Jack was brought a pen and paper and quickly jotted down four questions:

Have you ever purposely lied to, or deceived the police?

Have you ever committed crimes that you could be jailed for?

Have you ever disposed of and hidden a body of a murdered man?

Have you ever orchestrated or committed murder?

Sato soon appeared in the bedroom doorway again and motioned for Lee to come over before whispering the results of his findings.

“You are certain?” asked Lee.

“He answered yes to all four questions. With some of the earlier questions, my findings were inconclusive, but with these questions I am positive he is telling the truth. I also asked him how many murders he had been responsible for. He told me he had lost count. I believe him.”

“Which questions were inconclusive?” asked Lee. “Anything significant?”

“His answer to transferring money. He believes it to be available, but has some hesitation about his colleagues delivering it. It could be a simple control issue. He likes to have absolute control and lacks faith in others.”

“That, or he doubts our ability to deliver,” replied Lee. “He did not climb to the top by completely relying on others. What else was inconclusive?”

“The first question when I asked him his name brought an inconclusive result. I asked him if he has used other names. He admitted he had, but refused to say what they were.”

Lee smiled and said, “In his business that is not unusual. The important thing is he sounds like he is suited to work with our organization. Come, it is time to leave.”

Moments later, Jack gave Laura a heartfelt hug and looked over her shoulder at Lee and said, “Satisfied? Can we meet the boss now?”

“Your suitcases are still in the van,” said Lee. “All we need is you.”

At seven-thirty that night, Jack and Laura looked out the passenger window of a Falcon 50EX private jet as it lifted off the runway, leaving the twinkling lights of Koh Samui far behind. They were not told their destination and were still not being allowed to use their cellphones.

Laura felt Jack’s reassuring squeeze on her hand. She looked across at Sato and Da Khlot who were both staring at them. Oh, man …

In a seat toward the front of the cabin, Lee relaxed while sipping on a Grand Marnier. Tomorrow Jack will complete his final test. That will not be a problem. He has obviously murdered many times before.

36

They were in the air seven hours, but with the time difference, it was actually five-thirty Saturday morning when the jet touched down on a foggy, wet runway.

Lee came to the back of the plane, grinning like a Shakespearian theatre mask. He bowed deeply before Jack and Laura and with a flourish of his arm he said, “Welcome to Osaka!”

“We’re in Japan?” asked Laura, giving Jack a look like she was accusing him.

“Kon-ni-chi-wa,” said Lee, carefully annunciating the word. “It means hello.”

“Really?” replied Laura. “How about sayonara instead?”

“Come on, sweetie,” said Jack. He looked up at Lee and said, “She’s tired.”

A van picked them up and took them to a private room where a customs official quickly stamped their passports. Moments later, they boarded a chauffeured stretch limousine. Once more, Jack and Laura found themselves sitting across from Da Khlot and Sato.

“How long before we’re there?” asked Jack.

“About three hours,” replied Lee, smiling understandingly at Laura’s tired groan.

Jack tried to pay attention to the roads and signs they passed, but had little success, due to his lack of familiarity with Japanese characters. The only two signs he recognized were NISSAN and TOYOTA. He felt uncomfortable under Sato’s constant gaze and decided to feign sleeping. But minutes later, he wasn’t feigning.

Jack and Laura each awoke about two hours later. The limo was driving through a mountainous area on switchback roads. Sato and Lee were asleep, but Da Khlot sat silently, staring blankly at them.

Eventually the limo arrived at a resort and slowed down, waking those who had been sleeping.

“It is an onsen,” explained Lee. “A resort that incorporates a mineral hot spring to soak in. Extremely popular in Japan. The food served is also exquisite. Multiple courses, including a wide variety of dishes. Later, you both must try it.”

The limo drove past a public parking area and took a small lane up a steep incline behind the resort. The area they drove through looked like an immaculately kept park, dotted with a selection of both bonsai and cherry trees.

“I’ve heard of onsens,” replied Jack. “You bath nude in public hot springs, correct?”

Lee pursed his lips in a grin and then said, “I understand that Westerners dislike bathing naked in public. I should tell you, that for the most part, men and women are separated, each with their own private facility to bathe in.”

“For the most part?” asked Laura.

Lee pointed to a small structure of wooden screens and clumps of bamboo strategically located halfway up the hill from the resort. A small stream that billowed steam bubbled out from the ground higher up the hill, flowed down through the structure, then disappeared into the ground again before reaching the resort below.

“There,” said Lee, “is a private location for a man and a woman. Popular with honeymooners, but perhaps we can reserve some time for the both of you.”

“I would really like that,” said Jack, ignoring Laura’s heel as she stepped on his toes.

At the top of the incline, the limo parked in front of a four-storey mansion built in traditional Japanese style with an intricate gabled roof and tiled ends.

“This is the home of Mister Fukushima,” said Lee. “He owns the onsen that you see down the hill. He is the man we refer to secretly as The Shaman.”

“And how should I address Mister Fukushima?” asked Jack.

“You should refer to him as Fukushima-san.

“I have heard of the title sensei following a name in regard to a teacher,” said Laura, “or someone teaching karate simply being referred to as sensei. I am not familiar with San.”

“San is used in Japan to show respect,” replied Lee. “Sort of like Mister or Missus, except with the Japanese it can also be used after either the first or last name. San is not gender specific. You are also right about sensei being used in regard to someone like a teacher or perhaps a lawyer. Actually Fukushima-san is a master of kenjutsu, a form of Japanese martial art involving sword fighting. He does not teach kenjutsu, so the use of sensei with his name would be inappropriate.”

“Handy guy to have in the kitchen,” suggested Jack.

“Be careful, Jack,” warned Lee. “He is familiar with Western culture, but he is old school when it comes to honour and respect. What may be humour in your culture, may be considered a slap in the face here. If you insult Fukushima-san it would be a … fatal mistake.”

They were ushered inside into an elevator and brought directly to a bedroom on the third floor. Here, two futons were laid out on bamboo mats, and there were two silk kimonos and slippers at the entranceway. An ensuite off the bedroom offered a bath and shower.

“When do we meet Fukushima-san?” asked Jack.

“At twelve-thirty for lunch, after you have bathed and had a chance to rest,” replied Lee. “Leave your clothes by the door and they will be taken and cleaned. It will be appropriate to wear the kimonos around the building. Laura, the pale green kimono is yours. Jack, the blue.”