The Case of the Russian Diplomat: A Masao Masuto Mystery (Book Three) by Howard Fast Page B

towels in her lap. She was glad that her husband, who was so very American in so many ways, was at least old-fashioned enough to make a sort of ritual out of his bath.
    â€œOnly San Fernando and downtown Los Angeles.”
    â€œOnly San Fernando. That’s well enough for you to say. Do you know how long it is since I have been to San Fernando? What can your Uncle Toda think of me?”
    â€œThat you are an excellent wife and a devoted mother. What else should he think?”
    â€œThat I am an uncaring niece.”
    â€œWhat nonsense!”
    â€œAnyway, I can’t understand what took you there. What has Uncle Toda to do with these terrible things that happened at the Beverly Glen Hotel?”
    â€œI had to know why the Russians would send five agronomists to Southern California to study orange growing.”
    â€œI could have told you that.”
    â€œYou could have?”
    â€œOf course. They don’t know how to grow oranges. That’s all.”
    â€œKati,” Masuto said, “you are a remarkable woman.”
    â€œI see nothing remarkable about that. It’s only common sense.”
    â€œWhen you’re a policeman long enough, you tend to forget about common sense.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat do you mean by that?”
    â€œYou never took me to the Ventura Hotel. It’s a place that tourists come to see from all over the country, but you never took me there. You’re very fine about such things when you’re out doing your work, but as far as I am concerned all you desire is an old-fashioned Japanese wife.”
    â€œYou’re not Japanese. You’re American.”
    He stood up, and she opened the towel for him, admiring his strong, long-limbed body. “That’s well enough for you to say, but you don’t want an American wife.”
    â€œThat’s true. I want you.”
    â€œAnd of course you are too tired to do anything but say that.” She covered her mouth, to show a proper exhibition of embarrassment. Then she giggled.
    â€œToo tired!”
    â€œWhat was she like?”
    â€œWhat was who like?”
    â€œTurn around, and I will dry your back. That woman you took to the Ventura Hotel.”
    â€œFor heaven’s sake, I didn’t take her there. She was there. She’s living there. She’s performing there.”
    â€œAh, so?”
    â€œYou never hear anything I tell you. You just don’t listen.”
    â€œThat’s because you only tell me what you want me to know. Did you go to her room?”
    â€œNo. What on earth would I do that for?”
    â€œShe’s a dancer,” Kati said smugly. “You see, I do listen to you.”
    â€œShe’s not a woman I would want to have anything to do with.”
    â€œAh, so. And what kind of women do you desire to have something to do with?”
    â€œKati, this is not like you.”
    â€œYou see, I have changed. And you still haven’t answered me. I asked you what she was like.”
    â€œShe’s well masked.”
    â€œYou mean when she dances?”
    â€œNo, I mean in the Zen sense.”
    â€œYou know I don’t understand the Zen sense, whatever that means.”
    â€œI would not like to have this woman as my enemy.”
    â€œPerhaps you already do,” Kati said lightly. “I think, Masao, that you know women less well than you imagine. You think all women are good.”
    â€œOnly compared to men. Anyway, I do not like to judge, and good is really a meaningless word. Tell me about Ana. Is her throat better?”
    â€œIt’s still scratchy. I think I’ll keep her home tomorrow. She can play in the sunshine in the garden, and one more day out of school won’t hurt. It’s better than medicine. Can you imagine paying a doctor twenty dollars for a house call?”
    Masuto considered telling Kati that he had just spent ten dollars for three brandies, and then he thought better of