“He owns a club in the Ginza, the Paradise. And he’s got offices

in the Takamura Building.”

I wonder what his connection with this is. I’ll be in my office. “

He went back to his office and told his secretary that he wasn’t in

and didn’t want to be disturbed unless Kitano called him. Then he

asked her to see if she could get Yohaku on the phone right away.

He sat down behind his desk, a look of concentration on his face. He

hoped that Fugisawa wasn’t dead. He knew something. Only what?

A moment later his secretary buzzed him.

“I have Master Yohaku on the phone, ” she said.

Akiro picked up the phone. “Sensei? This is Akiro Katayama, of

the Bureau of Thaumaturgy. You remember me?”

“Of course, ” the mage said. “I am glad you called. I was going to

get in touch with you today. I must see you.”

“I’d like to see you, too, Sensei. There have been some new

developments. Have you spoken with Kanno recently?”

“No, I haven’t. But that is what I wanted to speak with you

about.”

“There is a chance he may be dead.”

“Dead?”

“We don’t yet know for certain. There’s been no word from him.

Some bodies were discovered in the basement of his shop early this

morning. They have not yet been identified. I was just on my way

there. If it would not be too great an inconvenience, would it be

possible for you to meet me?”

“Certainly. I will leave at once.”

“If you arrive before I do, Sensei, there will most likely be police

there. I have been… there is a new agent in charge of the case. A

young man named Sakahara. If he is still there, please tell him that

I will arrive shortly and would like to speak with him.”

“Of course. You are leaving now?”

“Yes, I should be there in just a little while.”

“Good. I will see you there.”