Discerning Retribution

ix

The Mysterious Guy in a Cap

THE WAITER DIDN'T PROVE TO BE MUCH HELP. The only thing the man could tell them was that he had served the woman glasses of long island, bought and paid for, in cash, by a guy at the bar that night. He couldn't even give them a detailed description of the said guy's face, saying the man had been wearing a cap the entire time and the lights had created shadows, masking his features. He referred to him as "shady" though, but then followed that he was in no position to question their clients' wardrobe preferences so he didn't pry about the cap.

They thanked him after they were done - at least Reagan did. And then they asked one of the officers to escort the Japanese guy in next.

The tall man in the gray, pristine suit, looking like some rich bachelor, smiled as he entered the interrogation room. He nodded at least twice before he stopped and waited in front of them at the other side of the table. The detective had to gesture towards the chair before the man pulled it out and took a seat. He muttered a thank you in his language as he undid the single button holding his suit closed.

"Mr. Fumijiro Kanzaki?" Samuel held the folder with all the information, something that was slowly becoming a routine.

"Hai. I mean, yes." The other man nodded. He seemed paled under the fluorescent lighting, though Reagan knew this was simply because of the natural color of his skin.

The agent grunted. "How long have you been in the Philippines, Mr. Kanzaki?"

"A little over a year. Because of business. The company I work for has a branch in Makati. I have been designated as head of one of the departments." His accent was thick, but his English was fluent, which meant it wasn't the first time the man had been assigned abroad.

Her partner nodded. "And do you make a habit of going to nightclubs?"

"No. I do not. I am not a fan of loud music."

The detective couldn't argue with her partner's obvious plan of attack. The man certainly looked like he'd be smart enough to orchestrate a complicated scheme, and the fact that he was a foreigner could just be the perfect protection he was betting on, just in case they figure out that it wasn't terrorism but murder, and everything goes south. Maybe the guy had been one of their victim's endevours and he was lying about seeing her watching him. Nobody would check his story anyway. But then, he could've just as easily claimed he didn't see her. So, why didn't he?

"Then what were you doing at Cerberus that night?" Samuel placed the folder down on the table and leaned forward.

"Maa, I was scheduled to meet someone at the club that night. A friend." The man's smile was perfectly calculated, one that's been mastered by every true company executive. "Now what is this really about detectives? I was told I simply had to give a retelling of my statement. Or do I need to call a lawyer now?"

"We just have to make sure you are not a suspect, Mr. Kanzaki. Standard procedure." The agent said frankly.

Reagan thought the man would be outraged, and would immediately start blabbering things that would dismiss him as a potential suspect - that was the usual reaction they got. He remained oddly calmed though, and simply raised his eyebrows.

"I'm gonna have to ask you your friend's name and contact so we can verify your statement." Her partner went on.

The man shrugged and took out his wallet. He pulled a calling card from it and handed it to them using both hands, just like how most Southeast Asian people did.

"Thank you." Reagan reached out and took it the same way, which earned her another smile and a nod. It made her feel like she was doing business with the guy rather than interrogating him.