“Rachel lets you kill at will and she gets to steer you on tourist jaunts, Muerto.”
Nick held his key card next to his suite door to unlock it. “Only you would need to qualify everything you do, Payaso. He is right, John. There’s a give and take, especially in our field of endeavor. When we find mates willing to overlook our rather violent career choice, we need to placate them as much as possible. I have the upper hand on Payaso because I saved Rachel and Jean during our flight across country when the Tanus group and my old boss were trying to kill us. Come in, and let’s relax. We’re going to Salem. It’s a done deal.”
They stopped abruptly. Their entire band of what Tina labeled the killer ‘Addams Family’ stood watching The Unholy Trio enter, including Jean’s guest Sonny and Deke the dog. Deke ran over to sit on Nick’s shoe.
“Well?”
It dawned on Nick the reason for the greeting. “Sorry. All is well on the Eastern Front. The Unholy Trio was discussing book-signings and Salem Ferry trips. Did you walk Deke?”
The relief showed itself in smiles and closer pairing between couples. Nick hugged Rachel. “I didn’t know this one worried you. I wish I could have stayed in touch for updates but it wasn’t possible. We averted another huge incident even larger than the Middletown, Ohio close call on their recruiting station. It appears Isis dupes are getting desperate for a successful assault on our country. The reason I asked about Deke was we were told to stay inside tonight. Our Isis party couples have been served their eviction notices.”
“We walked him on the Harbor Walk near the water. It was beautiful.” Rachel moved enticingly within Nick’s grasp. “I was hoping to spend a little time with you here enjoying the view from our room if that rascal Quinn gives us an opportunity.”
Jean danced around with pumping fist. “Yes! We’re going to see where they burned all the witches.”
“They didn’t burn witches there. They hung them,” Nick corrected. “One guy was pressed to death with rocks on boards placed over him. No burnings though.”
“Really?” Jean gave Nick her suspicious glare. “You didn’t just make that up, did you?”
Nick took a deep breath. “When exactly did I start lying to you, Viper?”
“Just checking. You’re going with us, right?”
“Yes. We’re all going. Even Cala wants to see what the witch business is all about. If you will excuse us, we’re hitting our very nice suite bar and ordering some food. You are all welcome to come along. We have no secrets to keep tonight. How many of you are going to the book-signing tomorrow?”
Nick grinned as he saw only Sonny’s hand start to go up before Jean locked it down. “I guess it will only be ‘The Unholy Trio’ then.”
Cala yanked on John’s hand, whispering in his ear. John smiled at Gus. “No Cala, I’ll be going with Nick and Gus tomorrow. You are free to do anything you please.”
Cala pursed her lips slightly but then smacked John’s hand. “Okay for you, Kabong.”
“What glorious places do you and your companions plan to see any better than around the Harvard Book Store,” Gus asked Tina.
“Speaking only for myself and with no slight meant to Gomez, I’d rather lie here on the floor and commune with the ceiling than go to that bookstore again,” Tina replied. “The only reason I’m letting you go is because Gomez wrote you into the novels as a character. Book sales and readers interested in some seafaring sidekick to an assassin seem dependent on your appearances. God knows why. It’s Pulp Fiction, except in this eerie ‘Addams Family’, where Gomez and you have made it a reality.”
“You’re letting me?” Gus glowered at Tina, hearing the snorting amusement from Nick and John, they tried and failed to hold back. “They don’t call you ‘Cousin Itt’ for nothing. Lately, I’ve even heard the phrase ‘Tyrannosaurus Tina’ mentioned in passing. You seem to be set on illustrating your new nicknames at every occasion, T.”
Tina gasped, her hands shooting to her hips. “Oh no you didn’t!”
“Uh oh… c’mon, Sonny, we need to go over to the bar and get a soda,” Jean said, pulling on Sonny’s arm. “This is going to be like a live reality show ‘when friends attack’ or something.”
“What part ‘didn’t’ you understand,” Gus asked. “You’d better run the sentence through your head a few more times about you letting me do anything. I’m not discussing this with you here, but damn, woman? I don’t mind joking around and compromising on most subjects. Whether I’m allowed to do something isn’t even in your purview, lady. I don’t forbid you to do anything. I expect the same courtesy from you.”