Page 39 of Kid
“She pulled me out of the water and made sure I was okay until the ambulance got there.” Nella told me as if reading my mind. “She was like superwoman.”
I pulled Helen into a hug. “Thank you.”
She laughed. “It was no trouble. Nella was the perfect patient.”
We talked for a while longer until Helen was practically falling asleep. I offered to drive her home, but Helen only patted my arm and declined.
She promised to check on Nella again the next day if she was still there and left us.
Alone with Nella again, we continued with our meals while talking.
My phone rang but my hands were full. I shifted so Nella could grab the phone and answer it on speaker.
“Hello?” I said, shoving a shrimp stuffed dumpling into my mouth.
“Kid, it’s Twist.”
“Hey. You got anything for me?” I asked.
“Yeah—the place is owned by Terra Langley.” Twist explained, the sound of her typing at the speed of light echoed from the other side. According to what I found, they deal in car parts—they mostly buy them from China then sell them to mechanics and the sort.”
“Who owns Terra Langley?” Nella asked.
“Kid, take me off speaker.” Twist said.
I looked over at Nella who arched a brow. “Twist, what’s wrong?”
“Kid, please.” Twist told me.
I sighed, put my chopsticks down and did as she asked. “Okay, talk to me.”
“Terra Langley is owned by Emmitt Shipps.” Twist told me.
“Am I supposed to know who that is?”
“It’s her ex-fiancé.” Twist explained.
“Her?’ I wanted to know. Who—shit.”
“Yeah.” Twist grunted. “Their breakup wasn’t a good one. Nella basically kicked his ass then called the cops to get him. Like, literally, kicked his ass!”
“Oh?”
“Afterward, he tried stalking her and she ended that too with a protective order which he promptly violated. When he was arrested, she said something to him—we don’t know what she said to him but apparently that put the fear of God in him.”
I looked over at Nella who was watching me intently.
“Be careful, Kid.” Twist told me. “If you need more muscle than Mamba and Demon can supply, you call me, am I clear?”
“Crystal.”
“I mean it, Kid.”
I smiled. “I know, Twist. I’ll be careful and call if I need some shit blown up.”
She cleared her throat.
“Thanks.” I told her. “Keep digging, please?”
