“Yes, I guess it is a matter of taste.”
“Exactly,” Nick agreed. “I never hype my novels claiming they’re anything other than pulp fiction. I’m definitely not writing Shakespearean prose.”
“I see your point. I work for the State Department, so I know it’s impossible for you to belong to all the agencies Sonny told me about. What is it you really do with law enforcement?”
Nick shrugged. “I answered the question truthfully. You can choose to believe anything you want, Phil. Well, tomorrow’s another day starting early, so Jean and I will off to prepare for our adventures in the morning. Nice meeting all of you.”
Phil followed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I wanted you to know I’m familiar with what can and cannot be in federal law enforcement.”
“I’m not offended at all, Phil. As I said, you can believe anything you want. You’re mistaken in my case, but it’s not worth getting into a debate over. Goodnight.”
“Ah… yes, goodnight.”
Jean and Sonny exchanged waves as Nick led the way out. In the car, Jean gave Nick the silent treatment. “Okay, what did I do?”
“You let that Phil guy call you a liar.”
“He didn’t call me a liar. Phil cloaked it in very considerate language,” Nick replied, grinning over at Jean while he started the car. “What did you want me to do, beat him up?”
“Yeah… but I see what you mean. You could go back over there with all your ID’s,” Jean suggested, “or have your CIA boss call him. That’ll make his mouth drop open.”
“There’s something a bit off about Phil. When he mentioned working with the State Department, my alarm bells went off. I don’t know of any State Department jobs on the West Coast. In regard to your suggestion, I’m not doing that. I’d rather you remain friends with Sonny, and stay away from the adult business. I’ve probably already given Phil enough mystery that he’ll be poking around where he shouldn’t as it is.”
“What happens if he does?”
“Nothing. He’ll simply find out he can’t access my records at his level. That will be enough for him to drop any further inquiries into my business. He and Clarice seem like real nice people, and I can tell Sonny’s a good kid.”
“Sonny’s going to join the Marines like me,” Jean said. “He liked my line about getting seasoned in the Corps.”
“I’ll bet he did.”
“Did you ever have a best friend when you were a kid?”
Nick hesitated. He wanted to assure Jean he had lots of friends, but he had never lied to her about anything, and he didn’t plan on starting now. “No. I was a loner. I had buddies in the service I was close to, because our lives depended on it. I never did meet anyone I cared to be around much. Let’s face it, psychos don’t make very good besties. If we need something from you, we’ll pretend to be a bestie until we get it. That’s as close as we come though.”
“You love Mom and me.”
“I’m older now, and getting soft in the head.”
Jean giggled.
Chapter Seven
Until Guilty
Rachel waved from the couch, where she and Tina were watching a movie. She paused the show. “How did the parental meeting go?”
“Not so good,” Nick admitted.
“Sonny’s Father called Dad a liar, and he’s still breathing,” Jean inserted, garnering surprised laughter.
“Gomez,” Tina said. “Are you turning over a new leaf?”
“Phil didn’t call me a liar in so many words. He… sort of hinted at it. As I tried to explain to the Daughter of Darkness what bothered me were some of the questions both he and Clarice asked, and the fact they moved here from Washington, D.C. He questioned the veracity of my being a consultant for the CIA, FBI, and US Marshals, claiming he worked for the State Department. I think they were going to interrogate me further, but Sonny showed them the video he took of my knife exhibition. I think it dissuaded them from pushing the envelope. I could tell Clarice was shooting over some raised eyebrows at Phil. I think it would be best if Jean and Sonny tryout their friendship without we adults becoming involved. We don’t have to be rude, but we can avoid another interrogation.”
Rachel jabbed a finger at Nick from over the back of the couch. “I know you. Mr. Salvatore is about to become the subject of intense scrutiny.”
“Maybe.”
Tina sighed. “Same old Gomez, different day. Don’t make this Clarice a single Mom until you gather more evidence.”
When no one spoke, Tina glanced at Nick’s slight smile as he watched her. All frivolity disappeared from her features instantly. “Uh… I may have had one wine too many, Nick. Sorry.”
“Inside the Addams’ Family living room is the place to do it,” Nick said. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to do so anywhere uninformed ears can hear those witty one-liners, Cousin Itt.”
“Understood.”
“Is Gus on the Deck?”