The Devouring God by James Kendley Page B

to Nabeshima. “Do you know how I could budget for someone as smart as she is? She passed the exams to get into Waseda University, but she stayed here and went to a junior college to help her family. Junior college! That’s the only way I could afford her. Capitalizing on the misfortune of others, that’s the only way I can get my job done here. Now, you so-­called elite law-­enforcement professionals tell me you can’t protect my staff!”
    The finger slowly tracked from Nabeshima to the detective. The finger had been trembling with rage; now it was dead steady. The detective sat back as if pushed.
    â€œI hold you personally responsible for persuading your fool of a boss to do his job. Do you understand this? If you cannot convince him, then you had better find a way to protect my staff yourself.” The finger dropped, and the manager bowed deeply from the waist. “I place my safety and the safety of my staff entirely in your hands. As one public servant to another, I implore you to help us at this difficult and dangerous time. Please do your best for us.”
    The detective leapt to his feet and returned the bow. “Yes, yes, of course, I am doing what I can. How can I resist your passionate and well-­reasoned plea for . . .”
    â€œPerhaps we should go together to speak to the chief of detectives.” The section chief straightened his tie and smoothed his hair. “Do you have a car, or shall I drive?”
    â€œI . . . uh . . . took the train this afternoon. Greenhouse gasses, you know.” Kimura bowed in apology.
    â€œAdmirable. I will drive.” He nodded to Yoshida and Nabeshima. On his way out the door, he stopped to talk to Takuda. The detective, following too closely, almost bumped into him.
    â€œSecurity Guard, please convey our thanks to Ota Southern Protection Ser­vices. I will call later to formalize the end of your contract.” He indicated Yoshida and Nabeshima with a nod of his head. “You may miss being the thorn among the roses here, but I’m sure you will find pleasant work.”
    Takuda bowed as the section chief and the detective left.
    Yoshida turned on Takuda as the door closed. “Why didn’t you tell him? Are you going to attempt to blackmail this poor girl?”
    â€œBlackmail her? Blackmail her for what?”
    â€œFor our silence. We know who you are. We could tell your boss, and then you’d be finished in this town.”
    Mori looked up and made to take off his headset, but Nabeshima raised one sculpted eyebrow: It’s nothing. He almost smiled as he went back to work.
    Takuda stood very still. “We just happened to show up when your troubles started, but that’s always how it happens. There are no coincidences in this world.”
    â€œWhat do you want, then?”
    â€œWe want to help,” Takuda said. “We want information we can act on.”
    â€œAct on? There’s nothing to act on. This has nothing to do with you. A disturbed young man who found Kaori’s lost phone has made a ­couple of phone calls to her workplace. She’s confirmed that the number is on speed dial. Some girls are missing, and there are rumors—­unconfirmed rumors—­of dismemberments. Rumors and unrelated occurrences. Don’t you understand that? If you get involved as if this were some ghost-­hunt, you will get us all fired, and it might endanger our town.”
    Takuda frowned at Yoshida. Nabeshima looked away. Takuda said, “What would it take to convince you that we are sincere?”
    â€œYour sincerity is the problem. Your sincerity is ten times more dangerous than most ­people’s dishonesty. A hundred times. A thousand times. There is nothing you could do to convince us that you are anything but dangerous criminals.”
    â€œEven if I retrieved Nabeshima’s cell phone from the foreigner’s house?”
    Nabeshima straightened.