Let me say, it took a considerable amount of effort to pretend to give that statement thought. As he did not ask any actual questions. Nor was I about to volunteer any information to the interworking's of my life. Instead I picked my words carefully. "My father is a Japanese citizen. I too am a citizen. I can assure you that I am the last person the Chief Inspector would be inappropriate. He has a duty to protect the Empire and myself as a inhabitant. Since I am not a citizen of your Fuhrer, you needn't concern yourself."
That did it.
His perfect baby blue left eye twitched.
"Regardless, I felt it my duty. Obviously your parents were from Europe. The Reich has a program for women such as yourself. Should you wish to return to that quality of life?"
Quality of life?
Did he think I lived in the shed?
I was the only child of Taishi Okamura. I had a quality of life he could only dream up. If he only knew what our family home in Japan or Hawaii looked like he wouldn't be so condescending. Had I not been on the receiving end of a Nazi backhand more than a few times for my remarks, I may have said something. However, he looked like a hitter. And the last Nazi to leave a mark on my face had never regained full function of his hand.
"Was there anything else? I hate to waste your time. I'm sure a man in your position must be very busy." I certainly could think of numerous other important things I could have done to occupy my time.
Cleaning the oven for one. A pile of laundry was ready to be mended. Not to mention the dishes. Oh how I hated doing dishes.
Whatever it was he had hoped to accomplish seemingly had not gone. The Nazi glanced around the spacious yard before answering me. "Has the madman returned? Has he made an effort to contact this household in any way?"
My sarcasm would not be appreciated. Nor did I want to encourage him to stay.
I shook my head that he had not.
If the madman had painted my face on the side of a building I would have denied it. I would have denied that the sky was blue too.
"Has the Chief Inspector mentioned the madman? Or perhaps, brought up the woman left on this property yesterday?"
Why he assumed I would tell him such details was beyond me.
I had just met this man and was not impressed. Not only because he assumed there would be some sort of familiarity between us. But his assumptions. He assumed far too much.
I did not like him at all.
So you could imagine my relief when my name was spoken in a downright hostile manner. Hearing "Okamura-san" all but shouted at me caused me to flinch. Kruger did not seemed at all pleased by the interruption. Over by the gate, Sergeant Yoshida wore an expression of horror on his face. Not directed at me I should say. Though his words were meant for me his eyes were only for my unwelcomed guest, as if he could not believe the man's audacity. Audacity Kruger had in excess. "Get in the house!"
No one had to tell me twice.
Although I did ever so briefly hesitate when I noticed the absolute hatred so obvious on Sergeant Yoshida's face. A fear he would do something foolish concerned me. Not that I could do anything. I didn't bother to say anything, greet him properly or even wave. Covered with dirt, mud and who knew what else I'd picked up on my knees in the garden I hurried into the sunroom as fast as my feet would allow.
Once inside of the sunroom my eyes went down to the floor where the Widow Kido rested.
The elderly woman actually put a finger to her lips, then gestured at me to go on in the house. She wanted to hear what went on next and since she was flat on her back with her arms crossed over her chest, I didn't have to worry about her falling. So I left her there and went inside where I could watch the scene from a window in the dining room. Audacity oozed from her as well.
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"I apologize. I would have been here sooner, however, there was a break-in at the Nazi Cathedral. They're being particularly tight lipped about it." Sergeant Yoshida told us from the couch in the less formal living room.
While he sounded genuinely apologetic, my eyes went right to the Widow. My suspicion grew when she found something fascinating to stare at on the wall.
My concern for the Chief Inspector's right hand man was so great that after Kruger left I had not bothered to clean up. Instead I let the Kempeitai officer in and we pulled Kido's mother into a standing position. After which I put them in the living room and went to get some drinks. Upon returning the widow was inquiring as to where in the empire Yoshida was from and if he was married.
"It's fine." I assured the young man who was actually close to my age. Even though it did not feel that way. "He was not here that long. I told him nothing…what exactly happened at the cathedral?"
The Widow's concentration grew more intent on the spotless wall.
Yoshida shrugged from where he sat on the couch. He did reach over to pick up a glass which he held between his hands. His frustration was tangible. Even I knew the Nazi's would never tell the Kempeitai what had happened, forget what had been taken. Although I couldn't help but wonder out loud at the Widow, "Did you see or hear anything when you were at Hidetoshi's house last night?"
Sergeant Yoshida's head popped up.
Evasive she glanced down at her hands placed in her lap. "Those Nazi's are fools. How can it be a break-in when they left a window open?"
If it were possible the good sergeant was rendered speechless.
I however was not rendered speechless.
"No wonder you're exhausted and sore today!"
The Widow would have none of it. Scowling like her son she so informed me, "I did not climb the building. I had to go find a ladder."
A hand clapped over my mouth in shock. A mental image of the short elderly woman scurrying around the neighborhood in the dark of night with a ladder horrified me. Kido could never find out. Sergeant Yoshida looked over the low table where I sat on my knees in the process of getting a snack for the woman. "The Chief Inspector must never find out."
The Chief Inspector could never find out.
"Do you want to know what I found?"
If it were possible when the realization hit, I grew even more horrified, "You stole something…it's in that suitcase. Isn't it?"
The poor Sergeant's eyes grew wide enough I feared his eyes may have rolled out of his head. "What suitcase? There is a suitcase?"