That I did not believe.

"You are most kind, Ms. Messenger," he said the same way he might've thanked her for mailing a letter.

"We will await further discussion." Then he turned to Hong and bowed.

"Sifu, may I inquire if you are satisfied with your own inspection?"

"I am, sensei" Hong replied quietly.

"No more need be said."

His answering bow looked just a touch deeper than the one he'd given Nakahatchi earlier.

The intensity on T'ang Wen's face resembled shock. But he effaced it quickly. Good disciple that he was, he didn't do or say anything to undermine his master, regardless of his own feelings.

Nevertheless he gave me the sudden impression that he knew where at least some of the mines were.

"Then," Nakahatchi continued with another bow, "I thank you for your time and attention in this matter, Mr. Swilley."

Swilley nodded back like he didn't think that an ordinary old bow did him justice.

Next Nakahatchi bowed to Deborah.

"Ms. Messenger, when you are ready you will speak with Hideo-san."

"Of course, sensei" She used his title like she couldn't help it.

I knew how she felt. Despite his getup, and his diffidence, he commanded respect.

"Sifu," he went on, "will you now enter my humble dwelling? You will do my dear wife great honor if you and the esteemed T'ang Wen will take tea with us."

"It is we who are honored, sensei," Hong replied with an air of liturgical gravity.

"We will join you with pleasure."

The fact that neither of them let Swilley's pronouncement affect their courtesies did nothing to ease my panic. I couldn't match them. Inside I reeled with the sensation that at least one of them had already stepped on a mine and blown himself to bits. I just didn't know how or why or when the damage would show.

Then everyone bowed to everyone else. Again. Komatori joined his master at Nakahatchi's door. With an almost processional solemnity, as if everything they said and did carried spiritual weight, they ushered Hong and T'ang into Nakahatchi's apartment.

I found myself staring past Deborah and Swilley like I'd gone stupid.

"Brew." She reached for me with a smile.

"I'm going to take Mr. Swilley back to his shop. Then I'll call Mr.

Lacone, let him know what's going on."

I heard myself say thanks. Between her smile and my alarm, I hardly knew who I was anymore.

She came closer.

"It looks to me like you've accomplished something pretty special.

These schools can't go on distrusting each other now." Her eyes studied my face for hints of what was wrong.

"Maybe you should take the afternoon off, get some rest." Holding herself so that Swilley couldn't see her face, she moistened her lips.

"You've got a big night ahead of you."

I couldn't imagine smiling myself, but I tried. It felt like a skull's grimace.

Swilley looked ostentatiously at his watch. It was probably a Rolex, but I didn't care.

"Tell Mr. Lacone," I replied unsteadily, "he can't sit on his hands any longer. Those security measures I requested have to be installed now."

Deborah's smile shifted into a perplexed frown.

"Scare him a bit," I explained.

"Even if it's not true. We need action here. And I don't think he takes me very seriously."

Her expression cleared.

"Got it. If he won't listen to me, I'll sic Sammy on him."

Trying not to sound too fervent, I muttered, "Good."

She arched an eyebrow.

"Same to you." Then she turned back to Swilley.

"Shall we go?"

He didn't muffle his impatience.

"Indeed."

Just for a second, before she escorted him out of the room, I could've sworn he glared at me.

I didn't care about that either. When they were gone, I leaned back against the wall, then slid down it to the floor.

Bernie was already dead. So was Hardshorn. How many more people would get hurt or killed before I figured out what was going on?

Twenty-One.

Unfortunately moping about it solved just about as many problems as sitting on the floor did. Also it made my butt hurt.

With a sigh, I labored to my feet and considered my options.

The only people I really wanted to talk to were Marshal, Detective Moy, and Ginny. But she was on duty with Mai Sternway. And the other two wouldn't appreciate being harassed for answers they didn't have.

Marshal would probably call me if he learned anything including whatever he heard from Moy.