“That was my first glimpse of one like that too,” Gus observed from the passenger side window. “I’ve seen you practice it, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you use it.”
Nick shrugged. “Bestselling authors do not demean themselves with street fights and it sets a bad example for the kids.”
“You were grinning when you jacked Porky in the head,” Gus pointed out.
“Thanks for noticing a singular weak moment in the constant battle for my humanity and compassion.”
Gus made gagging noises as the kids enjoyed the adult banter. “I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. I’m glad John and I were already at the beach. Five of them would have been a problem with the kids to worry about.”
“Uh no… the five dead bodies would have been a problem,” Nick replied, deciding Sonny would have to be vetted from then on into the family. Hiding intent or Nick’s killing nature would be impossible if the intuition he felt when watching Sonny and Jean together evolved as he thought it would. Now would be the time to frighten him off in Nick’s thinking.
“I see you’re still heading to the beach. Do you think that’s a wise move?”
“It won’t be for anyone trying to prevent it, Gus,” Nick replied. “I think we’ll ride back to the house though. We’ll be lucky if one of those people driving by didn’t call the cops or take a camera video.”
“No blood, no foul,” Gus said. “Here we are, safe and sound. Are you still having an Irish morning?”
“I sure am. I have Quinn with me, so it will be in moderation, but I also have food. I’m calling Paul to see if he had any feedback from around DC on the video. You released it, right John?”
“Yes. It has been on since early last evening,” John called out from the driver’s seat.
“Phil Salvatore has some job trouble I will be asking Paul about. I need Paul to find out why Phil’s been put on the ‘soon to be fired list’. Sonny doesn’t want to move away, so I will see if this job problem can be solved.”
“After all we’ve done, Paul would fix it no matter what,” Gus stated, getting out of the car. “John and I have our chairs. The kids hardly sit down anyway.”
“I don’t want Paul to fix it under any circumstances. Sonny understands that. It may be one of those misunderstandings.”
“I doubt it,” Sonny said. “I don’t know exactly what he did but him and Mom looked real worried when they were talking for my benefit. It has something directly to do with the passport office. Of that I’m sure.”
They all walked together until next to the beach chairs where John and Gus were earlier. Nick handed chairs to Sonny and Jean. “Here. I know you two will watch out for the Dekester, so you don’t have to sit with us.”
“Thanks, Dad. C’mon Sonny, I see a couple of idiots thinking about going out on the rock outcropping. We’ll go warn them not to do it. No one listens, and they go out a little ways, and get soaked in ice cold saltwater. Then we just sit and smile as they drag themselves to shore.”
Nick shook his head while Gus and John tried unsuccessfully to remain disapproving. “You do understand that’s not nice, right Daughter of Darkness?”
“Really? I thought kicking someone in the side of the head rated a not nice.” Jean skipped away with Deke and Sonny leaving only a vapor trail of smack down.
“You really taught her a valuable lesson there, Muerto.”
“I’ve learned to live by the Klingon code when it comes to correcting or handling kids. Besides, Jean’s mad because I messed with her Ninja attack at the door with Sonny after John dropped me off. They were dressed all in black with the known traitor Deke on their side. El Muerto closed his eyes, heard clothing brushing against dog on both sides, and ruined the Daughter of Darkness assault plans.”
“Jean is a wonder,” John said as he held his coffee cup out. “The only items that seem to work on her as disciplinary actions are taking away her electronics and training. I’m not sure where she plans to go with those skills.”
When they were all settled in with Irish coffees, Nick made sure Quinn was resting comfortably before sipping his with great appreciation. “I brought egg rolls to eat: plenty of them so if you want some, dig in. Jean gets excellent grades. She also obeys most important rules, and helps with Quinn. She’s a little wild, mostly because of my specialty skills.”
“As a serial killer?”
“Thanks Payaso. I hunt serial killers. I have to be able to think like them.”
“It also helps when you are one of them.”
“El Muerto only kills the bad ones.”