He rose and came over to the window, standing next to her. "It's just started." He glanced around the room. "Did you bring any boots?"
"No, and I don't care. I just want some fresh air to help clear my head."
"All right, but we'll have to use the service elevator. I can't be seen walking through the lobby, not till tomorrow."
"We can take the stairs. Come on."
By the time they emerged onto the driveway leading out toward the road, traffic had slowed to a crawl and the futuristic shapes of Tsukuba's labs seemed like a fairyland. She noticed that the hotel had its own helicopter pad, undoubtedly to accommodate MITI officials who needed to pop up for a quick consultation. The place was high-tech, powerful, frightening.
Just like Kenji Asano.
"Ken, I'm afraid maybe we've lost it, you and me."
"Lost what?"
"Whatever we had there in Kyoto." She sighed.
"Maybe you've lost it, Tamara." They were striding through the first thin film of white that now blanketed the sidewalk paralleling the road, leaving a trail of flattened footprints. "Nothing has changed for me. You're welcome to come back and be part of my life anytime you choose."