just came in from America. Reservations at the Imperial were

booked from New York, well after the murders had begun. They

weren’t even in the country when this whole thing started. He’s not

our killer.”

“Fugisawa went to see him for a reason. We have to find out

why. And what happened between the time they checked out of the

hotel and the limo arrived at Kanno’s shop. If those remains have

not yet been identified, there’s a chance that Cornwall and the

others are the victims. ” He paused, thinking. “These killings don’t

sound like the others. The common denominator is Kanno. You’ve

been updating the database on our adepts?”

“Of course. We’re narrowing it down a lot.”

“Check on Kanno for me. Let’s not step on Sakahara’s toes. Make

it look routine, just part of the process of elimination that we’ve

been pursuing. Question Kanno’s apprentices. Get a list of his

clients and check his appointment book at the shop. Find out

everything you can. See if he has any alibis for the times and dates

of any of the murders.”

Kitano frowned. “You suspect Kanno?”

“I don’t suspect anyone right now. I’m merely being methodical.

We seem to have two sets of murders, on the surface, apparently

unrelated. However, Kanno is the one common denominator

between them.”

“What about Fugisawa?”

Akiro shook his head. “I’ve already checked him out. He’s got

alibis for at least six of the murders.”

Kitano stared at him. “You don’t leave a thing to chance, do you?”

He shook his head. “And Watanabe’s removed you from the case.

The man’s an idiot.”

“He’s under a great deal of pressure, ” Akiro said, wondering why

he was making excuses for him. “What have you got on the male

victim from the alley last night?”

“The Yakuza? He’s got a sheet. Fumio Hattori. One of Don

Kobayashi’s people.”

“Don Kobayashi. Where can I get in touch with him?”