ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I have been given a great deal of help in the writing of this story generously and cheerfully, by old friends and new acquaintances. Ann Symons shared with me her memories of growing up in Street, Hugh Loftin provided invaluable insights into the shipping business and Toru Sasaki smoothed the path of my researches in his enchanting homeland. I am also indebted, in many different ways, to David Cross of Tilbury Container Services Ltd; Koichi Hirose of NYK; Assistant Inspector Shoichiro Harada of the Kyoto Police; Dr Boyd Stephens, Coroner of San Francisco; Senator John Vasconcellos and his assistant, Sue North; Jack Roberts; and Miyoko Kai. Thank you all.