Last Stop Tokyo

by James Buckler

  She was still talking when Alex came into the room, wide-eyed and breathless. There was miscomprehension in his eyes as he took in the officers’ presence, his mouth open slightly and his hair slicked against his forehead from the rain. Then a look of resignation as he understood events had moved beyond his control.

  Naoko watched him as he stood in the doorway, the cut on his face still pulsing blood as one of the officers drew his baton and swung, once to the elbow and once to the knee, taking his legs from underneath him.

  11

  THE CRIME DIVISION office was on the tenth floor of Ushigome police station. Officers looked up from their desks as he passed. Their eyes tracked him and Alex knew he would do the same if their places were reversed. He held his expression and returned the stares. He was the only westerner he had seen since they had brought him in and his wrists were bound, both hands crossed in front at an awkward angle. The patrolman opened the door to an empty interview room and ushered him inside. Alex took a seat at the far side of the desk.

  ‘Wait here,’ the patrolman said, and began to close the door behind him.

  ‘Who am I waiting for?’ Alex called out.

  ‘Senior officer.’

  ‘I don’t know what you want to interview me for. Why don’t you just speak to Naoko?’

  The patrolman looked at him quizzically. ‘She’s the reason you’re here,’ he said.

  When he had gone, Alex sat and waited. There was silence in the room and, beyond the walls, the rumble of the morning traffic. He stared at the row of dirty brown patches on the wall opposite, left there by heads that had sweated nervously against the paintwork.

  The senior officer introduced himself as Inspector Saito. He wore black-framed glasses and there were liver spots on his arms and hands. He eased himself into a chair and arranged his papers on the desk and closed his briefcase and set it beside him. He moved with the conscious efficiency of a veteran, every action neat and precise. He was accompanied by a young female officer wearing a stab-proof vest over her uniform and a pistol holstered at her waist. She was young and wore her hair cropped close to her skull. She seemed used to walking in Saito’s footsteps, her small frame accentuated by the bulk of her body armour. The inspector introduced her as Officer Tomada. She took a seat in the corner of the room and rested a clipboard on her knee.

  Saito opened a file and produced a single typewritten sheet and looked it over. He turned it and slid it across the desk. Alex could see it was written in Japanese, in an official bold type with a government seal, but he had no idea what it said. He looked up at the inspector and waited for an explanation. Saito took a pen and reached across the desk to place it on the sheet. He motioned for Alex to sign.

  ‘I can’t read it,’ Alex said.

  The inspector motioned again. He indicated with his finger the red X in the signature box.

  Alex pushed the sheet back across the desk with a definite weight to his movements so the inspector was sure of his intentions.

  ‘I can’t sign it if I can’t read it,’ he said.

  Saito shrugged slowly, as if it was the answer he had been expecting. He took the paper and passed it to his assistant. Her face flushed as she started to read, her voice directed downwards so Alex had to strain to listen.

  ‘On the morning of August 13, you wilfully and grievously assaulted one Naoko Yamamoto at her place of residence. This assault caused physical harm and mental distress and resulted in extensive damage to her property. You have assaulted Ms Yamamoto on several previous occasions, also resulting in injury …’

  Alex shook his head and tried to speak but the officer continued. The inspector watched, impassive, as she read on.

  ‘In the early hours, you accessed Ms Yamamoto’s property without her permission and refused her requests for you to absent yourself. You displayed violent behaviour and made several threats against her safety. An argument ensued, during which you became verbally and physically aggressive. Ms Yamamoto was fearful of her safety and in attempting to protect herself you were accidentally injured …’

  Alex stopped shaking his head and slumped down in his chair, his eyes closed. He began to laugh at the absurdity of what the officer was reading.

  Saito held up a hand to interrupt her. ‘Do you disagree with this statement?’ he asked.

  ‘This is all bullshit,’ Alex said. ‘I don’t know who told you any of this.’

  Saito held out a hand and Officer Tomada passed him the document. He placed it on the desktop. ‘This statement was given by Ms Yamamoto.’

  For a moment, Alex thought it must be a trick. ‘I don’t believe you,’ he said.

  ‘That is of no importance. It only matters whether I believe you. What in this document do you disagree with?’

  Alex looked the inspector in the eye. ‘All of it. I disagree with all of it. I want to speak to a lawyer.’

  Saito shook his head. ‘There are no lawyers and no telephone calls here. I have the right to hold you for twenty-one days before the law requires I charge you or let you go. Now, if this isn’t the truth, you need to tell me what is.’

  Alex turned and looked out through the glass portal in the door. He felt the vibrations of the traffic through his chair, the real world beyond the room. He looked at the skin on the backs of his hands turning pale as the circulation was stemmed by the restraints.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, ‘but I’m not saying any more.’

  Saito pointed a finger at him. ‘What happened to your face?’ he asked.

  Alex considered his answer. ‘I fell.’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘At the station.’

  ‘Which one?’

  He tried to think but his mind was blank. ‘Does it matter?’ he asked.

  Saito stood and walked around the desk and sat on the edge. He took Alex’s face in his hands and angled it towards the ceiling light. He stared down at him as he examined the cut.

  ‘Why is it stitched so badly?’

  There was a row of adhesive sutures holding the skin together, the cut raw and angry beneath.

  ‘It was all I could afford,’ Alex said. ‘I was bleeding all over the back of the patrol car so they took me to Keio hospital. I told the doctor I didn’t have medical insurance and he wouldn’t touch me. A nurse did it. She said it was the best she could do for free.’

  Saito twisted Alex’s head from side to side to catch the light. He pressed his fingertips to the tender flesh and Alex grimaced at the touch.

  ‘It will leave a scar, I think.’

  ‘Probably. If they had taken the handcuffs off, I could have done better myself.’

  ‘Tell me how it happened.’

  ‘I already told you, I fell.’

  Saito returned to his seat. He pushed his glasses up on to his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose as if the effort had caused him pain. He closed his eyes and spoke calmly.

  ‘If Ms Yamamoto did this without provocation, then she is in a lot of trouble.’

  Alex knew the inspector was right. If he started telling the truth about what had happened, the situation was only going to get worse. He wanted it all to be over as quickly as possible. That meant keeping quiet.

  He shook his head in resignation. ‘I can’t speak out against Naoko,’ he said. ‘This isn’t her fault.’

  ‘Then whose fault is it?’

  ‘It was just a trick that someone played on us at the private view at her gallery. I went back to her apartment to try to talk to her and there was an argument. It got out of hand and I admit I was angry and I was shouting but I don’t want to make a complaint. I just want to go to work. I’m late already. In my country …’

  The inspector held up a hand to interrupt him. ‘We are not in your country, Malloy-san. Japan is a safe society and we are proud of that safety. This isn’t England or America, where drug-taking and violence are allowed. Do you understand?’

  Alex nodded.

  ‘The allegation made against you is very serious.’ />
  ‘If you speak to Naoko again, maybe she’ll remember things differently. Maybe she was confused and angry the first time you spoke to her.’

  The inspector looked unconvinced. ‘You accessed her apartment without permission.’

  ‘I know where she keeps the spare key. I didn’t break in.’

  ‘But you entered her property alone and she found you there when she returned home. You agree with this?’

  Alex sensed a chasm opening up. There was no other way to answer without lying. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t want to hurt her or threaten her. I just wanted her to listen to me.’

  ‘The penalty for this is fifteen months in the foreigners’ prison at Fuchu. Give me a reason not to refer this to the prosecutor right now.’

  There was a bitter, metallic taste in Alex’s mouth. He tried to think of a way out but it seemed senseless to fight against the current any longer. He felt the energy sap from the room. After a time, the inspector stood and slowly gathered his papers from the desk and placed them inside his briefcase. He shut the case and locked it and opened the interview-room door. The sounds of the police station filled the room.

  Alex looked up from the floor.

  ‘Why did I go back?’ he said.

  Saito stopped in the doorway and waited for him to continue. The bright strip light reflected back from the lenses of his glasses, obscuring his eyes.

  Alex’s voice was clear as he spoke. ‘If everything you said is true, why did I go back when I knew the police were at her apartment?’

  ‘What do you mean?’ the inspector asked.

  ‘Speak to the officers who arrested me. I wasn’t at Naoko’s flat when they arrived. I’d left thirty minutes before but I came back when I knew they were there. I could have just kept running and they wouldn’t have found me but I wanted to go back. How does that fit with your version of events?’

  Saito remained impassive. Alex could see him consider how this changed matters. He spoke briskly to the female officer in Japanese and turned to leave.

  ‘Am I being charged?’ Alex asked.

  The inspector shook his head. ‘No need.’

  ‘What happens next?’

  ‘We will detain you and investigate further.’

  ‘How long will that take?’

  Saito didn’t answer. Officer Tomada stood and bowed to the inspector and they both watched as he left the room.

  12

  THE GALLERY WAS open when the taxi dropped her at the kerb. The shutter was up over the window and the caterers were clearing away tables and chairs and linen from the party. Naoko buried her nerves as she crossed the threshold and made her entrance.

  She had briefly considered calling in sick but she knew that would only create more problems. Once the officers had finished taking her statement, she had dressed hurriedly and rushed to be on time for work. The swelling on the back of her head was a solid lump now and her hands were bruised from hitting the floor so hard. There were only two directions to choose. Naoko could see that. The first was to curl up in a ball and give up. The second was to keep her grip. She knew which she was going to take.

  Megumi was in the main room, talking on the phone. She looked as if none of the previous night’s drama had affected her at all. She hung up when she saw Naoko approach and tried to look innocent but the effort showed on her face.

  ‘Good morning, Naoko,’ Megumi said. ‘How are you?’

  Naoko knew it was best to act while her resolve was still strong.

  ‘Tell me what happened with you and Alex one more time.’

  Megumi paused. ‘I already told you last night,’ she said. ‘I told you the truth.’

  ‘Alex denied it when I challenged him.’

  ‘He’s a liar, Naoko. Of course he did.’

  ‘Then tell me again.’

  ‘He came on to me and tried to kiss me and I refused. Then he got really mad. He was drunk and angry at you for some reason. I’m not going to twist myself into knots trying to figure it all out. I’ve got nothing to hide.’

  Naoko didn’t say anything. She stood firm and tried not to show any reaction.

  ‘You do believe me, don’t you?’

  ‘I want to. There’s just something about it that doesn’t feel right.’

  ‘Mr Kimura believes me,’ Megumi said.

  ‘Where is Kimura-san? Is he here now?’

  Megumi shook her head. ‘He’s taking his wife to Ginza for lunch. He’s going to come in later.’

  ‘Is he angry about last night?’

  ‘What do you think?’

  Naoko knew it was best to get the news out in the open as soon as possible. If she waited, it would only be discovered outside of her control.

  ‘They arrested Alex,’ she said, trying to sound as neutral as possible.

  ‘What do you mean? Who arrested him?’

  ‘The police. I came home and found him in my flat, waiting for me in the dark. There was a situation and Alex was arrested.’

  ‘A situation?’

  ‘It was just an argument that got out of hand. One of the neighbours called the police and they took him away. It’s what he deserves.’

  ‘This sounds serious, Naoko. What will happen now?’

  ‘They will give him a warning and let him go or maybe give him a small fine. You know how lenient they are with foreigners.’

  Naoko opened her bag and took out her wallet. She passed Megumi a five-thousand-yen note. ‘Why don’t you go to the deli and buy coffee and pastries for everyone. I’ll look after things here.’

  Megumi kept her smile but a look of distaste passed over her eyes. She folded the note into quarters and closed it inside her fist.

  ‘Of course,’ Megumi said. ‘I won’t be long.’

  Naoko watched as she walked out on to the pavement and crossed the street. That was the hardest part over with, she thought. Megumi would start calling everyone she knew as soon as she was out of sight. At least then she wouldn’t have to worry if her private life was being discussed behind her back. That was a certainty now.

  Naoko took a seat at her desk and began to check her emails but she was too tense to concentrate. She was trying to figure out what she was going to say to Mr Kimura when her phone rang.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Is that Ms Yamamoto?’

  It was a woman’s voice, clipped and direct. Naoko knew from the first syllable it was the police. She adjusted herself quickly for a formal conversation.

  ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘How can I help you?’

  ‘This is Officer Tomada from Ushigome police station. I’m calling on behalf of Inspector Saito. The inspector is investigating the complaint you made earlier. He would like to arrange for you to come to the station for a meeting.’

  Naoko tried to hide her surprise at the mention of inspectors and investigations. ‘May I ask why?’ she said. ‘I gave a statement this morning to your officers.’

  ‘The inspector will be able to answer your questions when you attend the station, Ms Yamamoto.’

  ‘So this is just a formality?’

  The officer paused at the end of the line. ‘I think it would be best for you to discuss this with Inspector Saito,’ she said.

  ‘When would he like me to visit?’

  ‘If you could come on Monday at 11 a.m., the inspector will have some free time then.’

  ‘Monday? Why is it necessary to wait two days? I was under the impression that this matter would be resolved today.’

  ‘This is a serious allegation, Ms Yamamoto. It will take some time to investigate thoroughly.’

  ‘I thought this would be concluded with a warning?’

  ‘I think it’s best if you come at eleven on Monday. It will only take an hour, or two at the most.’

  Naoko knew she had no choice. ‘Very well then.’

  ‘Thank you, Ms Yamamoto.’

  Naoko hung up. Her hands were shaking. She picked up her bag and quickly walked along the corridor and stepped into t
he toilet. She locked the cubicle door behind her and perched on the edge of the seat and lit a cigarette. From somewhere overhead she heard a voice saying: You’ve really screwed up now, Naoko. Now you deserve everything you’re going to get.

  Her hands were still trembling so she gripped one inside the other but it still wouldn’t stop. She puffed on the cigarette until the end glowed red and pressed it on to the palm of her hand and watched the skin bubble and sear. She could feel her anxiety ebb away as the pain increased. She held it there for a long time.

  When the burning had stopped, she stood for a few minutes with her hand under a stream of cold water. There was a perfect circle burned into the skin. Surrounding it were the scars of other identical wounds, most long healed, patterned randomly like the map of a lunar landscape. Naoko felt the sting of her blistered flesh under the icy water. She tried to think how best she could cover the burn before she went back to her desk.

  13

  IN THE HOLDING area they unlocked the restraints and Alex massaged the life back into his hands. The skin was grey and numb and each joint cracked as he flexed them into position. The guard pointed to the locker room and motioned for him to empty his pockets and undress. He stood naked as they bagged his belongings and handed him a blue canvas uniform, the fabric stiff and heavy and the seams torn open.

  After his fingerprints had been scanned, he was led in front of a wall chart to have his mugshot taken. The technician shouted and grew angry when he couldn’t follow the instructions and shoved him into position and kicked his feet on to the footprints painted on the floor. Alex braced himself for a beating.