The cops are still searching for Nico, having completed the upper level and moving down to the next lower deck.
I’m not directly involved in the ongoing search at this point and, frankly, I can use a little space away from The Royalty, so I decide this is a good time to slip away.
I exit the ship toward the docks and enjoy a few moments of solitude.
I decide to put in an appearance at the Riverside before I lose my business and/or my employees.
I call Cecil. Good employee. When I didn’t show up this morning, he opened up and was directing the staff in setting up for the day. Fortunately, the breakfast shift was slow this morning. He’s managing.
Cecil scolds me.
“We’ve been worried about you. You’re not sick, are you? You’re never this late opening up. You must have tied one on good last night. We’ve been limping along without you and……..”
“Oh, my God!” I interrupt him. “There’s Nico! For sure, it’s him! I recognize him! He somehow got himself off the boat! Gotta hang up and call Merc! Talk to you later!”
I dial Mercury and, like something out of a spy movie, I begin to whisper.
“I’m out on the dock next to the ship! Nico’s out here! He’s skulking away right now, close to the shore. Quick, get down here! Tell Silas! Tell the cops!”
“In what direction?” she asks, logically, and I have to think.
“East on River Road along the riverbank! Get him!”
I see Nico cut away from the riverbank and run among the neighborhood houses. I lose sight of him.
The cops, having detained Armand, appear on the docks. I tell them where I saw Nico and what direction he was heading. They immediately rush off, and I quickly lose sight of them as well.
At this point, I have nothing else to add. I’m no longer needed here. I think it’s finally time for me to go to work and relieve Cecil so he can do his regular job instead of mine.
Merc and Silas come outside. I point them toward where Nico and the cops disappeared, I wish them good luck and break away.
Suddenly, Merc and Silas jump into Silas’ car and head hurriedly East down River Road. A man comes off the sidewalk and flags them down. He’s gesticulating wildly further toward the East.
Nico, I fear, is getting away.
The two cops jump into Silas’ and give chase down River Road.
They have to stop him….