Duty, Honor, Country, Family - Part 21 free porn video

Duty Honor Country Family- Part Twenty One By Danielle J Thank you to Puddin for her help preparing this chapter for publication. A note of thanks to Kimmie for her assistance also. ***** Yeijiro Mazaki sat himself down in a chair across from Inspector Yoshida. "Yoshida-san, my partner and I are working on a murder investigation that has led us to the Watanabe Yakuza. Since we know so little of this organization, I was hoping you could lend us a little of your expertise." "Is there anything specific you want to know?" "Yes, Yoshida-san, there is. Is there a very high ranking woman in the Watanabe Yakuza?" Inspector Yoshida paused for a few seconds. "Yes, there is. Her name is Hiromi Sato. She is the family's financial advisor. Hiromi Sato is also the granddaughter of the present Oyabun and respectively the second cousin and daughter of the prior two heads of the family. Both are deceased now." "I did not know any of this, Yoshida-san," Yeijiro said humbly. "That is all right, Mazaki-san," he said. His expression was kind, but held an air of smug superiority too, as if he were infinitely more aware of everything than a mere policeman could even dream of. "Only those police who follow the intricate inner dealings of the Watanabes on a daily basis and for many years would know just how important Hiromi Sato is in that particular branch of Yakuza," Inspector Yoshida said in a condescending fashion. "Before today I had never heard of a woman so high in the ranks of a Yakuza." "Because of her family connections and supposed brilliance as a money manager, Hiromi Sato has been given a tremendous amount of authority. Can you tell me why you are interested in her?" "I am working on a murder investigation. While interviewing a source, we discovered Hiromi Sato may have destroyed evidence connected to a crime in a special furnace in the basement of her building which was evidently dedicated to disposing of items which might prove embarrassing." On the surface, what Yeijiro had just told him didn't disturb Inspector Yoshida. Agent Ripley was posing as a member of a criminal organization. It was implicit in her situation that she would have to break the law occasionally in order to maintain her cover, if only participation in the planning or concealment of crimes, and shredders and incinerators were a part of daily life these days. Every large office in the city, including police headquarters, had locked metal containers and "burn bins" for disposing of sensitive documents, with a detailed retention manual explaining what had to be destroyed and when. This Yeijiro fellow was acting as if he'd just discovered the bones of the First Patriarch in a pickle jar. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Mazaki-san. Can you tell me when this evidence destruction took place?" "Our witness is not certain. He said the burning of clothing in the furnace took place either at the end of last February or March." That confirmed to Inspector Yoshida that Ripley had done the act rather than the real Hiromi Sato. "I would most appreciate you keeping me up to date on your investigation into Hiromi Sato. Can you do that for me?" "Hai! I will do what you ask, Yoshida-san." "Is there anything else I can help you with?" "No, Inspector, I am done. Thank you for giving me some of your valuable time." ***** "Yes, we will start work on that at once," Kam Wei Ning said before hanging up his phone. Wei was the Chief of Hong Kong Customs and had been in that position for over eleven years. During that time, he'd been ordered to expedite processing and release of goods held by his department with annoying regularity. Once again, he'd been given the task of providing special treatment for some bigwig, so he gritted his teeth and got right on it. He stepped out of his office and spoke to his secretary. "All shift supervisors currently on duty are to come to my office at once." All ten men and one woman were in Wei's office a little over fifteen minutes later. Each was given seven computer printed pages. "These goods have to be released no later than midnight tomorrow." One supervisor couldn't help but shake his head. "All combined, these goods weigh a little over four tons. We can not possibly inspect them all in that time." "I have been given orders," Wei told all the supervisors. "Some goods can be chosen for visual inspection but they must be released no later than the end of tomorrow. Are there any more questions?" One supervisor mentioned the manpower needs to accomplish the expediting of Hiromi Sato's goods. Wei sighed, and said that all employees scheduled to work the next two days would have to do a double shift. A shift supervisor with the family name of Zhang, spoke up. "Are the customary checks for explosives and narcotics to be done still?" "Yes, of course," Wei replied. "The dog teams can handle the bulk of these with very little loss of time, and we would be held to account if we allowed guns or drugs to enter our country through carelessness." The meeting broke up a few minutes later. ***** Josephine Gilbert buzzed Hiromi shortly after 4 p.m. "Mrs. Sato, there is a Herman Strauss wishing to speak to you on line two." Hiromi immediately picked up her phone. "Good afternoon, Herr Strauss. How is Switzerland today?" "It is warm and sunny. I hope Hong Kong is the same, Frau Sato." "Yes, it is, Herr Strauss. Why are you calling?" "I just like to keep in contact with the Strauss Bank's most important customers. Have you looked at your most recent statement?" "Yes, I saw it." "Was everything satisfactory?" "Yes, it was." Hiromi's Strauss Bank account had been set up during the time period the real Hiromi persona had been in control of her body due to the murder of Reina Shimizu. She'd meant to use the money to pay for a hit on Goro Watanabe. Someone got to Goro Watanabe before Hiromi did. A down payment to a Yamaguchi-gumi named Tomatsu Ichikawa was the only transaction made from the account Herman Strauss was referring to. Therefore Hiromi still had nearly forty million U.S. dollars in a Swiss bank account. The phone call from Herman Strauss made Hiromi sick to her stomach because it was a reminder of what she had once planned when the real Hiromi had taken control of her body. This operation had cost her so much on a personal level, and she'd been forced to let down so many people who should have been able to depend on her, first Reina, whom she'd murdered through cowardice, Gabrielle, who'd loved her, her mother, who'd had to deal with the death of her sister and her husband on her own, Chuck, in many ways, and even her adopted 'family,' the Watanabes, whom she had plotted to murder and betray. "Is there anything the Strauss Bank can do for you at present, Frau Sato?" Hiromi wanted to end the call quickly. "No, there is not." "Frau Sato, I learned you are now working and living in Hong Kong. Should I contact you now at the Hong Kong telephone number and address I have?" "Yes, Herr Strauss, you may. Do you have my email address also?" Hiromi asked as she stared at a photo of Chuck on her desk. Anything to keep her mind from thinking of what the Swiss money had been intended for. 'Remember Duty, Honor, Country.' "I do, Frau Sato." "Thank you for calling me," Hiromi said before quickly hanging up the phone. Josephine Gilbert buzzed her boss just seconds later. "Mrs. Sato, the Hong Kong Economic Times called back. They were asking for a photograph to go along with their upcoming newspaper article. If you have no objection, I will give them file photo number two." To publicize Hiromi Sato and the banks she owned, seven professional portrait photos had been taken of her. These were used in press releases by Kanagawa or East China, or sometimes given to members of the media. Photo two was a particularly flattering photo of Hiromi Sato and a favorite of her husband. "Yes, Josephine, please do that for me." A wave of sadness hit Hiromi soon afterwards and she began to weep. It wasn't the phone call from Herman Strauss that caused it, but the death of her sister Susan and her husband, and her own contemptible weakness on every level. Hiromi was finally having that cry she'd barely avoided back at the McDonald's when talking to Gabrielle. ***** The attacks on Watanabe owned property by the Inagawa-kai was making Keiji Watanabe increasingly paranoid. As a result he called Dai Hashimoto on Monday evening and asked that a security check be made of his home and property. Keiji didn't trust his paid Non-Yakuza security personnel not to do a double cross on him. Akira Sudo was given the job of checking security at the Watanabe estate. He arrived at Keiji's home shortly after 10 a.m. in the morning. "May I see the Oyabun?" Akira asked Rika Watanabe. "No, you may not. The Oyabun has asked not to be disturbed." Akira had never been to the home of Keiji Watanabe before that day. He was very surprised to learn the elderly Oyabun lived on a sprawling property that was over seventy-five acres in size. Radek Krejci, the Chief of Security, gave Akira an overview. "The land is bordered by a private road to the south and west. On the north and east there is a property belonging to the widow of Takemune Nimura." "Who is Takemune Nimura?" "He was an executive for Mitsubishi." "Is his family living there now?" "No, they are not." Akira studied a map of the Watanabe estate. "I would like to see the property. Can someone get me a vehicle?" "Simon is already standing by with a Land Rover." It was a sunny but cool Japan summer day. A slither of a breeze coming off Mt. Fuji was keeping the temperature a moderate twenty-four degrees Celsius. Akira was taken around the Keiji Watanabe estate by Radek's second in command, Simon Dawes. It didn't take Akira long to realize two things. The first was how little of the land owned by the Watanabe Oyabun was being utilized, and secondly how hilly the property was. There were many wave like knobs to it. To Akira this meant that any over land attackers could easily have the benefit of surprise in their favor. The north side of the estate was heavily wooded. Akira got out of the Land Rover and surveyed this area. He soon concluded this particular bit of land was rarely touched. 'If Sato-san comes back, she will put this land to good use. A lakeside resort would be very profitable here.' Akira thought as he set off in the Land Rover for the east side of the property. Akira soon learned a drainage ditch cut across part of the Watanabe estate. It was too deep for the Land Rover to cross. As Simon drove the Land Rover parallel to the ditch, Akira's nose picked up a faint smell of garlic and soy. "Stop driving, I want to get out and walk a little." Simon did as Akira asked. The shareigashira jumped from the Land Rover and began walking along side the ditch. As he did this, Akira took large sniffs of air, trying to gauge the direction of the slight breeze. "I want to go to the other side. Is there a bridge?" "No, there isn't," Simon Dawes replied. Akira lowered himself into the ditch and Simon followed him. The two men walked through ankle deep water during their crossing. Akira made an observation. "This water seems fresh to me." "I think you are right, Akira-san," Simon replied. Getting out of the ditch was harder than climbing in. The east side was steeper and the ground had few places that provided any kind of foothold. Simon and Akira made it, but their clothes became soiled in the process. As he dusted himself off, Akira noticed how the smell he had detected was now stronger. "How far away is the Takemune Nimura home?" "It is three or four kilometers in that direction approximately," Simon said while pointing with one of his fingers. "You told me earlier that no one was living there." "Yes, that is right." "Then why do I smell the odors of cooked food?" Simon was puzzled for he wasn't smelling anything out of place. "Are you sure about that?" "I grew up in a popular restaurant area of Yokohama. The smell I am detecting is like that." "The Nimura house is being redecorated. Maybe the workers are doing some cooking." Akira didn't think so. The house was downwind from wherever the smell was coming from. "Let us investigate some more," Akira said before he and Simon began to walk off to the North. "We're heading away from the Nimura house." "Yes, I know that. Where does the ditch end?" "I don't know. It continues into the Nimura property up ahead." "Is the boundary between the Oyabun's property and the Nimura land marked in any way?" "No it isn't." The two men for almost ten minutes when Akira suddenly directed Simon to stop. "People have been here recently." Simon looked down at the ground. There were fresh tire tracks, and the discarded containers of several meals. "You are right, but who?" Akira tried to place himself in relation to the Watanabe main residence and climbed up a low hillock, where he could see the foliage had been trampled slightly. He could see all the way back to the estate, and the road leading up to the house. With high-powered binoculars, or a sniper's rifle scope, he would have been able to see everything which had gone on outside, and the danger was evident. He checked his cellphone for a signal, but couldn't find a signal, even when he held the phone overhead. He cursed to himself. He scrambled back down the slope. "Let us go back to the Land Rover. I must tell Tiger-san what we have discovered immediately." ***** Dai Hashimoto was in Yokohama and Ryuku Kinjoh was reporting in. "What is it you need of me, Tiger-san?" "Are all of Sato-san's goods headed to Hong Kong now?" "Yes, Hashimoto-san, they are. I checked on them personally." "Ryuku-san, I have two new tasks for you. I want you to stay in contact with Hiromi-san. Can you speak to her at least once a week for me?" "Yes, Tiger-san, I can do that." Dai went over with Ryuku what she should discuss with Hiromi Sato, her eventual return to Japan, but not before he'd resolved the threat from the Inagawa-kai, and requesting her thoughts on the war that had broken out with them. It was bad for business, but he was much more comfortable with direct actions to avenge the family honor than with strategy. Hiromi might have some clever idea to resolve this without an endless series of killings and retaliations. The Watanabe shareigashira was told to use a new disposable cell phone each time she called Hiromi. "Tiger-san, there is also the matter of the Kanagawa Bank office belongings of Hiromi and Charles. None of these were sent to Hong Kong." "Mention these to Hiromi-san when you speak to her, but take no action now. She will not be in Hong Kong for long." "That is good. Akira-san said we need to be discreet." "Yes, that is so. Ryuku-san, I have another new assignment for you. I want you to supervise Watanabe Trucking for now. It is one of our most valuable business operations, because it is legitimate, and Hiromi-san has suggested that we do everything in our power to build up our activities in the ordinary business sector, while minimizing any activities which might bring our family into disrepute and embarrass the royal Princess, our most important customer." "Thank you, Tiger-san, for showing this confidence in me." Ryuku bowed to Dai before leaving the Saiko-komon's office. Dai was just about to leave his office also, when Akira Sudo called. "Tiger-san, we made an interesting discovery at the Oyabun's house. Someone has been spying on the main house, and the road leading up to the house from the main entry gate." After listening to Akira for almost a minute, Dai grunted. "I will come there at once." ***** Fumahiro Suzuki had finished eating the food brought to him and had become more at ease. Detectives Yeijiro Mazaki and Juri Hayakawa re- started their interview of the janitor. "We were talking about the woman for whom you put clothing into the furnace," Juri said. Just as before Fumahiro had received his food, she did most of the questioning. "Yes, I say that. It happened back last winter." "What clothes were destroyed?" "I get her dress, underwear, bra, shoes. Then I put them in the furnace." "Fumahiro-san, did they say why the clothes had to be burned?" "No, I was not told the reason." "You said you burned a dress, underwear, bra, and shoes. Are you sure that is all you were asked to destroy? "Of course! I do good job." He sounded indignant, but had flinched and looked away when she'd asked the question. Juri glanced over to Yeijiro and rolled her eyes. ***** Gabrielle took a couple of minutes away from working on her report to Grant Williamson to get some personal tasks completed. The first of which was to place a call to Stuart and Midori Slater. The couple had their cell phone turned off. "Mom, it's Gabrielle. Please call me on my cell phone as soon as you receive this message. I saw and spoke to Tom today. Everything is all right, but we need to talk. Call me back anytime, don't worry about the hour. Bye." Gabrielle said to Midori's voice mail account. The next thing Gabrielle did, was to compose a short email to Cassie Myers at her personal account: ***** Cassie, Can you please do me a big favor? What do you know about FBI Deputy Director Grant Williamson? If you have any inside Washington knowledge or gossip concerning him, I'd love to hear it. This request is between you and me and I can't have anyone learn of it. Please get back to me via email ASAP. I'd like to talk about this on the phone if possible. At present, I'm in China. So take that into account when proposing a time that would be good for us to talk. Thank you for helping me. Love, Gabrielle ***** Fumahiro began to fidget again. Since Juri had been gentle in her questioning up to now, the female detective concluded that the janitor was nervous about some detail he hadn't mentioned yet. "Speak freely, Fumahiro-san. No one will hurt you. You didn't burn everything properly, did you?" "I am scared," Fumahiro said after almost a minute of silence. "If they learn what I kept...." "Your secret is safe here, Fumahiro-san. We only want to help you. We can protect your secrets, but only if you tell us." Fumahiro became quiet again. Rather than speak, he began picking at his finger nails. As Fumahiro did this, Juri wrote another note to her detective partner, asking him to arrange some sort of cover story involving indecent assaults to justify a lengthy detention when no crime had actually been committed. If reading pornographic magazines were a crime, half the male population of Japan would be in jail. After reading it, Yeijiro Mazaki got up from his chair and silently left the interrogation room. Fumahiro spoke up shortly afterwards. "I had a teacher you remind me of." "What was her name?" "Mrs. Shobo. I always liked her. She taught me when I was nine years old." "She must have made a great impression on you, Fumahiro-san. I only have have vague memories of my teachers at that same age." Juri talked to Fumahiro about what made certain teachers more memorable to them than others. The janitor was slow witted but his memory was fair to good. "Did you trust Mrs. Shobo, Fumahiro-san?" Juri had to speed up the interview. If the janitor was detained too long, the Watanabes may become suspicious. In fact, the main reason Yeijiro Mazaki had left the interrogation room was to arrange some sort of paperwork about some man exposing himself to women, or rubbing up against them in the subway, in order to justify Fumahiro's interrogation. They'd let him off with a strong warning, but urge him to confess to these other crimes if he had any knowledge of them. This would leave him with a memory of having denied any involvement in any indecencies, which she was sure he'd use to excuse himself to his employer, and would be more-or-less credible, since the little man was just the sort to do such things if he thought he could get away with it. "Yes, I did." "Tell me what is bothering you, Fumahiro-san." The usually restless janitor, sat up straight but became silent again. Juri was about to give up on Fumahiro, when he blurted out. "I kept the lady's stockings." "Where are these stockings now?" "They are in my apartment. I keep them in a box." Juri gave the janitor an approving smile, despite her feelings of disgust as a woman. She could well imagine what he'd been doing with this woman's undergarments. "Fumahio-san, I can see how troubling these things have become for you, keeping items that didn't belong to you. If you can get them for me, you need not be scared any longer. They're only lost property, after all, and everyone knows that you're supposed to turn lost property over to the police, so you won't have to admit this small oversight to your employer. We'll handle everything for you, and your name need never come up at all. Can we make some arrangement, just between you and me, to hand this box over to me, so I can place these items in our lost and found department? Your name will never be revealed, and your secret will be perfectly safe." Relief flooded his face as he said, "Yes, I would like to do that." ***** Hiromi called it a day at half past five. As her computer shut down, she began to gather her things in preparation for the trip home. Chuck was waiting outside his wife's office. Hiromi found him talking in Chinese to Josephine. Josephine was the first to speak. "Is there anything you need, Mrs. Sato?" "No, Josephine, I am leaving for today," Hiromi said as Chuck quickly came to her side. She then turned her head towards her husband. "Hi." Chuck gave his wife a quick kiss. "Kimi-chan, are we going straight home?" "Yes, we are, but I want to use the bathroom first." ***** While Yeijiro Mazaki made arranagments for Fumahiro's return to Negishi Bay, Juri made a cell phone call to her colleague, Tsunesaburo Horiuchi. "We have finished talking with Suzuki-san." Lieutenant Horiuchi was the person who told Detective Juri of Fumahiro Suzuki. "Was he of any assistance to your investigation?" "No, he wasn't, Tsunesaburo-san, but we did learn of something else involving the Watanabes, something they had wanted to destroy, but wasn't burned as they'd ordered." Tsuneaburo listened as Juri told of her discovery of possible evidence involving some crime. "That is most interesting." "We are about to return Suzuki-san to his home. Before we do that, would you like to have a word with him?" "Yes, Juri-san, I would appreciate that." ***** Dai Hashimoto had been gravely disturbed by Akira Sudo's discovery of the tire tracks when he'd called, and it was an excellent excuse to get of of that stifling office and do something. The fact that someone had evidently been spying on the Watanabe leader himself quite recently was especially troubling, because it meant that he was a target. He could almost feel the skin crawl at the back of his neck, and Dai was normally a stoic man. "Can we tell when these tracks were made?" "No, Hashimoto-san, not with any certainly. I don't have that kind of expertise," Simon Dawes said, "but my honest opinion is that the tracks are not very old. I'd say they were made no more than a week ago." Akira had more information. "I called the Yokohama weather bureau. They said the last rain here was nine days ago." Simon spoke again. "Now, I remember that day. The rain stopped a little bit before sunrise just as my shift was just about to end." "There is no one living at the Nimura house at present," Akira said to Dai. "Some persons claiming to be decorators have been coming and going for a week." Nobody said it out loud, but all three men were thinking the same thing. Why would a decorator be driving off into the area the fresh tire tracks had been found? It wasn't as if there was a nice view of the lake, and the drainage ditch was uninspiring at best. The fact that the food boxes had been tossed here suggested that someone had been there a long time, and possibly repeatedly. Dai thought about the tire tracks for a few minutes. "Akira-san, can you call Inukai-san for me? There is a job I want him to do." Bunrakuken Inukai was a small-time criminal who sometimes did break-in jobs for the Watanabes. Inkui-san was a small built person who had a uncanny way of getting in and out of places without being detected. "I will get on that immediately, Tiger-san." Dai, confident in Akira Sudo's abilities, started back towards his car, intending to go back to Yokohma and more paperwork, but then had a second thought and made a phone call to Omar Rafique. He needed a expert in electronic eavesdropping. The Indian-born computer programmer listened to Dai for just a short time before interrupting him. "Hashimoto-san, that isn't the type of work I do." "Do you know anyone who can assist me?" "I do know someone, Hashimoto-san. His name is Hoshiko Kitano. Would you like me to have him call you?" "Yes, I would. Have Kitano call me tonight at my home. I've decided not to come back into Yokohama this afternoon." ***** "You were speaking to Josephine in Catnonese before. Am I right?" Hiromi asked Chuck as they got off the elevator. "Yes, I was, Kimi-chan. Why do you ask?" "I was wondering if I should learn Cantonese too," Hiromi said as she and Chuck walked towards their car. "We could order Rosetta Stone software if you want." "Maybe I will do that," Hiromi replied. As the owner of a Chinese bank it would be best if she knew the language. Chuck, who had grown up in Hong Kong, spoke fluent Cantonese. He could probably assist his wife in learning it too, assuming that they still had a future together after Australia. "Kimi-chan, what was it again you said happened at the McDonald's today?" Chuck asked as Hiromi pulled the Jaguar out onto Arbuthnot Road. Hiromi quickly decided it was time to start telling some of her secrets to Chuck. "I met an old friend who is staying in Hong Kong now. She asked by email if I wanted to have lunch with her and I agreed to it. I'm sorry, Chuck, for not telling you what I was really up to today, but it embarrassed me." "That is all right Kimi-chan," Chuck said honestly. He saw women as very complex creatures with many needs. Chuck considered himself a good husband but at the same time understood there some needs Hiromi might have that he could never fulfill. "What is her name?" 'I don't deserve such a understanding and forgiving man,' Hiromi thought to herself before answering Chuck's question. "Her name is Gabrielle Tanaka." "The woman I met at the Yamamoto party?" "Yes, that's her," Hiromi said as she weaved her way around slower moving traffic. "She is very pretty." "I think Gabrielle is very pretty too." Chuck immediately started laughing. He didn't speak till he regained his composure, then he smiled. "Then you shared that kiss with Gabrielle, didn't you?" "Yes, and I am sorry I did that. I am your wife, not a single woman any more." Traffic was becoming lighter as Hiromi drove got out of Central. This enabled her to gun the Jaguar a little. "Weren't you and Ryuku intimate some time ago?" Chuck asked as Hiromi made the turn onto Peak Road. Miriam, behind the wheel of an SUV, was keeping up with her employer so far. It would take every bit of Miriam's driving skills to maintain that status quo during the drive up Victoria Peak. "Yes, but that was back when I was in college and before we met. Since then, I have always been faithful to you except for today." She glanced over at him, anxious for his approval of her. "Kimi-chan, don't be silly. I don't consider what you did today to be any sort of infidelity. Your feelings for this woman have nothing to do with us. I have friends. You have friends. We can't just sit around staring into each other's eyes all the time. What would we talk about in the evenings?" He grinned and patted her hand as it rested on the shift lever. "Mind you, I don't kiss all that many of my mates, well, except in fun." He laughed with easy good humor, not threatened or defensive at all. She looked into his eyes again, seeing the love she longed for, until traffic made her look back at the road. "I love you, Chuck." "I love you too, my little sports car. Did you get upset about something today? You look as if were crying recently" "Yes, I got some bad news today." "Would you like to talk about it, Kimi-chan?" "Yes, but can talk about it after dinner? We are almost home." "Yes, Kimi-chan, that's fine with me. I like talking to you almost as much as I like taking my little sports car for a ride." He grinned again. This time, Hiromi grinned back. ***** At almost the exact moment Chuck and Hiromi began driving home, Gabrielle emailed her report to Grant Williamson. It was marked highest priority. Gabrielle expected Grant to contact her sometime before midnight Hong Kong time. Since the FBI Deputy Director had been given her phone number at Arsenal Street, for security reasons, Gabrielle would remain at the police station rather than go back to her hotel. Maurice Gao came by to check on Gabrielle. "Are you going back to the South Pacific soon?" "No, Maurice, I am not. I have to wait for Grant Williamson's phone call. Is there a good steak or seafood restaurant nearby?" Gabrielle had eaten very lightly that day; she had been so consumed with meeting Tom for the first time in half a year. For some unknown reason, she had a sudden craving for a small steak served with shrimp, with ice cream for dessert. "Yes, there is," Maurice replied. "I'm going home for the day now. Before I leave, I can walk you over to La Pampa." "Thank you, Maurice. I would appreciate that." La Pampa, which is located on Staunton Street and less than a half mile from the Landmark Oriental Hotel, was just over five blocks away from the police station. While he walked there with Gabrielle, Maurice called his fianc?e Lily on his cell phone. "Maurice, am I keeping you and Lily apart? If I am, I apologize." "No, Gabrielle, you are doing no such thing. Lily was going to pick me up in front of the station. Now she'll meet me at La Pampa instead." "That is good then," Gabrielle said. Five minutes later she and Maurice arrived at La Pampa at the exact moment Lily pulled up in her car. "Hello, Gabrielle," a cheerful Lily said as Maurice walked around her car in order to get in. "I hope you're still enjoying Hong Kong." "Yes, I am, and Maurice has been a big help in that regard, Lily. You're very lucky to have him. He's very kind." Lily smiled. "I sure am. We're shoving off now. Bye, Gabrielle." Gabrielle watched as Lily and Maurice drove away. Undoubtedly they were headed to some place where they could have a good time. As Gabrielle entered La Pampa and the smell of steaks cooking filled her nostrils, the FBI agent couldn't help but think what that good time might involve. Maurice, with the loving help of Lily, was able to enjoy his feminine side. Gabrielle envied the couple at the same time she hoped to have the same opportunity with Tom one day, if it was their fate to be together. ***** "Your friend is very interesting," Lily Ng remarked to Maurice as she drove them both back to her apartment. "Yes, she is. The work Gabrielle is doing here in Hong Kong is extraordinary." Lily, through a sideways glance, noted once again how excited Maurice had become since he started working with Gabrielle Tanaka. "You can't tell me anything about that work, can you?" "No, Lily, I am afraid not. I took an oath of secrecy." "Can Molly tell me later?" Lily asked him. He shook his head. However much he would like to express his feelings about what he had learned of the Swan Song genetic process, he remained steadfastly tight-lipped about Gabrielle Tanaka and Operation Swan Song. He didn't dare say anything to anyone, even his fianc?e. He felt like he was on the edge of a precipice. ***** Chuck and Hiromi had a quiet dinner together. It wasn't till they began getting ready for bed that Hiromi told her husband of the sad news she received. "I just learned that a dear friend of mine died in an auto accident, together with her husband." Hiromi was putting her nightgown on. "Were they anyone I knew?" Chuck asked as a concerned look formed on his face. "No, Susan was a sister to me when I grew up," Hiromi said as tears formed in her eyes. "I did not know her husband very well. They were recently married, and so filled with love and hope for the future." Her face contorted as grief overwhelmed her again Chuck stopped what he was doing and came instantly to his wife's side, reaching out to hold her. Hiromi buried her face against his chest, sobbing. In talking about her sister Susan, Hiromi had once again lost control of her emotions and started to cry very loudly, half honest grief, and half shame because she'd just lied to Chuck again, because she couldn't truly share the real cause of her mourning, and it was tearing her heart in two. She'd been so stupid when she'd agreed to do this stupid thing, more than a lifetime ago, because she'd died and been reborn twice since then. She longed to tell Chuck everything, absolutely everything, right now, this very minute, but knew she couldn't, because he might think that she was crazy without Gabrielle to back up her story, and if he didn't believe her, it might put his life in danger if he sought help from the Watanabes. "Kimi-chan, I am so sorry," Chuck said as he easily swept her up into his embrace and sat down on their bed with her resting in his lap, murmuring softly into her ear, words of love and a crooning almost lullabye. He didn't know who these friends were, but Chuck knew from the howling sobs of his wife, that they had mattered a great deal to Hiromi, and that was all that mattered for him. he grieved on her behalf, even though he'd never met her friend, much less her husband. Hiromi didn't just cry for her own loss, but for that of her mother, father, sister, and nephew. The one who had lost the most was Shannon Zebriskie. He would grow up never knowing the parents who brought him into the world. 'What if I could be Shannon's mother?' Hiromi asked herself as her sobbing began to lessen. 'I can never be Susan, but I would work hard to raise Shannon the way she would have.' By thinking of the possibility of becoming Shannon's mother, the need of her balancing duty and family was again driven home to Hiromi. She was doing a dangerous mission, would it be right to risk the life of her own child? If she was pregnant right now ? and she could be ? would anything justify putting Chuck's unborn child in danger? How could he ever forgive her? It might already be too late for Hiromi to do anything about it. She had just made her proposal for an extended Swan Song, but she and Chuck could well have made a child together already. If not, it wouldn't be for lack of trying. She looked closely into his eyes, still sheltered in his embrace, as if she were a little girl again, except she never was a little girl. "Chuck, I have been bad to you." "Kimi-chan, why do you say that?" "I've lied to you." "About your work, you mean?" "Yes, but there is more," Hiromi said as Chuck passed her some Kleenex from the nightstand. "I've lied about other things. Sometimes I did it to protect you but many, if not most, of my lies were because I'm afraid of what you will think about me when I tell you the truth." "Kimi-chan, I love you very much," Chuck said. He loved Hiromi so desperately that he was willing to forget any little lies she'd told him, because they were likely to be tiny matters compared to his love for his dear wife. He knew that she was involved with criminals. Her whole family were gangsters and thugs, and had been for hundreds of years, and at first he'd almost been afraid that she'd been tainted by her association with them, but ? especially lately ? he'd seen an essential goodness and purity in her, something almost holy, as if she'd finally been redeemed from any hint of the cruelty and anger she'd sometimes shown at her family's callous treatment of her. Her need to have his child as soon as possible told him all he needed to know about his Kimi-chan. She was willing to risk her life for him, for their family together, where she'd always put off the notion before. Chuck wasn't a particularly religious man, but the wonderful changes he'd seen in his beloved Kimi-chan almost made him believe in miracles. He wanted to be worthy of her, not the other way around; whatever it was she thought she'd done, she'd paid for it many times over, suffering at the hands of her wicked family and their many enemies. "I love you too. When we get to Australia, away from all this, I want to tell you everything." Chuck understood his wife's unstated message. Even in Hong Kong, Hiromi wasn't confident about their safety. "Kimi-chan, I want us to talk there too. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Is there anything I can do for you now?" Hiromi was caught in a state of almost utter despair and grief. In her mind, her marriage was days away from collapsing, and it was all her fault. She wasn't worthy of the generous love of this wonderful man. But in the meantime, she would try to be better at being the perfect wife that Chuck deserved, at least, for as long as she was allowed to be, to give him everything that she had, since she still couldn't give him what he really wanted, what he needed and should have, her whole heart and soul. "Let me make love to you. I want you to fill my womb." ***** Thirty-one-year-old Fukusabaru Hirase was working behind the reception desk at the Negishi Bay apartments. It had been a routine evening so far. Just like the four consecutive days before it that Fukusabaru had to work also. No one had come to visit the building that was home to most of the Watanabe Yakuza except those who lived or worked there. That changed at a little past 8 p.m. when two Yokohama policemen entered the building with a third person. "We are back with Suzuki- san." Fukusabaru, who had his head buried in a newspaper till only moments before, was greatly surprised by these visitors. So much so, that he froze in place for almost a minute before paging for his supervisor. The person in charge of the night shift was named Osamu Kataoka. He arrived in the lobby only minutes after being paged. "What has happened?" "Suzuki-kun was arrested today," said Sergeant Narahashi. Osamu shook his head. "What did he do?" "He was reported to us as a suspect for improperly touching a woman out on the street. Like this...." Patrolman Koshin said as he took a pinch of his own buttocks. Fumahiro Suzuki stood silently between the two Yokohama policemen. Anyone who looked at the janitor could see he was shaking. "We are only here to return Suzuki-kun. We found him coming out of an adult bookstore, and he answered the description, so we questioned him about other incidents in the area, but he doesn't seem to have been involved. A warning was given to him, none-the-less." "I am sorry. I do not want to go to jail," Fumahiro pleaded. "Suzuki-kun will not go to jail unless he repeats this sort of thing. If I were you, I would impress on him the importance of not breaking the law." Sergeant Narahashi and Patrolman Koshin then left the building. Osamu shook his head again. "What am I to do with you, Suzuki-san?" ***** Sergeant Narahashi and Patrolman Koshin checked in with Juri Hayakawa who was waiting two blocks away from the Negishi Bay apartments. The female police detective was seated in a car with Lieutenant Tsunesaburo Horiuchi. "We returned Suzuki-san as you asked," Sergeant Narahashi said. "Thank you, Sergeant," Tsunesaburo replied. Once they were alone again, Tsunesaburo spoke to Juri. "Do you think Suzuki-san will do what you requested? "Yes, I do. He fears the Watanabes more than he fears the police, and even he knows what they might do to him if they discovered that he'd been thinking dirty thoughts about an important leader of the Watanabe Yakuza. Their family honor would require them to avenge his insolence." ***** Gabrielle received the Swan Song phone call she was expecting shortly after 10 p.m. Hong Kong time. The Deputy Director's secretary, Miranda DeLaCruz, was on line and the first thing she asked was if Agent Tanaka was on a secure phone. "No, I am not. Let me call the Deputy Director right back." It took less than ten minutes for Gabrielle to be set up in the secure communications room and back on the line with Miranda. The secretary then transferred the phone call. "Agent Tanaka, I have just finished reading your report. In my over twenty years with bureau, I have never once read a document like the one you sent me today." "Sir, my meeting with Ripley today was most unusual, but can't the same be said for Swan Song?" "Yes, that is true, Agent Tanaka, but at the same time, undercover field agents aren't authorized to make the sort of requests Ripley is making of us." "His revised Swan Song mission sounds workable. Ripley wants to try selling it, because she will need some help from the committee and other interested parties." "I'd say she will need a great deal of help. Agent Tanaka, you should be aware there are other problems that can prevent the mission from being extended." Gabrielle listened as Grant Williamson began to list the problems for her. The Japanese were readying to arrest the Watanabe leadership. Grant didn't have the authority to stop the Japanese plan. "I didn't tell Ripley about Japan's intentions. It is my opinion Ripley should still be allowed to make her arguments." "There are other obstacles to what Ripley is proposing, Agent Tanaka. First, there is the question of her mental stability." "Ripley appeared to in control of herself when we spoke." 'That could be misleading or just a temporary state of mind,' Grant thought to himself. "She claims the killing of Agent Chrysanthemum caused her mental breakdown?" "Yes, sir, she did." "Ripley could face criminal charges for what she did." "I am aware of that, sir," she said, but privately she thought that the man was a pompous fool, since Tom had a strong legal defense available should she be prosecuted. He had been under duress at the time of Agent Chrysanthemum's killing and due to her mission had been subjected to experimental medical treatments that had obviously drastically affected her mental state, since she was now married to a man, and had previously been a heterosexual male. A smart defense attorney would have a field day with that set of circumstances, and the fact that the treatment itself was a state secret would probably preclude going to trial in the first place. A simple question about what had happened to the real Hiromi Sato would reveal the fact that they'd kidnapped and held a Japanese citizen in captivity without trial or official authorization of any kind. If Tom went to jail, he'd have a lot of company, and many careers would be in shambles at the end of it, whatever happened, whether any particular individual went to prison or not. Under Federal law, every one of them was involved in felony murder, since at least one death had occurred in the commission of a serious crime in which they were all willing participants, fully aware that they were all co-operating in the careful planning and execution of a criminal conspiracy involving US and Japanese nationals, including the US military. Gabrielle didn't think a prosecution was likely. Some Swan Song committee members had committed murder also. When the time was right, Gabrielle would remind them of Owl. Owl was the Swan Song code name for Emiko Takagi, the woman who had raised Hiromi Sato. It was a massive stroke suffered by Owl that had threatened to delay the operational phase of Swan Song. Certain present and past Swan Song committee members, Major Ed Hollins, Grant Williamson, and possibly Inspector Yoshida had been complicit in arranging a fatal drug overdose for Emiko Takagi as she lay in a hospital bed. Gabrielle had learned all of this was from a pair of emails that were accidentally sent to her by 1st Lieutenant DW Walters, one of Major Hollins men. Gabrielle would use this potentially scandalous piece of information only if Tom Slater was threatened with prosecution. It might be the one and only thing guaranteeing his freedom Post Swan Song, if the idiots held firm, but it would end her career. "Sir, I spoke to Inspector Yoshida on Sunday. He has nothing new to offer at this time." Neither Gabrielle nor Grant was aware that the Reina Shimizu murder was being re-investigated. Grant went silent for a couple of minutes. He spent the time processing what Gabrielle had said and then using it to tweak the conclusions he had already drawn from the report he had gotten that morning. The new Swan Song was audacious and had the potential for great rewards but was highly risky. When the other factors were considered, Agent Ripley's proposal would probably be a non-starter to most Swan Song committee members. That was Grant's final conclusion though he was personally undecided on Ripley's proposal. "I will have to bring this to the attention of the Director and the other committee members." Gabrielle had expected this answer. Should she tell Grant what Tom planned to do with Chuck on arrival in Melbourne? "Do we have any new orders for Ripley?" Gabrielle decided not to mention Tom's personal plans. It could provide Grant Williamson and the rest of the committee one more reason to end Swan Song. "No, Agent Tanaka." "Will there be any orders for Ripley before her scheduled departure for Australia?" Grant lost patience with Gabrielle. "Agent Tanaka, each and every person Ripley wants to meet with are very busy people. We cannot be expected to reschedule our lives on such short notice." Deep down Grant was angry with the unmitigated gall Ripley was displaying. Why didn't she request a meeting with the Queen of England while she was at it too? "Is Ripley still to travel to Australia?" "Yes, she is. We will contact Ripley there. Her ultimate destination is to be Alice Springs, am I correct?" "That is correct, sir. Economist's mother lives in that city. Ripley said she and Economist can travel there safely." "Is there any other Swan Song business we need to discuss?" "No, Sir. Should I forward my report to anyone?" "I will handle that, Agent Tanaka." Grant's phone conversation with Gabrielle ended a few moments later. After a brief pause, Grant buzzed his secretary. "Miranda, please contact the Director's office for me. Tell them it is urgent I get a meeting with the Director concerning Swan Song." ***** Gabrielle was in a contemplative mood even before her phone conversation with Grant Williamson ended. She had done her best to pitch Tom's new Swan Song, but it seemed unlikely to be approved. 'You can tell Tom you tried your best when you see her next," Gabrielle thought as she left the communications room. Since it was almost eleven by the time she was done talking to her supposed superior, Gabrielle decided it was time to return to her hotel. She had plenty of Operation Swan Song work to do the next day. ***** Fumahiro Suzuki wasn't allowed to go straight to his basement apartment. Instead he was told to wait in the lobby. His supervisor at the apartments would have to give permission before Fumahiro would be allowed to return to his home and job. "You do not know how much I am disappointed with you, Suzuki-san," Said Kiminobu Sumitimo. He was the receiving area manager at Negishi Bay. "Haven't we given you a home and treated you well?" "I am sorry Sumitimo-san. Today I was very bad." Kiminobu could see how scared Fumahiro was. Because of this, and because Fumahiro had never been in trouble before, Kiminobu was inclined to be lenient with the simple minded janitor. "All right then, Fumahiro-san. The basement is very dirty now. Your punishment will be to clean it but only in the morning. Now go back to your room." Fumahiro was in his room a few minutes later. The first thing he did, was go check on the stockings once worn by Hiromi Sato. They were still in their hiding place. ***** Stuart and Midori Slater, plus their grandson Shannon, got to O'Hare Airport at nine on Tuesday morning. Their first stop was the United Airlines counter. "I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Slater. Our flights to Seattle are full for today. All I have is standby," said Katherine Meas. She had been working for United Airlines a little over a year. Midori was tending to Shannon. The boy wasn't feeling well and had been crying off and on most of the morning. Stuart had a question for the United Airlines employee. "Could you get us into Portland, instead?" Katherine Meas smiled. "Yes, I may be able to do that for you." While Katherine worked on his family's flight reservations, Stuart spoke to Midori. "Our car is at McChord anyway. Instead of having to backtrack, Tacoma is close to our direct path home. JBLM McChord Field, also known as McChord AFB outside of Tacoma Washington, had been the originating point of the Slater's trip to Germany. The couple lived in Darrington Washington, over 100 miles northeast of Seattle. Tacoma was almost equidistant to both Portland and Darrington. The only objection Midori had to flying into Portland was that it would make an already long day, longer for Stuart, Shannon and herself. Her grandson was ill and Stuart wasn't far removed from his open heart surgery and still prone to tiring easily. Ultimately Midori gave her ok. "We can do that, Stuart. Maybe we can find a hotel in Tacoma and then drive home tomorrow." Stuart smiled at his wife. "I was thinking the exact same thing. Debbie may able to help us out too when we get to Portland." Deborah 'Debbie' Slater was the youngest of Midori and Stuart's three children. She and her live-in boyfriend lived in the Portland Oregon suburb of Tigard. Katherine Meas was able to book the Slaters on a plane to Portland. Their new reservations involved a non-stop flight which made it perfect for the travel weary couple and their grandson. After they were finished checking in, Tom Slater's parents and nephew all headed to the gate where their flight would be boarding. Before she went through the security checkpoint, Midori checked her voice mail. "Gabrielle met Tom in person today," Midori excitedly said to her husband. "Is Tom all right?" "Yes, Gabrielle did say she was. She asked that we call her back." The Slaters had a little over an hour before their plane left. "Do you want to call Gabrielle now?" Midori thought for a few moments. "No, let's call Gabrielle when we get to Portland. I'm so happy, Stuart; we'll be talking to Tom very soon." ***** Before retiring for the evening, Keiji Watanabe had a phone call to make. It was to Hideichi Ishimoto, one of his family's shareigashiras. "What can I do for you, Oyabun-san?" Hideichi asked. "I would like to discuss some matters with you, Ishimoto-san. Can you come to my home tomorrow?" "Of course I can, Oyabun-san. What time do you want me to arrive?" ***** It was Grant Williamson's lucky day. FBI Director Robert Mueller was in his office and not overly busy. He had both the time to meet with his subordinate and read Gabrielle Tanaka's report. Also in the room for the meeting was Robert Mueller's secretary, Helen Bey. She was there to keep notes. "If Ripley's analysis is correct, this is a great opportunity for us and the Japanese," Robert Mueller said to Grant. The FBI Director had started his legal career by working for the criminal divisions of two United States attorney's offices. The first of which had been in San Francisco, the second in Boston. Mueller hated everything about organized crime. They peddled misery and death to millions on a daily basis. "It is very risky, sir." "As the saying goes, Grant, 'no risk, no gain.' I will contact the Japanese, South Koreans, and Australians personally." Robert was already planning to talk to his opposite numbers in those countries. Something as big as the new Swan Song could become needed to be decided upon not by cautious bureaucrats but at the highest levels of government instead. Otherwise great but risky opportunities will almost always be rejected. Canberra hadn't been a participant in Swan Song to date, but their cooperation was essential now. Robert would offer Ripley's potential assistance with Australian organized crime efforts in trade for a meeting set up on that country's soil. Yakuzas worked world-wide, not just in Japan. Robert had plans for the coming weekend and the next week, but they were all miniscule in comparison to Swan Song. He would make time to meet Ripley and besides he could do much of his work just as easily in Australia as he could in D.C. Also his wife would come along with him. She had loved their only other trip to Australia together. "You may want to include the authorities in Hong Kong," Grant said. "They have been assisting Gabrielle Tanaka and the committee for over a week. I said we would share any triad or narcotics related intelligence that Ripley may have learned." Director Mueller said he would speak to people in Hong Kong also. The Hong Kong police would be invited to send a representative to the meeting with Ripley. "Then the new Swan Song is to go ahead?" Robert thought Agent Ripley's plan was a little too open ended. It was more likely a shorter new Swan Song would gain approval. "I do not know yet, Grant. But we're going to start planning for that contingency. This is what I want you to do....." Robert Mueller told Grant to begin assembling people to examine Ripley while she was in Australia. First there would be the debriefers, people who would take Ripley through every detail of her Swan Song work since the Hong Kong debriefing. The FBI Forensic Accountant named Debra Dudley would be among the debriefers. She had been lending the Swan Song committee her expertise since the first computer files were received from Ripley. The next people Grant needed to get were doctors. Ripley would be given thorough physical and mental examinations. If she weren't deemed totally fit, Swan Song would be terminated as previously planned. Representatives from American and Japanese Special Forces would also have to come to Australia also. Their input on a Swan Song was vital, including how Ripley would make an eventual escape from the Watanabe and also perhaps to set up a sting like operation against other Yakuza. Japanese Self Defense Forces Major Senichi Hoshino who was working on the arrest of the Watanabe leadership would also be called in. So not to interrupt the preparations he was undertaking, the Major would probably attend the meeting by teleconference call. Also to come to Australia would be Dr. Wagner the inventor of the DNA therapy given to Captain Slater, and FBI Computer Expert Scott Avery. They would need to be close at hand if their expertise was needed. Grant was also to check on the status of Beancounter, the real Hiromi Sato. Robert Mueller mentioned the possibility of switching Beancounter for Ripley at an opportune time as a means to safely rescue the latter. A secure location on Australian soil would also have to be found for the meeting with Ripley. An Aiport or Air Base would have to be close by. Grant soon became thankful Helen Bey was in the room. Robert Mueller had given him a long 'to do' list. "Did you get all of that down, Helen?" Robert asked when he was finished speaking. Helen asked her boss for two minor clarifications. Other than that her list was perfect. "I'll print the list for Deputy Director Williamson as soon as the meeting is over." "Thank you, Helen. Grant, do you have any questions you would like to ask?" "What about Ripley confessing to the murder of Agent Chrysanthemum? "I will speak about it to the proper Japanese authorities." "Agent Tanaka's report makes mention of Ripley's confession." "Have her write a separate report on that aspect of Swan Song. Then have her send me a copy." Robert Mueller was more sympathetic than troubled by what Ripley had had to do to Chrysanthemum. As a former Marine who had served in Vietnam, the FBI Director knew soldiers in unusual circumstances sometimes have to make a moral decision that they would prefer not to make. The Status of Forces Agreement said United States soldiers committing a crime against Japanese nationals while on duty were subject to military law. Very often politics enters into these matters. Robert Mueller would have to oversee this aspect of Swan Song with more personal attention than was usual for him. "Everyone you told me to contact is to be ready to travel to Australia as soon as this Friday?" "Yes, Grant, they are." Robert was well aware of how immense the arrangements making for a meeting with Ripley would be. It was doable, as long as people actually worked at it instead of wasting time with complaints. "Do you think we'll be using Pine Gap?" Joint Defense Facility Pine Gap was a satellite tracking station near Alice Springs, Australia. It was one of the most secretive and secure installations in the whole world. "That will be up to the Australians and probably the NSA, Grant." Grant was just about out of questions. "Ripley is asking to see his parents. Will that be allowed?" Robert had to think this one over. Agent Ripley was doing a dangerous mission. When undercover field agents make modest personal requests, their handlers usually grant them, but Operational Security has to be factored in. "Where are Ripley's parents and what do they do?" Robert asked Grant. He had read Captain Tom Slater's personnel file but didn't remember all its details. "Her father is retired Untied States Army. Last time I checked, Stuart Slater and his Japanese born wife were living in Washington State." "For now, include the Slaters in the Australia arrangements," Robert replied. 'Slater's parents are in for the shock of their life when they see what has been done to their son.' "Is there anything else?" Robert asked Grant after he checked his notes. Without being told to do so, he'd have another background check done on Tom Slater's parents. "No, Director, there isn't." ***** United Airlines Flight 17 from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Portland Oregon hadn't been airborne fifteen minutes when Shannon Zebriskie began to cry very loudly. No matter what his Grandmother tried, the boy wouldn't calm down. Midori walked up and down the cabin of the 757 in an effort to make Shannon less upset. After a while, passengers on the plane began giving her dirty looks. One even told the grandmother to shut her baby up. Stuart offered his wife assistance. "Let me have Shannon. Maybe I can stop his crying." "No, Stuart, you can't carry Shannon yet, because of your heart. You know that." "Can I do anything?" "No, Stuart, I'm fine," Midori said. She was very worried about Shannon. Was all the air travel causing the boy's recent ear infection to flare up again? ***** Gabrielle got six solid hours sleep on Tuesday night, but no more. Her mind was racing because of Tom and the Swan Song work she was doing. The first thing Gabrielle did after getting out of bed, was turn on her computer. After she was done with some other personal business, Gabrielle sat down in front of her PC with some in room brewed coffee. She quickly learned that Cassie Myers had replied to her note. ***** Gabby, I sure do know a lot about Grant Williamson and his wife. If you want the whole rundown, call me on my cell. It's the same number as when we last spoke. Talk to you soon, Cassie ***** Before going up to her room the night before, Gabrielle had bought a international phone card from the hotel gift shop. She used it to call Cassie. "Gabby, it is so good to hear from you. What are you doing in China?" "I'm here on Bureau business." "I am glad to hear sharp shooting Gabby hasn't changed. Besides your bureau work, what have you been up to?" "Not a whole lot," Gabby replied. "Are you still seeing that Tim, Tom, or Ted guy?" Gabrielle had told Cassie about Tom Slater when the two women had dinner together the previous February. "Yes, I spoke to Tom just recently." "That is good then. I got you that information you were asking on Grant Williamson. Do you want to hear it?" "Yes Cassie that is why I called." Cassie began to give Gabrielle an overview of how Grant Williamson and his wealthy wife contributed heavily to Democratic political candidates and causes. "It is not just that Gabrielle, they have hosted fundraisers for Senate and Governor candidates in Maryland. Some of what the Williamsons do is in violation of campaign finance laws, but they get away with it. Do you want me to explain it more in depth?" "Yes Cassie, I do." ***** Chuck and Hiromi's personal goods were being kept in three separate warehouses. As dawn broke Wednesday morning, Hong Kong customs were still inspecting them. It was at the third warehouse which contained the least amount of Hiromi Sato's belongings that an incident occurred. A pallet with boxes, most of which had the words 'living room' written on them, had caused a bomb sniffing dog named Willow to become excited. Willow's handler was named Law Jun Dong. Not till she was through pulling her dog away from the suspect goods, did Jun speak into a microphone she had on her at all times. "This is Jun reporting in. We may have a problem here." ***** To be continued in Part Twenty Two