think, she’ll hear it, she’ll hear, she’ll hear.

  Good grief! How many people had Kate told? At least he was lousy at covering his thoughts. Beneath his mantra, I picked up his intention of throwing me in the trunk. But that’s as far as I got before I heard my name. Shelby! Drop!

  I let my legs go limp and sagged to the ground, catching Doug by surprise. As I slipped from his grip, a bullet hit him in the shoulder, and he lost his hold on me. He spun around and took aim, firing several shots muffled by the silencer on his gun. I covered my head and cowered until the whizzing of muffled bullets stopped.

  Dropping my arms, I found Doug lying in a pool of blood, his eyes glassy in death.

  “Shelby? Are you all right?” Ramos hurried to my side.

  “Yes,” I answered, my voice shaking.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here.” A car came to a stop beside us, and he helped me stand. He opened the back door, and I caught a glimpse of Uncle Joey at the wheel. He had a baseball cap on his head and wore dark aviator sunglasses. Ramos pushed me inside and jumped in behind me. As he pulled the door shut, the car took off.

  “That was close,” Uncle Joey said. He circled the car to the main floor exit and gave the attendant his ticket. She opened the gate, and we were free.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “Let’s go back to my office, and I’ll explain everything,” Uncle Joey said. He was thanking his lucky stars they’d got to me in time. With this victory, he could put his plans into action, as long as I went along with it. There was some risk involved, but it was the only way out of this mess.

  “What mess?” I asked.

  Uncle Joey sighed. He’d forgotten I was listening to him.

  “Never mind,” I said. “I’ll wait. We’re almost there anyway.”

  Uncle Joey glanced in the rearview mirror and smiled at me. Ramos was thinking I didn’t have to worry so much on his account. That mind-reading thing I did probably saved my life. It was pretty cool too. He could imagine whole conversations where he didn’t have to say a word. How sweet would that be?

  We pulled into the parking garage to find Ricky waiting for us at the elevators. “All clear?” Uncle Joey asked.

  “Yes sir,” Ricky answered. He pulled out a radio and talked to someone on the other end. “They’re waiting for you upstairs.”

  “Good,” Uncle Joey said.

  We entered the elevators, and Ramos positioned himself between the doors and us. Since he couldn’t secure the entire building, he wasn’t taking any chances of someone getting to me by stopping the elevator on one of the other floors.

  Picking up on his apprehension, I could barely breathe as we passed each floor, finally relaxing when we stopped on twenty-six. The doors opened. Vic and Jimmy were standing guard. They nodded at Ramos, and followed us into Thrasher Development.

  There was no sign of Jackie, and I picked up that Uncle Joey had packed her up to a safe location with his son, Miguel. Wow, if he was worried about them, this was super serious. My motherly instincts flipped into overdrive, and panic clawed up my spine. As soon as we entered Uncle Joey’s office, I blurted, “Are my kids okay? And Chris? What’s going on?”

  Ramos closed the door, and Uncle Joey sat down behind his desk before answering. “They’re fine,” he assured me. “Once I explain what’s going on, you’ll know what I mean.”

  The panic slowed, and I sat heavily in the vacant chair in front of his desk. Doug’s death was catching up to me, and my legs couldn’t hold me any longer. “Doug knew about me. He kept thinking that he shouldn’t be thinking anything. I wonder how many other people Kate told. This is terrible! I knew something was wrong with Doug when he worked here. He was guarding his thoughts then. I should have picked up on that.”

  “You had no idea,” Uncle
Joey said. “This is all Kate’s doing.”

  “What did you find out?” I asked.

  “Apparently while Kate was in Seattle, she made friends with Eddie Sullivan, Seattle’s crime boss. He’s the force behind everything that’s been going on here. The drugs, money, guns, everything can be traced back to him. Last night, Eddie set up a meeting with Lanny to negotiate an agreement. I’m sure Lanny thought he could keep his lucrative business going in return for favors like he does with me, but Eddie didn’t see it that way.

  “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, an
d 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.