vultures. I’m glad you’re here. I was hoping to catch you at

headquarters, but I was called away on this. I just wanted to tell

you how sorry I am about what happened.”

“No reason to be sorry. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I know that, but I still feel awkward about it. What they did to

you stinks. I admit I wanted this case, but not like this.”

“Well, I appreciate that.”

“Look, I understand you’ve been given some time off and if you

want to take it, I don’t blame you. But I’d really appreciate your

help on this. It’s really your case, I don’t care what Watanabe says.

Please don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t want to take all the credit.

If you’re willing to do it on your own time,

I’d really like for us to work together. And I don’t mean for you to

stay in the background. Maybe I can learn a few things. “

Akiro was touched. “You should have been a diplomat,

Sakahara.”

The younger man stiffened slightly. “I meant that sincerely.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sure you did. I didn’t mean that the way it

sounded. And I’m grateful for the offer. I don’t like to leave things

unfinished. But I have a feeling Watanabe would object.”

“He told you to brief me on the case, didn’t he? Well, you’re going

to be briefing me. He didn’t say how long it had to take, did he?”

Akiro smiled. “No, he didn’t.”

“Fine. It’s settled then. Has there been any word from

Fugisawa?”

“No, not yet. They were going to try him at home.”

“I think he’s onto something and I want to know what the hell it

is. I just hope he’s not one of the bodies down there. Come on in and

have a look. It’s pretty damn grisly. I hope you’ve got a strong

stomach. Several of the men lost their breakfasts.”

“Yohaku is going to meet us here shortly. You should make sure

the men will let him through.”

“The old man himself? No kidding?”