Gus glanced at his iPad and cloning phone. “She’s at the police department, so it looks like you’re right… again. If Tracy believed your chip story because she knew you didn’t need to lie about it, maybe she’s decided to bail Palamo, and cut her losses. She didn’t call them first though, because your phone didn’t go off.”
“The phone will pay dividends when Tracy does start using it. I think you’re partially right. My guess – Palamo is her pimp. Tracy enlisted him reluctantly, unwilling to share the money she figured to get. Now, it would be anyone’s guess what the plan will be. Luta may not be as dumb as Tracy. If he’s smart, he’ll yank her ass north to their normal hangouts in San Francisco, and make her earn compensation for his time and money on her back.”
“If that’s true, where the hell was he the other night on the Wharf?”
“I doubt he goes out with her on calls like the Al Mady gig on The Shalimar. She’s a high end piece. You can bet Tracy doesn’t work the docks turning tricks. Palamo would be for situations she’s unsure of. He’s no dummy. She ended the other night with no money from a well-paying cruise and Luta wanted to know why. I’ll bet she told him a story, but not the truth. I should have questioned her more about Palamo when she said she had to get him out of jail. I lost my temper at the extortion attempt. My bad.”
“You’re human… or at least what passes for human in Nick-land. I don’t blame you for losing it a little. At least you didn’t choke her out. I thought for a moment there we’d be heading for the freezer at the Crypt of Horror.” Gus glanced down at his iPad. “She’s still at the police station, so they’re not making it easy to release her pimping buddy.”
“Good. I want to talk with Dimah Kader. She will be able to help with our planned road trip and Jean’s studies. Yes Gus, we will get loose of all this baggage we’ve accumulated. I believe we will have to make a cruise though in the next day or so out where we can flush the freezer to the fishes.”
“Tina loves the idea of going with us,” Gus replied. “I’m going to marry her on the trip, brother. We’ll have all the ingredients: maid of honor, best man, flower girl, and some family if we stop by to see my brother.”
“Outstanding! I like it already. Tina’s wonderful. We may have some trouble with Jean the Assassin playing the flower girl part, but she’ll embrace her appointed duty eventually. I’m actually excited in a good way. This will be a family thing for a change, where I’m not killing people all across the country. Rachel deserves a break before she gets really uncomfortable carrying Satan’s spawn. I think she’ll love this trip.”
“Well, look there, brother.” Gus made a hand gesture at the school coming into sight. “The school only has parents, and the usual flow of traffic. I’ll hang off to the side with Deke and Jean until you finish negotiating with Dimah. She owes you. Don’t take any shit.”
Nick chuckled. “It will be smooth as a baby’s cheek. She posts all the assignments on the Internet, and I will be able to keep her informed with Jean’s progress and homework the whole way. Jean loves the school assignments. That is one thing I don’t have to worry about with her. How’s our target doing?”
Gus held the iPad for Nick to see. “Still at the station.”
Nick waved at Jean as she caught sight of Nick, Gus, and Deke. “Come get me if something changes, especially if she uses her phone.”
“Will do.”
Nick uncharacteristically hugged Jean as she ran up. “I’m glad to see you, kid. We’ve had a busy day. I’ll let Gus explain it while I go in to discuss our upcoming road trip with Ms. Kader. Gus has an added attraction to go over with you about too.”
“I’m glad to see you here, Dad. That Washington DC trip scared me.”
“Piece of cake compared to the drama right here on our home grounds. I’ll be right back.”
Nick gave a hand wave, and headed for the school. By then, the initial flurry of kids and parents had subsided. He arrived at Jean’s classroom at the moment Dimah Kader was exchanging words with two other parents. She saw him. The parents left, and Dimah hurried over to grip Nick’s arm.
“I’m so happy to see you. Everything has changed! Without my Uncle Naseer, and my cousin Saif around, I am no longer a pariah. We are even discussing my marriage to my beloved when he returns from overseas.”
“That’s wonderful, Dimah. I have some good news too. I will be going on a book signing tour. Jean will be going with us, and I was wondering if you’d mind working with me on-line to make sure she doesn’t miss anything. I will of course tutor her while she completes all assignments.”
Dimah hugged Nick. “That is so good. I will of course help with your tutoring. Jean is far ahead of my other students. This will be an enlightening trip for her.”