Alexis and Jigen sat in a small bar across from the New National Theatre, quietly drinking, each lost in thought. Occasionally one of them would glance at the other, and then quickly look away. The tension between them bordered on unbearable. They were both relieved when Jigen looked at his watch and said, "It's time."

They stood. Alexis paid the bill and the two of them stepped out onto the sidewalk. Jigen hunched his shoulders, cupping his hands around his lighter, protecting the flame from the wind. His cigarette caught, and he looked up in time to see Fujiko and Katsu emerging from the theatre.

"There they are," he said, nodding.

Alexis glanced across the street casually. "I see them."

"Okay, let's tail the kid. We'll alternate, like we discussed." Jigen inhaled deeply and blew cigarette smoke into the night air. The wind whipped it away. "I'll start." He looked both ways, crossed the street, and started following Katsu.

A few minutes later, Alexis also crossed. She held a map of Tokyo in her hand and alternated between looking at it, and looking at the street signs.

Katsu walked a distance of two blocks before turning. Jigen continued straight ahead. It was Alexis' turn as the tail. She followed Katsu's trail, still pretending to read her map. A block later, Jigen appeared and stepped into place behind her.

This went on for several blocks, one of them following, the other moving along and then doubling back to catch up. Alexis alternately checked her map, dug out a cigarette, and plucked a phrase book from her satchel. The streets were so full of people, Katsu didn't seem to notice them. It wasn't until twenty minutes into their tail that the crowds began to thin. They had to be more careful, now.

They didn't have to follow him much longer. Alexis was walking on the opposite side of the street when Katsu stopped outside a mid-sized building. Alexis couldn't read the sign -- Lupin hadn't taught her anything about kanji or hiragana -- and she carried on down the street, pulling a compact from her purse. She opened it as she walked, using the mirror to check Katsu's actions. He looked around warily, opened the door to the building, and entered. Quickly, Alexis snapped her compact closed and reversed course. Jigen met her at the door.

"Self-storage," he muttered around what must have been his fifth cigarette. "These places are friggin' expensive. The kid must have some serious cash to spend." Jigen pointed a finger at Alexis. "You stay here. Find some shadows, and don't let him see you when he comes out."

Alexis frowned. "What are you --"

"Don't ask, don't tell," Jigen said, dropping his cigarette and grinding it into the pavement. "I'll be right back." He touched the brim of his hat to her and disappeared into the building.

Alexis grumbled to herself and crossed the street. She found a darkened doorway and settled into it, the shadows wrapping themselves around her like a lover. It was just like Jigen to make her wait while he went off and did things on his own. The prat. Alexis checked the watch Lupin had given her before the ballet. It didn't tell time, but it did offer some other interesting features. Alexis pressed a button on the side of the watch and spoke softly into it.

"He's at a self-storage place," she murmured, knowing that Lupin would be picking up the signal. "Jigen's gone in."

There was some static as Lupin replied. The tall Tokyo buildings seemed to affect even his remarkable gadgets.

"Keep on him," came the reply. The watch-radio crackled. "We'll come back to the storage unit tomorrow and check it out."

"You got it," Alexis said quietly, and turned off the radio. She folded her arms across her chest and waited.

Katsu was the first to emerge from the building. He looked left and right, then headed back the way he had come. Alexis waited for him to turn the corner, then unfolded herself from the shadows and followed. The boy had reached the traffic light up the block and was hailing a taxi. Alexis watched him from a respectable distance as he entered the car.

"That's it for the night," Jigen said, coming up behind her. Alexis nearly jumped out of her skin. "If he's got it stashed anywhere, it'll be in that storage locker." He pulled a wrinkled cigarette from his jacket and lit it.

He hadn't been speaking to her. From Jigen's wrist came the familiar crackling of static, and Lupin's voice floated up into the air.

"Can you two look into that locker tomorrow?" he asked. It sounded as though there was laughter and talking in the background. "The kid is third year business. He has a class at ten."

Jigen nodded, though Lupin couldn't see it. "Sure," he said, speaking into his wrist radio. "We can do that. Where do you want us to meet you?"

"I have to get his prints from the wine glass, and then I want to touch base with Goemon." Lupin's voice was growing faint. Reception here was poor. "Let's meet at the temple around noon."

"You got it," Jigen said, and turned off his radio-watch.

"Oh, I hope we've got it," Alexis breathed. She turned to stare up the street where Katsu had caught his ride.

Jigen tilted his head back and looked at Alexis from under his hat. He took a long drag from his cigarette before nodding in agreement.

"Me too."