Bloody Shadows
Page 36
“This is him, Cracker. Hi kid. I think I have a nicer place for you to stay. It doesn’t look like you have much to lose.”
“Okay,” the boy said simply. He slipped on tennis shoes without laces, and a ragged black hoodie. “I don’t think they’ll let you take me.”
“Probably not,” Jean said, putting her arm around the boy’s shoulders. “We won’t be asking permission.”
The boy smiled. “They have a silent alarm when anything happens here. Then guys arrive with bad ass weapons. I like you. Maybe you should leave me and go out the window. I’ll be okay.”
“I’m Viper, and this guy is Cracker. We’re going to get you out of here just fine. Come on. I want you to meet my brother Kong.”
The boy let Jean guide him. “You have cool names. Mine’s Benny.”
Near the door, Quinn signaled them to wait. “We have company.”
Three men exited an SUV across the street, and jogged toward the house.
“I told you,” the boy said with sadness.
Before the men reached the sidewalk, silent death rained down on them in short bursts, pulping their heads like overripe melons.
Benny’s eyes widened. “Wow.”
“That’s the Terminator, Benny,” Jean explained. “Come on. We have a little dog named Sam in California. I bet he’d like to meet you. We’ve decided to take you home with us. It’s too hard to explain stuff here in DC.”
“Okay… sure. I’d like that.”
* * *
On board the private jet, Nick shook hands with Clyde Bacall, who met Nick and his group at the plane’s entrance. “Hey, Clyde. How’s Terry and the kids?”
“Doing real good, Nick. Paul didn’t say what you were up to this trip. Is there anything you want done?”
“Nope. I think we have everything we need. Here.” Nick handed him a briefcase, while keeping an arm around Benny.
“What’s this?”
“You know. A little something for the kids.”
“Thanks, Nick. You know it’s not necessary. I wouldn’t have shit if not for you.”
“It’s a small thing, brother. Tell Paul I said hi, and I expect him and Ginny out at my place in two weeks.”
“I’ll tell him. Will there be a follow up to this?”
“Possibly, but I’m hoping it ends with tonight’s work. Take care, Clyde.”
“I will.” Clyde walked down the steps, embracing Rachel and Jean, and shaking hands with Quinn, Gus, John, and Sonny.
Fifteen minutes later, they were on their way to California.
* * *
Phil met with Nick and company on Dan and Carol’s beach. He walked distastefully in the sand toward the beach chairs. Nick, Rachel, Tina, Gus, John, and Cala sat on the chairs sharing a beverage, some Irish, some not. Jean, Sonny, Quinn, Benny, and Sam the dog were entertaining John and Cala’s three kids. They took turns playing keep away from Sam, and feeding the birds swooping down for crumbs.
“Really, Nick… was this necessary?”
“It was, Phil. I’m not much on doing things behind people’s backs. Doug Cameron resigned yesterday as I’m sure you heard because we sent him a movie implicating him in at least a half dozen felonies. That ends your problem. I have the database, and the digital confession you and Clarice did for our safekeeping. That means in case even one of those database items gets leaked to the press, you and Clarice will be in the middle of a shit storm. That ends my problem with you. Sonny told me you wished to speak with me and my team. This is where we meet. What can I do for you?”
“Julius is kicking us off the board and out of the country club. He says you removed your support.”
“No. I stopped paying your fees. I have nothing to do with the country club board, and I didn’t blackball you. Did you ask Julius why you can’t keep your membership on your own dime?”
“Yes… he said the only reason we were ever allowed to have a membership was because of you. That’s all he would say. Clarice is very unhappy about this.”
Nick stayed silent as if waiting for Phil to go on, only to take a slap to the back of the head from Rachel.
“Someone better get their yap workin’ or Momma gonna take over this meetin’.”
Nick sighed as stifled laughter erupted amongst the seated company. Nick stood, took Phil by the arm, and led him away, speaking in muffled tones to him. Phil stopped abruptly, looking at Nick in horror, his mouth working, but no words coming out. Nick said something else, and Phil ran for his car. Nick returned to his seat.
Rachel handed Nick a fresh Irish coffee. “Very good, Nicky Pooh. Now, Momma wants to know what you said to the bad man.”
Nick sipped his Irish. “Well, I may have told him that unless he and the lovely Clarice wanted to wake up one night strapped to their bed with their intestines hanging out, and me pouring Clorox slowly on them, he’d better forget he ever knew me until our kids’ wedding. When he didn’t move right away I told him he had five seconds to get off the beach or I’d start the fun tonight.”
“I think I love you, Nicky Pooh.”
“Does that mean no more Trailer Trash Momma?”
“In your dreams, Nicky Pooh.”
The End… for now.
Thank you for purchasing and reading Cold Blooded Book IV: Bloody Shadows. If you enjoyed the novel, and the bonus future Nick and Jean story, please take a moment and leave a review. Your consideration would be much appreciated. Please visit my Amazon Author’s Page if you would like to preview any of my other novels. Thanks again for your support.
Bernard Lee DeLeo
Please do not be hesitant asking questions concerning any subject about writing, publishing, or characterization. My publisher, RJ Parker and I answer questions all the time on the Facebook page. Previews and release dates are updated on the fan page constantly. Thank you.
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