She laughed. “Not bad. Bullwinkle the moose, right? Can you do Rocky the Flying Squirrel too?”
“Let’s get going before I’m forced to give you an attitude adjustment,” he replied, slipping out into the night. She’ll be okay.
Rachel walked out to Nick’s rental and slid into the passenger side seat. He drove around the block to where he’d had her park the Escalade and stopped behind it.
“Do you think they’ll suspect murder?” she asked before leaving the car.
“No forced entry, no telltale marks… at least none they’ll spot without getting real close. My guess is they’ll accept the scene the way I left it. Javier’s apartment is locked from the inside. I saw his rap sheet. I doubt the cops will give him a second thought. Rene is the one I’m interested in.”
Rachel sighed. “You were probably right the first time about my girlfriend. She’s feeding Tanus and Fletcher. So, who tipped off Frank’s people yesterday?”
“I don’t know, but we’re not going anywhere near that bank now. Rene will be in trouble with some hard people.
I’m betting Frank’s insider will be checking the logs of who accessed what after Kate and Jessops are missed. Word will get to Tanus that the drives are gone, and Rene will be answering questions about how it happened. I copied the drive from Javier’s rinky-dink computer. I’ll see if he has anything on there I can use. Get going. I’ll see you at the condo.”
She grabbed Nick hard around the neck, her face inches away from his.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll expect to collect my fee later,” he whispered, his lips caressing hers, making her pull away with a moan of regret. She quickly left the rental and hurried to the driver’s side of the Escalade.
Gus threw Deke’s well-chewed Frisbee over the patch of lawn where he had seen Nick doing it. It was near dusk and the parking lot lights had already flickered to life. Both Deke and Jean chased after the Frisbee, with Jean trying to block the dog’s path back to Gus after Deke beat her to the toy. Nick saw Gus look up as the Escalade drove into the parking lot, followed closely by the rented Pontiac.
“Hey, Gus.” Nick waved, getting out with his equipment bag in hand. “Have you tired either of them out yet?”
“Not hardly. How’s the banking business?”
“Oh, you know, same old stuff-one less problem, one new one.” Nick waved at Jean as Rachel walked over to join them. “Did you eat yet?”
“No, I figured we’d all go out to a little place I know in Sarasota. I’ll guide you to it, and then go home from there. You’re buying dinner though, Daddy Warbucks.”
“Of course,” Nick agreed.
“I’m starving!” Jean called out, running over with Deke in hot pursuit.
“The deciding vote’s in,” Rachel added. “Let’s go wash up and get Deke settled in. I hope the place has Long Island Iced Tea.”
“I guarantee it,” Gus grinned, putting a comforting arm around Rachel’s shoulders.
“I’ll go out on the porch with my uplink and see what Jim Benoit deciphered from the drives.”
Forty-five minutes later, they arrived at the restaurant. Even Jean laughed with her mom as they looked at the sign that read ‘Hemingway’s Retreat’, although Nick noticed Jean could not figure what her mom was enjoying so much. Gus jumped out of the Pontiac, pointing at Nick with a jabbing index finger, thoroughly enjoying Rachel and Jean’s reaction. Nick stared up at the restaurant sign, shaking his head.
“This is a very nice place, Hemingway, so watch your manners,” Gus advised, and then turned to Rachel. “I stayed at his place in Pacific Grove and met his friends a couple years back. We ate at his buddy Joe’s place. It was fun watching the Terminator here get insulted through an entire meal by the guy waiting on us.”
“I’m starving!” Jean repeated.
Gus led the way inside. Although the restaurant was crowded, they were seated immediately. Rachel wasted no time ordering a Long Island Iced Tea for herself, and a soda for Jean. Nick and Gus opted for beers. When the waitress arrived with their drinks, Rachel downed nearly a third of her very potent drink, which sent a warning signal to Nick. After ordering their meals, Nick spoke up quickly to capture Rachel’s attention.
“Jim Benoit confirmed Jason Bidwell is the driving force behind Tanus. He also explained the connection I asked about, which seems to link Tanus with the late Senator Ambrose. Jason Bidwell and Fletcher’s Max Stoddard teamed up a few times in the past to take out a half-dozen government officials in South America and Mexico. Jim gave me the key to deciphering the encryption they used, so I can begin making a list of possible suspects interested in our demise.”
“Since Ambrose was on the drives, do you think you’re implicated on them, too, from something you did for Tanus?” Nick’s revelation had the desired effect of drawing Rachel’s interest, as her drink seemed forgotten.
“I’ll know tonight when I go over the information with Jim’s key. It doesn’t matter. I’m bringing Grace and Tim into this tonight anyway.”
“If Grace wants to round up the Benoits right now, your place in Las Vegas and -”
Nick gestured for Rachel to keep it down. “There were a goodly number of suspicious things in Las Vegas which might draw the Marshalls’ curiosity. It can’t be helped. I’m hoping for a little discretion on Suzan’s part, but it will be out of my hands once the Benoits hook up with the US Marshall Service.”
“How long will we be here, Nick?” Jean interjected.
“You don’t want to be on the road for your birthday, huh Danger?”
“It is only two days away. A couple moved into the condo complex today. They have a daughter only a year older than me. We talked when she came over to watch us toss the Frisbee around with Deke. Her name’s Ginny. Even Gus liked her.”
“What do you mean even I liked her?” Gus glanced sideways at Jean, who giggled at his overplayed stern demeanor.
“You scare off more kids than Nick does.”
“Gus has to look foreboding when he’s looking after you, Danger.”
“He’s wrecking my social life,” Jean continued, trying to imitate the frown Gus was leering at her with.
An hour and a half later, Nick guided Rachel into the passenger seat of his Escalade while Jean jumped into the back.
“She all right, Nick?” Gus asked, looking the rather pale Rachel over from behind Nick’s shoulder. “I guess we shouldn’t have let her have that third LT.”
“I…I’m okay,” Rachel assured Gus, looking up at him with a crooked smile. “I just…needed some fresh air.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow, Gus.” Nick gave Rachel a slight push on the side of her head. “Bring your fishing pole. I have a feeling we’ll be doing some planning and watching the news after I dump this on the US Marshalls tonight.”
“I’ll bring my fishing gear, but do we have to bring Danger with us? She’s bad luck.”
“Am not!” Jean called out, poking her indignant face up from the back.
“See you all tomorrow.” Gus pointed at Jean, and then spun around toward the rental.
Nick shut Rachel’s door. Fifteen minutes later Nick parked the Escalade in front of the condo complex. Nick handed Jean her mom’s purse.
“You take this Danger, and I’ll help your mom inside.” Nick shook Rachel’s shoulder. “Wakey, wakey.”
“Okay, Nick,” Jean agreed, opening her door with Rachel’s purse in hand.
Nick saw movement near the pillars at the end of the walkway.
“Danger!” Nick hissed, stopping Jean’s movement out the door. “Get back inside.”
“What’s wrong, Nick?” Jean hurriedly closed the door again and locked it.
Rachel stirred when Nick shook her. The urgency in his voice woke her completely, heart racing, and breathing coming in short gasps.
“Rachel!” Nick took her chin in his hand. “Are you with me?”