Nightmare in Red (Nick McCarty #5)

“I don’t think you’ll have any trouble, Nick,” Joe replied. “The Kaders would be nuts to mess with the reception and a squad of Marines.”


Nick smiled at his old friend. “You don’t know the Kaders the way I do, Joe. I’ve been keeping track of visitors landing from back East. The bastards imported a couple of unscrupulous men to ruin everything. I can’t have that. I’ll touch base with you later, my friend.”

“Be careful, Nick.”

“Always.” Nick walked away unobtrusively to a panel van parked across the coastal highway. Inside the van, Nick dressed in jeans, black pullover shirt, and a black leather coat. He added a black San Francisco Giants hat and left the van with what looked like a saxophone case.

Nick had left his Unholy Trio friends out of the loop for the first time. He found a way atop Lover’s Point Inn. His range finder stakeout revealed exactly what he had been expecting. After much thought, Nick had picked out the sniper’s nest he would have used on the wedding and reception party the day before. It had to be close to a vehicle but far away from any place the team could be stopped or spotted right away. Walking the route in both directions dressed in old man’s garb with hat and cane, Nick had taken his time with Deke happily accompanying him.

His search proved fruitful a short time before sundown when two men in all black jogging outfits, with ball caps and hoodies, climbed the small rocky escarpment Nick had picked out as a likely nest. It had full view of the wedding and reception areas. Nick didn’t share the information, but he knew the Kaders were watching his wedding planner and all catering outlets. He played with Deke while watching the two men using scopes and range finders as if birdwatching on the beach. After an intensive search for a perfect spot within view of the Kader sniper group’s nest, Nick entered the roof area of the Lover’s Point Inn. It had proven to be a perfect counter nest.

Nick entered the Lover’s Point Inn roof area on his final deadly business. In moments he constructed his counter nest. He could hear the music playing in the reception area as he assembled and mounted his M107 sniper rifle with silencer. As he had done the day before, he used his range finders to plot wind speed, direction, and temperature. The wedding reception proceeded into joyous celebration. Nick watched the hit team move into place on the rock escarpment. They draped a tarp around themselves colored in dark gray mottled hues very much like the rocks. Nick aimed without fanfare and shot the shooter through the head with a .50 caliber bullet taking half his head off. Squeezing once again, he pulped the head of the blood and brain sprayed spotter. He shot each one again before packing his things.

He called Paul, explained the circumstances for the hit and where the bodies were. “They have a sniper rifle and any dummy can tell they’re a sniper team.”

“Good. Let’s leave the scene as is. Let the locals investigate. I’ll keep an eye on it. What are your plans now?”

“Get dressed and rejoin the reception as Father of the Bride.”

“Only you, Muerto… only you.”

*

“I don’t like this, Nick.” Rachel watched Jean and Sonny walk away with other kids attending camp, led by a young woman adorned in camp counselor’s clothes. “Are you sure these camp people and kids will be safe in the presence of The Daughter of Darkness?”

Nick chuckled while shifting Quinn to a more comfortable position in his chest carrier. “This is the wealthiest summer camp in existence. Sometimes as parents we have to let go the reins of parental authority so our children may mature.”

“You’ve been saving that gem to smack me with for a while, haven’t you?”

“Ever since we loaded the kids this morning. How did it sound?”

“It sounded like you should stick to writing fiction and leave the psycho-babble to the experts. Answer the question, Muerto.”

Nick moved closer, running his fingertips over Rachel’s back, leaning over to kiss the nape of her neck with whisper soft caress. “We will have a couple of weeks without Viper playing ninja while we look for ways to express our physical affection anywhere in the house we want.”

Rachel closed her eyes, moaning under Nick’s touch. “Let’s leave her until they close the camp down. She’s not a firebug so they’ll survive until September. I know you. What added gimmick do you have in place to keep Viper under surveillance?”

“John and I planted bugs in everything her and Sonny have. They believe all they have to do is trigger the communication apparatus I gave them for doing their ninja games. Of course John and I will be alternating with Gus to keep our known part in this operation going while they play ninja, but we’ll also have them under our watchful eyes at all other times. I agree with you. It’s always best to not underestimate The Daughter of Darkness. Cala will be carrying her iPad with her for all times other than ninja missions. John said she’s super excited to help.”