(eng) Mike Resnick - Widowmakers 03 by The Widowmaker Unleashed

Author:The Widowmaker Unleashed [Unleashed, The Widowmaker]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

15.

Nighthawk spent an idyllic two weeks. He slept late, ate three hot meals a day, spent most of his time with Sarah Jenner, and his sole duties as a lawman consisted of arresting one unprotesting drunk.

“Maybe they won't come after all,” said Kinoshita, sitting in a comfortable wooden chair opposite Nighthawk's desk one evening after dinner. “I mean, hell, there are millions of worlds. If they were smart, they'd open up two dozen new channels. No sense being predictable, not in their business.”

“They'll come to Tumbleweed,” said Nighthawk with absolute certainty.

“What makes you so sure? Like I said, there are hundreds of possible routes.”

“Sarah's here, and they want her.”

“You sure she's not just being hysterical?” asked Kinoshita.

“Does she strike you as the hysterical type?”

“No,” admitted Kinoshita. “No, she doesn't.” He paused. “You're getting fond of her, aren't you?”

“Is there some law against it?”

“No, of course not. But I hear talk that she's got a kid off at college somewhere who had some drug problems.”

“I didn't say I was fond of the kid.”

“I would think he comes with the mother.”

“He's on Aristotle,” replied Nighthawk. “It's not as if I have to help raise him. Besides, he may never come back. And if he does, he'll have a degree, which I suspect is more than you or I ever had.”

“I'm not trying to interfere,” said Kinoshita. “I just worry about you.”

“I know. What I don't know is why.” Nighthawk stared at him. “I keep thinking you're getting me confused with my clone. You've only known me since I woke up. You may think I'm him, but I'm not.”

“I like you.”

“That's a pretty lame answer,” said Nighthawk. “One of these days I'm going to insist on the truth.” He paused. “In the meantime, check with the spaceport and see what ships are due in tonight.”

“It's two miles away!” protested Kinoshita.

“I didn't say to walk there. There's half a dozen communication devices in the office. Take your choice.”

While Kinoshita was raising the spaceport, Nighthawk walked back to the cells to see if his prisoner needed some coffee, but the man was sleeping it off, and he chose not to wake him. He turned and walked quietly back to the office.

“I think they're on the way,” announced Kinoshita.

“Explain.”

“There's a ship of Darbeenan registry due to land in an hour. But according to its manifest, it's traveling practically empty, and it's only 38 Standard hours out of Quixote.”

“So?”

“They grow alphanella in the jungles of Quixote. And there are all kinds of servicing and refueling facilities there. Why should an empty ship that just took off land here less than two days later?”

“Okay, it makes sense.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Whatever I do, I think I'd better do it at the spaceport. Except for you, no one else in this building looks capable of defending himself against the kind of men who figure to be on that ship.”

“I'll come with you,” said Kinoshita.

Nighthawk shook his head. “You'll stay with Sarah. If they get past me, I want you there.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.