Gina Cresse - Devonie Lace 01 - A Deadly Change of Course--Plan B by Gina Cresse Read Free Book Online Page A

this is about?  You may be in danger.”
    “What kind of danger?” I asked.
    “Tell me what it is you’ve found.  For all I know, you may have just located his lost dry cleaning claim ticket, and I have startled you for nothing.”
    “No.  It’s definitely not his laundry.  Let’s just say I stumbled on some equipment he had in storage.  This stuff I found would hint that Mr. Kephart is no angel.”
    “I see,” she replied.  “I have a pretty good idea what it is you’ve found.  You’re right.  Robert’s no angel.  He’s extremely dangerous.  If anyone in his circle finds out you have his belongings, you’re in serious danger.”
    “Who are these people in his ‘circle’?” I asked.
    “They are all very bad people.  Listen.  What did you say your name was, again?”
    “I didn’t,” I replied.
    “You can trust no one.  People you think you can trust will turn out to be your worst enemy.  Believe me, I know.  I’ve spent the last year on the run, hiding from these people.  I’ve found only one person I can trust to keep me safe, and that’s me.  I can help you, too, if you’ll let me.”
    “How can you help me?” I asked.
    “I can hide you, for a time.  Most importantly, I can give you names and show you pictures of the people you need to fear the most — the ones who will stop at nothing to get to you — and what you have.”
    A chill ran up my spine.  I quickly scanned the area around the phone booth to see who might be watching me.  There was an older man walking his dog through the park, but he paid no attention to me.
    “I have to think about this, Kerstin.  If I find I need your help, can I reach you at this number?”
    “Most any time — but during the waking hours would be preferable.”
    “I’m sorry for waking you,” I said. 
    A young man on a bicycle peddled up to my Jeep and stopped.  I scrutinized his every move.
    “I’ve got to go now.  I’ll be in touch.”  I hung up the phone and scurried back to the Jeep.  The boy peddled away as soon as he noticed me coming.  I folded the pages in the address book and slipped it into my jeans pocket.
    I got in the Jeep and drove back to Joe’s shop.  I wanted to see if he could help me identify the box I found in the safe.  When I got there, I was shocked to see police cars blocking the front of the shop and yellow tape strung up all along the store front.  After parking as close as I could, I jogged across the street.  Sarah was outside, sobbing as she talked to one of the policemen. 
    I caught the attention of one of the detectives, Jeffrey McNight , according to his badge.  “Excuse me.  I’m a friend of Joe and Sarah.  What’s happened?”
    “Your name?” he asked as he took a small notebook and pencil from his pocket.
    “ Devonie Lace.  I do business with Joe here in the shop.  Is everything okay?”
    “I’m sorry.  Joe Barnes was killed in what appears to be an attempted robbery,” he said.
    My jaw dropped.  I staggered back against the police car, bracing myself so my knees wouldn’t give out.  Joe couldn’t be dead.  I must still be dreaming that crazy dream about the snakes.  I felt a little dizzy and the smell of exhaust from passing cars made me feel nauseous.
    “Are you okay, m iss ?” he asked as he took my arm and helped me to a bench.
    “When did this happen?  I was just here, talking to Joe this morning.  Everything was fine when I left.”
    “We arrived twenty minutes ago.  The call came in about five minutes before that.  Can I ask what your business with Mr. Barnes was about?”
    I didn’t hear his question.  A myriad of voices were harping at me in my head.  I pictured a thousand scenarios of what might have happened to Joe, sure that I must somehow be responsible for his death.  “I’m sorry.  What did you say?” I asked.
    “What was your business with Mr. Barnes this morning?” he repeated.
    “He sold a ring for me.  I came by to pick up the