The fine art of uncanny.., p.12
The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction, page 12
‘Answer some questions for a researcher hired by a foreign historian who’s working on a book about the post-war Japanese film industry.’
‘You would be the researcher, Kodaka-san?’
‘I would.’
‘And the historian?’
‘American. Or French, maybe. Someone Rinzaki’s unlikely to check up on.’
‘And how do you know me?’
‘I’m the friend of a cousin of yours.’
Jinno looks as if he’s taking the idea seriously, which Kodaka isn’t sure is good news. But it’s too late to withdraw the suggestion. ‘That could work. I think he would probably agree to meet you. He would not want to refuse a request from me. But what would you be able to learn from him?’
‘I don’t know. But his answers to my questions might lead us towards the truth. And if not …’
‘We would have lost nothing.’
‘Exactly.’
‘But to pass yourself off as a researcher you would have to display some knowledge of the Japanese film industry.’
‘I am used to passing myself off as someone I am not. It’s part of my job.’
Jinno nods decisively. ‘Then I will approach Rinzaki and ask for the favour. If he agrees …’
‘I will prepare myself accordingly.’
‘Very well. Yes. I approve.’ Jinno doesn’t smile. But he does look mildly encouraged.
Though whether he should be Kodaka is far from sure.
On the train back to Tokyo Station, Kodaka gives further thought to his proposal, which he’s beginning to regret. If he’s to learn anything from Rinzaki, he’ll have to give a good impression of being a student of Japanese film history. All he could currently say on the subject is that he started dreaming of following his father into the private detective business after watching various screen adaptations of the Yokomizo whodunnit novels he devoured as a teenager. Since he’s not planning to volunteer the fact that he’s a private detective, that sounds like a bad way to introduce himself.
There’s always the chance, of course, that Rinzaki will turn Jinno down, but Kodaka suspects otherwise and reluctantly concludes he’s going to have to read his way into the role. He leaves the train at Akihabara and switches to the subway, destination the bookshop district of Jimbocho, specifically the academic section of Kitazawa Shoten.
When he reaches his office several hours later, after an early lunch, he’s already waded through the first few chapters of the doorstop-sized Personalities and Practices in Japanese Cinema from the Occupation to the Video Age and he’s checked the index for references to Rinzaki. There are several, but they merely detail the titles and relative popularity of his films. He’s evidently maintained a low profile in the business, despite his success and longevity.
Already, though, Kodaka has come to appreciate the many and different challenges Rinzaki has had to confront in his career, particularly at its outset, when every film produced required the approval of the Americans. And he’s begun to see just how valuable the assistance of a SCAP insider like Clyde Braxton is likely to have been at that time. Where Arinobu Jinno fits in he can’t imagine, but at least he’ll be able to ask a few intelligent questions if and when the time comes.
Kodaka has read another few chapters between unrelated calls by the end of the day. He’s preparing to head home, probably via a bar, when a call comes in. From Teruki Jinno.
‘I have spoken to Rinzaki, Kodaka-san. He raised no objection to meeting you. He seemed, in fact, eager to cooperate. He was as courteous as ever, though now, of course, his courtesy leaves a sour taste in my mouth. But … so far so good.’
‘When does he want to see me?’
‘He suggested Wednesday. Which he will be spending at his country residence. He said it would be more … comfortable … if you met him there.’ The country residence has to be the ‘fancy house in landscaped grounds up near Chichibu’ described by Dan Perlman. It seems Kodaka is destined to get a closer look at it than Perlman managed. ‘You are to phone his secretary to confirm the arrangements and be given directions.’
‘I’ll do that.’
‘I wish you luck.’
‘You should wish us both luck, Jinno-san. This is probably our best chance of learning the truth.’
‘Be sure you make the most of it, then.’
‘I intend to.’
Rinzaki has given them this chance, without even knowing he has done so. Kodaka cannot predict the outcome. His profession does not deal in certainties. But he has an advantage now. And he means to press it.
2022
WADA HAD DECIDED BEFORE FUNAKI LEFT HER OFFICE ON MONDAY evening – though she did not explicitly tell him so – that she would travel to Matsuda Sanso the following day. There was no certainty she would learn anything of value from the trip. But she hoped for answers to some questions. What kind of a place was it? Who owned it? And what could have drawn Daiju Endo there?
The map Funaki had given her showed a wooded landscape in hilly country south-east of Chichibu. Some hiking trails were marked, in addition to roads and railway lines. Matsuda Sanso was merely a tiny square indicating a large structure, with no details of the extent of the property. Hiking trails that ran close to it looked as if they could be reached from one of the stops on the Agano to Chichibu railway line and that was how Wada intended to approach.
Trains to Agano ran from Ikebukuro, so Wada had planned to go straight there in the morning, only to discover when she came to load her shoulder-bag that she’d left her binoculars at the office. They were likely to prove invaluable for a surveillance exercise, so there was nothing for it but to divert to Nihombashi first.
She hurried into the lobby of the Kono Building, intent on fetching the binoculars and heading for Ikebukuro as quickly as possible, but something in the posture of the woman sitting on the visitors’ couch by the reception desk told her it wasn’t going to be as straightforward as that.
‘Umiko Wada?’ the woman queried. She was quite tall, elegantly dressed, perhaps over-dressed for the weather, in a long fur coat. Her hair was immaculately styled. She had fine features weathered by age, arched eyebrows, a well-defined jawline and an unwavering gaze. She looked as if she was used to being given whatever she wanted. She also looked as if she considered Wada’s highly practical outfit – complete, on this occasion, with walking boots – a serious lapse of taste.
‘I am Wada, yes.’
‘I am Hisako Jinno. Formerly Nagata.’
They exchanged brittle bows. The porter was watching them closely whilst trying to look as if he wasn’t. Wada suspected he would be relieved when Hisako Jinno vacated the lobby.
‘I would like to speak to you in private, Wada-san.’
‘Please come up to my office. We can talk there.’
‘Thank you.’
They entered the lift. Wada wondered whether to attempt any kind of conversation during the ride up, but this question was resolved by the late arrival, just as the doors began to slide shut, of a man who worked in the insurance brokerage one floor above Wada’s office. The three ascended in silence, while Wada pondered what Hisako Jinno might want with her. Nothing good, she surmised.
They exited the lift and walked to the door with Kodaka Detective Agency inscribed in the frosted glass panel in somewhat old-fashioned calligraphy. She unlocked it and went in, switching on the lights. Jinno followed.
‘You work alone?’ she asked, glancing around the room, from which half-open doors led to three further rooms.
‘I do.’
‘What happened to Kodaka?’
‘He died.’
A small expression of regret would have been appropriate. Jinno ventured none. ‘Yet you continued.’
‘Yes.’
‘A strange choice.’
‘It did not seem strange to me.’
‘It would to most people.’
‘Will you come into my office?’ Wada pointed towards the door that led to it. ‘May I offer you tea?’
‘No tea.’ The refusal bordered on the curt.
‘Can I take your coat?’
‘I will not be here long.’ Jinno strode ahead into Wada’s office and went straight to the window. ‘You have a striking view,’ she added as Wada caught up with her.
‘I am glad you like it.’
‘Such premises as these, in Nihombashi, for one woman …’ Jinno shook her head in what seemed to be disapproval, though whether of what she perceived as Wada’s extravagance or her effrontery was unclear. She turned and looked directly at Wada. ‘I am told my estranged husband, Fumito Nagata, has engaged you to look for our son, Manjiro. You can confirm this?’
‘I do not discuss my clients with third parties, Jinno-san.’
‘But you do not deny it.’
‘As I say, I do not—’
‘Enough.’ Jinno raised her hand imperiously. ‘We both know that what I have said is true. You will gain nothing by pretending otherwise.’
‘What will I lose?’
Jinno nodded, as if reaching a not unexpected conclusion. ‘I see you have a proud nature, Wada-san. Perhaps it is necessary for a woman undertaking the kind of work you do. You are unmarried, of course?’
‘I am a widow.’
‘Would your late husband … approve of your occupation?’
‘That must be between me and my late husband.’
‘Very well. Let us speak clearly. I am aware of the enquiries you have made on Fumito’s behalf. He did not consult me before engaging your services. If he had, I would have advised him not to.’
‘Do you know where your son is, Jinno-san?’
‘Yes. I do.’ There was little doubt in Wada’s mind that this was true. Hisako Jinno knew exactly where her son was. She always had. ‘Do you?’
‘You know I don’t. His apartment in Musashino is unoccupied, though elaborate methods have been employed to create the impression that he still lives there.’
‘Is that so?’
‘You know it is.’
‘And what else do you think you have … established?’
‘I have no intention of discussing the case further with you, Jinno-san. To do so would be unethical.’
‘I will tell you now what you need to know,’ said Jinno in the steadiest of tones. ‘The problems Manjiro has experienced in his life have mostly been caused by the harmful influence of my estranged husband. Manjiro has recently decided, with my agreement and understanding, to cut himself off from his father, to have no contact with him and to make it impossible to be contacted by him. This may explain why certain … measures … have been taken in relation to the apartment in Musashino. As Manjiro’s mother, I mean to ensure that his … complete separation … from his father continues … for as long as it needs to.’
‘I see.’ In reality, Wada did not see. Fumito Nagata was no ogre. However bad a father he might have been, these tactics were extreme. Suspiciously so.
‘I must ask you to cease your enquiries and to allow Manjiro to lead his life as he wishes – without interference from his father.’
‘Perhaps you should explain that to his father.’
‘I do not propose to have any direct communication with Fumito. Like Manjiro, I find I thrive on his absence from my life. I do not object to you telling Fumito that Manjiro is well and living as he wishes to. That should supply him with as much reassurance as he requires – or is entitled to.’
‘I doubt he will find such reassurance sufficient.’
‘Simply tell him to leave the matter alone, Wada-san. You understand?’
Wada bowed. ‘I will tell him.’
‘And you will stop looking for Manjiro?’
Wada looked Jinno in the eye. ‘I will do what my client instructs me to do.’
‘That is not good enough.’
‘It will have to be.’
‘There are legal steps I can take against you if you force me to do so.’
Were there? Wada thought not. Jinno was surely bluffing. And two could play that game. ‘I suppose Manjiro could apply for an order forbidding his father from contacting or seeking to contact him, by which I would be bound. But I doubt he would succeed in such an application. And I imagine the process would be very time-consuming. I see no part for you to play in it.’
Jinno stepped away from the window and closed on Wada. ‘It would be unwise to make an enemy of me,’ she said, speaking slowly to emphasize her meaning.
‘I am not trying to make an enemy of you. But I cannot allow you to interfere in my dealings with a client. I will pass your message on to him. That is all I can do to meet your demands.’
‘I hope for your sake it is enough – and that we do not have occasion to meet again.’
So saying, Jinno swept past Wada, who felt the soft brush of fur against her wrist as she went. She did not close the door behind her as she left the offices of the Kodaka Detective Agency. She simply left.
Wada waited until she heard the ping of the lift arriving before going out to close the door herself. Then she went back into her office and took a position by the window, from which she would be able to see her visitor leave the building.
In Wada’s assessment, Hisako Jinno had made a serious tactical error. She should have presented herself as a distraught and doting mother, desperate to protect her son from the father who’d ruined his life. She should have pleaded for Wada’s help. Instead, she’d haughtily demanded Wada’s cooperation as if by right.
And that more or less guaranteed she wouldn’t get it.
The landline phone rang on Wada’s desk as she stood there, but, reluctant to leave the window, she decided to let the call go to answerphone. Below, she saw a dark limousine move slowly into position by the entrance to the Kono Building. A chauffeur slipped out of the driver’s seat and hurried round to open the rear door. Wada had no doubt he was there to collect Jinno.
Then she heard Fumito Nagata’s voice on the answerphone speaker. ‘Wada-san, this is Nagata. It is rather important I speak to you. Could you—’
Wada darted to the desk and picked up the phone. ‘Nagata-san?’
‘Ah, you are there. Good.’
‘There have been developments in the case, Nagata-san.’ She moved back to the window, letting the flex of the phone pay out behind her. Looking down, she saw Hisako Jinno glide into view. ‘I was planning to brief you tomorrow, after following up a lead today.’
‘I did not call to chase you for a report, Wada-san. I wanted to warn you … about an … unfortunate development.’
‘Does it concern your estranged wife?’ The estranged wife slid elegantly into the back seat of the limousine as Wada watched.
‘How did you know?’ Nagata sounded surprised.
‘She just left here.’
There was silence at the other end of the line, as Nagata absorbed the news. The chauffeur closed the passenger door and hurried round to the offside. Then Nagata said, ‘I am sorry, Wada-san. Hisako has … an overbearing nature.’
‘I noticed.’ The driver climbed into the limousine.
‘I only learnt this morning that, thanks to my stupidity, she has discovered I have engaged your services.’
‘May I ask how she discovered that?’ The limousine pulled away.
‘I confided in an old friend that I was planning to hire a private detective to find Manjiro. And I named the agency I was planning to use. My friend told his wife about it. She is still in touch with Hisako. It seems she thought Hisako ought to know. Again, I am sorry.’
‘Your apology is appreciated, Nagata-san. I would advise you not to confide in anyone about this.’
‘That lesson I have now learned. What did Hisako say to you?’
‘She knows where Manjiro is. Not at the apartment in Musashino, I should explain. I soon established that he no longer lives there, though he maintains a pretence of doing so. Or more likely she maintains the pretence on his behalf. She says he is well. She also says he does not wish to have any contact with you. She demanded I stop looking for him. She also wants me to urge you to stop looking as well.’
There was another lengthy silence, broken by Nagata sighing audibly. ‘This is monstrous,’ he murmured dolefully.
‘I am not urging you to stop, Nagata-san. And I will only stop if you instruct me to.’
‘I cannot understand this. What has she made Manjiro believe about me?’
‘I am not sure she has poisoned his mind against you at all.’
‘You’re not?’
‘I do not believe his disappearance has anything to do with you. The claim that he is determined to have no contact with you is … a smokescreen.’
‘A smokescreen for what?’
‘Other people are looking for your son. I believe he has fled from them, not you. But why – or to do what – I do not yet know. I hope to learn more soon.’
‘You will continue, then?’
‘If you want me to.’
‘Of course I do. But Hisako can be very intimidating. She always assumes people will do what she wants them to do. And that’s generally how it turns out.’
‘Not with me, Nagata-san.’
‘I am relieved to hear it. Though I’m sure you experienced … the force of her personality.’
‘I did.’
‘I used to wonder if she really was Japanese, you know. She behaves more like a … Chinese empress. Technically, of course, she could be Chinese.’
‘How so?’
‘Well, she was adopted. Arinobu Jinno and his wife could not have children of their own. Teruki and Hisako were both adopted. But they were of Japanese birth, I’m sure. Arinobu would not have taken foreign blood into the family. Still, sometimes I … wonder.’
‘That is interesting.’
‘Is it?’
‘Everything is, in a case such as this.’
‘If you—’
‘I must end this call, Nagata-san. I have a busy day ahead of me. I will report soon.’
‘Thank you. Most especially, thank you for not giving up.’
‘There is no need to thank me for that. Giving up is not in my nature.’
Pausing only to grab the binoculars and squeeze them into her bag, Wada headed out. She was still taking precautions against being followed, although nothing had happened to arouse suspicions of a tail since the incident on Saturday. Ikebukuro was a straight run from Tokyo Station on the subway, but she entered the station via the Yaezu underground arcade and spent some time drifting between access stairs to the Shinkansen platforms before she was satisfied no one was following her. Then she made for the subway.
