Vintage Rob

Chapter 13 - Allies

Katsutoshi's widow remained in the room with the old woman. Rob closed the door softly on his way out. He rested his forehead against the wood while letting the handle go incrementally.

Nobu leaned against a wall near the stairs like a Japanese James Dean. Without comment, they descended to the first floor. After twenty minutes of exiting formalities, they left the house and got into Nobu's car, a sporty, worldly, red sedan. "Will she be okay without Katsutoshi's support?" Rob said.

"She'll be fine. She's a doctor." Nobu put on a pair of sunglasses and started the car. "I'll drive you to Roppongi, but first I have to return to the temple for a few minutes."

"That's great. Thanks."

As soon as the tires started rolling, Nobu reminisced about his life as a student in Boston. He had a Masters degree in Religion from Rob's alma mater, so they shared common ground. Rob's ex-wife's father had been interested in Buddhism. A visit from Nobu might shame him into an act of compassion: handing over Makiko's contact information. Rob would bring it up on the long drive to Roppongi.

When they arrived back at the temple, the parking lot was nearly empty, except for three black sedans with tinted windows. Around the sedans, men in black suits and dark sunglasses smoked cigarettes. Nobu stole glances at them while angling the vehicle into a parking space.

Rob stared at the men too. "Mourners, or gangsters?"

Nobu folded his sunglasses and put them on the dash. "A benefactor. An important one. I'll be back."

The men standing around the sedans watched Nobu cross the parking lot. When the back door of the center sedan opened, the men dropped their cigarettes. A short man in a dark suit slid out. He had a silver buzz cut and wrinkled taut skin. He raised a hand at Nobu.

Half-seriously, Rob looked for a severed finger, the fabled mark of the Japanese mafia, or Yakuza, but found none.

Nobu dipped his head low in respect. At one of the train stations, Rob had observed two businessmen in what appeared to be a competition for the deepest bow, but Nobu's deep bow was not reciprocated. When he straightened his back, the man, the important benefactor, spoke vigorously for five minutes. Nobu's posture communicated respect, and maybe fear. He stood as alert as a soldier. Rob lost interest until he noticed Nobu glance toward the house. Over there, Naoko and Fumiko took turns hugging an older woman on the landing. Afterwards, they walked across the parking lot toward their car and peered at the windshield in front of Rob as if they couldn't see him clearly. They waved hesitantly.

Now that his anxiety about meeting Katsutoshi's widow was released, Rob waved back happily. Meanwhile, the important benefactor passed under the gate and entered the temple grounds, and Nobu ran toward the two young women. Nobu said a few words to them, and they broke into smiles.

As Nobu ran back to his car, Rob undid the seatbelt and opened the car door. Damn, Nobu wasn't going to drive him to Roppongi. "Sorry, a change of plans," Nobu said, "But you're in luck. Naoko and Fumiko can drive you to Roppongi."

Rob did not want to sound ungrateful, but he needed to talk to Nobu. "I can wait. There's no need to inconvenience your niece and her friend." Nobu laughed, but the laughter was not playful or patient. Rob would have to solicit his help with Makiko's parents later. "Okay, thanks. I appreciate the ride, but can we get together another time? To be honest, I wanted to ask you for a favor."

"A favor? Sure, but right now I have to go. I can't keep Mr. Endo waiting." Nobu stepped away. "I'm willing to help, whatever it is." He waved to the women, standing near their car, as he ran from the temple parking lot. They broke into smiles when Rob got out of Nobu's car and started toward them.