“Yes, Payaso, it was just so. It hurt us to watch you prostrate yourself before the Tyrannosaurus Tina Rex when we arrived at the mansion after laying waste to a small section of Lebanon, Ohio. It is very annoying listening as you describe yourself to be the font of all marriage knowledge and a road map to marital bliss. At best you’re a road bump on the gravel outback of having no clue in marriage but to obey.”
When Rachel walked in, the Unholy Trio were vocally enjoying John’s dressing down of Gus’s perceived enslavement by Tina. “I’m glad those idiots are gone. Which of them dies first, Muerto? Tina picked the one holding on to his nose. I like the walking dead guy with the beady black marbles for eyes. He was brown skinned when he entered and white skinned when he left. What did he do to get the look of death about him?”
“He claimed everything I loved was as good as dead.”
Rachel began laughing in appreciation, triggering humorous reactions from the Unholy Trio. She came over to pat John on the shoulders. “If these death worshippers don’t stop soon, your in-law list will be limited only to burka wearers.”
“We did meet one, who was reasonable either because of the money, or he was getting the message all was not well in the land of honor killings,” Nick said.
“What were you guys laughing at?”
“The usual,” John replied. “Gus talking about being the alpha dog in his household.”
“Aww… that’s so cute. What in the world ever gave you that idea, Gus?”
“I did say I compromise on many things to avoid useless confrontations,” Gus said. “I was merely pointing out the dos and don’ts in a happy marriage.”
“One key ingredient is avoid bonding with duct tape and Jello,” Rachel said. “You two are perfect for each other. Don’t change anything. Keep showing Cala the love and attention you have been showing her. Not to change from a romantic topic to a deadly one, but can we expect an attack tonight?”
“No, although I will have to go out for a while on ‘Addam’s Family’ business. Have you figured out a way to collect on your bet with Tina?”
“I was thinking of sending alpha dog down to collect for me.”
“In other words you’re forgiving the debt?”
“Exactly, John.”
Chapter Six
Political Impropriety
At 2 am, Mohammad Kader awoke in a sweat. He sat shakily upright in the bed feeling as if his blood wanted to burst out of the veins carrying it. A shadow detached itself from the wall near by the bed. In the next instant the barrel of a gun pointed upwards from under his chin, forced him against the headboard.
“Hello there, Mohammad,” a familiar voice greeted him in a soft dulcet tone. “We didn’t have a very good meeting last night, so I thought I’d come over to explain my position to you this morning real early before anyone was up. You were quite rude and threatening. I’m certain after our talk this morning you will be very pleasing and polite.”
“I…I feel sick,” Mohammad muttered through a mouth forced closed. “Go and get me help. We… we can talk then. Why do you wear that… silly mask?”
“This is my El Muerto mask. I’ve tortured and killed many of your brethren while wearing it. I thought it would be appropriate to wear my mask this morning too. I wanted you to know who took your life though. If not for wanting to make your death seem natural, I would have taken you some place special where I would have made you beg for death.”
“What… I…” Mohammad Kader’s eyes widened as his air passages tightened and incredible pain shot through his chest. He reached out to grip the shadow, but it was gone. In moments the already dusky room faded to black as Mohammad clutched at his chest while writhing helplessly into oblivion.
*
The rear door opened to the SUV. Nick slipped in, taking his mask off as John drove away. “You were excellent, Muerto. I watched your assent to Mohammad’s room on the second floor. You hung on while dislodging the screen and sliding inside. Did you do a Kabuki dance with him before he died?”
“Damn it, John. Why didn’t you say something before I left to complete my task? The old zombie would have made a great Kabuki dancer. I should have taken my Kabuki mask and wore a cam. When we do Jacob, remind me. I won’t forget next time. This one had to appear very natural but very coincidental… so coincidental the Kaders couldn’t help but think I had something to do with it. I’m hoping our coincidence will help them decide to do the smart thing and take the money without any more coincidences being needed.”
“You must take care not to become one of the coincidences yourself, Muerto.”