Nick greeted Paul quickly. He launched into the happenings including the Algerian connection. “I’m thinking multiple distractions to cover the reservoir poisoning rather than separate entities, Paul. Think what would have happened if they had been successful in Middletown, Boston Harbor, and the Queen Mary II. Throw in the reservoir poisoning and the Bunker Hill Monument being destroyed with missiles, and you would have a nationwide panic growing in leaps and bounds. It is a hell of a strike plan.”
“My God! Hold one.” Gilbrech went silent for a few minutes before returning. “I have one of our Haz-Mat teams on the way to accompany my cleaners. Twenty minutes tops. So you believe Moreau was interested in the distraction as I aimed resources at personal targets?”
“Exactly,” Nick agreed. “A series of events like this would make people doubt and turn on the government. In the chaos, especially after the government is shown weak even with multiple security forces with some independence.
“I get that. I agree with your assessment. We’ll be working long hours to lessen the impact of this bullshit. I like your idea of going back to the Harbor Hotel to fit any final pieces into place. I will have info sent directly to John for sorting from this end. I know you think everything we’ve done has been blind luck. Don’t. We make our own luck with good decisions, and follow through. The Kaders may bear watching to prevent that goofy family from starting a world war.”
“I’m close to extermination mode on the male Kaders, brother.”
“I swear to God if their name appears on one more watch list, I’ll fly out to join you.”
Nick chuckled. “Thanks.”
“Do you want the contract on Fontaine? There will be one on the ambassador if I can’t get the Algerian government to do anything about him, but they’re both going to be tough to pull off. Fontaine’s will be without condition. He dies. Once I fill in April, we’ll have complete backing from the people we need backing from.”
“I’ll take them both. I’m going after Fontaine. Let me know on the ambassador. I’m thinking with him we can pull the old Clyde and Nick show with ‘Eyes Only’ papers for the ambassador.”
“Damn good, Nick. I like it. That worked perfectly for Collister. Stroke of genius. I’ll let you know when I learn what Algeria wants to do. Any name connected with their poisoning the reservoir plan dies. Goodnight, Nick.”
Gus and John finished packing by the time Nick walked into the room with the metal case he extracted from behind the condo bathroom’s medicine cabinet wrapped in a towel. Nick didn’t know whether he was safe or not. After a moment’s hesitation he thought, the hell with it.
“What’s the verdict?” Gus backed away from Nick as the box was placed in the middle of the room. “I hope Paul doesn’t think we want to take a peek inside, does he?”
Nick set the case down gently. “Not likely. You can bet even the guys in the space suits won’t take a chance and pop the top. I need a drink and then a flask, because I’m doing the Harbor Walk with the Dekester before I delve into end of the world scenarios. Would you guys mind getting started on the data mining while I think this crap through?”
“Glad to do it, Muerto,” John said. “Payaso and I will sip a couple to help us through the more tedious areas of information.”
“I’m glad you’re going on the Harbor Walk,” Gus added. “I don’t want some unsuspecting civilian getting caught in a Muerto bad day aftermath.”
“That would indeed be bad,” Nick agreed.
*
“I’m glad Tina and Cara wanted to watch Quinn. This is beautiful, Dad.” Jean and Sony walked next to Nick with Deke snorting at every new object along the walkway. “The harbor lights, boat lights, building lights, and stars make this seem like Christmas with the clear sky like it is.”
Nick sipped from his flask. “It sure is. Watch the steps with the Dekester, kids.”
Rachel leaned into Nick, holding his left hand as they ascended a set of dock steps. “It is very nice out here tonight. I didn’t think you’d be able to get away from your investigation for this.”
“John can hack nearly as well as I can, and Gus is no slouch at pouring over details. They knew I needed some space. Today’s consequences for American government politico stupidity were on full display. The same governments our political morons try to make nice with in the meantime smile, nod their heads, and try to slice our hearts out with a dull butter knife. Maybe I’m not cut out for this world saving stuff.”
“You’re the most qualified world saver ever, Muerto. There’s a reason the Director of the CIA has you on speed dial. He knows you will handle people or incidents immediately without question or mercy. In this day and age like you told me long ago, they can’t go shopping at the local ‘Psycho Killers R Us’ store. I heard Gus talking to John. You killed the only reputation accepted world class assassin in your league.”
Nick smiled. “Thanks for the pep talk, coach. I admit I still love being El Muerto, but we haven’t been able to do some fun appearances where I can kill a run of the mill thug and the victim calls out ‘I love you, El Muerto’.”