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Nobayasu led Selena to a large room near the front of the house. It was Japanese style, the floor covered with tightly woven tatami mats. Shoji screens stood open onto a classic Japanese garden surrounded by a high, stone wall. A soothing sound of running water came from the garden. A low table and several cushions were placed in the middle of the room. The Masamune sword lay on another table near one wall.
Too far away to reach. I'd never make it.
She looked out at the garden. "This is a beautiful spot. It's very peaceful."
"You appreciate the garden?"
"How could one not appreciate beauty such as this?"
"My experience is that Westerners are incapable of seeing the subtleties of our gardens."
Selena decided to ignore the insult.
"Where is this document you want me to look at?"
"On the table," Nobayasu said. "Under that piece of glass."
Selena sat on a cushion and rubbed her hands together. Feeling had returned, along with an intense burning sensation. She looked at the document.
"At first glance this looks like it's written in late middle Japanese. But it's not quite right."
"Even I could determine that, Doctor Connor."
"I need a computer and access to the Internet."
"I don't think that would be a good idea," Nobuyasu said. "What's to prevent you from contacting your friends?"
"You'll be standing right over my shoulder. You implied that you would harm my children. I believe you. I won't risk that."
"You are wise to believe me"
"I need to compare the structures of middle Japanese and late middle Japanese. They're different, and I need a computer to do it properly. Looking at this document, I can see things in the grammatical structure that shouldn't be there. I suspect this is written in a combination of the two, and the combination used as the basis of a private code. That would explain why at first glance it appears to be gibberish."
"You cannot do this without a computer?"
"No. I don't have my references here, the way I would back home. Besides, I'd use a computer there as well. What's so important about this document anyway?"
"You don't need to know that."
He turned away.
"Genki, there is a laptop in my study. Bring it here."
"Hai."
Genki left the room. Moments later he returned with the laptop.
"Put it on the table."
Selena opened the computer and turned it on.
"Remember, Doctor Connor. The lives of your husband and your children are at stake. Do not make a mistake."
"You can watch what I do," Selena said. "I told you, I believe you."
She watched the screen boot. In the lower corner, an icon popped up that told her she was now connected to the Internet.
Got you, asshole, she thought.
She entered a search string for late middle Japanese and a short string of commands.
"What are you searching for?"
The screen lit with a British Museum page about the Japanese language.
"This," Selena said.
In Virginia, Elizabeth was sitting at her desk. Lamont and Ronnie were in the room with her. She called Hood, but hed told her he couldn't get a weapon to Nick.
"I don't like refusing, Elizabeth, but I have to be careful," he said. "An international incident with Japan at this time would be a disaster. They're building up their military and the president is negotiating to sell them our latest fighter aircraft. It's important nothing interferes with that."
Elizabeth suppressed her anger It felt like a betrayal.
"I understand, Clarence."
"Whatever he does, tell him not to get caught."
Hood disconnected.
"No good. He won't help."
"Send us over there, director," Ronnie said.
Freddie's voice sounded through the speakers in her office.
Director, I have received a message from Selena.
"A message? What does it say?"
It does not specifically say anything.
"Then how is it a message, Freddie?"
She included a protocol to connect with me in a search string she entered on the computer she is using. I have been able to identify her location and tap into her computer as she works at it. She is comparing two variations of Japanese language that precede modern usage.
"You have an address? Her location?"
That is correct.
"What is it?"
Freddie recited an address in the Chiba Prefecture.
"Excellent, Freddie. Please continue to monitor her actions."
Processing.
Elizabeth called Hood on his private line.
"Elizabeth, what is it?"
"I know where Selena is being held. I have the address. I need you to get hold of Yamamoto."
"Go ahead."
She gave him the information.
"I'll call him now," Hood said.
"Tell him to hurry," Elizabeth said.