Cajun Justice(44)

“Hentai,” Bonnie said.

“What?”

“Hentai. It’s what the Japanese call anime porn. It’s very popular here—you’ll even see men reading it at the 7-Eleven.”

“In the States, the police would get dispatched if a man was caught looking at pictures of a man having sex with a schoolgirl. Look, I understand there are cultural differences, and I’m trying to keep an open mind. But some things are just way too weird for me to accept.”

“Like what else?”

“Like the fact that I can get a coffee, a bag of potato chips, an ice-cream cone, and a pair of ladies’ underwear all from the same vending machine!”

Bonnie started laughing uncontrollably. “It is a little weird.”

“A little? It’s creepy!”

“Okay, I’ll give you that one. We can talk more about some of these cultural differences over drinks.”

“I look forward to that conversation. Anyway, I’ve called a mandatory meeting for tomorrow.”

“That’ll make their day. The Japanese love meetings.”

“Well, they’re not going to like this one,” Cain said.

“Oh?”

“I’m going to lay down the law.”

“Well, that’s why Mr. Sato hired you and nobody else.”

“Sounds like he hired me because of you,” Cain said.

“What do you mean?”

“Doesn’t sound like Mr. Sato needed any more English lessons.”

“I teach more than just language. I also teach international cultural norms and other important things a leader who’s doing business all over the world should know.”

“I’d like to get together with you as soon as possible, though.”

“You’re already itching to buy my meal at the most expensive sushi restaurant in Yokohama?”

Cain chuckled. “Well, not the most expensive one. I haven’t gotten my first paycheck yet. But I need to ask you about some things.”

“Sounds serious. Is everything okay?”

“Let’s talk in person.”

“Okay. Let’s meet at the Yokohama Station at six tonight. How about the west entrance, in front of Tully’s coffee shop?”

“Tully’s coffee shop. West entrance. Eighteen hundred. See you there.”

Cain hung up the phone and called Tanaka into his office. “Please let the guys know we’re going to have an all-hands tomorrow at oh seven hundred hours.”

“All-hands?”

“It’s a navy term. It’s a meeting for everyone on the security detail.”

“Okay, boss. What’s the dress code?”

“Normal working attire.”

“Hai. What would you like served at the meeting?”

“Huh?” Cain asked.

“Tea, water, Coca-Cola? Maybe something—”

“Tanaka-san, this is a work meeting, not a social gathering.”

“Hai.” Tanaka bowed. “But it is customary to—”

“I want everyone’s mind focused on the business of protecting Sato-san and this company,” Cain interrupted. “Not on what beverage is going to be served.”

“Hai. I will let everyone know.” Before Tanaka walked off, he asked, “Do you want Morita-san there?”

“Absolutely,” Cain replied. “As the driver, he has a very important role.”

“Okay, but he will be driving Sato-san during that time.”

“Okay. Slide the meeting to the right one hour. Let’s meet at eight.”

For the rest of the day, Cain studied translated personnel records and walked around the complex to inspect security vulnerabilities. He looked at his watch. Ah, I’ve lost track of time. I’ve gotta rush to meet Bonnie.

He’d learned that the main Yokohama train station was the fifth busiest train station in the world. The compound was a massive labyrinth that accommodated over two million passengers per day with trains, buses, taxis, restaurants, and even high-end shopping. It was Cain’s first time taking the Japanese train by himself, but thankfully the tourist signs were printed in English.

Cain spotted Bonnie with ease. She was a blonde and taller than the average Japanese person, but it also helped that she was wearing a red dress in a sea of black and gray clothing. She was standing in front of Tully’s coffee shop, waiting for him.

Cain hugged Bonnie. “Sorry I’m late.”

“It’s six oh one. You better have a good excuse,” she joked. “Because the trains are never late in Japan.”

“This station is an absolute madhouse,” Cain said.

“If you think this is bad, you should try Shinjuku Station at seven in the morning. It is a confusing maze, with millions of people going to work, and thousands of kids rushing to school. Sometimes the trains are so packed that people can fall asleep standing up!”

“Oh, hell no!” Cain replied. “I’m not ready for that.”

Bonnie took Cain to one of her favorite sushi places. It was quaint and cozy inside the small restaurant.

“I still can’t believe you are really here in Japan, about to eat sushi with me.”

“Give me some credit. I would’ve eventually made it here.”