Gus chuckled. “John’s only saying that because he starred in the last movie as El Kabong, you suck-up.”
“Yes… and what is your point? You are jealous, Payaso. There are already over two million hits on my El Kabong clip. I am more famous than a cat video.”
Dan listened contentedly to the familiar bantering. When they paused, he stood. “I’m going to walk home gentlemen. I’ll have my cell on if you need me for anything before tomorrow morning. We’re still on for tomorrow morning at the beach, right?”
“Yep. Is it too early for you?”
“Nope. I don’t sleep much anymore, except in snatches. I had a good workout today, so maybe I’ll be able to string a few hours together. Thanks for the invite to Washington, Nick.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Nick said. On the way, Nick addressed a growing concern. “Tonight was a little weird because of who we were hunting. I don’t want you going to Washington with us to commit suicide. I didn’t like the way you took on the driver, Dan.”
“Would it be so bad to go out with my boots on, Nick?”
“Not at all,” Nick replied, pausing to look Dan in the eyes. “I don’t want you doing it with us, my friend. You going out in style might be very appealing to you; but with us, it could endanger our mission, or get one of us comic book characters killed. That’s not to mention the repercussions put on your kids, and the way we would have to handle your death in the field. I can use you on this, but only as an asset, and not an expendable one. I want your word on it. In return, I won’t ever say anything stupid like time heals all.”
Nick watched Dan smile before thinking it through, considering options, including lying. Dan’s mouth tightened. He nodded, and held out his hand. Nick shook it.
“You have my word,” Dan said. “No suicide during comic book capers. That doesn’t mean I’ll let one of you youngsters take a bullet for me. If you want that guarantee, you can go fuck yourself, Muerto.”
“Understood. You’re in. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You will indeed, Nick. Sorry about tonight.”
“Don’t worry about it. We needed to clear the air, so we’re on the same page.”
Nick hit the security remote pause as he watched Dan trudge down the stairs. He detoured to the entertainment room to wave goodbye before leaving. Nick reset the security system after Dan closed the door, pondering his own future, and thinking he would have tried the same thing Dan did. He couldn’t endanger Gus and John, or his own family’s wellbeing. Nick had no intention of risking everything on Paul being able to keep his pet assassin out of prison. Nick returned to his friends.
“You gave Dan the lecture, huh?” Gus handed him a refilled shot of Jack. “I saw it in your eyes after the driver adjustment that you’d have to talk with him about it.”
“He’s lost without Carol, and nothing the three of us can do will make it any better. I can use him, and fill time on pursuits doing good work. He understands that, and I know he’s thankful for the money. I had to make sure he knew not to try the suicide on our op anymore. Another second with the driver, and Dan would have been with Carol. I don’t blame him for it, but he can’t do that with us.”
“I liked the role you have for him in this op,” Gus said. “If John can get inside, Dan wandering around as if lost, might install two guys on the inside of the compound. One of them may be able to find out where they might have others detained.”
“Gus is right,” John said. “We have no idea yet how this compound works, or if they have families held hostage there or not. If I can gain access, then finding out if others are being held would be much less difficult if Dan can infiltrate as well. I wish we could do more for Dan, my friends.”
“That’s not in our purview, John. We do what we can, but no matter what anyone says about the deathbed, we die alone. Dan held onto Carol to the last second, but in the end, callous as it may sound, I doubt she knew he was there. He’s dealing with it. Dan understands now, but I had to make it clear. I’m not taking casualties because Dan decides to use our mission as a way to eat a bullet, but not from his hand. Again,” Nick said, holding his shot glass up, “here’s to Carol and her live mate, Dan. May God have mercy on our dark endeavors, and prevent them from eventually contaminating our old friend.”