Page 45 of Over the Top

“This is a matter requiring extreme discretion, gentlemen.”

Drago commented dryly, “Between Mr. Newman and me, we have held most of the security clearances the United States government issues. We’ve worked with extreme discretion for most of our careers.”

The Japanese man bowed his head briefly. “A Japanese citizen by the name of Kenji Tanaka reported his young daughter missing several weeks ago.”

Great. This was going to be easy. Gunner would bring the kid to the Japanese embassy, hand her over, and she would be sent home to join her family.

“You claim to know of a young Japanese child, a girl, who might be his daughter?”

“We make no such claim,” Drago said cautiously.

Spencer’s gaze snapped to Drago. Dray’s instincts must have fired off some sort of warning to him. Otherwise he wouldn’t be so cagey with this guy.

“Who is Kenji Tanaka?” Drago asked politely.Too politely. What did he know that Spencer didn’t?

The man from the embassy answered, “He is an architect in Tokyo. He designs and builds high-rise buildings and major architectural projects around the world.”

“So he’s a wealthy man?” Drago followed up.

“Yes.”

“Has ransom been demanded for his daughter?” Drago asked.

“That is sensitive information, sir.”

“Not really. She was kidnapped, and the kidnappers either demanded money or they didn’t.”

Spencer frowned. Who would kidnap a little kid andnotdemand ransom? He pondered that while the man shifted into Japanese with CIA Joe once more. Even though he didn’t speak Japanese, it sounded like Joe was being treated to a solid dose of diplomatic doublespeak that amounted to a nonanswer.

Joe shrugged apologetically. “He really can’t answer that question.”

“Because he doesn’t know or isn’t allowed to say?” Drago demanded.

Spencer was watching the man from the embassy’s face closely when Drago snapped the words, and he saw all he needed to see. A shadow passed through the man’s eyes. The guy knew the answer and was refusing to tell them.

The man asked, “Do you know where the child is now?”

Drago glanced at Spencer, who answered smoothly, “No, we don’t. We merely heard that she might have been seen in the vicinity of a crime a while back, and we were asking a few questions about who she might be.”

“Can you give us any further information that might help us locate her and return her to her father?” the man asked urgently.

“I’m sorry,” Drago said. “We cannot share any more with you than you’ve been able to share with us. But we do thank you for your hospitality. If we happen to locate the child and can help return her to her father, we most certainly will.”

Both of the other men looked troubled but didn’t press him and Drago any further.

Spencer followed Drago from the embassy and, as they drove away, demanded, “What was that all about?”

“You’ve never heard of the Tanaka family who builds high-rise buildings all over Japan, have you?” Drago murmured.

“Enlighten me.”

“They’re only one of the oldest and most powerful Yakuza clans in all of Asia. For decades, perhaps centuries, they’ve controlled the construction industry in Japan.”

“You think Gunner has landed in the middle of a Yakuza feud? They’re like the Japanese mob, aren’t they?” Spencer exclaimed.

“Yes, and I think it’s possible. Probable, even. Your boy’s in serious danger if he’s got one of the Tanaka kids.”

Great. Just great.

---