Healing Inc. by Deneice Tarbox Read Free Book Online Page A

to dinner.  I promise I won’t hurt her.  I’m sure a good looking woman such as you can understand where I’m coming from.”  He gave her his most amiable look.  His eyes were mesmerizing.  It didn’t take long for them to have the effect on her that he wanted.  She visibly melted before him.
     
    “If you could just give me her phone number or just her full name, I’ll be on my way.”  He flashed her one of his deal sealing smiles that he usually reserved for his female clients.
     
    “Mr. Moriatti…” she paused allowing a small giggle to escape. “I honestly believe you tried to do a good thing for Evy but you should know she’s a modest woman.  I personally, sir, am in your corner one hundred percent.  I love that girl. Nothing would make me happier than to see her doing something else with her time besides helping everyone else out and going to school.  I really want to help you, I really do.  But I know Anita would wring my neck if I were to give you any of Evy’s personal information.”  Her look was sincere.
     
    He sat for a moment, digesting her words.  Then those eyes of his lit up with an idea.  Whipping out his cell phone he called his assistant.  “Cancel the flower deliveries, please,” he politely ordered before placing it back in the pocket of his long dress coat. Turning his attention back to Shelly, he flashed her a coy grin. “I just need one piece of information from you.”               
     

Chapter 4
     
    A cool Monday welcomed the month of October in Oklahoma City.  Evy made her way to her usual seat for her humanities class.  She did so with a lot on her mind.  Anita had called the night before to inform her that some detective back in Chicago was asking questions about her.  He had come to Miguel’s branch of Healing Inc. using her stage name during the inquiry.  As soon as Miguel found out, he had told him to get lost.  According to Nita, he didn’t waste time alerting his sister down in Oklahoma City of what had taken place. 
     
    For once, Evy was glad that she had used a different name back when she used to perform.  Most people knew her as Mindy Johnson, a name given to her by David.  He had thought her real name too blasé for the stage.  Giving her his last name also fooled others into believing they were married.  It was his way of saying ‘hands off’ if anyone should get any ideas.  After she had relocated to Oklahoma, she dropped her birth name of Rachel Evelyn Stoneland and now went by Evelyn Stone.  Robert Kimble, who had prosecuted Raheem Jones, had suggested she do so since Raheem’s accomplices had not been found.
     
     She still found it odd that she had never seen the other three men until that night.  Just as fast as they had come into her life to aid Raheem in destroying it they were gone without a trace.  What she found most disturbing was the sudden change in Raheem that night.  They had never liked each other but for the sake of David they had tolerated one another.  He and David had been tight, getting high, picking up woman together and what not.  Raheem had labeled her as snotty and often asked David right in front of her why he put up with her arrogance.  But, he had always respected David when he had told him to shut up and leave her alone.
     
    It was usually David who footed the bill for the sordid lifestyle that the two men shared.  The police investigator had told her that Raheem was acting on behalf of a drug dealer that David had offended by considering breaking into the drug business and muscling in on the established drug dealer’s territory. 
     
    Evy actually felt more frustration than fear.  She loved her current life and any threat to it was very much unwelcomed.  Cashing in David’s insurance policy and selling all of his properties in Chicago had given her ample funds to start over again in Oklahoma City.  She had used some of the funds to buy her first apartment building, giving