“Tomorrow’s another school day for my daughter, Jean, so we’ll be back here tonight. Our itinerary will be first taking my daughter Jean down to fight zombies at the 7D Experience on Fisherman’s Wharf, followed by dinner at Lew’s Fish Shack. We’ll see the sights on the dock, and then head for home.”
“I’ve taken my kids to that 7D place. It’s costly, but really fun,” Sergeant Dickerson said while putting away his notepad. “I truly apologize for those two cretins that broke into your house being let out on bail. I figured we’d have them in custody by now, but they’ve unfortunately disappeared. As you’ve cautioned your wife, please be careful, and observant. I wish we would have been more diligent in this fiasco, but we’ll get them, Nick, if they stay in this country.”
“I know you’re doing all you can, Sergeant. It would be fine with me if they got the hell out of the country. Those two and their late Uncle Naseer sure did a lot of damage overseas.”
Dickerson prepared to leave, reaching out to shake first Nick’s hand, and then Gus’s. “Thank you for your understanding in this mess. We’ll get these guys.”
“I pray it be so. Thank you for coming over today and updating us. If we see anything suspicious, I will call you immediately.”
“Thanks for not taking any cheap shots at us over hearing this new development from those vultures in the media. I admit it. I didn’t know at first how to proceed. Once they were a no show at the arraignment, we immediately got a warrant for those bail jumping whackos.”
“Listen, Sergeant. There is no way in hell I will ever take a cheap shot at law enforcement under any circumstances. We appreciate the help you’ve given us. I hope you get a lead on Kader and Kassis. No matter what, we’re still on the same side. We certainly don’t want those guys loose more than a second longer than law enforcement does. I have you on speed dial if anything involving those two shows on the horizon.”
“I appreciate your understanding, Nick. I will be in touch with you the moment I hear anything having to do with this case. Have a fun night tonight in San Francisco. Check with me tomorrow morning around ten for an update on our two bail-jumpers.”
“Will do, Sergeant.” Nick waited.
After confirming Sergeant Dickerson left, accompanied by his retinue, Gus sat down with Nick over coffee at the kitchen table. Nick gave Deke one of his favorite basted rawhide bones. Deke went to work on it with enthusiasm at their feet.
“Okay, so how do you plan to mark this Shalimar yacht?”
“With an RFID.”
“I’ve heard of Radio Frequency Identification chips being put on products. I know they’re durable, but do you have anything resistant enough to withstand the sea? That part’s in addition to finding a way to get close to the Shalimar, and put it into place without being seen.”
“I have a military grade one that will adhere to any surface. It’s only the size of my hand, but powerful enough for us to know right where the Shalimar is every moment. As to getting near it, I have to find out where it is. I’ll check my Internet drop in a little while. Brody should have the information in the packet. I’ll hack into the registry for the port authority and see what I can find out before then. If you have time, I’ll do it right now.”
“I have time. I want to see what kind of yacht it is. I’m familiar with most brands. If it’s over sixty feet, the Marina East on Pier 39 would be a good bet. They can accommodate guest yachts to eighty-five feet in length.”
“Good knowledge. I’ll get my super-duper notebook. Be right back.”
*
“There you go.” Gus pointed at the large image of the Pier 39 Marina East docks.
“That’s real close to the 7D Experience, where we’re taking everyone. I’ll have to lug my dry-suit, and twenty-five pounds of weight. I can’t chance doing this with a buoyancy compensator. I’ll pack my light weight dry-suit, mask, small fins, weight belt, and my mini spare air tank. We’ll have the women shop on Pier 39 while we find a place for me to enter the water unobserved. I’ll slip on the dry-suit over my clothes. It has room for long underwear which are the same as pants and shirt without belt. I have to place the RFID where they will not find it.”
“I didn’t know you were going into the water, Nick, but I guess that is the safest way to keep from being noticed tagging the boat.”
A beep sounded. “Brody sent my packet. Let’s see what we have to work with.”