Manhattan

As she showed her identification card to the guard in the lobby and signed the security register, Michiko noticed that, although a few zealous Taiyo personnel had come in to work on an August Saturday on the upper floors, the basement seemed to be empty. Concluding there would be no one to disturb her, she felt relieved.

Half an hour later, Michiko had succeeded in opening the vault with keys and combinations that, as department supervisor, she had locked in her desk. She retrieved the envelope from where she had hidden it, carefully closed the vault and returned to her office.

Michiko stared at the package, remembering the day just two weeks before when her uncle had given it to her. Then she had been so curious, but now, as it lay on her desk, she felt reluctant to open it and even some anxiety about what it might contain.

Michiko's eyes filled with tears which she blinked away fiercely. She must fulfill her responsibilities. Then she could mourn Ichiro.

As she had guessed, inside the larger envelope were four smaller ones. One had her name written across it, Fujitani Michiko. On another was written Itoh Minoru. The name was familiar to Michiko, although she could not remember why. The other two envelopes were unmarked.

Her hands trembling slightly, Michiko opened the envelope addressed to her.