The Rising Sea (NUMA Files 15)

“Not to worry,” Nagano replied. “It comes out on a secondary highway. We should have no problems.”

Kurt sat up and looked through the tinted back window. “Anyone following us?”

“Not that I can see,” Nagano replied, looking in the mirror.

Joe and Akiko popped up, blocking the view.

“This is most peculiar,” Nagano said. “I remember dropping off two passengers, fully clothed. I’ve picked up three and one of you is wearing pajamas. Please tell me all this commotion is not because one of you kissed the wrong woman.”

“Not this time,” Joe said.

Kurt cut in. “Superintendent, allow me to introduce Akiko. Akiko, this is Superintendent Nagano of the Japanese Federal Police. I believe he’s been looking for you.”

A scowl crossed her face, but she said nothing. Nagano was quiet as well but began to laugh softly. “It must have been quite an evening.”

“That it was,” Kurt said. “It’s not every day you win ten million yen, find a beautiful woman and rescue your best friend from certain death, only to be chased by men with guns and dogs.”

“Don’t believe a word of it,” Joe said. “That stuff happens with alarming regularity around here.”

Akiko glanced at Joe and then looked back to Kurt. Her lips curled into a smile and she laughed softly. It was the first sign of mirth Kurt had seen from her. “Don’t forget,” she added, “we also poisoned a high-ranking Yakuza leader.”

“Terrific,” Joe said. “That should add to our life expectancy.”

“We never actually poisoned him,” Kurt said. “I found a bottle of caffeine pills in the locker room. People who have to be on their feet for ten

hours a day tend to use those kind of stimulants. Akiko crushed up five of them and dumped them in his drink. Between the caffeine rush and the power of suggestion, he probably felt like his heart was going to blow.”

“He may still want revenge,” Nagano warned.

“Not likely,” Kurt said. “Otherwise, he’d have to tell everyone that he helped us escape.”

Across from Kurt, Nagano nodded. “Considering what it’s going to cost me to repair this car, I hope you accomplished more than upsetting the Yakuza.”

Kurt grew serious. “We found out who paid for the attack. A Chinese businessman named Han.”

Nagano glanced at Kurt. “Walter Han?” As he spoke the name, the superintendent’s voice was half an octave deeper than normal. “No, no, no. Surely, you misunderstood.”

“I heard what I heard,” Kurt said. “He paid Ushi-Oni to attack Kenzo’s castle.”

“It makes no sense,” Nagano insisted.

“Why?” Joe asked. “Who is he?”

“Han is a high-tech magnate,” Nagano said. “An industrialist whose companies build aircraft parts and machinery. They sell advanced robotics systems to factories here and in China. He’s been a powerful voice suggesting China and Japan should end centuries of suspicion and begin working together. This is a man who spends time with Prime Ministers and Presidents, not rubbing shoulders with the Yakuza.”

“Then where would one of those Yakuza bosses get the name?” Kurt asked.

“A fabrication,” Nagano said. “He must have made it up.”

“It’s a rather unusual name to pull out of thin air,” Joe said. “Half Western, half Chinese.”

“Han has been in the news lately,” Nagano said. “He was at a state dinner the other night. He’s opening a new production facility in Nagasaki this week. He’s going to be there for the signing of the new cooperation agreement between Japan and China.”

“You’re suggesting Kashimora gave me this name because he saw Walter Han on TV.”

“Possibly.”

Kurt considered that and then shook his head. “I’m not buying it. A funny thing happens in moments of extreme duress: the mind reverts to its most primitive desire—survival. And considering the predicament Kashimora was in at that moment, I’d bet his only thought was to save his skin.”