chance in doing that. If those papers were discovered missing before

he could put his plan into effect… and what if Nishikawa chose not

to go along with it?

Nervously Shiro lit a cigarette and picked up the phone. He

dialed Nishikawa’s number.

—“This is Shiro, ” he said when his call was answered. “I need to

speak with Don Nishikawa at once. It’s very important.”

He waited anxiously, chewing on his lower lip.

Nishikawa finally came on the line. “You have something for me,

Shiro?”

Shiro quickly outlined the situation for him.

“That doesn’t look very good for us, Shiro, ” Nishikawa said. “It

would seriously jeopardize our plans. Unless, of course, you have an

idea for a solution?”

“I have, Don Nishikawa. I have a plan that would neatly solve

the entire situation and allow you to get my father out of the way

and take over all his operations, with the council’s blessing.”

“Indeed? I’m interested to hear it.”

“I have my father’s briefcase. It’s monogrammed with his initials.

I’ve filled it with documents describing in detail certain operations

he’s running for the organization. Tonight, at sunset, he’s having

another meeting with Fugisawa at the Nijubashi

Bridge. I will find an excuse to be elsewhere when the meeting

occurs. All you have to do is have your soldiers hit the meeting. Kill

them all. Then, in return for full payment for my services, I will

turn over the briefcase to you. With that and the photographs I’ve

given you, it will look as if my father has been passing information

concerning Yakuza operations to the police. I will leave the country

and you will be able to take credit for eliminating a traitor to the

organization. “

For a moment Nishikawa said nothing. “You would set up your

own father for a hit?”

“It’s the only way. I’ve gone too far to back out now.”

Shiro was starting to sweat. He dragged deeply on his cigarette