"Hai, Mino-sama." A sharp, crisp bow. "I will transmit your wishes to Nogami-san immediately."
"What news do we have of the woman?"
"We know she is in London. Our people there have located the hotel where she is staying."
"Then don't waste any more time. Already two attempts by my London oyabun to recover the protocol have been mishandled. He sacrificed three men; two of them were like sons to me. Now I'm beginning to think Vance was responsible."
"We still do not know what happened in Greece." The dark-eyed kobun watched with relief as Neko returned her attention to the window, tail switching. "Authorities there advise that all our men were found shot, one in Crete and two at Delphi. They have an investigation underway, but they only will say that different weapons were used in each case."
"They will be avenged." Tanzan Mino flexed his knuckles together thoughtfully, feeling his resolve strengthen. "I am sending four kobun to London tonight. My personal Boeing is being fueled and readied as we speak. Tell them I will radio initial instructions after they are in flight. Further orders will be channeled through the Docklands office."
"But the man . . . Vance? If the woman is part of the 'deal' he wants in order to forward the funds, then—"
"That is all." His dark eyes had grown strangely opaque.
"As soon as I've completed my 'arrangement' with him, they will kill her."