John pistol whipped Dabor to the hallway floor while Nick busted through the dead bolt, latch, and the man on the other side slow to move. “Stay here with Sidi! I need to work this.”
With silenced MP5, Nick moved through the suite with deadly proficiency. After firing a three shot burst through the door answerer’s head, Nick ran into the suite. He killed a woman lounging on a couch with a short 9mm pattern across her face as she glanced toward him in shock. The next scurrying to greet him raised an AK47 but Nick’s next tight pattern stitched up through the AK47 and the man’s chest. The Terminator put a round through the man’s head as he ran by. He saw a nearly naked young woman running toward the balcony with an RPG-7 rocket launcher, trying to get it raised to fire out the balcony at anything. Nick fired at her legs, dropping her screaming in anguish while the rocket launcher clattered to the floor next to her. Nick approached her warily into range around the couch she had pitched head first behind. She lie writhing on the other side. He fired a three shot group into her head.
John and Gus, dragging along the very frightened Sidi, tread carefully around the dead bodies left in the Terminator’s wake. Nick joined them after securing the suite. He gripped Dabor’s chin.
“Oh my. You should not have done that Dabby-Do. Duct tape his mouth. It’s only in space where you can’t be heard to scream but duct tape’s not bad either.”
Gus duct taped Sidi’s mouth as he opened it to plead for mercy not available. John threw him on the floor, kneeling across the already restrained man as Gus did on the other end. Nick removed his scalpel from the equipment bag and eviscerated Sidi until his entrails spilled out in a steaming heap. Nick poured the bleach from his bag without hesitation or remorse, ignoring the keening wail as Sidi went into violent convulsions, nearly bucking Gus off. It took only two more applications and twenty minutes of pain so intense Sidi broke all the teeth in his mouth. His eyes went suddenly blank after filling with blood hemorrhaging from inside. Nick handed his MP5 to John and walked away without another glance to the balcony overlooking the port. He breathed deeply for a few moments.
“It’s done, Clyde. We’re leaving now. Sidi had to pay the toll for an indiscretion at the door.”
“I heard. Paul checked out a moment ago to get everything needed speeding to the suite. You’re all clear. He said to leave everything and everyone where they fell.”
“Understood.”
Nick turned to see John and Gus finish packing their gear. “Let’s go have a drink, boys. I’ve had enough terrorist warfare for tonight. We’re in until morning now. Let’s make the most of it. I hope my crew walked the Dekester.”
“The book signing tomorrow will take on a different context after tonight,” Gus said. “It will be a small pleasure to be talking with readers about fictional assassins and sailing.”
“Yes, but what about the formidable Book Killers and Grammar Nazis,” John asked as The Unholy Trio cleared the doorway. “Muerto may get some rough customers at the book-signing. I am looking forward to the adventure.”
“You should have gone with us in Washington,” Nick said.
John shrugged. “I thought you guys were joking about the action and I was mooning over my Cala. Since becoming engaged, I must set an example for Payaso in how to attend happenings where the wife or fiancé might object to any absence by the husband or suitor.”
“Your time fast approaches when the truth of my wisdom will be clear to see,” Gus replied. “I’d like to say I’m glad we’re out of the terrorist business for a while, but we still have the Kaders to screw around with. We left that hanging after your attitude adjustment of the Kader ranks. Did that halfway sensible one contact you?”
“Just to say he needed more time. I was happy to give it because we needed the time too.” Nick followed Gus and John to the elevator. “After all this, I may have a short fuse concerning the Kaders. We have three days of book signings. Today will be the biggest at the Harvard. We have a day off tomorrow between signings. I promised Rachel and the kids we’d go to Salem on the ferry to check out the witch town. I know you two heard everyone talking about it. Are you guys going or not?”
Gus hesitated as he saw John staring at him with a big grin. He shrugged. “Yes, I’m going. What the hell are you grinning at, Kabong?”
“Nothing, oh wise one. You have your orders and are carrying them out superbly for the Tyrannosaurus Tina. Do not fear, your friend and bodyguard El Kabong will be going too. Cala wants to see the witches and ride the ferry too.”
“A wise decision, Kabong,” Gus replied. “Besides, Salem will be a treat after the first part of our stay here in lovely Boston. I know Muerto thought he would be lounging around the suite eating chips and dip while sucking down boilermakers, but the sanctity of marriage caught him in its compromising trap.”
“What compromising trap, maestro of marriage?”