Page 84 of The Santa Claus Con

She sets the wrapping paper on the table and peeks into the box. She smiles. “Told you he was good,” she says to her crew. “And efficient. I don’t know how you have all that time to watch as many movies as you do, Nate.”

Yep, not actually talking about Christmas movies.

“I take my work seriously, and movie-watching is serious work,” Nathan says, flashing everyone at the table a What can I say? I love what I do smile. “Don’t think I forgot about the rest of you. I have presents for you back onshore.”

In five minutes, the boat should be headed back to land, where our agents will be positioned and ready.

The woman in the hat looks flattered. “How thoughtful, but you’ll have to give it to us some other time, Nate.” She looks from her phone to somewhere in the distance, where sailboats and speedboats are out for the evening. “You’ll be meeting us in San Francisco, yeah?”

“Nate will be there. We’ll have some presents for you then, too,” Bijoux says. “Expensive ones that we’d be okay with you returning.”

Nathan’s lack of response is worrying, but my gut is now distracted by something else. The tone has shifted on deck, and I think it has something to do with the speedboat heading toward us.

Bijoux stands. “It’s about that time.” Her entourage follows her lead.

“Time to, what, cut the cake?” Nathan asks. His tone is less casual now.

“It’s coconut, your favorite, Bijoux,” Hawk adds, rubbing his hands together.

“Sorry, Norman, but business awaits. Please enjoy without us. Joyeux anniversaire,” Bijoux says to him, her voice fading in my earpiece.

“We’re heading back to shore now it seems,” Nathan says as the captain starts making a wide turn. “I can still give you all your presents.”

Bijoux tucks the box of money into her oversize purse, keeping one arm firmly wrapped around her dog. “This boat’s going back,” she says. “But I won’t be on it.”

PennyThoughts Feed

@RoxyNolanCityDaily

Competition’s getting fierce at #TheSantaClausCon! It came down to Nate and Freddie racing for the last position, with Nate taking the coveted tenth spot. Which five will be going home in the next round?

@GarlandAndTinsel0102

That was so close, I’m sweating! #HotSanta

@NikkiBlue22

Where are the refs? Freddie should’ve made it through. He and Nate crossed the line at the exact same time.

@GarlandAndTinsel0102

Watch the replay. That was all Nate.

@NikkiBlue22

By an inch, if that!

@GarlandAndTinsel0102

Races are a game of inches.

@NikkiBlue22

See the photos of them speeding through Central Park? No way that was a legal win

@BobaTea4Life

My friend almost got run over by them!