No, Shoji had to prolong the conversation. ‘You know where Yoko is, don’t you?’
A long pause, enough for the orchestra to play a few bars. ‘The only thing you need to know is that she is safe, and you need to move on with your life without her. None of this would have happened if you had followed the rules and hadn’t been so reckless.’
Shoji hated to admit it, but there was some truth in that.
‘You should stop being so weighed down by your past.’
‘Are you giving me life advice?’
‘There is merit in listening to your elders.’
The man laughed and hung up, but Shoji kept the receiver in his hand.
He glanced out of the telephone booth. The glass was coated with fog. He could hardly make out what was outside, but one thing for certain — he was being watched.
AKAKAWA DAILY
Teenage Girl Killed During Robbery in Swimming Pool
1 JUNE 1973
Akakawa, Japan. A 14-year-old girl was fatally wounded during a robbery at a swimming pool in Akakawa.
Umi Harada, a local teenager, was found by the building’s cleaner, lying in a pool of blood, at around 8.00 am. She was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. According to Inspector Tanaka from Akakawa Police, her death is estimated to have occurred between 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm the previous day.
The victim is the daughter of the swimming pool’s owners. At the time of the incident, the pool was closed for maintenance. It is not clear why Harada was there.
‘The cause of death has been identified as head trauma,’ Inspector Tanaka said in a statement to the press. ‘There were signs of a struggle and the victim’s valuables were missing.’
No one in the neighbourhood had reported anything suspicious.
‘I didn’t know there was a robbery,’ said Mr Matsui, the owner of the drinks stall that operated near the swimming pool. ‘Everything was peaceful until the police came this morning.’
Inspector Tanaka told the press that investigators were reviewing robbery cases around the area to see if they could be connected to the homicide. Anyone who has information that might be related is asked to contact the Akakawa Police Office.
The victim’s family refused to give any comments to the press and asked for privacy.
Harada was a student at the nearby Akakawa High School. Her form teacher, Miss Kobayashi, described her as outgoing and cheerful.
‘Harada was a popular student,’ said Miss Kobayashi. ‘She brought laughter and joy to the class. Everyone is in disbelief. She will be greatly missed.’
The school is planning to hold an assembly in her memory.
CHAPTER 15
THE ROLLING ACORN
Swirling his third glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shoji stared at the massive chandelier. The suspended crystal caught the light, reflecting a rich array of colours. He sniffed his wine, wondering how the hotel staff cleaned the chandelier. Perhaps they lowered it.
Lately, he’d been attending work parties at least once a week, which he didn’t enjoy. Crowded places made him uneasy. Even when he knew people, he still felt like he didn’t belong. Luckily, the alcohol usually made it more bearable.