The letter courier stopped by and took my order of cigarettes. It’ll be a couple of days before that man from Osaka brings me supplies. I’m not too worried about that, after all I have another supplier here in Tokyo but they can be expensive. I’m not about to spend that much for eggs. I do wonder if Hide has been consuming the hard boiled eggs I’ve been leaving for her every morning. Muraki said that hard boiled is convenient however I should try poaching the egg instead ensuring that the yolk is somewhat runny as then it will have all the nutrients. But these days I haven’t had the time as I’ve been leaving early and coming home late again. Perhaps this coming weekend I’ll try that.
Kawaji-san had left me with a few new transfers and recruits in the police. Most of them older men from the Choshu-Satsuma area. Some were people from the military while others were former Samurai like myself trying to find a place in this Meiji. At least they’re trying unlike those men in Shimabara. My eyes narrow, we’ve lost communication with them. Our scout has not returned and I have a bad feeling that he won’t be coming back. But I’m more concerned with Aioi, why hasn’t she contacted me? Was she found out? No. It would take more than a snitch to capture that woman who knows how to use her mind and her “gifts”. I’m tempted to look into it myself but…
I read the letter on my desk again.
To the Police Chief Kawaji-san and my direct Superior Fujita-san,
It is with deep regret that I tender my resignation from my post as Sargent from the Special Operations Investigations Department. It was an honor to serve in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for the past five years. If you will please forgive this development and treat me kindly.
Respectfully,
Shindou Naruhodo
I can’t leave and go after Imai… Not without someone I can trust and who has shown he can handle his own. Even if I ask Kinosuke to stay, he’s not the one that’s needed and besides he seemed determined to leave. I wonder what could have brought that on? It can’t be Eiji can it? He hasn’t said anything to Yukiko yet, so Kinosuke must be saying the truth that he has to take care of the family business.
I throw the resignation letter into my drawer. I’ll let Kawaji know later. Besides, the letter was improperly written. Who would resign without providing a reason? Such cowardice… That idiot! With a sigh, I decide to turn in for the night. It will be dark by the time I get home.