"Come."

Sergeant Major RJF Blake stepped into Captain de Souza's cramped office. He saluted his superior and stood at attention. "Good Morning, Sah."

"Blake, I'm putting you in charge of the rape and assault case," de Souza stated.

"Sah," Blake said as he snapped another salute. "With all due respect, why me?"

"I need someone with some experience and who is not emotionally invested in this," de Souza said. "Davis, Edmonds and Sharpe are too close to Miss Kinoshita to be objective. You are the only one I have with any prior contact who Miss Kinoshita will trust."

Blake said nothing as de Souza handed over a file. "This is everything we have on the case. There is the deposition from Miss Kinoshita's guardians as well as the information gathered by Sharpe immediately after the incident. I was to conduct an interview a few days ago, but duties at our forward base made that impractical. I have made arrangements for you to pop 'round this evening and conduct the interview with Miss Kinoshita."

"Sah, you have me and half my detachment slated to go over the wire into Miyagijima to recce with the Americans in an hour."

"Slight change in duty roster," de Souza said. "I put Corporal Davis in charge."

"He is a good man," Blake conceded. "When will you need my report?"

De Souza thought a few moments. "Captain McElroy wants this case wrapped up as quickly as possible. He is preparing the proper legal framework to try Miss Kinoshita's attackers as enemies of The Crown."

"Is this to be an Admiralty trial then, sah?"

"In effect, yes. The Captain wants there to be no misunderstanding. We are at war and any breach of conduct will be dealt with swift and terrible."

"Anything else I need to know, sah?"

"You have your orders, Sar Major. Carry on."

Blake snapped a salute and walked out. He was met by Corporal Davis in the corridor. "Sar Major. Is it true you are taking over this case?"

"What case would that be, Corporal?"

Davis shot Blake a frown before resuming his respectful demeanor. "The Kinoshita rape case."

"Captain de Souza felt it for the best. He feels that you, Edmonds and Sharpe are too close to be truly effective."

Davis let a scowl form, but quickly shook it off. "The Captain is right, though I hate to let it go."

Blake clasped his communications man on the shoulder. "Better this way. Miss Kinoshita knows who I am and I'm confident she will open up to me. Meantime, I want you and the rest of the squad on your toes today."

"Ah, yes, our rendezvous with the Americans. Can't say it's not been fun laying about playing copper, but this is not what I joined up for."

Blake smiled at the eagerness of his young Marine. "Play it like we did first time out. Be alert, be smart and be safe."

"Yes, Sar Major."

"Sergeant Major Blake," Asuka bowed as she opened the door. "You honor us with your presence. Your commanding officer informed us of your arrival. Please, come inside."

Blake bowed in return and sat to remove his boots. Asuka led him into the great room where a pot of steaming tea sat brewing.

"May I offer you tea?" Asuka asked as Blake seated himself to one side.

"Please," Blake said. "I apologize in advance for any inconvenience. I will finish as quickly as possible and leave you in peace."

Asuka bowed once again. "I applaud your efforts on learning Japanese culture, Sergeant Major."

Blake politely waved off the compliment. "My man, Davis, is far better than I."

Asuka smiled at this. "May I offer you some fruit? I have peach or apricot."

"I shouldn't impose upon your hospitality any more than I already have," Blake said.

"As you wish," Asuka said. "If you will excuse me, I shall see to Misa-chan."

Blake nodded his head and sipped his tea in silence. As he did so, Alex slouched in and sat opposite. She helped herself to tea and regarded Blake over the rim of her cup.

"Miss Schweiger."

"You gonna catch the bastards who did it?"

Blake looked at the girl opposite him. "That is my intention, yes."

Alex smiled, a hint of malice on her face. "Good."

The two table guests drank their tea in awkward silence. The door opened and Asuka stepped through followed close to heel by Misa. Asuka took her customary seat at the corner while Misa sat beside Alex.

"Miss Kinoshita, How are you feeling today?" Blake asked. Misa lowered her head then slumped against Alex. Blake sat forward, a look of concern on his face. "Miss Kinoshita, are you okay?"

"Forgive me, I am not feeling well."

Blake relaxed slightly, but kept a more vigilant watch on his witness. "Whenever you are ready, we may begin." Blake took a pad and pencil from a pocket.

Misa sat upright and focused on the task at hand. This wasn't going away and she knew it. She'd been over it countless times in her mind, now it was time to speak of it. She let a sigh through her lips and the story began. "I was on my way to the middle school up the lane to check out their library."

Blake faithfully wrote everything Misa said.

"I stopped by the admin building to check with Kuroi-sensei if I could leave campus with these books. There were two men in front. One appeared to be in charge, as I heard the other address him as aniki."

"I beg your pardon?" Blake interrupted. "Aniki?"

"It roughly translates to 'older brother'," Asuka explained. "It's used by yakuza as a term of respect."

Alex and Blake stared at Asuka.

"How did you-?" Alex began when Asuka cut her off.

"This is Misa-chan's interview, Alex-chan. We will discuss this later."

Blake cleared his throat. "Right, aniki. Can you describe these men, Miss Kinoshita?"

"The man called aniki was about your age, auburn hair and a bit shorter than Alex. He wore a sleeveless shirt and…" She remembered the strength by which he held her to the ground. Her eyes gave a slight tick as she finished, "…he was strong."

"Any identifying marks? Tattoos, piercings, birth-marks?"

"He had a tattoo of a tiger on his back. I saw this as he turned to speak to his companion."

"Were you able to hear what was said?" Blake asked as he scribbled notes.

Misa shook her head. "I was too far away, I'm sorry."

"Nothing to apologize for," Blake comforted. "Now, the other fellow, did you get a good look at him?"

"He was younger, maybe about Shaun-san's age. Black hair, taller than Alex, but shorter than you. He had a dragon tattooed on his left arm. He also wore a sleeveless shirt, but was lanky, skinny."

Blake closed his notebook, "Thank you, Miss Kinoshita. That will help immensely."

"They are the ones I recall clearest, but neither were the one who raped me." Misa said, choking back sobs. Alex wrapped her arms protectively around Misa.

Blake re-opened his notebook. "There was a third?"

Misa nodded. "I only remember his voice. He spoke authoritatively, the others only took orders. They held me down and he… "

Asuka had moved to Misa's side as well and did her best to offer solace.

"Just when I had laid that man to rest, this happens," Misa sobbed. "Why? Why am I to suffer this way?"

She buried her face in Alex's chest as Asuka gently stroked Misa's hair. Blake sat in silence as he waited patiently for Misa to cry herself out. Asuka glanced in his direction and offered an apology with bowed head. Blake stood and bowed politely.

"I should be going," he said. "I have caused a lot a grief and don't wish to bring any more."

Alex held up her hand. "Please, don't go yet. She hasn't described the third man."

Blake smiled. "Not to worry. The two described will tell us who the third is. We'll leave it to Sergeant White. He is quite good at extracting information from people."

"You're not going to rendition them, are you?" Alex asked.

"White is a first class interrogator trained in psychology," Blake said. "No need for torture."

Asuka stood and escorted Blake to the door. Blake sat in the foyer and laced his boots to his feet.

"You are not going to torture these mean, are you, Sergeant Major?"

"As I said, White is a first class interrogator. Pain gets us nothing."

Seemingly assured, Asuka slid the door closed behind Blake.

"How'd it go, Sar Major?" Nick White said as Blake rounded the corner.

"I got the descriptions of two attackers," Blake said has he handed over his notes. "Find the men matching these descriptions. Then get Pegg and play Prisoner's Dilemma like we did in Helmand."

"Aye, Sar Major," White said, a wicked smile playing on his lips.