“Anything.”
“Please don’t mention my goofing around doing research for my book, and our advantageous meeting. This next Diego novel, titled ‘Assassin’s Folly, is in the hush/hush phase. I don’t want any word of it getting out. I’ll give you an autographed copy of the book when it comes out with a personal note. How’s that sound?”
“Wonderful! This is so great! Oh my God, I will not tell a soul what happened. Can you write out how you saved me along with the details in your personal note, so I can have it after the secrecy part is over?”
“Absolutely,” Nick said. “Gus has his iPad mini with him. Write Tracy’s address down, so I can make sure she receives her copy.”
“On it.” Gus produced his tablet, and quickly skimmed to the contact Ap. Go ahead Tracy.”
The woman recited her address, phone number, and email address for Gus. “Can I keep in touch with you by email?”
“You bet.” Nick handed her one of his business cards with his email address on it. “Contact me anytime, Tracy. It’s not often an author meets with a reader in a situation like this. We’re kind of connected.”
Tracy squealed in delight, while holding the card aloft. “This… is… so… cool!”
They neared the 7D Experience with Tracy nearly walking normally, but with her hands shoved deep into the pockets of Nick’s coat. Nick could tell she needed clothing and food. Rachel saw them coming. Her look of relief changed to consternation. As they drew near, Jean was exiting from her final round of zombie killing, jumping up and down in celebration. She calmed down noticeably when seeing Nick, Gus, and a strange woman bundled in Nick’s sweat-suit and coat.
“First,” Nick declared. “I want to know how you did, kid.”
Jean grabbed his arm with both of hers. “Three firsts, one second, and a third.”
Nick hugged her with all pretense of a mission past gone. “That is one shining example of conquering a badass game in record time. Uncle Gus and I ran into a little snag during my research tonight. It’s a long story, but we need to fit my new acquaintance, Tracy Aldirin, with a set of clothes. Then we’ll go over and eat at Lew’s.”
Jean pulled away, instantly deducing Tracy was not a simple new acquaintance. “You’re wearing my Dad’s coat. That means he’s saved you from something. Hi, I’m Jean, the Assassin.”
Tracy laughed for the first time. She shook hands with Jean. “I’m Tracy. You’re right. Your Dad saved me. He was kind enough to invite me along for dinner.”
Tina, a five foot, six inch black woman with flawless figure, braided hair, and sharp featured face, had immediately moved into Gus’s arms, hugging him around the waist. She was arrayed in Gus’s extra-large zombie hoodie. She whispered to Gus. “Who ordered the hooker? I’m glad to see you two have empathy for the less fortunate, but did you have to collect her for dinner.”
“Yeah… we did, Tina,” Gus answered back in a matching hushed tone. “Don’t interfere in this, babe. I’ll explain later.”
“I plan on helping.” Saying that, Tina let go of Gus, and grasped Tracy’s hand. “This is great. Rachel and I know just the shop to outfit you in some clothes for dinner. We all look like Kenny from South Park with our arctic hoodie ensemble. At least we can get you something decent to wear for dinner at the clothing store near the Embarcadero, San Francisco City Wear.”
“Thank you… oh shit… my purse,” Tracy exclaimed. “I-”
Nick held out the evening purse to her from his bag. “I drained it, but everything inside is wet.”
Tracy gripped the bag in a relieved state. “That’s no problem. I’m happy I don’t have to figure out what cards and such I had in it.”
“I guess we better get moving, if we’re going to do an apparel change,” Rachel said. “SF City Wear is a good choice. You can get jeans, blouse, coat, shoes, and some socks if you’d like to warm those freezing feet.”
Tracy nodded. “I would like that very much.”
*
Gus and Nick stood outside the San Francisco City Wear store. Nick again had on his warm jacket. Rachel, Tina, Tracy, and Jean were inside, busily putting together an outfit for Tracy, who had accepted her female entourage with delight.
“You do know she’s a pro, right?”
Nick glanced over at Gus with a pretend look of horror. “Oh no… say it ain’t so. I saw her in action on the Shalimar. I’m not real sure why we got the story we did. Everything else had the ring of truth. I’d like to find out why Al Mady actually did drug her to be dropped off the side like a sack of garbage. I liked that she’s a fan of the books, but it made things difficult.”