“No, I don’t. He’s too damn passive. But it’s really not his fault.

He has no experience in dealing with homicide. He just doesn’t

know what he’s doing.”

“Mmmm. That must make things rather awkward between you.”

“Not really. He doesn’t even know I’m still involved. As far as he

knows, I’ve officially turned the case over to the Bureau and

washed my hands of it.”

“Ah. So then you’re not getting your information directly from

him.”

“No, I’m not.”

Kobayashi nodded. “It is useful to have one’s sources.”

“Yes. I guess you’d know all about that.”

Kobayashi held up his hand. “Truce, Fugisawa. We are, at least

for the moment, on the same side. To which end, I have already

taken steps to achieve a solution to this problem that would work to

our mutual advantage.”

“You mean you’ve put out a contract on the killer?”

Kobayashi smiled. “Truce is not the same as trust. I have not

forgotten to whom I am speaking, Lieutenant.”

“You want to check me for a wire?”

“Why, are you wearing one?”

“No.”

“Then I will take you at your word. But I am not responsible for

any assumptions you might make.”

“Well, then I will go ahead and make them. Assuming you made

any arrangements regarding our mutual problem, should I assume

you followed your usual procedures?”

“This is an unusual situation.”

“I see. An independent, then.”

“As I said, I am not responsible for your assumptions.”

“Come on, Kobayashi, give me a hint. I’m already much farther

out on a limb than you are. It might help if I knew whom not to