“I have to go home, and see Rachel for a little while before I fetch Jean home from school. Can we shelve the interrogation for today? I have you on speed dial too.” Nick shook hands with Dickerson. “I hope they don’t let that nitwit Rashidi out. Two days in a row was enough having that jerk in my face.”
“I know it’s a day late and a dollar short, but I’ll have a patrol car on hand at tomorrow’s school day. I’ve had enough of the rent-a-mob bullshit too. We’re going to make Rashidi’s pack hurt financially. They’re going to find out how much endangering the public safety actually costs, especially around a school. Believe me, they won’t like it.”
“See you later, Neil.”
“I’m not comfortable with you knowing the CIA Director,” Dickerson called out.
“You’ll get over it.”
*
Nick lay next to Rachel, his fingers moving over her forehead with a gentle back and forth motion. They were both bathed in sweat. Rachel’s breath had only returned to normal a moment before.
“I hate you.”
Nick smiled. “You always say that. Jean wasn’t here for the wonderful little scream, so no blood, no foul, right?”
“I hate you.” Rachel covered her eyes. “I’m so demented.”
Nick moved over her, kissing her eyes, lips, and neck. “You were gorgeous today, and very erotic. I’m sure you weren’t even close to demented.”
“Don’t Nick… you’ll be late for the school.”
“No I won’t.”
“Oh…”
*
The school appeared back to normal, with only parents meeting their kids. “See, Deke, it’s all good. We’ll meet with the US Marshals tonight. Then you and I can relax on the balcony. You deserve treats today for being so well mannered.”
Deke glanced at Nick, his expression one of infinite patience. He hopped onto his hind legs in dance like perfection as Jean approached them with her friend from class. Jean hugged Deke, making him sit and shake hands with Sonny, which he did.
“Wow… neat dog. Hi Mr. McCarty.”
“Hi, Sonny. Do you have plans for the day?”
“I was hoping Sonny could come home with us, and have dinner later,” Jean answered for him.
“That’s fine with me, but you need to let your parents know where you’re at, Sonny. I’ll talk to them if you’d like, but you have to get their permission.” Nick wrote down their address and his mobile number. “Here’s where you’ll be, and a number your parents can reach anytime.”
“I’ll call them right now.” Sonny called home on his iPhone using FaceTime. When he had talked with his parents for a moment, he gave Nick the phone.
“My son tells me you’ve been roped into feeding him,” the woman on screen said with a smile. “I’m Clarice Salvatore.”
“Nick McCarty, Clarice,” Nick replied. “My wife’s name is Rachel. “What time would you like Sonny home tonight?”
“By eight would be fine, Nick. Thank you.”
“I’m always glad when Jean has new friends. I’ll bring Sonny to the door later.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Start thinking about fast food, kids. I’m not springing a dinner guest on your Mom, Jean. Besides, I’m trying to get Grace and Tim to take a meeting, so we’ll get some extra food, and your Mom won’t have to do a thing.”
“Pizza’s always a winner,” Jean said. “We can get extra stuff with it too.”
“Sounds good to me. What about you, Sonny?”
“Anything but Sushi is good with me.”
Nick nodded in agreement. “My sentiments exactly.”
“Grace and Tim are US Marshals, and my Dad consults with the Marshals, FBI, and CIA,” Jean explained with her usual excitement, watching Sonny’s reaction. She wasn’t disappointed.
“I…I… don’t know what to say. Holy crap… that’s awesome,” Sonny blurted out. “I thought you were a writer, Mr. McCarty.”
“He is,” Jean stated before Nick had a chance to speak. “He was in Delta Force.”
Nick gave Jean a furrowed brow Terminator stare when Sonny wasn’t looking. “It’s not as exciting as it sounds, Sonny. I’m a consultant because I’ve been in so many parts of the world, and I have an affinity for languages. They like to get outside opinions on some of their cases.”
“It sounds exciting to me,” Sonny replied. “Are you meeting with the US Marshals about a case tonight?”
“Possibly. It’s a theory I’ve been working on for them,” Nick said, while getting the kids and Deke moving toward his house. “Are you two working on homework together tonight?”
“Ms. Kader assigned a long math page. She said we’re getting sloppy, and not checking our work,” Jean explained. “We’ll get it done before dinner. Can we practice with my throwing knives?”
“Ouch! Sure Jean, if you want the US Marshals to arrest me for child endangerment. What part of keeping that extracurricular activity on the down low didn’t you understand?”
“I won’t tell, Sir,” Sonny said.
“Absolutely not. I don’t do anything behind parents’ backs,” Nick stated. “I’m disappointed Jean even mentioned it to you.”
“What if I got their permission?”
“I’d consider it, but I’d have to talk to them face to face about their permission on something like throwing knives.”