Nick let Deke out of the back. “That works. I’ll call if something weird invades Nick-land.”
“I’ll be over for the school walk. That should be interesting. Set your alarm tonight and get some sleep,” Gus added before driving off.
Nick stopped for a moment with Deke sitting next to him. He put the battery back in his cell-phone. Seeing a bunch of messages, Nick put it in his pocket to check on later. Rachel and Jean met him at the door, a happening becoming a regular occurrence lately. Deke ran by Nick, tail nearly giving him lift off in wagging power.
“Hi, girls. I had to have the phone without battery for a while, so I’ll need to review any new happenings. I’m heading to the balcony with refreshments, and food, where I will find out everything I’m sure I missed over the past few hours. Does that sound okay?”
Rachel hugged him. “Of course. I have your dinner in the oven. You grab your refreshment of choice, and I’ll deliver your plate on the balcony. You’ve had a number of calls, but we’ll update you on the newest developments once we get settled. The network fired Sandy Colinga for physically attacking you.”
“She broke down in tears and everything on the air,” Jean added as they walked together into the kitchen. “They kept playing the clip where you stood there without moving while she attacked.”
“The station was inundated with demands for her firing. It was a done deal by evening news time. That clip was awesome, combined with the audio before and after,” Rachel said.
Nick fixed Deke’s favorite food, and delivered on his promise, placing it in front of the ecstatic Deke. He didn’t budge from the food bowl when his human cohorts headed upstairs with food and drink. Nick sat down with a big sigh of satisfaction. Outside, a clear night overwhelmed the sky with star clusters. Pouring a shot, Nick took a sip while Rachel and Jean settled in near him. After a few more sips and a refill, Nick checked his messages. His agent, Cassie Sedwick had tried numerous messages with a ‘call me’ plea, followed by text messages hoping Nick was okay. Nick called her.
“Nick! Jesus… how the hell are you? You are on every newspaper front page, and news broadcast in the country. Did I understand your message right that you want to go on tour?”
“I’m fine, Cass. Yes, we’re hoping to go on tour. Boston, Charleston, and Las Vegas are three places we have to visit. Anywhere else you have in mind will be considered.”
“Outstanding! I’ll get to work on it right away. Any special traveling arrangements?”
“I’m bringing my dog, Deke, so I’ll be flying by private jet on my own dime. How are the book sales with the new notoriety? I confess I’ve been so wrapped up in research, and that incident at my daughter’s school, marketing and sales have not been on the radar.”
“I understand completely. You are a hero, and those press confrontations are solid gold, Nick. Your publisher is going wild. ‘Caribbean Contract’ is nearing number one on the New York Times Bestseller list. It is selling in the millions. All other books in the series are escalating along with it. When I let Whitman/Graham know you want to fly by private jet, they won’t make a peep about paying for it.”
“Not necessary, Cass. Let me know when you have the list made with dates and places. I’m sure I’ll be on board with all of them, but I would like to take a look at the itinerary. Keep my dog Deke in mind when scheduling us into suites wherever we stop. I’ll pick up the tab. I want two suites with the works wherever we stop, except Las Vegas. I own a place there. Schedule me in for any radio or TV interviews you’d like me to do anywhere we happen to be. I’m going all in on this trip.”
“Good Lord, Nick! You’re… you know… not sick or something, are you?”
Nick chuckled. “No. I’m not doing some kind of bucket list trip. I know due to my splash in the headlines, this tour would be good for me both personally and professionally. Let’s sell some books, and have some fun. If you want to go with us, schedule yourself a suite too.”
“We’ve always been honest with each other. You are my number one client. I would love to come along, and take care of all details. We will be booked for signings in long lines at the stores, so prepare yourself.”
“I’m all in, Cass. Let’s do this.”
“Yes! I’ll get on it right now. Thanks, Nick. This tour will make you the number one author in the country. I will make a deal on your next book after this tour that will be a record. You’re the best!”
“We’ll ride the wave together, Cass.”
“One other detail, Nick. Your editor, Linda Mushet, wants to meet with you in New York before the tour. Do you have any objections to the meeting? Let me know, and I’ll tell that bitch to go fuck herself. I know how you feel about her.”