Page 80 of Nash Falls

Shock was driving it.

“How’d you manage the taxi?” asked Nash.

“Buddy of mine owns the company. I actually have my chauffeur’s license. Long story not worth telling.”

As they left the station, Shock looked in the mirror and said, “So talk to me.”

Forty-five minutes later, Nash finished. During the whole of that time Shock had driven in an ever-widening circle around the area, and had asked no questions. He simply listened to Nash’s extraordinary recap of all that had transpired from the moment the FBI had walked into his life on the night of his father’s funeral right up until the events in New York the previous evening with Agents Morris and Braxton.

“Damn, Walter. I thought it was some stupid business shit you were involved in. I have to say, in a way—a significant way, in fact—that I’m proud of you. And Ty would be, too. Your country needed you and you stepped up to the plate.”

“But what do I do, Shock? This is not my world.”

“From how you’ve already helped the FBI, I’d say it’s very much your world.”

“The business stuff I can handle. It’s everything else. The violence. My family…”

Nash could not help himself. He started to weep. His heart was suddenly pulsing so fast he thought he might be having a heart attack.

Shock slowed the car’s speed, observed this, and said, “Okay, four in, hold for four, four out, hold for four, Walter. Like I know your daddy taught you. Panic attack, nothin’ else. I know it, you know it. Take back control. Your heart does what your brain tells it to. Do it, son. Now.”

One minute later Nash’s pulse was normal and he was no longer crying. He wiped his eyes and face clear and looked at Shock’sreflection in the mirror. “If I don’t tell my family what’s going on, well, it will be a huge and disruptive event when the truth does come out. But if I do tell them, it might endanger all of us.”

“What I would do if I were you, is get all the stuff the Bureau needs. Then, if you’re still livin’, you lay it all out for Judith and Maggie. Everythin’. Then you guys disappear with a shitload of money and start a new life somewhere else. Why worry them now if you don’t have to? And maybe have somethin’ leak?”

“I… I suppose you’re right.”

“It don’t matter a damn ifIthink it’s right, Walter.Youhave to believe that the decision you make is the right one. You got one helluva logical mind, so use it.”

More miles passed in silence and Nash finally nodded. “Once I’ve fulfilled my mission for the government, I’ll tell them. Right before we get on a private flight to a destination unknown. And with the money we’ll be fine. Far better than most people. I shouldn’t complain.”

“The hell you shouldn’t. Them boys are messin’ up your life big-time. Now, the government gonna do right by you with the money? After Nam and Agent Orange I don’t trust them muthers one lick.”

“They’ve already paid some of it. It’s only ten percent so far, but it was actually more than I thought they were going to give me in total.” He looked out the window. “We can head on back now.”

As they returned to the train station Nash said, “Have you ever heard of Victoria Steers?”

Shock glanced at him in the mirror. “Shit,she’sinvolved?”

“So you know of her?”

“I’ve only heard her nameonce, Walter. It was in connection with a client of mine. He had business in the Far East, maybe not so legit if you know what I mean. Shady kind ’a guy tryin’ to play legit. He crossed her path. He told me a little about her before he headed back there.”

“What happened with her and him?”

“Don’t know. Man never made it back to tell me.”

Nash slowly nodded. “Look, just to face facts and using my logical mind, it’s doubtful that I will survive this, Shock. But the government has agreed to protect Judith and Maggie for as long as needed.”

“You think they gonna keep their word?”

“I hope so. I have no real way to force them.”

“I can look after them, Walter.”

“I’ve endangered you just by this meeting. I… I simply wanted some advice from a person I could trust. And with my parents gone, well, you were the only one I could think of.”

“I appreciate that. But just so you know, my whole life has basically been one long shitstorm after another. And I’m still standin’.”