Deadly Escape_A Shelby Nichols Adventure

by Colleen Helme

  “We could have stayed for that.”

  “Do you want to pull over and wait?”

  “Yeah.” He pulled to the curb, and we both turned to watch the house. A few minutes later, about a dozen agents surrounded the house. They used some kind of battering ram to open the door and quickly rushed inside.

  A couple of cars passed us, headed for the house, and Gerard was in one of them. At least he didn’t notice us sitting there. Five minutes later, Gerard and several agents congregated on the front lawn with their hands empty.

  “It looks like a bust,” Dimples said. He started the car and pulled back onto the street before they spotted us.

  “Maybe she really is out of town.”

  “Maybe, but with that kind of connection, I think she must be involved. We might be able to find out at the precinct. Do you want to come back in?” He noticed my hesitation and added. “I can always call you if I find something.”

  He thought it would be better if I didn’t come in right now, mostly because Gerard was going to be upset when he found out we’d been there. If I wasn’t around, he might forget about it.

  “Yeah, you’re probably right, and I’ve got other things to do.”

  As he drove back to the station, he tried to keep his thoughts to himself, but I picked up his concern that the “other things” I needed to do probably involved going straight back to Manetto and telling him all about Erika and the lawyer.

  Then he thought that if the deputy really wanted to find Leo, all he had to do was keep tabs on Manetto. Sooner or later, Leo was bound show up to kill him. He just hoped I was smart enough to stay away from Manetto so I wouldn’t be collateral damage.

  We pulled into the precinct, and Dimples glanced my way. “You probably heard most of that, but I don’t mean it in a bad way. I just want you to be safe.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it.” How could I blame him for worrying about me? We both got out of the car, and I sent him a wave. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  He dipped his head, and I hurried to my car. After getting in, I watched him enter the precinct before I started up my car. He was right that I was going straight to Uncle Joey. I was ready to tell him everything, whether I should or not. I couldn’t let Leo get to him. No matter what Dimples thought. Leo was the bad guy here, not Uncle Joey.

  After parking in the garage, I took the elevator up to Thrasher Development and stepped inside. Jackie smiled with relief. “Oh good, you’re here. They’re in the conference room. Go on in.”

  I’d forgotten that Uncle Joey had summoned all his minions for a meeting. Going inside with all of them was the last thing I wanted to do. “Uh…how about I get me a diet soda first? I have some information, but I’d rather wait until I can talk to Uncle Joey alone.”

  Jackie’s brow puckered, but she knew my presence wasn’t vital to the meeting, so she nodded. “Sure. Go on down to the apartment. The door should be open.”

  “Thanks Jackie.” I sent her a grateful smile and made a beeline for the apartment before anyone could stop me. The knob turned under my hand, and I pushed the door open into plush elegance. This apartment was mostly used by Ramos, and it never failed to quiet my nerves.

  I flipped on the light in the kitchen and opened the fridge, pulling out a Diet Coke. Next, I opened the white cupboard and grabbed a glass, then filled it up with ice. I set it on the black, granite countertop, and emptied the contents of the can inside, hearing the familiar sizzle.

  With the glass in hand, I entered the living room area, promptly kicking off my shoes to enjoy the feel of the plush, white carpet beneath my feet. The sun slanted through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, warming the room, and I sank onto the soft, white couch and relaxed.

  Getting comfortable, I gazed out over the city. From the twenty-sixth floor, the beautiful vista was framed by white, fluffy clouds hanging in the blue sky. I hadn’t enjoyed the beautiful spring day while I sat on the park bench with Dimples, but now I could unwind for a moment.

  Down on the street, people were going about their business doing normal, everyday things. Some probably didn’t even know that a killer had escaped custody, and a huge manhunt to re-capture him was underway. I sighed. Too bad I wasn’t one of them.

  I sat there for a while and drank my glass of soda slowly, so I didn’t have to leave quite yet. The sound of the door opening broke the stillness, and I turned to face Uncle Joey. Only it wasn’t him. Ramos stood there, and a slow smile tilted his lips.

  “Babe. Are you hiding in here?” He thought that the flush staining my cheeks came from guilt. Or maybe it was seeing him that did it. Either way, he didn’t mind finding me there alone.

  I shook my head and smiled. “I just needed a break. Is the meeting over?”

  “Yes. Jackie was going to come and get you, but I beat her to it. I don’t think she was too happy about that. I get the feeling she doesn’t like leaving us alone.”

  I snorted. “You got that right.” Ramos was one hot dude, and totally off-limits, so I had to agree that being alone with him was asking for trouble. I glanced back out at the view and sighed. Maybe confiding in Ramos would help me feel better. “I just wonder what I’m doing sometimes.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Working for Uncle Joey and the police kind of puts me in a bind. I’m trying to be a good person, but I’m not sure I am anymore.”

  “Of course you’re a good person.” Ramos sat down on the couch beside me. “Why would you even think that? You’re one of the best people I know.”

  “Thanks Ramos,” I said, smiling at him before glancing away. “It’s just that Dimples was thinking that, if I knew what was good for me, I’d get out of the way and let this escaped convict do what he wanted. Then I wouldn’t have to work for Uncle Joey anymore because he’d be dead.”

  I shook my head. “But I told him I couldn’t do that. And I won’t. If there was something I found out from Dimples that would help Uncle Joey, I’d tell him. So I guess that puts me on the wrong side of the law.”

  “No it doesn’t,” he said. “Have you broken any laws?”

  “Uh…no. I guess not.”

  “That’s right. You haven’t, and Manetto wouldn’t want you to, either. Don’t worry so much, and don’t listen to your detective friend. He only sees things from one point of view, and he’s not always right.”

  “I guess it’s easy to doubt myself when it comes to these things. But I’m doing the best I can, and I’m trying to help everyone, so that’s a good thing, right?”

  “Yeah.” That was one thing that bothered him the most...that I tried to help everyone. Didn’t I know how that one character flaw got me into more trouble than Manetto or the police ever could? He knew I’d heard that, so he tempered it by thinking that it also made me who I was, so he couldn’t complain. “But there is such a thing as being too helpful, you know?”

  I snickered and nodded. My husband, Chris, had told me that same thing often enough, so it had to be true. “Yeah, yeah. I’m sure you’re right.” I’d finished my soda, so I couldn’t put it off any longer. “I guess we’d better get back before Jackie has a fit, right?” I stood, then slipped my shoes back on and carried my glass into the kitchen.

  “You can leave the glass on the counter,” Ramos said.

  “Okay.” I set it down, and Ramos followed me out of the apartment. On the way down the hall, I turned to him. “Hey, I heard you were out at the prison looking at visitor logs.”

  His brows rose. “How did you know that?”

  I smiled. “Because the clerk was still thinking about you when I got there. You made a big impression.”

  “You sure it wasn’t the hundred bucks I gave her?”

  “Nope. You won her loyalty with your good looks and charm.”

  He grinned, happy to know he had the moves down pat. It was easy for him to have the ladies eating out of his fingers. Not that he wanted them. That was one reason why he liked flirting with me. Even though he was sur
e I wanted to jump his bones, he didn’t have to worry that I’d ever do it. It was a relief that he didn’t have to fight me off like he did everyone else.

  My breath caught. Did he really think that? I shook my head and sent him a glare. He gave me that sexy half-smile of his that usually melted my insides. Then I caught his thoughts about how nice it would be if I kissed him, even if he didn’t want me to.

  Now I knew he was teasing. But some part of his message was making me all hot and bothered. Was this reverse psychology? Because, all at once, I really wanted to surprise him with a big kiss, which was probably just what he wanted.

  “So did I waste my money?”

  “On what?”

  “The lady at the prison?”

  “Oh that…uh…I got the same list, so probably.”

  “Damn. So did you and your detective friend figure out who Leo’s visitors were?”

  I smiled and nodded. “Yup, but don’t feel too bad. I had the advantage of looking them up on the police database.”

  “You’re turning into quite the sleuth. It’s a good thing Manetto’s got you around to help.”

  His compliment brightened my day and cleared away the cobwebs of doubt I’d had earlier. We entered Uncle Joey’s office, finding him sitting at his desk. Ramos closed the door behind us.

  “Good. You’re both here,” Uncle Joey said. “Sit down and tell me what you’ve discovered.”

  He glanced at me, so I started first. “Well, at the police station there’s a huge manhunt going on with a big group of U.S. Marshalls. They even set up a command center in the conference room. Um…the chief introduced me to Deputy Gerard, the Marshall in charge, and told him I could be a real help since I had premonitions. That didn’t go over too well, as you can imagine.”

  “Huh,” Uncle Joey said, his eyes widening. He hadn’t expected that. The chief thought I had premonitions? He’d only thought my detective friend knew that. Then he thought it was a good thing believing in me was hard for most people. Still, he didn’t like my involvement with them much.

  “Uh…anyway, Gerard asked me if I had anything I’d like to share. After I said no, he promptly dismissed me. It made the chief mad, so he told me to work with Dimples and find Leo before the deputy did. I got a good look at Leo’s files, which led us to the prison to talk to his cellmate and the warden.

  “From the cellmate, it sounded like Leo had a special relationship with the warden, because he had all kinds of privileges. It looked like he practically ran the inmate side of the prison. I guess he had lots of dirt on people, kind of like…well…you know.” Crap! Did I just put my foot in my mouth or what?

  “Anyway, we looked at the visitor log and found two visitors’ names. One was a lawyer, and the other actually belonged to his daughter, Erika Reva.”

  “He has a daughter?” Uncle Joey asked.

  “Yeah, I just got back from her house. Dimples and I went there to talk to her, but the deputy had it surrounded. I guess no one was home so, if she helped Leo, they might be long gone.”

  “What about the lawyer? That might be a good lead.”

  “His name is Chad Decker, from Decker & Arnold Attorneys at Law. Maybe he manages Leo’s estate or something?”

  “Hmm. I’ve always wondered what happened to all that money he stole from us and everyone else he ripped off. Maybe you should have a talk with Chad tomorrow. He might even know where Leo ran off to. Ramos can go with you.”

  “Sure. That should work.”

  Uncle Joey glanced at Ramos, who quickly answered. “Yeah, tomorrow would be best, because right now I need to make sure all the security systems are running at your house. I also need to see that the men are updated with the extra shifts. I don’t want to take any chances with your protection until this thing is over.”

  “Sounds good. Then that’s it for today. Thank you Shelby. I’ll see you back here in the morning.” He was thinking that Leo may come after him but, thanks to me and Ramos, he’d be ready. He also needed to put that call through to Blake, since he hadn’t done it yet, and ask for that favor.

  I listened real close to what that favor might entail, but Uncle Joey was already thinking about leaving for the day, so I said my goodbyes and followed Ramos out the door. Ramos thought that this Leo person had no idea just how powerful Uncle Joey was, but he would soon find out and wish he’d stayed in prison.

  That thought helped lift my spirits, and I sent him a smile. Ramos’s lips twisted in an answering grin, and we continued to the elevator. “Do you want me to walk you to your car?”

  “No, that’s okay. I’m sure I’ll be fine. You’ve got work to do.”

  “Don’t worry, Shelby. We’ll get this guy.”

  “That’s right. We will.”

  I had to wait until after dinner, while the kids were busy with their homework, before I could tell Chris what was going on. We went out on the deck, to enjoy the fresh evening breeze, and sat on our deck swing. It took a full fifteen minutes to tell him everything, and it felt good to share it with him.

  “I’ve been checking the news for updates,” I added. “But it doesn’t look like they’ve caught him yet.”

  Chris shook his head. “It sounds like Erika Reva had a hand in his escape. Maybe she even helped him plan this whole thing.”

  “But that just doesn’t make sense to me. She was only three when he went to prison, and her mom remarried a year later. The man her mom married even adopted Erika. Why would Erika help a killer like Leo, whom she never knew?”

  “You’re right. But then why was she visiting him?”

  I shrugged. “Maybe he got in contact with her for some reason?”

  “That’s a possibility,” Chris agreed. “Maybe it has something to do with his estate. If he’s sick, maybe he wants to leave Erika all his money. You should talk to the lawyer. He won’t be able to tell you any of that, but you’ll pick it up from his mind.”

  He glanced at me with new appreciation. What I could do was amazing. It struck him that, as much as he hated me reading his mind, it was still an awesome thing.

  “Thanks honey.” I smiled and cuddled up next to him. “So do you know Chad Decker?”

  “Not personally, but I’ve heard of the law firm.”

  “Uncle Joey wants me to talk to him tomorrow morning. As a lawyer yourself, are there any particular questions you think I should ask him?”

  Chris chuckled. “Yeah. Probably anything about Leo and his money should get you a lot of information. Combine that with questions about Erika and her role in all of this, and you should know exactly what’s going on.”

  “Saweet. I guess I am pretty awesome.”

  “Honey, you’ve always been awesome.” His lips met mine in a sweet kiss that sent a shiver all the way down to my toes. He ended the kiss and pulled me into his arms, thinking that life with me was one adventure after another, but he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

  My heart swelled, and I snuggled against him, knowing I was one lucky gal to have such a wonderful, understanding husband, friend, and lover in my life. He’d stuck with me through all the craziness that came with my mind-reading ability, and I knew there were times it made him a little crazy too. But he loved me in spite of all that.

  I couldn’t imagine my life without him and my kids. They completed me, and grounded me in my crazy world of mob-bosses, U.S. Marshalls, detectives, and a certain hit-man who tempted me more than I liked. Who knew where I’d be without him in my life?

  It reminded me of the scene at Uncle Joey’s office with Ricky and Jim, and the woman they both loved. “Oh, I forgot to tell you what happened at Uncle Joey’s office before the whole Leo thing.” I proceeded to tell Chris all about it, ending with the dinner we were invited to next week.

  “That sounds interesting. I’ll put it on my calendar. But are you sure it’s safe with Leo on the loose?”

  “Oh, I’m sure we’ll catch him before then. I mean…with me on the case, how can we not?”

  Chri
s chuckled. “Don’t get cocky. Things don’t always turn out how we think they should, even with your abilities in the mix.”

  “Hey.” Slightly offended, I pulled away with a frown.

  “I don’t mean to rain on your parade. I’m just being practical. That way we can be prepared, right?” Chris let out a sigh, realizing again how this kind of life wasn’t normal, but he wouldn’t let go of me for anything in the world. For better or for worse, he was stuck with me, so he’d just have to make the best of it.

  “Stuck?” I sat up straight, ready to punch him in the stomach, but he chuckled and pulled me back into his arms.

  “Hey, nothing’s ever easy. If it was, we wouldn’t appreciate it. But you’re the one I get to share my life with, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  Warmth filled my heart, and I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled close, knowing that whatever we faced, we’d do it together.

  The stars were just coming out, and the breeze had cooled, but the heat between us kept me warm. And I knew it always would.

  “Hey, look at that,” he said, motioning up toward the night sky. I turned my head to look up, and his lips found mine. Teasing and playful at first, the kiss deepened until desire swirled through both of us. I picked up Chris’s thoughts of how nothing was guaranteed, so why not make the most of our time together?

  “Chris…nothing bad is going to happen.”

  “Hey…you never know.”

  I chuckled, then nuzzled his neck before trailing kisses along his jaw until finding his lips. After a long, lingering kiss, I pulled away. “Hmm. I think you have a point about the making-the-most-of-our-time part.”

  He grinned. “Oh baby, oh baby.”

  The next morning, I turned on the news to find out if Leo had been caught, or if there was any new information on the manhunt. I could have called Dimples, but if I spoke to him, he might want my help with something, like talking to the lawyer, and I wanted to go with Ramos instead. Not that I wanted to help the bad guys more than the good guys but, with Ramos, there might be a motorcycle ride involved.