Hiroshi and Takamatsu walked down the steep, narrow lanes from the lawyer’s office in Akasaka. Halfway down the slope, Takamatsu stopped to light a cigarette.
Hiroshi kept walking. It was a perfect autumn day, crisp and fresh, except for the tobacco smoke.
“I’ve been cutting down.” Takamatsu held the cigarette at arm’s length. His gold watch and cufflinks glistened in the sun. “What did you think of our mourning daughter?”
“More like a frightened mother.”
“Her beads kept her busy. At least until they spilled all over the floor.”
“Her lawyer’s office was expensive. All that baseball memorabilia.”
“With clients like that, he can afford it.” Takamatsu blew his smoke away from Hiroshi.
“This credit card information should catch him pretty quickly.” Hiroshi tapped his pocket.
“The credi
