We reached the top of the stairs and turned right to move in the opposite direction. On the left, another stairway continued upward.

Ahead was another door, a smaller version of the one that faced the outside world. It wasn't locked. Sternway swung it open without knocking and led the rest of us through.

This was obviously the conference room. Instead of windows, it had the kind of indirect lights that put people at ease, blond veneer paneling designed to look expensive, and a warmer rendition of the ground floor carpet. But it didn't contain any tables, lecterns, or video screens.

Wooden folding chairs lined along the walls were the only furniture. In the center of each side wall, another carved door interrupted those lines.

Komatori and his helpers carted the case into the center of the room, folded out its legs, and set it carefully upright. The older student straightened his back with a muffled groan, but his younger companions did their best to pretend that they could've carried the display all day.

"You're going to keep the chops here?" I asked Komatori. The idea didn't exactly lift my heart.

He must've heard the doubt in my voice.

"Yes, Brew-san. Is this not a proper place?"

"It's the best spot available," Sternway put in promptly. I guess he wasn't interested in my qualms.

"It's easily accessible. The chops are an important historical resource, and Nakahatchi sensei doesn't want to conceal them. But it's only open when the school holds classes. Everyone in the dojos can keep watch."

I'd already seen how karate-ka kept watch, but I didn't object. Instead I pointed at the ceiling.

"What's up there?"

Sternway shook his head.

"That isn't a useful option. Mr. La-cone customizes the third floors to suit the needs of individual schools. Some want storage space or more apartments. Others like to add a private dojo, or a martial arts library. Nakahatchi sensei has both, as well as guest quarters for visiting masters. He likes a measure of seclusion. Setting up the display would disrupt the school."

Hideo Komatori nodded polite agreement.

That sounded plausible enough, but I wanted to object anyway. Security would definitely be a problem here. However, I kept it to myself. I worked for Lacone. The inadequacy of Na-kahatchi's arrangements were none of Sternway's business.

When I didn't argue, he finished his disquisition.

"As I've said, each school determines its own use for the third floors.

Master Soon and Sifu Hong have included small equipment and supply stores. Sake Gravel maintains a collection of Malaysian weapons for training. The possibilities are as diverse as the martial arts themselves."

I wondered how long he'd been giving this particular pep talk. He delivered it like Holy Writ.

"And all of this was your idea?"

"In essence, yes. As I've said, Mr. Lacone has no background in the martial arts."

I still didn't understand why Sternway hadn't moved into Martial America himself. He sure seemed proud of it, despite his flat demeanor. And he certainly could've cut a favorable deal with Lacone.

But I didn't think that HRH would tell me the truth in front of witnesses, so I changed directions.

"What about keys?" I asked Komatori.

"How many are there? Who has them?"

Compared to Sternway, Komatori sounded like a model of openness.

"When we entered our lease, Brew-san, Mr. Lacone provided two keys.

Two more have been made. Nakahatchi sensei retains two for himself and his wife. I've been entrusted with one. And Aronson-san" he indicated the older man behind him "also has a key. He's our senior student."

I raised my eyebrows involuntarily. Nakahatchi had a wife? He hadn't struck me as a married man. Too ascetic, maybe. Or too full of sorrow.

"I assume you're talking about keys to the front door. What about others? These apartments? The conference room?"

Komatori frowned as if the question surprised him.

"There are none. We haven't needed them."

I stared at him.

"You mean to tell me one key opens every door here?"

He offered another of his delicate shrugs.

"And the doors above us as well. In addition, there are the fire exits."

They needed a key to use the fire exits? I swallowed a sour laugh.

Garner's building inspectors couldn't, could not, have approved that.

Hell, Watchdog couldn't have approved it.

Was this another of Sternway's bright ideas?

I didn't ask that. Instead I demanded, "Which are where?"

"I'll show you," Komatori offered mildly.

"In a minute." I definitely wanted to see the fire exits. But I was reluctant to make a production out of it in front of HRH. Still none of his business. And I had a different question for my tour guide.

"Anson, Mr. Komatori says there are only four keys. But you unlocked the front door. Where did you get yours?"

He gave me a look that might've been veiled contempt.

"My apologies. I forgot. This is for you." He took a heavy Schlage key from his pocket and handed it to me.

"It's a master key for both buildings. Mr. Lacone keeps it for obvious reasons. The terms of the lease allow tenants to re-key any locks they wish, with the exception of the fire exits. In an emergency he must be able to let the fire department or the police inside."

Unfortunately that part made sense. Of course Lacone had a master key.

Later I'd ask him how many there were. And who had them.

"Shall we look at the fire exits now?" Sternway went on.

"Or would you prefer to see the top floor first?"

Itching to get rid of him, I responded, "I'll go upstairs later."

His condescension gave me hives.