“Well, then, I’m going.” I pulled the coat over me, hiding the letter I had in the pocket.
“You certainly have no guilt about taking time away from our work to traipse off to a party!”
“Joe’s got something on the American, I’m positive of it.” I got up and headed for the door. “Besides, I quit my job today. I need him.”
“You’re leaving Nichiyu? It’s because of this mess, isn’t it?” Hugh sounded contrite. After a minute, he said, “You should go back to America and do law or medical school. I could write you a reference for law and Tom could do the other—”
“Are you delirious? I’d never leave Tokyo to do something so boring!”
“Darling, it hurts me to say this, but I can’t very well support you if I’m unemployed. I’ll lose the flat, the car, everything.”
“This is my city, and I’ll live here on my terms, okay? I’ve got something new, I keep trying to tell you.”
“What’s your scheme?” Hugh closed his eyes as if the sight of me was becoming tiresome.
“Antiques. I’m going to work as a freelance buyer for private clients.” I liked the way it sounded in contrast with “shopper,” Joe’s original term.
“Too risky. Why don’t you gather a few clients first and build a nest egg? I’d hate to see you get discouraged.” If Hugh were any more dubious, he could pass for my father.
“This afternoon, I sold a piece I bought in Shiroyama for one-point-two million yen. A decent nest egg, wouldn’t you say?”
Hugh’s eyes flew open. “Tell me I’m not dreaming!”
I put my hands on my hips and stared down at him with my most severe expression. “I’m having the cash wired to my bank account, if you want to see a receipt.”
“You’ll want to incorporate if you’re going to run a business in Japan. You’ll need a lawyer—”
“I’ll need a lawyer who’s not in the hospital or prison. Ta, darling.” I waved my fingers in a splendid imitation of him as I left.
31
The Tokyo American Club lies within spitting or kissing distance of the Russian Embassy, depending on your mood. Mine was definitely guarded. I had a fantasy of walking into the sprawling, California-style complex and being politely shown out. Winnie had said something to Hugh about buying tickets, and I had less than 2,000 yen in my evening bag.
Fortunately, Joe was waiting on a sofa in the understated but plush lobby, a copy of the Wall Street Journal open in his lap. Catching sight of me, he smiled and patted the seat next to him.
“How’s life?” he asked. “You look good for someone doing combat with the police, gangsters, and tabloid writers.”
“I put in my resignation at Nichiyu. My lower stress level must be showing.”
“Superb.” Joe leaned forward and kissed me. “Now you’re going to have to let me convince you about starting your business. We’ll order some champagne to get started—”
“No champagne is needed, and don’t bother trying to convince me about anything,” I told him. “I’m already there.”
Joe looked amazed when I told him about my sale to the Shiroyama Folk Art Center. He immediately started planning. “Much more important than advertising will be word-or-mouth. When the gals in the international women’s clubs talk about shopping, your name should be on somebody’s lips. Businessmen traveling solo will ask you to buy for their wives, in part because you’re a pretty little thing and they’ll enjoy the consultation. Do I offend you?” he beamed. “It’s simply the way men work and to your economic advantage.”
“I wonder about the way men work,” I said. “This thing with Mrs. Chapman—do you just turn on and off?”
Joe shook his head. “She came on too strong for me. When I saw you that Sunday outside of the church, I was so relieved. I thought you would help me out, but you didn’t!”
“What’s wrong with her? Your ages match, and you have the same kind of enthusiasm for life—” I was perplexed.
“I’m not really interested in American women.”
I stiffened. “Well, I didn’t come here for a date with a man older than my father.”
“Touché. The source is waiting for you. Miss Shimura, but we need to circulate first.” He rose and gestured toward the sound of big band music, clinking glasses, and applause.
“I should warn you that I’m terrible at small-talk,” I muttered, feeling a painful shyness come over me as we headed into a ballroom filled with elegantly dressed gaijin, the party page come to life.