Thrilled To Death by Jennifer Apodaca Read Free Book Online Page B

with Shane Masters. It just had to. Grandma called my cell an hour or so ago to tell me that we were right, that Shane Masters accused Barney of hiring a hit man.” She twisted her mouth in disgust. “God knows there must be a long line of people who want to kill him.”
    I tried to stay on track. “So you think that Shane might have used your affair to learn about your illusions so he could reveal them in his show this weekend? That’s what you want me to find out?” And how would I do that?
    Nikki nodded.
    Rosy added, “And since not many high-profile magicians vanish a motorcycle in their act, we thought that maybe you could see if Shane has a motorcycle in his props.”
    Boy, nothing like an answer to my unspoken questions. “That’s a possibility. Or I could ask around to see if anyone else has seen one, or knows if an illusion involves one.” My mind raced along at a dangerous speed. “But what if I do find out Shane’s spoiling your show, then what? How will you stop him?” Nikki had real reason to hate Shane. I had to be careful. If Gabe let me take this case, it was his PI agency’s reputation that was on the line.
    Calmly, Nikki said, “I won’t stop him. I can’t. But I do have a little revenge planned.”
    Uh-oh. “What kind of revenge?”
    She smiled and ran a hand through her wilting spikes. “I can’t tell you my plan. I’ve signed a confidentiality agreement. But it’s legal.”
    Confidentiality agreement? What kind of things required that? My curiosity bubbled and oozed over. “Can you tell me anything?” I thought that might have sounded like begging.
    She shook her head. “I’m not going to risk my chance by breaking the agreement. But I would like you to keep trying to find out whose show Shane is spoiling. Even if it’s not mine, I want to know. And if some magician is trying to have him killed, I want to know that too.”
    I narrowed my gaze and studied both women. Did Rosy know what Nikki had signed the agreement for? Maybe. Her face was determined. And Nikki? She looked dead tired, but a resolute tenacity was stamped over the fatigue.
    I believed them. But I still had one problem. “I want to help, but Grandpa has asked me not to interfere. He insists he can handle Shane and his accusations that Grandpa hired a hit man.”
    â€œStubborn old coot,” Rosy said, then reached across the table to take my hand. “Barney didn’t tell you, did he? He and Shane have reason to hate each other.”

4
    â€œS o Grandpa does know Shane.” I knew he had to. Otherwise Shane’s accusations didn’t make any sense. My anxiety pumped up. What was Grandpa and Shane’s story? Why hadn’t he told me?
    Rosy nodded. I glanced at Nikki. She had her chin resting on her hand and looked exhausted. Turning back to Rosy, I said, “Is Grandpa in danger?”
    â€œI don’t know. But Nikki and I both think that it’s Barney who drew Shane here. Why else would he bring his show to Lake Elsinore?”
    I didn’t like this.
    Nikki added, “I understand that you don’t want to upset Barney, but I need you to take this case, Sam. You have a background in magic. You have a better idea what to look for. Barney will understand that once he thinks about it.”
    Maybe. But in any case, Grandpa appeared to be in more trouble than he’d admitted to me, so all agreements were off. And I wanted to help Nikki and Rosy. I nodded. “Okay, I’ll do it, if Gabe agrees. But Rosy, you have to tell me how Grandpa knows Shane.”
    Rosy met my gaze, then said, “That’s fair.” She turned to Nikki. “Why don’t you go to my house and get some sleep?”
    Nikki agreed. “Thanks, Sam.” She got up and left.
    I watched her go and hoped I could help by finding out whose show Shane would spoil this weekend.
    Rosy said,