“Get in here now,” Hisako said.
“I’m trying,” Richard said while repositioning himself.
He figured he only had time for one try and needed to ensure that he generated enough momentum to swing inside.
“Come on, Richard,” Hisako said.
He gritted his teeth and prepared to make his move.
One . . . two . . . three . . .
When Richard swung his legs down into the window, he overshot his target. His feet hit the side of the train with a thud, prompting more outcries from Hisako.
“Richard!”
With the train running out of track before the tunnel, he didn’t have a chance to consider the consequences, acting solely on instinct. He drew his legs back up and flung them downward. This time, they flew into the opening. He slithered inside, aided by Hisako, who pulled on his feet as soon as they entered the cabin.
Richard hit the floor hard as darkness enveloped the room. Lying flat on his back, he exhaled and muttered a short prayer, thankful that he survived such an ordeal.
“You almost got yourself killed out there,” Hisako said.
“I didn’t have much of a choice, did I?”
“Let’s just focus on the fact that you’re alive and Yutaka is gone.”
Richard sat up as his eyes started to adjust. Then a flicker of light blinded him for a moment as Hisako lit a cigarette.
“Do you want one?” she asked.
“Not right now,” he said. “I’m still trying to catch my breath.”
“Did you see Yutaka hit the ground?”
“Yeah, it looked like a rough landing, but he was still moving.”
“Good.”
Richard furrowed his brow. “Good? Won’t he try to find me in Tokyo?”
“That’s still a possibility, but you would have more problems if he’d died. The agent assigned to watch you ended up dead with no witnesses. Just who do you think they would blame for such an act?”
“I suppose we’ll find out soon enough,” Richard said. “But in the meantime, I want to get this mail to the embassy before everyone tries to arrest me.”
“We’ll be there soon enough,” she said.
“But not so soon that you can’t tell me why someone wants you dead,” he said.
The train exited the tunnel, and the cabin brightened from the noonday sun hanging high over the clear skies.
She blew a large plume of smoke upward and stared out the window. Quiet for a moment, she started to pace around before responding.
“I’m not a good person,” she finally said. “A good spy? Perhaps. But a good person? I’m no such thing.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I do awful things, terrible things. And I hate myself for doing it.”
“Being a spy is simply a job. I mean, sure, there are times when duty requires you to do some unseemly things, but that doesn’t make you an awful person.”
“It’s what I did to become a spy.”
“And what was that?” Richard asked.
“I still can’t talk about it. But just know that I’m not a good person because of it.”
“If you don’t want to talk about it, I’m not going to pressure you to,” he said. “But I still would like to know why someone wants you dead. Did you complete your mission?”
She nodded. "I love my country, but not enough to do what I do for it. The risk of putting my life in danger to gather information for Japan's military isn't worth the reward."
“So, why work so hard to become a spy?”
She held the cigarette between her fingers before drawing it to her lips. Her cheeks sank as she sucked in a long drag.
“Revenge,” she said coldly.
“Revenge? What happened to you?”
“It wasn’t what happened to me. It was my mother.”
“Your mother?”
Hisako nodded. “She was murdered by one of Prince Naruhiko’s men a few years ago. I vowed to avenge her death, no matter what it cost me. I lost my childhood, living on the streets as an orphan because some spy didn’t like the way my mother looked at him. He stabbed her right there on the sidewalk. And nobody said a thing to him.”
“You watched it happen?”
She nodded. “Imagine watching your entire world collapse in front of your eyes while you’re helpless to do anything about it. That’s what it was like for me as she crumpled to the ground. Eventually she succumbed to the wounds, but she never had a chance.”
“And did you complete your mission?”
“That’s why they’re after me,” she said. “I'm assuming they finally found the murder weapon. Apparently, they want to interrogate me, but I’ve been in this business long enough to know what’s really going to happen. Once they ask me a few questions, they're going to determine I'm guilty and then immediately execute me.”
“But that’s just conjecture. You don't know exactly what they have.”
“Like I said, I'm good at reading between the lines. Prince Naruhiko is ruthless. He wouldn’t hesitate to slash my throat, given the opportunity and the justification to do so.”
Richard watched a tear trickle down her cheek. “What do you plan to do when you get to Tokyo?”
“Hide as best I can until they’ve forgotten about me.”
“When will that be?” he asked.
“When I'm dead, if I’m lucky. I wouldn’t be surprised if those monsters dug my body up just to try and kill me again.”
“We can't let that happen.”
She chuckled. “You and what army is going to stop them? You have no idea how powerful these people are.”
“I didn’t say I plan on stopping them personally, but as my grandma likes to say, ‘There’s more than one way to skin a cat.’”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Whenever there’s a problem, there are multiple solutions.”
She shrugged. “Maybe, but talking to Prince Naruhiko isn’t one of them. And if he captures me, I doubt I’ll live to see the next sunrise.”
“Not with an attitude like that, but I’m betting that what you know will be valuable enough to the American government that they will protect you.”
“I’m not sure if—”
“Stop selling yourself short. You are an incredible spy. I mean, you stole the cipher from me.”
She gasped as she stood, holding her index finger in the air. “I’ve got a way to guarantee that your government will want to help me.”
“And how do you intend to do that?”
“I’m going to help you get the cipher back.”
* * *
LATER THAT NIGHT, the train pulled into the station in Tokyo. Richard made plans to rendezvous with Hisako the following afternoon to discuss her plan on how to retrieve the cipher. He remained somewhat cautious with her, unsure of where her true loyalty rested. After spending as much time as he had with her already, he realized her deepest devotion was to herself. And while he figured he could still work with her, he determined to do so with a good measure of trepidation.
Richard went to the hotel the embassy in Vladivostok had recommended.
“We’ve been expecting you, Mr. Halliburton,” the man at the front desk said.
Richard smiled. “That’s nice. Is the room already paid for?”
“Yes, but I’m afraid you won’t be spending the night in it.”
“What do you mean? I thought—” Richard stopped when he saw the man cut his eyes to his left and right.
“Mr. Halliburton,” a man beside Richard said, “my name is Inspector Satō, and we’d like to have a word with you.”
“Give me a moment. I need to put my things away.”
Three men surrounded Richard, all dressed in suits. The one addressing Richard put his hands on his hips, pushing back his jacket.
“We can take those things for you,” Satō said.
“I’m sorry,” Richard said, “but it’s been a really long day. I’d like to at least sp
end a couple minutes getting refreshed in my room before you take me anywhere.”
“If you insist, but my men will be outside the door and in the street below.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” Richard said. “I have nowhere to go.”
Richard lugged his bags upstairs to the third floor. As soon as he shut the door, he sprang into action. While he’d lost the cipher, the most important part of his mission, Richard didn’t want to be a double disappointment to the U.S. embassy by also losing the mail.
Richard pulled his pocketknife out of bag and cut a slit in the mattress just wide enough to accept a letter. He proceeded to feed them inside one by one until both bags were emptied.
“What’s taking so long, Mr. Halliburton?” Satō asked. “We need to question you quickly.”
“I understand,” Richard said. “However, you can’t rush Mother Nature.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
Richard chuckled. “I’ll explain in a moment.”
He buzzed around the room, putting everything back in place before finally opening the door.
“Ready?” Satō asked.
Richard nodded. “So, what is the reason for this inquiry? Is this typical for when Americans visit Tokyo?”
“We randomly inspect visitors on occasion to ensure that no contraband is being smuggled into the country. And we received a report that you might be carrying mail that wasn’t properly checked upon arrival.”
“I don’t have any mail,” Richard said.
Satō cocked his head to one side. “Did I receive a false report?”
“Apparently so, sir,” Richard said.
As Satō commanded the other two men in Japanese, he glared at Richard. They rushed around the room, looking in every nook and cranny as Richard casually watched with a wry grin on his face.
“Do you find something about this amusing, Mr. Halliburton?” Satō asked.
Richard shrugged. “I could save you plenty of time if you would just listen to me. Didn’t I already tell you that you’re not going to find anything in this room?”
Satō strode up to Richard, getting within a few inches of his face. Richard didn’t flinch.
“I don’t trust Americans,” Satō said.
“That’s strange because as a general rule, Americans are kind-hearted and trusting people who’d give the shirt off their back for someone in need. At least that’s been my experience, but maybe you’ve spent more time there than I have.”
Satō moved uncomfortably closer. “Is this a joke to you?”
“There’s one thing in life I don’t find funny,” Richard said. “And that’s wasting time. Who knows just how much time we have to spend on this Earth? Personally, I don’t want to squander even a second. So, while I might be smiling, I’m more miffed that you think it’s necessary to tear apart my room, a room I just checked into ten minutes ago, in search of something that you’re just not going to find. These are precious seconds I won’t be able to get back, gone forever.”
For the next couple minutes, Satō didn’t budge, standing nose to nose with Richard. The move would have been intimidating to most, but Richard found it an obnoxious show of bravado. However, he knew characterizing Satō in his book would be a challenge. Readers might find the Japanese inspector over the top, prompting Richard to consider toning down Satō’s brash personality when the time came to write about him.
One of the other men said something in Japanese to Satō, who huffed as he backed away from Richard.
“We will be watching you,” Satō said. “If you make one slip, I will be there to catch you.”
Richard shrugged. “I’m only here to share your incredibly beautiful country with the world in a new book. If you can help me with that, I will be most grateful.”
“I will help keep you out of prison as long as you don’t—how do you Americans say it?—stick your nose where it doesn’t belong?”
“That’s one of my favorite sayings,” Richard said. “I find that to be a wonderful one to apply to your life. I’ve found that minding my own business keeps me focused on my own happiness instead of worrying about what others think. It’s quite freeing and sound advice for everyone.”
“I know you have contraband,” Satō said. “I will catch you, too. And when I do, you’ll find that it’s difficult to write in a Japanese prison.”
“Thank you for the visit, Inspector,” Richard said before gesturing toward the door. “I’m assuming there won’t be any need for further questioning.”
“Not at this time, but that might change.”
“Have a good evening, gentlemen,” Richard said before he shut the door.
He put his back to the wall and slid to the floor, exhaling in relief. Richard hadn't been in Tokyo for more than a couple of hours and he was being placed under surveillance. He got up and meandered onto his balcony before his mouth fell agape.
On the clear and chilly January night, the moon hung low and bright on the horizon while the light created a crisp silhouette of Mt. Fuji.
That’s why I’m here. Not to deliver ciphers. Not to relay diplomatic messages. I’m here to climb Mt. Fuji.
For the next fifteen minutes, Richard didn’t move, soaking in all the grandeur available by moonlight. He finally decided to go to bed, anxious to see the snow-capped peaks at daybreak.
* * *
AFTER TAKING IN the majestic view of Mt. Fuji at dawn, Richard placed a few clothes in a sack designated for dirty clothes. Meanwhile, he retrieved all the letters and stuffed them into his bag, which he flung over his left shoulder.
When he exited the room, one of Satō’s men was sitting in a chair in the hallway. He said something in Japanese that Richard didn’t understand. Richard offered the man the laundry sack. After he unzipped it and inspected the contents, the man waved Richard down the hall.
“Have a wonderful day,” Richard said, waving the laundry in one hand to distract him from the other bag. The ruse worked.
Once Richard reached the stairs, he dropped off his clothes with the front desk and continued to the embassy. As he walked down the sidewalk, he noticed a pair of men following him. Richard wasted little time in losing them, doubling back before reaching the embassy gates without incident.
Richard’s greeting party consisted of the ambassador, Harold Newton, and the director of the consulate, Peter Ford. A smoldering cigar hung out of Newton’s mouth, while Ford held a mug of steaming coffee.
“Just the man we’ve been waiting for,” Newton said, slapping Richard on the back as he walked up the steps to the entrance.
“Thank you, sir,” Richard said. “It’s an honor to be here.”
“Come on inside,” Ford said, ushering him into Newton’s office. “Let me know if there’s anything I can get you. How were your accommodations last night?”
“Excellent,” Richard said. “I haven’t slept that well in a week, though I have been staying in cramped quarters on a boat and in a train car.”
“That always makes your visit better,” Ford said.
“Well, welcome to paradise,” Newton said. “And from what I hear, you’re about to crack open the lid on how incredible this place is, ruining it for everyone else.”
“I wouldn’t exactly put it like that, but I do intend to write about what a wonderful country this is.”
“Have a seat,” Newton said, gesturing toward a chair across from his desk. “Let’s talk.”
“Yes,” Ford said. “Let’s get down to business first. Let’s see the cipher.”
Richard sighed. “About that. I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
Newton pulled the cigar out of his mouth and narrowed his eyes. “You better not have lost that thing. You know one of our best men died trying to deliver that to us?”
Richard closed his eyes and shook his head. “I’m sorry, sir. The Japanese had a spy on the ship. She put something in my tea, took my room key, and stole the device.”
“And the letters
?” Ford asked.
“I’ve got them right here,” Richard said.
Newton cursed as he paced around the room. “We needed that cipher. Foster said you were the best man for the job. We paid for you to do one thing, and you failed.”
“I understand that, sir, but there is a way to get it back,” Richard said.
“And how do you expect to do that?” Newton said as he scowled. “I doubt you even know your way around the city yet.”
“I’m going to have some help, but only on one condition.”
“And what’s that?”
“When I retrieve the cipher, you help the woman gain a new identity.”
Newton furrowed his brow. “Who exactly is this woman? A spy?”
Richard paused, unsure of how he was going to navigate his way through the answer without sending Newton into a fury.
“She’s a woman with detailed information,” Richard finally answered.
“So, she’s a spy?”
“Technically, she’s a courier, but—”
Newton shook his head. “I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to like it, sir. If she delivers results, what’s the problem with that?”
“Have you considered that she might be setting you up?”
Richard nodded. “Of course, but I believe she’s telling the truth. And without her, I’ll never come close to finding the cipher in a reasonable amount of time.”
“Fine, I’ll agree to help her, but you better get moving,” Newton said. “If I don’t have that cipher in my possession in twenty-four hours, I’m not going to give you a diplomatic visa. Then if you get caught, you’ll be on your own. And trust me when I say this, the Japanese are serious rule followers. Your little chapter will be a short one either way if you don’t get that device back.”
“I’ll do my best, sir,” Richard said.
“That’s not what I want to hear,” Newton said. “I want to hear that you’ll have it my hands if it’s the last thing you do. Understand?”
Richard nodded.
“You’re probably going to need this,” Newton said as he slapped a stack of cash on the desk. “Now, get going. The clock is ticking.”
After Richard grabbed the money, he dumped the letters out onto the desk and then hurried toward the door. He didn’t want to be late. Hisako was waiting.
The Quest for the Fuji Cipher (A Richard Halliburton Adventure Book 4) Page 7