“Yeah… I am,” Nick admitted. “If you had any idea what I plan to do with Fahid, I’m not sure you’d be going along with it as far as the question and answer part of this. I met Shane’s wife, Kelly, long ago, and played with his first kid, Suzie at the time. When I get done with Fahid, I’ll have not only some money for Kelly, I’m going to have the names of the torturers he hired to take out Shane.”
Gus pointed toward Nick’s house coming into view. There were two police cars parked in front of the house. “I guess we’ll get on to all that once the cops get through with you.”
“Well, Gus, this is developing into an interesting day in Nick-land. We’ll have to play this as smooth as can be. I can’t get detained for long here. I’m going to tell the cops we’re all going to San Francisco for dinner near Fisherman’s Wharf, in a place called Lew’s Fish Shack. We’ll take Danger to that place called The 7D Experience on the Wharf too. She’ll love killing zombies in their surround sound theater. We need to have a little fun before I mark the Shalimar and head for home.”
“Don’t you want to leave Rachel and Danger here while you mark the boat? I can stay with them while you go.”
“Nope. Tonight I play the carefree rich bestselling author. I’ll call and have a limo ready at our beck and call for a carefree journey to San Francisco. What the hell’s the use in having money if we never use it?”
Gus nodded. “I like it. I’ll call Tina and see if she wants to go along.”
“A night on the town in San Francisco is just what we need. I’ll find out where the Shalimar is docked before we meet Danger after school. Then we shower, shave, and head for the city.”
“If the men in blue allow it,” Gus replied. “I want to hear more on this electronic tagging you plan to do after we shed the police presence.”
“Agreed.” Nick waved at the two policemen on his porch, while heeling Deke to his side. “Hi guys. I hope you have good news. I heard from the media people at the school Kader and Kassis have jumped bail.”
The tall, sandy haired officer with Hinson on his nametag smiled. “We’re not sure, Mr. McCarty. Sergeant Dickerson is talking to your wife. Please go right in.”
Hinson’s partner, a stocky Latino officer, Nick’s height, with Prado on his nametag opened the door for Nick, Gus, and Deke. “Sorry if it seems we’re doormen letting you into your own house, Mr. McCarty. We know you saved a lot of lives at the school. It’s a damn shame you’re getting attacked for it.”
Nick gripped Prado’s shoulder on his way by. “Thank you. I’m hoping all this will be over soon. Believe me. I know you and your partner have nothing to do with this.”
“I hope for your family’s sake we find those two bozos who broke into your house the other night.”
“Me too. See you on the other side.”
Inside the house with Gus and Deke, Nick noticed the meeting was going on in his kitchen. Nick released Deke, but the dog stayed right at his side with Gus following into the kitchen. Rachel gave him a little wave as she stood up from the kitchen table. She was dressed for work at the Monte Café.
“I’m already late. Joe says hi, but he needs me the moment I can get over to the café.”
“Absolutely. Go on. Keep your eyes open just like the old days.”
“I will.” Rachel kissed him on the way by. “Sergeant Dickerson has been very helpful, at least as much as he could be. Bye, Sergeant.”
“Ah… goodbye, Ms. McCarty,” Dickerson answered.
Nick and Gus poured themselves some coffee before sitting down across from the glum Sergeant. “You don’t appear to be the bearer of good news, Sergeant.”
Dickerson held out his hand, and Nick shook it. “First off, thanks for the espresso machine and donuts, Castle. That judge was an idiot for letting those two go before the arraignment. By the press conferences you’ve had, I’m assuming you don’t believe in any of this new outrage instigated by the media concerning the Islamophobia card. I don’t either. I’ve issued an all-points bulletin on Jamal Kader and Aban Kassis. We have information on their vehicles and every contact outside this area. I won’t rest until we have them in custody again.”
There’s something you won’t have to worry about, Nick thought, while meeting Gus’s neutral look of interest. “Thank you for coming by personally. I know you don’t have anything to do with our court system. I’m taking my family and partner to San Francisco tonight. Will that be a problem for you?”
Dickerson looked relieved. “Not at all. I have ordered increased patrols in your neighborhood. Anything out of place will be dealt with. Will you be staying the night in San Francisco?”