“It’s an Avant-garde scenario, Carol. I mentioned to Gus that Jed will be going through some life altering decisions in my new Diego novel. I’m considering Jed having a sex change operation, and changing his name to Jewel.”
Nick’s announcement met with another head slap from Rachel, and gasps of incredulity, followed by laughter from Dan and Carol. His humorous revelation erased the conversational dregs concerning the café incident, which was Nick’s intention.
“That is so mean,” Carol said. “You’re always getting Gus. It’s a wonder he partners with you at all. You two are like that old ‘Odd Couple’ TV show.”
“I don’t mind your comparison as long as I get to be Jack Klugman. Gus is the Tony Randall type.”
“You sure push Gus’s buttons,” Dan observed. “Tell us about the book tour. Where will you be starting?”
“First stop will be New York to see my agent and publishing reps. After that, I plan on hitting some cities where Gus and Rachel have connections. I gave my agent a list. We’ll be working out the details when we arrive in New York.”
“That is so exciting. When will you be leaving?”
Nick glanced at Rachel. “I’m not sure, Carol. It looks like I may have to take care of a few odds and ends before we leave.”
*
They shared amusing anecdotes concerning Nick’s writing the rest of the way to the old couple’s residence. Gus slowed down to join in skewering Nick for his handling of Jed, and Nick’s over the top assassination scenes.
“I hate your novels, Nick. They keep me awake all night until I finish, instead of savoring them like I should,” Carol said. “Those bloody, detailed, horrific scenes drive me crazy. Diego should scare readers away instead of enticing them in more deeply. I don’t know how you do it, but I feel like I’m gawking at a freeway accident when I read Diego’s adventures.”
“Pay no attention to Carol,” Dan said. “Keep it up. I want Diego working his magic on bad guys, and I don’t care how he arrives at doing it.”
“You two are the best sounding boards for my novels I could ask for,” Nick replied. “I should take you both with me on the book tour.”
That statement provoked much laughter with Carol vehemently shaking her head in the negative. “No airports and transfers for me. That is one thing I crossed off my list long ago. You young folks have fun. Send us ancient crones a postcard from your travels.”
“I will certainly do exactly that,” Nick replied. “Thanks for checking on us at the café.”
The couple hugged their three human friends and canine one before going inside.
Chapter Sixteen
Miscalculation
Nick massaged Rachel’s shoulders as they walked away. “Okay, Rach. Your curtain call in the one act café play now has your audience’s undivided attention. Want to tell us what really happened at Joe’s place?”
Rachel made a helpless gesture with her right hand. “I didn’t want you to kill Tracy. I know it’s stupid to hide anything from you. I didn’t tell you the Tracy part, because I knew how you’d react. I figured we could discuss Tracy after we were clear of the others. I admit if you hadn’t suddenly arrived, God only knows how Joe and I would have survived that guy’s visit.”
“Sister Rachel, is this the time to switch sides in this discussion, and remind you of your survival duty to carry your stun-gun at all times,” Gus asked.
“Oh… thank you Gus for giving the Terminator that opening. I hope Jed not only has a sex change in the book, but a brain clot too, so that whatever he does have in place after the operation doesn’t work.”
Their return home came to an abrupt halt at that line. The three of them stopped for many moments on the sidewalk, regaining a solemn enough composure to proceed walking with the patient Deke.
Nick patted Rachel’s back comfortingly as they started walking again. “I understand you may have bonded a bit with Tracy, but let’s keep our perspective here. How many thugs does she have to send after you before you planned on letting me know what’s going on?”
“I don’t want Tracy dead. The Samoan came in as I said he did, but then he told me I had something that belonged to Tracy. When I told him I didn’t know what he was talking about, he said call your husband. I told him you were away on a business trip, and he went nuts. I was sure happy to see you come in. He kept yelling in my face to call you. I’m surprised Joe didn’t say anything about it.”
“Being held by the neck a couple inches off the floor can do that to a person,” Gus said. “You drop kicked the Samoan in the head, Rachel. Shame on you.”