“Much like you, Jerry had brother trouble. His brother Tony got in deep with the local bookmaker. A couple of leg-breakers arrived at Jerry’s shop wanting Jerry to make good on his brother’s debt. They showed him photos of his wife and kids at the park, hinting it might be a good idea to be his brother’s keeper. Jerry listened attentively, and asked them to give him a few days to get the money together. They gave him the few days at fifty percent interest.”
“Jerry called me. There were four guys, including the leg-breakers, in the bookmaking operation. I called the kingpin up, and told him I wanted to buy him out for five million. I agreed to meet them at an office he had in Monterey. Tangelo brought all three of his cohorts, thinking to make an impression. I put a silenced round into each of the cohort’s heads, plastic tied the ‘I want a deal’ Tangelo to a chair, and transferred all his money into my offshore dead-drop. Naturally… he was a little reluctant to give me his small fortune, but he quickly saw the light. It was a profitable endeavor.”
“Is Jerry’s brother okay?”
“I think so. Jerry tuned him up with a lead pipe for endangering his family. Tony saw the light afterwards, and he’s been working alongside his brother ever since. Jerry didn’t need a twelve step program for Tony. He fixed him in one step.”
Gus nodded his head in solemn agreement. “I know exactly how he feels. Family is a big complication, which is why I’m having a tough time committing to Tina.”
Nick heaved the ball Deke brought him far out into the graying dusk. “You’re overthinking it, brother. I really like Tina. She laughs at your stupid jokes, understands when you don’t show for a date at the last minute, and never questions your frequent unexplained jaunts into darkness. What the hell more do you want, egg in your beer?”
Gus seized the opening. “What dinosaur archive did you pull that ‘egg in your beer’ clunker out of? That sucker was old when you were a gleam in your Momma’s eye.”
“Changing the subject will do you no good. You brought it up. If you don’t want my input, then stifle yourself. What the hell do you have to be afraid of in marrying Tina? I hope you’re not holding off on my account. If we need a bigger tent, we’ll provide for one.”
“It did cross my mind, but this isn’t on you. Hell, if I was that afraid of us endangering each other, I’d take Tina and move across the country. I’ve been on my own so long, it’s nearly impossible to think of having someone else around constantly. Didn’t you have trouble adjusting to having Rachel, Jean, and of course our canine oracle Deke around?”
“I’m missing the item in your makeup that gives you a guilt trip before any guilt is earned. Sure, living with other people changes things. I found the perfect person with a readymade family. Rachel needed a killer. I needed someone close I could trust – done deal. I’m less confident now with these latest changes in Jean. I guess you’ve considered the having kids factor.”
Gus walked away for a moment. He turned. “I admit I’ve thought kids would be a curse until Jean came along. I’m sure you can imagine bringing a kid into this world. You’re doing it. Maybe I’m not as optimistic as you seem to be, Mr. Cold Blooded.”
“I don’t get optimistic. I don’t get anxious. I don’t get fearful of what others fear. I don’t have mercy. I don’t have a superstitious feeling of Karma. You already knew there’s a screw loose in me, Gus. Maybe you’d best figure out why you partnered with me at all.”
That stopped Gus. He made a placating gesture and then walked away. Deke, who had been taking his time with returning the ball thrown, dropped the ball, and paced behind Gus. Nick grinned. Deke was the most empathetic dog he’d ever seen, heard about, or partnered with. He watched the dog sidle next to Gus, bumping into his leg. Gus knelt down immediately to hug his canine nurse. After a few moments, Gus returned with Deke at his side. Nick then threw the ball Deke had abandoned with the resultant chase after it.
Gus met Nick’s discerning gaze without blinking. “You are the most complex and entertaining murderous killer I could ever imagine. I don’t try to understand what you are. I’m just hell a glad to have you for a friend.”
“Outstanding. Let’s go deliver the car, partner. Deke understands you, even though I don’t. You’re loyal to a fault. You follow my every command, you don’t eat cat poop, and you don’t have any accidents in the house. You’re golden with me.”
“Every cell!” Gus walked toward the car, his hands gesturing in a derogatory fashion up in the air. “Every cell in your body is rotten… every cell!”
Nick chuckled, bending to pat Deke on the head. “You’re very observant, Deke. Don’t pay any attention to the ungrateful Gus. You’ve made him a hero today in my eyes. We have a lot of work ahead of us, big guy. Let’s go meet that special friend of mine. I’m certain he won’t have this aggravated angst toward us, Deke.”
Deke leaned into Nick, not caring what Nick’s words meant, but only the fact they were addressed to him. They caught up to Gus near the soon to be parted out car. Gus made only one comment, “Every cell, Nick!”