We went over and sat like Indians, the Mick and the Jap. Half a lifetime ago we might have been in foxholes in the same war. Different foxholes.

Sakai picked right back up. “I believe he was here not seeking fitness, but to investigate another student of mine.”

“Vincent Colby.”

“Yes.” He raised a gentle palm. “I should not have qualified that. When he first came to Solstice, Lt. Shannon came to me privately and asked a few questions.”

“What, specifically?”

“Nothing specific. Generalities. What was my opinion of Vincent Colby as a person? I said I found him affable and hardworking, a good student. I explained that my context was not sufficient to discern more. I asked him what he was looking for. His answer was…remarkable.”

“Oh?”

“He said he was looking for a killer.”

I nodded, thinking about that. “Was there hostility between Colby and Shannon? Tension?”

“No. They were friendly. Not warm…” A faint smile. “…other than the sweat we work up here.”

Said the guy who didn’t seem to be able to work up a sweat.

“So I would say,” the sensei said, “Lt. Shannon was not certain of Mr. Colby. Was Vincent Colby a good man or a bad man? Or, like so many of us, something in between? The lieutenant sought the answer.”

“Is Colby a good student? Would you say he’s proficient?”

Several emphatic nods. “Yes. One of my best. Took right to it.”

I thought about that for a while and the sensei patiently waited for me.

Then I asked, “Is it difficult to kill someone with karate, Mr. Sakai?”

I thought the quick shift in subject might throw him; but this was not an easy man to throw in any sense of the word. His immediate response was only to say, “Call me Mashy, please, Mr. Hammer.”

“Yeah, and I’m Mike. But is it?”

“Possible to kill with martial arts techniques? Certainly. Not so simple as on television and in the motion pictures, but…yes.”

“Is there a karate move that could cave in a man’s chest?”

He actually blinked. Once. “What a specific question, Mike.”

“Is there?”

“I teach various aspects of martial arts here. If you are familiar with such things, you probably know I was sharing judo moves with my students when you came in. But I can assure you I have never taught that…particular move to any student, ever. Including Mr. Colby.”

“What particular move?”

He sat silently for perhaps ten seconds, which is longer than it sounds. Try it. Then finally he spoke, quietly. Gravely.

“It is known as migi-hiza age-ate ryo-ken ryo-soku hiki-oroshi.”

“That’s a mouthful in any language.”

He nodded, once. “A lot of words for a simple move, one that is useful in particular in close quarters. It is a concealed bunkai, a move hidden in plain sight—a self-defense technique that can save a life…and take one.”

“What the hell is it exactly?”