Hard Case VII - Red Waves (John Harding Series Book 7) (42 page)

“There’s a name we haven’t heard,” Nick remarked. “He’s not local. Where’s his home base?”

“He operates a ‘Mother Ship’ amongst the Channel Islands near San Luis Obispo. The FBI has been cracking down in the Central Coast. Carone moved us North to scope the area. Let me live. I’ll testify against Carone.”

“Gee… that’s real generous of you, Jay,” Nick said. “What do you think, Gus?”

Gus injected him with death. “Adios.”

Nick began retrieving anything having to do with their flashbangs or presence in the warehouse. “Sorry we couldn’t film it, Kabong. I’m sure we’ll get some opportunities on the Starlight voyage.”

“Yes, we will have many chances with Director Montoya/Dostiene.”

“This Carone guy and the Channel Islands so called ‘Mother Ship’ must be the new way to avoid detection. I’m surprised the Coast Guard doesn’t have them staked out. They could nab any incoming delivery boats.”

“They call them ‘Panga’ boats,” Gus said, holding the garbage bag open for the residue from their assault. “Do you want to move on Carone now?”

“No. We’re too close to the voyage. Besides, we need to help out Harding and his crew in New York. The CIA Assistant Director Strobert sent me the file. This Victor Sopa they’re going after is bad news. He’s been in major terrorist plots along with his brother. The brother came to the coast and Harding’s crew took him out, hence the revenge ploy. Strobert believes Victor is simply taking up where his brother left off: aiding terrorists and trying to kill Harding’s outfit. The New York job is a kill mission. Anyone around Sopa will have a bad day. Harding’s picking us up for the New York gig soon. They have their own fleet.”

The Unholy Trio made their way in the darkness, careful not to be noticed by some passerby. The area where the abandoned warehouse stood, unlighted and away from any residential traffic, allowed the three to get to Gus’s Ford without attracting any attention. When they were on their way to Nick’s house, Gus broke the comfortable silence.

“Are we meeting at the beach tomorrow?”

“I’d like to move our beach time back to Otter’s Point. I’m not fond of Dan and Carol’s beach anymore,” Nick said. “I’ve always liked the rock wall around Otter’s Point. Too many people drive into the one where we scattered Dan and Carol’s ashes.”

“It is because of the ‘John Denver’ memorial there,” John said. “Why do they have a memorial on the beach for a singer?”

“He crashed his plane there and died,” Nick answered. “It was a source of annoyance for Carol. She always figured it as her beach. When they put the memorial rock plaque on the beach she didn’t take it well.”

“Otter’s Point it is then,” Gus said. “I like the rock wall at our backs too.”

“I believe it will be an Irish morning,” John said. “We will be away from our favorite coast for a while.”

“Irish for sure,” Gus said. “You’re in charge of refreshments, Muerto. Bring the kids. You’ll need a slight buzz going before you explain Sonny’s stitches.”

“True. I wonder how long it will take anyone to stumble on Jay’s crew. It will probably have to wait until his surviving members get out of jail and start hunting for their playmates.”

“Sounds good to me.” Gus parked in front of Nick’s house. “At least our buddy, Sergeant Dickerson, won’t be called over there. Want to wager what the chances are Neil will give you a call when he hears about the demise of Jay’s club?”

“Jay who? Do you know a Jay, Kabong?”

“No, Muerto.”

“See you guys tomorrow morning,” Gus said.

* * *

Sonny, Jean, and Deke walked along the coastal path in plain sight of Nick, Rachel, Quinn, Gus, Tina, John, and Cala. Ever since they were nearly snatched from the path, they have their audio gear on at all times, and check in with Nick at five minute intervals. Rachel shifted the baby into Nick’s arms while serving him his Irish coffee along with the others.

“They sure love that walk down to Lover’s Point,” Rachel remarked. “That’s no short walk either. I thought kids hated walking anywhere.”

“It’s a beautiful coastal walk and they always have spy business going on in their heads,” Nick said. “Besides, Deke loves it too.”

Rachel finished serving. “I’m glad you’re staying with us on the Starlight, T.”

“I sure ain’t shipping aboard the assault craft with Captain Bly. That’s for damn sure. That Royal Suite has everything, including two hot tubs on the balcony.”

“I feel better with you on board the Starlight with Muerto and Kabong anyway, Hon,” Gus said. “You, Rachel, and Cleaner Cala will have a great time when the ship’s sailing peacefully. Muerto will help Harding round the infiltrators into a place where Harding’s security team can take care of them. That was great Harding got Red Dragon Security posted on the ship. You said they’ve already located the weapons and started charting the movements of half the infiltrators, right Muerto?”

“That’s what the file from Strobert indicated. Without a way for the infiltrators to take over the lower helicopter pad and emergency docking station, the Isis assholes will be hung out to dry on their assault craft,” Nick answered. He glanced at the slightly more active tourist crowd on the slightly blustery Sunday walking and driving along the road. “Uh oh. There’s the Salvatores.”

“Let me handle them. I’ll bitch slap Clarice. Phil will faint and the whole thing will be over in a minute,” Rachel said.

After brief enjoyment of Rachel’s solution, Nick handed Quinn over to her and stood to greet Sonny’s parents. Clarice started right in with the finger pointing.

“Where’s Sonny. Ron Conyers called to apologize for Sonny’s injury. At least he had the guts to give us a call.”

“Sonny and I would have been at your house later,” Nick reasoned. “It would have been better for you to see and hear what happened. Sonny, Jean, and Deke are walking along the coast. I have them on audio. Would you like me to have them come right back?”

“Yes! We know somehow you had something to do with this,” Clarice continued her accusations.

Nick sighed hearing Rachel scrambling to her feet while handing off Quinn to Tina. “I actually had nothing to do with it other than allowing the kids to go to the Roller Rink with Deidre Conyers and Ron.”

Clarice began another verbal tirade but Rachel’s appearance at Nick’s side shut it off.

“One more word out of you, Clarice, and I bitch slap your ass into the sand! Don’t even open your mouth Phil! I’ll make Nick stuff your ass in the trunk of your car. We’re not calling the kids back. We’ll bring Sonny home when they finish their walk. Now get the hell out of our sight.”

Clarice gasped but backed behind the silent Phil. He knew Nick all too well. “We could call the police, Rachel.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Nick warned. “Rachel’s right. I’ll bring Sonny home after their walk. Go home, have a wine, and relax. Sonny’s fine.”

“C’mon, Clar.” Phil pulled his wife back the way they came. “We may have to rethink this cruise idea, Nick.”

“That’s up to you. Sonny’s a great kid. If you screw around with him, he knows you two well enough to make life miserable for you. My advice is to calm the hell down. We’ll be over to explain later. Make sure you’re in a better mood, Clarice.”

Nick watched the two try to make their sand exit around the rock wall with enraged dignity. He smiled as Clarice slipped and fell flat on her face in the sand. Phil scrambled to get his wife to her feet. Clarice stood with fists tightened at her sides as Phil brushed sand away.

“Viper here, Dad,” Jean reported in his ear.

“Talk again in five, Viper.”

“Understood. Viper out.”

“The kids are okay.” Nick sat down amongst his laughing confederates. “Thanks for the added entertainment this morning, Rach.”

“I’m going to kill them both. I just know it. Sonny’s going on the cruise with us or I’m going to shoot Clarice in the head. The kids have been planning every moment aboard ship.”

“They’ll let Sonny go.” Nick took up his cooling Irish coffee again. “He knows where all the proverbial bodies are buried. They have about as much chance of forbidding him from going as Clarice has of being your bestie.”

Rachel made barfing and gagging noises for everyone’s amusement. “Any news about the gangbanger happy hunting ground.”

“I have been checking police bands and news bulletins,” John said. “No news of anything yet. I don’t think the ‘bangers will be getting out of jail until later this morning though.”

“I’m glad we’re all going away for a while,” Tina said. “Pacific Grove is the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived, but lately this gang and terrorism crap is getting scary.”

“It’s getting scary for everyone at the rate our idiot leaders keep turning a blind eye to their infiltration,” Nick replied. “Enough of that for now. I agree, Tina. Did you hear anything more from Issac?”

“He’ll be arriving tomorrow,” Gus answered. “He’s prepared. I like that young man. I need him to co-pilot the Valkyrie.”

“Who?” Cala leaned forward. “John did not mention another man in this endeavor.”

“Issac Leon helped us when Gus and I were sailing under the radar, trying to get back to the states without being noticed when I first met Rachel,” Nick explained. “He can be counted on.”

“We needed to procure a boat sturdy enough to sail the back waters without official notice,” Gus added. “Issac helped us stay undercover until he found a craft we could make it home with. Muerto, of course, paid him top dollar, but he wanted to come with us. I told him if I ever ran across another sailing gig I could use him on, I’d let him know. We’ve been in touch ever since.”

“Does he know he might die co-piloting with you,” Tina asked.

“He knows anything Muerto and I do on the down low is dangerous as hell. The young man will do exactly whatever we ask of him. He’ll be staying with us until we leave. You’ll like him. He took the money Muerto gave him for helping us and moved to St. Lucia. He bought a small tourist business, escorting people around the island. When he gets back from this adventure he’ll be able to buy a part of St. Lucia.”

“Yep. Gus is right. We’ll fix Issac’s place in the world when we get back,” Nick said. “It’s good to have a man we can count on to help pilot a boat without questions. My old mentor Lucas Blake is training their young kid in Harding’s crew to co-pilot their sea craft. They even have their own air wing. We have enough money for an air wing.”

“I’ll let El Kabong go in with you for the air wing deal,” Gus said. “I’m too old for piloting planes. Cala would go for something like that too I’ll bet.”

“Oh yes, Muerto,” Cala dived in excitedly. “I would go to flight school with you and John. We can be the Flying Unholy Trio.”

“Good one, Cala,” Nick said when the laughter died down. “We’ll look into it, especially a possible helicopter addition to the fleet. I’ve flown helicopters back in the day. Guess what wouldn’t need much clean up for a drop from a helicopter, Cleaner.”

“We could clean the freezer out often without need for storage, Muerto. That is genius!”

“Only you could think of dropping dead bodies into the ocean as genius, Cleaner,” Tina said. “Damn, girlfriend, you are one dark and macabre lady.”

“Yes, and what is your point, T-Rex?”

Tina chuckled. “No offense meant, Cleaner.”

“None taken,” Cala replied. “I must be officious when it comes to my duties.”

“When we get back, we’ll look into it, Cala. I like the idea very much,” Nick said. “We can rent a hangar easily at Monterey Regional Airport.”

“Enough of the morbid body disposal unit talk,” Rachel said. “When do we kill Phil and Clarice?”

Nick sighed while listening to the amusement Rachel’s talk of ending the Salvatores created. “Never, as long as we’re looking after Sonny.”

Rachel shrugged. “Agreed. I’d be happy to help throw the Salvatores out of a helicopter anytime. Count me in if you ever get that mission, Cleaner.”

“Absolutely,” Cala replied with enthusiasm.

* * *

Jafar and I did our basic shutdown. He was a natural with the King Air Propjet. Laredo had taken him under his wing in computer diagnostics and piloting. Our Achmed the Dead Terrorist was talented at so many things, it was becoming increasingly abhorrent to risk him on common missions. I knew better than to limit him though. He would lose respect for the rest of us Monsters in a heartbeat if we tried to shield him.

“I hope they will like the King,” Jafar said. “I made sure Sam and Janie had all holding cell video and audio feeds along with complete instructions for prisoner care and upkeep.”

“Very good… so, what’s not to like about the King, kid. This is the most luxurious propjet made. You did great flying up here. Would you like to pilot the takeoff?”

“No!” Jafar waved me off. “I took off from our hangar. That was good. I don’t want to do it with families aboard. I will get better and more confident.”

“No problem. Let me know anytime you’re with me. You’re close to obtaining your license in everything. Laredo says you’re ready for anything. How do you like our stealth helicopter?”

Jafar’s eyes lit with a fire of enthusiasm only passion creates. “I like it very much, John. Laredo is the greatest teacher I have ever had. You are very close though.”