They quietly soaked in the sights of Marina Bay and the Singapore River while they watched the shimmering sun dip below the horizon.
Susan studied an ominous squall line of churning dark clouds approaching their hotel. "I believe our sightseeing time is about to come to an abrupt halt."
Steve moved his chair aside to have a better look at the windstorm and heavy rain as the system moved toward the city.
She picked up her notepad. "I think the information about the ship's insurance company — Tokio Marine and Fire — is the link we've been missing.
"The company has confirmed the coverage and the dates," she went on. "When we get to Tokyo, I'm sure we can get the insurance company to tell us the name of the former owner of the shipping line."
Even though he was still outraged by the brawl outside the Cat and Fiddle, Steve hadn't lost his professional perspective. "What makes you so confident?"
She gave him an innocent look. "A couple of years ago — three to be exact — I was in charge of investigating a series of sabotage attempts at an aerospace company involved in U. S. government contracts."
The wind and rain suddenly blasted against the windows and momentarily interrupted her.
"The case centered around an internal-security problem," she said loudly over the howling wind, "and one of the experts I consulted was, and still is, a Japanese investigator for a pool of Tokyo-based insurance companies."
She noticed the surprised look on Steve's handsome face. "So I figure if anyone can help us pin things down, it'll be my friend from the sabotage case."
He stared into her eyes while the violent storm raged outside. "You're really amazing."
"Oh, I wouldn't go that far," she teased him with a quick glance, then watched in fascination as the torrential downpour obscured her view of the bay and river. "If you had been incapacitated, that son of a bitch would have killed us…"
"Susan," Steve responded calmly in an attempt to change the subject, "we need to find out who is selling us down the river."
Susan's features hardened and she pulled her feet up under her. "Like we discussed, it appears as if someone has a direct connection to what we're doing and how the investigation is proceeding."
She looked at Steve and saw a smile slowly spread across his face. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He suddenly took her by the shoulders. "Susan, contact your office and tell them that we're going to check into the Hyatt Regency at noon tomorrow."
She beamed with understanding.
"I'll call Langley," Wickham hurried on, "and tell them that we're going to meet representatives of a Japanese insurance company at noon tomorrow in the Port of Singapore Authority building."
Susan reached for a writing pad. "I'll set up a phone watch and surveillance at the hotel and you can stake out the Port Authority."
Steve seemed to hold back, then gave her a cautious look. "Susan, we're going to have to be damn careful."
Leaning back in his cushioned seat on the flag bridge, Rear Admiral Isaac Landesman had a commanding view of the approaching warships. He raised his binoculars and observed the Japanese Maritime Defense Force flagship Hayasa pass the carrier group on the portside.
He carefully examined the Aegis destroyer from bow to stern, noting the numerous missiles, guns, and radar systems sprouting from the spotless man-of-war. Landesman blew on his hot coffee and watched an SH-60J antisubmarine-warfare helicopter lift off the fantail of the flagship and commence a slow turn away from the carrier group.
Following his long look at Hayasa, the battle-group commander scanned two Asagiri-class destroyers, the replenishment oiler Tsukeru, and the minesweepers Yurishima and Hikoshima. When the last Japanese vessel passed the carrier, Landesman felt the ship list to starboard as the flattop turned Into the wind in preparation to recover aircraft.
Shortly after Kitty Hawk steadied on course, a flight of two F-14 Tomcats thundered over the ship and snapped into a gut-wrenching break as they turned downwind. Landesman was watching the airplanes decelerate when his aide stepped up to his chair.
"Admiral," the youthful-looking officer said as he peered down at the flight deck, "we just received confirmation from CINCPACFLEET. Bremerton has entered the southern end of the strait and is expected to rendezvous with us in approximately thirty hours."
"Very well," Landesman replied without taking his eyes off the lead Tomcat. "If we get into a skirmish in these waters, it's going to be like a knife fight in a dark closet."
"Yessir," the aide automatically responded and left the bridge.
Isaac Landesman had twice made his case to the four-star commander of the Pacific Fleet, but to no avail. CINCPAC was going to do precisely what the President wanted to do, even if it didn't make sense, and even if the tactics unnecessarily impeded the capabilities of the carrier battle group.
The large conference room in the Hilton was a madhouse of bewildering actions and uproarious confusion. Japanese Special Envoy Yamagata Isoroku, who had been dispatched by Ambassador Koji Hagura to coordinate the schedule for the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Koyama and the President, was attempting to deal with an overbearing U. S. State Department representative who continued to ignore him.
Isoroku, like Ambassador Hagura, sorely missed the pleasant American Ambassador to Japan. They had stayed in touch with the recuperating statesman and wished for his speedy return to Japan.
Emotionally strained, Isoroku knew the stage was being set for a less-than-harmonious session if he didn't seize control of the situation. The Americans were clearly attempting to dominate the meeting and they showed open disdain toward his Japanese delegation.
In total frustration, Yamagata Isoroku telephoned Ambassador Hagura and explained the situation.
"Ambassador," Isoroku said with a combination of embarrassment and anguish in his voice, "I came here under the impression that we would make all final decisions. After all, Prime Minister Koyama initiated the meeting."
"That was my understanding," Hagura answered bitterly and gave instructions to his special envoy. "Keep our people away from the Americans until you hear from me."
Isoroku fought to maintain his composure. "I understand."
"We simply cannot afford," Hagura said firmly, "to be responsible for causing any incidents that might jeopardize the conference."
Chapter 28
Bud Tidwell felt exuberant after his whirlwind trip to gain support for the Administration's position toward Japan. The only opposition had surfaced in France, and the Secretary of State had diplomatically twisted some arms to obtain the backing of the less-than-comfortable French government.
However, Tidwell's expectations for resolving the dispute with Japan had become abysmal after he spoke to the members of the United Nations Security Council. The coalition of permanent and nonpermanent members was not willing to immediately address the maintenance of international peace and security.
He thought about the preamble to the United Nations Charter while he walked to the room reserved for the U. S. Secretary of State. The introduction to the formal document declares that the representatives of the United Nations are determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
Nice verbiage, Tidwell thought when he entered the suite, but no one wants to play their hand when big money and massive power are at stake.
Chief of Staff Scott Eaglehoff, whom the President asked to accompany Tidwell to New York, was waiting impatiently in the room. While Bud Tidwell coped with the reluctant Security Council, Eaglehoff was busy making final arrangements for the trip to Anchorage. He was also lobbying select members of the General Assembly for their support on behalf of the United States.