Reckoning - Chapter 10

Ryo blinked as she closed the door behind her. What the hell?

“I told you she has the hots for you!” Mick clapped his hands together like a delighted toddler. “Did I tell you or didn’t I tell you?” He pouted. “Now I’m jealous again.”

“Who are you?” Saeko asked.

Mick jumped to his feet, took her hand, and brushed his lips over her knuckles gallantly. “Mick Angel, at your service. Anything you need, I’m your man. And by anything, I mean anything.”

Saeko tugged her hand free and glared at Ryo. “Your friend, I take it.”

Still reeling from Kaori’s smile and words, Ryo blinked. “You’re pissed off at me now?”

She looked at him with regret. “No, I’m not. Sorry, it’s just…” She shook her head.

The pain from before, when Kaori confronted her, was still in her eyes. He had had no idea. Makimura hadn’t said anything, and neither had she. Now, he finally understood what had made Saeko so protective of Kaori…At least before, when they all thought the woman was Maki’s sister. She’d been the only connection left to the man Saeko had loved. Left. And lost.

“Saeko…”

She shook her head again. “I don’t want to talk about it. Not now.”

“You’ll have to talk about it, eventually,” he murmured, not really knowing where this sudden need to comfort her, the sudden need to talk, came from. Damn it, he sympathized.

“No offense, but you’ll be the last one I talk about it with,” she said with a grimace. “She was right, you never know what you have until you lose it. So don’t be an idiot, Ryo.” Her eyes swam with tears. “No matter what happened, don’t make the same mistake I did. Trust me, pride isn’t worth the regrets.”

What he thought had been between Kaori and him might’ve been similar to what had happened between Saeko and Makimura. The regrets sure were there, along with a strange relief nothing had happened, because then it would’ve hurt a thousand times more. If that was even possible.

But in reality, what was between Kaori and him was not even remotely close to what Saeko and Maki had had. At least not on her part. She’d pretended everything; she’d pretended to care, because she’d been playing a role. Giving him what she’d thought he wanted.

In reality, she didn’t give a damn, despite her words, her smile…He shook his head like a wet dog. He had to stop thinking about it, about her; it was all an illusion. Her apology about not wanting to hurt him might’ve sounded sincere, but that was all she felt. Sorry. Sorry for hurting him or maybe sorry he’d found out like this. Maybe she felt regret about it. Nothing more. Right?

“What is that?” he asked, as she pulled a thin, black tablet out of her bag.

Saeko grimaced. It was obvious she wanted to say more, but she refrained, as she dropped the bag onto the floor, holding the mean-looking tablet gingerly as if it might explode at any second. “The missing documents. All of them,” she said with a pointed look at him.

“How?”

She shrugged. “It was on my desk. It contains everything. Even the data that I know has been redacted on the official documents.” She dropped heavily down onto the sofa, as if her knees weren’t holding her anymore. “Hideyuki’s entire file,” she said, her voice shaking as she swiped her finger on the screen.

Ryo winced. God only knew what she found. More stuff she had had no idea about, probably.

Another swipe. “Her file.”

Ryo swallowed. His fingers were itching to grab the tablet, so he quickly stuffed his hands back into his pockets.

“The Union file.” Saeko sighed. “You know what all three files have in common?”

“Hmm?” He was distracted, eyes on the tablet in her hands.

“You.”

He started and looked at her. Blinked. “What?”

“You feature in all of them.” Her expression was grim as she tapped on the tablet screen. “It’s the only data I can’t access.” She cursed under her breath. “It’s stored in a sub-file that needs additional authentication.”

“How did you access the rest?” Umibozu asked. “I assume she didn’t leave it unlocked.”

Saeko pursed her mouth. “Fingerprint. The original file was named after me. The sub-file is named after you, Ryo.” She offered him the tablet. “Maybe…”

He took the tablet on autopilot while mentally scoffing. There was no way he would be able to access anything. He pressed the link with his name…And his eyes widened as he skimmed the data.

It was all there. His entire history in Central America, after, in the States, his move to Japan. His training with Kaibara, all available medical history, missions, known associates…

They’d known everything. She’d known everything.

Even, it seemed, his real name and birth date. It was blurred, though, redacted. 

A shiver ran up his spine. She knew his real name, she knew who he really was, where he came from…And she made sure no one else knew. Not even him. Why? To protect him? Or to use as leverage later?

He realized the others were talking. To him? With each other? He had no idea. He had no idea how long he’d been reading his own file.

“Hmm?”

“There is no other copy,” Saeko said. “I rechecked after I saw what she left me. Neither a physical nor a digital copy exists. Even that,” she nodded toward the tablet, “cannot be downloaded, sent, shared, or printed. See the timer?”

He looked at the tablet and finally noticed the decreasing numbers in the lower right corner of the screen. A countdown with less than 3 hours remaining.

“The countdown started the moment I accessed the file,” Saeko explained. “I reckon the files will disappear when it reaches zero. These files, all the information on you, disappeared on purpose. She hid it for a reason.”

“She’s protecting you,” Umibozu growled.

Ryo stared at the four people closest to him, bar two, all looking at him with the same expression on their faces. A mix of amusement, awe, embarrassment, and smugness. Was it true? Was it even possible? Hadn’t it all been just pretend? Hadn’t it all been just a lie? “Well…shit.”

“She’s risking a lot doing this, Ryo,” Saeko explained. “Her career, most certainly, her freedom, probably. If her bosses find out…”

Mick grinned. “Did I call it or didn’t I call it? Deny it all you want, it’s obvious. It’s all there.” He waved his hand toward the tablet.

“She’s probably doing it out of guilt,” Ryo mumbled.

“Oh, come on.” Mary sighed. “She told you.”

Umibozu lifted two fingers. “Twice.”

Mick nodded sagely. “And she wasn’t faking any of it. The mask was gone the moment Kaibara legged it.”

His head was reeling. “What mask?”

“Cop face,” Mick explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “When she arrested me, she had this pleasant smile on, but her eyes were empty. The same cop-face she was wearing when she confronted Kaibara, which pissed him off, actually. Not getting a reaction when he goaded her.” Mick grinned. “The cop-face vanished the moment she laid eyes on you.”

“Huh?”

“It was all foreplay afterwards. And not just on her side. It quickly turned several degrees hotter in here. Tell me,” Mick addressed the others, “was he always undressing her with his eyes? Champing at the bit to jump her bones?”

“Pretty much,” Mary chuckled.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Ryo growled.

Mick rolled his eyes. “Boy, falling in love sure made you thick.”

“He was always thick,” Umibozu interjected, his face and bald head crimson red, “but it’s gotten worse in the past four years. So, yeah.”

Mary and Saeko nodded sagely.

Ryo glowered, but it only made Umibozu smirk and the two women laugh. So much for sympathy between friends. “Get out,” he snarled. “All of you.”

Mick guffawed. “Did I hit a nerve?”

“Fuck off.”

“I did hit a nerve.”

“I’ll hit you,” Ryo growled.

Mick lifted his hands placatingly. “Come on, guys, let’s leave our star-crossed lover alone.”

“I swear to God, Mick—”

“I’m sure he’s itching to read a certain file,” Mick continued pointedly.

Ryo gritted his teeth, contemplating hurling the tablet at the blond’s head. It looked sturdy enough to really hurt and remain intact at impact.

“I say we go back to your place, Umi, and get shitfaced drunk. We might all die soon after all.”

“Aren’t we going after him tonight?” Mary asked, obviously itching for a fight.

“No.” Ryo shook his head for good measure. “Not tonight. He’s expecting it, why give him the satisfaction?”

“What do you mean?”

Ryo smirked. “Why do you think he came here in the first place? He knew I had no intention of joining the Union. No, it was all a strategy, to wound us up, so we’d immediately go to challenge him.”

Umibozu nodded. “True. I bet he has a small army protecting his yacht.”

“That’s why it’s better to wait and calm down so we can face him clear-headed and calm.”

Mick grinned. “Yeah, I bet it was Kaibara that got you all discombobulated and not—”

Mary elbowed him in the ribs. “Knock it out, Mick. You’re repeating yourself, and you’re starting to annoy me. Let him be.”

Ryo winked at her. “He’s just goading me so I’d kill him and save him from Kaibara’s retribution.”

“You wish.” Mick glared. “You better keep me alive, you’ll need my help when you confront the bastard.”

Ryo scowled. “I don’t need any help. I don’t want any help. You lot better stay away and let me do what I do best.

Mary sighed. “Ryo—”

“Steer clear of him. Didn’t you hear Kaori?” Did her name always sound so good? “She’d arrest you in a heartbeat.”

Mick scoffed. “I’m not afraid of her.”

“Because you don’t know her,” Ryo mumbled.

Mick looked from Ryo’s suddenly very pale visage to Umibozu, Mary, and Saeko, who were suddenly very busy staring at the ceiling. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Umibozu slammed his palm on his shoulder, almost sending him onto his knees. “It’s a long story, Blondie. One better told over drinks. Let’s go.”

“I’ll skip the drinks,” Sarko interjected. “I have to go back to the office. I’ve neglected my other cases long enough.”

“I’ll walk with you,” Mary chimed in. “I need my beauty sleep, and my hotel is on the way. Raincheck on the drinks.”

Mick pouted, then shrugged. “Fine, but I’m collecting on the rain check—from both of you—after we get rid of Kaibara.”

“Count on it,” Mary agreed.

Mick looked at Ryo. “Well, we’ll just leave you to your light reading,” he said, pointing at the tablet. “Your Kaori might’ve used different words, but don’t be an idiot, buddy. Call us when you’re ready to rumble. We’ll watch your six.” A pause. “But not too early tomorrow.” He winked. “I’m planning on nursing one hell of a hangover.”

And, after what seemed like ages, Ryo was finally alone and in blessed silence.

Suddenly drained, he dropped down onto the sofa with a weary sigh, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. It’s been one hell of an afternoon. The reunion with the man who raised him, made him.

The reunion with the woman who had remade him.

Kaori.

Fuck it, but it had felt good seeing her. Listening to her voice. Having her near. It still hurt, but the pain had lessened. It was more of a dull ache. She’d soothed it, soothed him, as only she knew how.

Ryo opened his eyes, contemplating the ceiling.

Why had she come today?

Sure, she’d explained and apologized. She could’ve done it some other time, or not at all. So why did she come? Why today of all days? Because she knew Kaibara would come to see him? But why did she come? To warn him? Tell him not to approach the bastard? To pick up the pieces, soothe the pain she thought he’d feel at seeing the man after all this time?

She had certainly accomplished that. He never thought of the man the entire time she’d been there. And even now, the only thing he felt for the man he’d considered a father was slight disappointment. No pain, no ache, nothing. Just disappointment.

And blood-chilling fear at what the bastard might do to Kaori if she confronted him. He could only hope she’d told the truth earlier about going home to deal with paperwork and wasn’t on her way to Kaibara’s yacht. Because there was no chance in hell she’d do it alone. She wouldn’t do it at all if he had any say in the matter.

Why did she come today? Why had she arrested Mick? Why had she prevented Mick from trying to kill him? Why did she make the file on the Union, on him, disappear? Why was she risking so much? Was it really to protect him? But why?

Could it be?

Did she really love him? Why? How?

He sighed. It was much easier to think she didn’t care, that she’d merely pretended, performed a role. Now, everything was even more askew than before. What was he supposed to do or say? Was he supposed to do or say something? How was he supposed to act?

He rolled his eyes at his sappiness. What was the point of all this mental acrobatics? It was all wishful thinking. He’d probably never see her again. When this thing with Kaibara was over, she’d disappear out of his life completely.

He swallowed the lump of pain the thought brought and looked down at the tablet in his lap.

One touch of his finger and the screen came to life, the timer in the corner inexorably counting down…time slipping through his fingers. Just like her.

He rolled his eyes again, calling himself all sorts of idiot, and exited his file. He didn’t have to read it, he knew it, he’d lived it.

He flexed his fingers as he stared at the tablet. It probably wouldn’t work…Still, it was worth a try.

Mentally berating himself, Ryo touched the link with her name…

And there it was. Her file.

He frowned at the photo of her in uniform. It made her look ordinary, while there was nothing ordinary about her. She wasn’t made to wear a uniform. She was supposed to wear what she wore earlier. Tight, curve-hugging jeans and turtleneck, dangerously high heels, and a tailored blazer just long enough to hide her badge and out-of-the-norm gun.

He skimmed her bio. She was 34, not 24, as they’d all thought, which explained the career and rank. An only child, daughter of a career policeman—there must’ve been something in the Makimura blood—a psych graduate.

“Figures,” he mumbled.

Joined the MPD SAT right after the academy and became a member of the anti-firearms squad of the Riot Police Unit. Which explained the choice of weapon. And propensity for violence.

He chuckled.

He slid his finger on the screen to access the next page…and his eyes narrowed. She’d completed the FBI program in Quantico just a few weeks before her little cousin’s death. And immediately after she joined the Drug and Firearms Countermeasures Division, she worked undercover at her deceased cousin’s high school to bring down the trafficking ring.

Meeting him in the process.

He skimmed the citations, accolades, and awards section, a slight grin forming. So, she was hard-working, tough, and driven. He really didn’t need a file to tell him that. He’d witnessed it firsthand.

Ryo sighed, dropped the tablet back into his lap, and looked out the window at the darkened sky.

 

On a remote private pier in Tokyo harbor, underneath the same dark sky with a spattering of stars, Rosemary Moon, clad in a body-hugging neoprene suit that left nothing to the imagination, jumped into a speedboat and, with a silent apology, started the engine…