"I trust you recognize this document," Captain Kobayshi said, holding a thick booklet. Suzuki and Bando stood stiffly at attention in Kobayshi's office. With great effort, the captain kept his voice even, but only a fool would not see he was still angry. "This is the psychological profiles of Sei and her girls. Since it has been some time since you have been briefed on it, allow me to refresh your memories by reading a passage." He opened to a page and read: "'It is our recommendation that in matters of routine questioning when charges have not been brought that Meg and Jo be questioned together, and that great care is taken to make it clear that Meg is not under any sort of real or implied threat. While this may seem contradictory to established procedure, Jo's unprecedented capacity for violence makes her a threat to all personnel regardless of whether they have direct contact her, and the presence of an unthreatened Meg may be the only thing that placates her. Keeping Jo calm should supersede all other considerations unless deemed absolutely necessary.'" He snapped the book shut. "Now that I think about it, Detective Suzuki, you asked an insightful question about that very passage the day we were briefed on it, so it must have made an impression. What were you thinking? That if Jo went berserk you could try and get some assault or murder charges against her and Sei? Even if it meant sending your fellow officers to the morgue? Have you anything to say for yourself?"
Suszuki opened his mouth, then closed it and shook his head.
"Good answer," Kobayshi said, "because I am two seconds away from asking for your badge. When I had a brief respite from having my ass chewed out by every public official from the emperor's butler on down, I called your girlfriend. Miss Hongo informed me that she didn't consider the possibility of Sei molesting Kyohe until you brought it up! This fiasco was your creation from the beginning. And thanks to you, Sei has a victim card she can play whenever she wants, and this unit has a tarnished reputation. You couldn't have done better if you'd been on Bailan's payroll. In fact, the only argument I can make against Sei hiring you is a young woman her age shouldn't have to worry about the kind of ulcers you have given me.
"Now tomorrow morning, Prosecutor Nishimura and I have to appear before the minister of justice, and if I am very, very lucky, we will all still have our jobs tomorrow afternoon. But neither of you should think you are off the hook. I have indulged you both shamelessly over the years, but those days are at an end. You can bet I will keep you on a tight leash from now on, and I will not tolerate the smallest misstep. Now, get out!"