Free Collector of Secrets by Richard Goodfellow Page B

chair squeaked as he sat back.
    “There is no information about Yoko before 1985. It’s like she didn’t exist at all.”
    Max thought back to the little history he knew about Yoko. “Well, did you know she lived in Dallas and New York? Maybe she was there until ’85.” He wiped his fingers before tossing the napkin to the table, just a little too hard. “I can’t believe you’d do that without discussing it first. I never would have agreed.”
    “I want to help you. I know I’ve only met Yoko a couple times but there’s something strange about her. And the feeling is getting stronger based on your missing passport, and the money she’s getting the parents to give her. Something isn’t right.” Tomoko reached across the table and clasped his hand. “There’s more and it gets worse. According to Miki, Mr. Murayama never had any children.”
    “Okay, that’s just crazy.”
    “It’s not a mistake,” Tomoko said emphatically. “Something’s wrong, and this proves it.”
    Downing the last of his beer, he paused before replying. “Mr. M is a good friend. Why would he need to lie to me? He wouldn’t do that. It doesn’t make any sense.”
    “I don’t know. He seems like a nice old man, but it could still be true.”
    “So, if he isn’t Yoko’s father, then who is he? And why would they both lie?” Max shifted irritably in his seat, his voice rising. “We should leave.”
    The waitress appeared at the table, popping the balloon of escalating tension. She handed over the bill before hurriedly gathering the dishes. Tomoko took the opportunity to head for the door. “I’ll meet you outside.”
    “Yeah, fine.” Max walked slowly to the till, paid, then forced his way through the ever-present crowd huddled at the doorway. Standing in the fresh night air, it dawned on him that maybe he needed to take a break and get out of the country for a while. Away from all the weirdness—from the Dragon Lady, the unrelenting city, and the drug-addicted roommates. Tomoko was standing at the curb with her back to him as he approached and spoke abruptly from behind. “I need to go traveling for a while.”
    “What?” Eyebrows raised, she turned to stare at him.
    He could read the shock on her face, and his mind raced to explain what could only appear to be an irrational outburst. “It’s not what it sounds like. I quit my job yesterday.”
    She threw a hand to cover her mouth, but said nothing.
    “Let me explain. My work visa is tied to the job, and Zoe told me I’d have to leave the country to get a new one. ” He struggled to choose the right words. “I’m not sure if that’s true, but why not use it as an opportunity?” He tried to move closer. “I just thought of it now. We could travel together for a few months. Maybe backpack around for a while.”
    Tomoko stepped back, out of reach. “That’s crazy―I can’t take off months to travel.”
    “You could quit your job, too.”
    “This is unbelievable. How could I have been so stupid?” Her eyes fell to the sidewalk, refusing to meet his gaze.
    “But we could—”
    Icy frost crackled in her voice as she interjected. “My brother is dead, Max. I’m an only child now. You know that. My parents are getting old and they expect me to care for them. And I can’t leave my job. It’s my duty.” Head down, her long hair swung to and fro. “My girlfriends were right.”
    He knew well enough that her friends were afraid of foreigners; that they’d been whispering against him. “I want us to be together.”
    “Doesn’t matter.” Eyes glistening, she looked as though she wanted to cry but was too proud. “I need some time to think, alone.”
    “I’m not leaving you.” He was trying to explain things to himself as much as to her. “I want you to come with me.”
    “So this is my fault—for not being able to drop everything.”
    Nearby, rising above the hum of the surrounding city, Kenji’s voice was shouting their names, struggling to