“Get in the building, kid. I’ll tell you later. That’s an order.”
One look at Nick’s face, Jean grabbed Sonny’s hand and headed inside without another word. Nick grinned and jogged back toward where Gus had taken over driving duties. A huge Middle Eastern looking man planted himself in Nick’s way with a seemingly innocuous crew gathering near him, past the school property’s edge. Nick kicked him in the groin and ran over him to the car. Gus fired three shots from his silenced Glock 9mm that halted pursuit but didn’t attract attention. In moments, they were headed toward the dock where Gus’s ‘Lucky Lady’ was anchored.
Nick called Jean. The moment she answered, Nick launched into a verbally short update with cautions to keep inside school at all times. “I’ll call when this other thing is done, Viper. Follow your orders.”
“I have it, Dad. Be careful. Take care of Payaso and Kabong.”
“Will do, kid. Talk at you later.” Nick turned to Gus. “I guess the added surprise confrontation at the school has nothing to do with where we’re going, huh?”
“Nope,” Gus answered. “I don’t know what the hell the school deal was.”
Nick immediately called Rachel. He gave her the staccato version of what Neil requested, which was a vague perception created from Gus’s side of the conversation. After he explained the short confrontation in front of the school, Rachel stopped him.
“Wait one, Muerto. I’m on my way to the Monte. Should I redirect to scope out the situation at the school?”
“Good call, Rach. Yeah. If you could stake out the school front and make sure there’s no more cave dwellers haunting the place I would breathe easier while handling this other matter.”
“On it. I’ll call you from the school. Did you get a license number or anything?”
“No time, babe. I trust your instincts for noticing out of place vehicles and occupants.”
“Okay… I love you.”
“I love you too, my dear. I’ll stay in touch about our Wharf adventure.”
“If I find a car or van full of the mutants, can I drive by and shoot them all in the head?” Rachel’s laughter as she hung up made Nick smile. He had put Rachel on speaker. Gus nearly drove to the side into a tree after her last question.
“Rachel’s out of control, Muerto.”
“It bothers me she didn’t wait for an answer,” Nick countered. “She’ll drive around the school area and see if there’s any reason for immediate concern. I wish I would have had more time to find out what that was all about.”
“Maybe they just needed directions.” Gus petted Deke’s head as he jutted it between the seats. “I think Deke wanted some action.”
“I don’t want Deke getting hurt. I’d rather shoot them all. How’s the ocean today, Gus. I’d like to make a couple shots without bobbing up and down like a top.”
Gus checked his iPad for weather and ocean conditions. “Not good. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
“I may have to fire a short burst. It’s risky, depending on their position. What do you think about me approaching from in the water? If I can reach the lower pier without being seen, I’d be able to take them out without risk to their hostages.”
“I’ll bet they’re using that small room at the side of the restaurant. They would have a clear view of the harbor area and the restaurant front where they have the other people pinned down. Swimming over to them would be a suicide mission.”
“You’re probably right. Hey… what about the other side of the harbor cover along that small cliff? If you could drop me off there, we’ll be so far away, my movements wouldn’t draw attention or fire.”
“I know where you mean. It’s the tip of the finger of land with that big building near Breakwater Cove. You would have a clear shot. We can park on Lighthouse Avenue and go over the railing to that Monterey Peninsula Trail. Johnny and I can spot and watch your back. I’ll call him to get your M107 out and our spotting scopes. With a solid nest, are you thinking of kill shots or wounds?”
“Good question,” Nick admitted. “If they’re using the room at the side I think they are, it will depend on the position of the wife and kids. I’m not anxious to blow the guy’s head off in front of his kids, but I may have to. I’m not risking a shooting spree so the cops can take prisoners.”
“Those .50 caliber hollow points make anybody they hit unlikely to do anything,” Gus said, calling Johnny. A short discussion about needed tools and Gus disconnected. “He’ll be waiting for us on the street with everything. He’s already on the boat. He says the water’s really rough today. The boats in the harbor are bobbing big time.”