Part IV
The young Japanese man re-entered his hotel room. It was a nice enough room - when the brat wasn't in here with him. No matter. After today, he would not be saddled with a job so far beneath him as babysitting.
He straightened his tie as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Everything was going perfectly. He would have money, recognition and get even with the Ambassador all in this one simple plan. He was practicing his speeches and his responses to the television and print medias in his head. He didn't want to sound rehearsed, but he wanted everything to come across just right.
No - no. I did nothing any other man would not have done. I am just gratified that through my small efforts, the Ambassador's son is safely back home.
In his mind's eye, he could see the women viewing him with admiration. So young, so brave, so handsome and yet still so modest. Oh yes - after this, he would have his choice of women. And not only women. He would become a national hero - the loyal Second Secretary to the Ambassador taking on the kidnappers in the spirit of the samurai of old. Half of the chore of rising in the diplomatic core was getting name recognition. That he would have very soon along with his picture on the front page of every paper in Japan.
He was still admiring himself when the tap came at the door.
"I trust everything has been taken care of?"
"Actually? The uhm – men lost him, sir."
With darkening eyes, the man slowly turned away from his beloved reflection.
"You are telling me these men I paid to do the job lost a five year old boy? I practically hand him to them and they lost him?"
"The men say they were attacked and the man took the child from them."
The Second Secretary's eyes got even darker.
"The man. One man?"
The way the man swallowed answered the question.
"Find them."
"And when we do?"
"You already know what to do with the boy. Kill the man."
Meanwhile the rest of the team were settling into their seats for the Jungle Cruise since Mother Baracus had expressed interest in it. Hannibal felt half-way drowsy sitting there as the day slowly got warmer. It was pretty nice to have a stress-free day for once.