Hiroshima Sunset

by John Kelly

Outside, Amanda walked away from the house in silence trying to identify her unease. Something was not right; she could feel it.

  Turning to Mieko, she said, 'How long would it take for us to get to Miyajima?'

  'It's a ferry ride from further down the coast. But why?'

  'And Kyoto?'

  It's two hours by Shinkasen in the opposite direction. What are you thinking Amanda?'

  'I'm thinking that there is something not quite right. What am I doing here? There's a safety deposit box in Kyoto containing a map leading to an artefact that anyone here could have retrieved if they wanted to. Any radiation contamination has long since passed; even Masako knows that. Why have I been sent here to recover something so insignificant?'

  Amanda thought deeply about the odd position she now found herself and lamented the missing pages of the journal.

  'What happened to them?' she thought. Then turning to Mieko, she said.

  'I will go to Kyoto this afternoon and recover the artefact. I'll stay overnight and tomorrow morning contact Tokuo in Nara. Perhaps he will tell me something about Shigeko.'

  'Why do you want to find Shigeko?' Mieko asked.

  'Don't you see? She is the story. I think that's the reason Quentin Avers wanted me to come here. The artefact is a ruse. He's leading me to a point where I will work things out for myself. If I find Shigeko, I will find out who Michael is, and what happened after she came back to have her baby.'

  'Do you think Quentin wants to find Michael?'

  Amanda thought for a moment.

  'Yes, that's it. He wants me to find out who Michael is.'

  'Why?' Mieko asked.

  Amanda thought for a moment.

  'I don't know,' she said, a little annoyed, but energized at the same time. This was exciting. A picture was starting to emerge from the haze that had engulfed her meeting with Masako. But as her mind ticked over the details she pondered, a plan began to emerge giving her reason for optimism. Finding Shigeko was also a personal choice. The tragedy of her story portrayed in the journal was reason in itself to pursue this line of enquiry, and perhaps lead her to finding the mysterious Michael.

  'I need to go back to the hotel,' she said excitedly. 'I will pack a few things, ask them to find me a hotel in Kyoto for tonight, and then return here either tomorrow or the next day. I will contact Quentin tonight, after I have the artefact, and see what instructions he has. I won't tell him that I'm looking for Shigeko.'

  'If you wish, you can stay with me when you return to Hiroshima,' Mieko offered.

  'That's very kind of you. We'll see. Can you check on ferry times for Miyajima? We may go there when I return.'

  'Yes, I will,' Mieko replied.

  An hour later, she was in her hotel room dialling Quentin Avers mobile phone number. Melbourne time was two hours behind, placing the call at lunch time. When Quentin answered, the reception was as clear as if he were across the road.

  'I'm in Hiroshima,' Amanda explained. 'I have spent the morning at Masako's house. She has given me the key to the safety deposit box and I'm preparing to travel to Kyoto this afternoon.'

  'What did she tell you?' Quentin asked.

  'She told me of her terrible experiences the day the bomb exploded and what they did after that. Quentin, did you omit part of the journal? Is there more than what you gave me?'

  'No, I gave you everything. Why?'

  'Because some of it is missing! It finished very abruptly. It only goes as far as Shigeko returning to Kaitaichi to have her baby; after she was sent to Tokyo by her parents. There is nothing after that.'

  'There's not much more after that, don't worry?'

  'It leaves things up in the air. Did you leave me a note inside telling me to be careful with it?'

  'No. Why do you ask that?'

  'Because when I was on the plane I was reading it, then I went to the toilet and when I came back someone had left a note telling me to take more care of it.'

  'Are you saying that someone on the plane removed a section of the journal?'

  'Well it looks like that. Who else knew I was going? Who else would be interested in the journal?'

  There was only silence at the other end of the phone. Quentin Avers was momentarily stunned.

  'I don't know,' he answered slowly.

  'Quentin, What is so important about a Meijji vase? Masako says it's not valuable. It's a family heirloom, they have protected because that's all they recovered from the ruins of their home after the bomb. They only buried it because they thought it was radio-active.'

  There was another long pause at the other end of the phone, a pause that made Amanda feel that vital information was being withheld from her. She quickly coupled that piece of evidence with the realization that someone on the plane had removed some of the journal while she was away from her seat, and began to feel distinctly vulnerable.

  'Quentin, are you still there?' she asked.

  'Yes, I'm here,' he answered slowly.

  'What haven't you told me?'

  'Nothing,' he answered sheepishly.

  'Quentin, if you want me to help you, perhaps you had better tell me everything you know.'

  'I need some time Amanda, time to work things out. I need to check out a few things and get back to you.'

  'That's hardly good enough at this point, Quentin. What does it say in the journal that I have missed? What is going on here Quentin?' Amanda asserted herself as she detected a weakness in Quentin's voice.

  'It's not important,' he snapped. 'I told you this would not all be plain sailing.'

  'What have I missed reading in the journal, Quentin?' Amanda insisted.

  'Go to Kyoto today. Recover the Meijji vase and take it to Tokuo in Nara. I will speak with you tonight. I have to check on something. Don't waste time asking questions that are not important right now. Just do as I ask. I will speak with you tonight.'

  Amanda sat on the bed speechless as she heard the click at the other end indicating Quentin had turned off his phone. Momentarily stunned but feeling energised she packed all her belongings and made her way downstairs to check out of the hotel. While the lift descended to the ground floor, something Quentin said continued to trouble her.

  'Recover the Meijji vase and take it to Tokuo in Nara.'

  'How did Quentin know that Tokuo was in Nara? And how did he know that I would be able to find him?' she muttered to herself. 'Am I no more than a pawn here, doing someone else's dirty work? How dare he use me like this!' The thought that she had been deceived bedevilled her. It outraged her.

  'I'm being used!' she blurted out, oblivious to the fact that the lift doors had opened and her outburst was heard half-way across the foyer. Unabashed, she strode across the foyer to the reception desk, explained that she had been called away and would be checking out.

  'Could you possibly recommend a hotel in Kyoto for me to stay tonight?' she asked.

  'Yes,' the receptionist replied. 'Would you like me to make a booking for you?' he asked.

  'Yes please,' she replied. 'Two nights, if you would, and the following night I would like to return here.'

  The receptionist nodded. 'You are busy lady,' he joked.

  'Could I have a taxi to take me to the railway station?'

  'The station is just a short walk from here. Don't you remember? Just turn left out the front door. It take just five minute.'

  'Are trains to Kyoto frequent?' she asked.

  'Oh yes. Go every twenty minute or so,' he replied.

  'Thank you,' she said as the receptionist prepared her account.

  Behind her, seated comfortably and reading a paper, a Caucasian gentleman kept watch. Dressed in a business suit and wearing dark rimmed glasses, he kept looking up to follow her progress. When Amanda's checking out details were complete, she turned and headed for the front door. The Caucasian gentleman followed her.

  Minutes later, Amanda was crossing the plaza, avoiding the buses in front of Hiroshima station. Even in broad daylight, the neon signs were blazing
away with a huge screen above the main entrance promoting the latest western movie. The plaza was always busy with commuters coming and going. Westerners were not uncommon here. Hiroshima was a popular tourist destination; the A-bomb dome and the Peace Park Memorial Museum clearly the main attractions. The Caucasian gentleman kept close behind her as she approached the ticketing office.

  'I have a Japan Rail Pass,' she said, 'could I have a ticket on the next train to Kyoto, please?'

  The ticketing attendant looked quizzically at her and replied in Japanese.

  'Kyoto, today,' Amanda replied, having no idea what the officer said.

  The ticketing attendant still unsure of what Amanda was asking looked confused. Amanda became a little flustered, turning around to seek help. Immediately the Caucasian gentleman stepped forward and spoke in Japanese to the ticketing attendant who understood him clearly.

  'I hope I'm not being too forward,' he said to Amanda, 'but I have explained to the attendant that you want to take the next JR train to Kyoto. Is that correct?'

  'Yes,' Amanda said. 'Thank you. Are you Australian?' she asked, noticing his accent.

  'Yes I am.'

  'Thank you very much. Are you travelling to Kyoto?'

  'No, I'm on my way to Tokyo,' he replied.

  'Oh well, thank you again. Aren't these trains wonderful, so fast and so comfortable?'

  'Yes they are. They are so far ahead of us back home, it's overwhelming,' he replied. Amanda felt drawn to the middle aged gentleman and considered reasons to wait for him while he bought his ticket. He, on the other hand, offered no incentive for her, stepping up to the ticketing window and speaking once again in Japanese. Amanda waited that extra moment, then slowly made her way toward the station platform. To her surprise and delight, he caught up with her.

  'Your train will be here in a few minutes,' he said to her, 'have a good trip.'

  'Are you on the same train?' she asked.

  'Yes, but I will be getting off at Himeji, about an hour or so north of here. What is your car number?' he asked.

  'Oh umm, no.5,' she answered as she scanned the ticket.'

  'Okay, just look for the markings on the platform, find No. 5 and that's where you get on. The doors will open right in front of you.'

  'I'm very grateful for all your help Mr?er,' she replied, hoping to delay him an extra few moments.

  'My name is Andrew,' he said. 'Unfortunately we are not riding in the same car. I'm further back. I hope you have a pleasant journey, Miss..er.'

  'Oh! Amanda. My name is Amanda,' she said.

  'It's nice to meet you Amanda. Are you going to Tokyo at all?'

  'Yes, I will be?eventually,' she replied. 'I have to return here to Hiroshima first. I need to go to Miyajima, although I have no idea how to get there.'

  'You take the tram to Miyajimaguchi station and jump on the ferry,' he volunteered.

  'Oh,?that easy?'

  'Pretty much! You'll love it. It is a beautiful island.'

  'Right then, well, thank you again.'

  'If you are in Tokyo and need any help, you can find me at this number,' he said, offering her his business card.

  'How long will you be in Japan?' she asked.

  'Oh I come here all the time. I'll be here for another fortnight or so.'

  'Thank you,' she said, taking his card.

  As he walked away, toward the other end of the station, she watched and thought how romantic a dinner for two in Tokyo sounded. She looked down at his card which read, 'Andrew Patterson: Accountant.'

  While his occupation sounded rather dreary, he was very handsome and, she felt, about her age. Perhaps she could find some reason to contact him. In any event, he had given her something to fantasize about as she journeyed to Kyoto.

  If Amanda thought her morning with Masako was full of activity, David Maclean's was more so. His journey into the Kamakura forest was as much a test of mental endurance as it was physical. Equipped with a small pick and shovel he could barely hide underneath his rain jacket, he had set out early as advised by his father. The track was slippery from light rain that fell during the night. He wished he had come prepared with better footwear, but decided to continue in his joggers. He continually looked out to find a break in the vegetation in the hope of seeing Mt. Fujiyama toward the south, but it was overcast and no such opportunity presented itself. The hike was demanding and he rested often to take water. After a half hour's walking, he came by the turnoff to the Sasukeinarijira Shrine. Stopping to rest, he rechecked his father's instructions and realized he still had some distance to go. After a few minutes he continued on, stopping along the way to drink more and more water, thankful that his wife Margaret was not with him. She would never have been able to handle the difficult terrain.

  Further along, the track widened and became flatter, much easier to negotiate. Yet another shrine came into view. This was the Zeniaraibenzaiten Shrine with a very welcome toilet sign. His consumption of water had taken its toll and here he rested once more. Finally, just when he was considering abandoning the trip and telling his father he was unable to find the gold, he came by a sign that read: 'View of Mt. Fuji' where a break in the trees left open a view stretching for miles to the south. The mountain could not be seen for the overcast skies, but that did not dispel his enthusiasm. His father was right. Ronnie Maclean's instructions were accurate. Now all he had to do was find the Matsu Pine. He looked down the slope and realized it would not be easy. His job was far from over.

  19.

  Melbourne, the same day.