“Ugh, are you all right? That’s a lot of blood.” The officer that came to bring me breakfast observed as he saw the bloodstained sheets of the bed I had been sleeping in.
“It looks like my wounds opened up a bit overnight.” I smiled wryly. “I did take a bit of a battering, I was against a mob of yakuza, after all.” Well, actually it was an undead samurai, but I’m not telling you that…
“Seriously, Oshiro-san, you should have let us take you to a hospital.” the officer moaned as he passed over my breakfast. I started to dig in as the officer continued complaining. “It was already against procedure to bring in an injured man. If you were to take a turn for the worse in custody, the paperwork alone…”
“Well, I’m not exactly under arrest, am I? So I have no need to follow orders. Like I said last night, I’m pretty damn tough. Hey, this is pretty good!” I enjoyed the rice balls and miso soup I had been provided. “In fact, I’d love it if you could just let me go, I have an awful lot of things to take care of, and time is precious.”
“Oh, I’m afraid we won’t be able to do that.” Inspector Sato said as he entered the room. On seeing my bloodstained bed and t-shirt, he frowned. “Seriously, you really are tough. It makes me wonder…” at that he shook his head. “Anyway, when you have finished your breakfast, we’ll be taking you to an interview room. We have a lot of questions.”
“I’m sure you do.” I agreed in-between more mouthfuls. “But first, if I could call a lawyer, I’d appreciate it. I may not be under arrest, but I’m feeling rather upset at my treatment over saving an innocent family from criminals.”
“Tch.” The officer clicked his tongue in annoyance, and the inspector sighed. “I’d rather you didn’t feel the need for counsel, Oshiro-san, but constitutionally there is no issue.”
After that I was escorted to the same room I made a call from last night. Pulling out my wallet I retrieved a card I had been given in Las Vegas, and quickly dialled the number. I imagine this should work out. If not I’ll have to get a public defender which isn’t ideal…
After a few rings someone picked up on the other side, sounding a little wary. “Chase Midas Gold, Japan Tokyo Branch. Takahashi James. May I ask who is calling?” James, huh? Possibly a half, or maybe a name used to appeal more to Americans, as Chase is an American bank.
“Oh, good morning, Takahashi-san. My name is Oshiro Moonstone Akio. I was given your number by Ms Connors as someone to call if I had any issues.”
“Oh, Oshiro-san. Yes, Jennifer-san did indeed let me know about your enrolment in Midas Gold. Congratulations. I had been waiting for a call, so, what can I do for you?”
“Err, well, this is going to come across as strange… but…” I swallowed nervously, biting the bullet. “… do you have access to lawyers? Criminal kinds, for… well, support when being interviewed by the police? I could use one right now, and I’m of course willing to pay the fees and any measure for inconvenience.”
“Well, this is quite the introductory call.” Takahashi-san answered after a pause. “We do of course keep all sorts of lawyers and solicitors on retainer. Are… are you in legal trouble, Oshiro-san?”
“I’m not under arrest, no, but unfortunately there was a surprising incident last night, which has led to the police having questions for me, as well as some doubts about my use of self-defence. My actions were entirely justified, but I’m sure you know how the Japanese legal system can be, Takahashi-san. I’m too busy to be detained any longer than I need to be.”
“I see. In that case I’ll put in a call and will have one sent over as soon as possible. Which station are you in?”
I exchanged details with Takahashi-san, glad that my gamble had paid off. After that, the Detective returned and escorted me back to an interview room. As he sat me down he asked me a question. “Are you sure you don’t want to go through what happened with us? It will save you a lot of money on fees. And if you are worried about trouble with your bosses, we can offer protection if you testify…”
“Nice try.” I cut him off. “All I’m going to say is I’m not involved with any criminal activity. We’ll take this up again when my lawyer arrives, all right?”
“Well, you can’t blame me for trying, Oshiro-san. My offer still stands though.” with that Inspector Sato left me alone in the room, kicking my heels, nothing to do. It’s been a while since I’ve been lazing about alone. Somehow it makes me feel uncomfortable, wasting time. Since when did I become such a workaholic? Using the time wisely I started to use Ether Healing on my injuries, closing them up still further.
Around forty-five minutes later, the door opened, and the officer from the morning was showing in a bald man who looked in his late forties, with a pair of expensive-looking black-rimmed shades that matched the colour of his elegant suit. In his hands was a briefcase, and everything about him just screamed high-rank Lawyer.
Looks like Midas Gold came through for me. I’ll have to thank Buck and Ms Connors properly one of these days…
“I would like some privacy before my client is interviewed.” The lawyer said, his voice deep and resonant. At his words the officer nodded, looking nervous.
“Of course. Ring the intercom when you are ready.”
“So, to business then.” The lawyer sat down opposite me as the door shut behind him.
“Yeah, that’d be great. I must say, you got here quicker than I expected.”
The lawyer looked a little puzzled at that, before placing down his briefcase on the table. “I should introduce myself. I am Omori Takanobu. I have been asked to come here by an interested party.”
Interested party? Is that a fancy way of saying Midas Gold?
“Yeah, I appreciate this. I felt awkward calling in a favour from Midas Gold so soon after being accepted, but the situation is a little… special.”
There was a long silence, Omori-san pushing the glasses up his nose as he thought, before he spoke. “I feel there has been a misunderstanding. I have no connection to any financial institution. I am a lawyer working directly under Fujiwara house. When we received information that you were… a person of interest… shall we say, in a certain case, I was tasked to come here and offer my assistance.”
That threw me for a loop. Uh, who is interested in me? Still, it couldn’t be denied that I needed a lawyer, the police were not inclined to believe my story, and I couldn’t entirely say I blamed them.
“So, let me get this straight? Someone has been keeping track of me, and sent you to help me. Do I have it right?”
“Fujiwara-sama felt you would have trouble understanding. So I have prepared this.” He opened his briefcase and pulled out a photograph. It looked like a family shot, with grandfather, father, mother and two children. But the children… I’ve seen them before. At the restaurant when we celebrated our victory in the Trial of Three, and… Shaeula’s engagement. Hoping I wasn’t blushing, I nodded, before realising… no way. I was cagey, but we spoke to them a little about Boundary-related matters…
“I see you recognise them. Allow me to explain. Fukumoto Hinata-sama reported your meeting to her cousin in Takatsukasa House, while Fukumoto Hiroto-sama spoke directly to the head of the house. From there, information passed to Fujiwara-sama.”
Damn, I did want to make more allies, but I was also trying to be careful about the spread of information. Now more than ever I realise the danger of too much knowledge getting out. The last thing I want is more violence in the Material, there’s too much chance of friends and family getting caught up in it…
“I can see you are displeased. Rest assured that however I came to be here and whoever I work for, I am still a professional.” He soothed me with his relaxing voice. “Everything we discuss will be strictly confidential, secure under professional privilege. Of course, I have also been asked to give you a message from Fujiwara-sama himself. If you have no objections?”
I shook my head. “Let’s hear it then.”
“Fujiwara-sama would like you to be aware he has knowledge of your circumstances, and the nature of the temples and shrines, and what they seek with their conclave. He hopes that you would be prepared to meet with him to discuss issues of mutual benefit.”
That’s pretty vague, but mentioning temples and shrines specifically in terms of conclave…
“I would also recommend that depending on what is discussed, you allow me to share some information with Fujiwara-sama, but of course, there is no obligation, and anything you wished to remain private would remain undisclosed. But rest assured, Fujiwara-sama is extremely influential and his support can ease many matters.”
I see. Damn, things are running out of control, but now Kondou is dealt with, apart from some last matters, I have time to steady the ship…
“Well, you should think about it.” Omori-san finished. “For now, why don’t you give me some details on your current issues, so I can advise you?”
I spent a little while filling in the lawyer on the yakuza attack. I could see I had surprised even a stoic professional such as him, as evidenced by the way he kept fiddling with his glasses. At the end of my talk he looked at me seriously.
“Just… how much of that story is true? It is rude of me to ask, and even if illegal activity has taken place, I have a job to do, but still…”
“It’s all true. I’m not involved with yakuza or criminal activity. I’m also not lying about handling the yakuza myself. I know it seems impossible, but I guess I could demonstrate some skills if I had to. As for the reason for the attack, I know that, but I really don’t wish to disclose it, as it would cause more trouble than it would solve. The perpetrator will be unveiled shortly anyway.”
“I see, and is this unnamed perpetrator involved in illegal activities? He must be, given yakuza involvement.”
“Yeah, if it is criminal and evil, he was doing it. Really, I should be getting a commendation for taking scum off the streets, not being hassled for excessive self-defence…” as I pouted, my lawyer nodded. “Indeed. So the key here is establishing that your actions were proportionate and unavoidable. I suggest…”
********
“Well, you seem to be more connected than I imagined.” Detective Sato said as he re-entered the interview room. He was followed in by two people I hadn’t yet seen, an older looking man in a rumpled suit, yet with piercing eyes, and a young woman, also in a suit, who looked much better groomed than the man. She was young, maybe a few years younger than me, but she looked tired and out-of-sorts, barely keeping in a series of yawns.
“And who would they be, Inspector?” my lawyer asked. “My client hasn’t agreed to additional questioning, after all he has not been charged, and is merely assisting, like the good, law-abiding citizen he is.”
“I’m Detective Kato Reiji. This is officer Usui, my current assistant. Some… similarities between this case and some I’ve been looking into were flagged up. Hence why we are here.”
“And hence why I was dragged out of bed after a night-shift…” the woman, officer Usui, muttered.
Similarities? To what? I haven’t… unless, surely not that time…
“Well, surely we should first deal with the matter at hand. My client defended himself against criminal, armed invaders who were aiming to harm him, his girlfriend and innocent residents. I would be expecting a commendation from civic authorities for his valour in keeping our streets safe, not questioning and distrust. This is most disappointing.”
Yeah, that’s pretty much what I said yesterday, but when he says it with that look and tone, it’s far more convincing. Really, I have all this Charm and Majesty, but I don’t think I’m using it right.
“Be serious.” The Inspector sighed. “It was very nearly a murder investigation. Two of the yakuza are still in induced comas, and while doctors say the worst is over and they should survive, though they may have lingering damage, the scale of the punishment dished out to them makes it a miracle they haven’t died.”
“A tragedy, I’m sure.” The lawyer said, insincerely. “But that doesn’t change the facts. Guns, swords, cleavers, knives, bats… these weapons were brought to kill. Perhaps my client could have done better, with his great skills, which he has consented to demonstrating, should it prove necessary, but in that situation, waking up with people breaking into his home, with his girlfriend asleep beside him… there was no nearby law enforcement, nowhere to run safely… in those circumstances, who can fault him for making sure she and the fellow residents of the shrine escaped unharmed. I suspect if we check the arrest records for those gang members, crimes against women would have been listed, no? Imagine if it was your wife, your daughters. Would you be complaining over his means, or shaking his hand, sobbing, thanking him gratefully?”
Yeah, shit, he’s good. He’s not talked about the bill, but if I have to pay, I bet it’s high…
“Well… I’ll be honest, I’ve been training my skills for combat sports for a while, but I’ve never been in any real bouts.” I tried to look sorry, it was hard as those scum deserved what they got, though I was relieved that none had actually died. “And at the thought of bad things happening to my girlfriend I panicked a bit, so I hit them harder than I probably should have… still, they were armed. If they were just going against me man-to-man, I reckon I could have stopped them much less violently. But tell me, officer. I know guns are uncommon in Japan, but I counted four, one an automatic weapon! If you ran into the same on the streets, to protect civilians would you be gentle, or would you use whatever force was necessary?”
Officer Usui let out a snort of amusement, and the Detective nodded, conceding the point.
“But Oshiro-san here isn’t an officer of the law or the military, he has no legal right to…”
“And there was no way or time to call the police. Yakuza were already inside, with clearly dangerous intentions. While the law frowns on civilians taking the law into their own hands, and even more so on violent defence, it IS legal to use even lethal force when oneself or others are in clear and present lethal danger themselves. In this case, I believe you would find it hard to prove that my client was not in such danger.”
“If the story we were presented with is accurate, which quite frankly, seems utterly impossible.” The Inspector scoffed. “One man, taking out all those armed yakuza?”
“Like I said, I don’t mind a sparring bout against a half-dozen of your finest. I was never sporty as a kid, I used to hate it, but ever since I got into combat sports I found I had a real hidden talent for it.” I lied easily, not feeling guilty. Come on, my lawyer is killing it here! Drop the crap and let me go home. If I have to spar, I can keep it to just barely above human and get away with it I imagine, though I don’t want to unless I have no other choice…
“That is hardly necessary, though I believe you should note how far my client is prepared to co-operate. Do you have any actual evidence that my client or the other residents have not been truthful?”
At that, the three were silent, and Detective Kato broke in. “I think we should take a break. Don’t you all agree? Besides, it seems like someone else is here.”
The door opened, and this morning’s officer led in another lawyer, this one a bit younger, in his thirties, with gelled-back hair and a charcoal suit paired with a loud shirt. “Err, his lawyer is here, but it seems he already has one…”
“I’m from Midas Gold…” the newcomer said, looking puzzled. “Oshiro-san I assume? Who is this?”
“I am from Fujiwara house, Omori Takanobu. It seems there has been some confusion, but you are welcome to join me on this counsel.”
“Takanobu-sama?” the newcomer looked shocked. “It’s an honour.”
“Clear the room please, and give us half an hour to bring … what was your name again?”
“Nomura Zenkichi.” The star-struck lawyer answered.
“Well, Zenkichi-san, let us fill you in, once our esteemed officers give us the room…”
********
“That does seem unbelievable.” Nomura-san said, eyeing me. “Still, it all seems well in hand. Looks like I’ve made some easy money.” He laughed a little.
“Speaking of, being as you are attached to a bank, do you do contract law, transfer of assets and similar matters?” I asked, taking this opportunity to prepare for the next issue. “I could use someone like that once I’m free from this.”
“Well, I’m more criminal law, but there’s a junior in my firm that can handle it. She’s competent.”
“Great, I’d like to request her then. I’ll pay all relevant fees and costs for such short notice. I need someone I can trust and confidentiality on this.”
“It’s nothing… illegal… is it?” Nomura-san asked, and I laughed that off.
“No, it’ll be above board, but I need it watertight and free from issues. For that I’m prepared to pay.” Not with my money though…
“It seems we should be done soon, unless they have some evidence worth holding you over.” Omori-san mused. “So we may as well get this over with.”
As we all agreed, the police came back in. This time they had a DVD with them, which they slotted into the monitor in the room.
“I’d be very interested to see what you thought of this, Oshiro-san.” Detective Kato said, eyeing me seriously. “The picture quality gets a bit bad, but even so…”
The monitor displayed a scene I recognised, the building site at Shirohebizumi shrine. It was dark and a bit hard to see, but it was clearly a gang of people starting fires amidst the machinery and building supplies. Soon flames had sprouted, and smoke was spreading.
“The next bit is interesting.” Kato promised, and I had an idea of what it would show. As the smoke thickened, a shadow darted into shot, inhumanely fast. It was hard to see clearly, but it was me. I quickly subdued the yakuza violently, even smashing one’s head in with their own metal barrel, before racing out of shot. The footage was then shut off.
“We managed to extract this footage.” Detective Kato was taking the lead now. “Seems like there is something wrong with the camera, the footage seems a bit sped up, but even so, what do you know? One man taking down a mob of yakuza. It seems impossible, but the truth is there in black and white, well, mostly black, but still…”
It isn’t as bad as it could have been. Though if they analyse the video properly they’ll see that it isn’t sped up, as everything else is moving at normal speed…
“My client did tell you he was skilled.” Omori-san interjected. “And I see no evidence he did more than subdue them, even if his blows were powerful. I think your footage helps prove his words are nothing but the truth.” Beside him Nomura-san chimed in his agreement.
“Maybe so. I think the Inspector is going to have to let this one drop. I can’t say I’m too sorry to see yakuza off the streets, though the taxpayers having to foot all their hospital bills… nasty. Still…” he looked at me then, as if he knew I was hiding something. “There were a few injuries that looked very strange. One poor bastard had all his fingers sliced off. Didn’t look like a blade, either…”
“Well, I had to turn their own weapons on them a few times. I can’t say how every injury was caused.”
“Is that so, is that so?” he mused, insincerely, I thought. “It’s just… that shrine is pretty close to another area, where a similar, if much smaller incident happened. A girl was harassed by some street punks. And there were similar unexplained injuries there. Now, I’m not too sad for the perpetrators, they confessed to harassing women and worse, even if the confession was strange. But the thing is, the law is the law. Vigilantism leads to nothing good. So, Oshiro-san, do you happen to have anything to say about such an incident?”
Shit, I knew it would come back to me in the end. Time for my Majesty and Charm to start doing something for me…
“You don’t need to answer that.” Omori-san advised, but I waved him away regally, trying to maintain a position of charming authority.
“No, I don’t mind helping out our police. Helping out. I agree, we need law and order. However, the law can’t always protect us, can it? If I hadn’t been home, or was a deeper sleeper, you’d be running a murder enquiry now, with children and young women as victims. I don’t believe that any man can stand by idly when people in front of them are in danger, especially women or children. I have a sister I treasure, and a girlfriend too…” well, two… “… and I would hope that if they were in danger and someone walked by, they would do what is right. Those that commit criminal acts are risking punishment, and while it should definitely not be excessive, and fit to the crime, risking the safety of innocents just to make sure a criminal doesn’t suffer unnecessarily is utter idiocy. Those who need our protection should always come first.”
“Oh, so cool!” Officer Usui gasped despite herself, her face red, and everyone around me looked impressed, my words imperious. Still, the Detective shook it off after a minute. “So, is that a confession?”
“Of course not.” I scoffed. “I’m just saying that if I saw a girl in danger, and I wasn’t able to guarantee she’d be safe if I looked for law enforcement, I’d step in, like any self-respecting person with the power to save them should. Is that it?”
“My client isn’t under arrest, or suspected of any criminal activities. This speculative fishing is uncalled for.” Omori-san broke into the stunned silence, my presence, which was momentarily overwhelming, fading away. “Unless you intend to charge Oshiro-san with excessive self-defence, which would be VERY hard to justify in light of the testimony and even the footage we have seen, I suggest we wrap this up.”
“Just a few more things.” Detective Kato stopped us. “I’m curious if you know anything about these.” He produced three photographs of strange murder victims. “The third one happened only the other day. They have very… interesting… wound patters, unexplainable, really. I just find them intriguingly similar to the injuries in your incidents… sorry, incident, I forgot the other was nothing to do with you.”
Yeah, you don’t believe that. Still, I knew what they probably were. Boundary deaths. They were probably failed candidates to be Astral Emperors. Still, I couldn’t share it, so I was honest and said I’d never seen them before.
“I see. And what about these? Missing persons are up in Tokyo significantly over the last month. Suicides too.” He showed me a dozen more photographs, and I skimmed through them until…
Ugh, this one looks like Haru-san…
“So, you recognise her?” he asked, and I nodded.
“Yeah, I’m pretty certain I’ve seen her around somewhere. I can’t remember when though… she’s decently pretty, so I remember her face.”
“Pig…” Officer Usui mouthed. I know she’s tired, but she’s… not very professional…
“Is that it? I see.” Kato sighed. After I had scanned the rest of the photographs, not seeing anything else, he put them away. “Well, this was interesting, if not as productive as I had hoped. Still, if you remember anything, or would like to get some things off your chest, call me. Night or day.” he handed me a card with his details which I took. “Oh, one last question. You are rebuilding the shrine lands, right? That must be costing a pretty penny. Inspector Sato pulled your files, and your family isn’t rich, and neither should you be. Where did the money come from?”
“I can field that one.” Nomura-san smiled. “Oshiro-san’s money is from a known, clean source, and has been taxed at a proper rate. There is no criminal involvement whatsoever, but the details are confidential of course. Still, rest assured, if it ever came to any sort of attestation in court, we would be able to make it irrefutably.”
“I see. Well then, I’m done. Thanks for your time, Inspector. Come on, Officer Usui. We have more work to do.” As the two left, the girl grumbling, Inspector Sato had no choice but to let me go, although he warned me I may be needed for further help if they found new evidence, and they would be looking.
“Well, that was successful. A job well done. it’s been an honour to work with such a distinguished lawyer, Takanobu-sama.”
“Think nothing of it.” He answered.
“So, I’ll give you a call, probably this evening, if that’s all right?” I asked Nomura-san and he agreed to arrange his junior for the contract work. His eyes betrayed his curiosity at what I wanted done, but he was too professional to ask. After he said his goodbyes and left, I was alone with the lawyer from Fujiwara house.
“So, that video. I noticed it did not appear to be sped up. You were moving at a clearly faster rate than everyone else. The police must have noticed it too, but… well, it isn’t a crime to be fast, even if it seemed improbable. I doubt you have left their radar though. Expect them to be digging into you and watching your every move from now on.”
Yeah, and I don’t want that, not at all…
“So if I may suggest…” he handed me an invitation. “Fujiwara-sama is holding a gathering of the upper class on Saturday. I suggest you attend. Fujiwara-sama’s support would be more than capable of making any issues such as this disappear. Now, if you will excuse me…”
As he left I looked down at the invitation. Getting involved with powerful people has a lot of risks, but not having friends in high places has them too…