Willow wanted to tell me that they didn’t need my help, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. She’d speak up if she needed to, but it wasn’t necessary now. This was her investigation, and she’d worked too hard to be replaced. She’d have to pepper Drew about me once they’d left. The more she knew about me, the better prepared she’d be. Still, she’d hoped to have more time before I showed up.
Dimples sighed with defeat and nodded. Then he ushered Willow to the stairs. She sent me a wary smile before turning away. That smile, along with the intent behind it, told me more than I got from her thoughts. She wanted my job. It was that plain and simple. But why go the psychic route?
That was about the hardest way to get a job as a consultant for the police, especially if she had no skills. Of course, because of me, more people, including the chief of police, believed in that sort of thing. But, if that was her reasoning, that just made her seem even more manipulative and downright evil.
Chief Winder led the way to his office, and I sat down in front of his desk. “I’m glad you’re back,” he began. “But I have to say that I was surprised to see you so soon. I thought you might need some time off after everything that happened in New York.”
“Oh… well, I came in today because I had an appointment with Bob Spicer. After we were done, I thought I’d come by and say hello.”
The chief’s face brightened. “That’s great. So what did Bob say? Did he clear you to come back to work?”
“He said I was good to go, but not to take on too much, you know?” I hoped that was enough to keep me on the sidelines. “I could probably help Detective Harris if you need me, but it looks like you’ve already got someone else on the case.” At his pained expression, I continued. “I have to admit that it was a shock to find out you’d replaced me.”
His eyes widened. “Replaced? Oh no… not at all. You could never be replaced.”
“Well, that’s nice to know.” I stood, suddenly too angry to stay. “If that’s all, I’ve got to go.”
“Uh… sure.” He knew he was in hot water, but he didn’t know how to fix it. “I’m glad you’re seeing Bob.”
“Yeah, me too. He’s great.”
“Good. Hey… uh… take as much time as you need. When you’re up to working again, let me know.”
He thought that would be the ticket to smooth things over between us, but that was the last thing I wanted to hear. He should be telling me how much they needed me, and that Willow was a fake and nowhere near as good as me. Geez.
I nodded, but I couldn’t keep the icy smile off my lips. As far as I was concerned, he was in the dog house, and I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to come back. Willow could just help him out from now on. Then he’d find out how much he really needed me.
After a curt goodbye to the chief, I left the precinct with a heavy heart. It was discouraging to know I was replaceable, even though I knew it wasn’t completely true. What I needed was a friendly face and maybe a ride on a motorcycle to help me feel better. With that in mind, I drove to Thrasher Development.
I pulled into the parking garage and headed to the elevator, taking a quick peek around the cement column where Ramos kept his motorcycle. Yup, there it was. Just looking at all that magnificent chrome and leather unfurled something in my heart.
The song, “Devil Rider,” by Jodie McAllister, started up in my head and brought a smile to my lips. She’d written that hit song about Ramos and his motorcycle. With it on my mind, I sang the chorus out loud in the elevator on the way up to the twenty-sixth floor. By the time the doors opened, I was in a much better mood.
I walked into Thrasher Development with a smile on my face. I hadn’t spoken to Uncle Joey or Jackie, his secretary and wife, since we’d come home, and I was pretty sure they’d be surprised to see me so soon.
In fact, it even surprised me that I’d voluntarily show up at the office of a mob boss. After everything I’d been through, I should know better, but, here I was with a smile on my face. What would Bob Spicer think about that? He’d probably want to commit me.
“Shelby!” Jackie exclaimed. “I didn’t expect to see you today. How are you doing? How’s the arm?”
“It still hurts a little, but it’s healing. How’s Uncle Joey’s shoulder? Did he ever get it looked at?” He’d gotten shot coming to my rescue… well… I guess it was more like a flesh wound. But a bullet’s a bullet, right?
“Yes, but only because I made him go in.” She shook her head. “That man can be so stubborn.”
“Yeah, no kidding.” Uncle Joey may be a mob boss, but he’d changed in the past year or so, mostly because of me… or at least that’s what I liked to think.
Since I’d met him, he’d made several discoveries. He’d found out Jackie was in love with him. They’d secretly married, but now everyone knew. He’d also found out he had a son, Miguel, who, at eighteen, had enough talent to become the lead singer in a Broadway musical in New York City. That musical was the main reason we’d all been in New York, but it had turned into so much more, and we were lucky to be alive.
“Joe’s in his office with Ramos,” Jackie said. “And I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if you interrupted them.” She knew Joe would be happy to see me, especially since I’d come in all on my own. Ramos was half in love with me, so she knew he wouldn’t complain.
That was a sore spot for her, and she wished he’d get over it. I was a married woman, and she didn’t want him to destroy my life. But the way he looked at me even made her hot all over. If he kept it up, she worried that I wouldn’t be able to resist his charms. Of course, I’d kept my distance for over a year; maybe I was stronger than she thought.
As I walked down the hall, I fought the urge to turn around and tell her that she didn’t need to worry. Ramos and I had an agreement. He may tease me, but he didn’t want to ruin my life, so it was all good. Besides, even if I wasn’t happily married, he was a hitman and not relationship material… at least that’s what I told myself.
Uncle Joey’s office door was open, so I gave a slight tap on the door and stepped inside. Uncle Joey glanced up, and his eyes widened. “Shelby. This is a pleasant surprise. Come on in.”
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by.”
Uncle Joey smiled broadly and came around his desk for a quick hug. “I’m glad you came. It’s good to see you.”
I met him halfway, surprised at the warmth I felt to see him again. “You too.”
While he returned to his seat, Ramos stood from his chair and looked me over with a wicked gleam in his eyes, thinking that he liked what he saw, especially the tight, black jeans and soft blue shirt that made my blue eyes sparkle like gems. “How’s the arm?” he asked, wondering if I was going to give him a hug, too.
Crap. Jackie was right. The intense way he looked me over sent tremors from my head to my toes. Of course, he’d do that to anyone, right? It didn’t help that he was dressed in his black hitman attire, and danger rolled off him like he was ready to kill someone. Why was that so attractive? Hmmm… what would Bob think about that?