Secrets That Kill: A Shelby Nichols Adventure

by Colleen Helme

  Ramos swore under his breath and raised his brows. That was one conversation he was hoping to avoid.

  “Yeah, exactly,” I said. “Now you know how I feel, but don’t worry. I’m sure he doesn’t expect you to explain anything. Plus, you’re intimidating enough that all you have to do is tell him you’d take a bullet for me and he’ll be fine.”

  “Is that all?” he asked, his lips twisted in a wry smile.

  “Uh-huh.” I smiled sweetly. “But you don’t have to talk to him until later tonight.” I finished putting the drinks in the fridge and closed the door. “So what is the plan anyway?”

  Ramos checked his watch. “Nick should be arriving in a couple of hours. Once he has a chance to look at the thumb-drive, we’ll know how to take Carson down. That means we’ll have to wait until he gets here to come up with a plan.”

  “So the poker part isn’t a sure thing? Dang! I wish I wouldn’t have said anything to Chris about that. The only reason I did was because at one point he was thinking about me learning how to play and winning a lot of money in poker tournaments. I thought he’d be happy that I was finally going to learn. Only when I mentioned it, he wasn’t too thrilled. That’s when he wanted to talk to you.”

  “Hmm…yeah. You probably should have left that part out,” Ramos said. “In fact, maybe it’s best if we tell Chris as little as possible.”

  I narrowed my gaze at him. “So now you’ve changed your tune? Before you were saying I shouldn’t lie to my husband, and now you’re saying I should.”

  “Hey, that’s not what I’m saying at all.” Ramos didn’t like that I’d thrown his words back at him. “Telling him as little as possible is not lying to him.”

  “But in a way, it is,” I reasoned. “Not telling the whole truth is kind of like lying.”

  “So you want to tell him the whole truth now?” Ramos glared at me.

  “No.” I crossed my arms in front of me. “I’m just trying to prove a point. That what we choose to share isn’t so cut and dry all the time.” My heart started to pound, and my chest ached. The last few days had been rough, and the stress was starting to get to me.

  “And let me tell you something,” I continued. “The fact that I can read minds puts me in a real bind. You don’t have any idea how hard it’s been for me to know stuff, and not know what to do or say about it. I swear, after today I’ve about had it. I think if I could quit right now, I would! Got that?” Once I stopped speaking, I realized I’d raised my voice, and worse, my eyes were filling with tears. Embarrassed, I blinked them away and turned toward the fridge and opened it. “Where’s my Diet Coke?”

  “Um…I think it’s on the bottom shelf.” Ramos hadn’t missed my tears and it made him uneasy. He didn’t relish talking to Chris, but he hated upsetting me more. Hoping to diffuse the situation, he moved behind me, opened the door wider, and bent down to look inside, nudging me aside. “Here it is.” He opened the box and pulled out a can, glancing at me with a worried smile. “It’s not cold yet, but there’s an ice dispenser right here in the door. Let me get you a glass.”

  By now I was completely out of his way, and he opened the cupboard doors until he found a glass. Putting it under the ice dispenser he asked, “Crushed or cubed?”

  “Um…crushed,” I answered, sniffing.

  “Good choice,” he said. He filled it up with ice and set it on the counter, then popped open the can and began to pour.

  Hearing the familiar sizzle calmed my nerves, and the care with which Ramos filled the glass increased my shame. What had just happened? Had I nearly broken down and cried in front of Ramos? What was wrong with me?

  “Here you go,” Ramos said.

  “Thanks.” I took the glass and gulped down a few swallows, feeling better and more in control. “Mmm…this tastes different. It’s…good. Wait, is this diet?”

  “Yes,” he said, hurriedly. “I just got the kind with vanilla in it. I thought maybe you’d like it. Is that okay?”

  “Um…yeah, actually it’s really quite good.” I drained the glass and smiled. “I like it. Can I have some more?”

  “Sure.”

  I held out my glass, and Ramos poured the rest of the can into it. “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” Ramos watched me take another drink, thinking he’d just averted a disaster. He also thought it was a good thing my drink wasn’t anything stronger, the way I was guzzling it down. Then he wondered what I would be like if I got drunk. Probably best to keep that from happening, since in that state, who knew what I’d blurt out?

  I raised one of my brows and pursed my lips. Ramos just chuckled, not intimidated in the least. “We should probably eat something,” he said. “I’m sure that will help you feel better.” He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a package wrapped with white paper. “How does fresh salmon sound? I can make a great lime-mustard sauce to put on it, and there’s a grill outside. We can eat it with rice. I’ve also got ingredients for a green salad.”

  “Sure,” I said, just now realizing how empty my stomach felt since we’d only had drinks at the bar. “Sounds great. I’ll make the salad and cook the rice while you grill up the salmon.”

  He grunted his agreement and I got busy. I concentrated on the familiar tasks and felt the stress leave my shoulders. With the rice cooking and the salad done, I got the table ready just as Ramos came in with the salmon. It smelled heavenly, and we quickly settled down to eat.

  Everything tasted wonderful, and I shared an appreciative smile with Ramos. He returned my smile, thinking he could get used to this arrangement. Sharing a meal with a beautiful woman did wonders for his digestive system.

  I blushed. “Are you trying to embarrass me?” A quiver of guilt at the intimate nature of our dinner rushed over me, but I did my best to brush it away.

  A self-satisfied grin spread over his face. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. For a while there you had me worried. All I can say is, it’s a good thing I got the soda.”

  I huffed and shook my head. “I guess I got a little upset, but I’m fine now.”

  “Good.” He checked his watch. “I should probably leave for the airport. Nick will be arriving soon. You’ll be safe here, but you can come if you like.”

  “I think I’ll stay. Maybe go for a swim or something.”

  Ramos nodded, thinking it would be good for me to take it easy and enjoy myself. Who knew when I’d get another chance? He took his dishes to the sink and began stacking them in the dishwasher.

  “I can clean up if you want to go now,” I offered.

  “Um…sure.” He finished what he was doing and turned to leave, grabbing his keys from the counter. “I should be back with Nick in about an hour.” He started toward the door.

  “Wait!” A sudden thought occurred to me, sending my heart rate into overdrive. “Nick can’t know about me.”

  Glancing back at me, Ramos stilled as the implications of what that meant hit him. “No, of course not. Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.”

  I let out my breath and nodded. Ramos opened the door and was gone, leaving me to worry about how we were supposed to do that. Remembering the few times I’d talked with Nick tightened my stomach. He was curious about me the first time we met, wondering exactly what I did for Uncle Joey and why I was so important to him. How was I going to keep Nick from finding out all he could about me?

  I grabbed my cell phone and called the only person I knew who could take care of it.

  “Shelby? Are you all right?” Uncle Joey asked.

  “Actually, no. I’m worried about Nick being here.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because he doesn’t know about me and what I do,” I explained. “You know he’ll try and figure it out, right?”

  “Hmm…I see what you mean. We can’t let that happen.”

  “Exactly,” I said, relieved he was agreeing with me. “You know that Ramos knows, don’t you? Given how curious Nick is, I’m sure he’ll try and figure it out too. I just can�
�t have one more person knowing. Especially Nick.”

  “Hey, Nick’s not that bad,” Uncle Joey protested.

  “Yes he is,” I said quietly.

  “All right,” Uncle Joey sighed. “What do you suggest?”

  “Can’t you just call him and order him not to ask any questions about me? Tell him what I do for you is off limits and that’s all he needs to know?”

  “Do you really think that would work?” he asked with a chuckle. “If anything, that would make him even more curious. No…we’ll just have to give him another explanation for your involvement. Why don’t you just tell him that you have premonitions? You’ve told other people that.”

  “Oh, yeah,” I stammered, chagrined that I had made such a big deal about something so simple. “That should work.”

  “Good. Listen…Ramos told me you wanted to stay and help him, but you don’t have to. I’m pretty sure he can take care of things himself if you want to come home.”

  I arched my brows in surprise. Uncle Joey was giving me an out? “Oh, that’s okay. I’m fine to stay and help. Chris isn’t real happy about it, but I don’t mind.”

  “I can believe that,” he snorted. “Just be careful. I want you back in one piece.” Before I could respond, he continued, “So…how’s the vacation house?”

  “It’s great,” I said, warmed by his concern for my welfare. “In fact, I think I’m going to go take a swim in the pool.”

  “Good. Let Ramos know what we discussed, and call me if you need anything.”

  We disconnected and I sighed, somewhat surprised at the irony that Uncle Joey had actually helped me feel better. Twice in two days. Who would have thought that possible? Chris wouldn’t believe it.

  Knowing the next few days were going to be stressful, I hurried upstairs to put on my swimming suit and go swimming. I was actually going to take Ramos’ advice and enjoy myself.

  I was swimming on my back when the sliding doors opened and Ramos stepped out. The sun was low on the horizon, sending hues of golden light through the sky. It caught Ramos in the face, outlining his chiseled features and making his skin take on a burnished bronze glow. I sighed in appreciation.

  “Just wanted you to know we’re back,” Ramos said. “Nick’s inside working on the thumb-drive.” As Ramos took in my wet hair and welcoming smile, he gritted his teeth against a sudden desire to join me in the pool. Before I could answer, he disappeared into the house and slid the door closed with a thwack.

  Hmm…I grimaced, what was that all about? Did I really want to know? Nope. I was going to pretend I hadn’t picked up that Ramos’ attraction to me was making him angry. Maybe it wasn’t so bad that Nick was here after all, although I was hoping to have a minute alone with Ramos to tell him what Uncle Joey and I had discussed. Now that would have to wait for a better time.

  I hesitated to get out of the pool just yet, mostly because I didn’t want to face Nick. Or was it Ramos? Or maybe a little of both? Of course, when Nick found out I had ‘premonitions’ I was sure he wouldn’t take it seriously. He’d probably think I was joking, which was just fine with me.

  I swam a few more laps, then got out of the pool and dried off with the beach towel I’d found. I wrapped it around my waist and went inside. Nick sat at the table working on his computer, and Ramos stood behind him, looking over his shoulder at the screen. Both of them had frowns on their faces.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I got this,” Nick said. “Ramos doesn’t think I can break the code, but as good of a hacker as Warren was, I’m better. It would help if you’d quit looking over my shoulder, though.” He said this to Ramos, who straightened and jerked away with a scowl.

  “I’m going to go take a shower.” I could see that now was not a good time to talk to Ramos. Besides, Nick didn’t seem concerned about my presence at all. If it ever came up, I’d figure out what to tell him then.

  I took my time in the bathroom, hoping Nick could get into the files before I joined them downstairs. More than half an hour later, I gingerly crept down the stairs to find them both much happier and I sighed, finally relaxing my shoulders.

  Ramos glanced at me and smiled with cold calculation. My heart broke to find his feelings locked up tight, replaced by a much darker focus. Taking down Carson made him hard and unemotional. This was the Ramos that people were afraid of, and it usually meant someone was going to die.

  “We found a way to bring him down,” Ramos said. He was thinking how easy it would be to take all of Carson’s money right out from under him, and then tell him why he did it right before he shot him between the eyes.

  My eyes widened. What? That wasn’t the plan. What was he thinking?

  Ramos took in my alarm and pursed his lips, thinking that as much as he wanted to pull the trigger, he would have to come up with a different plan because of me. I heaved a big sigh, grateful he’d changed his mind. “Don’t forget…that other thing.” I was about to say “your brother” but couldn’t in front of Nick.

  “What other thing?” Nick asked suspiciously, not missing a thing.

  “Oh…just that one of the police detectives knows Ramos, and would suspect him if anything happened to Carson.” This was safe to admit without telling Nick the whole story.

  Ramos grunted, shaking his head in disgust, but played along with me since it was true. “We’re going to have to be creative about this. I was hoping there would be a way we could encourage one of Carson’s associates to kill him so we don’t get our hands dirty.”

  “I see,” Nick said. “Maybe with this information that won’t be a problem.” Nick was thinking this little trip was getting more and more interesting. He relished this kind of work and looked forward to figuring out a plan. “From these files, it looks like Manetto was right. I think Carson was cheating him out of at least five hundred thousand dollars. Maybe more.”

  “Wow, that’s a lot,” I said. “Uncle Joey’s not going to be happy about that.”

  “No, he’s not.” Ramos was suddenly worried that Manetto wouldn’t let him kill Carson without getting the money first. That might be a problem. “I’d better call him.” He picked up his phone and opened the sliding door, going outside to talk in private.

  That left me alone with Nick, who focused on me for the first time since he’d gotten here. He’d caught an undercurrent that something was going on between Ramos and me, but there was no way he’d ever mention that. Still, it was an interesting development. He also wondered what I did for Manetto, knowing it had to be important since both Manetto and Ramos trusted me.

  Of course, there was a lot he didn’t know about Manetto’s organization, and for now, he was okay with that. He’d learned from his father that in this business, it was probably best to know as little as possible, just in case the police showed up.

  “It looks like Carson hasn’t been sharing the profits with anyone like he should,” Nick said, going back to the files. “If these numbers are right, Manetto’s not the only one he’s been cheating.”

  “That’s it!” I said. “If we can get this information to everyone else he’s cheated, they’ll take care of him so Ramos doesn’t have to.”

  “That should work,” Nick agreed. “I have their names, so it would just be a matter of tracking them down and giving them a hard copy of these files.”

  Ramos came in, hearing Nick’s last comment. Nick filled Ramos in about what he’d just told me. “Sounds good,” Ramos said. “But before we alert the others, Manetto wants his money.”

  “I was afraid of that,” I said. “How are we supposed to get it?”

  “I’m going to have a little chat with Carson.”

  This did not sound good in so many ways. “Don’t you think that’s dangerous?” I blurted. “He could kill you.”

  “Relax Shelby,” Ramos said. “As far as Carson knows, I’m just here on business. Nothing for him to be worried about.”

  “Yeah, until you tell him to pay up. Then what’s going to stop him
from killing you?”

  “Babe,” Ramos said, his voice low and level. “Give me a little credit. I know what I’m doing. I handle stuff like this all the time. It’s my job.”

  “Oh,” I stammered. “Yeah, okay.” I could feel my face flushing with embarrassment.

  “But I wouldn’t mind some company,” he said. “If you’re up to it.”

  “You want me to go? But he knows who I am.”

  “Exactly.” He was thinking this could work out great if Carson fell for it.

  “Fell for what?” I asked, peeved that Ramos wasn’t explaining anything to me. Ramos glanced at Nick, who was thinking my comment didn’t make any sense. Oops. “I mean, what are you thinking?” I clamped my mouth shut and waited for Ramos to explain.

  “Carson won’t want to get on Manetto’s bad side, and once he knows you’re Manetto’s niece, he’ll leave you alone. We can trade the thumb-drive for the money, and then let the other people he’s cheated take care of him.”

  “I guess that could work,” I said, dubiously.

  “How quickly can you make copies of the files?” Ramos asked Nick.

  “All I need is a printer and some paper,” Nick replied.

  “There’s a computer room with a printer just off the kitchen,” Ramos answered, pointing the way. “It should have everything you need.”

  “I’ll go check it out.” Nick took his computer and disappeared inside.

  Ramos checked his watch. “We can talk to Carson tonight, and I’ll make the trade tomorrow. While I’m making the trade, you and Nick can deliver the copied files to Carson’s associates. Nick can encrypt the thumb-drive so Carson won’t know what’s on it without a good hacker, and by the time he figures it out, it will be too late.”

  “I’d better go change then,” I said, my voice sounding breathless and small.

  I turned to leave, but Ramos caught my wrist and pulled me to face him. “Don’t worry Shelby. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  I nodded and managed a weak smile. “I know.” He gave my wrist a reassuring squeeze and I hurried up the stairs.

  I hadn’t bothered to fix my hair or apply any make-up after my swim, and now I regretted swimming at all. My hair was still damp, so I tipped my head upside down and blew it dry. Satisfied with my wind-blown look, I concentrated on my make-up, wanting to look extra-good. Being the “niece” of a mob-boss brought a lot of expectations, and I wished I had something nicer to wear, but as my wardrobe was limited, I just threw on the same clothes from this morning. Thank goodness for the jewelry. It saved an otherwise blah outfit.