After an hour of examining bloodstains and broken furniture, Takamatsu told Hiroshi to let the local police and crime scene crew finish Kyle’s apartment. If the three guys beat up people for a living, they were unlikely to leave clues.
In the car, Takamatsu lit a cigarette. “How can they understand each other if they don’t speak the same language?”
“Who are we talking about?” Ishii pulled out into traffic.
“That couple. Do you speak another language, Ishii?”
Ishii nodded. “I studied criminal law in America.”
“Why did you come back?”
“A long-time relationship ended, and my degree wasn’t much use there. Maybe no use here, either.”
“Your boyfriend was American?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes.” Ishii looked at Takamatsu until he rolled down the window and concentrated o
