SEVEN KILLED IN GAS EXPLOSION.

The Asahi Shinbun was opened in front of Ryo. He wasn't very interested on what was written on it. He knew it wasn't a gas explosion.

So the police did not want to tell the truth.

It was always difficult to ackowledge his own failure.

The whole building was quiet. Although it was already noon, the rare tenants were all sleeping. They were all working in bars and night clubs, living in a world of illusion, where women, drugs and alcohol gave the customers the illusion of happiness.

Ryo was a faithful customer of this world of illusion. It helped him to counterbalance the harsh world he was living in. But only occasionaly. The women's chatter, dances and carresses were not enough to make him forget the blood in his hands, the images in his mind and the loneliness of his heart.

Everyone in the underworld knew who he were and that it was better for their own sake not to live with him. That is why the building was almost empty. Fortunately for him, he did not rely on the rents to live!

While preparing lunch, he remembered last night's events. He had never lived an awful night like that one before. He even never dreamt of it ! He recognized that woman only by touching her !

What a shock !

To be sure everything was OK with him, he spent the rest of the night with Nanako.

He could still feel her soft body next to his...

The conclusion was that he wasn't faulty.

Maybe that 'woman' was just a disguised guy. That could explain his mokkori's attitude.

And was he/she doing there? What was his/her role on the blast?

'Good morning, Ryo. Already up?
- You're the one who is late, Maki-chan....
- Yes, sorry Ryo. But my sister had no schhool this morning, so I had lunch with her.'

Ryo hid a smile: Makimura couldn't help talking about his sister at least once a day.

'Did you find something?'

Before answering, Hideyuki picked up a potatoe from Ryo's plate and tasted it.

'Hmmmm.... You cook almost as good as my sister. You should add some herbs on. The guys who died last night were from China. I heard that they arrived yesterday to meet a member of the Tohei's gang. You know that Tohei manufactures many electronic goods. It is said that Tohei himself has gone to meet them, yesterday.
- I heard that it wasn't Tohei who met theem but his right hand.
- Nakamura? Ummmm... That means no one knoows what really goes on. But why not Nakamura. After all he married a chinese girl.
- A chinese wife is not enough to have rreelations with chinese triads.' Ryo offered a chicken leg to Makimura.
'It is said that she is the daughter of one of the triad's chiefs. But nothing's sure.' Hideyuki explained while chewing the leg.
'So Tohei has decided to strenghten his partnership with China. And other people did not agree with him.' Ryo was already regretting his offer to Makimura. He was still hungry. After all, Maki-chan had a sister to cook for him. 'The first thing to know is who went to meet the Chinese. Tohei? Or Nakamura? And the second question is: who is against Tohei's relationship with the Chinese?' Hideyuki summered up.
'For the first question, you should ask Saeko.
- I tried to contact her this morning buutt seems she has plenty of work with last night's blast. However, I'll try my best to meet her today. But it is not sure she can answer us. As a former cop, I can tell you that they aren't in a hurry.
- Ok. I'll try to answer the second questiion. Maki-chan, it seems that this case is not an easy one. You should take your gun with you.
- Don't worry. I'll take it with me when tthe time comes. We are just at the beginning now. Don't you have another chicken leg?'

Saeko was desperate. All day long, she had to work on the explosion, with Tanya at her side. Even at lunch, she could not get rid of her. The only moments when she was alone were in the toilets... Tanya's company prevented her to work as usual.

Tanya was very a very curious person. And also very reserved. She asked many questions, waiting for detailed answers. But when Saeko questionned her, she could get only vague results. This was not partnership but parasitism !

But what could she do?

She was compelled to obey her father, at least at work, if not at home...
She tried to keep her occupied by giving her the case's file to read. But unfortunately, Tanya said she rather read it at night and help her in her job now. Help her ! What an help !

Saeko had the feeling that Tanya was most interested by the way she got her informations ! And she didn't want her to meet Ryo and Makimura !

'What about your former partner, Miss Nogami?
- Sorry?...' Saeko could not believe her eears. She did not expect this direct question. 'I thought you came from Germany to work on the electronic goods' traffic. It seems I was bad informed. Am I the one you're interested in?' In her mind, Saeko was strangling her.
'Please, do not misunderstand me. I'm not used to work with a person I know nothing about. So before coming, I read your profile and it was mentionned that your former partner... oooh, what's his name? Ah, yes, Makimura, isn't it? Well, it was written that he resigned. And when I came here this morning, I heard the rumor that he was fired because he asked bribes to criminals. Is it true? You know, many false things are said. You were his partner so you must know the truth.' Tanya smiled at her.
Saeko tighted her fist and made an effort to smile back at Tanya. 'I'm afraid you were bad informed. Makimura resigned from his job and was not fired. I don't know why he did so. All I know is that he had nothing to do with that.
- It is surprising. Partners are meant to be close. Didn't you ever ask him?
- Well, we were not that close. We were jjust collegues working together. And I never asked him because it was none of my job. And I never got the chance to meet him afterwards'. Saeko didn't want her to ask more questions about Makimura. If only she could run away... But if she did so, that would convince Tanya that it wasn't the thruth. And she didn't want her to pursue her investigations on him. After all, it wasn't the purpose why she came in Japan. Why was she interested by Makimura?

Saeko was saved by a young police woman: 'Lieutenant, here are the post-mortem results. They just arrived.'

Tanya noticed the relief in Saeko's eyes.

The photos showed the images of burnt corpses, but the Police Department managed to identify them. One of them was a local reprensentative of a well-known chinese organization. The others belonged to a famous yakuza group led by Tohei Akira. One of them was Nakamura Jun, Tohei's right hand.

'Tohei's group is well-known in Japan. They have many acitvities, as drug and gun trading, prostitution and so on. We think many illegal night clubs in Tokyo belong to them, unfortunately they are well hidden. When our department comes to know about one of them, it is quickly closed, and maybe, another club is opened in another place.
- Miss Nogami, we didn't know Tohei was ttrading with chinese triads.
- We weren't sure about it. Now, we have eevidences. But we still don't know why these men were killed.
- We should visit one of Tohei's night cluubs.
- As I told you, it is very difficult to llocalize them. And it is already 7 pm. I'm sure you must be tired. Let's continue this work tomorrow. Good evening.'

Tanya watched the young woman leave. She knew how much a whole night without sleep could be tiring. But Saeko must be used to this kind of life and she was of persevering type. Exactly, as herself.

Tanya smiled. She knew Saeko Nogami wasn't going to sleep.

Although it was peak hour, Saeko managed to avoid the traffic jams and arrived quickly at home. She took a quick shower, prepared a simple lunch and ate it alone in front of the TV. Then she prepared herself to go out. It was almost dark when she went out. She walked slowly towards the mall. She entered in many shops, always visiting, never buying. Once she was sure she wasn't followed, she headed for the car park.

The place was quiet and gloomy.

Perfect to meet someone secretly.

Saeko approached an old green car but before she could get next to it, a young man got out and welcomed her.

If Saeko were still a college student, she would have run to hug him. But she was an adult now and she was never used to behave like this.

She smiled to him and both got inside the car.

'It was Nakamura, isn't it?' Makimura asked while starting the car.
'Yes, it was him. Did you find out why?
- That's Ryo's job. One of my contacts tolld me about a building near the port. He told me there were many interesting things. We should have a look at it.'

Ryo was aware of it.

He's been observed since he arrived at the port. But the observer just seemed to be curious, not harmful. And careful, also: Ryo had felt the presence trying to be out of the reach of his awareness. Then, slowly, the presence went away.

Ryo remained still. He first wanted to understand that person's aim.

The old green car parked next to the Mini. As Saeko opened her door, she saw Ryo flying to her. She entered quickly back into the car and closed the door: Ryo couldn't stop his move and crashed himself at the door.

'Ouch ! Maki-chan, your car looks like a wreck, but it still very strong.
- Ooooh, Ryoooo !!! I didn't know it was yyou. I thought it was a kind of big insect. Sooooooooo sorry! I hope you aren't hurt.'
Saeko's face was mocking. But Ryo didn't mind it:
'Well, you can take care of me if you feel so guilty.' Ryo quickly stood up and was soon standing beside Saeko, trying to fall in her arms. But she was faster than him and he found himself knocked on the ground.Ryo massaged his head, grumbling. Makimura tapped him gently :
'You're fortunate: your head is really very strong...!!!'
He joined the young woman.

Ryo watched them. They were really a matching couple. Even if they stopped to wait for him, Ryo felt excluded.

Without a word, he headed for the warehouse.

Although the building seemend empty, they tried not to make any noise. Once they were sure they were alone, they entered through a broken window. It was completely dark inside. Saeko lightened a torch lamp.

The first room was empty. In the second one, there were empty packets and old furnitures. Nothing interesting. The young woman had expected a lot. And now, she felt more tired than ever. She was about to turn back when Ryo called her:
'You should rely on your instinct instead of expecting! Have a look at the floor.'
Saeko observed attentively: there were footsteps printed in the dust. They seemed to vanish under some furnitures.
'There must be a basement and a trapdoor to get in.
- Anda mechanism to open that door: it is impossible for a normal human being to lift all these furnitures at one time' Saeko looked all around her.
'I think I've found it.' In the darkest corner of the room, there were many light switches. Makimura looked at each of them carefully then pressed one of them. 'I'm sure it is this one: it is not as dusty as the others.'
The place where the furniture were slowly sliped aside, revealing a small entrance to the lower level.

Saeko, carefully, entered, followed by Makimura.

Ryo was about to join them when he stopped. That same feeling was overwhelming him once again. The same one he felt when he was waiting for Saeko and Makimura. And again, that presence vanished, as if it was a kind of hide-and-seek game.

Or the person who were following them was skilled enough to hide his own presence and emotions.

But Ryo's instinct was telling there was nothing to fear at.

'Ryo ? Any problem ?
- Have a look by yourself.' The torch lighht was not enough to enlighten all the room. There were many rows of bundles, huddled from ground to ceiling.
'I also felt the presence, Ryo. A guard ?' Makimura enquired.
'No. I saw a group of men leaving with some parcels, long before you arrived. They made sure by themselves that they were alone before entering. Then they took all they needed, this night's needs, I suppose. So we have plenty of time.'

Saeko had already opened some parcels: there were colored pills and white powder.
'Drugs...
- There are also guns.' Ryo had opened anoother bundle. 'All this belong to Tohei ?
- To one of his groups.' Makimura precisseed. 'It is...'

He stopped.

Footsteps were heading to the trapdoor. Four men were approaching.
'Aniki, the door is opened !' a voice whispered.
'I've seen it ! Toshio, go inside ! Quietly !'
Some minutes later, the man was back: 'No one.'
'Are you sure ?
- Yeah ! You can check if you want ! The ffirst group must have forgotten to close it. We must report this to the boss.
- You ! Shut up ! There's nothing to reporrt to anyone ! Every one can make mistakes. Ok ?'
- As you wish, Aniki.'
The men entered the basement and took some parcels.
Another voice whispered:
'Hey, you ! Be careful while talking to Aniki. His younger brother belongs to the first group. If the boss comes to know about it, the first group will be punished and Aniki may be VERY furious at us. You understand ?
- I got it.
- By the way, if someone is really hidden inside, we will lock him here and you know there's no way to open the door from inside...and with the vapours... Hehehe...'
'Stop chatting and hurry up !'
'Yes, Aniki.'The men hurried outside carrying parcels. Before they left, they made sure the door was correctly closed.

Ryo got out of the place where he was hidden. He could feel Saeko and Makimura beside him but remained silent, listening. Once they were sure the men were gone, Ryo approached the trapdoor. He wasn't afraid about what the guy said: there was always a way to open a door. But that may take time...

'I'm afraid this lamp would not help us a lot: the batteries are getting weak.
- I don't need light to do that, Saeko-cchhan !'
He approached Saeko slowly, his arm already circling her waist.
'Dumm ! I wasn't talking about that ! But sure you won't get any more chance if we do not get out of here !
- Ok, ok.'
His fingers helped him to 'see' the lock. It wouldn't be easy to open it ! It was a kind of secured door.
He tried to find out a weakness of the mechanism. And...

He felt the Presence...

The same one...

He was wondering why the person came. He could feel it move, but there was still no threat. It was moving towards the switches. Was it going to open the door ? Who was it ?

Saeko and Makimura approached. They also felt the presence but they could not hear any footsteps.

The trapdoor slowly opened.

Ryo and the others climbed up the stairs.

The room was now partly enlightened by the moonlight.

A form was standing in the dark then moved towards the moonlight.

'Miss Kalisz' Saeko recognized her at the first sight.

'Glad to see you, Miss Nogami. I wonder how the police headofficer would react if he comes to know about your partnership with Ryo Saeba.'

Hi, all!
Sorry! Sorry!
I know I took too much time to write this third chapter. In fact I've written three third of this part two months ago, but I stopped because it was my turn in the RRS game, then I was on holidays.
In this part, I wanted to display the relationship between Ryo and Makimura.
There's another relationship I'd like to point out: the one between Saeko and Hideyuki. For me, it is as much interesting as Ryo and Kaori's. It is a kind of Romeo and Juliet story. Well, I'll tell more about in the coming chapters...
For me, the story really begins here, with Ryo and Tanya meeting.
I know I didn't talk much about Ryo and his feelings. It will come as the plot goes on. My aim, by writing a story that takes place before Kaori becomes Ryo's partner, is to imagine Ryo before she enters in his life.
As for Tanya, she may sound a bit strange to you but she is the character who is discovering the others and she is also one of the main characters of this story.
That's all for now. I do hope you enjoyed it. As usual, I expect your feedback, good and even bad ones (well, you must explain me why you don't like it ! ^_^).
Yours truly,
L. Devi 1rst October, 2000.