Cajun Justice(57)

“And that’s how sea stories are made up,” Cain said.

“And you’ve got a lot of ’em,” Chief Alvarez said before they hung up.





Chapter 47



Cain thoroughly enjoyed his Sunday getaway with Chief Alvarez in the fishing village of Yokosuka. The navy base felt like a slice of small-town USA. They had a hearty brunch at the officers’ club before renting El Viento, a sailboat from the recreation department. Far away from the US embargo against Cuba, they smoked Cohiba cigars on board the eighteen-foot boat as they sailed around Tokyo Bay and caught up on each other’s lives.

“It’s nice to have someone I can really trust out here,” Cain said.

“We go way back, Hurricane. I’ll never forget you bailing my butt out in El Salvador. You saved my navy career.”

Cain nodded as he puffed on his cigar. “I appreciate that you recognize that I stuck my neck out for you. I did a similar thing for a guy I worked with at the Secret Service, but he didn’t give a damn.”

“He sounds like a piece of shit.”

“He’s back in DC, and I’m over here. I’m not complaining, though. I’m starting to piece my life back together.”

“Like I said, I’ll never forget what you did for me. I’ll always have your six.”

Cain nodded. “Hooyah.”

When he arrived at work on Monday morning, Cain was reenergized but sunburned. It was six thirty and he thought he’d be the first one in the office, but Tanaka was already at his desk going through personnel folders, looking for potential threats, and reading through the reports the guards had generated over the weekend.

“Good morning, Cain-san.”

“Right back at you,” Cain said. “You’re here bright and early.”

“Yes. I wanted to get a head start, as you might say.”

Cain smiled. “I appreciate your work ethic. It would be difficult for me to get this job done without you.”

Tanaka stood and bowed. “Arigato gozaimasu.”

“So, what did you do this weekend?” Cain asked.

“Aito-san and I went near Tokyo to fly our RC planes.”

“Very nice! I’d like to join you guys one weekend. I need help getting better at flying those things.”

“Yes, that would be very fun. Maybe we can build you a navy plane.”

“Make it a fast one, like an F-14 Tomcat.” Cain smiled.

Tanaka gave him two thumbs-ups.

Cain headed to his desk to drop off his backpack.

“Before you settle in, I wanted you to know we received another death threat letter addressed to Sato-san. I translated it for you.”

Before Cain could respond, Umiko appeared in the doorway. She softly knocked, even though they both saw her.

“Hi, Umiko,” Cain said with a smile.

“Good morning, Cain-san. How was your Sunday?”

“Great. Got out yesterday and saw some of Japan.”

“What did you think about what you saw?”

“I’m loving this place more every day.”

Tanaka said something in Japanese, which prompted her to giggle and converse back and forth with him.

“Um, okay, guys. You know it’s rude to talk about me in Japanese while I’m standing right here.” Cain smiled.

“I have the solution,” Umiko said.

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“Tanaka-san should teach you Japanese.”

“Well, I’m going to need a lot of help,” Cain said. “Maybe I’ll need two teachers.” He held up two fingers and then pointed to both Tanaka and Umiko.

Umiko blushed and changed the subject. “Sato-san has asked for you, Tanaka-san, and Morita-san to come to his office. He would like to thank you for protecting him last week.”

“That’s very thoughtful of him, and I appreciate it. But I was just doing my job. His appreciation and support are thanks enough.”

“Japanese business, just like kendo, is very ceremonial,” Umiko explained. “And I also would like for you to be there. You saved my life, too.”

“Those thugs wouldn’t have had a chance against you if they were brave enough to meet you in the dojo,” Cain said.

“Especially if I had a katana instead of a shinai,” Umiko said.

“I agree,” Cain said as he nodded. “Okay. You’ve convinced me. Plus, I have a gift for both Sato-san and Morita-san. Tanaka and I will be honored to go.”

“The honor is ours. I will escort you to Sato-san’s office.”

“Merci,” Cain said.

“It’s time for you to start practicing your Japanese,” Umiko playfully suggested.

“Arigato,” Cain said, and bowed.

Umiko clapped. “Very good. Soon you will speak perfect Japanese.”

“Especially with a sensei like you.” Cain smiled. “You see what I did there? I’m already piecing together Japanese words.”

Tanaka cracked open his briefcase and pulled out a tie. He tossed it around his neck and started tying it.

“Is it a black-tie affair?” Cain asked. He pointed to his boots. “Had I known, I would have worn my gators instead of my cowhides.”

They walked across the parking lot and Cain noticed a brand-new 2012 Nissan Fuga.