Read Online The Scorpion's Tale by Wayne Block - Free Book Online

brother,”
Alberto replied. “I think of him every day. He was the best! Before
I die, I’ll find the bastard who murdered him and personally give
him an invitation to the Gates of Hell.”
    Alberto finished his coffee, looked intently
across the table at Steven, and ordered four glasses of Sambuca
with coffee beans. “Steven, my brother would never have approved of
what you request from me.”
    Steven looked into the patriarch’s eyes and
saw his conflict. “I understand. He cared greatly for me, and I for
him. But everything has changed, Alberto. The man sitting before
you is not the man your brother loved. That man died with his
family. Like you, Alberto, he wouldn’t have wanted to endanger me,
but he would have understood. He would have known that this is what
must be done, and done by my hand.”
    “I know that all too well,” Alberto said.
“When you were young, Pierro and I would comment on your
stubbornness. You were worse than Nick! Steven, I know you will do
this no matter what I say, no matter how I try to discourage you,
but....”
    Steven tried to interject, but was
immediately stopped.
    “Silencio! You must know what you are up
against! I have learned that the man who killed your family is
known as the ‘Scorpion’, a professional assassin, and the best in
the business. Nobody knows his identity. He is a ghost who changes
appearances like a chameleon. He could be sitting next to you and
you would never know him. Am I making myself clear, Steven?”
    Steven nodded. “Yes.”
    “I don’t fear much. But I fear this man. He
fears nothing, not even God. He is a man without a soul, with no
moral code. Because he killed your pregnant wife and your beautiful
daughter, I no longer have allegiance to him. He has disgraced our
business by these deplorable acts. But you must understand that I
don’t wish to make him my enemy. He worked for us and was very
effective. Something you’ve never understood is that killing is
necessary in my business. The Scorpion, however, kills not only for
business but also for sport. I am trying to determine who hired him
for these hits and why they were ordered. Tony was under the
protection of my family, and I didn’t sanction the hit. There is a
mystery as to what Tony was doing that I will solve, I promise.
I’ll find those who gave the unsanctioned order and I vow on the
grave of my father, their blood will spill!”
    Steven gulped down his Sambuca, and
contemplated Alberto’s words. Steven had never known Alberto to
fear anyone and suspected it must have been a revelation to both
Nick and Bebe as well. No one spoke.
    Steven finally broke the long silence and
addressed Alberto. “I greatly appreciate everything you’ve said to
me. I respect you more than you will ever know, and value your
wisdom. But this is something I must do. I have no choice but to
find this man and kill him.”
    “I disagree,” Alberto replied. “We all have
choices. To find this man is impossible. To kill him, you’ll need a
miracle. His eyes and ears are everywhere, and you’ll be tracking
him into his own world! Everything will be on his terms. He will
eventually discover your plan. I am guaranteeing your execution by
granting your request!”
    Steven leaned across the table and clasped
the elderly man’s hands and smiled as he gazed into Alberto’s eyes.
He saw a vulnerability that few had ever seen. “I know exactly what
you’re doing and I love you for it, as I loved your brother. But I
want revenge for my wife and children.”
    “How will you kill him? Have you thought this
through?”
    “All I know is that it will be slow and
painful. I don’t want him to die quickly. He must suffer as I
suffer.”
    “Do you even have a gun?” Alberto asked.
    “No. Not yet.”
    “Steven, I’ve made many mistakes and I have
regrets. Hatred and vengeance won’t be a path to your salvation.
Even though you are justified in this pursuit, if you have the
opportunity to kill him, do it