”Cal kept his objection to himself, and in a way he was thankful that Kondo had irritated him because he was reminded that he had to focus on the bu...iness at hand. Tanaka couldn’t have brought him all the way from Appleton for small talk. This could be the big moment. He told himself that he had to be sharp.The elevator doors opened and Kondo led the way a short distance down a lush, carpeted hallway. He stopped at a door and produced a key and opened the door.“This way,” he said to Cal as he. He sighed and shook his head ruefully."It was foolish of you to attack two of my most trusted and competent security officers. Why? Was it because you attempted to bring hard drugs into the Precinct? I should have warned you. They are available, of course, but only to executive officers and members of the Country Club. Rank has its privileges in the Precinct but you, Hack, had no rank whatsoever. Your womenfolk didn't help your cause, or theirs, by accusing the police of rape."Hack started to. "Namoi bobbed her head, a bow of sorts. "I believe my son has taken advantage of you. I am so sorry if he has offended you. Please allow me to make things right. Nicky has told me about your club and I'm ready to join. If you will allow me... us."I did know some of the old Japanese culture. "Namoi san, please ask your son to remove his clothes." and bowed.There were some words in Japanese then James bowed to his mother, bowed to me.... and dropped his pants. I was so amused at this show of. ‘I hope he gets away from them.’ I remembered when bullies used to pick on me in grade school, and how much I hated it. If it had been three other young men chasing the guy, I might have thought that the single guy had wronged them somehow, and maybe even deserved what he was getting, but I recognized the three in pursuit as notorious bullies from my school, as they got closer to me, and went into the alleyway, not paying me any mind. They already had a target after all. The whole thing started.