Chapter 19 Protect Norikuko #3
“Erica!” Carry and Veronica exclaimed in unison, looking at each other.
“What’s wrong with that,,,” Billy began then recalled the long conversations he’d had with Carry. “Oh!” He planted his face in the palm of his hand. “I’m sorry. I forgot about their history together.”
“It’s not your fault, Billy,” Carry said in a comforting voice. “You aren’t the one who has had to deal with how she hurt Greg.”
“That’s right,” he said softly. “Both of you have been dealing with that.”
“Billy,” Veronica said softly. “I admire your integrity. You’ve kept it quiet that you’ve known about both Carry and I seeking Greg’s heart.”
“It’s not my place to judge these matters. But I will say this,” he said then tipped his Stetson back on his head. “He’s the luckiest man I’ve ever met.”
“What?” both Carry and Veronica said in shock.
“Just look at the women that are fighting over him. You’ve got his ex-fiancé Erica Stamson who’s a babe, and the two of you,” he said straight forward. “Both of you are extraordinarily hot women.” He sighed. “I’d count myself lucky if any woman who looked like either one of you was to look my way.”
“Billy!” Carry said tersely. “Mia threw away that right with you. You are a handsome man. Stop looking down on yourself.”
“Come on Carry, I know better than that,” he started when Veronica glared at him with what could only be described as laser beam eyes.
“Billy BLAKE! You stop that right now. I wouldn’t have taken you under my wing if I’d have known that you were going to run yourself down!” She took a breath and slowly cooled down. “Carry is right about you being handsome,” she said in a softer tone. “You should be more sure of yourself Billy.”
“Sorry, ma’am,” Billy apologized. “Maybe I understand how you both feel now about Greg because Mia did that to me. She shook my confidence in a way that I hadn’t felt since my freshman year with Charlie…” his voice trailed off.
“Konnichiwa, Keith,” Toda said as he entered the room. Then he turned and bowed to Norikuko. “Most honorable mother, I’m glad you are safe.”
“Thank you Toda,” Norikuko said firmly. “How are you after your incident?”
“Just a few scratches, but those men will never bother anyone again. We saw to it.”
“And did you send the message with it?” Norikuko nearly demanded.
“As you instructed,” he said with a deep bow. “Their heads will arrive at Taito Towers in a few hours,” he confirmed. “Torada sent the package an hour ago.”
“Good. Maybe that asshole will get the message that I’m not a fool and he should respect me a little more.” The fire in her voice was starting to come through as the anger was releasing. “Murder my husband and then try to attack me. That was the most foolish thing to do.”
“Wow,” Jeff said in amazement. “You are very impressive!”
“Thank you most honorable Jeff-San.” Norikuko smiled. “I’m not as weak as many might think. I might not have the strength of you young men, but my mind is still as sharp as a tack.”
“That is pretty obvious,” Keith replied. “How can we help you, Norikuko?”
“Your traveling so far to assist shows that Mr. Garrelson still values us as his friends,” she replied then saw Keith’s head drop. “What did I say wrong?”
“Well,” Keith hemmed for a moment. “I don’t know how to say this, but Greg might already be dead for all I know.
” Norikuko let out a gasp and quickly moved in front of Keith.
“My team hasn’t updated me on his condition since I left last night.
All I know is that he was in the hospital fighting for his life after Lance Marsden poisoned him at Club Euchre. ”
“That abominable place!” she shouted. “First we get shot at there, now Greg gets poisoned. Something has to be done about it.”
“Outside of those two incidents, it’s got a spotless record,” Matt chimed in. “And in both cases the Pendergast Family was involved.
“Indeed!” Norikuko exclaimed. “They tried to kill us in America several times, but fortunately for us they failed because of your help.”
“We were happy to help,” Keith said softly. “And we’re happy to help again.”
“Toda!”
“Yes mother!” he replied with a bow.
“You will make plans for me to travel to the United States. If my friend Greg Garrelson has died, I will attend his funeral. If he’s alive, then I will tend to his injuries.”
“Hai!” he said with a deep bow. “Nado and I will ensure your safe travel.”
“Norikuko?” Keith interjected. “We’ve got a DEA Jet at the airport on standby for the next eight hours. We can fly back to the States in that, and make travel arrangements to Greg’s house on the way.”
“Excellent idea, Mr. Dankard. Toda, see to that.” She spun to walk out.
“One thing,” Keith said before she’d left. “You need to know the truth. Taito-San wasn’t the one who murdered your husband.” She froze in place.
“Who did then? Do you know?” The quivering in her voice belied her fears.
“The man we’ve come here to stop,” Jeff said firmly.
“Millard ‘The Enforcer’ Calput,” Keith said through gritted teeth. “He’s under orders to capture you, extort your son for the three operational projects and then execute you as he sees fit.”
“How do you know this?!” she demanded as she spun back around.
“Because our inside man found the evidence and brought it to us at the risk of his own life,” Keith confirmed. “And that scumbag had the audacity to shoot at me and my Jeep. I am going to kill that asshole if it’s the last thing I ever do.”
“Then we will proceed. Make sure to bring them up to speed on Taito-San!” she commanded then departed.
“Well, gentlemen. It looks like we are in the thick of it now,” Jeff observed.
“Have a seat, and I will update you on everything involving Taito-San and the Asian Mafia. It seems that Korean, Chinese and Japanese Mafia are working together under a deal with the Mexican Melosa Cartel to control the world.”