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.Donner gritted his teeth and wiped the crust of vomit from his mouth with theback of his hand.He hated Mexican music.He hated Mexican food.He hatedsombreros and sandals made out of used tires.But most of all, he hatedMexico, which was where he was going to have to live for the next few years ifhe wanted to avoid a long stretch in a state penitentiary."Get back to the hotel room," he commanded himself.But it was so damn hard tothink with that band playing in his head.He drew a deep breath and staggeredout into the street.He could see his shiny new van parked on the other sideof it.Donner was almost there when the old Ford turned the corner and sent himflying into traffic.In the split second before death took him, he saw thetiny Virgin Mary on the dashboard flanked by two tiny flags."Mexico," he screamed.Suddenly the dance band stopped playing.Remo, Chiun, and Harold W.Smith sat at a candlelit table in one of Santa Fe'sbest restaurants."We're here under the name of Hossenfecker," Smith said with his usualparanoia."Ah.Very good, Emperor.It is so much less conspicuous than 'Smith.'"Smith rustled the papers in front of him."It was my mother's name," hemumbled."At any rate, I have the information you asked for." He cleared histhroat."Wally, a.k.a.José Donner.Recently deceased in Mexico City.""What?" Remo asked, incredulous."Automobile accident.He had in his possession a Ruger Blackhawk that matchesthe bullets found in the bodies scattered over the mesa.Er, good work, bothof you.""A car accid ""It was nothing," Chiun said hastily, kicking Remo under the table."Whenfortune comes your way, accept it," he added in Korean."I beg your pardon?" Smith asked."A little indigestion.Emperor," Chiun said sweetly."Oh.Well, the second person you wanted to know about, this Samuel P.Page 86ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlWolfshy& ""Go on," Remo said.Smith made a face."I'm not sure he's the right man.The information on himwas very scanty.According to my records, this person has never worked.""That's him."Chiun leaned forward eagerly."Yes.Do tell what has become of our youngbrave."This time Remo kicked Chiun."Not that we know him, Smitty.He never saw us.After all, we don't leave witnesses.""I should hope not," Smith said."Well, it seems Mr.Wolfshy encountered somegood fortune.""Hey, great," Remo said.Smith slapped down his papers."He was just a bystander, wasn't he? Thestatement he gave to the police said that he arrived at the monastery aftereverything had already been settled, and that he was shot accidentally whilepicking up an abandoned firearm.""Right," Remo said."Absolutely."Smith shot him a suspicious look."Then why are you so interested in him?""I saw his picture in the paper," Remo said glibly."He looked like he mightbe a distant cousin of mine."Smith's eyes narrowed, but he let it pass."Very well," he said."After thisWolfshy recovered from his wound, he married a woman named Consuela Madera inLas Vegas.Two days after the wedding, he apparently borrowed a quarter fromthe doorman of a downtown casino, put it in a slot machine, and wonapproximately one point nine million dollars."Remo's face went blank."What?""Right now he's making inquiries about starting a bank on an Indianreservation.The Kanton Savings and Loan."He folded his papers, then carefully burned them in the ashtray."Anythingelse?""I'll be damned," Remo said.Chiun gasped, jerking his chair backward and clutching at his heart.Remo jumped up."Chiun! Are you ""It is she!" He pointed a trembling finger toward the entrance, where amatronly looking blond woman wearing a fur coat entered."Mona Madrigal!" Hepulled himself to his feet."Thank you, most kind and gracious Emperor," hesaid formally.Smith stared at the old man above his steel-rimmed spectacles."Er& thinknothing of it," he said.Page 87ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlWhen Chiun had wafted away toward the husky woman, Smith turned to Remo."Whois this Mona Madrigal?""A woman Chiun thinks you gave him."Chiun was ecstatic as he bowed to the actress.The fates had decreed theirmeeting, and thus did it happen."It is I," he announced in a cheerfulsingsong."Step aside, shorty," Mona answered in a deep whiskey voice.Chiun looked around him.Whoever "shorty" was, he had apparently beat a hastyretreat."Chiun, Master of Sinanju, offers you the tribute of his adoration.""No kiddin'." She waved over his head."Hey, Walt! Walt!"The maitre d' came rushing over."Yes, madame?"She cocked her head toward Chiun."Do me a favor, hon, and give this bum therush."The tuxedoed gentleman glared at Chiun."Sir, perhaps you're wanted at yourtable.""Oh, it's quite all right.They'll wait," Chiun said affably."Miss Madrigal,I gaze at your countenance each day on 'As the Planet Revolves.'"She burst into strident laughter."What? That piece of shit? They wouldn't letme show so much as one tit on that show.It almost wrecked my career."Chiun stepped back, his mouth gaping."I& I& ""Amscray, Pops," she said, elbowing her way past him.The old Oriental stood where he was for a long moment, his white hair droopinglike a melting ice cream cone.Then, taking a deep breath, he came quietlyback to the table.Remo hurt for him."I'm sorry.Little Father," he said.Chiun shrugged."It was a disappointment, but the world can be a thoughtlessplace.""That's the spirit," Remo said, patting him on the back."However, I must write to Miss Madrigal immediately.""After that? What for?""To tell her that there is in her very city a vile, coarse woman attempting toimpersonate her, of course.""What?"Chiun bent low over the table and whispered, "Obviously that woman is in theservice of some foreign power determined to shatter my serenity and sour mydisposition."Remo stared at him for a moment, blinking."Obviously," he said at last.Page 88ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"It may be a conspiracy.Perhaps you would like to look into the matteryourself, Emperor."Harold Smith choked on his water."Er& yes.That is, I'll see what I can do
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