Wrong Step (Urban Fiction): A Sinister Syndicate Thriller Read Online Free PDF Page A

a large electro-magnet attracting a metal paperclip. She was being hunted by the Dread Mambas, and their leader shot her friend with no remorse. She got away from her friend’s disguised pseudo-boyfriend, and she made it to Osei. He offered to call all her friends, and she would call him back today.
    “Ugh, I need some breakfast first, and then I’ll call. They’re probably nursing hangovers this early anyway,” she said to herself as she got out of bed.
    She swung her legs off the side of the bed, got dressed, and went to freshen up in the bathroom. Her shower last night helped her sleep. She put all her gear in the corner.
    I should have given Knocks that evidence last night. Well I did tell him Saturday, she thought. Last night was a bit of a disruption in her routine, so thinking was in the back seat when Moira was her initial concern.
    She walked out of her room, and went to the dining area on the lobby floor. She got a bagel, and the last of the coffee, sat down at a table, and contemplated her situation.
    It’s time for my friends to buck up. Marnu, and Salom should be fine with the help. Nana, and Abena are probably feeling their rooms spinning right now, but Mame, and Osei can organize everyone when Osei tells them I’m in trouble.
    “Scuse me, Ma’am?” She looked up to see a younger woman in a Carowinds North Carolina t-shirt with a 35 MM digital camera. “I hate to bother you, but where did you get that shirt from? I haven’t seen one like that yet.”
    She looked down, and remembered her Statue of Liberty shirt. She got an idea.
    “Oh, I got this last year on Liberty Island at the gift shop. They probably don’t have this one anymore. Are you from North Carolina?”
    “Why yes, Ma’am. So I guess I’m outa luck buying that one then.”
    “You may be in luck. I like Mount Rushmore, and I have another one of these in my closet here in Manhattan. Why don’t we trade? There’s a ladies room right over there.” Sheddi pointed to the rest room.
    The woman looked at her shirt, and smiled.
    “You got a deal, Ma’am.” They both walked to the ladies room to switch shirts.
    Sheddi came out not looking as she did last night so the Dread Mambas wouldn’t find a young light ebony woman in a Statue of Liberty T. She had Washington, Roosevelt, Jefferson, and Lincoln plastered across her chest, and really looked like a tourist.
    She went back to her room to call Osei. The phone rang for a minute after she put on the scrambler Tanaka gave her. Osei picked up.
    “You should be tired, Tina.”
    “When there’s a price on your head, sleeping in isn’t a luxury anymore,” she said. “Did you call the others?
    “They were all on the town last night so I haven’t called yet. It’s seven so I’ll give them a chance to wake up, and call them at eight. Maybe you can get here before then, and tell them yourself. They miss you.”
    Sheddi thought Osei would break the old ice before she would speak to them, but petty feelings over her absence from them wasn’t as important as her immediate dilemma.
    “I’ll be there in forty five. Make some tea. This coffee is horrible.”
    “Hotel coffee isn’t meant for taste. It is fuel for the day. You probably got the old pot.  I’ll make a new pot. I’ll see you when you get here.”
    “Thanks, Osei, and I’m not just talking about your gourmet herbal tea. You didn’t hesitate in your assistance.” Sheddi was grateful.
    “It’s mandatory for friends in a strange land to stick together. We have more power in a group.” Osei said.
    “I’ll be there by eight. Make that tea. I need something to clear my palette from this coffee. If I don’t have your tea, gasoline would taste better that this.”
    “You could never be a food critic, Tina. We would have to defend you against assassin chefs instead of the Mambas. Just don’t rob a gas station, and be here by eight.” Osei said bye, and hung up.
    Sheddi gathered her gear, and left the hotel. She went