Credos run, p.29
Credo's Run,
p.29
We rode in silence up to the third floor. Kelly stood holding the door open to the JP Morgan Exhibit, which was due to debut the following week. I grinned at her as we passed.
She nodded and gave me a radiant smile before closing the door behind us and walking away.
I hadn’t yet been inside the room and was awe-struck at the talent of the people who had staged the exhibit. “Okay. You can take your blindfold off.”
Gia removed the cloth from her eyes and pulled in a startled breath. The look of amazement she turned on me was worth all the work that had gone into getting her there. She walked over to a glass case and stared down at the contents. Her hand hovered just above the translucent top and she whispered, “One of Morgan’s Gutenberg Bibles? I’d heard part of his collection was coming to town, but I didn’t expect to see it.” She looked around, probably expecting to find some sycophant hovering nearby. “Where’s the librarian responsible for this collection?”
“A while ago, I happened to mention to her I thought you’d enjoy seeing the exhibit, and she wanted to give you the chance to appreciate it without any strings attached. She made sure that I let you know she wants nothing in return. That’s why she let us in and then made herself scarce. And!” I held up my finger, “Tonight comes complete with your own, private art historian to give you the guided tour.”
Grinning from ear to ear, Megan stepped out from behind a screen and came over to us. She was at her most professional when she bowed. “Ms. Angelino, shall we start the tour over here?” She waved her hand, palm up, toward one of the paintings hanging on the wall.
Gia turned perplexed eyes on me. “Why? It’s not my birthday. Why are you doing this?”
I shrugged. “It’s Megan and my way of thanking you for all you did for Pipes, who, if I’m not mistaken…” I took her elbow and led her to a sofa behind the screen where Megan had been waiting. “…is here to thank you, as well.”
Pipes, who hadn’t completely healed from her wound, painfully slid forward and stood. “Ms. Angelino. I’m Pipes, well, Shontay Tucker, and I asked to be a part of their thanks to you.”
Gia, who could see how weak Pipes still was, lowered herself onto the sofa and patted the seat next to her. “Please, sit.”
Trying not to show her relief, Pipes nonetheless looked worried as she stared down at the cushion.
I quickly took her arm and helped her to sit without embarrassing herself. She would have been mortified to have accidentally fallen into Gianina Angelino’s lap, and Gia would have been just as uncomfortable receiving her.
Gia studied her scarred face. “Alex has told me quite a bit about you. I understand you’re recuperating in your aunt’s home. Do you plan to remain with your aunt permanently?”
That surprised Pipes enough that she blurted out, “Oh hell no.” Her eyes immediately got round, and she covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. You surprised me. No, ma’am, I love her and all, but I think we’d end up killing each other before too long.”
Gia nodded graciously. “And what are your plans?”
Pipes shrugged, “I’ll probably return to the life I was living before. I was comfortable and—”
“Would you consider coming to work for me?”
Both Pipes and I blinked in surprise.
“One of my drivers is retiring, and I understand you were trained to drive trucks in the military?”
The silence stretched out for far too long, and I finally punched Pipes in the arm. She jumped and then slowly put her hand to her scar. “I don’t think it would be appropriate for someone who looks like this to drive someone as important as you around, ma’am.”
Gia cocked her head to the side and studied the scar. “I think that decision is up to me, don’t you?” She raised her brows, waiting for an answer.
Pipes twisted around to look up at me.
I raised my brows and shrugged, “It’s up to you, but I think you should take it.”
Pipes swiveled back to Gia and the right side of her mouth quirked up into her semblance of a smile. “I’d be honored to drive for someone Alex considers her friend. Thank you.”
“And, so you know, Gabe is my personal chauffeur and lead bodyguard. You will be driving my guests, usually dignitaries, nobility, and world-renowned musicians to wherever they need to go.”
Megan, who’d remained remarkably silent for how excited she was, bounced up and down on her toes and wiggled. “I’ve been studying this exhibit for weeks. Can I give you the tour now?”
Gia nodded, stood, and threaded her arm through mine, which shocked me because, well, because of the not touching hang-up Gia has. Before we stepped around the screen, she looked back at Pipes. “When you’ve recovered, have Alex put you in contact with Gabe. Most of my employees have their own apartments in one of my complexes.” When Pipes shook her head, ready to object, Gia added, “That’s not negotiable, Shontay. I have them stay there for a reason, and perhaps after you’ve worked for me a while, you’ll better understand why I do things the way I do. For now, you’ll do as I say, without question.”
Pipes nodded slowly. “Yes, ma’am. There is something you probably should know, though.”
“That your aunt is a high-ranking special agent in the FBI? I have a feeling she’ll be happy to have you housed and employed, and you won’t be doing anything the FBI could possibly consider objectionable.”
Translated, I knew that meant Gia, or Bill Silverton, had already come to an agreement with Assistant Director Crawford. I had no intention of mentioning that to Pipes, though. What she didn’t know couldn’t hurt her, and I was sure Pipes wouldn’t be put into any compromising situations where she’d feel obligated to do something she was uncomfortable doing. Gia was good that way, and I trusted her to take care of my newfound friend.
Pipes nodded. “That’s fine then. And thank you again, for everything you’ve done for me.”
“You’re very welcome.” With that, the two of us followed Megan out to the exhibit hall.
Megan indicated the entire room with a sweep of her arm and began her well-rehearsed speech. “JP Morgan put together one of the greatest collections of arts and antiquities in the world. These include drawings by some of the most talented artists of their respective generations…” As she continued to walk and talk, we stopped at works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rubens, and Rembrandt. I tuned her out because she’d practiced her delivery in front of me more times than I cared to count.
Gia squeezed my arm gently, and when I glanced at her, she graced me with one of her rare and enchanting smiles. She whispered, “Thank you, for the most wonderful gift anyone has ever given to me.”
That was everything I’d wanted to hear. Since her arm was still threaded through mine, I patted her hand that rested on my forearm and simply said, “Anything to see your beautiful smile, my friend. Absolutely anything at all.”
About the Author
* * *
“A good book is an event in my life.” – Stendhal
Alison, who grew up listening to her parents reading her the most wonderful books full of adventure, heroes, ducks, and puppy dogs, promotes reading wherever she goes and believes literacy is the key to changing the world for the better.
In her writing, she follows Heinlein’s Rules, the first rule being You Must Write. To that end, she writes in several genres simply because she enjoys the great variety of characters and settings her over-active fantasy life creates. There’s nothing better for her than when a character looks over their shoulder, crooks a finger for her to follow, and heads off on an adventure. From medieval castles to a horse farm in Virginia to the police beat in Tucson, Arizona, her characters live exciting lives and she’s happy enough to follow them around and report on what she sees.
Alison's previous life as a cop gave her a bizarre sense of humor, a realistic look at life, and an insatiable desire to live life to the fullest. She loves all horses & hounds and some humans…
For more information:
https://alisonholtbooks.com
Credo’s Run Written by Alison Naomi Holt
Published by Alison Naomi Holt
Copyright © 2022 Alison Naomi Holt
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.
The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
For more information about the author and her other books visit: http://www.Alisonholtbooks.com
Created with Vellum
Contents
In Memoriam
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Also by Alison Naomi Holt
About the Author
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Did you love Credo's Run? Then you should read Credo's Legacy by Alison Naomi Holt!
A refreshing concoction served up with a twist
From award-winning Amazon best-selling author, Alison Naomi Holt comes the second thrilling installment of the Alex Wolfe Mysteries.
Mafia Don Gianina Angelino asks Tucson Police Detective Alexandra Wolfe to investigate a stabbing.
Off the record
Detective Eric Langstrom warns Alex to stay away from his case.
Might as well wave a red flag to a bull.
"This might be my favorite of the Credo series. I always want more Gia! We get that in this book. I don't want to spoil anything, but both of the main plots were great." Amazon reviewer
"This book just flowed seamlessly. I cried at the end. When I was a rookie, The Choir Boys was 'required' reading. I would put this book right up there with it. -Amazon reviewer
Read more at Alison Naomi Holt’s site.
Also by Alison Naomi Holt
Alex Wolfe Mysteries
Credo's Legacy
Credo's Fire
Credo's Bones
Credo's Betrayal
Credo's Honor
Credo's Bandidos
Credo's Run
The Alex Wolfe Mysteries Books 1-4
The Alex Wolfe Box Set Books 1-3
Code One Club Sapphic Roomance
Whiskey-Colored Eyes
Merigor
Mage of Merigor
The Daughters of Elyon
Elyon's Blades
Elyon's Ghost
Elyon's Vengeance
Elyon's Regret
The Seven Realms of Ar'rothi
The Spirit Child
Duchess Rising
Duchess Rampant
Spyder's Web
Spyder's Kiss
Aidrafiri: Aevala's Own
Bardic Tales From Ar'rothi
Standalone
The Inheritance
Watch for more at Alison Naomi Holt’s site.
Alison Naomi Holt, Credo's Run
