Cold Blooded Assassin Book 6: Red Horizon (Nick McCarty Assassin) (3 page)

“Yeah. Tommy wants me to do ground and pound on weekends. The fight with Costigan is still up in the air. Besides, the Rock doesn’t like ground and pound. Neither does Berserker. Whichever one wins the rematch will be mandated to fight me. I have to train now for both.”

“Is Lynn mad about not being allowed in on the training?”

“No,” I answered Al, refraining from making the sign of the cross and saying thank God. “Lynn’s busy tracking people with Clint for their FBI contacts. Lynn has been getting back into the serial killer manhunts again. Clint and Lynn helping keeps Sam and Janie on our side. They came through for us with all the prisoners we needed watched during the ‘Starlight’ mission. In addition to their help, they relieved us of all but a couple prisoners Denny wanted to keep. What about dinner?”

“I like it,” Al said. “I love being around all of you. Jean and Sonny are depending on me to keep them informed. We have our own message drop. Don’t worry, Dad. We don’t discuss anything coming or ongoing. They like hearing about anything to do with Lynn.”

“I’m for dinner too,” Lora said. “Will you be inviting Claude Chardin? He went out on a few training sessions with you, didn’t he?”

“Yeah. The prick enjoyed the hell out of watching Tommy poke the crap out of me. He even took a turn. Claude liked the background part he played in the ‘Starlight’ gig and the money. His contacts in Dubai really helped. Denny told me he really liked having him along in the AWAC surveillance plane. His insights and observations during the Iranian Migs encounter kept Denny calmer during what was the most dangerous part of the gig. I’ll ask him to come along tonight. I’d like his input on whatever names Nick sends me.”

“Good. I like his wife. I hear Claude and Nick hit it off too.”

“Like peas from the same pod. Nick knows Claude was turned from the dark side. Claude would like a more active role in our outings together. He has bills to pay. I’ll bring him in on this latest one if I can.”

My iPhone dinged. It was Denny. “Just the guy I wanted to talk to. I take it Paul talked with you. Nick’s sending me an invitation to the dance.”

Denny sighed. “Good. You’re familiar with part of it.”

“Give me a chance to go over the invitation. You can have dinner at The Warehouse with us later to discuss the invitation. I’m asking Claude in too.”

“Good idea. I’ll call Claude. I already have Nick’s info. I want to test Claude’s knowledge as you do, I’ll bet. I like something else Nick mentioned as an alternative to a full ‘Ride’ too.”

“I’ll look forward to reading the invitation. That was my plan with involving Claude,” I answered. “I’m spreading the word for six. Is that okay?”

“Yes, but I’ll be there earlier if Alexi wants in too. I like having Alexi, Claude, you, and me at five for a private chat if that’s okay.”

“Sure. I’ll be there.”

“Until then, DL,” Denny said. “Claude let me know how much he liked your training sessions. It’s nice of you to invite your new friend.”

“I will smack your smart-mouth into next week, Spawn.”

“Sorry. Did I say that out loud? I’ll see you at five.”

“Yeah.” I disconnected. I pointed at Al. “Are you sure you want to get into basketball? Lynn already told me she wants to coach with me on the sideline with her.”

“I want to do it, Dad. Being involved in any sport with Lynn as the coach psyches me. Sonny wants in too. We’re lucky we can play coed leagues still. Will Lynn have a problem coaching boys too?”

“Crue and I mixed it up a little on the court. She plays very well. We went over basics and patience with the kids. She’ll be fine. Clint will be helping too, especially during practices. They have Clint Jr. to raise. You know he’ll be wanting to play sports.”

“With all the babies born at the same time, I could probably coach my own team of ‘Little Monsters’.”

Now that was funny. The visions of Al running herd on Monster Squad offspring threw my imagination into overdrive. “Hold that thought. It will probably come true someday.”

“Next summer, can I go to summer camp with Jean and Sonny?”

I had heard about what went down at the last Jean and Sonny summer camp excursion. I knew Lora didn’t know anything about it, but I had a feeling Al did. “I don’t know about that.”

“What’s the harm, DL,” Lora asked. “Jean and Sonny are great kids. I don’t mind if Al tags along with them.”

I smiled at Al while Lora went to the sink. She did her hands clasped, contorted feature, pleading action. Al obviously knew I had been told about the last summer camp happenings involving kidnappers, kids near death, and Nick’s execution of the two kidnappers.

“I guess that would be okay. I think for a treat like summer camp with friends, even though it’s in the future, it should be good for at least a month free of Beeper.”

“It’s Justin Drew Bieber!” Al was not pleased. She pulled the Bieber out on us at the worst possible time… which for me was anytime.

I crossed my arms in a grinning wait for her decision.

“That’s blackmail!”

“Oh no! Not that! Take it or leave it, Princess Beeper.”

“I’ll take it… but there will be blood!”

* * *

Nick hit dead center on the targets with the throwing knives. Using both hands, Nick completed underhand tosses with enough power to sink the blades to the hilt while turning from his position facing away from the targets. He grinned at his pupils, Sonny and Jean, who were staring at the target in open mouthed wonder while Rachel laughed.

“Much like you throw a fast pitch softball, it becomes a matter of hand placement with eye coordination.” Nick repeated the throws, one after another, in more deliberate fashion. “After stationary target accomplishment, I’ll rig a moving sound type target. When you two can hit a moving target underhanded while facing away from target, your training in knives will be done, except of course for constant practice.”

“You hit targets with the knives dead center when your friend gave them to you, Dad.”

“I have a talent for remembered physical action, whether it is a killing stroke with the hand, sighting in a sniper rifle, or throwing expertise with the knives. My life depended on… say it with me, kids… planning, projection, and perfection.”

Jean and Sonny had repeated the mantra with him on cue. They knew better than to ignore their teacher’s direction. Nick stepped away. “First, take turns using your right hand in a softball fast-pitch type motion. I bet you two understand why I made you learn to fast pitch a softball with both hands now.”

“It would have been more exciting if you had explained why, Dad,” Jean mumbled.

“Part of training begins with unquestioned steps attaining expertise. I went into training with Lucas Blake after my being in Delta Force for years. I learned within a week, Lucas knew more about survival and combat tactics than I had learned in all the years leading to my working in clandestine operations. Casey Lambert, Clint Dostiene, and I were selected as operatives from nearly fifty applicants from all branches of the service, alphabet soup agencies, and law enforcement. Naturally, our language skills, combat experience, and demeanor had much to do with it. Lucas Blake refused to pass the unqualified. Part of why he got out of the training end had to do with his uncompromising knowledge of what it would take to stay alive in the business. He kept getting orders to tone his instruction down because he had the lowest number of applicants passing of all trainers. What do we learn from that, kids?”

“To be the best, you must train like the best,” both kids repeated the training cliché Nick instructed them in after learning they wanted more than a neat game to play.

“That’s the key,” Nick said. “I want you both in as many sports as is physically possible. Competition hones your skills and drive.”

The doorbell rang. Nick gestured for everyone to remain where they were, including Rachel and Quinn. “It’s probably either or both Gus and Johnny with their mates. I need to conference with Gus and Johnny, so I’ll send Tina and the Cleaner back here with all of you, unless Cleaner wants in on the op we’re going to do. I’m not sure if there would be a need for her on this Pilot Hill excursion.”

“She’s doing great with the piloting your new helicopter,” Rachel said. “How in hell did you get a UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter by the way, Muerto?”

“Lots of money, and the backing of the CIA Director,” Nick answered. “What you should be asking is how in hell did I ever buy my own hangar at the airport.”

“Knowing the amount of money confiscated like a black clad Robin Hood, I already know the answer to the hangar financial origins. The Blackhawk, on the other hand takes practically the hand of God, especially with the armaments procured and stored in said hangar.”

“You have been paying attention. Laredo helped me with Paul’s backing. I provided the money, so once permission from the top came down, I obtained the Blackhawk. Laredo helped refresh my training. I have to let our friends in. Keep practicing, kids.”

Nick went out to the front entrance with Deke tagging along. The whole gang awaited his arrival. He opened the door with Deke heeled at his side. “Hi. Come on in. I’ve been conducting practice sessions out in the back if you’d like to join Rachel out there, Tina. If you want in on this new op, ask Johnny if you have his permission, Cala.”

Cala laughed with appreciation while hugging her husband. “Johnny wants me with him in all things, Muerto. Will this involve helicopters?”

“It could involve a copiloting job if you’re interested.”

“Oh yes! I am so there, Muerto! The music will be involved, right?”

“Of course, although I have a quieter ending with another idea I’m thinking through.”

“I’ll leave you all to it,” Tina said. “Can I stop in the kitchen for wine, Gomez?”

“Rachel already has your glass and a bottle of Beringer’s ready for tasting, T. The kids are providing some very entertaining knife throwing exhibitions. They’re practicing new tricks.”

Tina pointed at Nick as she backed away toward the knife throwing target range. “That is highly disturbing, Gomez, but I suspect you already know that.”

“Indeed I do, Cousin Itt.”

On the enclosed deck above, Nick poured Deke a beer while Gus poured rounds of Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey. “I don’t know if this op will be officially sanctioned. Paul’s working on it. He’ll go down protecting us if it doesn’t get official approval. I would like to avoid any involvement with him, but if we salt the earth it will have to be sanctioned. They’ll scramble jets to take us out otherwise. John told me already they have to have an okay from high above or the ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ can’t happen. The Monster Squad did a couple with tentative okay fom Denny and would probably do them without permission, but John’s agreed it’s not a good idea. The jets have to be grounded during a black op or they could be launched on us, especially on American soil. I’ve looked over this place they have and it is a gorgeous place. We certainly don’t want to blow it into atom dust. Anyone want to guess what I have in mind?”

“You’re thinking confiscation! Can something like that be done?”

“Sure it can, Kabong,” Nick answered. “We could build a helicopter pad on the premises. The confiscation may require some creative alterations in ownership though. It could be a halfway house paradise between us and the Monster Squad. It’s nearly sixteen acres. We could hangar a couple of helicopters there and maybe even one of those Harrier jets that can take off straight up.”

“Those take maintaining same as the Blackhawk will. I have been studying with all the material you gave me on our UH-60M,” Cala said.

“We would have to employ a crew at the Monster Squad Hangar, or our local Monterey Regional Airport, for serious maintenance. I serviced helicopters and jets during a CIA gig overseas. The regular maintenance has to be done religiously, employing intricate checklists. Since we already have the hangar at Regional, housing the beginning of our air fleet, we can split duties with the Monster Squad for any quick response aircraft we keep in the Pilot Hill Hangar. When we need something major done to the Blackhawk, or whatever else we can procure, we’ll have to do so under Laredo’s supervision at possibly a military facility. We can get the more involved overhauls done through Denny Strobert or Paul at a military base. Denny managed to get the ‘Sea Wolf’ and ‘Valkyrie’ turned into combat ships. I’m sure we can keep our quick strike force on the down low if Laredo can oversee servicing at Regional, or the Monster Squad Hangar. I’d like to confiscate this place in Pilot Hill as a secret launch area for wiping out Isis nests we find. I know we can get the clearances. Think of being able to leave from there, under the radar, for a hit within range, and be back in a time frame without suspicion.”

“Pilot Hill’s over three hours away though,” Gus pointed out. “We’d still be stuck flying out of Regional to get there. You have over ten acres where John lives.”

“Can’t do it there, Payaso. The locals’ heads would explode if I built a hangar on my land in the Valley,” Nick replied. “The first time a helicopter or anything else left my place, I’d have everyone from the PD to the National Guard going over our interrogation and storage facility. You’re right about the connecting part. We’ll have to puzzle that part out, depending on the mission. I love the idea of owning that place though in Pilot Hill. It doesn’t get a lot of snowfall because it’s a couple of hours down from Lake Tahoe. I like it for another safe house we can use as an armory too, along with doubling as a launch site.”