Books by K.T. Banks

Nico’s Guilt

Nico Tribiani sighed as he put the last picture down. It already seemed that the wedding was a long time ago. His best friend and ex-partner on the Dallas Police Department had gotten married and settled down about six months before.  The whole family had been through so much trauma at the hands of a serial killer, that when it was over with, Luke had finally succumbed to his father’s wishes and taken over the family business.

The Manning family was one of the wealthiest in the country and no one had really thought Luke would stay a cop for as long as he did. Of course it had been different when he was single, but now he had a wife, and her family to take care of. She had a son and a handicap father. Luke had adopted her son Bryan and now along with the wedding pictures, was news that another baby was on the way.

Nico picked up the glass of whiskey and saluted the picture of a grinning Luke. “Congratulations, boy. I’m happy as hell for you.” Happy. Now, there was a thought. When was the last time he had really been happy?  His girlfriend Sherri had been murdered by the same killer that had terrorized Luke’s wife, Shannon, all those months ago. The guilt of feeling like it was all his fault for not paying enough attention to her ate at his gut on a daily basis.

He looked at the bottle of whiskey and noticed it was already near empty. Well, that was okay, he patted his shirt pocket, and he was almost out of cigarettes too. He’d just go and get some more.

The phone rang and he ignored it, as he had been doing a lot lately. It was probably Shannon or Luke again. They had been trying to get him to come visit them in Louisiana. He knew they were worried about him. Hell, sometimes he was too. But he just wasn’t ready. Although he felt like he needed this time alone, he knew he would have to rejoin the living sooner or later.

When the answering machine came on, it took him a few seconds to realize it wasn’t Shannon’s voice.

 “Nico, listen.”  The voice was speaking quietly. “I’m in trouble…” she paused. Recognizing his little sister’s voice, Nico lurched to grab at the receiver.

 “Toni?”

Sighing with relief, Antoinette laughed a little shakily. “Hi!  I’m so glad you’re there. I need you to come to New Orleans - - tonight.  I hate to ask but, I… Oh, God! Nico!” She screamed as the line went dead.

Nico just stood there, holding the receiver.  His heart in his throat.