Cajun Justice(64)

Tanaka nodded and looked away—perhaps from embarrassment or shame. “Yakuza view women as property. My father, the inspector, also tells me that the yakuza are very vindictive. They are also involved in drug smuggling, human trafficking, illegal gambling, and blackmailing politicians.”

“I thought there was no corruption in this country,” Cain said facetiously.

“It is very rare. I’ve never seen it. I’ve only heard about it.”

“That’s my point. Bonnie and I are in trouble, especially if they have her purse. They’ll know where she lives and works.”

“You and Bonnie are gaijin. Yakuza will probably leave you alone.”

“Probably?” Cain asked with raised eyebrows. “I don’t like those odds.”

“Yakuza will not want the international attention.”

Cain scoffed. “You don’t know the kind of luck I have. Trouble finds me no matter where I’m at.”





Chapter 51



“I miss my iPhone,” Cain told Tanaka as he was digging into his jacket pocket to answer the call on his Sharp Aquos smartphone. “That SoftBank woman told me this was supposed to be the best, but you just can’t beat Apple.”

“I prefer Android,” Tanaka said. “It’s more customizable.”

“Says the man who wears a dark suit and white button-down to work every day,” Cain quipped.

“I’m Japanese on the outside but American on the inside. Banana was my nickname at Embry-Riddle. You get it?”

“Yeah.” Cain laughed along with Tanaka. “I get it. Yellow on the outside, white on the inside.” His laughter was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He answered it.

“Ohio gozaimasu,” Cain heard Umiko say.

Without even thinking about it, Cain stood to talk to her. “Good morning, Umiko-san. How’s your Saturday going?”

“I have some good news to share with you.”

“That’s wonderful. I can use some good news.”

“Sensei said you can join our kendo class.”

“That’s better than good—that’s fantastic news! When do I start?”

“We have a class this afternoon if you are not busy.”

“I’ll wrap up some things here at the office, and I’ll be there.”

“I look forward to seeing you,” she said.

A few hours later, Cain caught the train and showed up for the afternoon kendo class. Umiko greeted him when he walked in the door.

“Oh, my God. Are you okay?” she asked, noticing the scratches on his face.

“I’m okay, but I obviously need this martial arts class,” he said lightheartedly.

She smiled but continued to look concerned. “Well, I’m very glad you are now in the class.”

“Me, too. But I gotta ask. Are you just glad because you’re looking forward to using me as your personal punching bag?”

Umiko giggled. “Maybe, but you won’t be the only new student for us to practice on. We have two new students from the university. But you will be the only foreigner.”

“I’m getting used to being the only gaijin in my circles.”

“Let me introduce you to my kendo friends. They speak English, but they are shy. So they may not talk too much. Please understand they are not being rude.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just speak to ’em in Japanese.”

“Really?” Umiko asked, looking surprised, as they neared a small group of students.

“I’ve been studying a language book my sister gave me.”

“I’m impressed.” She turned to a young woman. “Hiroko-san, this is my American friend. He’s in charge of security at our company. His name is Cain-san.”

Cain placed his arms by his side and bowed. “Hajime mashita.”

Hiroko put her hand over her mouth as she giggled.

“Hey, now. If you’re going to laugh at my Japanese, I’m not going to speak it anymore.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m not laughing. Your Japanese is very good.”

Cain smirked. “Remind me to never partner with you at the poker table. On the streets in a kendo fight? Yes. But never when you have to hide your true feelings.”

Hiroko didn’t seem to get the reference. “Have you studied kendo before?”

“I’ve never taken a formal kendo class, but I have watched a lot of Steven Seagal movies.”

Umiko picked up on the joke and laughed. When Hiroko saw this, she followed suit.

“You should come to our retreat this weekend,” Hiroko suggested.

“Retreat? Like a ladies’ day at the spa?”

“Even better,” Hiroko replied. “A Zen retreat for the weekend. We go every year. Our sensei takes us to the foot of Mount Fuji. We will meditate and practice kendo. One weekend of intense kendo training there is like a month of training here. It is a wonderful time.”

“Sato-san has no engagements this weekend,” Cain said. “I technically have off work.” He looked at Umiko. “Are you going?”

“Yes. This will be my second year. I really liked it.”

“Okay,” Cain said. “I’ll give it some thought. If I’m invited, that is.”