Cold Blooded III: Sins and Sanctions (Nick McCarty Assassin Series Book 3)

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  “All that and more, Sir.” The new John handed Nick the iPad. “I will not fail. Goodbye for now. Thank you for Sherazi’s death.”

  Gus and Nick watched John hurry up the stairs. Gus then gestured at the deadly mess. “What plans do you have for all this Muerto?”

  “Let the cops handle it. We’ll leave the chip with our evidence tying this cell into the USS Constitution plot, along with all the computer intel John helped us get. Did the data transfer okay, Paul?”

  “I have it, and it’s pure gold. I will need some time to sort through all of it. I’m actually beginning to trust your judgment on the new John Groves. If his involvement helps to bust the border crossing bunch, the sky’s the limit for your new recruit. Want me to handle the video clip and information release?”

  “That would help,” Nick answered, knowing the Company wouldn’t take any chances with back-traces. “How did you like our El Muerto segment?”

  “It was insanely good… insanely being the operative word. We’ll all have to go on the run if your secret identities become public knowledge.”

  “Considering how out on the edge America is right now with this Isis cult, I’d say we need to provide some entertaining feedback for them,” Nick replied. “Wait and see how these pricks react, Paul. Have a countrywide screening going after the El Muerto video goes viral. I’m betting you snag many Hamas assholes along with Isis idiots if you can talk your contacts in Homeland Security to reap the benefits.”

  “It’s a process, Nick. Everyone walks on eggshells, but every victory like your USS Constitution op wins many backers in the game. The outlanders suspect Muerto belongs to something other than a personal vendetta, so this is a really wild experiment. I’m not backing away though. I have our analysts pouring over every thread Muerto creates. I give you my word if the Muerto gig goes South, I’ll give you a personal warning. With what you’ve done so far, I hope Muerto becomes the present day Zorro.”

  “I admit I’ve become infatuated with this El Muerto guise. I hope you’re not thinking of interfering, Paul. That would be a mistake.”

  “Nope. Not happening. You’ve caused a wildfire with nothing but positive results. I’ll work my end of this. If we bust their infiltration out in the open, maybe… just maybe, we can get stepped up enforcement to really stop this Middle East immigration debacle. There have to be citizens wondering what the hell we’re thinking allowing all these assholes in here with an ongoing war. It’s insane.”

  “Agreed. Can I kill everyone responsible for it?”

  Nick heard Paul breathe deeply. “I wish to God I could, Nick. If ever I discover one of these government freaks selling us out at every opportunity, we’ll destroy them. I know from scouring your past you pulled off something far more intricate before. It was so good, I won’t even mention it on the phone.”

  “We won’t talk about the past again,” Nick stated with finality. “I like your aggressive idea with these people who keep exposing America on numerous fronts, endangering troops in the field along with the American populous. I’m sick of it. I have a family and friends to protect. I will not hide my head in the sand when I get an opportunity to make a difference.”

  “Every instance I am aware of I can allow El Muerto loose, I will. If this goes bad, I am with you to the end.”

  “I may have to test that sometime. In any case, Payaso and I are on our way out. We’ll be in touch.”

  “Until then.” Paul disconnected.

  “Are you ready, Payaso, my cherished sidekick?”

  Gus glanced around at the bodies. “Yeah, I’m ready. You are a very bad man, Muerto.”

  “Indeed.”

  Chapter Five

  Revolution

  The book signing turned into a Jed love-fest, as a few boat novices tried to challenge Gus on his being the model for Jed, questioning him on what it took to navigate Caribbean waters. They were so shocked to hear Gus expound on landings, navigation, and treacherous waters, the fans in line spread out as an audience in the book store. Nick took the opportunity while Gus spoke to sign everything, while circulating amongst the growing audience. More than a few made Gus sign their books too. The hours passed quickly, with only one small glitch, when a man in line mentioned El Muerto while Nick signed his book.

  “Did you see the headlines about this character, El Muerto?”

  Nick kept signing a personal note with his autograph, then met the man’s eyes directly while returning his book. “I have read about El Muerto. The authorities have confirmed the men he killed were indeed an infiltration unit, plotting terrorist acts on our homeland.”

  “So you believe in vigilantism?”

  Nick shrugged. “I’m not sure what you want for an answer. I was in Delta Force. I have a more than sympathetic leaning toward anyone taking out the enemies of our country.”

  Nick’s response garnered loud affirmations. He could tell the man was less than pleased about his reply.

  “Yes, but won’t this El Muerto’s actions cause a backlash against innocent Muslims?”

  “Frankly… I don’t care,” Nick said, evoking yet another loud chorus backing his take on the question. “I keep reading and hearing about innocent Muslims, yet every act of terrorism and worldwide violence can be traced to Islamists acting out on the world stage. Perhaps it would be good to put pressure on these so called ‘innocent Muslims’ to do something about their brethren. If they don’t speak out, they’re inviting retribution.”

  The loud applause at Nick’s words caused the man to scurry out with his book.

  “Sorry, folks. I didn’t mean to make the gentleman mad. I’m not very liberal in terms of America’s safety. I tend to put our wellbeing in front of everything or everybody threatening it.”

  That statement caused an even more outpouring of agreement. The remainder of Nick’s book signing event went very well. Gus answered many more seafaring questions, which took the load off Nick’s time, and widened the discussions amongst the people waiting. Then the inevitable happened. Nick grinned, pleased with having figured the question would come up sometime.

  “Mr. Nason,” a young woman with book in hand addressed Gus. “Have you ever piloted a boat on a covert mission?”

  Having been prepped by Nick that it would happen, Gus was ready. “Yes, I have. It may seem like I’m avoiding specifics, but I can’t talk about any covert operations I’ve been a part of.”

  The young woman became animated in a good way. “That…that’s great. Were any of them in the Caribbean?”

  “Yes, they were,” Gus acknowledged uneasily, noting how pleased Nick was at the question he had predicted would be asked.

  “Can you please sign my book too, Mr. Nason?”

  “Sure, young lady.” Gus did as requested under Nick’s signature, along with his mention of being Jed in the novel.

  Later, as Nick and Gus packed up to leave, a man approached before the store closing. He gave Nick a wave with the large envelope he carried. Nick went past the security personnel. The man gave him the envelope, and turned away without another word. Nick opened it once he was next to Gus. It contained the new identity papers and cards of John Groves. Nick examined each one with a professional eye. They were perfect.

  “Once we get clear of the Canadian border cell, these will integrate the new John into our small cadre.”

  Gus waved him off. “I’ll withhold judgment until he does what he professes. I like him, but I have a hard time believing the new John is the real thing. Have you heard anything from Rachel and Jean?”

  “Yep, and it ain’t good. That’s why we’ll need to wrap up our border problem quickly, and hit the trail to Charleston. It doesn’t seem to be a real big deal, but Rachel’s mother-in-law has some bad neighbor problems.”

  “Damn it! You do know the mine field of working a domestic dispute, right?”

  “Of course I do. I’ll be careful, but family is family. I’m hoping my two loved ones don’t decide to take a hand in something without a
llowing us to get there. You can bet Jean will be working the intervention mode in a way we may not be able to extract her from. Unfortunately, a third party observation is not in place on their excursion. Did you have an alternate suggestion as to what I should do, Gus? Speak up. Don’t be shy.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean it to come out like that. I know what a bear family is sometimes. What kind of dispute is it?”

  “It seems Rachel’s Mom in law has a drug dealer for a neighbor. He doesn’t deal out of the house, but he has the whole entourage thing going on big drug money supplies – all night parties, vehicles wheeling around at all hours of the night and early morning, and the usual denizens such inhabitants bring with them. A neighbor called the cops on them a number of times. Her house burned to the ground mysteriously. It only took one of those thug lessons to hush everyone in the neighborhood.”

  Gus coughed in short interrupting snorts. “Ah… may I point out what would happen if El Muerto suddenly showed up in Charleston along with you visiting the relatives, along with doing a book signing.”

  “Oh come on, Gus. This isn’t my first rodeo. El Muerto’s on vacation after the border problem ends. I think I can handle a small domestic issue without bringing El Muerto into play,” Nick explained with some disdain at Gus’s inference. They’ll still be looking for him up in Plattsburg. We’ll already be in Charleston when the headlines hit.”

  The two men loaded into their vehicle, the nighttime’s heralding dusk making the quaint Cambridge surroundings picturesque as lights came on around. Unlike their New York arena, it was a much easier place to get away from without being seen. Driving toward the Boston Harbor Hotel, Gus continued his reasoned pleas to keep Nick from his present tendency of grandiose killings.

  “All I’m saying is any bodies found belonging to the house where the drug dealer lives, and I guarantee the cops will be at your in-law’s doorstep.”

  “I have it all worked out. I’m thinking a tragic gas leak,” Nick replied. “No survivors.”

  Gus laughed, knowing Nick’s off the cuff offering was bait to get him to take a bite. “Very funny. That would be quite a solution to obliterate the entire neighborhood in order to save it.”

  “You’ve been hanging around with me too long, Payaso. I can’t get a little burp of outrage from you anymore. Let’s go get into a bar fight.”

  “You’re really on edge in a funny way. The domestic feud in Charleston is really bugging you. Did you ask Rachel to try and stay clear of it until we can get there?”

  “Of course,” Nick answered. “She said Jean wants to pepper spray and stun gun the thugs hanging around immediately.”

  “Uh oh. Dagger’s on the warpath, huh? Can Rachel tone her down for a few more days?”

  “If Rach wasn’t in her last trimester with the Devil’s offspring, I wouldn’t have any worries. There’s nothing we can do about it tonight. You go take care of your bride. I’ll walk Deke around the harbor with my flask, and have a couple of Bushmill’s Irish for medicinal purposes. We’ve had a couple of rough days with more ahead. Enjoy tonight. I have a feeling after today’s El Muerto news coverage, John will be welcomed in with open arms. They’ll want first hand news about what happened. If John sticks to the script, he may be able to find out enough to make our setting this cell up easy.”

  “What script?” Gus asked worriedly.

  “He called me after arriving halfway to Champlain in Queensbury. I explained he should pull the vengeance card, claiming he’d do anything to get revenge for the death of his cell. If he makes an impression, John will probably get put in on something they plan right away. We’ll arrive tomorrow night with the El Muerto/Payaso road show.”

  “That actually sounds convincing,” Gus admitted. “What else do you have in mind?”

  “I have a new Remington Modular Sniper Rifle I’ve been working with. It has an AAC Titan noise suppressor. I’ll retrieve it from the plane before we drive to Champlain. It fires a 7.62 Nato round, which I thought was not what I wanted, so I have .300 Winchester Magnum loads for it. It’s dead on to about 1500 meters. I’m thinking of terrorizing the terrorists.”

  “How do you know we can find a nest from where you can shoot?”

  “I’m banking on them having a place out in the boonies, where they can filter these guys into the country without a lot of observation,” Nick replied. “Don’t worry, I’ll have plenty for a plan B if that doesn’t work out.”

  Nick’s phone rang. He answered as Gus neared the Boston Harbor Hotel. “Hello, Barry.”

  “Can I talk to you?”

  “Sure. I’m taking my dog for a walk twenty minutes from now. Can you be in front of the Boston Harbor Hotel by then?”

  “I’ll be there, Nick.” Sergeant Stallings hung up.

  “Stallings knows you’re Muerto.” Gus drove into the valet parking zone. He and Nick exited with their bags in hand. Gus gave over the key to the attendant, tipping him well. “You promised to kill his niece’s murderer. Instead, you recruited him to work for us.”

  “Keep in mind it was Sherazi who ordered her death. New John didn’t want to kill her, but you can bet he either had to kill her or be killed himself. I killed the one who ordered it done. Yes, there are a few complicated threads. I’ll tell Barry the El Muerto character beat me to the punch. If he doesn’t believe me, it won’t matter. I’ll handle him. You have a good time with the lovely Tina. Can Tina entertain herself for possibly a couple days, or would you rather stay with her? I can handle the op in the North.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Gus whispered while they entered the elevator. “You need a spotter. I’ve worked with you before. I couldn’t go with you on the Abdul Nazari hit in the sand, and it bugged the crap out of me waiting for you to return. Besides, there’s only so much honeymoon shopping a man can endure. She’ll have plenty of money. Do you think we’ll be gone more than a few days?

  “We’ll be in trouble if it takes more than a couple. This has to be a fast extermination. We need to make copies of everything, or have some people Paul trusts go through this base camp on their own. I want to head toward Champlain tomorrow, and maybe wait in Queensbury until John gives us the low down.”

  The men reached Nick’s floor. Gus held the elevator door. “You’re falling head over heels in love with the new John. Are you sure that’s wise.”

  Nick chuckled. “He’s a key I’ve been looking for in this terrorist mess. You’ll have to trust my instincts, and know I will not put anyone else in danger with experiments. John will prove his mettle North in this op. He will undoubtedly know or get to know some of the cell operating out of Champlain. After the border cleansing, we’ll both be sure, okay?”

  Gus nodded. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  * * *

  Nick exited the hotel with a very happy Deke. He had behaved beautifully until getting into the fresh air. Nick smilingly let him leap around for the amusement of passersby before bringing him to heel. Stallings only approached when Nick began the walk with Deke. Nick motioned him to his side without slowing.

  “You’re El Muerto, and a bloody cold blooded killer,” Stallings stated while striding in step with Nick and Deke.

  Nick gave up on pretense. He could tell Stallings didn’t want to pretend. “I’m all of that and more, Barry. Our mutual acquaintance made that clear to you. I don’t take orders from Paul. He will be saddened by the loss of an old Marine buddy, but he’ll get over it. Let’s not put him through that. At this time you are not involved at all, and I am only a guy you asked for a consult. Leave it at that. Start bleating about me and El Muerto, and it won’t go well for you.”

  Nick’s cloaked warning caused a momentary loss in stride for Stallings. He hurried next to Nick as Deke marked territory, pausing in the cold air, sniffing at new smells with the soul of the hunter. “You…you’re threatening me?”

  Nick paused by the railing with Deke, looking around the picturesque harbor with a smile, making sure no one was walking ne
arby. A second later, Stallings was down with Nick’s Italian stiletto pressed against his Adam’s apple. “Nope. I’m promising if you don’t forget all about me except the debt you owe me, you will awaken one night in your bed with me at your side, only I won’t be holding my sharp friend at your neck. It will be lodged upwards into your brain. The only reason you’re still alive is because I like your Marine buddy, and he likes you. Any questions?”

  Deke sniffed at the goings on and snorted, sitting silently, a watchful sentinel. Nick grinned. “Deke thinks you’re okay. Don’t force me to make an adjustment.”

  Stallings looked up into Nick’s eyes with the horror a normal human being has in the presence of death. He saw nothing behind those eyes and slight smile, but his own dark eternity. The finality of how quickly Nick put him on the ground in position to die did not escape him. “I understand, Nick.”

  Nick’s stiletto disappeared, and he gave Stallings a hand to his feet. “That’s good, Barry. Don’t ever forget your understanding. I have very little of a human element built into my makeup. Taking anything for granted and unimaginable things may happen around you. Deke and I have a long walk ahead of us. Turn around. Leave the way we came.”

  Nick once again allowed Deke to prance ahead. He dropped down, pivoting and pulling his silenced 9mm Berretta pointed back at Stallings’ head. Stallings’ hand dropped away from the inside of his coat where he had been reaching for his own weapon.

  “Your word seems to be questionable, Barry. Perhaps your wife Beth and the kids would want you to show a bit more sanity in what you do, partner.”

  “I…I’m done, Nick! Nothing more… ever!”

  Nick straightened. “I hope your word is better this time, shithead. I don’t do take backs, if you know what I mean. Take your weapon out, put it down in front of you, and back away until I’m out of sight. You don’t even want to know what I will do if you don’t follow my directions.”