Cajun Justice(48)

“I talked with Tanaka-san. His father is an inspector with the Tokyo police.”

“I think the extra security will be good. I’m sure Sato-san will be pleased with your changes.”

“Also, I need to update our equipment. We’re going to need a drone. We’ll use it for aerial surveillance and for crowd control. And we’re going to update our security cameras to something more modern. I’m also going to have them installed at Mr. Sato’s house.”

“Sugoi!” she said, sounding amazed. “You are making lots of changes.”

“I hope it’s not a problem,” he said.

“No. I think it’s good that you are here.”

He smiled. “I’m glad to be here.”

“Please have Tanaka-san prepare and forward these requests to me. I will personally get them approved.”

“Merci beaucoup, Umiko-san. And there’s one last request.” He figured this one would be difficult for them to understand.

“Yes?” she said, and waited patiently.

“My team is not ready to provide the type of security needed for this large-scale event. It’s a long drive, through a heavily populated city, with lots of choke points and ambush spots. My team is not used to operating in motorcades, and they’re not familiar with all the potential safe havens. It is my strong recommendation that Sato-san and I take a helicopter to the event.”

Umiko’s eyes widened. “A helicopter?”

“It’s the safest and the quickest way,” he replied.

She breathed in through her teeth. “I will talk to Sato-san about this. I think it is possible.”

Cain smiled. “Good. Thank you very much. This is very helpful.”

“I’m happy to help you,” she said.

Cain caught himself staring at the warmth of her smile and the kindness in her eyes. “I’ve gotta run now. I’m about to teach self-defense to my team.”

“You know karate?”

“Well, it’s not karate per se. It’s more like American boxing.”

“Do you like the martial arts?”

“Yes, I do. Very much.”

“Me, too.” Umiko’s face seemed to brighten. “I take kendo lessons three times a week.”

Cain was impressed. She’s beautiful, kind, speaks three languages, and can probably kick my ass! he thought.

“Kendo is like sword fighting,” she said, “but we don’t use a sword. We use a shinai—a wooden bamboo stick that takes the place of the katana, the sword. Kendo is more popular with women than judo or karate.”

“I’d love to watch one of your classes someday,” Cain said.

“Would you like to come tonight? I have class at seven.”

He was caught off guard by her forwardness. Most Japanese he had interacted with were very timid, but he appreciated her confidence. “I’d love that.”

“Great! I will swing by your office at six,” she said.

“As long as you ain’t swinging a”—Cain paused to remember the word—“a shinai or katana at me.”

She smiled. “We can take the train to my dojo. I hope you will like it.”

He returned the smile. “I’m sure I will. I already do.” He left her office and headed back to the security department with a spring in his step.





Chapter 41



Cain looked up from his desk. Tanaka was standing at the doorway.

“May I come in, Cain-san?”

“Of course, Tanaka. I have an open-door policy. You don’t have to ask for permission.”

“Are you almost finished with work for the evening?”

“What’s up?”

“I was planning to go to the Hard Rock Cafe. They have a live band tonight. It’s a Journey cover band.”

“I love Journey. Their new Filipino lead singer, Arnel, is fantastic!”

“The cover band is not as good as the real band—”

“They never are,” Cain said.

“But they are good. And I love the American nachos at Hard Rock.”

Cain laughed out loud—one of those boisterous laughs that come with being in a great mood.

“What’s so funny?” Tanaka asked.

“I’ve never thought of nachos as American, but I guess they are in some weird way. I would love to join you, but—”

A soft knock at the open door interrupted his conversation with Tanaka. It was Umiko.

“But,” Cain continued, “I’m going to kendo class tonight.”

“I see,” Tanaka said. “You really like Japanese culture, don’t you?”

“More and more every day,” Cain replied.

“Eto, I can’t wait to hear all about it tomorrow morning,” Tanaka said.

“It’s a deal, and rain check on the American nachos.”

“I’m going to have to really study English expressions to understand some things you say,” Tanaka said.

“I know, buddy. I use a lot of slang.” Cain sang “Don’t stop believin’” in his best Steve Perry voice as he ushered Tanaka out of his office. Cain flipped the light switch, and he and Umiko headed to the station where they caught the train to the dojo.