Seriously Inconvenienced Ch. 05

No words were spoken, nor needed, as we contemplated the words in our hearts and souls.

"Again, I thank you." said the old man after a moment. "Thank you also, Director," he said to the FBI Deputy Director. "I must now go." Takaki Masaki shook everyone's hand, followed by his son shaking our hands, then the Japanese entourage left the room.

"Well, Commander," said the FBI Deputy Director, "when your career with the Police and with us is finished, just let me know if you want a career in our Diplomatic Corps."

"Thank you, sir." I said, "I think I'll stick to dealing with our Town & County Council for the time being." The Deputy Director smiled in his pursed way, understanding.

"Our chopper has been sent on another mission, so we have a car to drive you back home." the Director said. "But let's have some breakfast first. I want to talk to this Medal-of-Valor-winning partner of yours and recruit her into the FBI."

"Good luck with that." I said. "I'm not letting her get away without a fight." Cindy blushed at the compliments, but during breakfast I was thankful to hear her say she wanted to continue working with me before she got involved with the FBI. But she didn't exactly close the door on it, either...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Taro told me a little about Japanese tradition, and his family heritage." Barry Oliver said as we rode in the back of the FBI limousine towards home. "He said something about breaking with his father's wishes, that he became an engineer instead of working for his father's business in Japan. So... he committed suicide?"

"Yes. Or you could look at it as him sacrificing his life in battle with the Enemy." I said. "He did use himself as a guided missile to exterminate those evil perps from the Corrigan cell. He was already dying, and he knew that by committing honorable seppuku in this way that his death would serve a good purpose and have meaning, that he would restore his honor with his father, and continue his family's honor in his home country. His father understood when I answered his question as I did. And as you could tell, it was well-received and all is now forgiven."

"The Director is right." Cindy said. "You could be in the Diplomatic Corps, knowing the way to answer that question. How did you know?"

"It's harder to explain than to have known." I said. "I only hope that when my death comes, that it will be as honorable, and as brave, as Taichi-sama's."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Upon getting back to my office at Police Headquarters, I saw the object sitting on my desk. Cindy was coming in right behind me and said "What's that?"

I went around and sat down in my chair, peering at it. It was a horse made of matchsticks and toothpicks, sitting on a wooden base. The horse was about a foot long and ten inches high. The plate on the base said 'The Fall of Troy'.

"Should I call the bomb squad?" Cindy asked, concerned.

"No, let me look at this." I said. There was a little trap door in the horse's belly, and I pulled back the hook and let it fall open. No bombs went off, as the horse was hollow, but a little scroll of paper fell out. I unrolled it and read the words on it, which were as follows:

"crossed path,

incommoded,

seriously inconvenienced,

hampered,

positive danger."

"Don, why are you grinning like that?" Cindy asked, seeing the wide grin on my face, which I could not help giving and which I could not stop. I looked up at my partner, then handed her the slip of paper.

"It means we got them." I said. "It means we wiped out the last of the Corrigan Cell on the bypass. It means we have degraded Moriarty's assets, and we have seriously inconvenienced him."

"Why am I not exactly feeling relieved right now?" Cindy said, somewhat sarcastically.

"Oh, we've got another couple of words to go before I get worried." I quipped. "And I'm acquiring such a nice collection of Trojan artworks. This really is a well-made matchstick horse."

I began to laugh. Cindy tried hard to keep a straight face, and totally failed; she began laughing with me until we were both nearly in tears...

Finis... for now.