Cold Blooded IV: Bloody Shadows (Nick McCarty Assassin Series) (Volume 4)
Bernard Lee DeLeo
Chapter One
Geezer
Dan Lewis walked along the coastal trail from Lover’s Point in the darkness with some trepidation. “We’re nuts to be used like this for bait, Deke. I’m too old to take a spill into the rocks. Any old person supposedly being mugged down here on this stupid trail in the dark deserves what they get.”
Deke snorted as if agreeing when hearing his name mentioned. He ambled along happily, sniffing everything in sight. This was the third weekend night out on an after dark excursion for Deke with his new walking chaperone.
“You do know we can hear your every word Geezer, right?” Nick’s voice, along with his partners’, Gus and John, revealed their amusement at Dan’s take on the night walks, as bait.
“I was counting on it, Muerto. I can’t believe you accepted Sergeant Dickerson’s suggestion to try and catch this guy who calls himself ‘The Night Stalker’. Just because Pacific Grove gets a little bad notoriety doesn’t mean an intervention is needed from the infamous El Muerto, Payaso, and El Kabong.”
“There’s a beautiful full moon tonight, as soon as the usual fog cover lifts fully. The temperature’s in the sixties. You have Rin Tin Deke at your side – otherwise known as Fang the Ferocious. What more could you ask for?”
“It is pretty out here,” Dan admitted. “I can’t believe that many old dunces come out here to walk in the dark at this hour. One slip, and it’s a one way ticket to hip and knee hell, or worse. Carol and I walked in daylight on pavement. No way would I have let her chance those knees of hers on this goofy path.”
At the mention of Dan’s recently deceased wife, there were no more comments. “Sorry, guys. Every damn thing in the world reminds me of her, even when I’m doing stupid shit like this. How much further do you want me and Deke to go, Muerto?”
“Are you good to Otter’s Point. That’s where the path starts getting more tricky. No one’s been mugged and robbed that far along,” Nick answered.
Dan made clucking noises of disdain. “Why don’t I walk to LA as long as I’m at it? Oh hell… who am I kidding… anything with a little bite to it is great these days. Deke’s helping out anyway. He loves smelling every plant, and watching the squirrels or chipmunks or whatever those ground rats are scurrying around at our approach. His pausing at every episode of ground rat interaction gives me a still moment. The waves are sure smashing the shore tonight, but the wind isn’t really all that bad.”
“We’ll pull up stakes if the ground fog covers too much,” Nick said. “I really don’t want you taking a nosedive on the path. Payaso and El Kabong are shadowing you at intersecting streets down to the ocean with the car. I’m within striking range near the houses, parallel to your movements. Kabong will join me shortly. This is the usual time and conditions when ‘The Night Stalker’ and his crew strike.”
Dan glanced around. “Damn, Nick. I don’t see you anywhere.”
“That’s the point, Geezer. If you could spot me, so could they. You have three suspects approaching from the opposite direction as we speak. Payaso, you lazy ass rogue, start looking for a getaway car. They must be close by between here and you.”
Dan smiled for the first time all evening since his walk as bait began. I might be with you sooner than I imagined, honey, he thought. Please… God in heaven… let it be so. Dan walked on, whistling Carol’s favorite song, ‘House of the Rising Sun’. As the three hooded figures approached, Deke began a low snarling growl.
“Don’t you ruin this for me, Deke. When I say run, you run.”
Deke snorted in answer, having heard his name, and sensing no bad vibes emanating from his companion. He hunched into a slowly developing attack form.
“Hey… O.G., what time is it.” The lead man slowed, with his crew coming to a stop behind him. “Nice night out, huh pops?”
Dan chuckled, taking his time while looking at his illuminated dial in the dark. “Sorry, kid, it takes a moment to focus at my age.”
The leader stalked toward Dan - his dark shape probably terrifying at night on a path near the ocean meant to be only walked in the daylight, devoid of any other human being. “Who you callin’ kid, you old shithead?!”
“Well… I’m callin’ you kid, kid. Compared to my age, you’d probably be wearin’ diapers to prevent accidents of youth.”
The click of a knife blade jolting into place accompanied the leader’s next words. “No time to answer all that O.G. Keep yo’ dog in check so he don’t get hurt, and give us your wallet, money, watch, and every other damn thing on your old ass.”