[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Jake tapped the side of his cup with his forefinger. "That could mean
Chesterton was in it and that they don't want anyone to trace him beyond
here."
"Norman and I believe Kyoto was Chesterton's final destination."
"Why--is Tora here?"
"Norman suspected that she was. He planned, once you'd arrived, to help you
find her."
Page 127
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
He asked, "Can you help me do that?"
"I should like to try, Mr. Cardigan," she said quietly. "That is, if you trust
me."
"I'm inclined to," he admitted. "But I'm going to have to do some checking
first."
"I understand." She gave him her vidphone number. "Contact me once you're
convinced I won't betray you." "I'm sorry about Itoko." "You never met him."
Jake said, "But I've met you."
':33:'
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
he kept finding him.
No matter how deftly Gomez slipped out of his tiny, expensive room at the
towering Kanashii Hotel and how careful he was to leave no trail, Natalie
continually managed to track him down.
For instance, at a little after midday he was in the Star-Spangled
Burgers restaurant on the edge of the Shiniuku neighborhood. Gomez had gone
there to meet with the private investigators his detective agency had arranged
for him to work with while he was in Tokyo.
"What a dump," commented Larry Kanzoo, returning to their small red table and
holding out his tray to Gomez. "Does that look like a Double
Gobchoker Burger to you?"
"Been a long time since I've viewed one, but it does seem close."
"Naw, they left off the flapping pickles." The Japanese private detective sat
down.
"Maybe you ought to search more thoroughly through that pile of food for
traces of--"
"And it's no use complaining. Naw, all the flapping robots behind the counter
are designed to be surly. That's because this hole is based on
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
an American burger joint. I hope to hell you feel at home here, Oomez."
"As a matter of fact, I'm more partial to Japanese fare. So if you lads would
like to switch venue, it's fine with me."
"What a sewer this is," said Leroy Kanzoo, returning to the table.
"Look what they're trying to pass off as a Double Fisherman's Dream
Burger. The head's still on the flapping trout."
"It's supposed to be, Leroy," said his younger brother.
"Naw, it isn't. Check the pie on the vidmenu right in front of yOU."
"I did earlier and you can definitely see little beady fish eyes peering out
Page 128
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
at you from under the lettuce if you look very carefully.
But quit complaining. Gomez says he loves this sinkhole, since it reminds him
of home."
"On the contrary, gents," he said. "But let's turn to business."
"The shipping crate you're interested in." Leroy lifted the topmost bun and
scowled at the fish lying there.
"We dug into the matter of that crate, which was delivered to the
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
esteemed Chikatetsu Merchandise, Ltd." outfit," said Larry. "By the way, do we
bill you direct for our services or send it along to
Cosmos?"
"Cosmos. Now tell me about the--"
"I can't eat anything that looks back at me," complained Leroy, "The crate,"
reminded Gomez, who wasn't eating anything. Larry took a bite of his burger,
chewed unenthusiastically for a moment. "You suspected that maybe some gink
was stashed in the crate that was delivered to
Chikatetsu on the date in question," he said finally.
"That's one possibility, si."
"But not in this instance, Gomez," said Leroy. "This particular case was
packed full to the brim with illegal Tek chips."
"You sure?"
The elder Kanzoo brother nodded. "The crate was seized by the Tokyo
Drug Enforcement Bureau two days after it arrived."
Gomez frowned. "Nothing like that showed up on the records we checked."
"That's because the TDEB gink who did the seizing neglected to file a
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
report."
Larry added, "Instead he made a substantial contribution to his retirement
fund by peddling the Tek to certain shifty merchants around town."
"Then that means--"
"Oh, crap," said Leroy. "Here comes that carrot-topped bimbo again."
Glancing around, Gomez spotted Natalie Dent making her way through the tables
toward him. "join us for lunch, Nat?" he inquired cordially.
The redhaired reporter halted beside the table, stood surveying him with
disappointment showing clearly on her face. "You haven't exactly stuck to our
bargain."
"Goodbye, Gomez." Gathering up his burger, Larry departed.
"We'll keep in touch." Leroy followed his brother out, leaving his burger at
Page 129
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]