“Are Khalil’s cleaner team trustworthy?”
“They’re his sons, Asim and Ghazi. With the guards Al-Saud always has near him, I have to cover the aspect we’ll need to clean the Atlantis rooms before leaving. I’ve paid for the list of goodies I had Khalil import for me. He’s stockpiled a Colt .45 with silencer, an M107 sniper rifle with silencer, and an XM25. Leaving Dubai may get messy. Khalil has the same pilot on notice we used to get out of the sand last time.”
“Why not shoot Al-Saud in the head too and forget the negotiations.”
“That’s very shortsighted of you, Payaso. I have expenses. You know how frugal I am. Besides, Denny has inquired as to whether I can bring Al-Saud.”
“I think I know some sand people who will very shortly enjoy more opportunity than they ever dreamed possible,” Gus replied.
“Khalil is indeed as frugal as I am. He will have a chance to apply for citizenship elsewhere. He went with me on a job in Switzerland once. I believe he has an eye on immigrating there where he’ll be able to become a practicing Christian once again.”
“He doesn’t want to come to the United States?”
Nick smiled. “Whenever I’ve mentioned it, Khalil reminds me that Chicago is the murder capital of the world. They read the death list news for Chicago over there. He has mentioned we have more deaths in Chicago on any given weekend than in the Iraq warzone most of the time. I told him I could help him move to Texas where they love guns, Christians, and hard workers. He says it’s cooler in Switzerland and they love all the same things. I couldn’t argue with him about that. He’s greased a lot of hands at the Dubai Atlantis hotel in preparation for my arrival. I will know Al-Saud’s whereabouts at all times along with his men. It’s my key ace in the hole to keep from being ambushed.”
“What if they do set an ambush?”
“Then I ambush them instead. They’re cheap buying information and help. I’m not. Khalil knows how I operate. He also knows to look for honest disgruntled helpers.”
“You do have a way of drawing in a loyal following of people. Has your method ever backfired?”
“A couple times, but only here in the states, and nothing real bad. I had to go with plan B in those instances.”
“Grenades?”
“How perceptive of you, Payaso.”
*
“Oh… baby… you really did miss me.” Nick stroked Rachel’s side as she lie gasping in the aftermath of an intense interlude. “That was sheer genius tricking Jean into taking her minion to the 3D Imax showing of the new Star Wars episode.”
“We better… get a shower. We have to pick them up in an hour.” Rachel attempted to rise but fell back on the bed. “God… I don’t think I can move. Go get your shower first and get Quinn ready while I take a bath in the downstairs bathroom. Help me out of this bed, Muerto. They’re at the Cinemark in Monterey.”
“You’ll have to take a quickie bath, baby,” Nick said, scooping Rachel off the bed with Deke joining his journey with her in his arms down the stairs. “Quinn must have sensed his old man’s needs. He didn’t make a peep.”
“I timed everything perfectly,” Rachel replied, her arms tightening around Nick’s neck, “and damn if it wasn’t worth every moment of planning.”
“Do you mind Gus and Tina coming over in a couple hours? They’ll probably bring Issac over with them too.”
“I don’t mind. I got what I wanted. I’ll have seconds later.”
“You will indeed, my dear.”
*
“We tracked you Dad,” Jean announced while leading Sonny into the backseat. “You went on a rampage without a single headline. I heard you had to make a couple of unexpected stops. My informant Al came through with a scoop on your rescue of Mr. Chardin’s cousin. You even had a chance to kidnap a famous movie star for Lynn’s Hollywood Bounty Hunters.”
“It sounds like Al is as big a sneak around the Harding household as you are in mine, Viper. I hope you don’t get her into trouble with her Dad.”
“I won’t if you don’t rat us out to him.”
“Jean!”
“She’s still sore about me acing her extortion bust. Nice to see you too, kid. How are you doing at home, Sonny?”
“About the same, Sir. I think my folks have some kind of scam in the works. When I know more details, I’ll be able to figure out if I need advice.”
“Anytime. I thought your Dad was tending to his passport office job more diligently.”
“He is, but I think my Mom wants him to take her back to DC and appeal his exile. If they move back to DC, can I stay with you?”
“Absolutely. I think it would be a bad idea for those two trying to get another gig in DC. They nearly ended up in prison the last time. They have the wrong sort of ambition for DC.”