With that thought in mind he asked, “Is there a gun range where I can maintain my shooting skills?”
“Yes. Now, is there anything else?”
“I suppose not.”
“I am most happy to welcome you to our family, Mr. Hope. I will be in touch soon with further and more precise details regarding your protection of my mother.”
“And how is she doing after her long ordeal?”
Nash saw just a flicker of the eyelids that seemed to represent a brief short-circuit in the woman’s synapses.
“You will find that my mother, above all other things, is indomitable. She can survive anything. And after doing so, she then thrives.”
She waved her hand at the door in a gesture of curt dismissal.
As Nash rose to leave he was wondering if the daughter wished her mother was a bit less indomitable and far lessthriving.
CHAPTER
31
ONE MILLIONAMERICANDOLLARS? JUSTto guard the old lady? And we get to live here? And I can have women whenever I want? You’re shitting me, right?”
Nash had had Thura come up to his apartment and they were standing out on the balcony to avoid being overheard. He had told him about their being hired to be Masuyo’s security team and the details of that arrangement.
“I take it you don’t have a problem with any of that?” said Nash.
Thura stared at him in confusion. “Why would I? I am in nirvana, man. And I’m not even dead!”
“I suppose we’ll need to coordinate with Ms. Steers’s protection detail.”
Thura’s smile faded a bit. “Them dudes do not like us, not one little bit. I seen it with my own eyes.” He perked up. “But for a million bucks they can hate me all they want.” Thura laughed but then noted Nash’s stern expression. “You don’t look happy, man.”
“I don’t like being told what to do.”
“Wait, you did not have a choice?” said Thura.
“No, and neither did you, for that matter.”
“So we can’t, like, quit if we want to?”
“I wouldn’t advise it, no,” said Nash.
“That woman?”
“What about her?”
“She scares the shit out of me, just. . .being, man. Just by being.”
“Well, I don’t think her mother will be any easier,” replied Nash.
“So when do we start?”
“I’m sure we already have in some ways. But officially, soon.”
“And the other guy, your boss? Does he get to leave?” asked Thura.
“Yes, he’s heading back to the States.”