Nick stood up, as silence enveloped the lounge. “I’m sorry you feel that way. In actuality, I stopped a murderer trying to perpetrate an honor killing on his own cousin, my daughter’s teacher. You have your facts wrong, unless you believe in the truly hideous blasphemy of honor killing.”
A tittering of approval from travelers in the lounge infuriated Dafar. He frowned at what he noted was a hostile environment. Dafar stabbed a finger in Nick’s chest. “Your novels are reckless anti-Islam propaganda. Do you remember what I said on the flight to you?”
“Sorry, I don’t remember you at all, let alone something you said. I confess when I’m writing on a flight, I become oblivious to the rantings of idiots, even when they’re sitting next to me.”
Scattered laughter in the room at Nick’s statement nearly drove Dafar over the edge of sanity. Nick grinned, watching Dafar’s mouth tighten to a thin line of menace. His bodyguards moved to Dafar’s sides. Nick picked that moment to deliver a last shot.
“Hey, pal, I thought you true believers never drank liquor. What’s that, Kool-Aid? Uh oh… I’m tellin’. Where do I report offenses against Islam.”
“I will kill you for this outrage!” Dafar dropped his drink to the floor, shattering the large shot glass. He grabbed the front of Nick’s clothing. The two bodyguards grabbed Nick’s arms.
*
Gus watched the coming confrontation with amused indifference. He made hand motions for his engaged companions not to make a sound. Gus could tell Jean took the verbal assault on Nick the hardest. He smiled at her when she looked in his direction, making a shushing gesture. She nodded her acknowledgement with furrowed brow anger. Gus could not remember a time when he admired his partner’s coldly calculating gift more than at that moment.
Gus patted Tina’s hand, gripping his arm with both her hands in blatant fear. He understood she really didn’t know Nick like Rachel and Jean did. Rachel had turned away, a slight smile on her face. Gus knew she was trying not to make it obvious what she thought of this one act play in front of the video feeds.
“I thought you were his friend,” Tina hissed in an angry whisper.
“Babe… Nick is the most dangerous human being I have ever met,” Gus whispered back. “Please stay quiet, and allow Nick’s victim ploy to play out.”
“Okay… I trust you… but damn, I like Nick. Why the hell is he doing this?”
Gus met Tina’s gaze with solemn purpose, continuing his whispering explanation. “We’ll be married soon. You’ll be part of our decidedly weird family. Nick and I are brothers beyond even the blood I share with my own brother. Trust me. This is as we need it to be. Keep an eye on Rachel. She has to look away, because she knows Nick… intimately.”
“She does look a little unconcerned,” Tina acknowledged in a return whisper. “I... I guess Nick’s okay then.”
“There’s an understatement,” Gus whispered back.
*
Airport security arrived amidst shouts for Dafar and his thugs to leave Nick alone. Nick remained grinning with his hands at his sides. The security guard in the lead pointed at Dafar.
“You, Sir, release that man immediately. If I have to repeat my command you will be detained!”
Dafar’s bodyguards had already released Nick’s arms. Dafar released Nick, trying to push him backwards while doing it. Nick didn’t budge.
Gesturing at Nick, Dafar made it clear he had forgotten where he was. “This man shouted racial epithets at me! I want to press charges!”
Shouts of liar from the crowd of people had the security officers calling for order. The lead officer took over from there. “We’ve been watching you after receiving a call warning of an incident here in HD with audio. Would you like to withdraw your statement? You approached this gentleman, verbally assaulted him, and initiated physical contact with him while these men with you restrained him.”
Dafar backed away, trying to lead his men around the security retinue. He was stopped.
“Wait one, Sir.” The lead security officer then turned to Nick. “Would you like to press charges, Sir?”
“No, but thank you very much for your timely intervention. I’m sure I won’t be crossing this man’s path again. I have no idea why he chose to single me out when I had been simply sharing a moment with my family. I understand you have a tough job, and I don’t want to make it any worse than it already is.”
“As you say, it’s my job, but I’ll take your generosity into account, we’ll escort him and his men from the lounge.” The officer handed Nick a card. “If he approaches you in this airport or parking facilities, call me. I don’t want you to overlook a threat I should have handled here and now.”