The Unholy Trio enjoyed Nick’s off the cuff lie for a few moments while sipping their loaded coffees.
“Rachel said something to me last night when I returned from meeting with my fan. She wondered if my playing Muerto has wrecked my sixth sense about dangerous people. Remember when I picked out the serial killer named Kroneg staking out the woman at the convenience store, Gus?”
“Yeah, that was one insightful snag there. You played El Muerto and nearly arrived too late to save the girl… ah… Sharon Tennington. Like I told you that night it’s not a miracle when one serial killer can spot another serial killer. So, what’s got you thinkin’ about Muerto and a goofy sixth sense?”
“Maybe I am dulling down my sensory instincts a bit while playing El Muerto,” Nick admitted. “I enjoy the hell out of pissing off all the Islamist nut-cakes around the globe but Rachel had me thinking about it. Don’t worry, John, I’m not giving up Muerto, Payaso, and El Kabong.”
John shrugged. “I like the El Kabong a lot. Fame is a captivating mistress. We get millions of hits on our videos and thousands of comments from people who wish we’d kill a lot more. That is way cool you found and dealt with a serial killer from instinct at a store. Is it that you think you have lost the ability to do so?”
“Nope. I am thinking about paying more attention though. I need to keep my instincts honed on everything in our range of doing good. It helps me ascertain threats when we do work for Paul too. I admit I’ve been getting so far into the comic book superhero realm, I may not be paying attention to detail as I am accustomed to doing. When I was killing on assignment, I saw more than a few serial killers because I was paying attention to detail.”
“Did you kill them?”
Nick shook his head. “A lot of things have changed inside my head since then. I did kill one though. He was watching a little girl on a playground I used to track a mark’s movements at an office building across the street. Once I saw the Mom who was watching the same girl, I knew the guy wasn’t her daddy and he was on the hunt. I was to make a statement with the kill I was sent there for in Chicago. When the mark stepped out of the office building, I put two into his head, turned, and put two into the other guy’s head. Frank of course went ballistic because I nearly didn’t make it out of the city in time. Our employers thought the job was a bit diluted because I killed two. I told him if I didn’t get paid in full, I’d make it three for free.”
Gus and John enjoyed that detail before Gus spoke again. “I understand your thinking, brother. I know you wouldn’t want to lose even a step when instincts come into play. You’ve saved our asses with instinct like when you knew John was in trouble in Onalaska.”
“I didn’t know there were exercises you could do to hone your killer recognition skills, Muerto,” John remarked with a smile. “Is it like when women do kegel exercises?”
“Oh… you so funny,” Nick replied while watching Gus and John bump fists at the kegel ace. “Actually, it means I need to start paying attention to what the hell I am and what I’m doing. I started my life with Rachel, Jean, and Deke double checking every movement. I’m phoning it in now like Rachel feared. It could get us all killed. I hate to do this, but I’m going to have one more of these Irish blessings before the Ferry ride. Then I have to kick you two out while I finish my Diego and Fatima scene.”
Gus stood, holding out his hand. “I’ll do the refills. You’re really hot on this new ‘Dark Interlude’ one. Any particular reason?”
“It’s the romance. I’m enjoying the interactions between the cold blooded killer and his con artist paramour trying to sell him out at every turn.”
Gus passed the fresh coffees to Nick and John before walking his back. “Did you cut Jed out to a bit part?”
“No. Jed’s too popular now. He has a serious part in getting Diego and Fatima out of Mexico by sea. They’ll have to hide out in the Cayman Islands until things cool down with Jed acting as go between to contacts in the states. It’s where I’m introducing the deck hand Jed has to take on who will become part of their regular crew with Diego, based on John.”
“Really?” John nearly dropped his coffee cup. “That would be so cool! What will his name be?”
“I’m thinking Leo Bazzi,” Nick answered.
“Oh man, that is the bomb, Muerto. I can be partners with Diego and Jed.”
“More like a minion,” Gus joked.
“Don’t poison the great author’s mind with your negativism, Payaso. He must build this new character addition with great care and foresight.”
“There’s not much care and foresight for a deckhand other than what new mop or sponge should be used while scrubbing,” Gus replied. “Muerto could have the clumsy oaf fall overboard so Diego can prove he cares on a human level by saving Leo.”