Read Online Linnear 02 - The Miko by Eric Van Lustbader - Free Book Online Page A

value and he has instead revealed his inner strategy to you.”
    “And that’s just what happened a few minutes ago with Sato and Nangi?”
    Nicholas shrugged. “That depends on how much they actually drew you out.”
    Tomkin touched the tips of his fingers to his temple. “Well, it doesn’t matter worth a damn,” he said a little breathily. “I have you, Nick, and between us we’re gonna squeeze these bastards into the box I have waiting for themMusashi’s strategy or not.”
    “Like the disparity in profit figures?” Nicholas said sardonically. “You told me Sphynx’s share would come to a hundred million but the figures you gave Sato indicate that Sphynx and the Sato kobun will be splitting a hundred and fifty million between them.”
    “Ah, what’s fifty mil more or less,” Tomkin said, massaging his temple with some force. He grimaced. “Goddamn migraines.” He looked at Nicholas wearily. “My doctor says it’s purely a product of the world I live in.” He made a rueful smile. “You know what he prescribed? A permanent Palm Springs vacation. He wants me to rot by the side of a pool like the rest of those flyblown palms.” He winced at the pain. “But he ought to know, all right. He’s writing a book called Fifteen Ways to a Migraine-Free Life. He thinks it’s going to be a bestseller. ‘Everyone gets migraines these days,’ he says. ‘God bless stress.’”
    Tomkin went and sat down on the edge of the plush sofa. He opened the small refrigerator just beyond, poured himself a drink. “What’ve you got there?”
    “It’s a hand-delivered invitation. I got one as well.”
    Tomkin put down his drink. “Let’s see it.” He tore open the flap, pulled out a stiff, engraved card. “It’s in goddamned kanji” he said angrily, pushing it back at Nicholas. “What’s it say?”
    “You and I, it seems, are invited to Sato’s wedding. It’s on Saturday.”
    Tomkin grunted, downed the remainder of his drink in one gulp. “Christ,” he murmured, “just what we need now.” He looked up as he poured himself another. “How about you?”
    Nicholas shook his head and Tomkin shrugged. “Just trying to get your liver in shape. These sonsabitch.es drink their Suntory Scotch like it was water. You go out with them of an evening, you’d better be prepared for the onslaught.”
    “I wouldn’t worry about that,” Nicholas said coldly. “I’m well aware of their habits.”
    “Sure, sure,” Tomkin said. “Just trying to be friendly. You did all right on the battlefield with those two jokers.” He gestured with his glass. “You speak to Justine yet?”
    Nicholas shook his head. “She didn’t want me to take this trip at all.”
    “Well, that’s only natural. I’m sure she’s missing you.”
    Nicholas watched Tomkin wade through his second Scotch on the rocks and wondered if that was an antidote to his migraines.
    “It’s more than that,” he said slowly. “When Saigo got to her he used saiminjutsu on her, a little-known art even among ninja.”
    “A kind of hypnosis, wasn’t it?”
    “In a way, in Western terms. But it went way beyond that.” He sat down next to Tomkin. “She tried to kill me. It was the hypnotic suggestion Saigo planted within her, but still.” He shook his head. “My healing broke the saiminjutsu spell, but the deep remorse she feels… I was not able to erase.”
    “She blames herself? But it’s not her fault!”
    “How many times have I assured her of that.”
    Tomkin swirled the dregs of his drink around and around. “She’s a tough one. Take it from me, I know. She’ll get over it.”
    Nicholas was thinking of how badly Justine had taken his decision to work for her father. Her bitterness toward what she saw as her father’s manipulation of her life up until just several years ago was understandable to him. They were, he felt, two people unable to communicate with each other. Tomkin had expected certain things from her and, not finding them, had