Free The Ends of the Earth by Robert Goddard Page B

Kempeitai uniform and looked older than Mikanagi. He handed Mikanagi a piece of paper, then glanced down at Morahan. ‘ Amerika-jin ,’ he said, in a fatalistic tone.
    There was nothing fatalistic about Mikanagi’s response to whatever the document was. He glared at the newcomer and gabbled some angry words, then stalked out of the room.
    ‘What’s going on?’ asked Morahan.
    The newcomer ignored him. He said something to the guards, then left.
    Nothing happened for a moment. Then the guards moved to either end of the table and began to release the chains.

MALORY FINALLY LEFT the tenement at ten o’clock that night. Chiyoko walked with her to the street, where the car promised by Yamanaka was waiting. Malory had already thanked Chiyoko profusely for her help, but it was unclear if they would meet again and she felt the moment of parting keenly. The car drove away towards the river. A tram passed between it and the receding figure of Chiyoko. When Malory looked again, she was gone.
    Her reunion with Sam at Professor Nishikawa’s house was ambivalent for both of them. If Schools had been there, they could have congratulated each other on a narrow escape. As it was, they were free, at least for the time being, but Schools was not. They regretted Ward’s and Djabsu’s incarceration as well, but it was Schools they truly missed.
    There were grounds for hope, though, according to Chiyoko. Commissioner Fujisaki had said he would do all he could. ‘He is not frightened of Kempeitai,’ Chiyoko had said of him. ‘He will try to help.’
    Yamanaka arrived shortly before midnight. He cut a less dapper and dignified figure than when Sam had visited him in his office. A long day of discreet and difficult negotiations had left him worn and weary. He eagerly accepted a glass of shochu from their host and suggested Malory and Sam should join him.
    ‘You will be pleased to know,’ he announced, ‘that Commissioner Fujisaki has arranged for Mr Morahan, Mr Ward and Mr Djabsu to be transferred from Kempeitai custody to normal police custody. They are being held at Sugamo prison, charged with the murder of Jack Farngold. There is no other charge – nothing concerning a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister. The prison is run harshly but correctly. There will be no torture – no forced confessions. This is very good for your friends.’
    ‘How did Commissioner Fujisaki achieve this?’ asked Malory.
    ‘Like you, Miss Hollander, your friends are American citizens. If the US Embassy learnt three of its citizens were being mistreated by the Kempeitai, there would be protests at the highest level. It is only twenty years since all British and American citizens were exempt from Japanese law. In Commissioner Fujisaki’s opinion, this Kempeitai operation was arranged by Count Tomura without the approval of the Justice Ministry. Difficult questions would be asked if your friends remained in the hands of the Kempeitai.’
    ‘But they’re still charged with murder?’ put in Sam.
    ‘Yes, Mr Twentyman. They are. It is dakyo – a compromise. The police will investigate the case against them and the US Embassy will be notified of their arrest. The investigation will take many weeks – or months. In the end, they will be released without a trial. Commissioner Fujisaki believes Count Tomura left Paris before the end of the peace conference because he has urgent business – political business – to conduct here in Tokyo and that, once he has dealt with it, he will allow your friends to be deported quietly.’
    ‘Don’t think we’re not grateful, Yamanaka-san,’ said Malory, ‘but is this the best we can do for them?’
    ‘Commissioner Fujisaki has probably saved their lives, Miss Hollander. I am sorry their freedom will take so long to achieve, but I am certain this is the best for them. The dakyo has been agreed and must be respected. As for you and Mr Twentyman …’
    Sam looked at Malory, then at Yamanaka. ‘Yes, what about