MacGyver nodded.
"Yeah, okay Pete, thanks."
He replaced the car phone in the receiver and sighed.
"Anything wrong?" Katy asked, worried.
"No. Pete's going to get an analysis on the rocks that were used to smash the windows this morning."
There was a pause.
"But?"
"It's probably nothing, but it never hurts to be sure."
He started his grandfather's Nomad, which he was driving while his jeep was getting new tires, and began to back out of the parking space outside the café where they'd had breakfast.
"Where are we going?"
"I told you last night, I've got a surprise for you."
"Oh," Katy said in surprise, then blushed. "I thought you were talking about…"
MacGyver grinned at her.
"Well, that too!"
"So where are we going?"
"You'll see," he told her mysteriously. "We just have to pick a few things up from the houseboat first."
Katy glanced sideways at him, deciding to stay quiet for the moment and dig it out of him later.
*****
Ten minutes later they pulled up in the car park at the marina. The broken glass in the doorway of the houseboat had been swept up and pieces of thick plywood now covered the holes in the door. MacGyver headed over to the cupboard where he tended to keep his hockey stuff. Katy opened the fridge and grabbed the orange juice, keeping one eye on her boyfriend.
When he appeared to be pulling everything out and dumping it on the floor, she spoke up.
"Can I ask what it is you're doing?"
"Nope."
She glanced at his hockey stick now lying on the sofa.
"It has nothing to do with a hockey rink, does it?"
He laughed at the dejection in her voice.
"No, it doesn't. I guarantee you'll enjoy it."
"Okay," she replied with scepticism.
He eventually pulled out a navy holdall containing several large items and smiled in triumph.
"Right. Let's go."
Katy put down the newspaper she had been reading and followed him out to the car.
~~
The man turned a dial, tuning the signal from the portable microphone.
"Can I ask what it is you're doing?"
"Nope."
Pause.
"It has nothing to do with a hockey rink, does it?"
MacGyver's laugh came through the radio, making the stranger grunt in disgust.
"No, it doesn't. I guarantee you'll enjoy it."
"Okay,"Another pause.
"Right. Let's go."
He chuckled evilly, and flicked a switch on a small remote device. Then taking his binoculars, he faced the window and stared out at the marina car park across the street.
~~
"Aren't you even going to give me a hint?" she smiled hopefully, reaching for the car door handle.
MacGyver suddenly stopped, all traces of amusement disappearing from his face.
"Stop! Wait! Do you hear that?"
Katy froze,
"Hear what?"
Listening carefully in the tranquil morning atmosphere, she gradually picked up a light beeping sound. Panicking slightly, she looked over at MacGyver, who gestured for her to walk slowly towards him. The beeps started to get louder and faster.
"Run! Quick!"
He grabbed her hand and pulled her back towards the houseboat. They had just hit the ramp when the explosion went off. They were both pushed down onto the tarmac, MacGyver instinctively throwing his arm over her head to protect her. Behind them, a fire blazed, letting a tall pyre of thick grey smoke up into the air.
MacGyver stiffened and jumped to his feet. He looked completely shocked and a little angry.
"My car!" he shouted, and put his head in his hands.
Katy patted his arm and added quietly,
"I'll call the fire service," and she hurried off to the house.
*****
"I just can't believe it! The Nomad, Harry's Nomad…"
MacGyver sat opposite Pete's desk with his feet on the desk, while Katy and Pete exchanged concerned glances.
"Well, this means there's something more serious going on, right? I mean, that prank this morning wasn't just a prank?" Katy questioned.
"That's right," Pete confirmed. "We just got the results on the analysis of those rocks."
MacGyver looked up.
"What did it show?"
"The rocks contained a rare mineral only found in two places in the world: Northern Canada and the more rural area of Cornwall, England."
"England?" He thought for a moment. "That's where I was when I was first attacked."
Katy was immediately on alert.
"Attacked?"
"Yeah, my latest assignment was in Cornwall, in England, where I was targeted by an assassin by the name of Pierre Farber. He's a professional hit man. It took all my concentration and skill to avoid him, but he followed me all over Europe. Several people died in the bomb explosions left for me." He glanced down for a moment. "The police eventually caught him in Vienna."
Katy raised an eyebrow.
"Is this what you usually get up to when you go away?"
He gave her a small smile, "Sometimes."
She looked like she wanted to say something else, but wisely kept her mouth closed. Instead she fixed him with a steady glare.
Pete interrupted the rising tension in the room before it got out of hand.
"Well, let's concentrate on the problem in hand, shall we? It appears that Mr. Farber has escaped from custody and is determined to finish the job."
"You mean, kill Mac?"
Mac winced, "I hope it doesn't come to that."
"Maybe he'll think Mac burned in the fire," Katy suggested brightly.
MacGyver shook his head.
"No, that explosion wasn't meant to kill me. That's not his style. It was a warning."
"Which means he'll be back," Pete added.
"What do we do?" Katy looked back and forth between the two of them.
"Safe house?"
"Won't work, Pete. He's too smart for that. He's probably been shadowing us, might even be watching us now. And he's quite prepared to use other people to get to me."
"We'll be okay, though, right?" Katy asked quietly.
Studying her face and worried expression, MacGyver dropped his feet onto the floor and pulled her over towards him. Gently he drew her down by the waist, until she was leaning against him.
"Yeah," he reassured, kissing her forehead. "Yeah, we'll be fine."
Stretching her legs out across his, she took comfort in the feel of his strong relaxing body beneath her as she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.
Pete Thornton cleared his throat, causing the pair to look slightly embarrassed. Katy untangled herself and resumed her previous position, perched on the edge of the desk.
MacGyver clenched his teeth together.
"I'm not going to run this time, Pete."
"But-"
"No. People died last time. If he wants me, he can come and get me. I'll be waiting."
"But, Mac-"
"No buts, Pete. He has to come eventually. If I can outsmart him, we can put him away for good."
He turned to Katy.
"I want you to get out of town for a while."
"What? Why? I can take care of myself!"
"Pierre is a professional assassin. He's dangerous, and I don't want him getting anywhere near you."
"With all due respect, I'm going to be in just as much danger anywhere else as I am here."
"She's right, Mac," Pete agreed.
"I don't care! I want you as far away from him as possible!" he yelled, as he stood up, leaning over Katy at several inches taller. She wasn't intimidated. She glared back and refused to give in.
"Katy, please," he requested. " I couldn't bear it if something happened to you."
"Neither could I, which is why I want to stay with you."
"I can't stop him if I have to protect you!"
"I don't need protection, I want to help you. You can't possibly expect to do this by yourself?!"
"Yes, I can and I will! I'd never forgive myself if you get hurt because of me."
"Nothing's going to happen. I have absolute faith in you. You said yourself that we'd be fine." She paused. "I trust you."
MacGyver groaned and ran his hands over his face.
"Alright. But at the first sign of trouble, you do exactly as I tell you."
She opened her mouth to complain. "No arguments!" he insisted.