“We’re in shit city now, Tim.” Grace stared at the plastic baggie as if it were carrying a death plague.
“We were the ones who kept asking Nick to join us for consultations, and take a look at different cases.” Tim drained his shot, and poured another. “This is our doing, not his. We asked for it, and he gave it to us. We almost died in the damn parking lot during the initial meeting thanks to that Sorenson asshole.”
Tim laughed, setting down his shot glass so as not to spill it. “Nick nailed Sal to the wall with the Lassie toast. He knows she’s sleeping with Sorenson.”
Grace nodded. “Yeah… he does. The prick doesn’t miss anything.”
Tim held his shot glass in toasting form. “Here’s to still being alive.”
Grace clinked glasses with him. “He would have killed us, and we’re his friends. He drew that fuckin’ .45 Colt before the damn van door slammed shut. I’d bet we would have been head shot dead before we could have cleared a piece.”
“That was the main reason I went for Sorenson,” Tim replied. “Hell… I admit it… I’ve tried practicing a fast draw. I ain’t Nick, even in a fantasy draw. The way I make it is he took the contract on Al Mady, and accidentally came into possession of the damn chip. I wonder how many people died during that gig.”
“I don’t think I want to know. I remember reading three foreign nationals were in a shootout on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf very near where the Shalimar was docked before cruising toward LA the next morning. They were all tied into Al Mady, and the Shalimar he disappeared from. Maybe we need to level with Nick, and tell him we ain’t up to the mark on this one.”
Tim stayed silent so long, Grace reached over and gripped his wrist. “Hey… I know one shot didn’t send you into a coma. Nick will be back in a moment. What’s up?”
“I’m taking that chip to the AG, Grace. If you don’t want a piece, step away. I see that chip as being a Chinese curse to end all curses. Even Nick doesn’t know if that Allison woman in the Company launched anyone on the people responsible for this.”
Grace gulped down the rest of her shot. “I wanted to make sure you were on board with this, Timmy. We should never have contacted Nick after we got free of him. It never occurred to me when he’s pursuing his real life occupation, he dives into this shit-pile every time he agrees to a contract. That he would have killed us kind of hurts my feelings.”
Tim laughed. “Good one. I hope Lassie and Sorenson are packed. I want the hell out of this town real-”
The door opened onto the deck with Nick carrying his satellite laptop. He put it down in front of Tim. “Well… did you two US Marshals decide to honor your oath, or retreat to another boring day looking after crooks feeding on each other?”
Grace sobbed in award winning form. “That’s just… hurtful, Nick.” She scanned the room suspiciously. “You have this place bugged, don’t you?”
Nick sat down. “Nope. I don’t need to bug a room with you two in it. I could write your dialogue. Let’s get down to business before my two companions arrive with the appetizing tray of eats. In or out? Pretend you don’t know what that means, and I feed you, and toss you both out on the street.”
“We’re in, Nick,” Grace answered. “We already told Sorenson he’s out on this. Tim stated we were hand delivering the chip into the AG’s hands.”
“I think that’s the only sane choice, but I was unsure of how complacent the two of you had become. I know you two dedicated Marshals stand for truth, justice, and the American way… unless of course it was going to get you killed. Then… it’s a tossup, right?”
“A cruel disclosure of our feelings on the matter, but unfortunately a bit too accurate for our feelings’ sake,” Tim admitted. “We’re in.”
“Oh gag! Okay… chow down on the food, enjoy our get-together, and I’ll get you both a soda to drink. Then get the hell on the road, and keep me in the loop every step of the way to DC. I shouldn’t have to tell two US Marshals to not let their guards down for an instant, but you feds are not impressive at all when out of your shells.”
“Gee… thanks, Nick.” Grace took a deep breath. “We had that all coming to us. We’re as out of our element as you hint at… may you rot in hell for reminding us of it.”
Tim was already contacting the Attorney General’s office. After helping Nick take down the rogue NSA outfit, the Attorney General had given Tim and Grace a private contact mail drop. Tim finished. It took only moments for an answer.
Grace watched Tim’s face anxiously. “Good news, I hope.”