Loxuru
Graf von Kreuzigung
Oh dear, no more used to long, boring stake-outs, Detective Goldman?
Academics are paid per syllable, didn't you know?
Frankly, after this episode, I smell a rat in the Hyatt!
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Tokyo Terror: Beware the Red Dragon
- Thread starter Barbaria1
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Frankly, after this episode, I smell a rat in the Hyatt!
twonines
LIMERICUS
Careful, or you will be accused of reading ahead.Oh dear, no more used to long, boring stake-outs, Detective Goldman?
Academics are paid per syllable, didn't you know?
Frankly, after this episode, I smell a rat in the Hyatt!
Loxuru
Graf von Kreuzigung
Don't blame me for it that retired detective Stan Goldman seems to have lost his sharp!
And this from a guy who thinks high culture is an episode of Seinfeld!
that was embarrassing, I’ll have to admit, I hope they’re serving wine at the lunch buffet.
windar
Teller of Tales
It's even funnier if you're high, of course!!
They are. Not much, but if they use enough big words they can scrape by...
But where would the world be without academics. Think about that!
Loxuru
Graf von Kreuzigung
)
God, you're boring.
Is he talking about Goldman (who has already been noticed)?
Mind you, Stan is keeping busy seducing the hotel staff, so I suppose they won't notice him after all.
Chapter 11. Wednesday, June 27. 14:34 (06:34 in Sweden). Hallway outside the ballroom, Park Hyatt Hotel, Shinjuku District, Tokyo
“No, I don’t want to attend any more paper sessions. I’ve totally disgraced myself this morning,” wailed Barbara Moore as she stormed out of the buffet-style lunch venue set up in the hotel ballroom’s anteroom with Gun and Annika scurrying after her. “Did you see how everyone in there was looking at me funny, shaking their heads and whispering to one another? Why did you two allow me to go to my session and deliver my paper? I made a totally embarrassing mess of it, and the Q&A session afterwards was even worse. Couldn’t you have locked me in our room this morning and informed the conference organizers I was sick or dying, or some such thing? Some friends you are!”
“Hush Barb,” hissed Gun. “You’re making a dreadful scene!”
“And draining those three glasses of champagne back there was the last thing you needed!” scolded Annika.
“Shut up! I’m going to go up to our room now and jump out the window!”
“We’d better follow her just in case she means it,” muttered Gun.
“Luckily, that big plate glass window doesn’t open,” whispered Annika.
“I know. I wasn’t serious about that, but Babs definitely needs us now. We need to calm her down somehow.”
“Yeah, we definitively do. And I don’t suppose telling her she put her skirt on backwards this morning would be at all helpful,” giggled Annika in a desperate attempt to make light of the situation.
Moments later, after riding the lift to the 49th floor in silence, the girls stood patiently aside as Barb repeatedly botched the task of using her plastic key card to unlock their hotel room door. But when she began to curse loudly and kick viciously at the door, Gun gently but firmly eased Barb aside, used her card to unlock the door and ushered Barb inside.
“You need a good rest, Babs,” advised Gun in her most soothing tone of voice. “Get yourself out of those clothes and climb into bed. We’ll wake you when it’s time for dinner. Things will look brighter then.”
“Uh … alright,” she agreed amiably, kicking off her shoes and stripping down … shedding, one after another, her gray suit jacket and skirt, white bow-tie-neck chiffon blouse, bra and kinis … before crawling naked onto the room’s still unmade king size bed.
“Alright … who’s going to eat me?” she demanded.
Gun and Annika looked at one another.
“Be my guest,” said Gun to Annika, noticing that her phone, which she had left behind on the desk that morning had begun to vibrate. “I think I’ve got something else I need to attend to.”
With one eye glued to the spectacle of Annika stripping down, climbing onto the bed and burying her face between Barb’s open thighs, Gun poked at the screen of her phone, raised it to her ear and said “Gun Thorell.”
“Well, about time you answered your goddamn phone,” growled an exasperated Bertil Hansson. “I’ve been texting and ringing you for hours!”
“Sorry, Bertil. Things were crazy here last night and we were in a rush this morning and I inadvertently left my phone behind here in the hotel room. What time is it in Uppsala?”
“Uh … nearly seven in the morning here … but crazy? How so? What were you doing? Anything really bad happen?”
“Depends on how you define bad. We went out on the town last night and Babs here managed to get herself stupid drunk.”
“What? On Riesling?”
“No, the night club we went to was serving something a lot stronger.”
“I see …. Uh …. Look, the reason I called is … wait! … where are all those moaning sounds coming from?”
“Oh … that’s Barb doing all that moaning. Annika is licking her clit.”
“I shouldn’t have asked … uh … As I was saying, the reason I called is that I have both bad news to relate and reason to be concerned about your safety.”
“What's the bad news?”
“Well, if you had bothered to read the texts I’ve sent you’d know, by now, that both Marina and Min-Ji have been murdered … two parallel crimes committed, without any doubt, by the Syndicate. And I have every reason to believe they’ll be coming after you girls next.”
“Oh No! Poor Marina and Min-Ji!”
“Yes, both were brutally murdered in their homes.”
“And you think we’re next?”
“I’d say the probability is very high. The Syndicate is out for revenge. There’s no reason to believe you three are exempt.”
“Gun! Get your ass over here and suck my nips!”
“Good grief. Was that Barb? Am I intruding on something.”
“No, Bertil. Ignore her. You have my full attention. Do you have any particulars on exactly how we might be vulnerable here.”
“Sadly, no. Your guess is as good as mine. I wish I was there, Gun.”
“Me too.”
“The only thing I have to offer, which again I tried to text you about, is that the Chief and I decided to engage a private investigator and send him to Tokyo to provide you with some behind the scenes security.”
“Do I know him?”
“No, he’s not from here. He’s an ex-NYPD detective the Chief happens to know. He should be there by now … hanging somewhere around that fancy hotel you’re staying at.”
“What’s his name? What does he look like?”
“Stan Goldman is his name. I have no idea what he looks like. Older fellow, of course. But it’s probably best not to go seeking him out. You’re undoubtedly being watched by a Syndicate team. Don’t go blowing Goldman’s cover if at all possible”
“Uh …. Right! Good of you and the Chief to hire out some protection, but it was hardly necessary and a bit demeaning. Annika and I are after all both police, and I … like you … am a veteran detective on the homicide unit. I think we can take care of this ourselves.”
“GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
“What the fuck was that?”
“Just Barb having an orgasm.”
“I shouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s okay. Look Bertil, I’ve got to go. Thanks for calling. Try not to worry too much. We’ll be alright.”
“You know I always worry, but okay … I can sense that you’re eager to join the other two.”
“Let’s just say that I’m in demand.”
“Bye, Gun.”
“Bye.”
Wednesday, June 27. 09:18 (17:18 in Tokyo) Onboard Air France 1543, taxiing to take off point, Geneva Airport.
Pecos Bill Johnson settled back in his seat and stared out the window as the pilot revved the Airbus A320’s engines for takeoff. This would be a short hop. In a little over an hour he’d be at Paris Charles De Gaulle transferring to the long-haul flight that would take him to Tokyo’s Narita International.
He tucked away his phone, satisfied that the text message he’d just sent to Bertil Hansson in Uppsala would apprise his colleagues there of his plans. They had spoken by phone the day before about the twin murders of Min-Ji and Marina. But Bill had not let on, at that time, about his decision to go to Tokyo. He had wanted no complications until after the fact. Always the loner. He preferred to work things out on his own.
The woman sitting next to him seemed interested in striking up a conversation. But he was in no mood for that. Turning away in his seat he signaled that he wished to be left alone to brood over his loss.
And what a loss it was. He and Min-Ji had grown incredibly close over their months of co-habitation in the villa outside of Geneva. He’d never been really close to anyone in life … always the loner … but being together with her had changed all of that.
And Marina’s death had hit close to home as well, drawing vivid memories of the collaborative effort, up in snowbound Sollefteå, against the Syndicate hit team sent out to get Min-Ri … in which Marina had played such a key sacrificial role serving as bait bound to the old whipping post behind Persson’s country home. He could still visualize in his mind the sight of her hanging from that pole, topless with fake whip marks on her bared back and breasts, and how that ploy had lured the hit team out in the open.
Yes, he had work to do in Tokyo. He was certain that the Syndicate would raise its ugly dragon head there to strike at the surviving females by whose hands it had suffered defeat and embarrassment. He was determined they would suffer the same in Tokyo if he, Pecos Bill, had any say in the matter.
TBC
“No, I don’t want to attend any more paper sessions. I’ve totally disgraced myself this morning,” wailed Barbara Moore as she stormed out of the buffet-style lunch venue set up in the hotel ballroom’s anteroom with Gun and Annika scurrying after her. “Did you see how everyone in there was looking at me funny, shaking their heads and whispering to one another? Why did you two allow me to go to my session and deliver my paper? I made a totally embarrassing mess of it, and the Q&A session afterwards was even worse. Couldn’t you have locked me in our room this morning and informed the conference organizers I was sick or dying, or some such thing? Some friends you are!”
“Hush Barb,” hissed Gun. “You’re making a dreadful scene!”
“And draining those three glasses of champagne back there was the last thing you needed!” scolded Annika.
“Shut up! I’m going to go up to our room now and jump out the window!”
“We’d better follow her just in case she means it,” muttered Gun.
“Luckily, that big plate glass window doesn’t open,” whispered Annika.
“I know. I wasn’t serious about that, but Babs definitely needs us now. We need to calm her down somehow.”
“Yeah, we definitively do. And I don’t suppose telling her she put her skirt on backwards this morning would be at all helpful,” giggled Annika in a desperate attempt to make light of the situation.
Moments later, after riding the lift to the 49th floor in silence, the girls stood patiently aside as Barb repeatedly botched the task of using her plastic key card to unlock their hotel room door. But when she began to curse loudly and kick viciously at the door, Gun gently but firmly eased Barb aside, used her card to unlock the door and ushered Barb inside.
“You need a good rest, Babs,” advised Gun in her most soothing tone of voice. “Get yourself out of those clothes and climb into bed. We’ll wake you when it’s time for dinner. Things will look brighter then.”
“Uh … alright,” she agreed amiably, kicking off her shoes and stripping down … shedding, one after another, her gray suit jacket and skirt, white bow-tie-neck chiffon blouse, bra and kinis … before crawling naked onto the room’s still unmade king size bed.
“Alright … who’s going to eat me?” she demanded.
Gun and Annika looked at one another.
“Be my guest,” said Gun to Annika, noticing that her phone, which she had left behind on the desk that morning had begun to vibrate. “I think I’ve got something else I need to attend to.”
With one eye glued to the spectacle of Annika stripping down, climbing onto the bed and burying her face between Barb’s open thighs, Gun poked at the screen of her phone, raised it to her ear and said “Gun Thorell.”
“Well, about time you answered your goddamn phone,” growled an exasperated Bertil Hansson. “I’ve been texting and ringing you for hours!”
“Sorry, Bertil. Things were crazy here last night and we were in a rush this morning and I inadvertently left my phone behind here in the hotel room. What time is it in Uppsala?”
“Uh … nearly seven in the morning here … but crazy? How so? What were you doing? Anything really bad happen?”
“Depends on how you define bad. We went out on the town last night and Babs here managed to get herself stupid drunk.”
“What? On Riesling?”
“No, the night club we went to was serving something a lot stronger.”
“I see …. Uh …. Look, the reason I called is … wait! … where are all those moaning sounds coming from?”
“Oh … that’s Barb doing all that moaning. Annika is licking her clit.”
“I shouldn’t have asked … uh … As I was saying, the reason I called is that I have both bad news to relate and reason to be concerned about your safety.”
“What's the bad news?”
“Well, if you had bothered to read the texts I’ve sent you’d know, by now, that both Marina and Min-Ji have been murdered … two parallel crimes committed, without any doubt, by the Syndicate. And I have every reason to believe they’ll be coming after you girls next.”
“Oh No! Poor Marina and Min-Ji!”
“Yes, both were brutally murdered in their homes.”
“And you think we’re next?”
“I’d say the probability is very high. The Syndicate is out for revenge. There’s no reason to believe you three are exempt.”
“Gun! Get your ass over here and suck my nips!”
“Good grief. Was that Barb? Am I intruding on something.”
“No, Bertil. Ignore her. You have my full attention. Do you have any particulars on exactly how we might be vulnerable here.”
“Sadly, no. Your guess is as good as mine. I wish I was there, Gun.”
“Me too.”
“The only thing I have to offer, which again I tried to text you about, is that the Chief and I decided to engage a private investigator and send him to Tokyo to provide you with some behind the scenes security.”
“Do I know him?”
“No, he’s not from here. He’s an ex-NYPD detective the Chief happens to know. He should be there by now … hanging somewhere around that fancy hotel you’re staying at.”
“What’s his name? What does he look like?”
“Stan Goldman is his name. I have no idea what he looks like. Older fellow, of course. But it’s probably best not to go seeking him out. You’re undoubtedly being watched by a Syndicate team. Don’t go blowing Goldman’s cover if at all possible”
“Uh …. Right! Good of you and the Chief to hire out some protection, but it was hardly necessary and a bit demeaning. Annika and I are after all both police, and I … like you … am a veteran detective on the homicide unit. I think we can take care of this ourselves.”
“GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”
“What the fuck was that?”
“Just Barb having an orgasm.”
“I shouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s okay. Look Bertil, I’ve got to go. Thanks for calling. Try not to worry too much. We’ll be alright.”
“You know I always worry, but okay … I can sense that you’re eager to join the other two.”
“Let’s just say that I’m in demand.”
“Bye, Gun.”
“Bye.”
Wednesday, June 27. 09:18 (17:18 in Tokyo) Onboard Air France 1543, taxiing to take off point, Geneva Airport.
Pecos Bill Johnson settled back in his seat and stared out the window as the pilot revved the Airbus A320’s engines for takeoff. This would be a short hop. In a little over an hour he’d be at Paris Charles De Gaulle transferring to the long-haul flight that would take him to Tokyo’s Narita International.
He tucked away his phone, satisfied that the text message he’d just sent to Bertil Hansson in Uppsala would apprise his colleagues there of his plans. They had spoken by phone the day before about the twin murders of Min-Ji and Marina. But Bill had not let on, at that time, about his decision to go to Tokyo. He had wanted no complications until after the fact. Always the loner. He preferred to work things out on his own.
The woman sitting next to him seemed interested in striking up a conversation. But he was in no mood for that. Turning away in his seat he signaled that he wished to be left alone to brood over his loss.
And what a loss it was. He and Min-Ji had grown incredibly close over their months of co-habitation in the villa outside of Geneva. He’d never been really close to anyone in life … always the loner … but being together with her had changed all of that.
And Marina’s death had hit close to home as well, drawing vivid memories of the collaborative effort, up in snowbound Sollefteå, against the Syndicate hit team sent out to get Min-Ri … in which Marina had played such a key sacrificial role serving as bait bound to the old whipping post behind Persson’s country home. He could still visualize in his mind the sight of her hanging from that pole, topless with fake whip marks on her bared back and breasts, and how that ploy had lured the hit team out in the open.
Yes, he had work to do in Tokyo. He was certain that the Syndicate would raise its ugly dragon head there to strike at the surviving females by whose hands it had suffered defeat and embarrassment. He was determined they would suffer the same in Tokyo if he, Pecos Bill, had any say in the matter.
TBC
Loxuru
Graf von Kreuzigung
.........Hilarious! Good episode, Barb!
If they would know what Stan the Man was currently in to....
Bill Pecos will have to be the cavalry that is always in time!
windar
Teller of Tales
Rather forward, there Moore, don't you think?
Even moore forward...
Extraordinarily handsome, of course....
Loxuru
Graf von Kreuzigung
Even not a hangover!
"I never drink Moore than two glasses of Riesling!" will from now on be read differently!
"And how much did you drink of real booze!?"
twonines
LIMERICUS
Probably Tequila, usually taken with a pinch of salt.Even not a hangover!
"I never drink Moore than two glasses of Riesling!" will from now on be read differently!
"And how much did you drink of real booze!?"
Fossy
SEXPIOGENTUS
Come on Barb, if you want to ask something than just ask it ... stop beating around the bush (so to speak) ...
An understatement if ever there was one ...
Bloody hell Barb, what exactly was in that drink they gave you last night ...
Wonderful chapter ... fair bounced along ...
windar
Teller of Tales
Chapter 12. Wednesday, June 27 15:30. For Your Pleasure Adult Boutique, Sibuya City, Tokyo
Stan looked at the storefront from across the street. It looked rather chic, not at all sleazy.
The afternoon session of the conference had been just as boring as the morning session and Barbara, Gun and Annika had not been present, so there had been little point in his hanging around there. Stan imagined that Barbara had been embarrassed by her poor presentation and hadn’t wanted to show her face among her professional colleagues so soon afterwards.
Stan had figured he might as well take advantage of a bit of free time. He had done a Google search for an adult store and found this one, which was within a mile or so of the Park Hyatt. It had 4.5 stars, so it had seemed worth checking out.
He didn’t know whether Tamiko would be up for a return engagement. There wasn’t much doubt that she had enjoyed their little playtime immensely. Of course, Stan was well aware that women could fake orgasms, but he would have bet a large sum of money that Tamiko’s had been quite real and quite satisfying for her. Nevertheless, it was possible that she would consider it a one-off. Still, Stan had briefly been a Scout growing up, and the motto, “Be Prepared” still carried some weight.
He waited for the traffic light to change, crossed the street and entered the store. The air conditioning felt nice after the heat of the street. There was a young man behind the counter who appeared a bit bored. He looked up as he heard the door open.
“Welcome to ‘For Your Pleasure’,” the clerk said.
“Ah, you speak English?” Sam replied.
“A little,” the man answered. “How may I help you?” His English was definitely accented-he probably hadn’t grown up in Canada-but not too bad.
Stan decided to be direct. “I am looking for some bondage equipment,” he said
The clerk didn’t bat an eyelash. “This way, please, sir,” he said and led Stan to a section towards the back of the store. The selection was quite good. Stan chose a pair of handcuffs-they were decent quality, not as strong as the NYPD issue, but they’d do the job.
He picked up a rattan cane and tested it by slashing it through the air. It made a satisfying whistle, much like the one he’d used recently on Barb. ‘Perhaps that’s a bit strong for a first timer,’ he thought, putting it down a bit reluctantly. Instead, he selected a leather multi-tailed flogger. It would sting nicely, but wouldn’t do any serious damage.
He also picked up some soft but sturdy ropes. He wasn’t about to attempt shibari, but he had an inkling that Tamiko might enjoy being tied down as he explored her body.
On the way to the counter, he passed a display of vibrators. He chose a small one, a battery operated model, a ‘Pocket rocket’. It was one that he had enjoyed watching Barb use. The clerk nodded approvingly at his choices. He picked up the vibrator and gave Stan a knowing look. “You have chosen well, I think. We have many female customers who speak very highly of this model.”
Stan accepted the complement, paid for his purchases in cash, and returned to the hotel. On the way up to his room, he stopped by the desk to see if Tamiko was there, but she wasn’t. The clock on the wall said 15:55 and she had said she was due back on duty at 16:00. He hoped she wouldn’t be late.
Wednesday, June 27. 17:00 The Pool, Park Hyatt Hotel, Shinjuku District, Tokyo
Stan had installed himself in a lounge chair on the pool deck with a great view out the window. He still hadn’t gotten a bathing suit, so he was in his street clothes, sipping a Sapporo beer he’d ordered from the New York Bar. He figured that the women he was being paid to watch might want a swim to relax and ease the pain of Barb’s professional setback, but so far there was no sign of them.
A few minutes later, though, the elevator opened and Annika appeared, wearing the same suit she had worn the previous day. Right behind her was Gun Thorell, wearing a green and blue two piece, not too revealing, but revealing enough to show off her well-developed physique. Professor Moore was not with them-presumably she had not felt quite ready to show herself in public.
They selected two lounge chairs just across the pool from him. They chatted a bit, nothing Stan could make out and it was in Swedish anyway, he presumed. Then they rose and went to the deeper end of the pool, standing side-by-side. Almost as one, they jumped in and headed for the far end.
Gun’s style in the water wasn’t bad, though nowhere near as sleek and fluid as Annika’s. She swam a few laps, then climbed out and dried herself with a towel as Annika continued doing her laps. Then Gun strode purposefully around the end of the pool and headed straight for Stan.
In a moment she was standing over him. He looked her up and down. She was nicely put together, solid and strong. He guessed that she worked out in the gym. It was a pleasure to keep surveillance on three such attractive women; not at all like the creeps and hoods he’d had to deal with back on the force, most of them so ugly and messed up that their mothers would have had a hard time loving them. And that was just the women.
But despite her Nordic attractiveness, Stan could tell that Gun Thorell was not someone with whom he would wish to tangle.
“You’re a cop, aren’t you? I can tell one of my own from a mile away.” She spoke English with a Scandinavian lilt. It was very attractive.
It seemed pointless for Stan to deny the charges. “Former cop. Retired and glad to be,” he replied. “Stan Goldman’s the name, ex-New York’s finest, though not as fine as I used to be.”
“I know who you are.”
Stan considered this. Obviously, someone back in Uppsala had let her in on the secret. “And you’re Gun Thorell.”
“I know all about you, Goldman. I noticed you following us to Kabukicho last night and into that club. It looked like you were having a good time there.”
“It was OK. Not as good as the touts at the door promised.”
“And you obviously know about me. So, you know that I can take care of myself, as can Annika and Barbara, so we don’t need your help.”
“You’ll have to discuss that with your Chief back home,” Stan replied. “I’ve been hired to do a job and that’s what I’m doing.” He didn’t mention his little interlude with Tamiko, which was definitely not part of his employment arrangement.
“Look, I don’t want to get in your way. You’ve obviously got a sweet deal here Goldman and that’s between you and Björklund. But stay out of my way, OK?”
“I’m not looking for any trouble, Gun.”
“Good,” she replied and turned. She knelt by the end of the pool. As Annika approached, she made a sign. The young intern grabbed the edge of the deck. Gun said something to her and Annika climbed out of the water and went to towel off. Then the two of them disappeared into the elevator.
Stan looked at the storefront from across the street. It looked rather chic, not at all sleazy.
The afternoon session of the conference had been just as boring as the morning session and Barbara, Gun and Annika had not been present, so there had been little point in his hanging around there. Stan imagined that Barbara had been embarrassed by her poor presentation and hadn’t wanted to show her face among her professional colleagues so soon afterwards.
Stan had figured he might as well take advantage of a bit of free time. He had done a Google search for an adult store and found this one, which was within a mile or so of the Park Hyatt. It had 4.5 stars, so it had seemed worth checking out.
He didn’t know whether Tamiko would be up for a return engagement. There wasn’t much doubt that she had enjoyed their little playtime immensely. Of course, Stan was well aware that women could fake orgasms, but he would have bet a large sum of money that Tamiko’s had been quite real and quite satisfying for her. Nevertheless, it was possible that she would consider it a one-off. Still, Stan had briefly been a Scout growing up, and the motto, “Be Prepared” still carried some weight.
He waited for the traffic light to change, crossed the street and entered the store. The air conditioning felt nice after the heat of the street. There was a young man behind the counter who appeared a bit bored. He looked up as he heard the door open.
“Welcome to ‘For Your Pleasure’,” the clerk said.
“Ah, you speak English?” Sam replied.
“A little,” the man answered. “How may I help you?” His English was definitely accented-he probably hadn’t grown up in Canada-but not too bad.
Stan decided to be direct. “I am looking for some bondage equipment,” he said
The clerk didn’t bat an eyelash. “This way, please, sir,” he said and led Stan to a section towards the back of the store. The selection was quite good. Stan chose a pair of handcuffs-they were decent quality, not as strong as the NYPD issue, but they’d do the job.
He picked up a rattan cane and tested it by slashing it through the air. It made a satisfying whistle, much like the one he’d used recently on Barb. ‘Perhaps that’s a bit strong for a first timer,’ he thought, putting it down a bit reluctantly. Instead, he selected a leather multi-tailed flogger. It would sting nicely, but wouldn’t do any serious damage.
He also picked up some soft but sturdy ropes. He wasn’t about to attempt shibari, but he had an inkling that Tamiko might enjoy being tied down as he explored her body.
On the way to the counter, he passed a display of vibrators. He chose a small one, a battery operated model, a ‘Pocket rocket’. It was one that he had enjoyed watching Barb use. The clerk nodded approvingly at his choices. He picked up the vibrator and gave Stan a knowing look. “You have chosen well, I think. We have many female customers who speak very highly of this model.”
Stan accepted the complement, paid for his purchases in cash, and returned to the hotel. On the way up to his room, he stopped by the desk to see if Tamiko was there, but she wasn’t. The clock on the wall said 15:55 and she had said she was due back on duty at 16:00. He hoped she wouldn’t be late.
Wednesday, June 27. 17:00 The Pool, Park Hyatt Hotel, Shinjuku District, Tokyo
Stan had installed himself in a lounge chair on the pool deck with a great view out the window. He still hadn’t gotten a bathing suit, so he was in his street clothes, sipping a Sapporo beer he’d ordered from the New York Bar. He figured that the women he was being paid to watch might want a swim to relax and ease the pain of Barb’s professional setback, but so far there was no sign of them.
A few minutes later, though, the elevator opened and Annika appeared, wearing the same suit she had worn the previous day. Right behind her was Gun Thorell, wearing a green and blue two piece, not too revealing, but revealing enough to show off her well-developed physique. Professor Moore was not with them-presumably she had not felt quite ready to show herself in public.
They selected two lounge chairs just across the pool from him. They chatted a bit, nothing Stan could make out and it was in Swedish anyway, he presumed. Then they rose and went to the deeper end of the pool, standing side-by-side. Almost as one, they jumped in and headed for the far end.
Gun’s style in the water wasn’t bad, though nowhere near as sleek and fluid as Annika’s. She swam a few laps, then climbed out and dried herself with a towel as Annika continued doing her laps. Then Gun strode purposefully around the end of the pool and headed straight for Stan.
In a moment she was standing over him. He looked her up and down. She was nicely put together, solid and strong. He guessed that she worked out in the gym. It was a pleasure to keep surveillance on three such attractive women; not at all like the creeps and hoods he’d had to deal with back on the force, most of them so ugly and messed up that their mothers would have had a hard time loving them. And that was just the women.
But despite her Nordic attractiveness, Stan could tell that Gun Thorell was not someone with whom he would wish to tangle.
“You’re a cop, aren’t you? I can tell one of my own from a mile away.” She spoke English with a Scandinavian lilt. It was very attractive.
It seemed pointless for Stan to deny the charges. “Former cop. Retired and glad to be,” he replied. “Stan Goldman’s the name, ex-New York’s finest, though not as fine as I used to be.”
“I know who you are.”
Stan considered this. Obviously, someone back in Uppsala had let her in on the secret. “And you’re Gun Thorell.”
“I know all about you, Goldman. I noticed you following us to Kabukicho last night and into that club. It looked like you were having a good time there.”
“It was OK. Not as good as the touts at the door promised.”
“And you obviously know about me. So, you know that I can take care of myself, as can Annika and Barbara, so we don’t need your help.”
“You’ll have to discuss that with your Chief back home,” Stan replied. “I’ve been hired to do a job and that’s what I’m doing.” He didn’t mention his little interlude with Tamiko, which was definitely not part of his employment arrangement.
“Look, I don’t want to get in your way. You’ve obviously got a sweet deal here Goldman and that’s between you and Björklund. But stay out of my way, OK?”
“I’m not looking for any trouble, Gun.”
“Good,” she replied and turned. She knelt by the end of the pool. As Annika approached, she made a sign. The young intern grabbed the edge of the deck. Gun said something to her and Annika climbed out of the water and went to towel off. Then the two of them disappeared into the elevator.