“Fix my coffee and start the French Toast. I’ll go awaken those two ten year old terrors. I remember you mentioning Phil using Sonny for the purpose of retaining your services as job security.”
“Sonny knows if Phil loses his job, they’ll be moving, leaving two heartbroken youngsters saying goodbye forever. I have been enlisted to prevent this Romeo and Juliet tragedy. I warned them I would have to check on the reason someone wishes to pull the plug on our resident political social climber.”
“He’s probably in the middle of another lackluster job performance. It’s hard to kiss anyone’s ass when you’re in charge of the Passport Office in San Francisco.”
Nick grinned. “That is very true, dear. Go on. I’ll start breakfast. I believe I’ll wait until I’m on the beach before I call Paul and see if he wouldn’t mind looking into poor Phil’s job problem. I hated asking for anything on Phil’s behalf but I like Sonny. Plus, if I don’t want Jean to disown me as any kind of a dad, I’ll need to keep her boyfriend’s Father employed.”
“I don’t know if you’ll ever find out, but I bet Clarice is behind it, whatever it is.”
“If I stick my neck out and Paul’s, you’d best believe Phil and I will have a chat about his performance issues on the job. That supervisory position at the passport office was supposed to be a chestnut he could simply visit a couple times a week. Paul already told me it was gift job.”
“I hope it’s something simple.” Rachel left on kid roundup.
“Nothing is ever simple when dealing on behalf of a schmoozer.”
Rachel edged around the doorway again. “Is that even a word?”
“Of course. So is obfuscation. They’re often used in descriptions of the same person, one as a job title, the other as an occupation.”
*
“This French Toast is great, Dad.”
“Thanks. We have to leave on our walk to the beach in ten, so finish and go brush your teeth, and whatever else you need to do. I’ll talk to my friend in government while we’re at the beach, Sonny. I bet your Dad called you again already, didn’t he?”
Sonny looked startled for a moment, but then grinned and shrugged. “Great French Toast, Sir. Yes, he called. Are my parents that easy to read?”
“It depends on the subject. I don’t believe they’re bad. They do have an agenda though most people would not understand. They miss DC. I can understand that. It was a wonderland place for them with parties, famous people in power positions, and-”
“Dishonest people,” Sonny filled in for Nick.
“It’s impolite to finish a person’s sentence, young man. I was going with other folks with similar interests.”
“Very kind of you, Sir.”
“You’re very understanding of human frailty, Sonny. You seem quite capable of observing and dealing with it. That will serve you well. Jean can spot human frailty easily too, but she has a tendency to be impatient in dealing with it.”
“Proud of it too,” Jean stated. “I want to be a Ninja not a social worker.”
“Oh boy…” Nick muttered as the kids ran off.
*
The procession of Nick, Deke, Jean, Sonny, and Quinn in a baby pouch at Nick’s chest walked with deliberation down the hill toward Dan and Carol’s beach. Nick also had his specially designed pack with lightweight beach chairs, coffee, sodas, food, and Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey. Sonny was in charge of the carriage for the return trip while Jean handled Deke. Only a street away from the coastal road, two dark men appeared at the hill’s bottom. They wore dark windbreakers with hoods tied around their necks over ball-caps. Nick stopped.
“Well, this doesn’t look good.” Nick put the brake on the baby carriage and put the sleeping Quinn down inside. Never taking his eyes off the men, he stripped off his pack. Nick called Gus. “Payaso. I have a problem. It seems I have been negligent in repeating my usual approach to the beach. I’ve grown a couple of idiots at the turnoff. If you have your range finders you may be able to see them.”
“I see them. We’re getting in John’s car now. We’ll intercept the two on the road. Do you think this is a trap?”
“We’re too in the open to take a chance. The two down there could be decoys. I’ll wait with the kids. I have Sonny, Jean, and Quinn.”
“We’ll make it quick and head right for you.”
“Gracious.”
Nick moved his coat aside, uncovering the belt holster with his .45 Colt. “Sonny and Jean. Lay flat out on the sidewalk at the approach of any car with Deke between you. Gus and John will be here shortly.”
“Understood, but what about Quinn?”
“The carriage material is Kevlar, honey. Don’t tell your Mom. I had it specially made, but I didn’t want to worry her.”
“What’s in it for me?”