“That would be ice cream cone day in hell. Bye, Nick.”
“So long, Grace.” Nick grinned while staring at his phone. “I don’t think Grace and Tim want to work on any future cases with me – those ingrates.”
“Gee, there’s a mystery,” Gus remarked. “It must have been because you nearly shot them in the head.”
“What? Tell me you were not going to do any such thing!”
“I could tell you that, Rach. It was a simple miscommunication like when two friends order at a restaurant, and they get their orders mixed up. All’s well that ends well. Thanks a lot for bringing that up, Jewel.”
“Don’t call me that!”
“I need to find out if I have a new ally in the Company. I’ll be right back.” Nick left the room after squeezing the giggling Jean’s shoulder. He noted she hadn’t blinked when Gus mentioned the parking lot incident. That was frightful in a way, but also proof Jean trusted him to do what needed to be done no matter what it was. Nick called the number given him.
“Gilbrech.”
“This is Nick McCarty. I’ve been told you have replaced Carol Allison, and are investigating her death.”
“Call me, Paul. Yes. We know Carol’s been murdered, and who did it. I need confirmation on a few points. Can you confirm the Attorney General has the so called ‘Hack Chip’?”
“Yes, and the file on the guy who sold it out of Los Alamos.”
“Very good.” The relief in Gilbrech’s voice seemed genuine to Nick. “This is strictly a formality. Is Ty Brody still on the loose?”
“No, he is not. Do you understand that Derek Munsun was behind Carol’s death?”
“I do. Is he in your area?”
“Munsun tried to recruit a couple of locals to get the chip,” Nick replied. “I assume he is unaware the AG has the chip, or I would have figured he’d be on the run. Is he out of the loop?”
“We blacklisted him before it was known the chip had been recovered. You said he has local civilians working with him. Do you know the civilians involved, Mr. McCarty?”
“Just Nick. I will send you the file on how I came into possession of the chip. It’s a weird story starting with the contract Carol gave me to take out Al Mady.”
“I look forward to seeing it, Nick. Would you be receptive to a contract on Munsun for certain, and the locals if you feel they are a danger? Carol kept an extensive file on you. If Munsun had been smart enough to read it, he would be on the other side of the world right now. It seems you have had dangerously bad relations with the CIA in the past, and all the way to the present with that idiot Montrose. Add in Ty Brody and Derek Munsun, and I’d understand completely if you tell me to fuck off.”
“Actually, Paul, I was going to request consideration for Munsun and the locals. They’re too close for comfort. I accept. I’ve had a good report on you from a trusted source. I have an excellent cover here in Pacific Grove, and I’d hate like hell to lose it because of Munsun. I plan to go on a book signing tour in the near future as part of my cover. I would hope to have the Munsun problem solved quickly.”
“A book signing tour, huh? That is an interesting item. I will keep the book signing tours in mind. I studied your school shooting incident. That couldn’t have helped. I have already put your file in the blocked zone. No one gets to access it without the CIA Director’s permission. We want you back on any basis you’re comfortable with. The cover you have as an author is incredible. Believe it or not… I’m a Diego fan. You can imagine my interest in Diego’s seemingly parallel adventures with your own. Did a lot of what Diego went through in ‘The ‘Caribbean Contract’ actually take place?”
“Pretty close, especially the Caribbean part. That is funny you’re reading my novels. Did you pay attention to Diego’s employer’s miscalculation?”
Gilbrech chuckled. “Yeah, I did, Nick. You solved many problems when they found Frank at the side of the road. I don’t plan to take a chance of being found on the side of some road. I read your background thorougly, including Carol’s insights. I understand if we abide by our obligations, you’ll abide by yours. Any Company business will be between you and me – no one else. I’ll send you the packet on Munsun, and have your credentials delivered by courier. I know already you have never misused any connection you’ve ever had with the government agencies you’ve worked with. I will make certain we don’t misuse our connection with you.”
“I think we have a deal. I will update you on Munsun one way or another, however it works out. Goodbye, Sir.”
“Take care, Nick… and thank you.”