Nick rejoined his crew on the deck. “All good news. I’m officially back in the Company’s good graces. If this Gilbrech guy hangs around for a while, my future dealings with them seem promising on the surface.”
Rachel patted Jean’s shoulder reassuringly. “I hope you’re right about him, Nick. I guess we’re all in this together, so lay it on us. Did you get the order for that Munsun guy?”
Boy, there goes my Husband and Father of the Year consideration. “He gave me the go ahead on all three of our banditos. I have an option on Tracy and her pimp, but I don’t see any way around dealing with those two. They know where we live, where Jean goes to school, and where you work, Rach. Gus can tell you. She’s an idiot.”
“He’s right,” Gus added. “She’s at the Lighthouse Lodge, Nick. Is that one of the motels you put out a data sheet on Munsun at?”
“No, not yet.” Nick checked the mail drop he used for contacting the places to stay in the area. “Nothing yet from anyone. It was a waste of time doing it that way, but I thought I might luck into someone seeing him just after reading my missive. Are they staying in place over at the Lodge, Gus?
“They haven’t budged.”
“I’ll call the Lighthouse Lodge, and see if Tracy and Luta actually checked in. They may have planned to spend the night if Tracy didn’t believe me about the chip. Munsun may be conferencing with them there. It would be an out of the way place to make bad plans.”
Nick searched and found the Lighthouse Lodge number. A woman answered. “Hi. I was wondering if a couple of friends may have checked in there yet. My friend Tracy would be with a rather large Samoan gentleman. That would be my pal, Luta.”
“Yes, they checked in only moments ago, Sir. I have them on the first floor, room 143. They requested a room next to a gentleman. Did you have someone else meeting with you here?”
“I do, but my friend didn’t mention his name. I think it was Derek something.”
“You’re right, it’s Derek Gunderson. Did you want me to connect you to either room?”
“No,” Nick answered, writing down the alias. “I’m meeting them later. Thank you very much. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Sir.”
Nick examined his companions’ features. “I’m afraid I’ll have to work tonight, but if I’m successful, we are leaving for the book tour immediately.”
Nick saw the looks of resignation on Gus and Rachel’s faces, but Jean nodded her head solemnly. “Hey… come on. I can’t soft sell this. We could pretend we’re a neat little normal American family, and wait until the bad guys torture the hell out of us for something I do not even have anymore.”
“We know, Dad,” Jean said. “We’re trying to pretend with you when things are normal for a while. Things are not normal now. Tracy made this happen. She does what you warn me not to do all the time – she makes bad choices.”
“Exactly right. Munsun is a bad one. That I may have the advantage here is a real plus. Are you with me on this, Gus?”
“Hell yeah… I got you into this in the first place, Muerto.”
“What’s this Muerto dig, Gus,” Rachel asked.
Gus explained his small comic book word joke on Nick to Rachel. “Of course Nick retaliated immediately with a sex change for Jed, who then changes his name to Jewel. I am always one step behind El Muerto.”
“Gus explained the name to me,” Jean said. “I like it. El Muerto can give either life or death as his superpower. You’re right, Dad. We can’t pretend we’re normal. Once in a while we get to do normal things like Gus’s wedding, where I’ll be one of those goofy ‘Flower Girls’. One thing though – we sure aren’t boring. I’ve been gagged and tied in the back of a van, believing I was soon to be dead, so what you do to prevent that happening is okay by me.”
“I agree with my all too knowledgeable nine year old daughter. I am in favor of the first strike preventative maintenance option,” Rachel said. “We’ve pretended long enough. If we can get to the book tour, and see some family along the way, that would be beyond my wildest dreams after the witness protection time. I need to explain something so you don’t have to feel like this life style is on you, Nick. If not for you, Jean and I would be dead. I know already without doubt Jean backs anything you have to do. She trusts you and so do I.”
“As much as I whine about it, that goes for me too, brother,” Gus added.
“Good. That means I can quit reciting a damn novel every time I need to kill someone.” Nick waited for a few chuckles, but did not get anything besides a slight smile from Jean. “One step beyond the comfort zone with that statement, huh? Duly noted. Gus and I need to get a few hours’ sleep before tonight. Would you two watch a movie or something, and keep an eye on Tracy’s movements? If she takes off, or her cell-phone pings, let me know.”