Tell It Like It Is

by Stanalei Fletcher

  “I heard sirens. Where is Nelson going?” Rosalee’s voice trembled.

  Shelby positioned herself between the author and the bedroom door. “He’s meeting the police. I asked him to set the alarm so we’ll be okay to move around while they scout the outside.”

  “He’ll be shot.”

  “Not likely,” Shelby reassured her. “He knows to be careful. He’ll work with the police to secure the property and make sure whoever took that shot isn’t still out there waiting for another chance.”

  “I’m scared for him.” The fear in Rosalee’s voice reflected in her eyes.

  “Me, too,” Shelby admitted. “But Kane’s good at what he does.” He was a good agent—a good nephew. She supposed that made him a good man too, but Shelby wasn’t sure exactly what that meant to her.

  ****

  Two hours later, Kane shook the police officer’s hand and thanked him for their help as they wrapped up. Statements were taken, evidence bagged, tagged, and secured. Aunt Rosalee’s portrait was ruined. The police had dug a bullet from the fist-sized hole in the faux rock mantel that turned out to be a slug from a high-powered rifle. Fortunately, the bullet missed the fireplace gas lines.

  Kane nailed up the last side of plywood to board up the window, while the police ran a final check of the grounds before they left. Snow continued to fall heavily, and the temperature outside dropped into the teens. They didn’t need a snowdrift in the middle of Aunt Rosalee’s Christmas decorations. Just thinking about those decorations, the mistletoe in particular, made his lips tingle from the memory of Shelby’s kiss. Something was definitely hanging between them that warranted further examination, maybe even hands-on investigation.

  Stop it. He needed his libido under control before he headed upstairs. He couldn’t wonder what might happen if they hooked up. Besides, he wasn’t looking for anything permanent. He didn’t think Shelby was either. He suspected she was as shaken as his aunt was, although she hadn’t let it show. She took her duties seriously, which he appreciated.

  That thought brought his focus back to who was trying to kill his aunt. By calculating the bullet’s trajectory, the police had found the most likely place where the shot originated. Indentations in the snow confirmed their theory, but the shooter hadn’t left any evidence. Any tracks were covered by falling snow. Kane’s gut clenched, knowing the shooter was still out there—on the loose and free to take another shot.

  Once the window was secured with planks, Kane turned on the lights in the living room. Upgrades Aunt Rosalee had done to the house five years ago included newer, energy efficient windows, which meant a coated safety glass that didn’t shatter. Still, pieces of fractured glass needed to be cleaned up before his aunt and Shelby came downstairs.

  He retrieved his aunt’s portrait from the floor and shook the broken glass from the frame into a wastebasket. The bullet hole in his aunt’s forehead, even though it was only a picture, sent chills down his spine. He needed to get to the bottom of this situation now. These threats on her life had escalated to attempted murder.

  The doorbell rang as Kane finished cleaning up the glass. He crossed the room, thinking one of the officers had another question. The second ring sounded more impatient than polite. Kane took a second to check his weapon, then peeked through the peephole.

  What the hell? He let go the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, twisted the deadbolt and opened the door.

  “Mr. Mansfield!” Kane stood back as the older man shouldered his way into the room. “I didn’t know you were staying at the resort.” Kane quickly shut the door. “What brings you out in this storm?”

  Mansfield handed Kane his felt hat and shook off his overcoat. “What the hell is going on around here?”

  Kane didn’t want to alarm the old man, especially after the conversation they’d had at Rosalee’s Christmas party, but he couldn’t disguise the police strobes flashing outside. “Someone took a shot at the house.”

  Mansfield paled. “Rosalee? Is she…”

  “She’s fine,” Kane said. “No one was hurt. She’s upstairs resting.”

  The older man looked at the stairs. “I’d like to see for myself.”

  Kane stepped in front of Mansfield. “I was just about to tell Aunt Rosalee it’s safe to come down. Have a seat and I’ll let her know you’re here.”

  He ran upstairs and tapped on the door. Cracking it open, he noticed Shelby tidying the desk. She and his aunt must have been working on the book to pass the time.

  His aunt faced him as he entered the room. “Who was at the door?”

  “Herbert Mansfield. He’s here to see you.”

  A huge smile spread across Rosalee’s face. “How wonderful! I’d love his company after all that’s happened today.” She stood and crossed to the dresser. In front of the mirror, she straightened her blouse and patted her hair into place. Then she uncapped a tube of lipstick and applied it. Turning, she asked Shelby, “How do I look?”

  Shelby’s eyebrows rose at the question. “You look lovely.”

  Rosalee smiled and then glanced at Kane. “Would you escort me down?”

  “Are you sure you’re up to this?” Kane held his arm out.

  “Of course.” Rosalee wrapped a bejeweled hand around his elbow.

  Kane led her out of the room and down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, Mansfield turned from staring at the hole in the wall.

  “Rosalee. My dear girl.” He leaned heavily on his cane and stared at her as though seeing a ghost. “Are you truly all right?”

  “I’m fine, Manny.” Rosalee crossed to him and offered her cheek, which Mansfield dutifully kissed. She led him from the living room to the den. “But please join me in here. We can’t be too careful, now.” Together they walked to a couch and sat.

  Kane followed to make sure his aunt was completely out of view of the windows, and then left them to make some coffee. When he entered the kitchen, Shelby was already prepping the brew.

  “Why is Mansfield here?” she asked as he approached the counter. “How could he possibly know Rosalee was at the cabin?”

  “I don’t know.” Kane thought for a moment. “He also owns a home at the resort. Perhaps he came up for a Christmas getaway. One of his neighbors could have seen us drive in and passed the information along to him.”

  Shelby frowned. “I don’t like it.”

  “There’s not much we can do about it.” Kane drummed his fingers on the counter waiting for the coffee.

  “I’ve called Northstar to report this latest development. As soon as we can pack, O’Neal wants us to find another place to stay.”

  “You can’t get much more remote than here. Where do you want to go?”

  “The cabin is no longer secure. Whoever is threatening your aunt knows we’re here. And now visitors are dropping by—without notice.” She looked toward the hallway, her voice a quiet fury. “Do you think we should leave them alone?”

  “Good grief, Shelby. He’s ninety years old. And he’s not just anybody.”

  Shelby started toward the door. “I’m supposed to be watching her.”

  Kane grabbed her arm and pulled her back in the kitchen. “I’m sure she’ll be fine for a few moments with her old friend.”

  Jerking free, she spun on him. “Don’t ever stop me from doing my job.” The coffee finished just then. She turned and put cups on a tray. “I’ll just take this in and make sure she’s doing okay.”

  Kane smiled to himself at Shelby’s feisty protectiveness as he filled the cups and set containers of sugar and cream on the tray. “There you go, Northstar. Knock yourself out.”

  Shelby made a face at him before heading for the door.

  “Hold on…” His voice stopped her.

  “What?” She looked over her shoulder with a frown.

  “If you make it look like you’re anyone other than her assistant, he’ll get suspicious and that will blow your cover.”

  She nodded, looking distinctly unhappy. “I kno
w my role.”

  At that moment, Kane realized he could trust Shelby. She might not like being undercover, but she knew what she had to do to protect his aunt.

  ****

  Shelby carried the tray into the living room and caught the end of Mansfield’s statement.

  “—insist you stay at my place.”

  Rosalee glanced at Shelby as she paused in the entryway. Seeing Mansfield’s attention on Rosalee, Shelby shook her head slightly. The last thing she wanted was to relocate to the billionaire’s residence.

  Rosalee blinked and then smiled. “We couldn’t possibly put you out like that. I still need to work on my book.”

  Shelby breathed out her relief, as Rosalee understood the silent message. Crossing the room, she set the tray on the coffee table.

  “Manny, you remember Shelby, my new assistant.”

  Rosalee waved a hand as Shelby straightened. She gave the old billionaire a tight smile. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Mansfield.”

  Mansfield’s eyes were as cold as the storm outside. “You need to convince your employer she’s not safe here.”

  More than anything, Shelby wanted to agree with him. Her gaze darted to Rosalee, trying to ascertain what the author wanted her to do. “Ma’am?”

  “Thank you for bringing us the coffee.” Rosalee gave a small smile and nod.

  Shelby recognized the dismissal. “Just call out if you need anything.” She retreated to the kitchen, hoping the author wouldn’t cave to Mansfield’s request. Once in the kitchen, she could hear Rosalee and Mansfield murmuring but not what they said. Growling, she had an impulse to pound the wall.

  “Relax.” Kane looked at her as though he recognized the symptoms of wanting to be in control. “We’re both right here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He sat at the kitchen table and nodded toward the den. “We can hear them. You don’t need to be glued to her hip.”

  Shelby grimaced. “Your aunt said something similar while we were upstairs.”

  “She’s right. You couldn’t have prevented what happened. If you’d been standing right next to her, you could have been the one who was shot.”

  “I wasn’t focused.” She thought about the kiss that had completely distracted her. For the longest moment, they stared at each other. Was he reliving the kiss too? “It won’t happen again.”

  Kane didn’t say anything, yet his gaze dropped to her mouth.

  Her chest tightened. Then she shook herself free of the memory. “I think Mansfield is trying to convince Rosalee to move in to his place.”

  Kane blinked and his gaze jerked up. “His place?”

  “I don’t like it.” She shook her head. “There’s something about that man that puts me on edge.”

  “Hold on. A few minutes ago, you wanted to relocate my aunt.” He rubbed a hand along his neck. “We can’t travel far in this storm. And you’re right—we can’t stay here without expecting another attack.”

  “I know what I said,” she snapped. “But there’s got to be another place where we can go.” She gestured to the den. “I’m going to see if they need anything.”

  Pausing at the doorway, she listened. Rosalee and Mansfield were still conversing in low voices, but it sounded liked they were wrapping up. “Mansfield’s leaving,” she murmured to Kane. “I don’t want Rosalee to walk him to the door.”

  Kane stood. “I’ll see him out and make sure the house is secure.” He strode from the kitchen. Shelby followed close behind. Mansfield and Rosalee stood in the center of the den and turned to face them as they entered.

  “Manny is leaving,” Rosalee said. “His driver is waiting.”

  “Let me get your things.” Kane gathered up Mansfield’s overcoat and hat. The older man turned his back to Kane, allowing him to put them on.

  “I’ll have rooms prepared right away.” Mansfield spoke directly to Rosalee. “I’ll expect you all within the hour.”

  “We won’t be late.” She gave her old friend a peck on the cheek.

  “What’s this?” Kane glanced between Mansfield and his aunt.

  Mansfield shot Kane a piercing look. “You’re to be guests at my home until this nasty business blows over. I’ve arranged everything.” Mansfield’s gaze took them all in, lingering the longest on Rosalee.

  “No!” Shelby protested.

  Mansfield leveled a disapproving stare at her. “Certainly you weren’t planning to drive out of Tahoe? The roads are closed.”

  “It’s all right,” Rosalee said. “I think it’s quite generous of Manny to open his home on such short notice.” She glanced at Shelby. “We’re most grateful for the hospitality.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Mansfield nodded as he put on his hat and turned to leave.

  Kane opened the door. Mansfield’s driver rushed up the steps to assist his boss to the car.

  Shelby hooked her arm through Rosalee’s to keep her from moving too close to the door.

  “See you soon, Manny.” The author gave a small wave.

  Once the door was closed and secure, Rosalee sighed. “I hate packing again, but you were going to make me leave anyway, weren’t you?” She looked at Shelby.

  “I was,” Shelby admitted. “But I’m not sure moving to Mr. Mansfield’s place is the right thing to do.”

  “Nonsense.” Rosalee sighed again. “Unlike my little cabin here, his home is gated. It’s like a fortress. We’re so lucky he was here for the holidays. Normally, he only comes in the summer.”

  “Did he mention how he knew you were here?” Shelby still didn’t like the coincidence of Mansfield showing up so soon after the shooting.

  “No, he didn’t. I’m sure he learned of the shooting as soon as the police were called. He has connections even I don’t know about. And of course he’s been to the cabin before.”

  Shelby frowned. The resort area wasn’t that large, but it seemed someone was quite the busybody, keeping tabs on the activities in the area. She couldn’t shake the bad feeling about moving in with the billionaire.

  Kane interjected into the conversation, “If his place is as secure as Aunt Rosalee says, then I agree that moving there is not such a bad idea.”

  “WHAT?” Shelby glared at him. “We can’t stay in Tahoe. Whoever is trying to hurt Rosalee knows we’re here.”

  “I know that.” Kane gave her a hard stare. “But we can’t risk driving through the mountains in the storm, either. That could be exactly what the guy wants.”

  Damn weather! “Fine.” Shelby had no choice but to capitulate. “But only until the storm ends. Then we find another place no one knows about.”

  “Not acceptable.” Rosalee stepped between Shelby and Kane. “I want you both to stop talking about me like I’m not here.” She faced Shelby. “I left Long Beach to come up here. I won’t be pushed around anymore. The clean air and change of scenery has done wonders for my muse. The shooting only reinforces how critical it is that I finish. We’re staying at Manny’s until the book’s done.”

  “There’s an assassin out there,” Shelby protested.

  Rosalee hesitated, then lifted her chin. “It’s your job to find him and bring him to justice. Put him on the defensive.” She turned to Kane. “I’m packing, and you’re taking me to Manny’s house in an hour.” Pivoting, she headed for the stairs.

  Shelby stood frozen, staring after the feisty author. If publishing this book didn’t kill Rosalee, then her stubbornness just might.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Kane drove the luxury SUV past the wide gates of Mansfield’s property toward the billionaire’s lavish mountain home. As the gates behind them clanked shut, uneasiness burned in his gut. He shook it off, trying not to let Shelby’s doubts about staying in the Tahoe area affect him. Even his aunt’s remote cabin wasn’t as secluded as Mansfield’s place.

  The property’s eight-foot fence made a nice deterrent. The multiple security cameras he spotted in the trees meant there were probably more around the house. If s
omeone tried to breach the premises, they would see the approach and take action to protect and defend.

  He parked to the side of the house in front of a large garage. A manservant by the name of Leone answered the door and promptly escorted them to their rooms on the second floor. Rosalee was offered a suite with one bedroom and a large sitting room where she could write. Shelby declined the room across the hall. “I’ll sleep on the couch in Rosalee’s suite.”

  Leone frowned his disapproval, but that didn’t prevent the Northstar agent from taking her bag into Rosalee’s rooms. Kane watched her disappear behind the door, then gave Leone a wry smile. “I think, given the circumstances, I’ll stay in my aunt’s suite as well. Do you have a cot or sleeping bag I could use?”

  “I’ll see what I can find.” Leone sniffed, turned on his polished heel, and strode down the hall.

  Kane had no doubt his unconventional request would be reported to their host. Not his problem. Mansfield may have provided a safe haven, but that didn’t mean he or Shelby could let down their guard.

  He opened the door and saw Shelby checking locks on a large window. “How’s she settling in?” He nodded toward the bedroom where his aunt was unpacking.

  Shelby turned with a jerk, her eyes going wide when she saw the bag in his hand. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  He closed the door and dropped his bag to remove his coat. “I’m staying here with you and Aunt Rosalee. Do you have a problem with that?”

  She opened her mouth, then closed it and shook her head as if she thought better of her protest. The lamp’s glow reflected off the near whiteness of her hair. Except for the first time he saw Shelby, mistaking her for his aunt’s older friend, he hadn’t really noticed her hair color again. He wondered briefly about its original color, but it looked so right he really couldn’t see her any other way.

  She gestured to the couch. “I think there’s a fold-out bed in there, and the window bench looks like it could double as a daybed.”

  “Good.” Kane’s shoulders relaxed. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to sleep on the floor.” He glanced at the bedroom and saw the door ajar. Not wanting to be overheard, he pulled Shelby toward the French doors that led to an outside deck. Keeping his voice low, he asked, “Have you reported to Northstar?”