Ten minutes later Nick emerged from the wooded empty lot separating the streets, and entered the passenger side of their rental. “Hi Gus. We have to drive the speed limit back to Stamford. Leka had two girls in cages down in a cement subbasement. We have to get them saved by the police. I’m calling Paul. The prick better not give me any shit either.”
Gus started the car, driving toward Stamford without a word. Nick’s tone meant if Paul didn’t hurry like the devil himself was on his tail, the devil would be.
“Hello.”
“Hi Paul. I’m all done. I called you because Leka had two teenage girls held in cages in a subbasement. I had to leave them there for obvious reasons. You have five minutes to get cops down there to rescue them. It better be on the news by the time I get back to the hotel. Are we clear?”
“Crystal. Did you make a video?”
“I made a video that will make a revenge filled grieving parent barf.”
“I’ll make the call.”
Nick put away the phone. “I was Muerto for the girls, Gus.” Nick recounted his Muerto ploy for Gus’s amusement.
“That is a damn fine ending, Muerto.”
“Not yet, but the fabulous end better be on the news while we’re having our nightcap in Stamford.”
“I know.”
*
Nick hugged Jean to him in the ice cold breeze blowing in from the ocean as they stood watching the churning sea. Rachel held onto him from behind, using Nick as a wind block. Deke sat next to her, utilizing both his humans in the same manner. Nick looked over at Gus and Tina, huddled together by the railing.
“Well Tina… have you had enough of this winter port small town?”
“I’m done, Gomez. I don’t speak for the rest of this screwy ‘Addam’s Family’, but I’m ready for a nice fire.”
“I promise that the next book tour will be in the summer.”
“I hope if we go back to New York they have Central Park cleaned up,” Gus remarked.
“Dad, did you hear the story about those two girls being rescued on the news? They were locked in cages for months. They told the police some super hero named El Muerto saved them. That’s what Uncle Gus calls you.”
“Yeah… I did… very interesting. Quite a coincidence, honey.”
“Coincidence, my ass,” Rachel said.
The End