Collector of Secrets by Richard Goodfellow

questions with the authorities, and smoothing these things over costs a great deal of money.”
    “Very sorry, Father.”
    Oto ignored the apology. “However, I’ve used the information from the business card you obtained. A cleaning crew will bug Murayama- san ’s office tonight, after which I want you and Hiro to take the van and start listening.”
    “For what?” Jun sat up higher.
    “I’m looking for a brown leather satchel containing a priceless old book. I want you to recover it.” Oto’s dark eyes burned bright. “But―I don’t wish to coerce Murayama- san directly. He was a diplomat and the police could surveil him as well after the unfortunate shrine murder. It will be slower this way, but less obvious.”
    Jun felt a swell of pride. I’m being asked to carry out duties directly for the Father!
    “And I have another task.” Steam rose into the already moist air as Oto continued speaking. “I’m growing concerned about your Yakuza brother, Hiro. I’m hearing reports that he’s acting strangely again. I believe he’s been tainted by weak Western influences.” Oto’s flat nose wrinkled. “All foolishness! The family is what matters. And his heart may not be with our family anymore. Do you understand?”
    Jun’s chin dipped into the water as he nodded.
    “He tried to leave us once. It was years ago. He was young, and I thought he learned his lesson, but perhaps not,” Oto said. “Let me know if you see anything unusual in his behavior.”
    “Yes, of course, Father.”
    The blonde woman whispered into Oto’s ear. He splashed a hand, giving approval for her to leave the bath. “These Americans can’t take the heat.”
    Rising up and swinging her long, smooth legs up over the tiled edge of the bath, the woman fully exposed her entire body. Jun could feel himself becoming aroused, and in an attempt to avoid being noticed, he clasped his hands together in his lap while his gaze followed her every move.
    Oto cleared his throat and the two men briefly locked eyes. “I too was once a young man.”
    Jun felt a hot rush of guilt spread over his face.
    “Don’t be ashamed, my boy. It’s only natural to be attracted to her. In fact, I’m feeling generous. You may have her for a few hours.”
    Jun wiped his brow with a single wet hand, marveling at the father’s generosity.
    “Woman-u!” Oto’s English word boomed and echoed in the little room. “Give-u him-u good-o time-u.”
    She wrapped herself in a towel and showed her perfect white teeth in a dazzling smile.
    Jun rose rapidly, sending a wave cascading over the pool’s edge and onto the floor. He bowed while keeping his hands folded tightly over his groin, attempting to awkwardly scale the bath’s edge.
    As the door closed, the aging leader drew a napkin-sized white terry cloth out of the water. Folding it twice into a small square, he placed it on top of his head and settled deeper into the warm water, dreaming of the diary that would soon be his and the riches within.

IT WAS meant to be a pleasant evening of traditional Kabuki theater, and normally Max would have been excited about trying something new. But as he pressed down the crowded sidewalk, surrounded by bright neon-crowned buildings, he felt a clear sense of trepidation. Yoko, the Dragon Lady, was waiting for him, and her reaction was going to be unpredictable at best.
    Delivering his resignation letter just hours before had lifted a huge weight from his shoulders. Yoko had been on the phone, planning an upcoming art exhibit, with her back to the door. Her vicious cat, Luciano, reclined on a guest chair, hissing as Max entered the office. Tossing the sealed envelope onto the desktop, he dashed out before she could spin around her high-backed chair.
    He knew he would miss teaching the kids, but he was weary of Yoko’s lies and her ever-changing stories. She’d successfully seduced him with a position on the new board of directors, however in the end she was simply placating