The money negotiations involved three more broken fingers before Fahid gave Nick the key to transferring his offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands to Nick’s offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands. Only when those negotiations ended in rock solid acknowledgement did Nick end Fahid’s life with a hotshot. They wrapped him for the freezer with Nick noticing they still had room for two more if need be. Gus had absorbed that news with silent acceptance.
“We’re close to Los Alamos. Will they send you after Didricson?”
“I don’t do the FBI’s work. Carol will delegate Didricson to the FBI, along with the active Chinese agents due to meet with Fahid. She’ll probably give me Rahil and Sadun. God only knows who we can give General Ashoor to. Once they work out the fine print and proof, they’ll slip the packet to someone in the Saudi Royal Family. My guess is they’ll make Ashoor disappear quietly, but it won’t be because of what he did, but only that he got caught.”
“Would you go after Rahil and Sadun right away if Carol tells you to?”
“Hell no. I’ll take care of those two in my own time and my own way. I could get porked real good doing those two in San Diego. I’m out of this as of right now except for turning over the chip. She gave me an official order with her signature acknowledging Brody would be over at noon for the transfer. Carol and I both have trust issues, so we also have a code. Young Ty should have a white feather on him. It’s silly, but we’ve done it for years when we work with messengers, even when the messenger is an agent.”
“Can we sip a couple while we’re waiting for him?”
“Absolutely. I’m going to ask Rachel to take Jean to an afternoon movie. I don’t want them here when Ty comes over. It’ll be just you, me, and Deke.”
“It’s been a rough few days, Nick. I don’t know how you did it all those years.”
“Never underestimate what you can get used to, Gus. Ahhhh… home sweet home. Stay here while I make sure things are secure.”
Gus parked across the street from Nick’s house. “I’ll be right here. Wave at me if everything’s okay. Did you order Rachel, Jean, and Deke to stay in the safe-room until we returned?”
Nick shrugged, as he shouldered his gear bag. “I suggested it, but they never listen anyway.”
Nick approached the house with a wary eye to movement near him. He checked the alarm system, making sure of when it was set, and that it had not been tampered with. Waving at Gus, Nick deactivated the alarm. After he and Gus were inside, Nick reactivated it. He then called Rachel. She answered on the first ring.
“Jean and I thought you’d be home earlier. Deke’s going nuts. Can we come down?”
“Sure, send the Dekester ahead.” Nick deactivated the dog door on his rear entrance alarm. Deke streaked past Nick and Gus without a look. Nick smiled as Deke tore through the dog door. “Good dog, Deke.”
Nick greeted Rachel and Jean with hugs. “We’re almost through with our pre-road-trip check list. A man is meeting us here to take the ‘Hack Chip’ off my hands. How would you two like to go see the latest movie at the 3D IMAX Theater? I need the house for a meeting at the noontime hour. Is that okay?”
“If this is too dangerous for us to be here, Dad, how come it’s not too dangerous for you?” Jean gripped his hand tightly.
“I have Gus to protect me. Besides, it’s a formality. Think of it this way, Jean. I would not have told you anything, but you and your Mom have traveled this road with me before. It’s dangerous for me not to explain everything I can. Some things have to be done more carefully than others.”
Jean met Nick’s gaze solidly without blinking. “I understand. I’m glad to see you after the mission you had to do.”
“C’mon, let’s go pick a great movie to see.” Rachel placed a guiding hand on Jean’s shoulder. “There’s no use in pumping the Terminator for information.”
“Okay, Mom.” Jean searched Nick’s features for a tell, and found none. “You wouldn’t leave or…or die without saying goodbye… would you?”
“Never, kid. You have my word on that. There’s no way in hell I’d ever hold back info like that from Jean the Assassin. This is strictly a precaution. You and your Mom know I don’t take chances, especially when it involves the two of you. We’ll be going on an exciting road trip shortly. Don’t read in imaginings of everything bad, okay?”
Jean smiled. “Okay. What movie do you want to see, so I can torture Mom with the opposite?”
Nick grinned as Rachel gasped. “I’m not going there, kid. You two pick any movie both of you want to see and enjoy. Then call me. If I’m done with business, we’ll have dinner together, okay?”
“Sure, Dad. I’m just messin’ with Mom.”
Rachel grabbed the Jean’s right earlobe. “Come with me daughter while I find a movie that will make you wish you had gouged your eyeballs out rather than see.”
“Ow… ow… ow… ow… Dad… help me!”
“Rachel!” Nick called out before the two of them disappeared into the kitchen.
Rachel peered at Nick with furrowed brow from the kitchen entrance. “Yes? Do you have anything of use to add to this discussion with Jean the Assassin?”
“Uh… no… but I think a compromise would be nice here on this lovely Saturday off.”