mc.risingsun-第4章

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ou　agree　that　such　prominent　people　will　find　it　awkward…〃
　I　said；　〃Just　a　minute。　Detective　Graham　told　you　he　was　going　to　interrogate　everybody　at　the　reception？〃
　〃That　is　what　he　said　to　me。　Yes。〃
　Now；　at　last；　I　began　to　understand　why　I'd　been　called。　Graham　didn't　like　the　Japanese　and　he　had　threatened　to　spoil　their　evening。　Of　course　it　was　never　going　to　happen。　There　was　no　way　Graham　was　going　to　interrogate　United　States　senators；　let　alone　the　district　attorney　or　the　mayor。　Not　if　he　expected　to　e　to　work　tomorrow。　But　the　Japanese　annoyed　him；　and　Graham　had　decided　to　annoy　them　back。
　I　said　to　Ishiguro；　〃We　can　set　up　a　registration　desk　downstairs；　and　your　guests　can　sign　out　as　they　leave。〃
　〃I　am　afraid　that　will　be　difficult；〃　Ishiguro　began；　〃because　surely　you　will　admit…　〃
　〃Mr。　Ishiguro；　that's　what　we're　going　to　do。〃
　〃But　what　you　ask　is　extremely　difficult…　〃
　〃Mr。　Ishiguro。〃
　〃You　see；　for　us　this　is　going　to　cause…　〃
　〃Mr。　Ishiguro；　I'm　sorry。　I've　just　told　you　what　police　procedure　is　going　to　be。〃
　He　stiffened。　There　was　a　pause。　He　wiped　some　sweat　from　his　upper　lip　and　said；　〃I　am　disappointed；　Lieutenant；　not　to　have　greater　cooperation　from　you。〃
　〃Cooperation？〃　That　was　when　I　started　to　get　pissed　off。　〃Mr。　Ishiguro；　you've　got　a　dead　woman　in　there；　and　it　is　our　job　to　investigate　what　happened　to…　〃
　〃But　you　must　acknowledge　our　special　circumstances…　〃
　Then　I　heard　Graham　say；　〃Aw；　Christ；　what　is　this？〃
　Looking　over　my　shoulder；　I　saw　a　short；　bookish　Japanese　man　twenty　meters　beyond　the　yellow　tape。　He　was　taking　pictures　of　the　crime　scene。　The　camera　he　held　was　so　small　it　was　nearly　concealed　in　the　palm　of　his　hand。　But　he　wasn't　concealing　the　fact　that　he　had　crossed　the　tape　barrier　to　take　his　pictures。　As　I　watched；　he　moved　slowly　back　toward　us；　raising　his　hands　for　a　moment　to　snap　a　picture；　then　blinking　behind　his　wire…frame　spectacles　as　he　selected　his　next　shot。　He　was　deliberate　in　his　movements。
　Graham　went　up　to　the　tape　and　said；　〃For　Christ's　sake；　get　out　of　there。　This　is　a　crime　scene。　You　can't　take　pictures　in　there。〃　The　man　didn't　respond。　He　kept　moving　backward。　Graham　turned　away。　〃Who　is　this　guy？〃
　Ishiguro　said；　〃This　is　our　employee；　Mr。　Tanaka。　He　works　for　Nakamoto　Security。〃
　I　couldn't　believe　what　I　was　seeing。　The　Japanese　had　their　own　employee　wandering　around　inside　the　yellow　tapes；　contaminating　the　crime　scene。　It　was　outrageous。　〃Get　him　out　of　there；〃　I　said。
　〃He　is　taking　pictures。〃
　〃He　can't　do　that。〃
　Ishiguro　said；　〃But　this　is　for　our　corporate　use。〃
　I　said；　〃I　don't　care；　Mr。　Ishiguro。　He　can't　be　inside　the　yellow　tape；　and　he　can't　take　pictures。　Get　him　out　of　there。　And　I　want　his　film；　please。〃
　〃Very　well。〃　Ishiguro　said　something　quickly　in　Japanese。　I　turned；　just　in　time　to　see　Tanaka　slip　under　the　yellow　tape；　and　disappear　among　the　blue…suited　men　clustered　by　the　elevator。　Behind　their　heads；　I　saw　the　elevator　doors　open　and　close。
　Son　of　a　bitch。　I　was　getting　angry。　〃Mr。　Ishiguro；　you　are　now　obstructing　an　official　police　investigation。〃
　Ishiguro　said　calmly；　〃You　must　try　to　understand　our　position；　Detective　Smith。　Of　course　we　have　plete　confidence　in　the　Los　Angeles　Police　Department；　but　we　must　be　able　to　undertake　our　own　private　inquiry；　and　for　that　we　must　have…　〃
　Their　own　private　inquiry？　The　son　of　a　bitch。　I　suddenly　couldn't　speak。　I　clenched　my　teeth；　seeing　red。　I　was　furious。　I　wanted　to　arrest　Ishiguro。　I　wanted　to　spin　him　around；　shove　him　up　against　the　wall；　and　snap　the　cuffs　around　his　fucking　wrists　and…
　〃Perhaps　I　can　be　of　assistance；　Lieutenant；〃　a　voice　behind　me　said。
　I　turned。　It　was　John　Connor；　smiling　cheerfully。　I　stepped　aside。
　
　Connor　faced　Ishiguro；　bowed　slightly；　and　presented　his　card。　He　spoke　rapidly。　〃Totsuzen　shitsurei　desuga；　jiko…shōkai　wo　shitemo　yoroshii　desuka。　Watashi　wa　John　Connor　to　mōshimasu。　Meishi　o　dōzo。　Dōzo　yoroshiku。〃
　〃John　Connor？〃　Ishiguro　said。　〃The　John　Connor？　Omeni　kakarete　kōei　desu。　Watashi　wa　Ishiguro　desu。　Dōzo　yoroshiku。〃　He　was　saying　he　was　honored　to　meet　him。
　〃Watashi　no　meishi　desu。　Dōzo。〃　A　graceful　thank　you。
　But　once　the　formalities　were　pleted；　the　conversation　went　so　quickly　I　caught　only　an　occasional　word。　I　was　obliged　to　appear　interested；　watching　and　nodding；　when　in　fact　I　had　no　idea　what　they　were　talking　about。　Once　I　heard　Connor　refer　to　me　as　wakaimono；　which　I　knew　meant　his　protégé　or　apprentice。　Several　times；　he　looked　at　me　severely；　and　shook　his　head　like　a　regretful　father。　It　seemed　he　was　apologizing　for　me。　I　also　heard　him　refer　to　Graham　as　bushitsuke；　a　disagreeable　man。
　But　these　apologies　had　their　effect。　Ishiguro　calmed　down；　dropping　his　shoulders。　He　began　to　relax。　He　even　smiled。　Finally　he　said；　〃Then　you　will　not　check　identification　of　our　guests？〃
　〃Absolutely　not；〃　Connor　said。　〃Your　honored　guests　are　free　to　e　and　go　as　they　wish。〃
　I　started　to　protest。　Connor　shot　me　a　look。
　〃Identification　is　unnecessary；〃　Connor　continued；　speaking　formally；　〃because　I　am　sure　that　no　guest　of　the　Nakamoto　Corporation　could　ever　be　involved　in　such　an　unfortunate　incident。〃
　〃Fucking　A；〃　Graham　said；　under　his　breath。
　Ishiguro　was　beaming。　But　I　was　furious。　Connor　had　contradicted　me。　He　had　made　me　look　like　a　fool。　And　on　top　of　that；　he　wasn't　following　police　procedure　…　we　could　all　be　in　trouble　for　that　later　on。　Angrily；　I　shoved　my　hands　in　my　pockets　and　looked　away。
　〃I　am　grateful　for　your　delicate　handling　of　this　situation；　Captain　Connor；〃　Ishiguro　said。
　〃I　have　done　nothing　at　all；〃　Connor　replied；　making　another　formal　bow。　〃But　I　hope　you　will　now　agree　it　is　appropriate　to　clear　the　floor；　so　the　police　may　begin　their　investigation。〃
　Ishiguro　blinked。　〃Clear　the　floor？〃
　〃Yes；〃　Connor　said；　taking　out　a　notebook。　〃And　please　assist　me　to　know　the　names　of　the　gentlemen　standing　behind　you；　as　you　ask　them　to　leave。〃
　〃I　am　sorry？〃
　〃The　names　of　the　gentlemen　behind　you；　please。〃
　〃May　I　ask　why？〃
　Connor's　face　darkened；　and　he　barked　a　short　phrase　in　Japanese。　I　didn't　catch　the　words；　but　Ishiguro　turned　bright　red。
　〃Excuse　me；　Captain；　but　I　see　no　reason　for　you　to　speak　in　this…　〃
　And　then；　Connor　lost　his　temper。　Spectacularly　and　explosively。　He　moved　close　to　Ishiguro；　making　sharp　stabbing　motions　with　his　finger　while　he　shouted：　〃Iikagen　ni　shiro！　Soko　o　doke！　Kiiterunoka！〃
　Ishiguro　ducked　and　turned　away；　stunned　by　this　verbal　assault。
　Connor　leaned　over　him；　his　voice　hard　and　sarcastic：　〃Doke！　Doke！　Wakaranainoka？〃　He　turned；　and　pointed　furiously　toward　the　Japanese　men　by　the　elevator。　Confronted　with　Connor's　naked　anger；　the　Japanese　looked　away；　and　puffed　anxiously　on　their　cigarettes。　But　they　did　not　leave。
　〃Hey；　Richie；〃　Connor　said；　calling　to　the　crime　unit　photographer　Richie　Walters。　〃Get　me　some　IDs　of　these　guys；　will　you？〃
　〃Sure；　Captain；〃　Richie　said。　He　raised　his　camera　and　began　moving　down　the　line　of　men；　firing　his　strobe　in　quick　succession。
　Ishiguro　suddenly　got　excited；　stepping　in　front　of　the　camera；　holding　up　his　hands。　〃Wait　a　minute；　wait　a　minute；　what　is　this？〃
　But　the　Japanese　men　were　already　leaving；　wheeling　away　like　a　school　of　fish　from　the　strobe　flash。　In　a　few　seconds　they　were　gone。　We　had　the　floor　to　ourselves。　Alone；　Ishiguro　looked　unfortable。
　He　said　something　in　Japanese。　Apparently　it　was　the　wrong　thing。
　〃Oh？〃　Connor　said。　〃You　are　to　blame　here；〃　he　said　to　Ishiguro。　〃You　are　the　cause　of　all　these　troubles。　And　you　will　see　that　my　detectives　get　any　assistance　they　need。　I　want　to　speak　to　the　person　who　discovered　the　body；　and　the　person　who　called　in　the　original　report。　I　want　the　name　of　every　person　who　has　been　on　this　floor　since　the　body　was　discovered。　And　I　want　the　film　from　Tanaka's　camera。　Ore　wa　honkida。　I　will　arrest　you　if　you　obstruct　this　investigation　further。〃
　〃But　I　must　consult　my　superiors…　〃
　〃Namerunayo。〃　Connor　leaned　close。　〃Don't　fuck　with　me；　Ishiguro…san。　Now　leave；　and　let　us　work。〃
　〃Of　course；　Captain；〃　he　said。　With　a　tight；　brief　bow　he　left；　his　face　pinched　and　unhappy。
　Graham　chuckled。　〃You　told　him　off　pretty　good。〃
　Connor　spun。　〃What　were　you　doing；　telling　him　you　were　going　to　interrogate　everybody　at　the　party？〃
　〃Aw；　shit；　I　was　just　winding　him　up；〃　Graham　said。　〃There's　no　way　I'm　going　to　interrogate　the　mayor。　Can　I　help　it　if　these　assholes　have　no　sense　of　humor？〃
　〃They　have　a　sense　of　humor；〃　Connor　said。　〃And　the　joke　is　on　you。　Because　Ishiguro　had　a　problem；　and　he　solved　it　with　your　help。〃
　〃My　help？〃　Graham　was　frowning。　〃What're　you　talking　about？〃
　〃It's　clear　the　Japanese　wanted　to　delay　the　investigation；〃　Connor　said。　〃Your　aggressive　tactics　gave　them　the　perfect　excuse　…　to　call　for　the　Special　Services　liaison。〃
　〃Oh；　e　on；〃　Graham　said。　〃For　all　they　know；　the　liaison　could　have　been　here　in　five　minutes。〃
　Connor　shook　his　head。　〃Don't　kid　yourself：　they　knew　exactly　who　was　on　call　tonight。　They　knew　exactly　how　far　away　Smith　would　be；　and　exactly　how　long　it　would　take　him　to　get　here。　And　they　managed　to　delay　the　investigation　an　hour　and　a　half。　Nice　work；　detective。〃
　Graham　stared　at　Connor　for　a　long　moment。　Then　he　turned　away。　〃Fuck；〃　he　said。　〃That's　a　load　of　bullshit；　and　you　know　it。　Fellas；　I'm　going　to　work。　Richie？　Mount　up。　You　got　thirty　seconds　to　document　before　my　guys　e　in　and　step　on　your　tail。　Let's　go；　everybody。　I　want　to　get　finished　before　she　starts　to　smell　too　bad。〃
　And　he　lumbered　off　toward　the　crime　scene。
　
　With　their　suitcases　and　evidence　carts；　the　SID　team　trailed　after　Graham。　Richie　Walters　led　the　way；　shooting　left　and　right　as　he　worked　his　way　forward　into　the　atrium；　then　going　through　the　door　into　the　conference　room。　The　walls　of　the　conference　room　were　smoked　glass；　which　dimmed　his　flash。　But　I　could　see　him　inside；　circling　the　body。　He　was　shooting　a　lot：　he　knew　this　was　a　big　case。
　I　stayed　behind　with　Connor。　I　said；　〃I　thought　you　told　me　it　was　bad　form　to　lose　your　temper　with　the　Japanese。〃
　〃It　is；〃　Connor　said。
　〃Then　why　did　you　lose　yours？〃
　〃Unfortunately；〃　he　said；　〃it　was　the　only　way　to　assist　Ishiguro。〃
　〃To　assist　Ishiguro？〃
　〃Yes。　I　did　all　that　for　Ishiguro　…　because　he　had　to　save　face　in　front　of　his　boss。　Ishiguro　wasn't　the　most　important　man　in　the　room。　One　of　the　Japanese　standing　by　the　elevator　was　the　jūyaku；　the　real　boss。〃
　〃I　didn't　notice；〃　I　said。
　〃It's　mon　practice　to　put　a　lesser　man　in　front；　while　the　boss　stays　in　the　background；　where　he　is　free　to　observe　progress。　Just　as　I　did　with　you；　kōhai。〃
　〃Ishiguro's　boss　was　watching　all　the　time？〃
　〃Yes。　And　Ishiguro　clearly　had　orders　not　to　allow　the　investigation　to　begin。　I　needed　to　start　the　investigation。　But　I　had　to　do　it　in　such　a　way　that　he　would　not　look　inpetent。　So　I　played　the　out…of…control　gaijin。　Now　he　owes　me　a　favor。　Which　is　good；　because　I　may　need　his　help　later　on。〃
　〃He　owes　you　a　favor？〃　I　said；　having　trouble　with　this　idea。　Connor　had　just　screamed　at　Ishiguro　…　th