Nick explained how he got Munsun in detail to Gus, who in spite of Nick’s practical joke, slowed and laughed like hell. They had the road to themselves, but the thinning fog clung in the low traffic areas dangerously. “Damn. You are one nasty son-of-a-bitch! I bet you cleaned him out too.”
“No time, my friend. I was working against the clock. I did grab everything out of his room that showed any promise. I have his laptop, tablet, and smart phone. Stop for a second.”
Gus steered carefully to the roadside, putting on his hazard lights.
“Check this out.” Nick handed Gus his cell-phone with the murder scene pictures on screen for him to examine.
Gus checked each angle carefully before handing it back to Nick. “The PD is going to have fun with that scene, Muerto. I’ll bet your new boss will like it though. Did you make it easy on Tracy?”
“Sort of. She had to show duress in dying, so she had a few less than satisfying moments. Poor old Luta had the easiest exit. I drilled him while he snored away in almost angelic form. The only bad part was that silenced Glock 9mm was my last throw away. I’ll have to confiscate replacements from now on.”
Gus drove onward after handing the phone back. “How’s this leave us then.”
“Five by five, brother. We’ll be able to start the road trip the moment I get final word from my agent. I don’t expect any problems on the way my staged scene plays out with our fabulous law enforcement brothers.”
“I wish we could have saved Tracy.”
“She was dead by her own stupidity the moment she stole the chip from Al Mady. I can’t save people from themselves, brother. This was the only ending that makes our Pacific Grove base of operations viable. I do not want to abandon my home here. That may have been a deal breaker.”
“To who?”
“Nearly everyone, Gus… nearly everyone. The casualty list would have grown exponentially before I was forced away from here. Gilbrech put my file out of reach to other agencies, taking me off the grid. That has always been a concern. I’m shipping all of Munsun’s gizmos to him after I get a look at them. Those will make him happy. Gilbrech can trace the damage Munsun did before they discovered he was a traitorous rat.”
“Will this be by white feather courier?”
“It would be a good idea to work something out with him. The main reason I did that white feather tell with Carol was I had to be sure in places overseas that a courier had actually been sent by her. I wonder if Gilbrech would think it too much James Bond to his liking if I explain it was the reason I uncovered Brody.”
“You seem fond of this new guy.”
Nick shook his head. “I’m fond of Deke. I could respect this Gilbrech guy though. I’ll see how he likes this job I did. One step at a time, partner. We need time away from the area for the dust to settle from this local shit pile I dived into thanks to Tracy. I have to admit without her unexpected dump into the ocean, I never would have found the chip. She sort of died a patriot in the heat of battle, Gus.”
“That statement’s cold hearted even for you, Muerto.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to be appreciated.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“It was to me, Jewel.”
Gus banged on the steering wheel. “Damn it! Stop calling me that.”
Chapter Eighteen
Road Trip
Nick waved at Gus as he walked out onto the upstairs deck. “Did you finally sleep for more than a four hour stretch? Jean said to say hi.”
“Yep. I’m good to go. I guess you didn’t sleep more than a couple hours, Muerto. Did you lock the house down after I let myself in?”
“Of course. I had you on-screen. Rachel and Jean both have their stun-guns and pepper spray with them too because of our less than memorable visitors. I needed to take Jean to school, so I could let her know there would be some folks she wouldn’t have to keep watching for. Gilbrech has the mission packet with pictures. He hasn’t answered yet. Paul’s likely waiting to see if there’s any fallout. I have fifty thousand words in the new Diego novel done too.”
“Gilbrech will be disappointed if he’s looking for fallout from your population adjustment last night,” Gus said. “Local news reports claim it was a gun battle between a rogue federal agent and two unsavory characters. Case closed. When do-”
The doorbell rang. Nick checked the screen. “It’s a courier… probably with my new ID. I’ll be right back. I have the coffee pot on. I’m having mine Irish this afternoon.”
“I’ll join you. I think we’re turning into a couple of lushes.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be dead before we need an intervention.”
At the front door, Nick kept one hand on the butt of his .45 Colt, and opened the door.
“Mr. McCarty?”
“That’s me.”
“I have a packet for you. I’ll need your signature.”
Nick stepped out, took the packet, and signed for it, all the time watching where the courier had his hands at all times. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Good day.” The courier walked off with Nick watching what kind of vehicle he got into. It was a Bay Area Courier Service minivan.