instructions to stick with Kanno, they stuck with Kanno. They

were following him when they were killed.”

“But you don’t know for certain that Kawashima was killed, ”

said Fugisawa.

“If he were alive, I would have heard from him.”

“What about those two men who were supposed to relieve them?”

asked Fugisawa. “I assume you knew them, as well, but they didn’t

exactly follow your instructions, did they?”

“They were, in fact, following my instructions to the letter, ” said

Takeo, “but their vehicle was struck by a scooter while they were

on their way to relieve Kawashima and Hattori. The scooter rider

was killed. A police cruiser happened to be on the scene and one of

the officers was observant. He detected the bulge of their shoulder

holsters underneath their jackets and they were arrested on the

spot. Fortunately for them, as it turns out. They are still in custody.

However, after hearing what happened to Kawashima and Hattori,

they are not complaining.”

“Have you got anybody watching Kanno now?”

“I have sent five men to watch his shop, but there has been no

sign of him. He may be inside or he may not. I also have five men

watching his residence and another five men watching the

apartment building Kawashima and Hattori saw him enter. So far,

they have not been able to determine which apartment he went

into. Up to this point, none of them have seen him. They all have

instructions to kill him on sight.”

“No, absolutely not, ” Fugisawa said. “Tell them to maintain

surveillance, but I don’t want anybody shooting at him.”

“You do not give orders here, Fugisawa, ” said Kobayashi softly.

“I will determine what course my people take, not you. The moment

Kanno shows his face, he’s dead.”

“But you really don’t know for sure it’s Kanno, ” Fugisawa

protested. “What if you wind up killing the wrong man?”

“Kanno is the killer.”

“But what if he isn’t?”