Kobayashi merely shrugged. “I very much doubt that. In any

case, I am willing to take that chance. There is far too much at

stake. The council expects results from me. I have no desire to lose

face before them.”

“You’ll lose a great deal of face if you’re arrested.”

Kobayashi smiled. “Then arrest me. I’m sure that your superiors

would be very interested in hearing the details of our ‘arrangement.

’ How do you think Inspector Katayama of the B. O. T. would

respond to that?”

“Don’t push me, Kobayashi. I’m not going to be intimidated. I’m

warning you, call your people off. Call them off right now.”

Kobayashi’s eyes narrowed. “Shiro, I think Lt. Fugisawa’s

leaving.”

Shiro snapped his fingers and the two men at the door instantly

came to stand on either side of Fugisawa.

“Good night, Lieutenant, ” Said Kobayashi.

Fugisawa glowered at him, then got up and was escorted out the

door.

“I fear that he may be a problem, ” said Kobayashi after

Fugisawa left.

“Problems can be eliminated, ” said Shiro. He glanced up at the

video monitors and saw Fugisawa being escorted out of the club.

“Yes, I think that might be best, ” said Kobayashi.

Shiro was staring at the monitor intently. Fugisawa was just

going out the door, but his gaze was on the two young people who

were going out after him.

“I’ll be right back, ” he said.

He went outside into the hall and hurried out into the main room

of the club. He encountered the two men who had escorted

Fugisawa out returning.

“Two people just left here, ” he said. “A girl in yellow breeches

and a black chain-mail leather jacket and a young man in a

warlock’s cassock, with a headband. Follow them.”