Last War Dance, page 14
part #17 of The Destroyer Series
The program switched back to the studio for an announcement by the Democratic senator that he would introduce a bill in the Senate to pay twenty-five thousand dollars to each of the surviving members of what he called the new Wounded Elk massacre.
Remo slapped off the television set. “Well, Little Father, the nation lives.”
“I can tell,” said Chiun. “Insanity still runs amok.”
“Speaking of insanity, I’d better call Smith.”
Smith listened quietly to Remo’s explanation of the days events, and since he did not criticize Remo’s actions, Remo took that to mean everything had worked out well.
“You have one more thing to do, you remember,” said Smith.
“I know,” said Remo.
He hung up and walked through the connecting doors into Van Riker’s room.
Van Riker was just hanging up his phone. He turned, and when he saw Remo, he smiled, rubbing his hands together.
“Well, everything’s in good order,” he said. “The Pentagon’s going to leak a story about a string of Cassandras hidden around the world. Crews will be here to dismantle this one. All in all, I’d say a pretty good day.” He looked at Remo and smiled. “So what do you say we get on with it?”
“On with what?” asked Remo.
“You’ve come to kill me. I know too much…about you, the Oriental, Smith, and CURE.”
“Why didn’t you run?” asked Remo.
“Remember those two bodies in the monuments? I had to do that to keep Cassandra a secret. You have to do the same thing. Why run? You’d get me.”
“That’s right. I would,” said Remo.
“Give Smith my best wishes. He’s a brilliant man,” said Van Riker.
“I will,” said Remo and quickly killed the tanned general. He arranged the body on the bed so it would look like Van Riker had died from a heart attack caused by excitement, then went back into his own room.
“Well, Little Father, we should be leaving.”
Chiun was at the dresser, writing with a straight pen on a long piece of parchment.
“As soon as I am done with this.”
“What is it you’re doing?”
“It is a letter to the Mad Emperor Smith. I think I should be paid for the creation of Cassandras 1 and 2. Creating weapons is outside the contract and should be paid for.” He turned to Remo.
“Especially since I turned down a very attractive offer from Mother Russia.”
About the Authors
WARREN MURPHY was born in Jersey City, where he worked in journalism and politics until launching the Destroyer series with Richard Sapir in 1971. A screenwriter (Lethal Weapon II, The Eiger Sanction) as well as a novelist, Murphy’s work has won a dozen national awards, including multiple Edgars and Shamuses. He has lectured at many colleges and universities, and is currently offering writing lessons at his website, warrenmurphy.com. A Korean War veteran, some of Murphy’s hobbies include golf, mathematics, opera, and investing. He has served on the board of the Mystery Writers of America, and has been a member of the Screenwriters Guild, the Private Eye Writers of America, the International Association of Crime Writers, and the American Crime Writers League. He has five children: Deirdre, Megan, Brian, Ardath, and Devin.
RICHARD BEN SAPIR was a New York native who worked as an editor and in public relations before creating the Destroyer series with Warren Murphy. Before his untimely death in 1987, Sapir had also penned a number of thriller and historical mainstream novels, best known of which were The Far Arena, Quest and The Body, the last of which was made into a film. The book review section of the New York Times called him “a brilliant professional.”
Also by Warren Murphy
The Destroyer Series (#1-25)
Created, The Destroyer
Death Check
Chinese Puzzle
Mafia Fix
Dr. Quake
Death Therapy
Union Bust
Summit Chase
Murder’s Shield
Terror Squad
Kill or Cure
Slave Safari
Acid Rock
Judgment Day
Murder Ward
Oil Slick
Last War Dance
Funny Money
Holy Terror
Assassin’s Playoff
Deadly Seeds
Brain Drain
Child’s Play
King’s Curse
Sweet Dreams
The Trace Series
Trace
And 47 Miles of Rope
When Elephants Forget
Pigs Get Fat
Once a Mutt
Too Old a Cat
Getting up with Fleas
Copyright
This digital edition of Last War Dance (v1.0) was published in 2013 by Gere Donovan Press.
If you downloaded this book from a filesharing network, either individually or as part of a larger torrent, the author has received no compensation. Please consider purchasing a legitimate copy—they are reasonably priced, and available from all major outlets. Your author thanks you.
Copyright © 2012 by Warren Murphy
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons—living or dead—events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Errata
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Warren Murphy, Last War Dance
