“Let’s stay on this side, ” said Hattori, holding his partner back.

“I don’t want to get too close.”

“You know what? I think the bastard’s cruising!”

“So? Adepts gotta get laid too, right?”

“With all his money, he’s going to pick up some street whore?”

“Maybe he likes it sleazy. I don’t know. He is supposed to be

helping out the Bureau. Maybe he’s out looking for the killer.”

“The way he was eyeing those dancers in the bar?”

Hattori shrugged. “He’s a man. I didn’t notice you blushing and

looking away.”

Kanno stopped and started talking to a hooker in a black leather

minidress and boots. A moment later she took his arm and they

started walking down the street.

“Look at that, ” said Kawashima. “You figure he’s just going to

ask her a few questions? Hi, honey, how’s tricks? Seen any Ginza

Monsters lately?”

His partner did not reply. Kanno and the hooker turned a corner

and walked into an alley.

“Hey, I got a funny feeling about this.”

“Come on, ” Hattori said. They trotted across the street. They

were almost to the alley entrance when they heard a frenzied

scream.

“Shit!”

They both pulled out their guns and ran into the alley. At first,

they couldn’t see anything in the darkness. They proceeded

cautiously. The screaming had stopped. And then they heard some

movement just ahead of them, behind a dumpster.

“I don’t like this, ” whispered Kawashima. “Let’s get the hell out

of here.”

Suddenly something came hurtling at them over the dumpster

with a roar. Something that moved with incredible speed.

Something long and sinewy, with leathery wings and claws and

gaping jaws. There was the sound of a shot, then a horrified scream