Duty, Honor, Country, Family - Part 16 free porn video

Duty, Honor, Country, Family - Part Sixteen By Danielle J Synopsis- Tom Slater receives messages from the Swan Song committee and Gabrielle Tanaka at the same time she prepares for a move to Hong Kong. I must express my thanks to Puddin' for helping me prepare this story chapter for publication. Also thank you to Linda Beth, Xoop, and Janet for their help. ***** "Hiromi-san, should the next Oyabun ask you to work for the family, would you do it?" "Of course I would do that, Tiger-san." "Your grandfather has plans for you. I do not think you agree with them." "He is both my grandfather and our Oyabun. I cannot be disrespectful to him." "Your grandfather will soon select a new Oyabun." "Yes, I know that. I have no doubt, Tiger-san, that you will be my grandfather's choice." "Is there anyone else your grandfather should consider?" Tom had to pause for a moment. Was Dai Hashimoto sent by Keiji Watanabe to test his granddaughter in order to learn if she still had ambition to be Oyabun? Tom replied to Dai's question very carefully. "The family has many fine shareigashiras. I think Katsuaki Koike would make a wise and strong Oyabun one day." Dai expressed his agreement with Tom's assessment by silently nodding his head. Just then, Hirom's computer monitor came out of screensaver mode and beeped, flashing an instant message alert. Tom glanced at the PC. Evidently Ryoji Ishii needed to speak to her. "Hiromi-san, am I taking you away from anything?" "No, Dai, it can wait." Dai and Tom next discussed the merits of the remaining Watanabe shareigashiras. The general consensus was that these men and one woman were all working out well. A few were still learning their jobs and were in need of some supervision, but these particular ones had a good overall job performance so far. "You will begin another audit tomorrow?" "Yes, Tiger-san, I will," Tom said. "I was given this responsibility by Goro-san not long after I came to work for the family." "Hiromi-san, I think you should delegate these duties to someone else. There is much more important work for you to do." "The next audit will be my last one." Dai looked incredibly pleased by Tom's answer. Then he checked his watch. "I do not want to take any more of your time." Tom and Dai rose from their seats and exchanged bows. "You can call on me anytime you want, Dai-san. I will always make time for you." After Dai left, Tom began to mull over their meeting. While she was doing this, Aki and Suki entered the room. "Taro-san," Suki said as she carried a vase full of red roses into the room. "These came for you." Aki had two messages for her Taro. One was written, the other verbal. "Ryoji asked that you call him." "Is there anything you need us for, Sato-san?" "No, Suki, Aki, not right now," Tom said as she read the card that came with the roses. It said 'For my little sports car with love- Chuck.' "We will go to lunch soon." Tom took a glance at her wristwatch. She was surprised to see it was a few minutes after twelve already. "Don't let me keep you. I may join both of you after I make a few phone calls." "We look forward to chatting with you, Sato-san." Aki and Suki then left Tom's office. Tom placed a call to Ryoji Ishii. "What is so important you felt the need to interrupt my meeting with Dai-san?" "Our person at the port informs me the shipment has cleared customs. The Inagawas will pick it up in the usual fashion." "Good." Was Tom's brusque reply before she abruptly hung up the phone. The next phone call for Tom was to Chuck. "Thank you for the flowers." When Chuck didn't reply right away, Tom's mind began to wander. How did she get to this point in her life? ***** As a heterosexual man temporarily encased in a woman's body, Tom Slater had, by his own admission, lucked out with Chuck. The guy was loving, gentle, patient, and extremely considerate to her. Their relationship had been crucial in easing the distaste Tom felt from having to maintain the life of the real Hiromi, who was cruel and unfeeling in real life, and had made many of the people around her frightened and uneasy. Her tall, well built, and extremely handsome Australian had been her refuge, and now her husband. In a contemplative moment before he assumed the identity of Hiromi Sato, Tom had likened his male soul, safely inside the male body she'd had then, to a treasure locked inside an impenetrable chest. The outside could be dinged and have its surface changed or damaged, but what was inside, the core of Tom Slater, would always remain the same. Like so many other aspects of Operation Swan Song, this early assumption was proving to be far off the mark. Tom Slater's soul or core being was being made over ever so slowly by outside forces. That impenetrable chest had at least one big leak and Tom knew it. From Tom's earliest days as a woman, he always had one refuge where he could be himself. It was in the dreams he had every night. It was there Captain Tom Slater still lived, fought, and loved. Tom had rarely been a woman ? or worse, a filthy Yakuza ? when he was in dreamland. As time passed, the dreams began to alter themselves. Just like Tom was being altered by the life she lived. Just the last Sunday night, she had dreamed of being a female scientist locked in a laboratory for years on end with someone always knocking on the lab door. Finally, Tom went and opened the door. Her sister Susan came in and asked, "Sister, what have you been doing in here?" "I am trying to invent a nail polish remover that doesn't stick." Just the previous night, Tom dreamed of being in an endless closet of female clothing, where she'd tried on one dress after another. Those that had met with her approval had been neatly returned to their hangers. Those that hadn't were thrown into a fire. All during the selection process, Tom had just one criteria for approving the dress. Would Chuck think she was pretty when wearing it? When she woke up, and was selecting which outfit to wear to work that morning, she made her decision based on how Chuck had reacted in the past, and would react to it when he saw it on her. Her dreams were beginning to match her real life. "Kimi-chan, you always look smashing in that dress," Chuck had said to his wife when she emerged from the bedroom in the peach-colored dress she'd picked, and the compliment had made her feel very warm and happy inside. After she got the DNA therapy and had that talk with Christine Jennings, Tom firmly decided she would focus on her Swan Song work. Any possible post-mission consequences, like the danger of being a woman for the rest of her life, would wait for another day. That 'another day' had arrived as Tom neared the completion of Swan Song. Tom, like any man might have done when he found himself transformed into a woman, had needed some time to adjust to her new gender and bring his fears and apprehension about being suddenly female in every way, right down to the genetic level, under control. But after fourteen months of being female, Tom was very comfortable in being a woman, and in being married to a man. But at the same time, her heterosexual male soul or core still wanted to return to his original gender, or thought that it ought to want this. But that desire had been fading of late, and was now very weak. Of greater concern to Tom, was the reshaping of her soul. It was becoming more female, and more heterosexual female in nature, with each passing day, and Tom didn't know what to make of it. Just before she'd called Chuck, but after she'd read the card that accompanied the flowers, Tom had fallen into a daydream. She and Chuck were living on their farm in Australia, where they had a young son, and Tom was pregnant again! In the dream, he was filled with joy and gratitude, and looking forward to giving birth to Chuck's second child, a new addition to their growing family. Tom shook his head at the memory. What Tom needed was a strong reminder of who he really was. The best remedy, he thought, would be a personal email or other communication from Gabrielle Tanaka, a woman he thought he might love. If he didn't hear from her soon, the end of Operation Swan Song might also mean the end of Tom Slater. ***** The unusual silence from his wife during a phone conversation caused Chuck to become concerned. "Kimi-chan, is everything all right? "Yes. I was just thinking. Thank you for the flowers. I love you." At the same time she said those words, Tom felt a pleasant warmth rise up inside her. Her good husband loved her so very much, and she loved him dearly. "Love you, too, Kimi-chan. What's your plan for lunch?" "I was going to stay here. Is that all right?" "Of course it is, Kimi-chan. I will meet you at the Doctor's office later." "See you there. I love you." As soon as Tom got off the phone, she went over to her office's mini-fridge. There was always something in there for lunch. ***** Tom was in the employee break room not too long afterwards. The women had saved a seat at the head of the table for her. She smiled at them. "What are we talking about today?" Tom asked as she sat down. Ever watchful of her feminine waistline, she'd brought along a banana yogurt and tuna salad for lunch. If and when he got his male body back, the first meal Tom would order would be a cheeseburger with everything on it. Ria, a secretary from the office, said, "Suki is becoming an Aunt." Tom suddenly perked up. "Your brother Hiroshi's wife, I forget her name?" "Mitsuyo is my sister-in-law." "Did Mitsuyo have the baby already?" Tom asked. She had grown to enjoy these lunch breaks at Watanabe Trucking. As time passed, Tom had grown to share some of the same interests as her female employees. One of which was an interest in Japanese soaps, the same dramas Tom Slater had complained about to Gabrielle during his Swan Song training phase, one more subtle change in the male Army Captain that didn't argue for an easy return to male life. "No, but she is in labor and going to the hospital right this minute. My brother called to tell me just a little while ago." As Suki told of her excitement at becoming a first time Aunt, Tom and all of the other nine women in a room shared her happiness. All of those present felt the camaraderie amongst themselves that came from their working together and all being of the comparable ages and the same gender. If one among them had some happiness or sadness in their life, most if not all came to share the same emotion. Tom suddenly felt as if he were setting off across a bleak and barren moor, or into the Arctic wilderness, alone. "Suki, I'm very happy for you," Tom replied before putting a spoonful of yogurt, and then, too quickly, a forkful of lettuce into her mouth, to fill the emptiness she'd felt inside her. ***** Former Japanese Defense Minister, Fukushiro Nukaga, was shown into the office of the Yokohama Chief of Police. Hirotada Sudo came out from behind his desk to greet this unusual visitor to his office. "Thank you, Hirotada-san, for giving me some of your time." Once both men were seated, just a tiny amount of small talk followed. Hirotada Sudo was a busy man, so he wasted before no time asking why Fukushiro Nukaga was there. "The body of my son-in-law, Tonichi Ogawa, was found in waters near here. I was told that the Yokohama police were conducting the investigation." A light went off in Hirotada's head. He knew of the Tonichi Ogawa murder, and the Police Chief had recently been contacted about it by the Japanese Prime Minister's office itself, of all people. They'd wanted to know how the investigation was proceeding. Hirotada now knew why Fukushiro Nukaga wanted to speak to him. As for the Tonichi Ogawa murder investigation, it was going nowhere. In fact, there were no members of the Yokohama police actively working on it right now. "Yes, I am familiar with that case," he said. "My daughter is grieving every day for her husband. There is also my grandson, who will never again see his father......" Hirotada Sudo quietly listened to Fukushiro. If his face showed no emotions, the Chief of the Yokohama police did grieve on the inside for the family of Tonichi Ogawa. "I want to know if the murderer of Tonichi will be found soon." In a solemn tone of voice, Fukushiro told a solemn lie. The truth would have caused him to lose face in front of the past, but still influential, Cabinet member. "There are two investigators working on the case right now." "If it is possible, may I speak to them?" "Fukushio-san, it would be best if I spoke to them first. Would it be acceptable to you if I call you in a few days with an update on the case?" "Yes, I would like that." ***** Tom's appointment with Dr. Rinako Miyake was scheduled for three thirty that afternoon, but they got to the doctor's office a few minutes early. Chuck and she were both anxious. After just a short wait, they were shown into the doctor's office and treatment area. The door to the inner office was barely closed behind Tom and Chuck when a young girl ran by them. "Kimi-chan, wasn't that girl adorable looking?" "Yes, she was." A nurse working for Dr. Miyake had Tom step on a scale in the hall outside the examination rooms while she quickly adjusted the weights on the balance arm until the pointer was centered on the indicator. Her weight was 55 kilograms. Tom made a mental calculation in her mind. 55 kilograms was approximately 122 lbs. The nurse told Tom she had gained one kilogram over the last twelve months, but she wasn't alarmed. Her breast implants alone probably accounted for a large part of the gain. When Tom got in the exam room, the nurse took Tom's vitals. She was also asked to give a urine sample. The exam room had an attached bathroom and that was where Tom did her business. She also took her clothing off and draped the paper sheet around herself, trying to maintain at least some dignity as she came out, looking not at all as stylish as when she'd entered. She gave the urine cup straight to the nurse. "The doctor will be in shortly," The nurse said before leaving the room. ***** Dr. Miyake was an attractive woman in her early forties and evidently very observant. It was only seconds after the gynecologist entered the exam room that she saw a change in Hiromi Sato's left hand since the last time she saw her, and commented on it. "You are married now." It was more a statement than a question from Dr. Miyake. "Yes, Doctor, I am." Tom was feeling a little bit anxious as she sat on the examination table. Chuck was seated in a corner chair. "This is my husband. His name is Charles McBride." Chuck took it upon himself to give Dr. Miyake a more precise timeline. "Kimi-chan and I were married on May 31st." Dr. Miyake smiled at her patient. "Let me congratulate you, Mrs. McBride. Now I have some questions to ask about your health since the last time I saw you....." Tom answered all the questions about Hiromi Sato's medical history over the last year. She hadn't had so much as a cold during the previous twelve months. "When was your last period?" Dr. Miyake asked Tom in Japanese. Tom didn't have to think about this any more; menstruation had become an integral part of her calendar and awareness of the passing of time. "Two weeks ago, maybe two and a half. I've been very busy." "When did you have your breasts augmented?" "It was last November," Tom replied. Did Dr. Miyake have that good a memory of Hiromi Sato that she would notice the change in her breast size? In fact, this was Tom's first appointment with this doctor. It was a reminder from Suki that told Tom that she was due for her annual exam. "I will need to examine them." Then Dr. Miyake asked if she was taking any medications. She answered that she was taking none, and added that she'd stopped taking her birth control pills. "When did you do this?" "It was sometime in May." For some reason, she blushed, because it was right about the time they'd been married. Dr. Miyake began her examination of Tom by listening to her heart and lungs. After she was satisfied all was normal with those organs, the doctor began to examine her patient's breasts. "Do you ever do self breast exams?" Tom was honest with the doctor. "No, I don't." "You should. A woman your age can develop breast cancer." "All right, doctor, I will start doing that. How often would do them?" "You should do them once a month at least, paying particular attention to the upper portion that extends toward your armpits and the area under your nipples. I'll have my nurse give you a brochure, and she can show you the latest methods as well. Do you have any complaints in regards to your implants?" "None, doctor, except they are heavy." She smiled. Next up for Tom was a pelvic exam and pap smear. As she'd had these examinations a year previous, in preparation for Operation Swan Song, she knew the drill ? lie down with your back on the table, spread your legs wide, and put your feet in the stirrups. Tom gritted her teeth, anticipating another horrible experience, when Dr. Miyake scooted her stool toward her, although she couldn't see because of the drape. To her surprise, she used her fingers first, explaining at each step what she was doing. She said that this was what they called a bimanual examination, because she would use two fingers of one hand to gently explore her vagina, uterus, and ovaries while gently pressing down on her abdomen, so she could feel any abnormalities or swelling that might indicate fibroids or ovarian cysts, or any number of other conditions, and make sure that everything was as it should be. She asked Hiromi to please tell her if she felt any pain, even a twinge, because that might reveal something that should be investigated further. It all felt a little odd, although she was well used to Chuck's less clinical ? and far more pleasurable ? 'explorations' down there, but there wasn't any pain at all, and she almost began to weep in relief and gratitude. The doctors back in the States hadn't been nearly that sympathetic or kind. When she was ready to use the speculum so she could look at her vaginal walls and cervix, she had her nurse warm it under the water tap first, so it would be as comfortable as possible. It wasn't that bad. Not exactly foreplay, but neither the near torture she remembered from her previous experience. Tom resolved to pick her next gynecologist with more care, and to find a woman doctor if at all possible. Then, using a long cotton swab, Dr. Miyake removed a sample of Tom Slater's cervical cells for laboratory testing. As the doctor did this, Tom thought about Dr. Wagner and her DNA therapy. Was it so complete that when a patient's tissue was put under a microscope, no doctor or scientist can tell the difference between it and non-treated cellular material? "I'm finished," Dr. Miyake announced in English as she got up from the stool she was sitting on. She immediately took off her gloves and disposed of them in a container for medical waste. "Doctor, how am I?" Tom asked as she sat up. Chuck took this moment to come over and give his wife a kiss. "Everything looked normal, Mrs. McBride," Dr. Miyake said as she looked back at her patient. "It will take a week for me to get your pap smear results." Tom noted how Dr. Miyake called her Mrs. McBride. Not just once, but twice. Was the doctor making a commentary on her marriage to a non- Japanese? A fairly large percentage of Japanese women maintained their family name after marriage. Over a decade and a half had passed since Tom Slater lived with his family for seven years on Camp Zama but the memories were still strong for him. A majority of Japanese back then didn't approve of marriages like the one between his parents, Midori Sasaki and Stuart Slater. The haifu children of these marriages didn't have any easier time gaining acceptance. Was Japanese society any different in 2008 than it was in the late 1980's and early 1990's? "Is there anything you would like to ask, Mrs. McBride?" "Doctor, can I talk to you in private?" Tom asked. Chuck got the message. He gave his wife a kiss and then left the room. "Your husband understands some Japanese. Am I right?" Dr. Miyake spoke in Japanese. "Yes, Chuck does. His Japanese is pretty good and getting better." "You are very lucky then. He is a very handsome man also." She felt relieved. It wasn't the fact that she'd married a foreigner, then. "Yes, Chuck is handsome. Doctor, can I get some birth control pills?" Dr. Miyake frowned. Then, she walked over to a wall cabinet and opened a drawer with a key she kept in her coat pocket and took out several round dispensers in their pink wrappers. She looked at them for a moment, and then carried them in one hand as she came back over to Tom. "Mrs. McBride, you are almost twenty-nine years of age and a married woman," Dr. Miyake said in a firm tone of voice. "Yes, I am, Doctor." "Why do you wish to take birth control now?" Dr. Miyake said, holding the birth control pills slightly behind her back. Tom could feel it. The doctor was laying a guilt trip on her. "I... I want to wait a while before having a baby." "Mrs. McBride, you will not be more fertile in a few years than you are now. You're already past your most fertile years, and I can cite or show you studies that say you will have a smaller chance of conceiving the longer you wait. You made the choice to accept pregnancy once, in consultation with your husband, when you first married, and are now having second thoughts, aren't you?" Tom listened to Dr. Miyake's lecture without uttering a word, but nodded, already ashamed of herself. The gynecologist said, "You realize, don't you, that you'll have to use alternative birth control, or refuse sexual relations with your husband, for at least two months before you'll be able to rely on them, and you're right in the middle of your cycle, so you might be pregnant right now. Taking these pills," here she waved them in her face as if they were something foul, "might seriously harm your baby. This isn't something you can do in secret, hiding the fact from your husband, because you've changed your mind but don't want to tell him." Then she started in on a lecture about Japan's declining birth rate. Was one woman at fault for causing Japan's population to fall? 'Why don't you tell this doctor who you really are? She'll think you're nuts, but there is also doctor-patient privilege. Dr. Miyake can't go tell others what you said to her.' "When I was your age I already had given birth to my first child and was pregnant with another. Do you know I have three children?" Tom was being worn down. This time it was being done by an angry female doctor. "No, I didn't. Was that your daughter I saw around the office?" "Yes, it is. Her name is Miyoshi and she is seven years old." "She's very pretty." "Thank you. Wouldn't you like to have a similar child? I have not known your husband long, but I think he would like that also." Tom looked Dr. Miyake straight in the eye and then glanced down at herself. For a few seconds Tom thought of his mother and how happy she would be at becoming a grandmother again. Chuck also wanted to be a father, to build a real family together, and it would hurt him deeply if she now said that she'd decided not to go through with what they'd agreed to just a few months ago. The worst of it was that he would allow her to hurt him, no matter how terribly, because he loved her. She began to cry. "Do you still want these?" Dr. Miyake extended the hand that held the birth control pills. Under the weight of her doctor's obvious disapproval, her own guilt over her selfish attempt to deceive the man who loved her more then he loved his life, and feeling a deep need to please the most important people in her life, Tom caved in, and let herself answer, "No, I don't." "Very good then," Dr. Miyake said, before returning the pills to the cabinet she'd taken them from. Then she smiled, the kindness returning to her face and voice. "We all have fears, Mrs. McBride. I faced them, and so must you. You carry the weight of all your husband's hopes for the future, as well as your own, but we're both women, and know how to cope with such burdens, with love and with joy. Do you have any other questions?" "No, doctor, I don't." "I will see you again in one year, if not earlier than that. Remember that, besides gynecology, I have an obstetrical practice. Good day, Mrs. McBride." Dr. Miyake left the room and Tom collected his clothes and dressed herself again, checking her makeup and the appearance of her clothes in the mirror over the lavatory sink, repaired her eyeliner, and put on a fresh bit of lipstick. ***** Chuck was patiently waiting by the appointment desk. He smiled broadly on seeing his wife again. "Did everything go all right, Kimi-chan?" "Yes, it did." She looked deeply into his eyes, and then leaned into his always-welcoming embrace. ***** Gabrielle paid a visit to Inspector Yoshida at a little past 5 p.m. "If you have nothing for me to do, I'm going to leave for the day." "You may go, Gabrielle-san. I will be leaving shortly too." Before Gabrielle got a chance to leave the office, a police sergeant entered the room and handed Inspector Yoshida a note. The policeman instantly began to shake his head. "Inspector, is that anything I should know about?" "Konsuke Nomura has been arrested again. I must now go and arrange his release." "Can I be of any help? Gabrielle asked. Konsuke Nomura was the homeless person who delivered Tom Slater's Swan Song message to Inspector Yoshida. "Thank you, Gabrielle-san, but I must do this myself." Gabrielle and Inspector Yoshida then left the office. ***** Konsuke Nomura had been arrested for petty theft earlier that afternoon. Inspector Yoshida found him in a basement holding cell. "Knuckler-san, you came to see me again," Konsuke said as he pointed to a spot on his bunk for Inspector Yoshida to sit down on. Inspector Yoshida preferred to remain standing. "Konsuke-san, I asked you to not get in trouble again." "I know, I know. It was a small accident on my part." Inspector Yoshida didn't argue with Konsuke's phraseology. The term 'small accident' doesn't apply to a deliberate attempt at shoplifting electronic items. "Today, I will release you again. This will be the last time." "I won't disappoint you, Knuckler-san. You gave me an important job to do." Inspector Yoshida gave a slight nod of his head. "Yes, and I need you to still be there should another message be sent for me. Now come with me." Konsuke got off his bunk and exited the cell. The two men then walked to the outprocessing area. In a half hour, Konsuke Nomura was again a free man. Inspector Yoshida left the police station for home at approximately the same time as Konsuke Nomura. He did not think it likely that Agent Ripley would again use Konsuke to deliver a message for him. Still the policeman had decided to leave that avenue open. Operation Swan Song had lost too many field agents already and caution with its last remaining one seemed the prudent thing to do. ***** Since leaving the presence of Tokuro Inagawa, Akihisa Uno had used all his time and energy devising a plan to murder Hiromi Sato. Now with that work completed, he summoned three men to his Tokyo apartment. All said they would be there in one hour or less. During the interval, Akihisa again studied the intelligence he had been given on Hiromi Sato, and the assassination plan he had devised from it. The tight time frame he had been given plus the limited inside information known to the Inagawa-kai about its greatest enemy, limited Akihisa's options. He did know where Hiromi Sato lived, where she worked, and where she would be two nights that week. All the locations were firmly planted in Watanabe Yakuza territory. That made any plan difficult to execute but not impossible. Akihisa used google, and in particular google maps, to help his decision making. A scouting trip would have been preferred but the time element ruled this out. It was just good fortune that Akihisa had a pretty good knowledge of Yokohama, acquired this over the years from his visits to friends and family members living there. Korin Ikaba was the first to arrive at the apartment. "Akihisa-san, it has been a long time." "Yes, it has," Akihisa said as he closed the door. Akihisa offered Korin a beer, his friend declined. "What is this job you said you may have for me?" "Be patient, Korin-san, I am waiting for two others to arrive. We will talk then." Korin laughed. "Then I will have that beer you offered me." Keitaro Katsu and Shizue Takeshita were the last to arrive. Like Korin Ikaba, they were an old friends of Akihisa Uno. All four men were well- acquainted with one another. As soon as his last two guests had settled in with their beers, Akihisa got right down to business. "Tokuro Inagawa has given me a very important job to do. I was hoping all three of you can help me." Each of the men Akihisa was speaking to knew who Tokuro Inagawa was, though only he and Keitaro Katsu were members of the Inagawa-kai Yakuza. "A job request from Tokuro-san himself. It must be very important," Shizue commented. "It is. We have been asked to eliminate one of the Watanabes. Are any of you familiar with Hiromi Sato?" "Bitchy little woman. She is their bookkeeper," Keitaro said. Katsu expressed some surprise at Tokuro Inagawa wanting Hiromi Sato dead. What woman could possibly be a threat to the Inagawa-kai? "Tokuro-san has his motives;. I do not think that is important. Are you all interested in helping me?" All three men said yes. Performing a service for Tokuro Inagawa would be very good for their futures. "I have made out a plan. It is based on Tokuro-san wanting Sato dead by the end of this week and how much we know about her." "We are listening, Akihisa-san," Shizue said. Before getting started, Akihisa asked Shizue, Keitaro, and Korin to speak freely. If they had suggestions, he wanted to hear them. Akihisa then began to lay out the way all four of them would assassinate Hiromi Sato. Since none of the men were expected to give up their life in their lives in achieving their goal, the all important method of escape was part of the discussion. "Akihisa-san, I think this plan is workable," Shizue said. "I want to know what you think Keitaro-san? You have the have the most important job." Keitaro, who had been chain smoking through out the meeting, put down his cigarette and began to laugh. "Too bad we don't have the time to get an RPG. Nothing says, 'you die,' like a Rocket propelled grenade." All the men laughed. "Seriously, Keitaro-san, do you see any problems in completing your mission?" "No, Akihisa-san. When I am through, Hiromi Sato will be very dead." ***** "Dinner was excellent, Riko-san," Tom said to the cook and housekeeper for Keiji Watanabe. Riko Watanabe had just begun to clear the dinner table. As usual, her employer was slow in finishing his meal. "I am glad you enjoyed it, Sato-san." The purpose of Tom's dinner with Keiji Watanabe didn't come out till until dinner was over and the two of them, plus Chuck, had gone to the private office of the Oyabun. Before any discussion took place, Riko made sure everyone had something to drink. "Granddaughter, what is it you and Chuck wish to speak to me about?" "I have thought it over, Grandfather. You asked me to move to Hong Kong in order that I be safe. Now I see you were right." Keiji gently nodded his head at the same time he allowed himself to smile for a few moments. 'You have made the right and only decision I will allow, granddaughter.' "Your decision is very wise and I will abide by it. Grandfather, will you please accept my apology for the recent outburst of anger I directed at you. I should be grateful for all the many things you have done for me," Tom said with a bowed head. The Hiromi Sato persona had endangered herself and Tom by blowing off steam at Keiji Watanabe just nine days earlier. Tom had to make amends, not just to insure his personal survival, but the success of Operation Swan Song also. "Granddaughter, I accept your apology. I wish you and Charles a life of happiness together." Chuck spoke up for the first time. "Thank you, sir. I love Hiromi very much." Keiji again gave a brief smile. "I know that. It is my hope you can give me a great grandchild soon." As Chuck touched her hand, Tom noted how Keiji put an emphasis on the word 'soon.' Was the elderly Oyabun in poor health or just expressing a recognition of his own mortality?" Chuck spoke. "Sir, we're working on it. Aren't we, Kimi-chan?" "Yes, I am. The doctor told me today that this was a good age to become pregnant." Keiji gave his biggest smile yet. His granddaughter was already doing what he had asked of her. "Chuck and I are seriously thinking of selling the banks in a few years and then move to Australia. We would buy a farm there." Keiji nodded his head in approval. "That sounds like a wonderful plan." In fact Keiji thought Hiromi's dream of becoming a farmer's wife was one more piece of evidence that she was unsuited to be a Yakuza, yet alone a Oyabun. Farming was for simple minded people. Tom and Chuck talked to Keiji for a little while longer. It was already past 9 p.m. and it was becoming late for all three of them. "Charles, I would like to speak to my granddaughter in private." "All right, sir," Chuck said as he got up from his seat. He then walked over to Keiji and shook the man's hand. "Thank you, again, for allowing me to marry your granddaughter." Keiji didn't speak to Tom untill Chuck was out of the room and the door was closed behind him. "Granddaughter, I have several requests of you." "Grandfather, I am always available to assist you." Keiji nodded his head. "The family still has business partners in Hong Kong. If the new Oyabun has some business matter with them, I hope you can still offer assistance." "Of course I can, Grandfather." "I gave you Kanagawa Bank to run as you like. It has pleased me very much how you have used this financial institution to help the family. What I ask of you now, is if you decide one day that you no longer want to run Kanagawa that you return it to the family." "Grandfather, I will do as you ask. How about the East China Commerce Bank I have purchased?" "East China is yours to keep. I will have our lawyers draw up the proper papers for Kanagawa." "You are very wise, Grandfather," Tom said. Her effort to make Keiji Watanabe feel less threatened by his granddaughter appeared to have worked. ***** Since she arrived back at her apartment, Gabrielle had spent almost every second of time writing and revising an email she would soon send to Tom Slater. There was so much she wanted to say to him. The email wouldn't be going out for another day at least, but its ending was already composed and no change would be made to it. It read: I love you, Gabrielle ***** When Tom got back to the apartment, he found Chuck already in the shower. "What, you couldn't wait for me?" "I am sorry, Kimi-chan. It looked like you and Grandfather may be talking for a while. Want to still come in and join me?" "Yes, I would. Can you wait for me for one minute?" "Of course, Kimi-chan." Tom and her husband took a shower together. As was their custom, they helped to wash one another. It was during this that Chuck again noted the strange absence of a scar on near his wife's left ankle. Chuck found this odd but since the rest of his wife was the same, which included two prominent birthmarks or freckles, he just thought Hiromi's skin had undergone some miraculous healing. What else could it be? During the shower process, Tom was careful with the parts of Chuck's skin that were sunburned. "I'll put some lotion on it after we get out of the shower." "I'd appreciate that, Kimi-chan." After they were finished in the bathroom, Tom and Chuck went to the living room. There they watched a Japanese variety show on television as they cuddled on the couch together. Tom was the first to announce she wanted to go to sleep. Chuck announced he felt tired also and joined his wife in going to the bedroom. "I got to go pee," Chuck said to Tom. "Go ahead." While Chuck was taking care of his business, Tom took a few moments to straighten out her dresser. Behind it was a wall mirror. As Tom studied her reflection for a few seconds, Chuck came up from behind and pressed his body up against his wife's. "I never knew anyone more beautiful than you, Kimi-chan. I love you so much." "I love you, too," Tom replied as Chuck's erect penis pressed against her lower back. That magic Chuck had over all heterosexual women, and his wife in particular, went to work. Tom fought hard within herself not to capitulate. The stakes were too high. "Would you like me to make love to you, my little sports car?" Tom continued the fight but she was weakening. Chuck was such a sweet guy, a gentle lover, and no matter how much his male soul wanted to say no, Tom couldn't. She needed some physical love, not just emotional. "Kimi-chan, I understand if you still hurt from your examination by the doctor. We can wait till until tomorrow if you want." Tom was playing with fire, but the fire Chuck lit inside her couldn't be doused with kisses and snuggling. "No, please make love to me now. I need you inside me." ***** Operation Swan Song wasn't the only assignment Scott Avery had at the time of the last committee meeting. In fact he was assisting on four other FBI investigations. One of which involved a senior Congressman from the Mid-Atlantic region who had long been suspected of taking kickbacks. Recently, a former staffer of his had approached the bureau. She had lost her job after refusing the sexual advances of her boss. Before the firing took place, the Congressman had sent many private messages to his employee. In order to impress her and gain sexual favors, the politician dumbly told the staffer of his extra income. As revenge, that staffer came to the FBI with her laptop computer. All keyboard activity on a computer, emails and private messages to name just two, leave a small footprint on the machine's hard drive. In most cases, these can be restored. When Scott got to work on Tuesday morning, he was called into his supervisor's office. Norma Tashjian gave Scott Avery his new assignment. The computer expert tried to protest. "Ma'am, I have some other work that needs to be completed." "Scott, you do what work I tell you to do." "Yes Ma'am. What should I tell Director Williamson if he calls and asks when that email will be ready?" "I'll handle that. Now get to work." The new assignment given to Scott kept him busy the rest of Tuesday and well into the next day. He found just enough time before going home on Tuesday night to prepare the Swan Song email and its attachment. When finished, he mailed it to Agent Ripley's Yahoo account. ***** "Thank you, Mrs. Sato," said Teresa Wu. "I look forward to working for you. If you have any more questions, feel free to call me. "I will do that. Goodbye, Ms. Wu," Tom then hung up the phone. It was only as a pretense that she had done the telephone interview of Teresa Wu for the position of household manager at her Hong Kong home. Operation Swan Song had to come to an end with Hiromi Sato's demotion and move to Hong Kong. What purpose could be served by keeping Agent Ripley in Hong Kong? As soon as she was done on the phone, Tom signed onto the Yahoo account designated for Swan Song messages. The email box was empty. Tom didn't dwell too long or hard on the lack of reply to her messages sent less than a few days ago. A reply would come. In the meantime she had other things to do., Like the Club Ganesha audit in addition to her other Swan Song duties. Wednesday would be a long day, one that wouldn't likely end till around midnight. It was just a few minutes before 10 a.m., and Tom would be leaving for the office very shortly. The immense workload she had just didn't allow her to stay away from Kanagawa Bank or Watanabe Trucking during their regular business hours. When Tom left the apartment, she would be heading to Kanagawa. She would work there before going to the audit meeting, which was to start at three o'clock sharp. Five minutes later, and while she rode an elevator down to the parking garage, the message Tom had been expecting finally arrived in her Swan Song Yahoo mail account. The subject for the message- We seek you help Mr. Abdul. ***** Gabrielle was thinking of Tom's email, her still unsent reply and other things, when her office phone rang. "Tanaka." "Am I speaking to FBI Special Agent Gabrielle Tanaka?" "Yes, you are. May I ask who is calling?" "My name is Long Qinglan and I'm calling for Chief Inspector Sylvia Chang. You wished to speak with her?" "Yes, I did." "She asks that you come to her office here in Hong Kong on Friday July 18th at 10 a.m. Is that acceptable?" "Yes, it is," Gabrielle replied. "Do you have a pen and paper? I have some instructions you will need to jot down...." When she was through on the phone with Long Qinglan, Gabrielle placed a call to Inspector Yoshida. The Yokohama policeman was not in his office that morning. "Your friend Inspector Chang will be seeing me on Friday morning." "That is good, Tanaka-san." "Could you and I have a talk away from the office before I leave for Hong Kong?" Inspector Yoshida paused for a few moments. "Yes, we can. Could you please join my wife and family for dinner tonight?" Gabrielle knew where the Inspector lived, but in the over one year she had known him, had never once been to the policeman's home. "Thank you, Inspector, for the invitation and I accept. What time should I come over?" ***** The audit Tom had to conduct began smoothly and on time. Since the Watanabe business enterprise being audited was of interest to Dai Hashimoto, the Saiko-komon was present when Tom and those working with her arrived to do their work. "Is there anything you need, Hiromi-san?" "No Dai-san, we're fine. Thank you for asking." All around Tom, the rest of the audit team was getting themselves set up. Yuka Nawamura for one example, was making sure all the computers were properly functioning. "I will let you go to work," Dai said before bowing towards Tom. 'Tiger-san, you really have changed,' Tom thought to herself as she watched Dai leave the room. At two earlier audits, Dai Hashimoto had been constantly looking over Tom's shoulder at the work she and her team were conducting. "Yuka, tell us what week the random number generator selects for us?" "Taro, the number chosen.... is seventeen," Yuka said before looking up from her laptop computer. When a Watanabe business interest was to be audited, a week was randomly selected for study. A random number generator on the internet was the tool used for this process. Another Watanabe audit had started. One way or another, it looked to be Agent Ripley's last. ***** "What you propose doing is not against the law, Tanaka-san, assuming all goes well, but I strongly believe it would be most un-wise," Inspector Yoshida said very strongly to Gabrielle as they talked in his home. "I don't want what happened to our other agents to happen to Tom, also. He is in great danger at this moment." "May I ask you something?" "Go ahead." "Have you received a personal message from Ripley?" After a few seconds hesitation, Gabrielle answered the question. "Yes, Inspector, I did. Tom sent a message to me in care of my sister Candace. She lives in California." Gabrielle told Tetsuro word for word what Tom had written her. She had read the letter so many times, Gabrielle had it committed to memory. Inspector Yoshida remained firm with Gabrielle but the anger in his voice was no longer present and the tone of his voice had changed. It was like that of a caring father who was advising their child in some matter. "I understand how you feel and why you want to save your friend. Ripley says she is in danger and I agree with that statement." "Inspector, that is why I feel we need to move at once. I don't think the plan I propose carries all that much risk," Gabrielle said firmly. The plan Gabrielle had hatched since receiving Tom's letter was a fairly simple one. She would call him at Watanabe Trucking and say she was an old friend who had just arrived in town for a visit. Would Hiromi Sato and her husband like to meet her for lunch? That day at lunch time, Gabrielle left Yokohama police headquarters and scouted out the city's Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers. It would be a natural choice of hotel accommodations for a visitor to Yokohama of moderate means and was very close to the city's railway station. Inside the Sheraton was the Teppanyaki Sagami restaurant. It was a very fine eating establishment that knew how to cook Kobe steaks to perfection. At the back of the restaurant was a pair of rest rooms and next to it a door that led to the restaurant's service area. Under the cover of freshening up before sitting down to eat, Gabrielle would usher Tom and Chuck out of the restaurant via the service door. She would drag the couple out of the hotel via a back exit where a car would be waiting for all of them. Gabrielle would then drive all three of them to Yokohama rail station. If she got the timing down just right, they would jump on a Yokohama Blue Line Subway train almost immediately. A Swan Song safe house was only two stops and a short taxi ride away. The rescue of Tom Slater would take place with lightning like speed, but Gabrielle saw few ways that her operation could be stopped, once in motion, or even slowed down. In fact, she was certain that by the time Hiromi Sato's bodyguards learned their boss had disappeared, Tom and Chuck McBride would already be on the subway train. The biggest uncertainty was how Chuck McBride would react to all of this? Gabrielle had already thought this out. A combination of her FBI badge, quick actions, and Tom Slater's almost guaranteed help once he learned what Gabrielle was up to, would persuade the Australian to go along with what was being done to him and his wife. "Gabrielle-san, your plan on the surface sounds like a solid one." "Thank you, Inspector. But?" "It is still dangerous and fraught with many risks. I and the Yokohama police can not give you any assistance." Gabrielle had expected this statement to come from Inspector Yoshida's mouth. "Inspector, I wasn't here to ask for your help, just to advise you of what I planned on doing." Tetsuro became more than a little testy with Gabrielle. "No, Tanaka- san, you came here in hope of getting my help, either officially or unofficially." "Whatever." Gabrielle was so lost in her fervor to rescue Tom, she had lost touch with reality. She should have known however sympathetic Inspector Yoshida may be to the plight of Tom Slater, the policeman would ultimately choose his profession over helping the undercover agent. 'No, Gabrielle, don't blame him. If you want to stick your own neck out, that is all right. Don't expect others to do the same. They have their own lives and responsibilities.' Gabrielle thought to herself as a few moments of awkward silence passed. Gabrielle had a question for herself but Tetsuro once again began speaking to her. "Tanaka-san, I do not wish to do this, but should I learn you will go ahead with your rescue plan, I will have to tell my and your superiors. This could....." "Inspector, I want to save Tom and finish Operation Swan Song. As for my FBI career, I don't particularly care what happens to it." Inspector Yoshida's tone of voice became fatherly once again. "That is your choice, Gabrielle-san. I do think you need to be clearer in your thinking. What if your rescue goes wrong?" "I will take all responsibility for whatever happens." "Yes, I am sure you would. There could be criminal charges should persons become injured or property is destroyed. Worse, your friend could be hurt or killed in the attempt. Do you want to take total responsibility should that happen?" "No, I would not.'' "Then, Gabrielle-san, let us work together to save Captain Slater. He is very lucky to have such a devoted and loving friend." "Tom is a very special man, and I love him very much," Gabrielle said without embarrassment. "I know. When do you leave for Hong Kong?" "Tomorrow afternoon. My flight leaves Narita a little after 5 p.m." Tetsuro nodded his head. The most commonly used means of transportation for a person in Yokohama wanting to get to Narita airport, was the Narita Express. They left every half hour and the trains took ninety minutes to get passengers from Japan's capital to its largest airport. "Take tomorrow off, Gabrielle-san. You will have to leave early for the airport." "If you need me...." Gabrielle began to say. "I will call you, of course. As of now, I foresee nothing coming up that will require your assistance." Inspector Yoshida then spoke for a little while about how he knew Sylvia Chang. Gabrielle listened quietly to what the Yokohama policeman had to say. It might prove useful when she arrived in Hong Kong. Not until Inspector Yoshida was finished talking about his Chinese friend, did Gabrielle take a moment to look at her watch. "Inspector, if you will excuse me, I'd like to call it a night." Gabrielle and Inspector Yoshida both rose from the chairs they were seated in. "Yes, Gabrielle-san, I would like to do the same. It has been a long day." "Thank you, Inspector, for seeing me tonight." "You're welcome. I am glad we had this chance to talk." The first thing Gabrielle did after getting back to her apartment was to try calling Midori Slater on her cell phone. For some reason, Tom Slater's mother had it temporarily turned off. This small setback didn't faze Gabrielle in the slightest. She then decided to take a shower. After she was finished, she would try calling Midori Slater again and wouldn't stop trying untill the two women had a chance to talk that night. It was long overdue for the two women who loved Tom Slater the most to have some good news to talk about. ***** Tom Slater wrapped up day one of the Watanabe audit she was conducting just a few minutes after midnight. Not until she felt satisfied with the cleanup afterwards, did Tom excuse herself for the night. "We'll start again tomorrow at 3 p.m." Roger Hyde was patiently waiting for Tom when she came out of the office she had been working in. "Are we going home now, boss?" "Yes, but let me use the restroom first." While Tom was in the ladies room, Roger got word to the rest of Hiromi Sato's protection team that they were about to leave for Negishi Bay. "Ana, I need you to leave via the front door in exactly two minutes." Tom and Roger left via the back door. The red Fairlady was parked just a few feet away, but a light rain was falling. Roger had come prepared, he had an umbrella to keep his boss from getting wet. "Boss," Roger said once they were inside the car. "Just drive home the usual way." "Do you have your seatbelt on?" Roger couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh. "I most certainly do." Tom was exhausted and as a result, drove the Fairlady like it was a race car as much as she possibly could. Only red traffic lights could cause her to slow down. Even late at night, Yokohama is a busy city. New York City is called the city that never sleeps but Japan's largest port city could make an honest claim to that title also. Even on a weeknight, people were going about from place to place on the busy streets Tom had to travel by. The central part of Yokohama, which Tom had to pass through in order to get home, is lit by many electronic billboards. Soft drink makers and Electronics manufacturers never cease trying to sell their products day or night. Another part of Yokohama's nighttime bustle, was the movement of trucks through the city. Due to Japan's chaotic daytime travel, most trucking took place at night. Yokohama was the home to more trucking corporations than any other city in Japan. When she was only a little over a mile from Negishi Bay, Tom had to slow down for a sobriety checkpoint being run by the Yokohama police. She wasn't one of the drivers selected to undergo testing. "I'm going to take a shower and go straight to bed," Tom thought out loud in a low tone of voice. She didn't normally make mention of her personal routines to Roger. "Boss, what time will you be leaving for the office in the morning?" Roger asked. "Not before eleven," Tom said as she pulled into the Negishi Bay apartment garage. When Tom arrived in her apartment, she was careful to tiptoe around. Chuck was sound asleep in bed, and snoring not too loudly. As Tom showered, she thought of possibly checking for a Swan Song email. In the end, she decided not to. Sleep was what Tom was in need of most right then. Not too long afterwards, Tom climbed into bed. She was still getting comfortable, when Chuck flung an arm over his wife's left shoulder. "I love you, Kimi-chan." "Love you too," Tom replied as he began to feel a need for one more thing before going to sleep that night. There was no fighting it, she needed some TLC from her husband. "Please make love to me." ***** Gabrielle finally got a hold of the Slaters. "Mom, I got an email from Tom this week." Mrs. Slater suddenly went speechless. The only sound Gabrielle could hear over the cellphone was the sound of a woman who was beginning to cry. "Mom, we're working on a operation to get Tom back." The mother continued to cry. Then Stuart took the phone from his wife. "Gabrielle, what can you tell us?" "Dad, I think you will understand when I say, I can't tell you too much." "Yes, operational security." "That's exactly right, Dad. Tom is still in danger and my superiors have decided that we have to end his undercover mission. We will get Tom some time very late this month or early next month." "Thank you for keeping us informed. Gabrielle, if my wife and I can be of any assistance, please let us know." "I will, Dad."? "My wife wants to speak to you again." Midori Slater was back on the phone a few seconds later. "I am sorry, Gabrielle." "Mom, you don't need to apologize." "Gabrielle, what did Tom say?" "Mom, Tom asked me to tell you he loves you." Midori Slater became all emotional again. So much so, her husband had to be the one to continue the phone conversation. "Gabrielle, please stay in touch with us when you have time." "Dad, I will call again next week. I will know more by then." "We will be flying home from Germany either on Monday or Tuesday." "I'll still try calling. Tell Mom to hang on for a just a little while longer".? "Yes, I'll do that." "Dad, how are you feeling?" "I'm doing well, Gabrielle. Thank you for calling." After she got off the phone, Gabrielle re-read the personal email she had composed for Tom Slater. Most people would have called it a love letter, though there were mentions of Swan Song and a message for Tom that his parents said hello. Gabrielle didn't tell him about what happened to his sister Susan and her husband Simon. After Gabrielle made a couple of minor revisions to it, she clicked on the send button. "I love you, Tom Slater." ***** Tom rose from bed at a little past nine in the morning. Chuck had already left for work. He was always considerate of his wife's feelings, and had managed to slip out of the bedroom without disturbing Tom. "Good morning, Mrs. Sato," said Juanita Perez when her employer emerged from the bedroom for the first time that morning. Tom had just a pink bathrobe on. "What can I get you for breakfast this morning?" Tom felt like eating something different that morning. "Two fried eggs over easy plus bacon and toast." "I will begin cooking that right away." "Take your time, Juanita. I want to do something in my office first." One of Hiromi Sato's laptops was still in the same place in her otherwise empty apartment office, on the last piece of furniture left standing after the movers had cleared everything else out of the room. Tom brought it out to the living room and plugged it in. As Tom waited for the laptop to power up, she went over in her head what Swan Song tasks she would need to complete before the move to Hong Kong. The list was long and would have been best if it was written down. For her own security, though, Tom would have to keep it stored in her head. A phone in the apartment began to ring. Tom was nowhere near a phone, so she allowed Juanita to answer it. When the laptop was finished warming up, Tom immediately clicked on the Firefox icon. When the web browser appeared on the computer screen, she typed in the url, yahoo.com. There was a message from the Swan Song committee, and another from Gabrielle, but before he was able to open either of them, Juanita came into the living room area. "Mrs. Sato, a Dr. Koretomo called. He wished to speak to you." Tom wracked his memory, but came up empty. She knew no such doctor. "Did he say why he was calling?" "No Mrs. Sato, he did not. The doctor did give me his number and asked if you could call him back right away." Tom took the slip of paper handed to him by Juanita. Whoever Dr. Koretomo was, it remained a mystery to her. "Breakfast is on the table." "Thank you, Juanita. I'll be right there." After a few seconds thought, Tom chose to close the Firefox web browser. The emails sent to her would have to wait just a little while longer. ***** Just across the hallway from Tom and in his own separate apartment, Keiji Watanabe was just emerging from his bedroom. The elderly Oyabun had woken up over an hour earlier, but had chosen to stay in the bedroom. It was there Keiji wrote down the reasons he used to select the next Oyabun. Keiji would have liked his successor to be a Watanabe, either by birth or marriage. However, there were no suitable male candidates. That made his choice of Dai Hashimoto to succeed him an easy one. Only Dai possessed the wisdom and strength needed to rule the Watanabe Yakuza. In addition to jotting down the reasons he would promote Dai Hashimoto, Keiji spent time reading some mail he received the day before. Young people may communicate by email, but the elderly Oyabun preferred hand written correspondence. To open any mail addressed to him, Keiji used a letter opener, so an opener was always handy on any desk he worked from. When Keiji came out of the bedroom, his cook Riko Watanabe greeted him. "Good morning, Oyabun-san. I will have breakfast for you shortly. Is there anything you need now?" Keiji waved off his cook. Riko then hurried to the kitchen area. Her employer, who was also the Great Uncle of her husband, was a man of very repetitive habits. Like the meals he chose to eat. Every day of the week came with set meals he wanted Riko, and before her death Ai Toguchi, to make for him. Only when people joined him to eat, did Keiji allow changes to his weekly menu. Riko put breakfast in front of Keiji less than ten minutes later. The Oyabun immediately dug into his food. "Is there anything else you need, Oyabun-san?" "Yes, you will work late tonight." It took a great deal of self control from Riko to prevent herself from grimacing at what her employer had just said. When Keiji said he wanted her to work late, what he really was telling his cook was she would have to have sex with him that evening. Just like Ai Toguchi had to before her marriage to Keiji Watanabe, Riko had to submit to her employer's demands. If she didn't, Keiji at the very least would become even more physically abusive to her than he was already and force himself on his grand nephew's wife. At worst, he'd do the same, but then retaliate against some friend or family member of his cook as well. Riko learned early on not to oppose a demand of Keiji Watanabe. Having sex with the elderly man or even thinking about it, always made her sick. "We will go to the Lake tomorrow morning," Keiji announced. He preferred his Mt. Fuji area home over his Negishi Bay apartment. Riko really wanted to get sick now. Whenever Keiji Watanabe went to the lake, Riko had to go also. That caused her to become separated from her husband and made her more available as a sex toy for the elderly Oyabun. Keiji wasn't going to Mt. Fuji because he wanted sexual intercourse with his cook. The real purpose for going there was so he could tell Dai Hashimoto of his promotion without the news leaking to other Watanabe Yakuza. The formal announcement of who would become Oyabun was still set for a meeting on August 2nd. ***** Tom exited Hiromi Sato's apartment just a few minutes before 11 a.m. Bodyguard Yuri was waiting in the outside hallway. "Good morning, boss. Are you all set?" "Yes, I'm going to Watanabe this morning." Tom, Yuri, and one other bodyguard then got on the elevator for the ride down to the parking garage. "Where is Roger today?" "He's going to Hong Kong tonight. He wanted to make an early start for Narita," Yuri explained. "Do you need to see him before he goes?" "No, I don't. Will you be coming to Hong Kong, also?" "Yes, Boss. That is, if you want me to." "I do want that." "Boss, if you don't mind me saying, you drove incredibly well a week ago last Sunday." "Thank you. You were a very good instructor, Yuri Alexanderovich." Yuri always felt honored when Hiromi Sato addressed him using both his given name and his patronymic. The later was so seldom heard outside of Russia, nor was it commonly used at all by non-Russians. As she exited the elevator, Tom caught the slightest whiff of cigarette smoke. The reason Hiromi Sato so hated tobacco was due to the childhood asthma she used to suffer from. A person who has breathing difficulties wants the cleanest possible air. On the way into the office, besides concentrating on her driving, Tom used her mind to again go over the emails she received that morning. She had both communications committed to memory. The originals and the attachment that came with one of them were all deleted now. The Swan Song message came as no surprise to Tom. Her undercover assignment was being brought to an end. She was happy about this, but would have bravely endeavored on with the mission if ordered to do so. Tom had been ordered to travel Hong Kong with Chuck and that they would be retrieved there. No details were given as to how that would happen. When Tom got to the office, she would ask Suki to begin working on the travel arrangements. While she was stopped at a red light, Tom felt a little bit sorry for her boyhood crush. When the Watanabe empire collapsed, Suki Kobayashi and all the other Watanabe Trucking office workers who had befriended her in the last few months would find themselves out of work. After the light turned green, Tom again had to concentrate on her driving as she went over and revised the Swan Song 'to do list' in her mind. The most important task on it, would be to make up to date copies of all Watanabe financial files Tom could get her hands on. Tom would begin on this task on the 21st or the last Monday before her departure for Hong Kong. As she neared Watanabe Trucking, Tom decided the best and safest time to do copying work would be at night. She would make some excuse to work late on Monday and probably Tuesday. 'That should work. I'm the granddaughter of the Oyabun and the Watanabe family's CFO. Who would raise suspicions about me just because I stayed behind in the office a few hours later than normal?' It was a bright sunny Japan summer day as Tom drove to Watanabe Trucking. The rain of the previous