Last Stop Tokyo

by James Buckler

  The man with the plum birthmark blinked as he caught the scent and shifted his weight to stand up. A voice from across the cell called out to him and he stopped.

  He looked around for assistance from the others but every face was full of caution. He settled himself back down and waited, looking at Alex as he took his place beside the toilet bowl and began eating in quick mouthfuls, spooning up the hot food and tearing bites from the roll. Each man watched him in silence as he ate. No one moved until his plate was empty.

  16

  INSPECTOR SAITO OFFERED her the chair at the side of his desk and Naoko bowed to him in thanks. She had worn a surgical mask for the journey to Ushigome and she removed it and folded it on to her lap. The chair was hard moulded plastic and seemed designed to make its user as uncomfortable as possible. The soles of her shoes hung suspended above the faded grey carpet.

  ‘Thank you for coming,’ Saito said. He turned to the short, plain-looking policewoman to his left. ‘This is Officer Tomada. She’s assisting with your case.’

  Naoko gave a polite smile, which the officer didn’t return. ‘We’ve spoken on the phone,’ she said.

  ‘There are just a few minor questions I’d like to ask, Ms Yamamoto. I understand this may be hard for you but there’s no alternative, I’m afraid.’

  Naoko kept her tone respectful. ‘I understand completely, Inspector.’

  Saito was upright in his chair. He had an angular face and neatly combed grey hair, cut military-style. Naoko could see that, despite his age, he was lean and trim beneath his crisp, white shirt. His eyes had the calm resolve of experience.

  He began to read out her statement in a measured voice, speaking evenly, without dramatic inflection. Naoko listened but she needed no help refreshing her memory. She’d done little else but go over it in her mind for the last couple of days. She remained silent but attentive, with an expression she hoped showed sincerity without seeming forced. When he had finished, the inspector leaned back in his chair.

  ‘So the details of this document are correct?’ he asked.

  Naoko knew she had no other choice. ‘They are.’

  ‘On the night in question, Mr Malloy gained access to your apartment without permission. You discovered him there and he refused to leave. A struggle took place and you attempted to protect yourself.’

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘And Mr Malloy has displayed similar behaviour towards you in the past?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And on this occasion you felt you needed a knife to protect yourself from him?’

  ‘I picked up the knife without thinking. I just wanted to defend myself … to scare him off. It was never my intention to hurt anyone.’

  ‘May I ask a question, Ms Yamamoto? After the altercation had taken place and he had been injured, why do you think Mr Malloy returned to your apartment?’

  Naoko looked down at the paperwork on the inspector’s desk. The way it was organized so precisely, compared to the others in the office. She looked across at the groups of young detectives drinking coffee and chatting aimlessly with one another. If her case had been assigned to one of them, she thought, the whole matter would have been dismissed by now.

  ‘I’m sorry, Inspector,’ she said, ‘but I wouldn’t want to speculate.’

  ‘This is very serious. Mr Malloy is facing fifteen months in prison at Fuchu.’

  She knew she had to resist the inspector’s attempts to unsettle her. She steeled herself inside. ‘Every detail in my statement is correct.’

  ‘And you’re prepared to testify as such when this matter comes before the courts?’

  ‘If you think that’s necessary, Inspector.’

  Saito looked at her over the frames of his glasses. ‘What do you think is necessary?’

  ‘Alex knows he’s done wrong. I’m sure he’s learned his lesson. Isn’t a warning or a small fine sufficient?’

  ‘This was a severe incident, Ms Yamamoto. My officers were called to your home and found you holding a knife that you had used to injure an intruder. A crime has been committed and we have been tasked with investigating it. Therefore, we have to reach a conclusion.’

  ‘But a prosecution seems so severe. I’m very busy. I don’t have time to become involved in a court case.’

  ‘My job is to maintain order, not to act as you see fit. Either your statement is correct or it is not. If it is, there must be a prosecution. If not, then you need to tell me now and we will have to take a different course.’

  Naoko held firm. She had prepared herself for this moment. ‘I have my reputation to think of, Inspector. My future. Everything in my statement is true.’

  ‘It’s not your future that worries me, Ms Yamamoto.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ she asked.

  ‘I checked your records. It seems there are certain events you have made efforts to erase.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘You know exactly what I mean. That must have been a difficult situation for a schoolgirl to experience?’

  ‘I don’t see how that’s relevant.’

  ‘The courts will want to know everything about you in order to establish your reliability. It took only a brief check to discover information that may harm your standing. Do you want this made public?’

  ‘Of course not.’

  The inspector gazed at her from behind his thick glasses. His sense of superiority was unmistakable. ‘You’re an ambitious woman, Ms Yamamoto. A woman who has come far in the world. That requires the ability to protect yourself when necessary.’

  Naoko struggled to contain her anger. ‘Aren’t I the victim here?’ she said.

  Saito eased back in his chair. ‘That’s exactly what we are trying to establish.’

  They looked across the table at each other, their eyes locked. Naoko was flustered inside but refused to show it. She knew it was suicidal to concede any ground. Officer Tomada shifted in her seat and coughed to break the silence.

  ‘There is an alternative,’ she said meekly.

  Saito turned to her. ‘What do you mean?’

  Tomada seemed cowed, as if she regretted intervening. ‘I think there may be another way to solve this matter. A way that bypasses the courts but allows for an official conclusion.’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘Financial reparations could be made. Jidan.’

  Naoko had never heard the term. ‘What’s jidan?’ she asked. ‘Forgiveness money. Mr Malloy could admit his guilt in the matter and pay a set amount as compensation. If you’re willing to accept, then we would be able to draw our investigation to a conclusion.’ The officer hesitated for a second. ‘As long as the inspector is in agreement, of course.’

  ‘It would be highly unusual in a case such as this,’ Saito said. ‘A violent incident would normally have to be put before the authorities.’

  Tomada cast a quick look at Naoko. There was a hint of solidarity in her eyes. ‘But if the jidan payment was set at a high level, Mr Malloy would incur a punishment that even the prosecutor would find satisfactory.’

  Naoko could see the opening Tomada was giving her. She could ask for compensation and then return the money to Alex once the case was settled. She seized her opportunity before it disappeared.

  ‘I think that jidan would be sufficient,’ she said. ‘Of course, the amount would have to reflect the damage Alex has inflicted. I think that five million yen sounds like a reasonable figure.’

  Saito leaned forward on his elbows. He touched the fingers of his clasped hands against his chin. ‘But five million yen is significantly higher than the amount usually demanded in the jidan system.’

  Naoko had the upper hand now and she wasn’t going to lose it. ‘I understand, Inspector. But why don’t you make the proposition to Alex? The higher amount would reflect the sincerity of his apology. Surely if he accepts, we can all move on and put this matter behind us?’

  Saito took a moment to consider the suggestion. He began to speak and then
stopped, his mouth seemingly tangled with half-formed words. It was the first time Naoko had seen him in less than full control. He seemed disappointed with himself, like a hunter who has lost sight of his prey at the crucial moment. Saito removed his glasses and wiped the lenses slowly, the lines around his eyes tensed in deep creases. Naoko avoided his gaze. She fixed her sight on the faded crime-prevention posters tacked to the wall beyond the inspector’s shoulder.

  Finally, Saito said, ‘Very well. I will relay the proposal to Mr Malloy. If he agrees to pay, we can consider the incident resolved.’

  Naoko had to make an effort not to show her relief. ‘Thank you, Inspector,’ she said.

  ‘Thank you, Ms Yamamoto.’

  Naoko stood and bowed to them both. She pulled the surgical mask over her face to hide her smile as she left the office and rode down in the lift. She couldn’t believe how easy it had been.

  Her triumph was short-lived. Mr Kimura was waiting for her when she returned to the gallery, sitting at her desk with a look that suggested he had been waiting for some time. He was idly flicking through a sales report, turning the pages with long, manicured fingers.

  ‘Where have you been?’ he asked.

  ‘I had a personal matter to attend to, Kimura-san. I apologize.’

  ‘A personal matter?’

  ‘Yes. It’s taken care of now.’

  Kimura stared up at her with a resignation that was unsettling. His elderly face remained still, his hands resting lightly on the arms of the chair and his thin legs crossed one over the other.

  ‘I’m not so sure that it is,’ he said. ‘I received a call from Ushigome police station. An Inspector Saito asked to speak to me, regarding the mess you have managed to get yourself into.’

  Naoko felt the back of her neck turn dry and cold. ‘I’m truly sorry, Kimura-san. I hope you can forgive me.’

  ‘How long have you been seeing this foreigner?’

  ‘Only a few weeks,’ she lied.

  ‘In this time, you have taken him into your bed?’

  She hesitated at the intrusion. Finally, she said, ‘Yes.’

  ‘Even though you are unmarried?’

  ‘It was a foolish moment.’

  Kimura’s face flushed with distaste. ‘The disturbance at the private view was most discouraging. And now this. Megumi has told me her side of the story and it reflects very badly on you.’

  Naoko couldn’t hide her outrage. ‘I think there’s much more to Megumi’s involvement than she is admitting,’ she said. ‘This whole incident began with a commotion designed to stir up trouble for me. It’s all far too convenient for her.’

  Kimura brushed a piece of lint from his suit, as if it had been bothering him for some time. ‘Please, Naoko. She is young and naive. She doesn’t have the experience that you and I have. You’re usually so dependable, which is why I expected more from you. Especially after everything I have given you – your position here at the gallery, your generous salary, your apartment.’

  ‘I have nothing but gratitude for all you’ve done for me, Kimura-san. I hope that always shows in my work.’

  He rose from the chair and adjusted the buttons on his jacket. Everything about him was light and elegant, except his manner, which was faintly cruel. He stepped towards her and touched a hand to her face to sweep back a stray strand of hair.

  ‘These have been troubling times,’ he said. ‘But the course of life is always unpredictable. The test of character is how we overcome the obstacles that are thrown into our path. That is why I’ve decided not to take any immediate action. But we need to discuss this further at some point. Firstly, however, there is a business matter that I need your assistance with. I’ve brokered the sale of a very expensive ukiyo-e print for an exclusive client. He wants to finalize the details on Saturday evening over dinner in Ginza. This could be very lucrative for our business and he has asked specifically for you to accompany me.’

  ‘I would be honoured to, Kimura-san,’ she said, relieved. ‘Thank you for your faith in me.’

  Kimura opened the office door and stepped out. ‘Saturday at seven thirty,’ he said. ‘I will send a car for you.’

  17

  ‘YOU HAVE A difficult situation,’ Jun said. ‘Five million yen is a lot of money. Maybe you should find a cheaper girlfriend.’

  It was hot and close in the evening, the humidity rising as the sun began to set. Beyond the tower of Ushigome police station, Alex could hear the muted sound of traffic on the downtown expressway. They were sitting on a low wall at the edge of the exercise yard. Alex did a mental conversion. Five million yen was about thirty thousand pounds.

  ‘I don’t understand why she’s asking for so much,’ he said. ‘She knows I haven’t got that kind of money.’

  ‘Appearance is everything now. She needs to maintain her good reputation. Money is the best way to show it.’

  ‘I didn’t even touch her.’

  ‘Maybe,’ Jun said, looking up through the wire surrounding the prison yard. ‘But she is out there and you are locked up in here.’

  ‘I just want to get out of here now,’ Alex said. ‘I’m sick and tired of this place.’

  ‘Do you have any money saved?’

  ‘A few thousand yen. That’s all.’

  ‘Do you have any family that can help you?’

  Alex imagined making the call, his mother picking up the telephone, the sound of her voice after all this time. He imagined her reaction when she found out where he was. Her bitter satisfaction as her misjudgements were confirmed. It would be a humiliation he would never be able to live with.

  ‘No,’ he said. ‘I don’t have any family at all.’

  Jun lit a cigarette and tapped the ash against the side of his slipper. ‘In that case, maybe I can be of some use to you.’

  Alex turned to him with raised eyebrows. ‘Really? How you can you help?’

  ‘We’re in prison, Russia-jin. Do you think you’re the first person to face this kind of problem? When it comes to borrowing money, this is the easiest place.’

  Jun pulled deeply on his cigarette and blew a trickle of smoke from his lips. It hung in the still, wet air. He pointed at the men walking and sitting around in the concrete yard.

  ‘Everyone here has asked for a loan at some point,’ he said. ‘To pay fines or to help their families while they are locked up. It’s the system.’

  ‘So what are you saying?’

  ‘I’m saying I can arrange a loan for you. Five million yen.’

  ‘And I have to pay interest?’

  ‘Just like you would to a bank.’

  ‘Who will be lending it to me?’ he asked. ‘You?’

  Jun nodded towards the group of Japanese prisoners at their usual table. ‘Not me. Them.’

  ‘Who are they?’

  ‘Just some old men with money. They’re waiting for their trial to start and trying to delay the prosecutor with every trick they can think of. They spend the days here and the nights in the hospital at Keio. Their lawyers have argued they’re too old to sleep in the cells. They have a lot of experience playing these games.’

  ‘What are they here for?’

  Jun gave a knowing smile. ‘You know better than to ask that question, Russia-jin.’

  ‘Are you sure taking money from them is a good idea?’

  ‘Do you want to leave here or not?’

  ‘Of course I do.’

  ‘How long have you been in Japan?’ Jun asked.

  ‘About six months.’

  ‘Do you know uchi soto?’

  Alex shook his head.

  ‘Then I will give you the only Japanese lesson you need.’

  He flicked his cigarette out into the yard and leaned back against the chain-link fence.

  ‘Uchi soto means “inside outside”. You are soto. Outside. My family is from Korea, so even though I was born here, I am soto also. You and I are no different. No matter how long we live here, we will always be outsiders. Your girlfriend is uchi
. Inside. She must maintain her standing and her reputation in society or she is nothing. In many ways, life is more difficult for her. But everything she says is true and anything you say is a lie. Remember that. You are guilty anyway. Guilty of being a foreigner. Now you need money and I can get it for you. All you have to do is ask.’

  ‘Are you sure about this?’

  Jun shrugged. ‘What alternatives do you have?’

  Alex let the question hang for a moment. Absolutely none, he thought.

  ‘Okay,’ he said. ‘Go ahead and arrange it for me.’

  They returned to the cell block when the bell sounded and stood for the evening roll call. As they were counted off, the men dispersed in groups and filtered back to the airless rooms. Another evening of waiting lay ahead. At least it would all be over soon, Alex thought.

  The safety light washed the cell in green. The sweat-drenched prisoners, their faces pallid as corpses’, stirred occasionally, as if they were dreaming on the ocean floor. Alex woke to the sound of voices outside the cell door, the scuffle of feet as new arrivals were checked in during the night. He had no idea what time it was.

  He lay back and looked at the cracks in the ceiling. His thirst was incredible. The humidity seemed worse at night, choking the oxygen from the cell and forming in fat droplets on the walls. He had watched how the Chinese saved their water ration to drink overnight and now he had begun to do the same. He reached for the bottle hidden beneath his pillow and took a short sip. It barely wet the back of his throat.

  He tried to remember how long he’d been there now. Was it three days, or four? There were no details in the course of daily life to mark the passage of time. Just the hourly grind of events without importance. Keys turning. Doors slamming. Raised voices punctuating the silence. Endless hours of waiting seeping through the corridors. The only thing he knew for certain was he’d been there too long. Whatever he had done to hurt Naoko, whatever fury she had worked herself into, he didn’t deserve this.