It is a truth universally acknowledged that a novice assassin must be in want of the perfect mark.
Splendor Posthumously: A Ginger LeBouff Novel, DJ Roberts

"FOUR WAYS 'TIL THURSDAY"

Part Uno: La Asesina

"Hold still, motherfucker."

I brushed my hair out of my face, and looked back through the scope, lining up the crosshairs on my mark.

I sucked in some air and tightened my grip, and followed him.

"Patience, Maria," I told myself. "Wait for it."

He walked by the window once, then twice, and settled into a black leather desk chair.

"Wait for it."

He swiveled to face the computer screen, and I had my chance. What a shot what a chance what a shot.

What a shot.

Make it clean.

Make it swift.

Pull the trigger.

"Now."

The shot rang out and echoed off the tops of buildings, blending in with the heavy traffic below.

Sometime later, I was lazing peacefully on a Swan Boat, tallying my score. A confirmed kill on Carlos Manoso ran high at 500 points, plus a 100 point bonus for having gotten through RangeMan security. The bonus would be disputed, since I hadn't been inside the building, but I would deal with that later.

I felt a smile coming on as I folded my notebook and tucked it inside my bag. The day was definitely perking up.