Chapter Nine
Matsumura's Other Client
"I've completed my report," said Matsumura. He pushed the yellow file marked Kaiba across the table. The wood was a fine mahogany, probably dating from the 1700s. His client had a taste for the Romantic.
"In addition to Kaiba Corp., I've added some information about both brothers. Mostly impressions I've had." Matsumura folded his glasses. "You can check it if you like."
"That won't be necessary. I'm sure you've done your research well."
"I take pride in that." The room was classical architecture, with white pillars and columns. Matsumura couldn't help notice a large portrait of a young girl in the center. She smiled sweetly; one of those pretty, blond-haired, blue-eyed types.
"It's come to my attention," said his client, raising his glass of red liquid, red as his suit, "that Kaiba Corporation is currently involved in vicious, hostile takeover of Ueda Industries. For some strange reason, this has sent Ueda Industries stock plunging downward." He sipped the wine. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about this would you?"
"Yes, I helped orchestrate it. He sent me to spy on the president of Ueda Industries specifically. His uncle, it turned out."
His client laughed shrilly. "My, my, the boy does turn against his relatives. Vengeful, isn't he?"
"I can't say his motive was vengeance."
"Oh, no?" his client said. "Pray tell, what other motive could there be?" His client's voice was light and musical, but his one brown eye peered at Matsumura closely; his other eye, hidden behind thick, shoulder-length white hair, seemed also to be watching.
"Kaiba and his uncle were both struggling for custody of his younger brother, Mokuba."
"All that fuss for one little boy?"
"He's the only family Kaiba has left at this point. The only one he hasn't tried to destroy."
"True." His client's eye glinted. Then, sipping his wine again, "They say Torao went mad. I place my bets on Kaiba-boy. Do you know anything about it?"
"No, my job was done by then. But I wouldn't past him. He's a dangerous person to cross. I wouldn't do it lightly, if I were you."
"I see. Well, thank you, Mr. Matsumura," said Pegasus J. Crawford. He shook the detective's hand. "You've been very helpful."