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“Good,” Han said “In theto conclude my business with Ushi-Oni”

49

HAN MET Ushi-Oni in the tunnel, where the forripped in his palm

“Austin and Zavala have been chained up,” Oni said “But you should kill them immediately”

“It’ll have to wait”

“Why?”

“Because if you kill theor mortis will set in,” Han explained “In addition, their bodies will begin to cool down They’ll be cold and stiff by the time the authorities find them Two minor details that will make it easy to establish a time of death well before the assassination took place Which will effectively rule theive instant credibility to every conspiracy theorist who suggests an alternate, perhaps Chinese, cause of the incident I would expect a s”

Oni stepped forward, his eyes wild “A man like me knows you don’t leave loose ends around That’s why I’ve never been caught And it isn’t about to happen here and now”

“Lower your voice,” Han said,

reestablishing control over the situation

Oni did as he was told but continued to fume “Mark my words,” he said “They’ve seen you, they’ve seen er”

“They’ll be dead in less than twelve hours,” Han said “You can be the one to kill them, if you want But you’ll do it when and how I say Otherwise, you’ll generate more ‘loose ends’ For now, they live In the et that sword out of your hand before you hurt someone with it Come with me”

Han turned deeper into the mine Oni hesitated “Why don’t we speak outside?”

“Because it’s pouring rain and I need ”

“I’ve become rather fond of it,” Oni said