*
Nick watched Deke again snorting and sniffing everywhere in the area where he had killed Dafar, paying close attention to whether Deke wandered over to the fenced in bushes. The snow had fallen all day in spurts. Although the wind died down, the flakes were still falling. Nick could see no sign anything happened at all in the park. The three dead men, covered by a white blanket erasing their existence and deaths, had not been missed yet. Nick figured missing the UN appearance would be the first time anyone would wonder where Dafar was. Nick heard something behind him. He turned to see a figure approaching. Nick whistled Deke to his side.
“Hi Nick.”
“Paul.”
“I received your message. You must have done one hell of a job, because Dafar has disappeared. That’s not easy to do without help.”
“Dafar and his buddies are in the fenced in thicket over there. I doubt they’ll be noticed until the next thaw.”
“Damn.” Gilbrech resisted the impulse to walk over to the indicated body dump. “They tried to take you in the park?”
“It was a good plan, but poorly executed, pardon my pun. Now that we have the niceties out of the way, what the hell are you doing here, Paul?”
Gilbrech reached out with a USB drive in his gloved hand. “I have someone else I’d like to have done.”
Nick kept his hands at his sides. “I’m not doing anyone else in New York. If you have someone staked out, I’ll kill them for you with complete back up, but I won’t do another on my own here in the city. The cold will make it difficult for the police to place time of death when they do discover Dafar, but it wouldn’t take a genius to connect me if I go on a rampage here.”
“It’s nothing like that, Nick. The sanction is for Norwalk, Connecticut, a short trip past where you’ll be staying in Stamford. The mark lives in a two story on Gregory Boulevard.”
Nick started walking toward the hotel. “Walk with me. I want to get Deke where it’s warm. He likes it out here, but I’m afraid the goofy dog will get frost bit paws. Who is the mark, and why should I kill him.”
“His name is Dominic Leka. He murdered eight police officers over a two year period in the Albanian port town of Durres. They also think he was responsible for the deaths of eighteen civilians. Interpol traced him to the United States. They followed his trail from the ship he took out of Durres. Leka entered the US from Mexico six months ago.”
“What the hell is it with this goofy country? Bulgarians, Albanians, Saudis, and God knows how many other murderous idiots from over there. Ever wonder what it would be like if this country ever shut off all immigration for five years, and patrolled the borders?”
Gilbrech chuckled. “That’s so cute, Nick. Will you take the contract?”
“Maybe. Is this a favor for someone? The Company doesn’t normally give a crap where foreign killers decide to retire. Why not put the FBI on him.”
“He killed an Albanian Cabinet Minister’s son. Yes, there are favors involved. If possible, they want him to suffer, and they’d like it recorded if possible. If they get a recording, the fee is tripled.”
Nick stuck out his hand. “Give it to me. I’ll take a look and let you know.”
“That’s all I ask. Nice work on the Dafar hit. I hope he stays put until May.”
“I’m not that optimistic. If Frosty the Snowman can stay cool until the end of March, I’d be happy. Call first next time before you approach me, Paul. I don’t do well with surprises.”
“Will do, Nick.”
Gilbrech went left as they exited the park. Nick watched him for a moment, and then looked down at Deke. “I sure hope I don’t have to put that guy in the bushes someday, Deke.”
*
“You did what?” Gus stared at Nick in disbelief. The meal turned out to be a hit with everyone. Rachel was tired from the day’s excursions with Tina and Jean. They all ate and watched a movie together, but called it a night before ten. Nick had asked Gus to stay behind a few moments for a nightcap. “I let you go into the park with poor Deke, and you come out with another contract? You have serious issues, Muerto.”
“I know that. I kill people. I’ve killed a few more than I should have lately, but this guy Leka is a real bad guy. Here’s the good news. He lives alone, and there’s a small wooded lot right across from his house I can cut through after to get on the next street where you can pick me up. I can approach the same way. Not bad, huh?”
“I don’t care. Once Rachel finds out, she’ll shoot you herself.”