“Come here,” his younger self said, pulling Masa into the back alley.
Satoshi recognized this as the street where Taichi once had his headquarters in a cramped underground bar and restaurant. He remembered this scene. It had happened a few months after Masa first told him about the fights.
“What the fuck happened to you?” he had said. “Is this from your fight club? Those guys finally win one?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Masa tried to brush by him. Satoshi stopped him and kept looking at him, without saying anything. Masa looked around with an anxious energy, not meeting Satoshi’s gaze.
“That’s it, isn’t it? You fighting in—”
“It wasn’t that,” Masa said. “Those are later in the week. And we don’t fight in the middle of the afternoon.”
“What, then? Don’t tell me you’re starting shit with another crew. I told you, stay away from those guys around Ichigaya. I don’t want to have to go through another turf battle just because—”
“It wasn’t them.”
“Then, who did it?”
“Some guys … I mean, I saw them …” Masa swallowed hard, not wanting to say it. He looked uncomfortable.
“What?”
“I was delivering a package for Taichi around Yotsuya. I saw your sister. Must have been heading back from school. Some guys were …”
“What?”
“Harassing her, let’s say.”
“Why would anyone go after Akari? She’s as gentle as they come.”
“It looked like they were going to …”
Masa couldn’t bring himself to say it. Satoshi realized without it being said. His eyes widened in shock.
“Look, I put a stop to it. That’s all.”
“Akari, is she hurt?”
“She was a bit rattled. I walked her home. Made sure she’s safe.”
Satoshi took out his phone and called her. He questioned her at a rapid-fire clip. When he was satisfied, he said his goodbyes and hung up.
“Who were these guys?” Satoshi demanded.
“Guys who probably aren’t going to walk again, if it’s any consolation.”
“Tell me their names!”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. They got what was coming to them, and then some.”
Satoshi was quaking with rage, but after some pacing around, he managed to calm down.
“And how are you? Looks like they didn’t go down without a fight.”
“Well, there were three of them. So I think I came out alright, considering.”
Satoshi patted him on the shoulder. “Thank you so much, man. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if you hadn’t been there.”
Masa shrugged. “What else could I do?”
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned and bandaged up.” Satoshi put an arm around Masa and began walking him toward Taichi’s place.
Satoshi heard a door bang open further down the alleyway. He saw Taichi bound up the stairs and stop in his tracks when he saw the two of them approaching.
“Holy shit, Masa, what happened to you? Lose a fight with some schoolgirls?” Taichi said with a snicker. “No, wait, you tried to rob some manga comics from some kids and lost the ensuing fight?”
Satoshi watched as his younger self dropped his arm from Masa’s shoulder when Taichi appeared, and he winced. Masa looked over with a hurt look.
“He was in a fight, protecting my sister from some guys,” Satoshi said. “I’m going to get him cleaned up.”
Taichi waved them in curtly. “Alright. Be quick, and do it in the backroom. And don’t you go bleeding all over the place, Masa.”
Satoshi watched the three of them disappear down the staircase. He turned back to the main street and walked down towards the station.
He had been searching for weeks now, with nothing to show for it but these ghosts and apparitions. Visions of the way things were.
But Vasili wasn’t interested in Masa’s ghost. He wanted the man in the flesh and blood. And soon he had to go see Vasili and tell him that he had come up empty-handed so far.
He thought the big man would understand, given their relationship. But with guys like Vasili, it was impossible to tell.
Chapter Nine
“So, scorch the earth, then?”
“Scorch the earth.”
Tengu nodded. “Alright. I’ll get my men on it. We’ll turn the city upside down, give it a good shake, and see what falls out.”
“I don’t care how you do it, I want this killer caught. Killing Yukari was a shot across the bow aimed at me. And I will not let it stand.”
“Understood. Just so long as you know that this will not end well.”
“No, but it will end.”
Later that same day in the bar atop Hyperion, Vasili had much the same conversation with Chieko.
“True, it’ll end,” she said. “But you’re going to piss off a lot of people along the way.”
“The longer this goes on, the weaker I look. Now this guy isn’t just dumping bodies in my territory, he’s targeting people close to me. If I don’t hit back, someone might think I’m weak. Take a shot at the king.”
“I’ve been hearing whispers to that effect. Alright, I’ll see what I can do. I don’t have the pure muscle that Tengu does, but—”
“I know you don’t. So work your contacts, find out anything you can, then bring it to me or Tengu.”
Then later, the same conversation again. This time with Kozu.
“My contacts, eh?” Kozu said. “I suppose I can do that.”
“But that’s not all I need from you,” Vasili said. “I need you to keep an eye out for Masa too. I need to see him.”
“Will do, but he’s been MIA for weeks now. The fucker didn’t even give me two weeks’ notice. I mean, I know he’s a sociopathic thug, but still. It’s professional courtesy.”
“Right,” Vasili said without cracking a smile. “Has he been in contact with you at all? Or with anyone around you?”
“Not with me, nor with anyone. That I’ve heard about, anyway.”
“Let me know if he makes contact. Immediately. Understood?”
“Got it. Don’t suppose you’ll tell me what it’s about now, will you?”
“No.”
“Alright.”
“Something else I need from you.”
“I am yours to command, my liege lord,” Kozu said with a bow. “That was you guys, right?”
“That was Europe. I’m from Russia.”
“Oh. Well, you all look the same to us.”
“Noted. Now listen carefully. This is important and needs to be handled delicately.”
“Well, my guys and I mainly beat people up for money. So if you want subtlety, maybe I’m not the best choice …”
Vasili ignored him. “I need you to put out word—carefully and discreetly now—that you can be flipped. Maybe you are angry at me for something and are willing to consider turning on me. Can you do that?”
Kozu was silent. He almost looked stunned, if such a man could be stunned. “I … you want me to …”
“If Masa hears it, maybe he thinks he can contact you. If this serial killer hears it, maybe they contact you to bring me down from inside.”
“Okay … wow,” Kozu said. Then something occurred to him. “Have you told the other lieutenants? I don’t want Tengu or someone finding out the wrong way and bringing you my head.”
“Tengu knows. The others don’t need to know. We have to play this tight against the chest.”
Kozu nodded, still looking uncertain.
“Alright.”
After convincing Kozu, it was on to see Hikaru next.
“Anything you hear, from Masa or otherwise, you report to me, got it?”
“Report to you? I already do that,” Hikaru said.
Vasili had come to the Underground, Hikaru’s headquarters, instead of summoning him to Hyperion as a sign of deference. He felt the display
of respect was warranted, considering Hikaru was still raw about losing his cousin based on Vasili’s decision. In addition to Hikaru, one of his dealers had been there shooting the shit with his boss when Vasili had arrived.
“That’s all I ask. This serial killer is circling closer to our entire organization, and I want him caught. Plus, with him gone, people will feel safer walking the streets at night. Which means more people partying, which means more people buying your product.”
“So it’s a win-win, really?” Hikaru said. “Everyone comes out ahead this way.”
Vasili nodded. He couldn’t tell from Hikaru’s tone if he was mocking him, but he strongly suspected it.
“All I’m asking for is information. Have your guys ask around, work your contacts, and bring anything you find to me or Tengu. We’ll do the rest.”
Hikaru nodded. “Well, you heard the man,” he said to his dealer next to him. “Ask around.”
“I’m on it,” the man said.
“Your name?” Vasili said, holding out his hand.
“Okabe, sir, it’s an honor to meet you.”
Vasili nodded as he gave his hand a firm pump. “Likewise. Spread the word, alright?”
“Will do!” With that, Okabe snapped a salute and took off for the door, already dialing his cell phone on the way.
“Good kid,” Vasili said.
“The best. Now, is there anything else I can help you with?”
Vasili shook his head. He walked out without another word.
Satoshi looked at the city spread out before him as the glass elevator slowly ascended. He was in the elevator with a group of clubber kids who were heading up to Club Hyperion for a good time. Not him. He had been summoned by the big man himself. This couldn’t be good. He had been hunting Masa for over a week, with nothing to show for his troubles except some bruises.
He stepped out of the elevator after the clubbers. But while they lined up in front of the bouncer, he was waved through with a nod of recognition. Instead of winding through the black drapes that formed several rows that snaked their way to the club entrance, he walked against the wall, pushing the drapes away as he went.
It was still early, but there was a good crowd already. He paused when he reached the main dance floor to look out. It was only half-full now, but even that was a veritable sea of people swaying along to the music (still too early for dancing). The flashing strobe lights and lasers illuminated the crowd at odd intervals, giving them a strange sense of motion. Satoshi walked on until he arrived at the office door. Jun opened it when he knocked and waved him in. Jun’s expression gave nothing away, leaving Satoshi still unsure of what he was in for. Vasili looked up from his desk but said nothing.
“You wanted to see me?”
Vasili nodded. He stood up and walked to the door, motioning for Satoshi to follow. “Come.”
They walked out of the office and down the tight spiral stairway next to it to the floor below, then the floor below that. The third floor down contained a large room set up as a restaurant. In one far corner from where they entered was a small lounge, with a bar area in the other corner. It was one of Vasili’s favorite places to do business.
Vasili went up to the bar and was promptly handed two drinks. Did they just know his order? Satoshi thought. Or were they told to put something in one of those?
Vasili nodded with his head towards a table against the wall. They took a seat and Vasili handed him his drink. Then he just sat there, sipping from his own. They were quiet for a while, until Satoshi started to suspect he had missed a question. Or maybe Vasili was trying to rattle him, push him off-balance. Finally, after what seemed like ages, Vasili spoke.
“Let me ask you question, Satoshi. If someone murdered your mother, or sister, or someone close to you, what would you do to them?”
Satoshi considered this. “Everything.”
Vasili held his gaze for a long moment, then looked away. He nodded.
“Whether that’s the right decision or not, I don’t know,” Satoshi said. “I really don’t.”
“I used to believe in things like right decisions and wrong decisions,” Vasili said. “But they don’t exist. There’s only the decision you make, that you follow through to the end. No matter how dark of a place it takes you. You’re only in danger when you start second guessing yourself.”
Satoshi just nodded. He didn’t know what to say to that.
“So how are things?” Vasili asked.
“Look, I know what this is about, and I’m sorry I haven’t found Masa. I’ve been looking, I’m out there every day, but … he’s a ghost.”
“Is alright. I figured man like that would be hard to find, if he didn’t want to be found. I don’t blame you, or anything.” Vasili seemed oddly disconnected. He didn’t appear angry, just aloof. Satoshi didn’t know if he should take that as a good sign or a terrifying one.
“I’m trying, though.”
“I know you are. I don’t doubt you.”
Vasili just sat there, staring out at the city. Satoshi started to grow increasingly uncomfortable.
“I had a parlay with Masa, a little while ago. I asked him what this was about.”
“And what did he say?” Vasili asked, still looking out the window.
“He wouldn’t tell me.”
“Oh?”
“Said knowing would put me in danger too. With you, I mean.”
Vasili still said nothing.
“And that may be. But I have to ask. Why? What is Masa to you?”
“A loose thread. Or loose stitch, more like. If the right person tugs on it, it would open me right up. Spill my guts everywhere.”
“Is that a metaphor or something?”
“I don’t even know anymore.” Another long pause. “I put hit on Chobei, which I asked Masa to do. But instead he recorded the conversation. And now he’s gone rogue.”
“Holy shit,” Satoshi said, leaning back in his chair. “Holy shit. If Chobei knew … if the shacho knew …”
“There would be war,” Vasili said, finishing the thought for him. “And bloodshed. They’d storm the gates and put all our heads on spikes. Is why I asked you to find Masa. To get to him before he went public with this.” He was silent a moment. “Naturally, is not matter you can tell anyone about. I only mention it because I trust you.”
Satoshi nodded. That actually meant a lot to him.
“Okay, but why Chobei? Why go over the shacho’s head like that?”
“That man is liability. He is sociopath who’ll bring the whole house down around us unless someone does something about it. He’s come close on three separate occasions over the last year. And that was just one year. He is danger to everything we hold dear. The shacho would never agree to have her own son eliminated, of course. So I took it on myself to do it. Or tried to, at least.”
“Why risk it? I mean, you know better than anyone what the shacho would do to you if she found out.”
“I knew the risk. But I had to do it, for the machine.”
“The what?”
“This, all of this,” Vasili said, waving his hand at the city beyond. “The structure and order I’ve created here in my corner of city. What else is there for me, if not this?”
Satoshi said nothing.
“You ever think about getting out?” Vasili asked.
The suddenness of the question caught Satoshi off guard. “I … yeah, sometimes. I’m going to be a dad soon.”
Vasili smiled. “You’ll be a good dad.”
“I hope so.”
“No, you will, Satoshi. You’ve got a good heart. And I’m sorry for you.”
“Sorry for me?” Satoshi asked. “For what?”
“About all this … about everything to come … about how it’s all going to turn out.”
Satoshi was starting to get uneasy. “And how is that?”
“Underwater.” Vasili finished his drink and set it down. “Because guys like you and me, Satoshi, there’s no saving us. We’r
e not tied to the ship, but we’ll go down with it anyway.”
“How do you figure?”
“Because what else is there for us? Even if another ship were coming, I doubt we’d get on. We’re all alone out in the water. In the darkness.”
“We don’t know that,” Satoshi said quietly. “I mean, there’s got to be something else for us.”
“Maybe, maybe,” Vasili said absentmindedly. Then his eyes snapped back into focus and he looked at Satoshi. “But before that, let’s try to right this sinking ship we’re on. What do you say?”
“Yeah, alright.”
“Good. That’s why I need you to find Masa. Trusting him was stupid of me, now I need to put him down. And you, you know him better than anyone. So I’m afraid I must ask you to find him. And now I’m asking—not threatening like before. I am sorry for that.”
Satoshi waved it off. “You were within your rights to do so.”
“You do this, and if you want out, I let you out. Go raise your kid. Go be family man.”
Satoshi didn’t say anything.
“Can I count on you for this?” Vasili asked.
Satoshi nodded. He owed the man this much. At least. “Of course.”
“Thanks.”
“What about you? When this is over, will you get out?”
Vasili smiled a pained smile and looked out the window.
“Part of me wants to. Part of me wants to let the machine fly off the rails. Let it crash and burn. But I can’t bring myself to do that. I built this monstrosity around me, and now I’m trapped inside it.”
“There’s always a way out.”
“True, true. But is not just me keeping machine alive. Machine is keeping me alive too. I don’t know if I could breathe without it at this point.”
Chapter Ten
“And you’re sure you want to go through with this?” Watanabe asked, peering into the void beyond the shattered plywood barrier. “You think it’s safe?”
“Mmm, probably not. But that’s why I brought backup.”
Watanabe looked from Mei to Kentaro and back. “Just the three of us? You sure you don’t want to call in Kato and Ina?”
Tokyo Noir: The Complete First Season Page 39
