“I’m not sure what his plans are. What I’m saying is he wanted me to think he’s much less than he is. We’ll find out from John who he is and make a plan from that information. This was probably not the best day to stay cognizant of my surroundings. It seems I’ve inadvertently stepped in it. Everyone’s over there at that outdoor bar on the pier.”
By the time Nick and Rachel guided the kids over to join their group, Nick could tell something was very wrong. John motioned Nick to where he could see the laptop screen. It was a kill file. The pictures in the file were the same kind Nick sent when he worked undercover for Frank as a hired assassin. Pictures of murdered quarry where there was no question as to the person’s identity. That the guy kept even an encrypted file of his hits on the phone meant there was a loose screw somewhere in his head. The file contained DNA reports too.
“Send them to Paul. Let’s move on this. Those victims don’t point to political or governmental contracts. This guys doing private enterprise hits. Have you found a funk file with young girls?”
John hit a few more keys while standing so only Nick could see the laptop screen. The file contained short video clips with young women tied to chairs, screaming the names of people Nick assumed the guy kidnapped them to blackmail. Nick clicked over to the contracted hit file. They were long range hits. Not good.
“Send it all, John. Thanks to the all-knowing Muerto we’re in the soup, guys. We go on high alert until John gets him tracked. Do we have a real name, John?”
“Not yet. I took his picture before we left the boat, but have not found his identity with anyone, including Interpol. He may be that good although I doubt you ever kept kill files. I put an urgent on his file identity for Paul. I only have one laptop.”
“Of course. You have it right about the kill files. It could be another quirk of stupidity or obfuscation. I need to find this guy. He’s dangerous. He’s me, but with the ‘Nutcracker Suite’ playing in his head. It was bad karma running into a guy like him on a tour boat ferry heading to Salem, the witch capital. There’s nothing to be done about it now but find him. He won’t quit until we’re dead. It’s what I would have done. We protect our identity at all costs, including wholesale murder. My guess would be either that little girl he paid attention to or one of the college girls is the next target for blackmail.”
Chapter Ten
Bad to the Bone
A flash text pinged across the laptop screen – incoming call. A moment later Nick’s phone vibrated. It was Paul Gilbrech. “Jesus, Nick, how the hell did you stumble across Felix Moreau?”
“Just lucky I guess. What’s the bottom line, Paul? We know he’s a major leaguer.”
“World class hitter. Will kidnap and torture. Has completed every contract he’s ever taken. Does he know who you are?”
“Unknown. He knows I’m a killer. I believe he thinks I’m on his trail which until now was not the case.”
“He’s a long distance killer, brother. Stay off the skyline.”
“I hear you. What kind of tools can we use?”
“Everything at our disposal. He is to be sanctioned by any means necessary. I mean any means, Nick. The next time you see him, even if it’s in the middle of a hundred witnesses, shoot him in the head.”
“Understood, Paul. I’ll be in touch. Thanks for the update.”
“I’m sending everything we have on Moreau. The picture you sent me is the only decent one we have of him. The reason I know it’s him is because of the kill file. We have records on a lot of those people killed and the kidnapped girls. I never thought I’d be saying this to you, but good luck.”
“Thanks.” Nick disconnected with everyone staring at him in anticipation. “The good news is I can still pick ‘em out in a crowd. Bad news is I found a bad one. After we finish with bathroom breaks we should get moving to the first place on Rachel’s list of places to see. I remember it was Nathaniel Hawthorne’s house and the house he based the book ‘House of the Seven Gables’ on. They’re within walking distance so I’ll confer with Gus and John for a moment while everyone else takes care of their business. There’s probably bathrooms in the ferry building.”
“C’mon,” Rachel gestured for the rest to follow her.
When they were gone, John screened a map where Felix Moreau’s phone was on his iPad. It indicated Moreau to be only a block away. Nick scanned the surrounding dock and buildings beyond. “I was afraid of that. He has eyes on us already. His name’s Felix Moreau. He’s world class. It means I picked me out of a crowd, only a me without my cheery disposition. I’m certain we interrupted his hunt. We probably saved one of the college girls or the younger girl with her family from being taken. He won’t assume anything and he doesn’t believe in coincidences. I saw him open the briefcase during the trip here and take a laptop out so I know he doesn’t have anything long range in it.”