“Fine with us,” Nick replied, following Cassie into the store. “After all, this is our final signing date, so we’re set to have a good time. We better have coffee to help get this show on the road though.”
“Of course there is.” Cassie didn’t see Gus and Nick smiling at each other while flashing their flasks like two kids sneaking smokes in the school bathroom.
“Nick!”
Turning toward the sound, Nick saw Grace and Tim showing their ID badges to the store employee. “Gus, can you help Cass get everything in place while I talk with Wyatt and Calamity?”
“Sure. If you’re talking any longer than five minutes I’ll bring you your coffee loaded.”
“Thanks, brother. Hi kids. Gee, that’s swell of you two attending my book signing. Slow times in the US Marshals Office, huh?”
“Funny boy,” Grace said. “Tim and I wanted you to know if we’d heard about that dimwit Kate spewing your location we would have arrested her on the spot. I would have put that bitch in handcuffs and frog marched her ass to the nearest plane for extradition to DC. Mr. Gilbrech explained what happened and why we need to keep quiet about it.”
“I know you and Tim would have told me, especially after following orders not to clue me in on Didricson and Sadun.”
“I knew you weren’t going to let our Didricson screw-up go any time soon, but we hoped you wouldn’t think of us in the same light as Great Kate’s nearly painting a target on you inside a police station,” Tim replied.
“No, I don’t which is why what she did will have to be filed away for future reference. How’s the law enforcement news on our three missing bad guys?”
“They’ve located the cars. The authorities suspect foul play,” Tim deadpanned for Nick’s amusement. “Nothing other than that though. You know how concerned normal people and police get when pimps and thugs disappear. One of his girls was asking about Calhoun named Ellen Santos. She claimed you kicked around Dominic, and she thought you were going to kill him. Since we do have records of Calhoun and his buddy Lansing staying in our care for a few days before being released, her allegations are falling on deaf ears.”
“We would have felt better though if Kate had already boarded a plane back to DC with the task force. I don’t know what’s holding them here. My task force contact said it’s procedural, but that makes no sense. The FBI wouldn’t want the expense of those suckers staying around this area for the hell of it,” Grace added. “I alerted your boss so in case there is something brewing we don’t know about, he can get in front of it.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that. I can take the heat though. Those three will remain missing for a long time I believe. If you can keep tabs on Great Kate that would help.”
“We will,” Tim said. “I’m glad you’re leaving for California. The pimp deal will drop over the cliff without you here. I hope your last signing is a blast, Nick. We’ll stop in and see you when we finally get home.”
“Good, because I want people I trust watching out for the woman and her kids in Santa Cruz until I can end that threat.”
“Count on it,” Grace stated. “Bye, Nick.”
Nick shook hands with them, imagining the matchmaking and killings he had ahead of him back home. Nick, old lad, you are one sick puppy.
*
“Thank God we had some Irish through the day, brother. I think we paced ourselves perfectly.” Gus put away his tablet, checking for anything he forgot when they moved to the backroom after the signing ended.
“Agreed. No BK’s, and only three grammar Nazis.” Nick toasted Gus with his last Irish coffee. “I bet John was bored out of his mind. What time did he check out of the network?”
“Before noon. He was meeting with Dimah Kader for the first time today. The big chicken talked Dan into going with him so Dimah didn’t feel threatened. I bet he needed Dan along so someone other than Dimah spoke more than three words.”
“That’s harsh Payaso. The great Kabong was only being considerate. El Muerto will assist Kabong when Cala meets with him.” Nick put away the last of his papers. “Rachel called. They finished the tour and took a limo back to the Lodge so we don’t have to rush around. Here comes Cass with the last roundup. She’s beaming, so I know we sold a bunch of books today.”
“New record, guys,” Cassie said. “The manager was grateful you and Gus stayed for an extra few hours. These Sunday signings are the best, but a three hour window is tough to manage. Staying seven hours with only a few short breaks put you guys on the bookstore hero list. Did I miss anything juicy?”
“Not a thing, Cass. Previewing Dark Interlude worked really well. The crowd loved my chapter one reading when Diego meets Fatima. I think your heroine Fatima is a real hit.”
“I knew she-”
“McCarty!” FBI Agent Kaitlin Anderson walked into the back with two other agents. “Hit the road, lady. I need to talk with McCarty. You go with her, Nason.”