The Widowmaker: Volume 1 in the Widowmaker Trilogy Read Online Free Page A

help anyone who stood in his way. That's what made him the Widowmaker. We had to tone you down, make you controllable, but now I wonder if you're tough enough to do what must be done.
    Two more drinks arrived, and Kinoshita looked around the tavern. His gaze fell on two burly men standing at one end of the bar.
    They're here, just as we'd been tipped they would be. He glanced surreptitiously at Nighthawk. It's time for your final exam, Jeff. I hope you're up to it.
    "You see those two guys at the bar?” asked the small man.
    Nighthawk nodded. “You know them?"
    "In a manner of speaking,” answered Kinoshita. “I know of them.” He paused and studied the two men. “The one with the beard is Undertaker McNair, an assassin from out on the Rim. The other one's his bodyguard."
    "What does an assassin need with a bodyguard?"
    "Everyone needs someone to watch his back—especially a man with his reputation and enemies."
    Nighthawk frowned. “If you know who he is, so must Customs. Why would they allow a hired killer to hunt here?"
    "Because he can afford it."
    "That's the only reason?"
    "This is an exclusive place. People are expected to pay for that."
    "How much has this cost us so far?"
    "Don't worry about it,” said Kinoshita. “You're about to earn more than enough to cover the coat."
    "You're being optimistic. It could be months before I finish my work on Solio II."
    "You're going to earn it right now."
    Nighthawk looked his puzzlement.
    "There's paper on Undertaker McNair—half a million credits, dead or alive.” Kinoshita paused. “Dead is easier."
    "I don't even know him,” said Nighthawk uncomfortably.
    "You won't know the man you're after on Solio, either."
    "That's different. Besides, I'm not armed."
    "I've taught you 43 ways to kill with your hands and feet,” said Kinoshita. “This is as good a time as any to see how much you've learned."
    "He's not bothering anyone,” said Nighthawk. “I can't just walk up to him and kill him."
    "I agree. Kill the bodyguard first."
    Nighthawk looked at the two men, then back at his tutor. “Don't make me do this, Ito."
    "I can't make you do anything,” said Kinoshita.
    "What'll happen if I say no?"
    The small man shrugged. “We'll pack our bags and go back to Deluros."
    "And then?"
    Kinoshita paused a moment and stared into Nighthawk's eyes. “And then they'll destroy you quickly and painlessly, and we'll make the next clone a little more aggressive."
    "You'd let them do that to me?” demanded Nighthawk.
    "I couldn't stop them,” said Kinoshita. “They're playing for huge stakes, and their first duty is to the old man who pays their bills."
    Nighthawk looked at the two men, then back to Kinoshita. “What do I say to them?"
    "Anything you want, or nothing at all."
    "What if they're armed?"
    "They're not supposed to be, not in here."
    "But if they are?"
    "Then you'll have to think fast, won't you?” said Kinoshita.
    "That's it ?” said Nighthawk. “That's all the advice you're going to give me?"
    "I won't be around to give you advice when you go up against the man you were created to kill. You might as well get used to it."
    Nighthawk stared at Kinoshita silently.
    All of a sudden you'd rather kill me than them. What the hell did I say that got you so pissed off? Suddenly a sense of outrage possessed him, outrage that his sole purpose for existing was to kill. Yet he couldn't change it, so he tried to focus it on his targets.
    "Wait here,” said Nighthawk.
    The young man got to his feet and walked over to the bar where Undertaker McNair and his bodyguard were standing. He strolled casually past them, then suddenly whirled and brought his hand down heavily on the back of the bodyguard's neck. There was a loud cracking sound, and the man dropped like a stone.
    McNair was startled, but his instincts were good, which is all that saved him from Nighthawk's first blow, a haymaker that was aimed at his head but struck his shoulder as he turned and tried to protect