‘Ah yes.’ Kodaka was wearing a light raincoat over his workaday suit and was carrying a small travelling bag as well as a bulging shoulder bag. ‘Of course.’

‘Did you forget something?’

‘My notebook.’ He patted his jacket pocket. ‘It was stupid of me to leave it here.’ It was also unlike him.

‘When is your train?’

‘I am on the nine ten Nozomi.’ He glanced at the clock behind the reception desk. ‘There is time.’ He seemed suddenly to relax. ‘Will you walk with me to the station? We can talk on the way.’

Tokyo Station was an easy walk from their office, easier than usual, in fact, so early on a Saturday morning. They moved at an expeditious clip past the towering headquarters of assorted Japanese financial institutions. Wada suddenly realized she didn’t actually know where the Nishizaki Corporation’s HQ was situated. It could be just round the next corner for all she knew.

Kodaka seemed to read her thoughts. ‘Nishizaki’s head office is in Ginza,’ he said. ‘More places to entertain clients, I guess.’

‘Have you ever handled a case involving Nishizaki before, Kodaka-san?’

‘Maybe this case does not involve him.’

‘Maybe.’

‘And maybe I have not answered your question. Is that what you are thinking?’

‘I had no luck with the photograph.’

‘You have already tried?’

‘Waiting would not have helped.’

‘You have booked your flight also?’

‘JAL, Monday morning. As we discussed.’

‘And the Envoy Hotel?’

‘I have a room there.’

‘Much will have changed in forty-two years. I am not sure staying at the same hotel will tell you anything.’

‘I have to stay somewhere.’

‘You have a brother in New York, I think you told me once.’

‘Yes.’ Haruto was, if anything, more of a disappointment to their mother than she was. At least she’d been married. Haruto had never even managed that. ‘He is with Nomura Securities.’

‘When did you last see him?’

At their father’s funeral was the answer. But she preferred to be less specific. ‘Three years ago.’

‘Too long. You should arrange a visit.’

‘Perhaps when we are less busy.’

‘Ah yes.’ Kodaka looked up at the sky as they waited to cross the next street. Wada looked as well. Whether she saw what Kodaka saw she couldn’t have said. ‘I wonder when that will be.’

No more was said about Nishizaki. Kodaka’s silence on the subject hung between them, not as an awkwardness so much as a suspended question.

Tokyo Station was already busy with weekend travellers. Wada and Kodaka were two inconspicuous figures in the bustle. Kodaka squinted up at the Shinkanzen information board for news of his train.

‘On time,’ said Wada. ‘Platform sixteen.’

Kodaka smiled. ‘Thank you.’

‘I wish you a successful trip.’

‘You also. Proceed carefully with Caldwell. Give him nothing. We need information. We do not need to give him information.’

‘That may be difficult.’

‘Regarding Nishizaki …’

‘Yes?’