“She did?”
Nick placed the small memory disc in front of Rachel. “She stole this from Fahid. It had a case with a transponder. I believe Tracy planned on getting off the boat, going home, and extorting Al Mady out of a nice big money score. What’s on the disc isn’t blackmail though. It’s a program created to gain access past any security system. This hack is dangerous, and it works. I tested it. By the way, you changed. Maybe she will too.”
“I had Jean and Deke.”
“True.” Nick petted Deke’s head, where he worked over a rawhide bone at Nick’s feet. “If she makes head or tails out of the news broadcasts over the next couple days, and decides to press me, things could get ugly for her as you surmise. I’m hoping she doesn’t.”
“I’ve never seen you optimistic about someone doing what’s right.”
“Maybe I’m changing.”
Rachel chuckled. “Yeah, that’ll happen. I hope you’re right. Want to go take my perverted appetites for a test drive?”
“I believe I’m familiar with that vehicle. No test drive necessary. Let’s go for a long drive.” Nick helped Rachel to her feet, opening her robe, his warm hands gliding down over her body with feather soft lightness of touch.
Rachel shuddered, gripping Nick’s shirt front. “The engines warmed up. C’mon, I’ll show you the tunnel with no light at the end.”
“With no light, I may have to find my way by touch… or even taste.”
“Oh no… not that… come on!”
*
Jean led the way toward school on the chilly morning with her black zombie hoodie engaged on her head. Nick and Gus followed suit. All the hoodies read Zombies Attack, so they were matched. Jean had found a small black cape which Deke wore for the walk, and seemed pleased with it. The trio and caped dog elicited many looks as they drew near the school, including much amusement.
“Hey… I don’t see any media,” Nick remarked. “I’m glad they have such a serious case of ADD. We could use a break from our surprise press conferences.”
“It may have had something to do with your getting two of them fired.”
“Yeah… ain’t life grand? Jean is loving this.”
Jean was nearly as enthusiastic as Deke. Her friends approached the moment they saw her, admiring the sweatshirt, and asking her if the 7D Experience lived up to the hype. In the lead was Lisa Santiago, whose parents were adjusted by Nick and Gus in the crypt of horror. Nick and Gus hovered in the background, letting Jean play the hoodies for all they were worth. In entertainment value, it was a hit. The parents noticing the hooded zombie show were a little uneasy, but mildly amused. Denise Santiago, Lisa’s Mom, drifted over near Nick. Of course Nick had strapped the dark haired lean mom to a gurney in the Carmel Valley crypt of horror, naked alongside her husband, Ray. He knew a lot more than she could imagine in her wildest dreams. They weren’t still dealing drugs, because Nick kept an eye on them.
“How was the 7D, Nick?”
“It was incredible, Denise. Jean scored number ones even in competition with a room full of adults. It was a fun experience,” Nick replied with enthusiasm. “You and Ray should take Lisa. I bet she’d have a great time doing it. I had fun killing zombies too. So did Gus here.”
“Although a little pricey, it was a lot of fun,” Gus agreed. “No one could beat Dead-shot McCarty though. I heard one of the attendants claim he scored the highest point total since they opened the place.”
Nick had been eyeballing Gus with small negative headshakes when Denise wasn’t looking, but he could tell Gus had decided to screw with him. Denise grabbed his arm.
“Wow… that’s terrific. I read in the paper after the death of that idiot Kader that you were in Delta Force. I saw the movie with Chuck Norris. Were you guys like that?”
“The movie was entertaining,” Nick said, trying to skirt the subject. “I like Chuck Norris. He’s the real deal. I watched many of his matches in the Octagon. That guy is the only one of the top martial arts stars in movies that ever held real honest to God championship belts in full contact karate until recently. Hey, how’s Lisa doing in school this year?”
Denise sighed, gesturing in a ‘what can you do’ manner. “She’s fine, but getting a little hard to handle. Lisa hates school. She gives us a bad time with her homework. I bet Jean’s a fireball to control.”
“Rachel and I are lucky. Jean loves doing well in school. I help her whenever she asks, and I monitor her homework assignments. I’m sorry to hear Lisa hates school.”