“How did it go in reality?”
“Very well, Rach. I had a little trouble with one of Paul’s minions, but we worked it out, and Paul will make sure he stays on our side. Collister was pretty much what I expected, and we delivered the file to him. Flying to and from DC in one day does not make me happy. Not having to worry about that guy in the position he’s in raining terrorists and assassins down on me, definitely improves my mental outlook considerably to make up for the air flights.”
“You’re in a good position now to move on the Washington gig,” Gus said. “This is perfect timing to leave the area for a while. By the time we get back, the hotplate will have cooled down. John and I also emptied out our storage unit while Dan watched the house. It was a beautiful day on the ocean too, Right John?”
“Oh yes, Payaso… it was simply wonderful. Payaso sped out of the Bay at a pace guaranteed to make a dolphin throw up.” John finished his shot and beer as he shook his head at the sea cruise he had been forced to make. “I refuse to go on any more voyages with Captain Hook.”
After much enjoyment of John’s less than shining review of his day at sea with Gus, Nick turned to Dan. “We haven’t seen you for a few days, Dan. Was it a problem for you coming to the Valley for the day?”
“Oh hell no. I was just moping around, trying to give you guys a break from the Geezer. I know you’re heading to Washington soon. I visited with my kids, and stayed out of trouble by doing all the crap I should have done on the house a long time ago. When I heard about the bombs being placed on the Muerto homestead, I began to wonder about your more open endeavors lately. Do you really think you have a handle on it now, Nick?”
“I believe so. Did Gus tell you about the unfortunate US Marshal adlib I had to do?”
Dan chuckled. “Yeah, he did. I could picture Grace Slick curling into the back of that SUV to go sleepy-time.”
“Oh, she was thrilled,” Nick replied. “Hey… I didn’t have to nick either one of them to make it look good. I should have sent Jean to bed before I asked you about it.”
“The sneak eavesdropped on the conversation already,” Rachel explained. “Unless we’re going to tie a bell around her neck, there’s not much we can do about her. I’ve thought of getting one of those perimeter collars, like they have for dogs. We can set it to zap her the moment she leaves her room.”
“Mom!” When she noticed everyone else was laughing, Jean relaxed, pointing a warning finger at Rachel.
“Don’t point that thing at me. Deke’s lying on his mat out in the yard. I can smack you around like a red headed stepchild without intervention.”
Jean dropped her hand comically the moment she noticed her canine protector was absent. “Uh… no fair. You can’t mark me up before the dance tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll mark you, and then cancel your dance engagement. No blood, no foul.”
“Dad hurried everything so he could chaperone at the dance,” Jean replied with some smugness. “No way he allows the Momster to ruin our day together.”
“I’ll give you a Momster!”
Nick watched the ensuing race around the table, but intervened by grabbing the Momster. “I’m sorry, Momster, but I’d rather keep you out of the emergency room tonight. We’ll do what we always do when the Daughter of Darkness acts against your wishes.”
“Heh… heh… yes! We will collect all electrical gadgets for a week!”
Jean gasped. “Nooooooooo… you’re kidding, right? That’s not funny, Momster. I have to check in with my peeps during and after the dance! I’ll be exiled to uncool land where outcasts go to be tortured and ridiculed for their entire lives.”
Jean giggled as her list of passionate protests and punishment drew wild amusement even from the Momster. Nick poured his partners another beverage along with getting them another beer.
“I have to admit, Daughter of Darkness’s vocabulary is very impressive, Momster,” Nick said. “Were you thinking about going to the dance too?”
Rachel bowed her head, slowly shaking it as if in anguish. “I have been exiled from the dance by The Daughter of Darkness who fears my girth and possible water breaking on the gym floor are too horrifying as possibilities to allow me to accompany you. She would rather I didn’t become a biology lesson in the midst of her dancing elves.”
“Is that true, Dagger? Are you really sacrificing your Mom’s attendance at your first dance for fear of embarrassment? I am shocked,” Nick said.