Hard Case VII - Red Waves (John Harding Series Book 7) (40 page)

“She should be home soon to soothe all your worries,” Rachel said while moving her hand over Nick’s chest. “I think you’ve embraced fatherhood a bit on the paranoid side, Muerto.”

“I know. I love your daughter so much it probably alters my conception of anything she does. She’s so much like me I’m kind of weirded out.”

“That summer camp incident definitely weirded me out,” Rachel admitted. “I know you. Jean’s calm acceptance of you killing those kidnappers, coupled with Cracker’s acceptance really stunned the hell out of you.”

“It didn’t stun me. It made me proud. Those two kids ignored common sense, training, logic, and risked their lives for a girl they didn’t even really know. They’re scary. I’m admittedly a sociopath. They’re not. They have moral fiber I cannot grasp.”

“I feel your worry,” Rachel replied. “It chills my ‘head in the sand’ response. I guess we’ll have to enjoy the moment.”

Rachel’s more urgent fondling erased Jean and Sonny from Nick’s present wonderful time with his true mate. Rachel fit Nick in ways no entity on earth would ever understand. If needed, she would spot for him in killing a threat with a sniper rifle or cover for him in any deed he deemed necessary. His desire for her rocked all reality in his life. They connected so deeply as to rival anything Nick had ever felt in his life. The fact he loved her daughter Jean so much he would kill in numbers unimaginable to protect her merely meshed with his assassin personality in ways far beyond any understanding. For the moment, Nick let go of everything beyond the woman in his grasp.

A few things evaporated the peaceful doze Nick enjoyed. When his phone pinged next to him, Deke jumped on top of the bed, Quinn cried out, and Rachel groaned. Nick smiled, easing away from the pawing Deke while reaching for the phone. It was Jean.

“Dad. Sonny and I are at the Monterey Community Hospital. Sonny had to have stitches to close a gash on the side of his head. His folks are in San Francisco.”

“I know. Stay where you are. We’ll talk when I get there.”

“Okay, Dad. Don’t worry. We’re good.”

Someone might not be. “I shouldn’t be more than fifteen minutes.”

Nick said goodbye and got into jeans, black t-shirt, and tennis shoes in under a minute. In the next minute, he was transporting Quinn to his Mom’s surprised arms with Deke trailing him every step. “Jean’s fine, but Sonny had to have stitches. I’ll find out the details and call you from the ER.”

“Don’t kill anyone, Nick.” Rachel quieted the restless Quinn.

“Very funny.”

“I meant the kids are okay once again so don’t go to DEFCON One before Jean tells her tale. You cannot under any circumstances kill Ron Conyers.”

“I know that,” Nick replied on his way out of the bedroom. “I’d like to know why he didn’t call before Jean.”

* * *

Jean, Sonny, and Deidre sat together in the ER waiting room. Sonny held an ice pack over the bandage covering what looked to be a small area of his left forehead. Jean waved. Sonny glanced at Nick and grinned.

“Hi, Mr. McCarty.”

“Hi kids.” Nick crouched down in front of them, noting how many surly looking gangbangers were in the ER with three policemen standing nearby. They were in different poses of attitude depending on their injury. Most were facial cuts and contusions. “I see the local ‘bangers decided to pick the same day to skate at Water City Roller, huh?”

“Yeah, Dad.” Jean pointed at a young guy with dreadlocks already scowling at Jean. “That guy was going to push me out of his way getting to where his crew was mixing it up with some other guys. Sonny moved between us and got knocked down. I think the police are taking the guys you see in here to the station.”

“You best shut yo’ mouth, little bitch! You lucky the cops are here.”

Jean smiled at him. “No… you are.”

“Back on topic,” Nick said. “Where’s your Dad, Deidre? I thought he was going to stay with you three the whole time.”

“I thought so too,” Deidre replied. “When we came to sit down after a skate set, he was gone. I tried calling him but his messages are going straight to voicemail. My Mom went to Lake Tahoe with some of her friends so she’s not around. I didn’t want to call her because there’s nothing she could do anyway. Thanks for coming so quick. I don’t like these guys around us.”

“Water City is usually really safe. They wouldn’t let rival gangs arriving in numbers skate at the same time, not by choice anyway.”

“They came separately,” Jean explained. “They thought they were real slick, but Cracker and I were on to them right away.”

“Shhhhh…” Deidre urged. “That guy is coming over.”

“What did you say about me?”

Nick straightened while seeing the three police officers turning their attention onto the one threatening Jean. Nick punched the kid in the groin as he stood. He then caught the squealing young man trying to collapse into a fetal position, gently easing him into a sitting position against the line of seats.

“Sorry about that. Are you okay,” Nick asked with impressive concern. The police officers didn’t move. The very sore young man couldn’t speak yet but his friends were voicing complaints to the police officers. “I think we’ll go now. Are you good to go, Sonny?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You can stay at our house until we find your Dad, Deidre.” Nick began guiding the kids out. He stopped near one of the police officers and handed him the US Marshals’ business card he always carried now. “If you need anything at all from the kids or me, please call, officer. I’m sorry about the altercation.”

The officer shrugged with a grin. “What altercation? I’ll call if we need anything. Thanks for your cooperation.”

“Of course, officer.” Nick led the way out to his car. “You kids sure lead exciting lives. Kidnappings at summer camp, gangbanger frolics, and trips to the ER. I’m not sure I like how your luck’s running so far.”

“They were there to fight each other,” Jean said. “Why didn’t they meet in a dark alley somewhere?”

“Good questions,” Nick agreed. “Another good question is why they were so friendly seeming to each other in the ER. I’m thinking the fight was a distraction for something else.”

“Maybe that guy wasn’t trying to get to the fight when he ran me over,” Sonny offered. “We were in the way to the office, Viper.”

Jean smiled, and pumped her fist. “Yeah… remember the office guy ran out to see what was going on. He didn’t lock up. I bet the ‘banger only had a short period of time to maybe rob the office. When he threw you down, it attracted the office guy’s attention, and he ran back to see if you were hurt.”

“He took us in the office and gave me a towel. The dreadlocks guy stood outside for a while. I saw him kick one of the chairs and leave then.”

“We stopped a robbery, Cracker! Yes!” Jean glanced around. “I… uh oh, Dad. We have company.”

Nick had been watching their backs. He saw the three hoodies following them suddenly. “I see them.”

Nick beeped their new Toyota Camry Rachel had wanted. He handed the keys to Jean. “Take Sonny and Deidre to the car and start it in case I can reason with these punks. If I can’t, we’ll have to call your Mom. In fact, do that when you get to the car. Keep her on the line until I see how this goes down.”

“Okay, Dad. C’mon Cracker. Deidre… follow us.” When their friend didn’t move right away, Sonny and Jean moved her along.

Nick turned to face the three hoodies, noticing he could still see all their hands, even in the parking lot light. When Nick stopped to wait for them, the hoodies spread out slightly, but not enough, Nick noted. There was no reason to greet them. They were following with bad intentions. Saying hello would not help.

“We got’s a call some ‘mofo’ beat on our boy in the hospital. That be you?”

Nick remained silent, still watching hands.

The hoodies came on then when Nick didn’t answer. “We teach your ass-”

They didn’t teach anything. Nick shot them all directly in the face with the potent police Mace style spray without warning, following the spraying with his stun-gun until all three hoodies were down. He kept going until they simply vibrated. Nick put away his tools and walked to the Camry while watching for any unwanted attention. Jean hopped out of his way and got in the passenger seat. Nick drove away.

“What did… did you do to those guys, Mr. McCarty?” Deidre’s voice wavered.

“I talked them into not beating me up,” Nick answered. “They didn’t like what I did to their friend in the ER.”

“Couldn’t you have asked them to go away?”

“Uh oh,” Sonny muttered.

“Are you stupid!” Jean had whipped around immediately. “They’re gangbangers. They don’t listen to anything other than a whuppin’. They’re still alive.”

“I’m responsible for you, Jean, and Sonny,” Nick added with amusement at Jean’s reasoning. He knew she understood without question. “I have to get you all safe and sound to my house.”

Jean held her iPhone with Rachel and Quinn on screen. “Hi Hon. We’re on our way home.”

“I heard the preliminaries. Jean gave me a viewing. Nice restraint.”

“Thanks. See you in a few minutes,” Nick grinned over at Rachel for a moment. “Deidre will be staying with us for dinner. Why don’t we order a pizza?”

“Sounds good,” Rachel said. “What kind you kids want.”

“Everything but anchovies,” Jean said. “Sonny’s the same. What about you, Deidre?”

“Uh… could I have a plain sausage and cheese one?”

“Sure,” Rachel agreed. “On it. See you all shortly.”

“Good choice, Deidre,” Nick said. “Deke loves sausage and cheese with his beer.”

Deidre giggled. “Deke drinks beer?”

“Yeah. He’s my beer buddy,” Nick explained. “We have to be careful mentioning beer anywhere around him. We can’t even spell it without him dancing around like a wounded rabbit.”

“My Dad said you’re a US Marshal. Is that true?”

“I consult with different organizations, including the US Marshals’ Service and FBI,” Nick answered carefully. “I know you’re wondering why I didn’t simply arrest those hoodies. I’m not that kind of Marshal.”

“Oh.” Deidre looked ready to say something else, but Jean was staring daggers at her, and Sonny nudged Deidre while shaking his head in the negative.

Rachel and Quinn greeted them at the door. Quinn went into happy gyrations the moment he saw his sister. Jean took him from Rachel immediately, dancing around the inner entryway with Quinn to his delight.

“Deke senses his treats. He’s been standing guard duty at the door since our call,” Rachel said. “I know you walked him twice today so that isn’t it. He has a sixth sense for the hops.”

Nick hugged the dog. “Yes he does. Watch this Deidre. Want a beer, Dekester?”

Deke leaped into the air, danced around, rolled in the entryway and charged halfway up the stairs, stopping to look back at Nick with tongue lolling out while glancing longingly at the head of the stairs. Deidre laughed with delight, actually clapping her hands. For the moment Nick’s earlier ‘banger adjustment took a backseat to Deke’s antics.

“He is so cute!”

“We have to go follow through on the promise or he gets cranky,” Nick explained. “C’mon up on our upstairs deck. I have all the makings there. Don’t answer the door when the pizza guy gets here without me, Rach.”

“Understood. You all go ahead. I’ll go get a tray of veggies and dip too. How are you feeling, Sonny?”

“I’m fine. I tried to talk them into not stitching me, but they said I had to get the stitches or I’d have a scar. I told them I wanted the scar but they wouldn’t listen.”

Rachel sighed. “You’ve been around my damn daughter too much, kid. Okay, go on. I’ll bring the veggie tray.”

On the deck, Nick loved the rare clear night sky without fog. He poured Deke a beer and one for himself. Jean served her friends with the sodas of their choice from the refrigerator while Sonny held Quinn. Deidre stood at the full windowed view of the ocean beyond with obvious enjoyment. Nick drank deeply from his glass of beer, noting their guest’s appreciation of the view.

Rachel brought the tray of veggies and dip which were attacked immediately as she sat next to Nick, reaching out to grip his hand. “Any extra problems?”

“I don’t know yet,” Nick admitted. “We have to keep calling Ron, Deidre. He’ll be worried if he goes over to the arena.”

“I know… thanks.” Deidre tried calling her Dad. When it went to voicemail again, she explained where she was and why.

The pizzas arrived a few moments later. Nick went downstairs with Rachel, checked the security cam, and then opened the door. He paid for the pizzas. Before the pizza delivery guy could leave, Nick saw Ron Conyers park behind the small delivery truck in his BMW. Nick handed Rachel the pizzas. She took the pizzas upstairs. Conyers waited until the delivery guy left before exiting his vehicle and approaching the house.

He pointed at Nick. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“Ah… no, you don’t.”
If he did, he’d go home and send his wife
. “Come in, Ron. We’re eating pizza upstairs on the deck where everyone is.”

Ron Conyers, a few inches over six feet tall, nearing the two hundred forty pound range with skin even darker than Gus’s, always wore a jovial smile. Nick liked him but he didn’t trust him. He would never let Jean go anywhere Ron was in charge of chaperoning.