“I know what he used to do,” Sakura cut in. “He told me. That he’s… that he’s done bad things. I just want to know what he was like back then.”

Victoria gazed into the middle distance, as if calling a memory back. “Intense. He’s the kind of man who, if he says he’s going to do something, he absolutely will do it. And he was troubled, too. He had this habit where you’d be talking and he’d suddenly glaze over and look right through you.”

“Can I ask you something personal?”

Victoria smiled. “Were John and I seeing each other?”

Sakura nodded.

“Is it obvious?”

“It was obvious to me,” she said. “It might not be to everyone.”

“To Jean-Michel, you mean?” She shook her head and dropped down onto the sofa. “He knows. I told him before I said that John could come out here. It’s ancient history. He was different then and I was different then. We both were.”

“How long were you together?”

“I wouldn’t say we were ever together,” Victoria said. “It wasn’t a relationship—not a serious one, anyway. It was just… you know.”

“Sex?”

She nodded. “We were both pretty messed up. Neither of us were happy with our lives, and we relied on other things too much to help us keep going. Sex was just another thing. We were both fucked up, in our own ways, and that was probably what drew us together. Two fuck-ups against the world.”

“And alcohol?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Neither of you drink now.”

Victoria looked away. “I shouldn’t say too much—it’s not my place, at least not when it comes to him—but that was a problem I had, yes. I’ve been sober for six years. It was the best thing I ever did—I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now if I hadn’t made some pretty serious changes. I left my job, sold everything I owned, and got on a plane. I ended up here, met Jean-Michel, and that’s that.”

“And how’s he changed?”

“John? He seems to have developed a conscience.” She chuckled. “He’s looking for lost souls who need his help. You might have been lucky to find him. John can be relentless. The people who are after you? They’re going to find their lives have become a lot more difficult.”

They both heard the sound of footsteps approaching the door of the villa and turned as Jean-Michel opened it and he and Milton came inside.

“Ready?” Jean-Michel said.

“Now?” Sakura replied.

“It’s all sorted. We need to get the two of you to the harbour.”

55

Katsuro stayed back, out of sight. He followed as Sakura and the gaijin, together with Victoria Deschamps and the man he guessed was her husband, made their way through the hotel grounds in the direction of the staff parking lot.