Devious Minds

  “I know how it looks. But I didn’t do it,” she said. “You have to believe me.” Her eyes glittered with tears, and my heart broke for her. I remembered that feeling myself, since I’d been accused of a murder I didn’t commit. My stomach clenched just thinking about it. I knew I had to help her and get to the bottom of this, or I’d never forgive myself.

  “I do believe you. I just don’t get it. He must have killed himself... unless... can you think of anyone who might have wanted him dead?”

  “I honestly don’t have any idea,” she said, her shoulders drooping with defeat. She was hoping for a miracle before the trial started, but it didn’t look like that was going to happen.

  “Tell me about his company and the people he works with.”

  She sniffed with despair, thinking she’d done this a hundred times already, and they’d discovered nothing new. But maybe I could get something out of it no one else had. “Donovan owns an investment company. He and his partner buy up small companies and make them profitable. Donovan has always had a knack for making money. It seemed like everything he touched turned to gold.”

  “What about his partner? Do you think he might have killed him?”

  “No, never,” she said. “Chase took care of all the details, but it was Donovan who made the money. Chase would never do anything to jeopardize the company, and Donovan was the company’s main asset. In fact, I’m not sure how Chase is going to manage without him.”

  “Could you call Chase and let him know I’d like to talk to him?” I asked. “I’d also like to talk to as many employees as possible.”

  “Um... sure, I guess.” Her inquisitive gaze caught mine, and she wondered if this had something to do with my premonitions.

  “I’m sure you’re wondering about my premonitions and how they work,” I said. Her mouth dropped open in surprise, and I couldn’t help the grin that spread over my face. “Let’s just say that talking to as many people who were involved in your husband’s life as I possibly can, will go a long way to helping me know who killed him.”

  “Oh, okay. Good.”

  “Can you think of anyone else I should talk to?”

  “No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m sorry.”

  “That’s okay... at least I have a good place to start.” I stood and smiled reassuringly. “I’m going to do my best to find out who did this, okay? Don’t give up.”

  Relief flooded over her, and she blinked hard to keep the tears from her eyes. “Thank you, Shelby.”

  “You bet. I’ll head on over to the offices right now.”

  “Oh, yeah... I’ll call and let them know you’re on your way.”

  “Thanks.” I hurried out into the hall and ran right into my husband’s chest. It was a nice chest, so I didn’t mind too much. “Chris! What are you doing?”

  “Waiting for you,” he said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me toward his office. “We need to talk in private.”

  “You know I could break your arm right now if I wanted to, right?” I had been taking Aikido just for situations like this. Although, in Chris’ case, I didn’t really mean it.

  “Honey,” he grumbled, dropping my wrist and opening the office door. “This is serious.” He closed the door behind me. “So... did you find out?” His piercing gaze caught mine, and his brows drew together.

  I nodded, but kept my mouth shut.

  After a moment, he threw his arms up. “Well? Are you going to tell me?”

  “I thought you didn’t want me to,” I answered, hiding a smirk.

  He huffed out a breath. “Shelby... forget that. If you know... it’s probably better if I know too. It won’t change anything. We’ll still go with what we’ve got, but it might make a difference in how we proceed.” He was thinking she was probably guilty, but he’d still do his best to present a fair case.

  “Chris... she’s innocent, but...”

  “What? Really? She is?”

  “Yes. But it’s worse than you think. The argument they had that night was about the affair. Victoria threatened to divorce him. Does the prosecution know about the pre-nup?”

  “Uh... yeah.”

  “If they find the woman he had the affair with...”

  “I know Shelby, that’s why I wanted your help.” Chris sighed, but otherwise held himself together.

  “Wow,” I said, shaking my head in dismay. “This is bad. She looks guilty, but she’s not. Are you sure he didn’t kill himself?”

  “Unfortunately, from all the forensic evidence gathered at the scene, they’re saying he couldn’t have pulled the trigger himself, and that someone else killed him and tried to make it look like a suicide.”

  “Bummer.”

  Chris shook his head, thinking of a lot worse words in his mind. Then he glanced at me with raised brows, knowing I’d heard every four-letter word he’d thought. I just shrugged. “It’s okay. I thought a lot of the same words too. Anyway, it looks like I’ve got to find the real killer, so I’m headed over to her husband’s investment company.”

  “Wait. What about the jury? You’re supposed to help us pick them out.”

  “I know, but this is more important. Don’t worry, you’ve gone over everyone with your specialist, so you’ll do great. Oh... wait...” My brows drew together as I picked up his thoughts. “You’re not worried about that. It’s the partners. How come?”

  “You said you’d be there to help. They’re kind of expecting that.”

  “Are they both going?”

  “Well... no,” he said. “Larsen is, but that doesn’t matter since I told them you’d be there.”

  “Oh... well, just tell them I’ve got a good lead on the real killer, and I’m following up on that right now. That should make them happy.”

  His breath caught. “You do? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Oops. “Uh... honey... I was speaking hypothetically. I’m sure I’ll know who it is after I talk to everyone. Right?”

  Chris groaned. “Shelby.” He was thinking that I exasperated the hell out of him, but in a good way... most of the time. He’d added the ‘good way’ part in case I was listening, but it didn’t block out his other thoughts of how he’d have to lie to the partners to excuse my absence, and he didn’t like it one bit.

  I clamped my lips together before I could say welcome to my world, like I was thinking. I mean, I was doing him a favor, right? I tried not to be too upset and cut him some slack, since it wasn’t easy for him to be married to someone who could hear his every thought. I knew I wouldn’t like it much. The elevator dinged and I got in. “I’ll call you.”

  “Yeah... or just come to the courtroom as soon as you’re done, and try to hurry, since you might still be able to help. We’re on the third floor, courtroom B.”

  “Okay.” The door slid shut, leaving me in blessed silence. I closed my eyes and enjoyed it. Most of the time the noise didn’t bother me too much; then when I couldn’t hear anyone, like now, I realized how invasive those thoughts had been all along.

  Ever since I’d been shot in the head at the grocery store, and ended up with my mind-reading ability, I’d harbored a small fear that I’d wake up one morning and find it gone. After nearly a year of reading minds, it had become like second nature to me. If I ever lost that ability, it would probably feel like losing an arm or a leg, and I hoped it never happened, even if it got me into more trouble that it was worth. How crazy was that?

  The corporate offices of Century Investments were only a couple of blocks away, so I decided to walk. The sun was shining, and it wasn’t too cold with my leather motorcycle jacket on, although I did have to zip it all the way up. Still, I looked pretty sassy with my jacket and short black skirt with black leggings and tall black leather boots.

  I suddenly realized that this was the kind of outfit I usually wore to help Uncle Joey. When I first started working for him, he’d wanted me to wear black all the time, and I didn’t like it much. Now black was my first color choice. I sighed. At least I had a pretty
pink scarf around my neck, so I hadn’t turned all the way to the dark side, right?

  I arrived at Century Investments and hurried into the building. I found the receptionist’s desk and told her who I was. Luckily, Victoria must have gotten through, because the receptionist was expecting me, and quickly ushered me into Chase Ramsey’s office.

  He stood to greet me, a reserved smile on his face and younger than I’d pictured him. His brown hair had gray streaks running through it though, and with the dark shadow of grief hanging over him, he seemed much older than he was.

  “Thanks for meeting with me, Mr. Ramsey,” I said, shaking his hand.

  “Call me Chase, and please sit down. I’d do anything to help Victoria. This whole thing is... worse than anything I could have imagined. I’m sure Victoria didn’t have anything to do with Donovan’s death. She told me you believed her, and that means a great deal to... uh... her.” But he was thinking to me.

  “Yes, I do believe her,” I said, trying not to gasp at what I’d picked up from him. He had always admired Victoria, and now that Donovan was gone, his feelings had grown into much more. He’d enjoyed comforting her and spending time helping her get through this ordeal, and he didn’t want it to end with her in jail. Not when he had a chance to win her love.

  If ever there was a motive for murder that was it. Except... if he loved her, why would he frame her for Donovan’s murder? “I’m hoping to find out who really killed Donovan and clear her name.”

  “That’s what she said, and I sure hope you can. Have you got any ideas?” With his earnest expression and heartfelt concern, I knew at once he wasn’t the killer.

  I let out a relieved sigh. “You just leave that up to me. Right now, I need to ask you some questions.”

  “Of course,” he agreed.

  “I’m sure you’ve thought about who might have killed Donovan,” I began. “Do any names come to mind? Did he have any enemies?”

  “Uh... well, I have thought about it... a lot. He didn’t have any enemies. I mean, most of the acquisitions Donovan made were mutually beneficial, although there were a few over the years that were companies on the edge of bankruptcy. Naturally, we waited until we could get them at the best possible price, so there might have been some people who were upset, but... I can’t think of any who would kill him for it.”

  From his thoughts, I picked up that he’d already checked with several disgruntled former company owners and eliminated them all. He thought it was more personal, someone close to Donovan. Maybe even someone in the company.

  “So you think the most likely candidate is someone in your company?” I asked.

  His startled gaze flew to mine. “Uh... yes, I... I do.”

  “Then why don’t you introduce me to your employees?”

  “Okay,” he said, wondering if it was true that I had premonitions like Victoria claimed. If talking to his people would help, it was worth a try. I smiled at him, glad he wasn’t the killer like I’d first thought.

  We spent the next half hour meeting everyone with managerial positions in the company. Not one of them had any thoughts of how they’d killed Donovan, or who he was having the affair with, and my hopes sank.

  “Is this everyone?” I asked.

  “Just about. I’ve saved the accounting department for last to make sure they were done with their meeting.” He checked his watch. “So the manager should be back in his office now.”

  “Okay,” I said, following Chase through the lobby and across the hall to another set of doors. He held one open for me, and then we continued to a large corner office. After a quick knock on the door, he pushed it open. An older, balding man, sporting a short, gray beard, sat at the desk overlooking an impressive view of the city. His lips drew into a frown at the interruption.

  “Chase. What can I help you with?” he asked, glancing between us.

  “I’d like to introduce you to Shelby Nichols,” Chase began. “She’s the investigator our lawyers have hired to help with Victoria’s case. Shelby, this is Oliver Hampton.”

  He stood to greet me, so I smiled and reached over to shake his hand. “Hampton? Are you related to Donovan?”

  “Yes. I’m his brother. Please, take a seat.” He motioned toward the chairs in front of his desk. At the mention of his brother’s name, I’d picked up more than a little animosity. Or maybe it was downright hate. His reaction surprised me, but I tried to keep my features pleasant and sat down. Instead of leaving us to talk alone, Chase sat down beside me, and I didn’t mind in the least, especially since the hostility coming off of Oliver made him a little scary.

  “Thanks,” I said, then added, “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  Oliver gave a curt nod, but didn’t elaborate, instead focusing on my visit. “So what can I do for you? How’s the case going?”

  “Not too well,” I began. “It looks like Victoria’s guilty. I wouldn’t be surprised if she got the death penalty.”

  Oliver’s eyes widened, but he kept his composure. “So... you think she’s guilty? Is that what our lawyers think too?”

  “No, not at all. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to ask if you could think of anyone in or out of the company who’d want to kill Donovan?”

  He took a deep breath and shook his head. “Not really. I mean, he’d made some people unhappy with the take-overs, but enough to kill him? I don’t think so.” He was thinking what a mess this had turned out to be, and guilt spiked through him that Victoria was going to pay the price. “I thought our lawyers were trying to prove it was a suicide.”

  “Well, there’s a big problem with proving that because of the forensic evidence.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The evidence suggests he couldn’t have killed himself.”

  “Oh... that’s not good,” he said, and his guilt sharpened along with a curious amount of relief.

  What did that mean? “Um... what did you think of their marriage? Victoria said they’d had a disagreement that night, and I think that’s the main reason they charged her with murder. Do you know what it was about?”

  His shrewd gaze caught mine. “No, but the argument certainly puts Victoria in a bad light, although I’m certain she wouldn’t have killed Donovan. She loved him. So what if they argued? Lots of couples argue, but it doesn’t usually lead to murder. Unless...” he paused.

  “Unless what?” I asked.

  “Unless it was about something serious and she snapped, or he actually did commit suicide and the police got it wrong.” He sighed and shook his head. This wasn’t working out at all like he’d expected. Of course, if Victoria was convicted, everything would fall into place. Hell, he could even take over the company if he wanted to.

  My eyes widened with surprise. Take over the company? What did that mean?

  “Is something wrong?” he asked, his eyes narrowing. Why was I looking at him like that?

  “Uh... no... not at all. I just had a strange thought.”

  His brows lifted then drew together. “Something you want to share?”

  “Huh... well. I just wondered how Donovan’s death affected the company. Did Victoria inherit his shares?”

  “Yes, she did,” Oliver answered.

  “So, if she’s convicted of murdering your brother... then what would happen to them? Would they go to you, or Chase?” I glanced at Chase. “Do you know?”

  “I’m the CEO of the company, and that won’t change. As to the shares, it’s a little more complicated than that,” Chase answered. “What are you getting at?” He wasn’t happy that I was casting suspicion on him. He’d never kill anyone for more shares, let alone his partner.

  “I’m just trying to cover all my bases. I’m sure you had nothing to do with his death, but I have to ask... you know... because it’s part of my job. I hope you’re not upset.”

  “Of course not,” Chase said, taking a deep breath. “I want to find out who killed him just as much as you do.”

  “Chase,” Oliver broke in. “I h
ate to say this, but... I think it was Victoria. I know you don’t want to believe it, but I found out that Donovan was having an affair.”

  “What?” Chase gasped. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, and you know how angry Victoria could get, especially if she found out. I also know that in the event of a divorce, Victoria would only get a small settlement from Donovan’s earnings because of the pre-nup she signed. I think the affair must have pushed her over the edge.”

  “There was a pre-nup?”

  “Yes,” Oliver answered. “And now that I think of it, I’m pretty sure Victoria found out about the affair that day. I remember it clearly because she left Donovan’s office in a hurry without talking to him, and the next day he was dead. That must have been what happened.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Chase said, completely shocked and thinking much worse names for his partner in his head. “How could he do that to her? No wonder she...” He clamped his mouth shut and let out a breath, then turned his narrowed gaze to Oliver. “Do you know who he was having the affair with? Was it someone here in the office?”

  “I don’t know,” Oliver said, lying through his teeth. He knew exactly who it was and how stupid Donovan had been to send emails through his office account for practically everyone to see. But he couldn’t be too upset since Victoria saw them. It had certainly saved his neck.

  “It was someone here in the office,” I said, sending a challenging glance toward Oliver. “Why don’t you tell Chase who it was?”

  Oliver’s breath caught. “I... I don’t know, and... it hardly matters now.”

  I frowned in disgust and shook my head. “I think it matters. Don’t you, Chase?”

  Chase let out an irritated huff. “I don’t know anymore. I thought better of Donovan... and now this? Poor Victoria. This is terrible.”

  “Yes,” Oliver agreed. “If they got a divorce, she’d get next to nothing. Whereas, if he were killed...”