“She mentioned you two had been close at one point,” Charlie said. “So I thought she should know. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Why would I mind?” Lepage said, but Charlie sensed he did, somehow. Lepage looked at him for a moment, before asking, “Any news on Mike?”
Charlie hesitated, wondering whether Lepage still thought his friend was alive. Then he remembered that his post-accident memory should be intact. “You said you were expecting results of the autopsy,” Lepage added, aware of the pregnant pause.
“Right.” Charlie nodded. “Well, the results are in, but there isn’t much in terms of determining what actually happened to him.”
“That doesn’t sound very helpful.”
“It’s not.”
“Aiko said maybe he said the wrong thing to the wrong guy.”
Charlie perked up at her name, and the fact that she had theories about Seger’s death. “Speaking of Aiko,” he said, trying to assess what was going on beyond those bright eyes as Lepage held his gaze again. “I was wondering if I could get her contact information, for Inspector Kobayashi.”
“The cop? Sure. She’s probably the prettiest cop I’ve ever seen, by the way,” Lepage added, with a smile that quickly faded as another thought seemed to occur to him. “I, uh … I don’t remember her number. She always calls me, not the other way around.”
“I can check with reception,” Charlie said, gesturing out toward the hall but knowing somehow that the exercise would be fruitless. He was more interested in examining Lepage’s features as he spoke. He seemed embarrassed by his inability to recall his girlfriend’s number, which was perfectly normal, Charlie supposed. Unless the expression was not embarrassment at all. “Do you know when she’ll be back?”
Lepage shook his head and avoided Charlie’s eyes for a split second, glancing over toward the television again. “She doesn’t seem too happy with me.”
“What do you mean?”
“Think of it from her perspective. I’m supposed to be her lover, and I can’t even remember her phone number. How many women aren’t going to be pissed off at that?”
“There is the fact that you have amnesia.”
“Which doesn’t seem to be cutting it anymore,” he said, shaking his head. “For all I know, she’s not coming back.”
They sat in silence for a few moments, before Charlie spoke. “Do you really not remember anything?” Lepage seemed surprised by the question, his gaze dropping to his hands. “About Aiko, I mean,” Charlie added.
“I really can’t. I wish I could … but it’s just not coming back.”
Charlie had the sudden need to get out of the room. “I’m sure it will,” he said, getting up.
“You’re going, already?”
Charlie shrugged. “Visiting hours are over.”
“I’m getting the cast off tomorrow morning,” Lepage said, pointing at his leg. Charlie paused at the door.
“Already?”
“They’ll give me a walking cast.”
Charlie smiled. “That’s great. Are they going to release you?”
“I’m supposed to talk to Dr. Yamaguchi about that tomorrow. He’s going to want some assurances that I can make it on my own.” Lepage hesitated, and looked a little sheepish. “I was wondering if you might be able to help. Maybe agree to check on me from time to time — by phone, I mean. You wouldn’t have to babysit me, or anything.”
“Of course.” Charlie returned to Lepage’s bedside and patted him on the arm. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“Thanks, man.” Lepage smiled. “Somehow I knew you would.”
Charlie turned and left the room. As he made his way back to reception to inquire about Kimura’s phone number, the image of Lepage’s smile filled his mind and he was overcome by an unsettling feeling — like he was being played.
CHAPTER 17
Charlie was reviewing the materials that Miton had provided in support of their proposed property development in preparation for the meeting at eleven when his phone rang. He looked at the display and saw Cliff Redford’s number. He checked the time and confirmed he still had a good thirty minutes before the Miton people arrived, then picked up the phone.
“Good morning, Cliff.”
“Charlie. How are things?”
“Good. Just reviewing our property needs.”
Redford chuckled. “Well, I have some swampland in Toyama to sell you if you’re interested, but that’s not why I’m calling. Have you talked to Lepage lately?”
“I was at the hospital last night,” Charlie said, remembering that in addition to representing the embassy on numerous legal files, Redford was also the head of a not-for-profit organization that helped out expat Canadians. He knew Redford had visited Lepage in hospital, and was sure to have left him his card and an offer to help out in any way he could. “Rob said they were thinking about releasing him soon.”
“I just got off the phone with Yamaguchi,” Redford said. “He’s concerned that the lack of any family members to discharge him to will make Lepage’s release difficult.”
“Yeah, Rob asked whether I’d be willing to look in on him now and then if he gets released. I said that wasn’t a problem.”
“That’s good,” Redford said. “But I think there’s an insurance issue as well. These hospital administrators give new meaning to the word bureaucracy, and they’re tighter than a nun’s arse. Not Yamaguchi, but the people he reports to.”
Charlie laughed. “Surely they’re not going to keep him indefinitely if he’s medically cleared.”
“No, but they can drag things out if we don’t give them a little shove in the right direction. I’m going to make a few calls and then head over to meet with Yamaguchi around six. I was calling to see if you wanted to join me.”
Charlie hesitated as he noticed an incoming email from Kobayashi. He scanned it quickly and saw she was writing to tell him that there was no new information on the Seger case and that she was in Nagawa for the day on another case, but would be in touch tomorrow.
“Sure. I’ll meet you there.”
He had barely hung up the phone when it rang again, this time from reception to let him know that the Miton party was here early. He gathered his papers into a folder, adjusted his tie and double-checked that he had a stack of pristine business cards in his pocket before heading for the elevator.
Charlie was on his way up the steps to the main entrance of the hospital when he heard his name, turned, and saw Cliff Redford heading toward him.
“Hi, Cliff.”
“Good timing. Ready to see if we can spring our jailbird?”
Charlie laughed. “Hopefully he’s ready.”
“Are you kidding? How would you like to be cooped up in this place for weeks on end.”
“I just meant, if his memory’s not completely restored …”
“I guess it isn’t,” Redford continued. “Though it’s a wonder he hasn’t lost his mind completely in here,” he said, looking around as he hit the call button for the elevator. “Best thing for him is to get back out onto his feet again — breathe some fresh air, go back to his apartment, and reconnect.” Charlie nodded, thinking it sounded like a reasonable prescription, despite the fact that Redford was a lawyer, not a doctor. “From what Yamaguchi said on the phone,” Redford continued, “it doesn’t seem like Rob’s a danger to himself — his memory after the accident seems to be working just fine. It’s not like he’s going to forget where he lives once he’s been there, you know what I mean?”
“That’s my understanding, too.” Charlie nodded.
“I think Yamaguchi just needs some assurance that someone will check in on Rob from time to time. Make sure he’s reintegrating, managing his finances, and all that, you know?”
“Right,” Charlie said, though Yamaguchi had mentioned no such requirement to him. He wondered what else the doctor had discussed with Redford.
“There he is now,” Redford said as the elevator doors opened onto t
he fifth floor and they caught sight of Yamaguchi talking to a nurse in front of the reception desk. The doctor smiled as he saw them approach.
“Mr. Hill … Charlie, and Redford-san.”
“Doctor,” Redford said, bowing quickly. He was as informal as they came, but he had been in Japan long enough to know that there was no skipping the traditional greeting, however abbreviated.
“Come.” Yamaguchi led them down the hall with an enthusiasm that suggested a surprise awaited them in Lepage’s room. They weren’t disappointed when they stepped inside and saw Lepage dressed in a polo shirt and a pair of khakis, sitting in the corner chair instead of laid up in bed in a hospital gown. His right foot was enveloped in a walking cast, but he looked fit as a fiddle otherwise. He stood up, as if to demonstrate his ability to do so.
“Ta da!”
“You got the cast off,” Charlie said. “Congratulations! It must be nice to be out of that bed.”
“You have no idea.”
“Well, that’s phase one,” Redford said, slapping Lepage on the shoulder. “Phase two is to get you out of here altogether.”
“Yes, I wanted to discuss the possibilities for Mr. Lepage’s release,” Yamaguchi said, his features resuming their normal, businesslike appearance. “Given that he has no family here in Tokyo, and his employer is unwilling to assume responsibility.”
Charlie’s eyebrows shot up.
“Don’t look so shocked,” Redford said. “Most employers won’t go near a foreigner when there’s a risk of being stuck with the medical bills.”
“I thought they had insurance.”
“For his hospitalization and treatment here, yes,” Redford said. “But discharge is different, right, Doc?”
Yamaguchi nodded. “It is true that Nippon Kasuga’s position is expected, and in the absence of a family member to sign off on Mr. Lepage’s release, I must ask whether there are other possibilities.”
Charlie looked at Lepage, then Yamaguchi. “What do you need us to do?”
“I think what he needs,” Redford cut in, “if you’ll allow me, Doc, is the assurance he was talking about. That we’ll look in on Rob here on a regular basis.”
“That’s all?” Charlie had been expecting to be asked to formally sign off on Lepage’s discharge. While he was prepared to do so in his personal capacity, there were limits to what he could undertake in his capacity as a consular officer, and he was pretty sure Denault wouldn’t be on board with him assuming the care of a consular case. “I’ve been coming here on an almost daily basis for the past week anyway, and Rob’s apartment is closer to mine than the hospital, so it’ll actually be easier for me to check up on him there.”
“And Nippon Kasuga’s offices are in the same building as mine, so there we go,” Redford added, as though to seal the deal. Yamaguchi still seemed to have reservations.
“I’ll have to discuss it with the hospital’s administration. It is a bit … unusual.”
“And if they’re concerned about insurance, I can have a word with the hospital’s carrier,” Redford continued. “Come on, Doc. You know he’s better off back out in the world.” Redford gestured to Lepage, who looked on hopefully.
“I didn’t mean to suggest that I don’t support the idea,” Yamaguchi said. “I do, but I will have to make the case to the board in the morning.”
“Not until then?” Lepage’s disappointment was obvious.
“I’m afraid not.”
“And what do you think of your chances?” Charlie asked.
Yamaguchi paused, taking in Lepage’s forlorn expression before allowing a smile to bloom on his face. “I think they’re good.”
“You want me to attend the meeting?” Redford asked, but Yamaguchi waved him off.
“I appreciate the offer, but I think it would be better if I handled it.”
“Whatever you say, Doc.”
“Thanks, guys,” Lepage said after Yamaguchi had left. “I don’t know what I’ll do if they tell me I have to stay here after tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Redford said. “We’re gonna see to it that tonight’s your last night in here, right, Charlie?”
Charlie nodded. “You bet.”
They chatted for a while and then agreed to touch base midmorning. Riding the elevator back down to the ground floor, Redford patted his stomach.
“I don’t know about you, Charlie, but I could eat.”
Charlie looked at his watch and noticed it was almost seven. He hadn’t eaten since the small bowl of noodles at the embassy cafeteria at lunchtime. “Me, too.”
“I know a good yakiniku place near here. We could walk.”
“Lead the way.”
Fifteen minutes later, they were being seated in the far corner of a bustling restaurant on the edge of the entertainment district. Redford waved off the waitress’s attempt to give them menus and chattered something in Japanese to her, prompting her to nod and smile. The only word Charlie thought he recognized was “beer.”
“I ordered the set menu.”
“Not your first rodeo, then?”
Redford laughed. “I haven’t been here in a little while but it hasn’t changed much. It’s a really good mixed grill, you’ll see.”
They chatted for a bit, then the waitress returned with two frosted glasses of Asahi beer. “Cheers.” Redford tapped his glass off Charlie’s.
“Here’s to getting Rob out tomorrow.”
They each drank, then Redford wiped foam from his top lip and grinned. “They say no good deed goes unpunished.”
“What do you think his odds are of getting out tomorrow?”
Redford shrugged. “Probably fifty-fifty, maybe a little less. The Japanese are sticklers for adhering to policy, and I can’t think of anyone worse than hospital administrators.”
Charlie was surprised, given Redford’s apparent enthusiasm back at the hospital.
“I don’t mean we won’t spring him eventually,” Redford said quickly, noting Charlie’s dejection. “It might take a little persuasion, but we’ll get there. It’d be a lot easier if there was a family member.”
Charlie shook his head. “I’ve tried everything I can think of to track down someone back in Canada, believe me.”
“I’m sure you have. What about the girlfriend?” Redford said suddenly. “I hadn’t thought of her.”
“I don’t know …”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s something about her,” he said, realizing that Redford had never actually met her. He pulled out his phone and selected the photo he had taken of her coming out of the Metro, enlarging it so that most of her face was visible in profile. Redford took the phone and examined the image.
“Pretty easy on the eyes.”
Charlie frowned. “I have a hard time seeing the two of them together. And she hasn’t been around lately.”
“Really? I wonder why.”
Charlie sipped his beer in silence.
“There’s obviously something you’re not telling me, Charlie,” Redford said with a smile. “But I’m a patient man, so I’ll just sit here until you decide to spill the beans.”
“Maybe it’s nothing,” Charlie began. “But she’s kind of made herself scarce ever since she found out Inspector Kobayashi was asking questions about Seger.”
“Oh yeah? Maybe she doesn’t like cops. I’m curious to meet this Kobayashi, though,” Redford said. “A female detective in this city? She must be tough as nails.”
“And I think Kimura lied about what she does for a living,” Charlie added, ignoring the reference to Kobayashi.
Redford shrugged. “What did she say she did?”
“Call centre worker.”
“And you don’t believe her?”
“Kobayashi checked her name against some list of registered call centre people, but it’s more than that.” He paused as Redford watched him dig in his pocket for the brochure. He set it on the table between them and Redford picked it up and examined it.
“She works here?”
“What kind of place is it?” Charlie asked, feeling foolish as he heard Redford’s reaction.
“Well it ain’t the Girl Guides, that’s for sure.”
“Strip joint?”
“Something like that. They call themselves companions.”
Charlie frowned. “You mean she’s a hooker?”
“Not necessarily. The service offered depends on the place, but I’m guessing from this there’s more than stimulating conversation on the menu.” Redford tapped the picture of an almost topless woman. “And I guess that would explain Ms. Kimura’s reluctance to fraternize with the police.”
“Are these places illegal?”
“Not officially, but prostitution is, if that’s what’s going on. This is in Roppongi,” he added, looking at the address. “We could go check it out after dinner if you like. Maybe our friend’s working tonight.”
“Hmm,” Charlie said as Redford stood.
“I’m going to hit the head. Be right back.”
Charlie sat there, thinking about Kimura and wondering what Rob Lepage was doing dating a sex worker. She was pretty hot, but Lepage was young, handsome, and rich — it just didn’t add up. He plucked his BlackBerry out of his pocket and scanned his emails, surprised to see a message from Elizabeth Farnsworth, asking him to meet her for coffee or lunch tomorrow. He checked his schedule and sent a reply suggesting lunch at a little bistro down the street from the embassy, in the direction of Omote-sando. Now there was someone Charlie could see Lepage with, he thought, recalling the image of Farnsworth as he had encountered her in the elevator of Lepage’s building. Smart, sexy, and athletic. She and Aiko Kimura appeared to inhabit very different worlds, yet Lepage had apparently been involved with both. He wondered what Farnsworth wanted to talk to him about and, seeing no immediate response from her, he tucked the phone back in his pocket.
He sipped his beer and scanned the room around him, noticing two men at a nearby table, one of whom was lighting a cigarette. Charlie watched as he clicked the lighter and drew on the filter, attracting the flame to the tip and igniting it, and exhaling a cloud of blue smoke a second later, before removing the cigarette from his lips with his left hand. Something about the process, or perhaps the smell of the tobacco, reminded him of his smoking days, and he felt a strong urge to light up. He kept watching the cigarette, but his eye was drawn to the man’s little finger, the end of which was missing. He found himself staring and when the man’s eyes met his, Charlie quickly looked away.
Remember Tokyo Page 14