Okamoto would do anything for the millions of yen Mishima Takahashi had promised him for killing the agents, but the martial arts expert had no desire to die an agonizing death.
Unable to concentrate on the stack of messages in front of him, Koji Hagura reached for the remote-control unit to the television. He clicked it on and rapidly flipped through the channels until he reached CNN. A live news report from the Pentagon was in progress and a senior spokesman was fielding questions from a large crowd of journalists. He recognized the intelligent woman correspondent from NBC when the camera focused on her face.
"Can you tell us," she asked evenly, "why the United States is operating three carrier task forces in such a confined area? Is the White House trying to intimidate Japan because of the friction between our countries?"
The White House spokesman rested his hands on the sides of the podium and looked straight at the news reporter. "No, the President isn't trying to put any pressure on Japan, or anyone else, for that matter."
A low, continuous buzz of disbelief spread throughout the crowded room.
"Because of the current fears of instability in the Southeastern Asian region," the man went on with a placid look, "the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs felt that it was prudent to lend a stabilizing hand in the area. The President endorsed the idea and the Secretary of State is visiting our allies to assure them that we don't expect any trouble in the southeastern sector."
The spokesman pointed to a Washington Post reporter who was sitting on the front row.
We have been told," the reporter began in his combative style, "that satellite-and aircraft-reconnaissance photos indicate a large number of Japanese warships and support vessels are in the South China Sea or on the way to join the rest of the fleet. Why aren't you and your cohorts at the White House leveling with the American people?"
The reporter's voice suddenly rose. "They have a right to know what our military is doing sitting in the middle of some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world!"
"The United States has a vested interest," the Pentagon official serenely continued, "in the security of the Pacific Rim region and in the safety of our allies in that area. We are simply taking the necessary precautions to ensure long-range stability in that part of the world."
"That's a bald-faced lie," Koji Hagura muttered to himself. "The U. S. government is holding a guillotine in front of the Japanese people and daring them to put their heads on the chopping block."
There was a loud commotion in the back of the briefing room and the camera panned to an agitated Japanese journalist. A moment later he was bathed in the glare of the bright television lights.
Hagura quickly reached for the remote control and turned up the sound. He felt a deep sense of empathy for the angry feelings of the man.
"This is what we think!" the Japanese reporter shouted while he held up an enlarged facsimile of the front page of Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's largest newspaper.
Hagura could clearly read the headline.
UNITED STATES PREPARES
TO ATTACK JAPAN
"Why don't you tell the truth?" the man yelled while two security guards moved toward him. "America will pay for this! Mark my words, you bastards!" He spat contemptuously as they roughly escorted him from the room.
The CNN Pentagon correspondent immediately seized the silence to address a question to the spokesman. "A reliable source informed me that our carriers in Southeast Asian waters are operating at a higher-than-normal defense-readiness condition. Will you confirm that statement?"
The speaker paused a moment and looked at a briefing note he had scribbled earlier. "Our carriers are conducting routine training flights, and we consider that normal operations. Next." He gestured to a friendly face.
"Wait a minute," the CNN reporter snapped. "One question — since you won't answer the last one — what about the reports that China and India have warships in the same area as our battle groups. Is that true?"
The spokesman showed a trace of irritation as he answered the pugnacious correspondent. "There are some Chinese Ludaclass destroyers and Jianghu-class frigates currently conducting maneuvers near the Spratly Islands, and that isn't a new development.
"As far as the Indian Navy is concerned, we are aware of only one Delhi-class destroyer in the vicinity, which we do not consider a problem."
"So the basic problem," the reporter hurried on, "is clearly with the Japanese?"
"Our situation," the Pentagon spokesman countered with a trace of exasperation in his voice, "is one of maintaining stability in a sensitive part of the world. We are there to enforce the rights of our Pacific Rim allies."
A woman journalist who represented Newsweek rose from her chair. "Do you in all good conscience expect us to believe that, when there is so much evidence pouring in about our preparations to confront the Japanese?"
Her voice turned brittle. "Why won't you be forthright, when it's obvious to the world? Allow us to do our jobs in a responsible manner."
The spokesman smiled wanly and squeezed the sides of the podium. "You can believe whatever you want, and, like the rest of you, I have a job to do."
Feeling a sudden revulsion, Koji Hagura clicked the remote control unit and the picture went blank. We must never trust the Americans.
Chapter 26
As Steve and Susan neared the end of the congested dock, Susan spotted a colorful cable car suspended high above the ship channel. She pointed skyward. "Do you know where it goes?"
Glancing up at the car, Steve followed the path of the cable system. "It connects Mount Faber and Sentosa Island, which has an amusement park, a fantastic golf course, and some really nice beaches and picnic areas."
"It's too bad we aren't here on vacation," Susan complained and turned to examine one of the wide variety of merchant vessels in port.
Steve directed his attention to her unexpected remark. "Let's plan one," he responded enthusiastically as they began to feel the first sprinkles from an afternoon shower.
"You've got my vote."
"We better go for it," Steve hastily suggested, "or we'll be soaked to the skin."
She darted a glance at him. Let's plan a vacation. Interesting.
They jogged the last hundred yards to the gangplank of the Matsumi Maru number seven. The dilapidated cargo ship was rusting and badly in need of paint.
"I suppose if it's seaworthy," Steve reasoned as they started up the ramp, "it doesn't make any difference what it looks like from the outside."
"Well," Susan protested, "I wouldn't want to go very far in something that—"
"Hold it right there!" a loud voice boomed from the entrance to the main deck. "Sorry, folks. Ain't no visitors allowed aboard — company policy."
"Wait a second," Steve quickly countered and displayed his calling card to the short, heavyset boatswain's mate. "We're with a subsidiary of the ship's insurance company, and your parent company may be eligible for additional funds stemming from the accident with the American destroyer… the collision back in ninety-two."
Steve saw the look of surprise cross the man's beefy face. "Do you mind if we step in out of the rain until the shower passes?"
Confused by the unexpected news, the crusty deck crewman waved them up the ramp.
"C'mon in here," the sailor instructed while he opened a hatch to expose an unkempt, greasy working space.
"Thanks," Susan and Steve said in unison as they stepped out of the light rain.
She handed the grizzled man her business card and noticed the array of tattoos on his arms. "We're investigators with Royal Continental Insurance, and we need to know if there is anyone currently in the crew who was on board this ship when the accident happened."