“No,” said Reginald shaking his head. His face paled somewhat and he looked up at the men. “You can’t do anything about it but they’ll be looking for, um, entertainment. The kind that will do anything for money. A few of the board members even partake in drugs.”
“Well, you’re wrong on two fronts,” said Ham. “There is something we can do about it and they won’t be getting any entertainment at all. Gator? Call Carsen and see if she’ll contact her family in the Quarter. Get them to spread the word that no one should take any private events at the Monteleone this week. They might be able to find drugs but they won’t take women. Or men.”
“He’ll be pissed,” said Reginald.
“You know, Reggie,” said Jak.
“Reginald. I go by Reginald.”
“Whatever. You know, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, we don’t give a flying fuck nugget if Gustav isn’t happy. In fact, it’s our ultimate goal to make him very, very unhappy.”
“We need to neutralize the guards first and replace them with our own men,” said Ham.
“He hires the same sort every time,” said Reginald looking down at the table. “They’ll be big, burly, dressed in tactical pants and black long-sleeved t-shirts. They’ll openly carry weapons, especially in this city where if New Orleans is a city where it seems normal. Most were former security personnel or military and many are foreign.”
“That’s good information,” nodded Ethan. “Why are you willing to share all of that now?”
“Because I’m dead no matter what. If you don’t kill me, he will. If I happen to be alive at the end of this, I’m going to spend the rest of my life in jail. I’m dead no matter what.”
“Maybe not,” said Ham. “Even if you go to jail you’ll be alive and we told you the truth, we’ll tell the authorities that your sister and parents were threatened and you felt you needed to protect them. We’ll also make sure they know you’ve helped us. You can always go into a witness protection program. We can help with that and give you an entire new identity.”
“And the alligator that sits on my porch guarding me? Is he on the payroll?”
“He’s definitely on the payroll,” smirked Quinn. “You try to leave the cottage without us, we’ll know and Alvin will stop you any way he can.”
“Thanks for all the trust,” he smirked.
“Dude, you tried to help someone bring down commercial and military jets. I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you, and believe me, that’s pretty fucking far,” said Jak. “You do this and do it well, and you might have a shot at a new life.”
Reginald said nothing, realizing that the men were right. Although the future looked dim for him, he could end up with a new life.
“Everyone get your gear. We’ll be sending in River, Quinn, Finn, Cowboy, Matt, Kev, Christian, Mike, Nate, and East to take out the bodyguards,” said Ham.
“I just told you these guys are trained. There will be six of them. Don’t you think you should send more men?” Ham smiled at the man, the others all chuckling, shaking their heads.
“I think we’ll be just fine,” said Matt.
“Leif, Moose, and U-Jin will take out the men in the elevators. AJ will be getting us a rooming list so that we know who is staying where. Let them check-in, then take them out one-by-one. When the meeting begins, Gustav will be all by his lonesome self.”
“I want to be there,” said the colonel.
“Sir, although we appreciate that, we don’t know if something could go wrong in all of this,” said Quinn. “April would like for you to be here for our wedding. So would I.”
“Son, I told you before I’ve been in more combat zones and battle situations than you could dream up. I might be old but I know what the hell I’m doing.” Behind him Angel and Wes smirked at Quinn, nodding. “I’ll shock the hell out of him, giving you all a chance to ensure everything else is in place.”
“Alright,” said Quinn, “but I go in with you as your bodyguard.”
“That seems fair, colonel,” said Angel.
“Says the man shot eleven times,” frowned the old man. “Fine. You come as my bodyguard but don’t do anything stupid like take a bullet for me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I have a woman to come back to and I don’t plan on missing my wedding.”
“You all think this is funny?” said April standing in the doorway watching the interaction. “How can you joke and banter about this? This man is dangerous, the entire board is dangerous and they want me, that damn suitcase, my grandfather and probably poor Reginald now!”
“Oh, God, I think I’m going to be sick,” said Reginald turning green.
“Not on the floor. It’s a bitch to get out,” said Ham handing him a wastebasket.
