requested a private meeting with the Prime Minister, due to our mutually strained relations."
Genuinely surprised, Tadashi Matsukawa switched the phone to his other ear. "Yukkuri hanashite kudasai." Speak slowly.
Hagura paused, unsure if he had made a mistake by calling the leader of one of the strongest financial cartels in Japan. The Ambassador was deeply concerned about the deteriorating U . S .-Japanese relationship, and he knew that Matsukawa and the Prime Minister were close friends. Hagura fervently hoped that he had not overstepped his bounds.
"I forwarded the invitation to Tokyo . . . and moments ago, I received a curt message from Foreign Minister Katsumoto."
"Go on," Matsukawa prodded impatiently.
Hagura took a deep breath. "He instructed me to inform the President that Prime Minister Koyama will set the date and place of any formal meetings."
Matsukawa wanted Genshiro Koyama to take a strong stand against the Americans, but he knew the Prime Minister and the financial cartel members needed to proceed cautiously.
The opportune moment was rapidly approaching for an equal partnership between the two countries. Matsukawa and many other Japanese leaders firmly believed that it was past time to void all restrictions placed on Japan, including the size of its expanding military. They also believed that Japan would thrive like never before if it didn't have to placate the lazy Americans.
"I will make a call, Hagura-san." Matsukawa's mind wa s r acing. "You did the right thing, and I appreciate the information."
HONOLULU
The warm sun was high in the sky when Susan parked the Bureau's sedan near the First Hawaiian Bank. She and Steve locked the doors and walked down Kapiolani Boulevard to the studios of KGMB Television. After they entered the building and identified themselves, the startled receptionist escorted them to a conference room.
"Let's take her to lunch," Susan suggested while they waited, "so she won't feel so intimidated."
"I was about to suggest lunch," Steve said with an innocent smile. "Honestly."
"Sure," she teased with a doubting look.
Theresa Garney quietly entered the room before he could respond. She was dressed in white slacks with a blue and pale yellow aloha shirt. The former tomboy had blossomed into a blue-eyed beauty as well as a top-flight aerobatic instructor and helicopter pilot. Theresa was about to sit down when Steve suggested lunch.
"Sure," she replied with a nervous laugh. "I'd feel more comfortable if we had some privacy."
"We understand," Susan interjected smoothly.
While the trio drove to an out-of-the-way restaurant frequented mainly by local residents, Steve noticed a car following them. Constantly aware of his surroundings, he watched their "tail" as the driver maintained a set distance behind their sedan and made every turn they made. Steve started to say something to Susan, but decided against doing anything that might frighten Theresa.
When they reached the restaurant, Wickham casually glanced at the Chevrolet Corsica as the rental car made a right turn at the next intersection. He tried to see the license numbe r o f the dark-blue car, but his view was obstructed by a high hedge and other automobiles. He kept his secret to himself as they entered the restaurant and sat down.
The small, manicured lawn by the outdoor dining area was awash in colorful anthuriums, hibiscus, orchids, and red ginger. A mixture of furniture, including Filipino country antiques, carved Asian tables, and rattan chairs dotted the wooden floor.
After their fresh seafood lunches and iced tea were served, Susan turned to the pilot. "Theresa, you left an urgent message with our office. Is there something you forgot to add to the initial interviews?"
"No," she replied cautiously, "but there has been another development since I first talked with the local authorities and the FBI."
Theresa quietly cleared her throat and placed her fork on her plate. "It was by coincidence that you requested to
Genuinely surprised, Tadashi Matsukawa switched the phone to his other ear. "Yukkuri hanashite kudasai." Speak slowly.
Hagura paused, unsure if he had made a mistake by calling the leader of one of the strongest financial cartels in Japan. The Ambassador was deeply concerned about the deteriorating U . S .-Japanese relationship, and he knew that Matsukawa and the Prime Minister were close friends. Hagura fervently hoped that he had not overstepped his bounds.
"I forwarded the invitation to Tokyo . . . and moments ago, I received a curt message from Foreign Minister Katsumoto."
"Go on," Matsukawa prodded impatiently.
Hagura took a deep breath. "He instructed me to inform the President that Prime Minister Koyama will set the date and place of any formal meetings."
Matsukawa wanted Genshiro Koyama to take a strong stand against the Americans, but he knew the Prime Minister and the financial cartel members needed to proceed cautiously.
The opportune moment was rapidly approaching for an equal partnership between the two countries. Matsukawa and many other Japanese leaders firmly believed that it was past time to void all restrictions placed on Japan, including the size of its expanding military. They also believed that Japan would thrive like never before if it didn't have to placate the lazy Americans.
"I will make a call, Hagura-san." Matsukawa's mind wa s r acing. "You did the right thing, and I appreciate the information."
HONOLULU
The warm sun was high in the sky when Susan parked the Bureau's sedan near the First Hawaiian Bank. She and Steve locked the doors and walked down Kapiolani Boulevard to the studios of KGMB Television. After they entered the building and identified themselves, the startled receptionist escorted them to a conference room.
"Let's take her to lunch," Susan suggested while they waited, "so she won't feel so intimidated."
"I was about to suggest lunch," Steve said with an innocent smile. "Honestly."
"Sure," she teased with a doubting look.
Theresa Garney quietly entered the room before he could respond. She was dressed in white slacks with a blue and pale yellow aloha shirt. The former tomboy had blossomed into a blue-eyed beauty as well as a top-flight aerobatic instructor and helicopter pilot. Theresa was about to sit down when Steve suggested lunch.
"Sure," she replied with a nervous laugh. "I'd feel more comfortable if we had some privacy."
"We understand," Susan interjected smoothly.
While the trio drove to an out-of-the-way restaurant frequented mainly by local residents, Steve noticed a car following them. Constantly aware of his surroundings, he watched their "tail" as the driver maintained a set distance behind their sedan and made every turn they made. Steve started to say something to Susan, but decided against doing anything that might frighten Theresa.
When they reached the restaurant, Wickham casually glanced at the Chevrolet Corsica as the rental car made a right turn at the next intersection. He tried to see the license numbe r o f the dark-blue car, but his view was obstructed by a high hedge and other automobiles. He kept his secret to himself as they entered the restaurant and sat down.
The small, manicured lawn by the outdoor dining area was awash in colorful anthuriums, hibiscus, orchids, and red ginger. A mixture of furniture, including Filipino country antiques, carved Asian tables, and rattan chairs dotted the wooden floor.
After their fresh seafood lunches and iced tea were served, Susan turned to the pilot. "Theresa, you left an urgent message with our office. Is there something you forgot to add to the initial interviews?"
"No," she replied cautiously, "but there has been another development since I first talked with the local authorities and the FBI."
Theresa quietly cleared her throat and placed her fork on her plate. "It was by coincidence that you requested to
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