Free Thrilled To Death by Jennifer Apodaca Page B

find out from his police source if there were any prints on the gun.
    Shane leaned forward, reaching down to pet both his dogs, but his nostrils flared and his mouth went white with rage. “He sprayed Blackstone with pepper spray and kicked Houdini. Blackstone was writhing on the ground in pain and Houdini tried to chase him, but I couldn’t let that bastard get another chance to hurt my dogs. I chose to see to my dogs and get the hit man later.”
    He cared about his dogs. That surprised me. I’d had the feeling that his dogs were just a tool, but as I watched him stroke both dogs’ heads, I realized he really cared about them.
    But he used people. Or seemed to by the way he was blackmailing Grandpa and the way he revealed the acts of magicians. I wanted to understand Shane and what we were up against. And since Rosy and Nikki had hired me to do a job, I threw out the question, “What about Nikki Eden?”
    Shane stopped petting the dogs and looked right at me. Then he smirked, “What about her?”
    Grandpa turned to look at me. “Sam, what’s this about?”
    I reached over and put my hand on Grandpa’s forearm. I wanted to see if maybe I could trip him up into admitting he was using Nikki’s act in his spoiler show. To Shane I said, “You broke up with her, right?”
    He lifted one side of his mouth in a smirk. “I was done with her. Why do you care? Are you applying for the position?”
    I squeezed Grandpa’s forearm to keep him from saying or doing something. “How many women have you used and dumped like Nikki?”
    He laughed. “How many dumb women are there? Nikki thought she could outsmart me. She was one of many who thought that. I let her think it while I got what I wanted from her—sex and her act. When I was finished with her, I got rid of her.”
    It was becoming increasingly clear to me why so many people wanted to kill Shane Masters. But while I had him in the arrogant, bragging mood, I said, “So are you exposing Nikki’s act this weekend?” I was so tight with anger and disgust that my thigh muscles cramped.
    â€œWatch the show and find out.” He let out a small laugh. “In case you are thinking Nikki sent the hit man, think again. She’s learned her lesson.”
    I sort of wished I had a gun. I really wanted to shoot that smug look off his face.
    Grandpa stood up. “Nikki is a real magician.”
    The smug expression on Shane’s face melted into bitterness. “Come on Saturday night, old man. Anyone can do the by-the-numbers tricks. I’ve elevated magic to a spectacular show. The world loves me. They don’t care about your little awards and magic houses, they just love seeing that I can do any magic and then show them how it’s done.”
    The dogs stood up at attention.
    Grandpa had hit a nerve with Shane. Every group had their professional honors, including magicians. But since Shane had broken the code, no matter how much wealth or fame he attained, he’d never be professionally recognized by his peers.
    And he knew it.
    I filed that information away and rose. “I think we’ll pass on the show. Let’s go, Grandpa.” I prayed that Shane would let us go. And that the dogs weren’t hungry.
    Shane unfolded from his seat and stared at Grandpa. “You find out who sent the hit man after me.”
    Grandpa met his glare. “I’ll find out if you’ve destroyed any more lives by driving a magician to try to kill you.”
    I grabbed Grandpa and tugged him around the dogs and out of that motor home. Shane made no move to stop us.
    Once we were outside, I was shaking with anger and frustration. Stopping at our cars, I looked back at the motor home. The door was closed. Shane was done with us. Turning to Grandpa, I said, “Do you really think another magician hired a hit man to kill Shane?”
    Grandpa met my gaze. “You met him. What